I'm seeking a general opinion. What I want to buy is a Tablet Phone (Phablet) and specifically that—less expensive Chinese Clone if possible. An unlocked two-SIM, quad band job, 5-to-5.3" screen, WiFi, 3G/4G, Android 4.x, two camera with the highest resolving at 8 mp, all the currently desirable standard bells-and-whistles—to be used both as a phone and extensively for general tablet purposes, including video (catching up on teevee), audio (music of course), word processing and ebook reading…all formats. Currently I carry two small devices: a feature ClonePhone running Nucleus (Dapeng T8000) for calls and an iPod Touch 3G for everything else. I'm hoping for a Tablet phone that'll do the lot, so I need carry only one toy.
Here's the thing: I just had a disappointing experience with the HaiPai X710D. Out of the box it had problems I learned were common to the model, with firmware (trouble addressing the SD expansion card) and a too-recessed earphone port. I read about the workarounds but didn't want to be compromised before I began, so after playing with it as-was, just to get the feel of the interface, etc. I returned it. I'd like to avoid a hinky model next time.
I do understand that in some ways, any Chinese clone is subject to imperfection, so—that acknowledged—what are the best, work-well-out-of-the-box-without-modification-needed Tablet Phones that meet the general specs of what I've described above. Any recommendations?
There is a Thread in place that can assist you:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1846277
I have a samsung galaxy tab A 10.1 with S-Pen, and I find it pretty alright. However, as an artist, the size and processor are quite the deal-breakers, size because 10.1 is too small (a complain I'm hell of a lot sure is uncommon to hear, haha), and processor because artist apps are processor-heavy, the less processing power and ram you have, the less you can do, and the laggier the brushes will be. In that regard, the A 10.1 passes pretty alright, but it's still very noticeable that it's quite a weak beast (heck, the A 10.1 can't run minecraft unless you reduce the settings a lot, why?)
Anyways, the point is, someone in my city is selling a factory refurbished Note Pro 12.2, and I was wondering if I should buy it or just stay with the Tab A 10.1, is the Note Pro 12.2 processor powerful enough to run multiple layers in, let's say, Cloverpaint without the brush lagging like crazy? How about the paralax, is it abnormally horrid like the surface pro 2? or is it pretty good like the tab A with SPen line? How long will the battery last while drawing? (The tab A lasts for about 3 to 4 hours for intensive painting sessions). Can I add a custom rom without screwing up the pen capabilities, and if it can be done, can I still work with multiwindows (multitasking)? Will my Bamboo Smart pen will work with the Note 12.2?
I'm worried because, although it will be just 200 bucks, it's still 200 bucks that will go down the toilet if this tablet doesn't meet my artistic expectations. I got my eyes on this because of the 32gb of storage and the octacore processor, as well as those delicious 12 inches of screen and stereo speakers (I listen to music while I draw), and also to send this side buttons to hell (seriously samsung why put the buttons on the side, they get on the way all the time!)
If someone here is also an artist and still uses this tablet, I'd absolutely love to hear your feedback about this device. I can safely say, from my side, that the Samsung Galaxy Tab A 10.1 is a gorgeous looking tablet with a beautiful screen, amazing battery life and some of the best pen technology I've used; but the issues that it has leave it only as a quick-doodling device, or as a artists entry-level tool, any professional should try to seek for something better (like the S3), because the Tab A 10.1 has a weak processor, a very small screen and only 16 gigs of storage that will really stop you from working comfortably. Not a bad device for the price, but as I said, not the very best for demanding sessions of complex artworks.
Whoops
I just realized that I posted this on the wrong section, sorry about that!
First of all the 10.1 Tab A sucks, it has **** resolution and aspect ratio. If I were you I'd buy the note 12.2. I don't use Clover Paint because the ****ing UI sucks. I personally use ArtFlow and ArtRage and ArtRage only lags on some tools due to the simulations it does (I draw with 3-5 layers at 2400x2400, 1600x2048, 2560x1280). The Bamboo pen would work but the parallax may be worse depending on the model you bought since you would need the Galaxy Note version to make it work well. With regards to battery, I think mine lasts pretty long. I generally draw for at least 30 minutes a day and like 2-3 hours on weekends and I charge only once a week (I only draw and upload the images). Custom roms would only work on certain models based on what I've read. The multiwindow would use Google's native implementation usually. It's okay but I never use it. Parallax is okay just stay away from the edges of the screen and it's fine. With regards to professional use, I doubt you could honestly use only this to finish something for professional work.
