Hey guys,
I'm thinking about getting a Z2 because they are pretty cheap now and I don't really see such a big benefit when looking at the Z3 or Z5.
I'm coming from a Nexus5 on which I stupidly broke the screen so I'm in need of something new.
I do however have a few worries about getting the Z2 maybe you can help me out.
1. Does unlocking and flashing custom roms break anything? I love custom roms or pure android so I really want to use it however I read somewhere that flashing custom roms loses some features on the z2. Does it worsen the camera due to drm not working?
2. Android M support was announced by sony however how long does it usually take them to roll out updates?
3. Does the Z2 have the same "screen cracking without force" issue as the Z3 seems to be plagued by?
4. Are there any really compelling reasons to get a Z3 instead of Z2? I read some reviews saying the screen is better but thats about it...
5. Does the Z2 support camera2.api?
Thanks a lot.
pseudoheld said:
Hey guys,
I'm thinking about getting a Z2 because they are pretty cheap now and I don't really see such a big benefit when looking at the Z3 or Z5.
I'm coming from a Nexus5 on which I stupidly broke the screen so I'm in need of something new.
I do however have a few worries about getting the Z2 maybe you can help me out.
1. Does unlocking and flashing custom roms break anything? I love custom roms or pure android so I really want to use it however I read somewhere that flashing custom roms loses some features on the z2. Does it worsen the camera due to drm not working?
2. Android M support was announced by sony however how long does it usually take them to roll out updates?
3. Does the Z2 have the same "screen cracking without force" issue as the Z3 seems to be plagued by?
4. Are there any really compelling reasons to get a Z3 instead of Z2? I read some reviews saying the screen is better but thats about it...
5. Does the Z2 support camera2.api?
Thanks a lot.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
1. Yes, you'll lose Xreality, some camera processing, Screen Mirroring and OTA. However there are 2 solutions to that: You could root the device without unlocking your device or unlock your device (remember to backup DRM first) and flash drm fix. Both methods retain full functionality (without OTA of course in case you unlock).
2. No idea. It varies.
3. There was a really small batch of defective units (probably ones that came out first anyway), nothing to worry about. Nowadays I don't see any complains about screen cracking anymore.
4. If you use ported Qualcomm Assertive Display screens will be identical as far as I know. The Z3 used to have better battery life, but I'm quite sure that's no more valid as the .232 LP update improved battery life significantly.
5. No, actually none of Sony devices support that. Unfortunately. Heh.
EDIT: I use the Z2 for 2 years now and I cannot see any reason to switch to Z3 or Z5. Overall this is a very solid buy, if you ask me. Especially for the price.
Jackos said:
1. Yes, you'll lose Xreality, some camera processing, Screen Mirroring and OTA. However there are 2 solutions to that: You could root the device without unlocking your device or unlock your device (remember to backup DRM first) and flash drm fix. Both methods retain full functionality (without OTA of course in case you unlock).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
First of all a big thanks for taking the time to help me out!
1. If I root my device without unlocking the bootloader will I be able to flash a custom recovery and custom roms? Or am I then restricted to the Stock rom (with root of course)
2. Can custom roms make use of xreality and the camera processing if I flash the DRM fix? Or is it just for people who erased their DRM and are now back on stock and want the features back?
3. Can I root all Firmware versions or is a downgrade sometimes still necessary to root?
4. Is this the right tool for rooting without unlocking? http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2559009
EDIT: after reading a little i guess its this one right?
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2783750
pseudoheld said:
First of all a big thanks for taking the time to help me out!
1. If I root my device without unlocking the bootloader will I be able to flash a custom recovery and custom roms? Or am I then restricted to the Stock rom (with root of course)
2. Can custom roms make use of xreality and the camera processing if I flash the DRM fix? Or is it just for people who erased their DRM and are now back on stock and want the features back?
3. Can I root all Firmware versions or is a downgrade sometimes still necessary to root?
4. Is this the right tool for rooting without unlocking? http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2559009
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No worries, had similar questions 2 years ago when I was switching from S3 to Z2
1. No, unfortunately with locked bootloader you have to use stock kernel - and it's not compatible with custom roms. The good aspect here is that if you want to switch to a custom ROM you won't need any of the DRM keys, because custom roms don't use them at all. You only need DRM keys on stock (or stock based) roms. Yes, you will be able to use Recovery with locked bootloader (however that's a bit different from Nexus devices since the Z2 doesn't have a recovery partition by default).
