Just found an Arc LT15i. Should I keep it? - Xperia Arc Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting

Edit: Bumping this to ask again! http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=55441666&postcount=5
TLDR:
1) Sell or keep? Buy something else with the money?
2) Is there a stable ROM, good for a new user, which updates over time, and unlocks SIM?
So I found an Xperia Arc, new in box from years ago, that I got for cheap but never needed. Now I'm wondering: should I sell it and keep the money?
Or should I flash something on it and give it to the old man (who could play with his first android phone)? Or maybe I should do both: Sell the new in box phone and buy something else with the money.
What say you, XDA?
PS: Does the stable ROM you suggest have the ability to update itself, so the novice owner I give it to can keep it up to date? Will the ROM unlock the carrier SIM lock?

Personally, I would recommend getting something newer and better. Single-core phones and 512 MB RAM are really outdated. Development is active, however ROMs based on Jelly Bean and beyond have some non-functioning features and may be unstable at certain moments.
SIM lock can not be removed with the change of ROM. Depending on the manufacturing date, it can be done via paid method (produced before 12W11) or not at all (past 12W11).

1. You should keep it as Xperia Arc isn't worth much at all.
2. You can't flash kernels and such if you don't remove the simlock first. I suggest you to buy a simunlock + bootloader unlock at wotanserver.
Sent from my Xperia C using Tapatalk

I won't recommend you to keep it either. It's a 2011 phone and if you sell it you could get something better with greater support. Even ARC is having great ROMs but they won't function that good on a half a gb RAM phone + Since sony ericsson broke a long time ago and you have a simlock therefore you won't even get a good official suport. So your best bet would be to sell it and buy something with greater support
Cheers,
AJ

bamtan2 said:
2) Is there a stable ROM, good for a new user, which updates over time, and unlocks SIM?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've dug this out again to give to the parents. So let's try again!
It has android 2.3 right now. Should I stay on that, or update it? I just installed "PC Companion" but came here to check with you guys before I ran it. I could also do a custom rom if you think that makes more sense. Thanks!

sell it and keep the money fot you -_-
its old now and you cant use a lot of applications on it cause it has low ram

Related

is there any way....

