I mean seriously... I installed the Google clock app and Google calendar because the Huawei apps fail at the basic controls and after Android 7 they force their crap controls on other apps? Honestly, I am super passed.
I wish they could keep the alarm clock from Android 6/EMUI 4. The alarm clock on 7 looks so crap and undone.
I'm going to give a slightly more in-depth review of the new Android release for our phones, and why you should _NOT_ install it. In fact, I think EMUI 4.X blows 5.X out of the water.
Breaking down my major gripes with the system:
Battery life is terrible. I am yet to pinpoint the source of the drain, and without rooting I don't really have the ability to do a whole lot about it. Exact same settings and usage that I had on EMUI 4.X and instead of being able to go two days without a charge, I'm having to charge it constantly. It appears to be a mixture of software and hardware, which in my opinion, means that Huawei put very little effort into optimizing this software for their hardware.
Notifications are trash. Seriously. They're ugly, and not nearly as functional as their prior iteration. Spotify for example had a decent lockscreen functionality in EMUI 4.X -- That's now gone, replaced with a banner style widget. The default Google banner-style widget. So... Huawei pretty much left everything stock. This has been slapped together hastily. My gripe in this particular situation? Googles default banner widget is so thin, you can barely use the seek/play/pause functionality without accidentally mashing something you're not meaning to. --- Beyond that, there are bugs with text notifications. Example: If you get a text while you have that persons text conversation open in the stock messaging app, and they send another text, even though you're looking right at it you get a banner. The banner stays until you tap it. ...Seriously Huawei?
Apps, UI, other issues. Messaging, again. They've added an emoji icon into the text input area. You can't get rid of it. It wasn't there before, but now it's a permanent fixture. How about two more emoji icons on your keyboard? Sound annoying? It is. The "obvious" solution is to install other software to appeal to my pedantic needs. Or Huawei can stop making superfluous changes to their software. Black background on notification drawer, white banners... very sexy. Can't move certain icons in the app drawer (IE: You can move "Mobile Data" toggle, but not "Settings").
I won't keep ranting on and on, but Huawei seriously, seriously dropped the ball on this one. It's almost embarrassing in fact. There's a reason this upgrade hasn't been released worldwide, and if Huawei can't iron out their problems, I would never recommend it to any user who enjoyed anything about EMUI.
Verdict, in my opinion: Stick with EMUI 4.X - Root it. Enjoy.
Jonestown said:
I'm going to give a slightly more in-depth review of the new Android release for our phones, and why you should _NOT_ install it. In fact, I think EMUI 4.X blows 5.X out of the water.
Breaking down my major gripes with the system:
Battery life is terrible. I am yet to pinpoint the source of the drain, and without rooting I don't really have the ability to do a whole lot about it. Exact same settings and usage that I had on EMUI 4.X and instead of being able to go two days without a charge, I'm having to charge it constantly. It appears to be a mixture of software and hardware, which in my opinion, means that Huawei put very little effort into optimizing this software for their hardware.
Notifications are trash. Seriously. They're ugly, and not nearly as functional as their prior iteration. Spotify for example had a decent lockscreen functionality in EMUI 4.X -- That's now gone, replaced with a banner style widget. The default Google banner-style widget. So... Huawei pretty much left everything stock. This has been slapped together hastily. My gripe in this particular situation? Googles default banner widget is so thin, you can barely use the seek/play/pause functionality without accidentally mashing something you're not meaning to. --- Beyond that, there are bugs with text notifications. Example: If you get a text while you have that persons text conversation open in the stock messaging app, and they send another text, even though you're looking right at it you get a banner. The banner stays until you tap it. ...Seriously Huawei?
Apps, UI, other issues. Messaging, again. They've added an emoji icon into the text input area. You can't get rid of it. It wasn't there before, but now it's a permanent fixture. How about two more emoji icons on your keyboard? Sound annoying? It is. The "obvious" solution is to install other software to appeal to my pedantic needs. Or Huawei can stop making superfluous changes to their software. Black background on notification drawer, white banners... very sexy. Can't move certain icons in the app drawer (IE: You can move "Mobile Data" toggle, but not "Settings").
I won't keep ranting on and on, but Huawei seriously, seriously dropped the ball on this one. It's almost embarrassing in fact. There's a reason this upgrade hasn't been released worldwide, and if Huawei can't iron out their problems, I would never recommend it to any user who enjoyed anything about EMUI.
Verdict, in my opinion: Stick with EMUI 4.X - Root it. Enjoy.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Wish you told me before I read your review..lol
I don't mind it so far, notifications are pretty crappy. Currently, I am using Google Keyboard a lot better than the built-in one.