2. No, the DRM fix is only for stock (or stock based roms). Unfortunately, if you use custom ROM camera quality will be worse and you won't have Xreality, because that's closed source Sony software. But if you find a camera app that does image processing, who knows what effects you'll get
3. You need to downgrade to at least LP5.0.2 to root. But that's easy enough. Later you just install a custom recovery and install a prerooted rom package to be on the latest version.
4. Yes, everything AndroPlus releases is top notch
Jackos said:
1. No, unfortunately with locked bootloader you have to use stock kernel - and it's not compatible with custom roms. The good aspect here is that if you want to switch to a custom ROM you won't need any of the DRM keys, because custom roms don't use them at all. You only need DRM keys on stock (or stock based) roms. Yes, you will be able to use Recovery with locked bootloader (however that's a bit different from Nexus devices since the Z2 doesn't have a recovery partition by default).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
1. If I want custom roms I need to unlock my BL. Can I unlock and relock my BL?
2. What is different about Recovery on this device?
3. Does Xposed work well? (Incase I stay on stock and still want some extras?)
pseudoheld said:
1. If I want custom roms I need to unlock my BL. Can I unlock and relock my BL?
2. What is different about Recovery on this device?
3. Does Xposed work well? (Incase I stay on stock and still want some extras?)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
1. Yes, without an issue. Also, restoring DRM keys also relocks the BL.
2. There is no recovery partition. Start off by reading this thread: http://forum.xda-developers.com/crossdevice-dev/sony/noob-guide-to-sony-ericsson-xperia-t3209012
3. Yes.
Jackos said:
2. There is no recovery partition. Start off by reading this thread: http://forum.xda-developers.com/crossdevice-dev/sony/noob-guide-to-sony-ericsson-xperia-t3209012
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks thats a great thread!
So the steps should be as follows:
1. get phone
2. root without unlocking
3. back up TA
4. unlock bootload
5. flash a custom kernel containing a recovery
6. flash custom rom (or dont)
Going back to the kernels. SO every custom kernel contains a recovery? Did I understand that correctly?
why can't sony just make the next nexus device...i would be all over that!
pseudoheld said:
Thanks thats a great thread!
So the steps should be as follows:
1. get phone
2. root without unlocking
3. back up TA
4. unlock bootload
5. flash a custom kernel containing a recovery
6. flash custom rom (or dont)
Going back to the kernels. SO every custom kernel contains a recovery? Did I understand that correctly?
why can't sony just make the next nexus device...i would be all over that!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, the steps seem correct. Although you mighty want to install a recovery without using a custom kernel: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2261606 That's also possible for LB.
Yes, most kernels contain already a recovery. But you can also use a stock kernel and install a custom recovery by yourself. Or use kernel builder to make you a stock kernel with recovery build-in by default (but you need to unlock your BL anyway).
Jackos said:
Yes, the steps seem correct. Although you mighty want to install a recovery without using a custom kernel: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2261606 That's also possible for LB.
Yes, most kernels contain already a recovery. But you can also use a stock kernel and install a custom recovery by yourself. Or use kernel builder to make you a stock kernel with recovery build-in by default (but you need to unlock your BL anyway).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I just bought a Z2
Should arrive in a few days. Looking forward to tinkering with it.
Thanks for the help so far!
I have used Nexus 5 but it had terrible battery life/ screen on time and Z2 is great in battery life department and i think Z2 is much better phone which people can buy right now compare to M8/S5. It offer good design/ Excellent battery life/decent camera/ latest software/ affordable price/IP rating and more RAM so its quiet well all rounder in reasonable price and Sony is quick in giving updates and sony phones are the only phones where i never felt the need to unlock bootloader to try CM based ROM because these Xperia have less bloat ware and software is light and speedy so Enjoy your company with Z2
Related
Hi all,
I currently own a HTC Wildfire and have squeezed everything out of it by rooting/roms/root apps etc. So I know the benefits of rooting and used it on my HTC mainly to speed it up (it only has a 528mhz cpu, no gpu so things stock are pretty slow ) and remove the HTC crap apps. Now, as the Prime is already so fast and can handle almost anything, I wonder if there is any benefit of installing a custom ROM on it. I'm surely going to root it when I get it (to OC and f.e. Titanium Backup), but why a custom ROM when ASUS updates the Prime often enough? And one other thing, what is the size of the dev community concerning the prime. The wildfire had a really large community with lots of Rom's, but I obviously don't know about this Transformer.