Is there any way to take a rooted r800x phone running stock 2.3.3 and overclock it without the use of a computer? I currently don't have access to a PC, but I would really like to increase my CPU speed. Any advice would be appreciated.
well in order to overclock your cpu you need to unlock the bootloader which requires a computer, then install a custom kernel which also requires a computer.
and in order to unlock an r800x you need to jump through some serious hoops while connecting it to your computer.
xrishox said:
well in order to overclock your cpu you need to unlock the bootloader which requires a computer, then install a custom kernel which also requires a computer.
and in order to unlock an r800x you need to jump through some serious hoops while connecting it to your computer.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not true
other devices have overclocked with locked bootloader like the Droid X has an actual fuse that will brick the device if you try to unlock bootloader.
but yet they manage to over clock it
we just need to write a module to do it from stock kernel.
I will look into making one
I know another user on the forums is also working on it
Actually alot of devices have locked bootloaders. If you ask me it's hurt this community that we have some people with locked and unlocked because that creates division. meaning that developer either work on unlocked or locked bootloaders
if we were all unlocked or all locked then everything would work for every Xperia
Is there a way? Yes
Does that way exist yet? No
Actually there's no division at all: work is done for unlocked bootloaders only.
Logseman said:
Actually there's no division at all: work is done for unlocked bootloaders only.
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Click to collapse
Not anymore. I'm making stuff for locked bootloader
Hogwarts:
I really appreciate you putting the time and effort into these things.
I'm honestly trying to avoid unlocking my bootloader since it not only requires money to be unlocked, but it also has a chance of bricking my Play if I accidentally update it.
Best of luck with working with locked bootloaders, and hopefully you'll get a working method of overclocking the Play
Hogwarts said:
Actually alot of devices have locked bootloaders. If you ask me it's hurt this community that we have some people with locked and unlocked because that creates division. meaning that developer either work on unlocked or locked bootloaders
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the problem isn't that some are locked and some aren't; the problme is:
some are locked.
and its only a problem for those with the locked bootloader. and it isn't even a problem because even those with a locked bootloader.... you can still get it unlocked. locked bootloaders are always going to be completely inferior to unlocked bootloaders.
you can only push a kernel so far with kernel modules. an unlocked bootloader is ALWAYS better. even if you get something like kexec compiled and running as a module on the kernel its a pain in the ass to deal with.
an unlocked bootloader is always better hence why unlocked phones get supported by cyanogen officially and locked bootloaders don't.
the real thing dividing this community is the cdma vs gsm and the fact that verizon is locked into specific outdated firmware, it has nothing to do with the bootloader.
Not true
other devices have overclocked with locked bootloader like the Droid X has an actual fuse that will brick the device if you try to unlock bootloader.
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i never said it wasn't theoretically possible, but it isn't possible right now, so i'm not really wrong. no one cares about locked bootloaders, and even if you do are you a kernel developer? are you going to develope a kernel module for the locked bootloader when it's piss easy to just unlock it? it's a complete waste of time and effort.
SEE WHAT YOU STARTED OP?!?!
I hope you're happy
markcyst said:
Is there a way? Yes
Does that way exist yet? No
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Logseman said:
Actually there's no division at all: work is done for unlocked bootloaders only.
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Click to collapse
Very nice answers!... lol But if i may add my 2 cents.... Obviousy all the work is going to be towards unlocked BL, they are the easiest to work with as you do not have to keep finding work arounds, and what not. However I really do agree with the CDMA vs. GSM issue. Thats our biggest issue, as a lot of the play owners are in other parts of the world wich use GSM version, and they are the majority, so thats where the focus is going to be. It is possible to do ALMOST the same things with locked BL, and i think Hogwarts will prove just this, over time. Good luck Hogwarts, if you need any assistance hit me up, dont know much about linux code, but if you need more processing power to run tests or what not my Alienware w/ i7 quad core is standing by.
well the problem is that with a locked bootloader you can never update the kernel, so then if sony or verizon doesn't release a new version of the kernel then you are stuck using the old one. modules can only push it so far, and if you want a full icecream sandwich experiance you are going to need an updated kernel as far as i'm aware.... unless you can backport ics to older kernels, which i'm not sure.
markcyst said:
SEE WHAT YOU STARTED OP?!?!
I hope you're happy
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Click to collapse
LOL, i didnt see this till after i posted my earlier reply, or this definetly would have made it in my quoted replies!...
xrishox said:
well the problem is that with a locked bootloader you can never update the kernel, so then if sony or verizon doesn't release a new version of the kernel then you are stuck using the old one. modules can only push it so far, and if you want a full icecream sandwich experiance you are going to need an updated kernel as far as i'm aware.... unless you can backport ics to older kernels, which i'm not sure.
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Based on the stuff I've seen you type in this thread I dont think you really understand optimization or progress.
I would base your ICS "experience" with the same one people had moving from Windows XP to Vista, a $hit one.