For reference, I've drawn these images using just my phone:
http://imgur.com/a/0jGkF
Not an artist, so can't speak to the purely artistic end of things. I can, however, talk some about the comparison between my Note 12.1 and my wife's Note 10.1 (a step up, I believe, from the Tab you have). I am sorry I bought her the Note 10.1. My 12.2 Note Pro is my favorite piece of hardware (esp. w/ a logitech keyboard folder for it). Her Note 10.1 takes forever to charge and is a big pain to use while plugged in (because the plug is at the base of the tablet instead of on the side). It overall underwhelms while my Note 12.2 still seems elegant.
Again, not speaking to the art side. I have installed various art programs on my tablet, and played about. I think someone who knew what they were doing would find it quite productive.
Blessings.
I agree with the upper posts, now that I own a Note Pro 12.2 I came back to drawing without the need of large space or setup nor too much customizing brushes/UI as it is supposed to do in Photoshop on my desktop (even though I suggest you to get a good home setup with at least a Wacom Intuos Pro maybe M size to finish professional work, if you don't actually have one). I have tried a 10.1 and it's really a bit too small compared. I started tweaking with custom ROM with Note Pro 12.2 some months ago, they works great, actually I am on the wonderful Valera1978's Lineage OS 14.1 Nougat 7.2.1 for P905 Note Pro and except you'll miss the touchwiz s-pen official functions (things triggered when you slide out the pen, snote etc.) the drawing experience is great on Sketchbook, ArtRage, Painter and so on... In my limited experience custom roms can be much more snappier and efficient and can give you a debloated near stock experience which is strong thumbs up!
Mind a very important thing! You have to know which model you are purchasing, so let the seller inform you about that. Here in EU where I bought it's easy to find P905 which should be the one with a different chipset, improved for all I know. There are some p905 variant as p905v from Verizon or p907a that could be to avoid if you plan to use Custom ROM: some of them can't be rooted or there is no relevant ROM development. Be sure to dig in the forum with the search to get know which model could suit you best, many topics around.
Speaking of the pen, I can understand that the little s-pen stylus can tire your hand a lot if you work more than half an hour. There are topics where it has been sorted out which type of Wacom Bamboo Feel was properly designed to work with Note Pro 12.2 with minimal offset, the last and improved version is Wacom Bamboo Smart CS-310, though very rare to find. I own it and I can state drawing with that is great! You can find many topics covering the pen to choose and there is at least one major topic where you can learn how to hack your s-pen into a normal sized pen body to have a more comfortable experience.
Sorry for the bad english, cheers!
I am also not an artist, but I do want to say that I purchased a Note pro 12.2 on Ebay for $350 2 months ago, and I absolutely LOVE it! I bought a Logitech keyboard and Samsung S-Mouse for it as well, and I have been using it every single day.
The one drawback is that Samsung stopped issuing updates for the Note Pro after Lollipop 5.1.1. But I haven't found this to be a major issue. It has performed very well in my experience.
I would absolutely recommend making the Note Pro 12.2 your next tablet purchase. You can't buy one in stores, but you can get one on Ebay or Amazon For $300-$350. It is still one of the best tablets out there, in my opinion.
squartascale said:
[...]
Mind a very important thing! You have to know which model you are purchasing, so let the seller inform you about that. Here in EU where I bought it's easy to find P905 which should be the one with a different chipset, improved for all I know. There are some p905 variant as p905v from Verizon or p907a that could be to avoid if you plan to use Custom ROM: some of them can't be rooted or there is no relevant ROM development. Be sure to dig in the forum with the search to get know which model could suit you best, many topics around.
[...]
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I came back to do some reading in this forum and tried quite hard to get back the thread which taught me about main differences among the most common version of Note Pro 12.2. It has been quite annoying to find it back and I immediately tought of OP because it could be really useful to him, though I didn't quite catch for certain if the custom rom development scene is more healthy for sm-p900 or sm-p905, but I think the first could be. Anyway, I own a p905 and I can reassure you the custom rom scene is enough rich to give some valid alternatives to Stock ROM. This is the thread (alternatively you can search with exynos+snapdragon in search string, in the general Note Pro 12.2 forum): https://forum.xda-developers.com/galaxy-note-pro-12/help/exynos-snapdragon-one-performer-t3564929
Cheers!
does anybody have the firmware for the s8 ultra plus gen 2 from 1/17/22 the curent update isnt installing for me and i really want android auto wireless to work thasnk you in advance
I too have many issues with the S8 pro gen 2 firmware not updating.
there seems to be many bugs with this unit.
I cant get any of the USB leads to work with anything.
Bought a USB DVD drive - powers up but nothing there after.
the memory stick USB Storage dont do anything either.
The more i look into this very clever box of tricks the more i see an unfinished bit of rushed production kit.