Thanks in advance
Why? Simply to make a fast prime even Faster.
Sent from my Transformer Prime TF201 using XDA
Jonphinguyen7 said:
Why? Simply to make a fast prime even Faster.
Sent from my Transformer Prime TF201 using XDA
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I was already planning to do so But what about the ROM's. Do they actually add any extra functionality that is not present in the stock rom?
tobitronics said:
I was already planning to do so But what about the ROM's. Do they actually add any extra functionality that is not present in the stock rom?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yes they do. just head over to developement section and look at the features list for each rom. there is also another feature packed rom, AOKP, but its not hosted on this site anymore. its on another forum. just Google for it and you should be able to find it. We also have custom kernels that adds alot of kernel optimization like memory tweaks, 1.8Ghz overclock, and other things. Motley & Shaky have custom kernels in prime developement section. just head over there and check out those feature lists also. Tons of improvements made over stock kernel.
There are also some Cornerstone ROMs available, which give you a completely new experience and definitely extend the Android tablet experience.
Root ver.21 with unlocked Bootloader
Hello,
i'm a new tf201 user and was be able to make CWM 5.8.2.0 after unlocked the Bootloader without to root the transformer Prime. Now, i don't know how to root it, because the update is up to day ver.21.
I read always to downgrade to Version 15 or 17, and then root and upgrade to version 21, but on a tf201 with locked Bootloader. What can i do with an unlocked Bootloader?
Andres73garcia said:
Hello,
i'm a new tf201 user and was be able to make CWM 5.8.2.0 after unlocked the Bootloader without to root the transformer Prime. Now, i don't know how to root it, because the update is up to day ver.21.
I read always to downgrade to Version 15 or 17, and then root and upgrade to version 21, but on a tf201 with locked Bootloader. What can i do with an unlocked Bootloader?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
if you already unlocked, you don't even need to use conventional methods of rooting. Just flash anyone of the custom roms available as all of them have root built into them. If you want a stock rom just rooted, there's a custom one for that also that all you have to do is flash it. Whatever you do, don't try to flash Asus official roms from their website. Only flash custom roms from here or another site.
So now that you're unlocked , you have a choice of flashing a rooted, plain stock rom. no changes other than root. Or you can flash any one of the custom roms here. which all have root built into them. just make sure to read up on all of them and how to properly install.
edit: i just noticed you said you have CWM and unlocked. You only can flash CWM if you're already rooted and unlocked. Installing CWM app is does not mean you flashed CWM recovery. You have to do that within the app. then you power down and boot into recovery to make sure it worked. unlocking the prime wont make you lose root. Install an app called "root checker" from the marketplace. Its free and will let you know if you're still rooted or not.
demandarin said:
if you already unlocked, you don't even need to use conventional methods of rooting. Just flash anyone of the custom roms available as all of them have root built into them. If you want a stock rom just rooted, there's a custom one for that also that all you have to do is flash it. Whatever you do, don't try to flash Asus official roms from their website. Only flash custom roms from here or another site.
So now that you're unlocked , you have a choice of flashing a rooted, plain stock rom. no changes other than root. Or you can flash any one of the custom roms here. which all have root built into them. just make sure to read up on all of them and how to properly install.
edit: i just noticed you said you have CWM and unlocked. You only can flash CWM if you're already rooted and unlocked. Installing CWM app is does not mean you flashed CWM recovery. You have to do that within the app. then you power down and boot into recovery to make sure it worked. unlocking the prime wont make you lose root. Install an app called "root checker" from the marketplace. Its free and will let you know if you're still rooted or not.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well, when i start the display shows "unlocked Bootloader" and if i press volume down and power, i get the CWM 5.8.2.0. Then i can navigate to choose zip and i see the sd-card. But on the root checker, i get the message "no Rooted". Well, first of all, thanks for your kindness.
This afternoon I download the ROM you mention, and proof that he takes it. We comment on the result.
Andres73garcia said:
Well, when i start the display shows "unlocked Bootloader" and if i press volume down and power, i get the CWM 5.8.2.0. Then i can navigate to choose zip and i see the sd-card. But on the root checker, i get the message "no Rooted". Well, first of all, thanks for your kindness.
This afternoon I download the ROM you mention, and proof that he takes it. We comment on the result.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you, run to the first. Now i tested the new Rom and tell you more . Thanks, thanks, thanks........
I've looked around the dev section and I wonder what the benefits are of unlocking your tab with the Asus unlock tool. Do you really need it to flash cwm and/or a custom rom?