You are talking about ICS like it is some kind of dream and will make your life easier when in reality it's only going to slow the Xperia down because more process running and more rubbish integrated into the system. If you ask me ICS is a waste of time especially for gamers. If you are gaming why do you need live wall paper or any of this other "update" rubbish that ICS is going to bring. The Xperia is already limited with internal memory as it is and now you will be clogging it up more with junk on ICS. I dont think so. NO THANKS.
Furthermore your claim that it's easy to unlock a bootloader is a pack of rubbish.
It costs money. money has value. Also for a normal person who is not a developer getting all the drivers tools and stuff setup
will waste alot of there time. Simply put its a PITA.
The truth is that a locked bootloader rom with overclock kernel is probably the best thing the Xperia will ever see in terms of free / sharware. to help the community of locked users who have no intention of paying for unlocks,
That statement will be true until Sony releases the algorithm used to decipher MEID into unlock codes.
Plain and simple.
Wow... I have just been converted to a Hogwarts fan. Testify, my Brother!
Sent from my R800x using XDA App
Hogwarts said:
Based on the stuff I've seen you type in this thread I dont think you really understand optimization or progress.
I would base your ICS "experience" with the same one people had moving from Windows XP to Vista, a $hit one.
You are talking about ICS like it is some kind of dream and will make your life easier when in reality it's only going to slow the Xperia down because more process running and more rubbish integrated into the system. If you ask me ICS is a waste of time especially for gamers. If you are gaming why do you need live wall paper or any of this other "update" rubbish that ICS is going to bring. The Xperia is already limited with internal memory as it is and now you will be clogging it up more with junk on ICS. I dont think so. NO THANKS.
Furthermore your claim that it's easy to unlock a bootloader is a pack of rubbish.
It costs money. money has value. Also for a normal person who is not a developer getting all the drivers tools and stuff setup
will waste alot of there time. Simply put its a PITA.
The truth is that a locked bootloader rom with overclock kernel is probably the best thing the Xperia will ever see in terms of free / sharware. to help the community of locked users who have no intention of paying for unlocks,
That statement will be true until Sony releases the algorithm used to decipher MEID into unlock codes.
Plain and simple.
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Click to collapse
the unlock is like 20 dollars. thats like chump change especially for a device that has a monthly fee to keep active. as for the drivers and stuff being a pain in the ass... it really isn't. the person doing the unlock can download and install all the drivers for you via teamviewer. and over time 2.3 will become deprecated as more and more apps will require 4.0 to run. probably not right away but i'm assuming most people are running this with a 2 year contract... in 2 years i'm sure most apps will require 4.0 or higher.
as for ics being a memory monster bogging down your system, i have ics running on my kindle fire and it isn't bogging down anything. it also has 512 megs of ram. i don't think it's a dream it's just progressive. staying in the past is pointless. you don't have to use those live wallpapers or any of those things. sounds like someone has a bad case of sour grapes.
i don't understand why someone who is so intent on messing around with their device is so against shelling out a measily 20-25 dollars for an unlock. it's not like the guy doing it is doing it to screw you over. it actually costs him money. he's not making 25 dollars profit. he's doing it for the betterment of the community. it's more brick-resistant, it offers more features etc. i just don't get it. the only way i could understand it is like if it's a kid who is still in school and their parents are paying for their phone so they just cant get an unlock.
xrishox said:
the unlock is like 20 dollars. thats like chump change especially for a device that has a monthly fee to keep active. as for the drivers and stuff being a pain in the ass... it really isn't. the person doing the unlock can download and install all the drivers for you via teamviewer. and over time 2.3 will become deprecated as more and more apps will require 4.0 to run. probably not right away but i'm assuming most people are running this with a 2 year contract... in 2 years i'm sure most apps will require 4.0 or higher.
as for ics being a memory monster bogging down your system, i have ics running on my kindle fire and it isn't bogging down anything. it also has 512 megs of ram. i don't think it's a dream it's just progressive. staying in the past is pointless. you don't have to use those live wallpapers or any of those things. sounds like someone has a bad case of sour grapes.
i don't understand why someone who is so intent on messing around with their device is so against shelling out a measily 20-25 dollars for an unlock. it's not like the guy doing it is doing it to screw you over. it actually costs him money. he's not making 25 dollars profit. he's doing it for the betterment of the community. it's more brick-resistant, it offers more features etc. i just don't get it. the only way i could understand it is like if it's a kid who is still in school and their parents are paying for their phone so they just cant get an unlock.
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your views are really biased towards your viewpoint, I know they aren't charging to make money I've spoken to the 2 unlockers on the board in PM's on several occasions.
It's about free-ware. helping the community. helping people out.
not everyone has money OR if they do they dont like to waste it on an unlock when there is more important stuff. also not everyone has a contract
not everyone has a data plan. you just assume all this stuff is true.
In the end what matters is helping people with a free solution and doing a good job of it
Look at the Droid X community for your answers
the device is locked with a e-fuse yet a big modding community and ROM selection exists. also they have overclock.
ICS is like Windows 7, full of fancy widgets and "features" I could care less about.