My annoyance is that I use LastPass, Yaste and DoubleTwist apps, which should stay in the notification panel if I am using them even though the phone locks and it closes then on lock.
I have checked the power management and rebooted as well, but LastPass etc.. disappear from the nofication panel.
TG09 said:
Wish you told me before I read your review..lol
I don't mind it so far, notifications are pretty crappy. Currently, I am using Google Keyboard a lot better than the built-in one.
My annoyance is that I use LastPass, Yaste and DoubleTwist apps, which should stay in the notification panel if I am using them even though the phone locks and it closes then on lock.
I have checked the power management and rebooted as well, but LastPass etc.. disappear from the nofication panel.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Haha, well I had to try it for a couple of days at least to make sure I was justified in disliking it so much.
I'll be rolling back today though, if I run into any issues with this I'll be sure to post any potential work arounds.
Jonestown said:
Haha, well I had to try it for a couple of days at least to make sure I was justified in disliking it so much.
I'll be rolling back today though, if I run into any issues with this I'll be sure to post any potential work arounds.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
PM me on how you roll back, I might do the same after you have.
Cheers fellow kiwi
Jonestown said:
I'm going to give a slightly more in-depth review of the new Android release for our phones, and why you should _NOT_ install it. In fact, I think EMUI 4.X blows 5.X out of the water.
Breaking down my major gripes with the system:
Battery life is terrible. I am yet to pinpoint the source of the drain, and without rooting I don't really have the ability to do a whole lot about it. Exact same settings and usage that I had on EMUI 4.X and instead of being able to go two days without a charge, I'm having to charge it constantly. It appears to be a mixture of software and hardware, which in my opinion, means that Huawei put very little effort into optimizing this software for their hardware.
Notifications are trash. Seriously. They're ugly, and not nearly as functional as their prior iteration. Spotify for example had a decent lockscreen functionality in EMUI 4.X -- That's now gone, replaced with a banner style widget. The default Google banner-style widget. So... Huawei pretty much left everything stock. This has been slapped together hastily. My gripe in this particular situation? Googles default banner widget is so thin, you can barely use the seek/play/pause functionality without accidentally mashing something you're not meaning to. --- Beyond that, there are bugs with text notifications. Example: If you get a text while you have that persons text conversation open in the stock messaging app, and they send another text, even though you're looking right at it you get a banner. The banner stays until you tap it. ...Seriously Huawei?
Apps, UI, other issues. Messaging, again. They've added an emoji icon into the text input area. You can't get rid of it. It wasn't there before, but now it's a permanent fixture. How about two more emoji icons on your keyboard? Sound annoying? It is. The "obvious" solution is to install other software to appeal to my pedantic needs. Or Huawei can stop making superfluous changes to their software. Black background on notification drawer, white banners... very sexy. Can't move certain icons in the app drawer (IE: You can move "Mobile Data" toggle, but not "Settings").
I won't keep ranting on and on, but Huawei seriously, seriously dropped the ball on this one. It's almost embarrassing in fact. There's a reason this upgrade hasn't been released worldwide, and if Huawei can't iron out their problems, I would never recommend it to any user who enjoyed anything about EMUI.
Verdict, in my opinion: Stick with EMUI 4.X - Root it. Enjoy.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I guess its all depends on how you use your phone and what apps you got. I have 0 issues with EMUI 5.0 and I actually recommend it over EMUI 4.x. Battery life for me is slightly better thanks to the improved Doze and Vulcan API. Performance has improved, especially in the touch responsiveness of the UI (again, thanks to native support to Vulcan). I have no issues with the notification since all of the apps I use is clearly visible and functions properly. In regards to Apps, UI and etc... Well, I am using Nova Launcher Prime and I have customized it to the way I like it and also using SwiftKey so I dont get any of the keyboard issues you are reporting and I use Textra for my messaging and works perfectly fine.
So I guess its all depends on what apps you have and how you like your interface set up.
TG09 said:
PM me on how you roll back, I might do the same after you have.
Cheers fellow kiwi
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not gonna PM just yet. I've had a hell of a time thusfar, still trying to find a method to get back to absolute stock (which would require our stock oeminfo I think, which I don't have, honestly I'm not even 100% sure).
Right now it says I'm on software version C900B140 -- I don't know wtf this is lol -- I'll figure it out though, at least it's working after 3 hours of bootlooping.
Hi,
U can rollback with unbranding but, it's painfull I struggled with it most of the week end.
(will redo it cause i want a root most of my apps need it).
Cheers
Jonestown said:
Not gonna PM just yet. I've had a hell of a time thusfar, still trying to find a method to get back to absolute stock (which would require our stock oeminfo I think, which I don't have, honestly I'm not even 100% sure).