Sent from my HTC Wildfire using XDA
Andres73garcia said:
Thank you, run to the first. Now i tested the new Rom and tell you more . Thanks, thanks, thanks........
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
you welcome
tobitronics said:
I've looked around the dev section and I wonder what the benefits are of unlocking your tab with the Asus unlock tool. Do you really need it to flash cwm and/or a custom rom?
Sent from my HTC Wildfire using XDA
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
no one really needs to do it. Its a choice whether you want to or not. its already been well explained as to why people do so.
So in short, if you want to try custom roms/kernels that run better than stock rom and have features & optimization not found on stock, then you need to root, then unlock, then install CWM , then flash recovery from within that app, then flash rom/kernel of your choice.
Some roms change up the look and feel of the tablet, for the better of course. some add functionality benefits you will never see on a stock rom.
demandarin said:
you welcome
no one really needs to do it. Its a choice whether you want to or not. its already been well explained as to why people do so.
So in short, if you want to try custom roms/kernels that run better than stock rom and have features & optimization not found on stock, then you need to root, then unlock, then install CWM , then flash recovery from within that app, then flash rom/kernel of your choice.
Some roms change up the look and feel of the tablet, for the better of course. some add functionality benefits you will never see on a stock rom.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So if I understand it correctly you only can install a custom rom when you have unlocked the bootloader, right?
Sent from my HTC Wildfire using XDA
resell value?
need advice!
do you guys think that unlocking the prime will reduce its resell value?
I've always unlocked devices but I've always reverted them to their original state before selling them. it seems once unlocked, OTA's won't be possible anymore. Do you think instaling a stock-like rom will do the job?
I haven't seen anyone mention this fact about unlocking and I thought this thread is the appropriate one.
Thanks for your input everyone!
Resale only matters in terms of value if there's an active warranty on the device or not. If there isn't, then it's probably going to INCREASE the resale value if you move off the stock ROM and onto a "Stock like" (Primalicious, Virtuous Prime, etc), along with a proper recovery setup, on account of the fact that once set up in such a manner, it requires gold standard stupidity to brick the device.
That said, if it -does- still have a working warranty and you've not unlocked the bootloader, it's generally considered good for the value of the prime to not fiddle with it (stock primes are getting RMA'd with increasing frequency, word around the campfire is that the .21 update has caused a lot more hassle than it ever fixed).
I'm somewhat wondering if ASUS may end up recalling the original primes and replacing them / refurbishing them up to C4 spec on the house, regardless of bootloader status, as the mess with WiFi and Bluetooth seems a bit too widespread.
Hi xda,
I was thinking of picking up a SOL24 for use as a wi-fi tablet, as a friend can get it affordably for me from Japan. I plan to do the following sequentially:
1) Root device
2) Backup TA partition
3) Use Titanium Backup to extract Sony apps (Album, Walkman etc)
3) Unlock bootloader
4) Flash system and bootloader partitions from port of 4.4.4 GPE (http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2800414)
5) Flash "adv-stock-v4.img" to boot partition for custom recovery
6) Re-root device.
7) Restore TA partition.
8) Restore Sony apps.
I am not flashing the user partition to retain the 32gb storage.
Will I be able to get a GPE-coverted wi-fi tablet that is updateable via dirty flashing in this manner, or will I possibly brick it?
Also, does a custom rom mean that the phone will become unlocked? (not that this is vital; where I live in Singapore we don't have any CDMA networks and hence that's why i'm planning on using it as a wi-fi tablet)
Will the Sony apps be usable on GPE?
I submit to the collective wisdom of the Z Ultra jedis at xda. Thanks in advance!
I don't know of anyone that has done this
points 4. I dont think that zip has a boot.img, either use the one at bottom of that post or doonkernel
5. I dont know if a kernel that old will boot 4.4.4
6 why?
7 you wont be able to boot a custom boot image after doing this
8 you will need root to do this, and some of them wont work on the GPe ROM
Other thoughts
I don't know how compatible the kernels will be
Make sure to make a nandroid before flashing /system and /boot - you will need to hotboot a boot.img with fastboot or flashtool
Have a FTF on hand if it goes really bad
blueether said:
I don't know of anyone that has done this
points 4. I dont think that zip has a boot.img, either use the one at bottom of that post or doonkernel
5. I dont know if a kernel that old will boot 4.4.4
6 why?