Not a happy bunny especialy when its not a cheap unit, i could of nearly bout a pioneer for the same price just with a smaller screen.
not impressed so far.
https://atoto-usa.oss-us-west-1.ali...or-ATOTO-S8-Gen2-Series-System-2022-04-15.zip
I have the S8 Gen2 Ultra and Ive had no issues whatso ever updating. Just unzipped to a fat32 microsd and followed the instructions. so wondering if its a "pro" issue?
you might be able to try one of the generic android updates ive seen in the FYT thread
Thank you very much for the link I will down load and try later today
Hi guys, I just have a few questions about my unit. I recently bought a Note 20 ultra US version via Lazada mall from a supplier in China. They're supposedly selling brand new units and since it's categorized as a lazmall seller I took the chance. But somehow when I got the phone I'm starting to have doubts if my unit is brand new or worse a fake. I just have a few questions on how I can verify it's authenticity. Ive read that you can confirm via rtn but can't seem to find a code that works. And added reasons why I fear I got a refurbished unit is cause some animations are not so smooth. Like when I type on my keyboard there's some delay. My 3 year old s10+ does seem to have smoother animation. And when I charge, theres a running 4 red dot that appears on top of my phone while it's on locked mode. And I haven't seen it once get a 5g connection too. Hope someone can help me answer those questions.
Would connecting to Odin shed any light? If it's not a samsung phone, I wouldn't think Odin would recognize it?
Ducter said:
Would connecting to Odin shed any light? If it's not a samsung phone, I wouldn't think Odin would recognize it?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm sorry, I'm not that tech savvy. I've read of Odin but not particularly familiar enough to use it and I don't wanna twiddle with something specially software that I have no idea how to use.
I'm pretty sure it's a samsung phone I just wanna find out if it's a refurbished unit. Cause it would be such a shame that I paid for a brand new phone and was given a refurbished one.
You should be able to find the androids true features via a app.
I'd suggest going on YouTube and search for some generic term like
Checking if android is fake
Or even checking wish phones
I have seen some people who check that for legitimate android versions and even true imei serial codes.
Alot of fake phones change all that info to fake it.
Things like api level
Serial number
And true resolutions
I've checked the imei and it seems legit. I'm just having trouble to see if the unit is refurbished. And seems I can only find that out through rtn. And also noticed that while charging the unit the touch sensitivity becomes kinda wonky.
Hello everyone,
I search a tablet (low cost) with possibility to flash gsi rom or other without Google services and bloatware.
This tablet I will use for home automation panel control.
Thanks
I think most or all android tablets with android 9 and above come with GSI support. Some support it better than others. You may want to try searching for how to flash GSI tablet. looks like people are installing GSI's on the Samsung galaxy Tab A 10.1 (2019). But my favorite solution if waiting... for the Google pixel tablet which is expected to come this year and that probably will come with the best GSI support, but idk about pricing. If you are going for the Samsung tab route, please do more research on GSI compatibility
You may want to get a used tablet like the Samsung I mentioned to get it cheap
Alternative solution: If the sole purpose of the tablet is home automation control, I recommend getting a raspberry pi zero 2W(with headers probably) which is actually a tiny computer. You will need to buy a separate display.But it's really energy efficient, customizable and tiny. You will also get a really good community support as millions were sold. You won't get this much of support from other users to solve problems from other cheap tablets. Th super cheap tablets are mostly random devices from china with a very tiny userbase.Note: setting up will be a bit more harder as it runs on linux. Android images are available but I cannot recommend it. It's also cheap.
Another solution: Buy an good(probably used) GSI supported phone and buy a display and connect it with usb(you may need a usb hub for display and power). Or buy an hdmi adapter if that exists
#YetAnotherPerson said:
I think most or all android tablets with android 9 and above come with GSI support. Some support it better than others. You may want to try searching for how to flash GSI tablet. looks like people are installing GSI's on the Samsung galaxy Tab A 10.1 (2019). But my favorite solution if waiting... for the Google pixel tablet which is expected to come this year and that probably will come with the best GSI support, but idk about pricing. If you are going for the Samsung tab route, please do more research on GSI compatibility
You may want to get a used tablet like the Samsung I mentioned to get it cheap
Alternative solution: If the sole purpose of the tablet is home automation control, I recommend getting a raspberry pi zero 2W(with headers probably) which is actually a tiny computer. You will need to buy a separate display.But it's really energy efficient, customizable and tiny. You will also get a really good community support as millions were sold. You won't get this much of support from other users to solve problems from other cheap tablets. Th super cheap tablets are mostly random devices from china with a very tiny userbase.Note: setting up will be a bit more harder as it runs on linux. Android images are available but I cannot recommend it. It's also cheap.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for suggesting but the hardware DIY for this scope, no please.
I want the simple tablet.