Right now it says I'm on software version C900B140 -- I don't know wtf this is lol -- I'll figure it out though, at least it's working after 3 hours of bootlooping.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
How did you get one fella?
TG09 said:
How did you get one fella?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It was ****, but I was able to rollback to a C432 build. You're stuck with this version now, but there's a rollback thread somewhere around here with the instructions that work. I can't find it off hand, but googling "P9 Rollback" or searching for it on here should help. You're basically following the rollback instructions and then following the debrand instructions up until the point where you're asked to use Huawei Updater 2.0.
I installed, got to 4.1.1 -- disabled updates. Plan on staying here for a while.
Jonestown said:
It was ****, but I was able to rollback to a C432 build. You're stuck with this version now, but there's a rollback thread somewhere around here with the instructions that work. I can't find it off hand, but googling "P9 Rollback" or searching for it on here should help. You're basically following the rollback instructions and then following the debrand instructions up until the point where you're asked to use Huawei Updater 2.0.
I installed, got to 4.1.1 -- disabled updates. Plan on staying here for a while.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Do i need to unlock bootloader to perform a rollback?
C900Bxx is a hybrid from flashing one firmware, say C432, over another, say C02. It won't receive any updates but can be 'rebranded' by flashing new oeminfo.img
Android 7 is way, way better than 6 - snappier, more responsive, better battery life, and as for Huawei apps overdrawing Google ones - like Calendar, Clock, etc - it doesn't happen with me, period.
Still, YMMV, and everyone's got their own tastes and opinions - including me lol.
Peace.
It doesn't happen for you? Okay, maybe I should do a factory reset.
hello guys,
i noticed that ''Xperia Action" feature was removed in xz3 and it's not available.. i looked it up in display and where it used to be in xz2 and the previous models.. in "Xperia assist" menu... but it looks like Sony got rid of it... it was very cool tnd useful feature that i use it all the time according to my personal settings... and I'm frustrated that Sony removed it... s
do you guys recommend any other alternative feature available in the xz3 that can turn on automatically according to the schedule? like putting do not disturb, dimming brightness with night mode, and turn off other features in one option!
any suggestions would be so much appreciated!
than you
It's very annoying as I used it on previous Xperia phones. Anybody else recommend an application that could replicate the same functionality?... Namely, having Bluetooth and WiFi come on at set times of the day.
Tasker, not very easy to use, but maybe more powerful
There's a replacement coming in Android Q. https://www.xda-developers.com/google-pixel-android-q-settings-routines/
Hey there!
I recently ordered a refurbished XZ1c in a great condition for a great price. Even though it's a relatively old device I'm not happy with the new ones coming out, they always lack certain features I look for, while this one has small size, great hardware, 3.5mm jack, stereo speakers and all the other goodies - I'm really impressed by it.
Software wise I prefer to use clean android with MicroG, so the unofficial Lineage 17.1 seems like the rom to go for, but I have some questions for you guys already owning the device.
DRM keys:
As far as I know unlocking the bootloader results in losing the keys, which breaks sony features and camera (for android 8)/reduces the quality (android 9). I saw there is a way to back the keys up and restore them after rooting which eventually fixes the camera. My question is does this work for custom roms or only stock? Does it bring the other sony features to custom roms as well?
Overall how is the performance with custom android 10 roms? I prefer to use them because of the stock camera, but if you compare them vs the stock which is better?
Also, I would be happy to stay on stock if I can debloat the google apps and use microg instead. Is such an option available?
My phone is *way* faster after flashing a custom ROM -- both Android 10 and 11.
Regarding DRM keys and custom ROMs, been looking into it myself, couldn't find the confirmation that the whole rigmarole of downgrading-temprooting-extracting-(unlocking bootloader)-recovering the keys makes much sense since the lack of keys seems to primarily affect camera and windevine-related apps on Nougat and partially Oreo... Of course, keeping them is better if you have the time and energy for that. I had, but I'm not sure the model I bought have had them in the first place and I don't know how to check.
Turbolqk said:
I would be happy to stay on stock if I can debloat the google apps and use microg instead. Is such an option available?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sure is, adb GUIs will help you with that. ADB AppControl for windows is what I used to debloat, it's a very convenient app letting you disable apps without deleting and back them up to pc before deleting them if you chose to do so (though it does have a rather obnoxious premium version advertisement behavior). for linux, Mobydroid, universal-android-debloater and qtadb (root) have varying degrees of usability.
@4qx The TA keys make a huge difference with the stock Sony camera in low-light conditions. Unfortunately, that app is not possible to use in Android 11+.