7 you wont be able to boot a custom boot image after doing this
8 you will need root to do this, and some of them wont work on the GPe ROM
Other thoughts
I don't know how compatible the kernels will be
Make sure to make a nandroid before flashing /system and /boot - you will need to hotboot a boot.img with fastboot or flashtool
Have a FTF on hand if it goes really bad
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for chiming in! Wow this is really uncharted territory huh
So I can't keep my TA partition and run GPE rom, yes? That's a bit of a game changer ...
Sorry for butting in - but I'd be very interested in this as well.
Could there be a way to unlock SOL24 for use on other networks?
neverborn said:
Sorry for butting in - but I'd be very interested in this as well.
Could there be a way to unlock SOL24 for use on other networks?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There is, but it's costly. Sim-unlock.net provides a solution for 30euros.
Are you using the SOL24 as well?
if the sol24's are simlocked can they be BL unlocked?
No, sold my c6833 but am looking to get one back to play with. Theres a sol24 available for cheaper is why i ask.
christcentric said:
There is, but it's costly. Sim-unlock.net provides a solution for 30euros.
Are you using the SOL24 as well?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk
neverborn said:
No, sold my c6833 but am looking to get one back to play with. Theres a sol24 available for cheaper is why i ask.
Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
To summarize, the main issues with SOL24 are:
1) No cost-effective SIM unlock option
2) Other ROMs can be flashed (htcsoku's ROM, among others), but not GPE (or not easily, rather) ... this is potentially a deal-breaker for me, might not be for others.
Hence, if I do get a SOL24, it will probably be as a wifi-tablet running the Sony stock ROM ...
christcentric said:
To summarize, the main issues with SOL24 are:
1) No cost-effective SIM unlock option
2) Other ROMs can be flashed (htcsoku's ROM, among others), but not GPE (or not easily, rather) ... this is potentially a deal-breaker for me, might not be for others.
Hence, if I do get a SOL24, it will probably be as a wifi-tablet running the Sony stock ROM ...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The problem is I have no idea what they can and can't be made to do as they are a Japan only model so no dev work on here and I think this is only the second or third thread on them on XDA
blueether said:
The problem is I have no idea what they can and can't be made to do as they are a Japan only model so no dev work on here and I think this is only the second or third thread on them on XDA
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well, if I do pick one up I will let you know. You can vicariously do dev work on it through me.
If you just want to use sol24 as a wifi tab you can just flash the GPE ver. .It's not so difficult and I flashed twice.
HTCsoku and another custom rom rewrited the band,if you flash it you cant use CDMA network,its not a problem in Singapore.
But GSM/WCDMA/FDDLTE network is OK,so (may be ) you can use sol24 as a phone by flashing a custom rom but it's not GPE.
http://blog.100223.org/au-sol24-kitkat-simunlock-docomo.html
http://blog.100223.org/au-sol24-sim-unlock-docomo.html
I'm a new sol24 user, maybe I should start a new thread?? (I've posted before when I used Motorola Cliq to get cyanogenmod 7 but those posts aren't in my profile now.) ebay sent me a Kitkat4.4.2 when it was supposed to be Jellybean, after first sending me a Z Ultra C6802, so I'm trying to find downgrading or upgrading options, Lollipop is real nice but I like the older builds, to deal with apps-to-sd issues, it topped out on market installs around 4gig. After rooting with towelroot, and using SD Fix. It still won't apps2sd but can use 64gb sd. I read about the 32gig memory loss issues in some of the threads from flashing.
Bootloader and network are still locked. I wish to stay with stock or sony release for the bravia engine and other probable support. Supposedly it has IR Blaster? Called Felicia and NFC seems to work, but it didn't with the first Lollipop C6802 that ebay first mistakenly sent me. I doubt any tweeking of the TV would get it working here in the states even with a SDR antenna. So Sony has said something about supporting Xperia bootloader unlocking and recovery? Hopefully for the sol24 variant. But mainly I'm just trying to fix apps2sd - does 4.4.4 fare any better in this regard? I'm looking into Xposed to try to fix this too - but don't want to bootloop or brick.
Hey guys,
First of i'm not sure if this is a appropriate thread to ask this, if not i'm sorry and will move/remove it.
Anyways it's been awhile since i've been in the android scene and xda in general, had an iphone for about a year or two and just recently got my Z2:victory: so i'm back but things changed a little and i need a little info if anyone can help,
Basically i'm looking to flash [Xperia Z2] DooMKernel v09 kernel but i read it requires an unlocked bootloader... so basically i need to know if my bootloaders unlocked now that i flashed recovery (check signature) (Does flashing recovery unlock a bootloader?) and can i just flash the zip?
or do i need to still unlock my bootloader even though i have dual recovery and then flash the kernel?