[Q] Android 4.4 kitkat any chance for S/SL,acro S?

Well maybe a lot of us we now that today Google anunced the next Android and noo its not 5.0 Key lime pie it's Kit kat 4.4....
since qualcomm does not release drivers an we are for that screwed up to be on 4.1.2 (and not andorid 4.3 or at least 4.2) ans that sony it's a sh*t in updates
You think that we are going to recive it?
the great "slogan" of kitkat "It's our goal with Android KitKat to make an amazing Android experience available for everybody."
wat you do you think or expecta abour that?
Personally i think that will remplace the old 2.3 to 4.4 and the JB to 4.4 will add a lot more of features andd the fragmentation will be "gone" and all in 4.4, but then i think so twice and F*ck if sony cant give us 4.2 and 4.3 because of qualcom we will stay in 4.1 :S
OFFICIALLY, I don't think so. But i believe the developer in XDA will sort it out, somehow. Oh by the way, i'm fine with 4.1.2.
The Xperia S is getting older by the day, so I don't think that there will be any chance of an official 4.4 update for our phone. I do think that developers will create some 4.4 ROMs for it, though. I wish I could try out the selection of ROMs out there, but my bootloader can not be unlocked.
We can only count for Rayman and letama in this situation
In my view it is not going to happen. When will they release kitkat? 2014?
These phones just get too old...
i dont see any point about "the phone is old".
so what? yes it's getting older, but it doesn't mean lost all capability for running new OS.
in my opinion, it just marketing strategy from manufacturer, they want our money. so they stop support for "old" hardware. Of course, they can create new software for our old xperia with additional budget if they want to do so, but they raise nothing.
i didn't blame qualcomm or sony. this is very logic marketing strategy from manufacturer, i will doing the same if i'm the CEO.
SFU11 said:
i dont see any point about "the phone is old".
so what? yes it's getting older, but it doesn't mean lost all capability for running new OS.
in my opinion, it just marketing strategy from manufacturer, they want our money. so they stop support for "old" hardware. Of course, they can create new software for our old xperia with additional budget if they want to do so, but they raise nothing.
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Click to collapse
Never said it lost capability, and I agree, it is most likely a marketing strategy to end support for old products and push for people to fork out money for their newer product range.
Sent from my LT26i using xda app-developers app
if sony isn't releasing more software updates, at least we can ask them to unlock our bootloaders when they drop support?
SFU11 said:
i dont see any point about "the phone is old".
so what? yes it's getting older, but it doesn't mean lost all capability for running new OS.
in my opinion, it just marketing strategy from manufacturer, they want our money. so they stop support for "old" hardware. Of course, they can create new software for our old xperia with additional budget if they want to do so, but they raise nothing.
i didn't blame qualcomm or sony. this is very logic marketing strategy from manufacturer, i will doing the same if i'm the CEO.
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Click to collapse
Well I still partly blame Qualcomm, and Sony shouldn't have used such an old SoC. But if I really cared, I wouldn't have bought this phone, it's still miles ahead of the armv6 thing I had before. Anyway, you're right it's partly marketing, they want to sell new phones. And it's still a management problem. You can't just conjure up firmware, some developer needs to make it. Sony has a lot of models to support so developers have to be reassigned to newer models.
But that's part of the problem, I don't get why Sony makes such an abundant amount of models. Instead of making something like the Xperia L or M, they could still make the Xperia S and sell that for about the same price (and XS is way better specced than XL). Something like Samsung does with their Galaxy S (insert number) Advance/Plus/Whatever phones. I thought Sony was going to concentrate on the high-end market, but they keep on making those BS cheap phones that make Android look bad. I'm sure Sony could manufacture and sell an Xperia S or T for about €200 right now.
waiflih said:
if sony isn't releasing more software updates, at least we can ask them to unlock our bootloaders when they drop support?
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Don't blame Sony on that one. It's your provider demanding a locked bootloader and you bought it through them (probably sponsored with your subscription plan). I don't usually tell people to get a Samsung, but next time you get a phone with your subscription, get one with a bootloader that's less secure. I know the 2011 Xperia's were easier to unlock, but that was no excuse to just blindly assume the 2012 line is (if you even researched that). I heard that some Samsung phones have secure bootloaders in the US though, so even that party might be over. In general though I'd advise you to get a SIM-only subscription and be the boss over your own phone (and yeah that could mean paying €400 instead of €100 for your phone, you want an unlockable bootloader or not? At least you save on the cheaper subscription)
waiflih said:
if sony isn't releasing more software updates, at least we can ask them to unlock our bootloaders when they drop support?
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Click to collapse
Good idea but I like more to a refined campaign give my Xperia S for a discount for Xperia SP, or Z o ZL, but the bootloader it's not a bad idea
But it was supposed that key lime pie will be able do fit on a 512 ram phone if really its the case then 2.3 will jump to 5.0(and Xperia of 2011 should have to) but it's not 5.0 it's 4.4 and referring to the slogan "It's our goal with Android KitKat to make an amazing Android experience available for everybody." I hope that in October give us a good idea of what means
Sent from my LT26i using xda premium
Redstarr1 said:
Don't blame Sony on that one. It's your provider demanding a locked bootloader and you bought it through them (probably sponsored with your subscription plan). I don't usually tell people to get a Samsung, but next time you get a phone with your subscription, get one with a bootloader that's less secure. I know the 2011 Xperia's were easier to unlock, but that was no excuse to just blindly assume the 2012 line is (if you even researched that). I heard that some Samsung phones have secure bootloaders in the US though, so even that party might be over. In general though I'd advise you to get a SIM-only subscription and be the boss over your own phone (and yeah that could mean paying €400 instead of €100 for your phone, you want an unlockable bootloader or not? At least you save on the cheaper subscription)
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Click to collapse
I'm not complaining with the updates so far. I think they did a good job (although a bit late) with the updates, but if the phone is able to run the new android versions, they could give us a chance. Also, after they drop support the subscription period will be over, so the phone will be 100% ours.
This is just like what people did to apple when the iPod 3 came out. People wanted all the awesome features of 3.1.2 on the iPod touch 2 the multi tasking and what not and apple said it couldn't handle it. Well an official 3.1.2 came out for the iPod 2 and my god was it buggy slow choppy and all around ****. Sometimes it is just too much for the device to handle, note that I may be wrong for the iOS version that first had multitasking but that's besides the point
Sent from my SGH-I747 using xda app-developers app
thanitos said:
This is just like what people did to apple when the iPod 3 came out. People wanted all the awesome features of 3.1.2 on the iPod touch 2 the multi tasking and what not and apple said it couldn't handle it. Well an official 3.1.2 came out for the iPod 2 and my god was it buggy slow choppy and all around ****. Sometimes it is just too much for the device to handle, note that I may be wrong for the iOS version that first had multitasking but that's besides the point
Sent from my SGH-I747 using xda app-developers app
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Click to collapse
Well you get a point but it's like put JB Into a Xperia x8 it can't handle it because of ram, internal storage etc but for example the Xperia S ( it's the device I have) it can handle 4.3 but it does not came we have to wait and see if " for everyone" really it is and tat means lower requirements in older phones, not for having 1 year they can't handle it(look the nexus4 it's old and update)
And well for that they make proves(well Sony make them with the customer) and if not f*ck we will port it XD
Sent from my LT26i using xda premium
To TS
Please add ion into it...I feel like my device is forgotten
Sent from my LT28h using xda premium
Let's just hope we get KitKat..
And also soon, not a year later..
so people this was one of the reason so i sold my xperia sl yesterday and bought brand new xperia t at least it will get 4.3 confirmed or hopefully 4.4 also
n70shan said:
so people this was one of the reason so i sold my xperia sl yesterday and bought brand new xperia t at least it will get 4.3 confirmed or hopefully 4.4 also
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Click to collapse
Xperia T hasn't 4.3 update confirmed yet bro, but it will most probably get it.
Want Android 4.4? Tell that to Qualcomm.
Sent from my LT28h using xda app-developers app
lee480 said:
Want Android 4.4? Tell that to Qualcomm.
Sent from my LT28h using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Stupid Qualcomm they f*ck up our 4.2 and 4.3 for Xperia s,so,Arco s bla bla
Sent from my LT26i using xda premium
IMO SONY wont give a 4.2 update but if that happens,beers to SONY team.oops,i mean cheers :good: to SONY team.as the present android 4.1 official update is great but with some minor not so noticable bugs :laugh: i dont have any idea of what android 4.4 KITKAT will bring but i bet we will get it from great developers at xda.we will atleast get a AOSP based nightlty beta rom because XPERIA S is a very strong and fast phone though all say LOW BENCHMARKS and SNAPDRAGON S3,but i know its still faster and can handle next android versions without any hiccups.why the heck they decide to stop giving updates even the device is fully capable.x10 mini pro left with android 2.1,but the android 2.3 rom runs much faster and better battery life why some left at 2.3 and some at 4.3 ? i hate this fact

buying a used R800?