Your bootloader is still locked, what you did is you installed recovery for locked bootloader.
Do not try to flash custom kernel on locked bootloader, you'll soft brick your phone.
What you need in order to flash custom kernel is to unlock bootloader, but firstly you need to back up your TA keys ( click here )
For more info click HERE (about unlocking)
Proceed carefully!
Regards!
hey thanks for the info, that' clears up everything, I did already backup my TA partition so I guess all I need to do is unlock bootloader then flash the kernel! quick question have you flashed your kernel? I know I read the info an features of it but is there any upside to it on a z2? my device is pretty fast an stable as is, just looking for a reason to flash mine, any further advice you can give me? is it worth it?
Zeyn Karim said:
hey thanks for the info, that' clears up everything, I did already backup my TA partition so I guess all I need to do is unlock bootloader then flash the kernel! quick question have you flashed your kernel? I know I read the info an features of it but is there any upside to it on a z2? my device is pretty fast an stable as is, just looking for a reason to flash mine, any further advice you can give me? is it worth it?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well to be honest, I haven't, I didn't find any reason to do so, the stock is doing good for me at the moment.
As for the side affects, or as you say upside downs, there is no any, not at least that I'm aware of, but as far as I saw it's not compatible with every rom, only with stock as with stock based ones, I mean developer does not guarantee for it's stability if it's being used along with any other rom. I have rooted and flashed recoveries only to use existenz rom. I heard for Doomlord's kernel, that it has "fix" for a video recorder mic, you can control it's sensitivity and it's far more battery friendly.
Ah I see! thanks, think I'll stick with the stock kernel for the time being, I don't have any complaints at the moment with it but if I ever do decide to switch to the doom kernel atleast I know what to do first, I've got one last question though sorry, do I need to unlock my bootloader to flash a custom rom? I don't think I do, I'm pretty sure I don't, but just want to make sure, used to have only low end droid devices back in the day when I used to be here, didn't have things like dual recoveries etc so yeah I'm kind of reading an learning as I'm going along, pretty awesome device though sleek and powerful I've only been doing minor adjustments to the stock rom using xposed modules, haven't used a custom rom as yet but I will soon...
Zeyn Karim said:
Ah I see! thanks, think I'll stick with the stock kernel for the time being, I don't have any complaints at the moment with it but if I ever do decide to switch to the doom kernel atleast I know what to do first, I've got one last question though sorry, do I need to unlock my bootloader to flash a custom rom? I don't think I do, I'm pretty sure I don't, but just want to make sure, used to have only low end droid devices back in the day when I used to be here, didn't have things like dual recoveries etc so yeah I'm kind of reading an learning as I'm going along, pretty awesome device though sleek and powerful I've only been doing minor adjustments to the stock rom using xposed modules, haven't used a custom rom as yet but I will soon...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well, yes and no, LB means its for locked bootloaders and UB means for unlocked bootloaders, search for those to two words when you find the rom which you can flash.
Some roms require unlocking, some do not. All stock based roms usually dont require, but as I told you, it will be stated in Rom's thread name or in OP.
Regards!
Ah! I'll be sure to look out for those, thanks for the valuable info, think that's all I needed to find out. I should be ok from here on out
Just creating this thread so that users can find the lollipop review at one place. So please write your initial experience with the lollipop firmware here.
Here is mine:
1. The user interface feels very smooth and snappy.
2. More amount of free ram in comparison to kitkat firmware(getting around 750 mb free in comparison to 500mb in kitkat)
3. Camera feels more or less the same
4. No XLoud
5. Now there is a sound played when the phone starts up
6. Power management is superb. Now we have ultra stamina mode.
Update: Those asking for battery life, I am getting nearly 6 hrs of SOT which is comparatively higher than what I got in kitkat
Its nice for sure.
-Eye candy
-Very good battery life
-Xperia stuff (Camera, widgets etc) not available on other ROMs
-Rooted and applied sound mod and I am happy (almost as good as fauxsound).
datagubben said:
Its nice for sure.
-Eye candy
-Very good battery life
-Xperia stuff (Camera, widgets etc) not available on other ROMs
-Rooted and applied sound mod and I am happy.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
battery draining a bit fast here. maybe a setting i'm missing.
What's you setup, if you don't mind me asking please?
I have stamina mode and extended use enabled, disabled adaptive brightness, and unistalled almost all the sony bloatware.
My Experience:
1. UI is so smooth
2. Battery life more or less the same with KitKat, need more testing.
3. Device seems a bit warmer. Don't know why.
4. PS Remote Play is available for XZU now (at least in Indonesian version) unfortunately no PS4 so boo hoo for me
5. Camera.. Yes still the same, no improvement
6. Small App getting closed on Back Button (shame that originally in Kitkat it didn't but because Z3 does close the small app on back button)
Overall very happy for it Feels like having new phone all over again
halifage said:
battery draining a bit fast here. maybe a setting i'm missing.
What's you setup, if you don't mind me asking please?
I have stamina mode and extended use enabled, disabled adaptive brightness, and unistalled almost all the sony bloatware.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Im comparing to other Lollipop ROMs (eg CM12.1) for our Togari which don´t have Stamina mode, stock with stamina is way better than any other ROM.
But of course rooted now!!!
How were you guys able to root?
What procedure did you use? I lost root when I updated to L using PC Companion.
I have a locked bootloader btw.
Thanks!
halifage said:
battery draining a bit fast here. maybe a setting i'm missing.
What's you setup, if you don't mind me asking please?
I have stamina mode and extended use enabled, disabled adaptive brightness, and unistalled almost all the sony bloatware.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just wait for sometime. Let the system settle. Hopefully the battery life will be better.
BragaisG said:
How were you guys able to root?
What procedure did you use? I lost root when I updated to L using PC Companion.
I have a locked bootloader btw.
Thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
At the moment no root for locked bootloader, have you checked if you are able to unlock the bootloader?
datagubben said:
At the moment no root for locked bootloader, have you checked if you are able to unlock the bootloader?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have not tried unlocking the bootloader since all I am after is root.
As I understand, unlocking the BL is required only if you are flashing a custom ROM?
Please correct me if I'm wrong.
BragaisG said:
I have not tried unlocking the bootloader since all I am after is root.
As I understand, unlocking the BL is required only if you are flashing a custom ROM?
Please correct me if I'm wrong.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not really, unlocking gives you the possibility to root and install recovery and the optional possibility to install ROM.
Unlock your bootloader man! :good:
datagubben said:
Not really, unlocking gives you the possibility to root and install recovery and the optional possibility to install ROM.
Unlock your bootloader man! :good:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Wait... at least in 4.4.4 many users (including me) with LOCKED bootloader were rooted, with recovery and had the optional possibility to instal LB ROMs... and it seems in Lollipop some people are getting the same also if they update to Lollipop following certain steps. Anyway, soon we'll probably have root for all locked bootloader users, so this is a matter of preference! :good:
@datagubben
Do you have write access to /system? Asking because I have also rooted but any app that tries to write to system partition (busybox installer, viperFX and so on) fails
Regards
teddy74eva said:
@datagubben
Do you have write access to /system? Asking because I have also rooted but any app that tries to write to system partition (busybox installer, viperFX and so on) fails
Regards
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Flash nuts dual recovery first, then supersu.
All good.
---------- Post added at 04:06 PM ---------- Previous post was at 03:45 PM ----------
Andre Verissimo said:
Wait... at least in 4.4.4 many users (including me) with LOCKED bootloader were rooted, with recovery and had the optional possibility to instal LB ROMs... and it seems in Lollipop some people are getting the same also if they update to Lollipop following certain steps. Anyway, soon we'll probably have root for all locked bootloader users, so this is a matter of preference! :good:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I had a handset with unlockable bootloader before with my mobile operator, I never do that again.
BragaisG said:
I have not tried unlocking the bootloader since all I am after is root.
As I understand, unlocking the BL is required only if you are flashing a custom ROM?
Please correct me if I'm wrong.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I would consider trying to downgrade to 4.4.4 first where you can root without unlocking bootloader. That will allow you to back up TA partition before unlocking bootloader.
I dont care about warranty really.
Once I get lolipop for Z ultra, if I ask for bootloader unlock, would I lose the DRM keys for the camera and sony TM features?
I dont care about custom roms ever since my last phone.
I never unlocked but I've been rooted since almost D1, and I know all LP bells and whistles are a way to keep me wanting for (root) more, but soon I'll be waiting for a way to root. I'm not a fan of unlocking simply because every time you have to keep up with backup, restore, wipe etc.