is it possible to get a used R800 for around 60 USD?
i don't think so
used xperia plays are about 100$ i think
and also i will tell you don't buy this phone
but an arc instead of this phone
xperia play section is dead
I'm pretty sure you can look on eBay for Plays. The R800x's sell for steroids 60 and below.
Sent from my SM-N900T using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
R800x are dirt cheap on eBay, you can get it for even less than $60. It's a lot easier top unlock them the R800a version too.
Don't listen to the guy in second post. Not even sure why you're in a forum of the same device you're telling others to not buy. So what if there are no more updates, doesn't mean the device is useless. Besides it's incorrect to say there are n I devs working on it.
sent via tapatalk
im on this device because i made a mistake
i didnt buy galaxy s2 when i could and now i have to deal with my phone (now the touchscreen is broken and im going to move to nexus 5 soon)
i only told him my experience
when he can buy an arc with the same price what can cause him to buy xperia play?
being much heavier or the old 2.3 android or its ancient kernel?
I bought the Xperia play in August this year because it was a sale (100$) new and I needed a new phone. I actually regret this choice I thought more. Developers would work on this amazing device .
Dont blame it on the devs, blame it on sony for not releasing sources
Sent from my GN5 [D821] using XDA Premium
Be happy that there are devs even making roms for it, you aren't self entitled to any of it.
This phone work fine if you know how to customise it. Unlock the bootloader and install NXT rom, it work great if you don't mind sticking with Gingerbread.
sent via tapatalk
pedyvirus said:
i don't think so
used xperia plays are about 100$ i think
and also i will tell you don't buy this phone
but an arc instead of this phone
xperia play section is dead
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
... i don't.... you realise the arc has no physical controls and will suck for playing games and emulators right?
eksasol said:
R800x are dirt cheap on eBay, you can get it for even less than $60. It's a lot easier top unlock them the R800a version too.
Don't listen to the guy in second post. Not even sure why you're in a forum of the same device you're telling others to not buy. So what if there are no more updates, doesn't mean the device is useless. Besides it's incorrect to say there are n I devs working on it.
sent via tapatalk
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Click to collapse
I do need the AT&T version to work with my sim.
i was looking at this one but, wasn't sure if it was stole and or could even be re used.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/att-sony-er...D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2557
friend said if it was stolen it could be blocked form the AT&T network.
Also what features do the modded roms provide? overclocking? are they lighter? support newer apps?
cdoublejj said:
... i don't.... you realise the arc has no physical controls and will suck for playing games and emulators right?
I do need the AT&T version to work with my sim.
i was looking at this one but, wasn't sure if it was stole and or could even be re used.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/att-sony-er...D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2557
friend said if it was stolen it could be blocked form the AT&T network.
Also what features do the modded roms provide? overclocking? are they lighter? support newer apps?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You have to be careful buying from ebay. There are scenario where you can get a device that work now, then 2months later gets blocked by the carrier because the owner stopped paying his bills.
It's better if its a retailer with good feedbacks and accept returns. If it's possible, ask the person for the imei number so you can check it background, or ask him to check it and post a screenshot. You can check imei and esn numbers via these sites:
http://sndeep.info/en
http://checkesnfree.com
Also if you buy from swappa.com, they auto check imei number for all devices, however, again, it doesn't prevent the phone from being blacklisted if the owner of the phone is still in a contract and stopped paying.
You will want to get the R800a version since the R800i version will not work with 3G for ATT. I have owned all 3 versions, last I check, you can only unlock bootloader from Sony website for the R800i and R800x, not R800a. However, this website can unlock both sim and bootloader for the R800a I believe: http://www.wotanserver.com/en/sony-ericsson/xperia-play-r800/unlock-tool/debranding-flash
You basically get improved performance and more software features with custom roms. From my experience using Gingerbread custom roms like NXT gives best performance. Because lack of support from Sony and Qualcomm, ICS and JB roms aren't as fast.
You can check these guides for all the instruction with unlocking and installing rom: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1836530
You need to unlock bootloader, flash a custom kernel which will have ClockworkMod recovery integrated, boot into CWM recovery and flash the rom. Make sure the kernel you're using is compatible with that rom for it to boot.
eksasol said:
You have to be careful buying from ebay. There are scenario where you can get a device that work now, then 2months later gets blocked by the carrier because the owner stopped paying his bills.
It's better if its a retailer with good feedbacks and accept returns. If it's possible, ask the person for the imei number so you can check it background, or ask him to check it and post a screenshot. You can check imei and esn numbers via these sites:
http://sndeep.info/en
http://checkesnfree.com
Also if you buy from swappa.com, they auto check imei number for all devices, however, again, it doesn't prevent the phone from being blacklisted if the owner of the phone is still in a contract and stopped paying.
You will want to get the R800a version since the R800i version will not work with 3G for ATT. I have owned all 3 versions, last I check, you can only unlock bootloader from Sony website for the R800i and R800x, not R800a. However, this website can unlock both sim and bootloader for the R800a I believe: http://www.wotanserver.com/en/sony-ericsson/xperia-play-r800/unlock-tool/debranding-flash
You basically get improved performance and more software features with custom roms. From my experience using Gingerbread custom roms like NXT gives best performance. Because lack of support from Sony and Qualcomm, ICS and JB roms aren't as fast.
You can check these guides for all the instruction with unlocking and installing rom: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1836530
You need to unlock bootloader, flash a custom kernel which will have ClockworkMod recovery integrated, boot into CWM recovery and flash the rom. Make sure the kernel you're using is compatible with that rom for it to boot.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
you say that as if it might be difficult or impossible to unlock the boot loader unless i pay some one? also are you saying all the aftermarket roms are slower than the stock rom? does it even mater since it can be overclocked with 3rd party rom?
cdoublejj said:
you say that as if it might be difficult or impossible to unlock the boot loader unless i pay some one?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
To unlock the bootloader of a R800a there is a unlock code that needed to be purchased from Sony themselves, that is why the service cost money. You either have to go through Sony or pay a third party service, those are the only options.
also are you saying all the aftermarket roms are slower than the stock rom? does it even mater since it can be overclocked with 3rd party rom?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That is not what I am saying, I'm saying GB run faster on this device from my experience only, compared to ICS and newer. There were never any official ICS release for the Play except a beta ICS version which ran poorly, the phone was stop being updated with Gingerbread. Sony and Qualcomm doesn't release some of the required hardware drivers for ICS/JB which is why its hard to make those version run fast.
You should have researched this device a little more before buying.
eksasol said:
To unlock the bootloader of a R800a there is a unlock code that needed to be purchased from Sony themselves, that is why the service cost money. You either have to go through Sony or pay a third party service, those are the only options.
That is not what I am saying, I'm saying GB run faster on this device from my experience only, compared to ICS and newer. There were never any official ICS release for the Play except a beta ICS version which ran poorly, the phone was stop being updated with Gingerbread. Sony and Qualcomm doesn't release some of the required hardware drivers for ICS/JB which is why its hard to make those version run fast.
You should have researched this device a little more before buying.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you for the information and the clarification. This sort of is my research. Half of the research was know what phone i'd want and one that works with AT&T. a side from androids with slide out keyboards this is the only option with physical controls and the only one that has controls good for gaming. that and the fact it has single core and can play games is all i really know about it. i figured it wasp popular enough to have some roms for it but, that's it.
i'll take a look at the cost of the unlock service assuming i don't have to mail it to the UK (live in US). i'll consider the unlock price and try to find a cheap r800a/r800at.
Your info has been REALLY helpful aside from my current crap Pantec P8000 my last serious smart phone was the 2006 Black Jack. Suffice to say iv'e been out of the phone game for a while.
cdoublejj said:
Thank you for the information and the clarification. This sort of is my research. Half of the research was know what phone i'd want and one that works with AT&T. a side from androids with slide out keyboards this is the only option with physical controls and the only one that has controls good for gaming. that and the fact it has single core and can play games is all i really know about it. i figured it wasp popular enough to have some roms for it but, that's it.
i'll take a look at the cost of the unlock service assuming i don't have to mail it to the UK (live in US). i'll consider the unlock price and try to find a cheap r800a/r800at.
Your info has been REALLY helpful aside from my current crap Pantec P8000 my last serious smart phone was the 2006 Black Jack. Suffice to say iv'e been out of the phone game for a while.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You won't have to mail in the device, I didn't use the WotanServer service, but other members have tried with success, it should be something you can do using their software.
The only difficult part is getting the drivers recognized by your PC. I was not able to get the drivers recognized with Windows 8, you might have to use Windows 7 or older. The unlocking software will have the drivers included though. But if you read through the flashing guides I linked it should show you how to install the necessary drivers.
Personally I don't use the Play as my daily driver, but as a back up. A lot of apps I use required Android 4+, and I only feel Android 2.x is fast enough on this device for me, but others might disagree. It's not fast enough to play many of the newer graphic demanding games smoothly, but for 2D and not too demanding games it's a winner.
There are several hardware issues that can occur with this phone like the 'flex cable' going bad, which is the cable that connect between to two halves of the phone. But honestly I've never had that issue from the 5 Play that I used. It's actually one of the more durable smartphone I've used even with the sliding mechanism. If you get protection accessories for it and be careful each time you side out the gamepad it should last. It have one of the most durable microUSB port for an Android phone I think.
Also it have excellent stereo speaker. The R800i/R800a version have pretty decent GPS signal, since it also support GLONASS. The R800x do not support GLONASS and have poorer signal.
My preferred idea is still to buy a cheap Verizon R800x for $60 or less, which bootloader can be unlocked from Sony website. Then buy a better daily driver phone. One thing you should know about the R800x is that it can run any of the GSM (R800i/R800a) Gingerbread roms and most kernels, you lose calling ability with GSM roms but you won't be using Verizon anyway. For ICS/JB/KitKat roms, there are usually CDMA version for it as well. It's pretty hard to brick to this device, you can always use Flashtool to restore factory stock image. I feel the R800x version is fastest since it actually use stock Android, compared to the R800i/a which uses Sony UI overlay. It's "fast" even with stock rom and stock kernel, just rooting and deleting bloatwares are enough. You don't need unlocked bootloader to root.
well if i was gonna carry 2 devices i'd just get a used PSP (possibly for free).
it isn't too bad performance wise i've seen it play crazy taxi and GTA III and jetset radio which are them sot demanding android games i want. i've also seen it play Need for Speed 3 on the PS1 emulator. also you can overclock on the custom roms.
it's also said it has long battery life, i may have read that in this thread 9o've had a long evening). I've replaced a flex cable in A* phone before so it breaks i'm not be SOL.
My newly obstacle is getting it on the cheap.
the only thing i'm un sure about is the on screen keyboard. i have a low resolution device and tend to the use physical keyboard more than the screen. i know R800 is higher resolution than the device i have now so maybe i will be able to cope. not a bad trade off consider all the other pluses and pro vs the cons.
EDIT: too bad they never made the PSP phone 2.
cdoublejj said:
well if i was gonna carry 2 devices i'd just get a used PSP (possibly for free).
it isn't too bad performance wise i've seen it play crazy taxi and GTA III and jetset radio which are them sot demanding android games i want. i've also seen it play Need for Speed 3 on the PS1 emulator. also you can overclock on the custom roms.
it's also said it has long battery life, i may have read that in this thread 9o've had a long evening). I've replaced a flex cable in A* phone before so it breaks i'm not be SOL.
My newly obstacle is getting it on the cheap.
the only thing i'm un sure about is the on screen keyboard. i have a low resolution device and tend to the use physical keyboard more than the screen. i know R800 is higher resolution than the device i have now so maybe i will be able to cope. not a bad trade off consider all the other pluses and pro vs the cons.
EDIT: too bad they never made the PSP phone 2.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The R800i/a stock keyboards have gesture typing, but its not very good. But you can buy Swype keyboard which is pretty good, maybe Swiftkey support Gingerbread as well. A lot of Play and other Sony devices have a layer of screen protector installed by the manufacturer, removing it can help with the touch sensitivity and sometimes viewing angle.
This device does have decent battery life, but you should get a new battery.