I unfortunately have little to no time for this kind of tinkering these days, and I can't afford to pass a single day without phone (because you possibly mess up once in a while).
I'll root when the time comes, in the mean time:
*I don't care about the launcher, if you want there's plenty of themes (including several here on XDA) that resemble the stock LP launcher, so if you're into it, go for it
*UI is EXTRA smooth, not one time the launcher refreshed or had me waiting 1 sec to go back to. *Multitasking is super fast, and thank to God (for my toddler) I'm able to pin one single app to stay until I say so
*Smart unlock works a charm and my SW3 is paired and set as trusted so I seldom have the need to unlock with a pin or pattern
*Battery is fine, seems to drain like 15% less than KK
*Multi user is finally here, so my daughter can play with games without messing with my progress in them or snooping around
*Ultra stamina mode is one thing I'll rarely use, but it's a welcome addition, who knows, maybe it'll save my Ass when I'll need it the most
*Couldn't care less about PS4 remote play (and on my C6833 it still shows as not compatible), because I have a Vita and I like to play on my 55" Bravia TV anyway
*really welcome to the "restart, screenshot and record screen" buttons on the power menu, one thing they added straight from Gravitybox
I still don't understand why the hell Sony doesn't give us tap to Wake, it will make a lot of people happy...
Sent from my C6833 using Tapatalk
teddy74eva said:
@datagubben
Do you have write access to /system? Asking because I have also rooted but any app that tries to write to system partition (busybox installer, viperFX and so on) fails
Regards
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Okay, working fine now, just install 2.8.10 version of nut's dual recovery ?
I would probably wait for a way to root Lollipop without unlocking the bootloader since doing so does not mean I gain root access.
I am not seeing any post from where I looked as to how to root this firmware even with an unlocked bootloader.
Thanks and regards everyone!
I also have some more testing to do but while I love the update I have noticed:
-Battery life seems worse (I had to recharge a couple of times yesterday)
-UI speed is inconsistent. Sometimes it is really fast and others it bogs down.
-I have been getting home launcher reloads which is unfortunate.
I love the new design though. Overall the phone definitely seems to chug on me more though.
Very bad bug In audio settings. While playing music In walkman app the audio settings are lost and the sound feels like lower resolution and without bass when playing next song!
Sent from my C6833 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
just smashed my oneplus one so the other half has gave me her z2,
managed to root it on 4.4.4 and have Clockwork Recovery,
it so much more difficult to flash roms...
basically im looking for a rom with good battery life and good camera mods,
can some one just give me the heads up, do i still need to downgrade to 4.4.2 do i need to install dual recovery
and any tips on roms
cheers
based on what you wrote i'm assuming to rooted through unlocking your bootloader, which has voided your warranty and resulted in losing your DRM keys, now you don't have to downgrade for anything. that is required if you don't have a rooted phone and need to root without unlocking bootloader.
now you can simply flash any new rom. there are multiple choices, but only two lollipop roms available right now based on stock, Existez Y and Moonwalker Provolution, both are available in development section. personally i'm using Existenz Y as the black design in Provolution was not exactly my cup of tea, and it has some terrific options as ambient display and changing navbar size inbuilt without the need of xposed. otherwise there are multiple AOSP and CM based ROMS available in both development and orig development section. for flashing steps please read them on OP of each rom, and go through the threads properly before asking for them in new posts or threads.
thank you very much for writing back to me , yes i have unlocked the bootloader ,
reading Exstez topic it mentions about flashing latest firmware and adding dual recovery?
just checked Moonwalkers
You Must To Be Sure You Are On Firmware .726[LP] Or .28[LP]
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
sutty86 said:
thank you very much for writing back to me , yes i have unlocked the bootloader ,
reading Exstez topic it mentions about flashing latest firmware and adding dual recovery?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That is required if you are on LB and have dual recovery. i dont think if you have unlocked bootloader you need dual recovery. you can use normal recovery to flash. anyway dual recovery is available for UB also so you can use that. provides you with more option and i personally prefer that.
sutty86 said:
just checked Moonwalkers
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes for moonwalker its recommended that you come from LP base. but i'm not sure how you can go back to stock after unlocking your BL. can't flash stock FTF normally as it might brick the device. might want to check sticky threads for getting to LP on unlocked bootloader. creating a prerooted firmware might help you in that. since i have a locked BL dont really know a lot about that part.
Just a heads up, since you unlocked your boot Loader the camera low light performance will be significantly bad and other Sony exclusive apps might not work. Hopefully you backed up TA partition.