Root Possibilities

I know I'm getting a little ahead of myself but I have an upgrade coming soon for my contract and have been heavily researching all the phones out there at the moment. I really like the idea of the z5 premium with obviously the 4k display, the ip68 rating, and especially the microsd card slot. My one question is that, coming from my most recent phone, the Verizon Note 4, I was very dissappointed with the fact that I could not root the phone and could not utilize my favorite form of android, Stock, Pure Android.
So I guess my main question is, considering my lack of familiarity with Sony devices, I was wondering what the chances that I could ultimately root and install an "almost" stock ROM on the Z5 Premium were?
Well it is impossible to say this early but judging to earliel relases, root method has came everytime in less than 6 months to newest device. its basicly when someone invents root method to 5.1.1, its gonna be converted to xperia devices too soon. Ofc after that a little longer for carrier modded ROMs. (we dont have such crap here) Cannot say about 6.0 or other updates yet. Then if you want Recovery or flash ROMs you need to wait for people to make them for Z5P, gonna take some time too. Considering your lack with Sony devices youre in luck, if you have any experience with rooting/flashing, its like taking candy from a baby.
hope this clears a bit, even tho i didnt give much of an answer !
I may be mistaken here, but I don't believe the t-mo variant of the Z3 was rootable. The bootloader unlocking was not possible. That may have changed since I owned it, but that's my recollection.
Cant say, we dont have variants here, even carriers are selling sim unlocked versions.
Any news about root possibilities now ?
Root can be achieved through being flashed through recovery
However root tools wont come till someone finds a exploit

OEM skin/software

Are you comfortable in your own skin? Is your phone comfortable in its skin? Rate this thread to express how you deem the skin on the Sony Xperia XA1 Ultra. A higher rating indicates that you love it: it adds just the right amount of features, it's visually pleasing, and overall it's additive to the experience. If this is a Nexus phone (you didn't think we hand-wrote all of these prompts, did you?) then use this rating to indicate how the latest version of Android looks to you.
Then, drop a comment if you have anything to add!
The stock feeling is for me very good
I do not like the stock andorid one like the nexus or pixels have
I do like more an different user interface then the stock android or pure android
So, back than when I had some sony phones I did not like it..
But now..this one I like..
Its looking good and has some good options considering its not custom
But if you dont like it
Get NOVA launcher, APEX or something
Couse ther is no custom rom support for this phone
So, either like it...if not go wich launcher to change the UI..and thats all what you can do
I will later on use the NOVA laungher.. maybe even paying for all the settings to get unlocked
Couse I use my phones so often that I get bored so easy and fast about the looks and feels..
And then I need the change of launcher to refresh my mind and fool me as if it is a new phone
brljak83 said:
The stock feeling is for me very good
I do not like the stock andorid one like the nexus or pixels have
I do like more an different user interface then the stock android or pure android
So, back than when I had some sony phones I did not like it..
But now..this one I like..
Its looking good and has some good options considering its not custom
But if you dont like it
Get NOVA launcher, APEX or something
Couse ther is no custom rom support for this phone
So, either like it...if not go wich launcher to change the UI..and thats all what you can do
I will later on use the NOVA laungher.. maybe even paying for all the settings to get unlocked
Couse I use my phones so often that I get bored so easy and fast about the looks and feels..
And then I need the change of launcher to refresh my mind and fool me as if it is a new phone
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't see the need for any launcher except the xperia home launcher. Be aware they most of not all 3rd party launchers will effect your battery life. Xperia home has support for many icon sets. Themes are available in the play store and other sites. I have purchased Nova pro. But using it on this phone drains the battery. The reason i wanted root was to stop all the background apps killing battery life. Greenify does this to an extent. However works better with root access. It's an ok phone. I still pull out my old note two bc when i get the flash fever. The camera is good, sound isn't bad and it's on the list to get oreo which is a +
Sent from my Xperia XA1 Ultra using XDA Labs
Hii @rhaneyjr
Well, one developer said to me few days ago
That XA1 ultra has a very good firmware
But hard to do anything becouse Mediatek is
Not giving the drivers
He also said the only thing is to give some small modifications of the kernel just to get better battery stats and sot.. Also to speed things up just a bit
So there is no big need for other things than stock
Must agree with you to aand the dev who said that
brljak83 said:
Hii @rhaneyjr
Well, one developer said to me few days ago
That XA1 ultra has a very good firmware
But hard to do anything becouse Mediatek is
Not giving the drivers
He also said the only thing is to give some small modifications of the kernel just to get better battery stats and sot.. Also to speed things up just a bit
So there is no big need for other things than stock
Must agree with you to aan d the dev who said that
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well thanks for the info. I'm using my old note 2 for now because it's rooted and I'm a customizing fanatic but I will stay in the thread on the look out for the Oreo update for the xa1 ultra
rhaneyjr said:
Well thanks for the info. I'm using my old note 2 for now because it's rooted and I'm a customizing fanatic but I will stay in the thread on the look out for the Oreo update for the xa1 ultra
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I must say it is not looking good for this phone to get some sort of support
for flashing..
I am also loving to flash and try out systems.. but this time it is not possible for me
becouse of two resons.. one there is and maybe will not be dev support for this model
And second I got the bootloader locked status at NO or not allowed to unlock it..
So for you from my flashing experiance the best flashable phones are the google nexus and
pixel ones.. lately one guy who repairs phones said to me.. dont flash phones but if you like to do it
get the one plus 3 couse it is made as he said an ''high end device for devs to flash''
So, if you like flashing try out some of the devices or do a good research before buying if it
has xda support.. and other thing.. even if it has xda support try to buy with bootloader able to be unlocked
Happy flashing
brljak83 said:
I must say it is not looking good for this phone to get some sort of support
for flashing..
I am also loving to flash and try out systems.. but this time it is not possible for me
becouse of two resons.. one there is and maybe will not be dev support for this model
And second I got the bootloader locked status at NO or not allowed to unlock it..
So for you from my flashing experiance the best flashable phones are the google nexus and
pixel ones.. lately one guy who repairs phones said to me.. dont flash phones but if you like to do it
get the one plus 3 couse it is made as he said an ''high end device for devs to flash''
So, if you like flashing try out some of the devices or do a good research before buying if it
has xda support.. and other thing.. even if it has xda support try to buy with bootloader able to be unlocked
Happy flashing
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well the G223 is unlockable, in Dev settings and again at Sony website. But the only Dev that had done any thing is not supporting the ROM. I wasn't so much looking for different ROMs to flash as I was looking for root access for UI and device control but even in the beginning of the threads many were having issues so I decided not to go thru the headaches. So I'll use this, maybe pick up the one plus 3 or the one plus 5 and end up selling the Xperia. Didn't live up to the hype
rhaneyjr said:
Well the G223 is unlockable, in Dev settings and again at Sony website. But the only Dev that had done any thing is not supporting the ROM. I wasn't so much looking for different ROMs to flash as I was looking for root access for UI and device control but even in the beginning of the threads many were having issues so I decided not to go thru the headaches. So I'll use this, maybe pick up the one plus 3 or the one plus 5 and end up selling the Xperia. Didn't live up to the hype
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That is a good call you made..
Couse I am now stuck for now with this xperia
and it is my own fault for not doing my research before
I also like modifing the UI or have root access..
But for now I have no will to buy another phone since this
is for this year my 4th device.. had motorola nexus then had
two huawei devices and now this one and it is for me the best one
with no dev support and locked..
Still I do not want to change device again for now.. I like this xperia a lot..
Yes, would love to have root access and dev support on xda but yeah..
My own mistake.. but for now I do not mind..
As soon as I will be feeling to change.. I will do so...
But this year I have changed so often I did not do this in my hole live to have
4 different phones in just one year..
Update. Went to iPhone 7 Plus. Got tired of all the Android bull**** roms out but not fully functional. iPhone not as customizable but it’s reliable as **** and that’s what I need so see y’all I’m out
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Really don't like it very discriminating for such a high brand name
---------- Post added at 04:19 AM ---------- Previous post was at 04:17 AM ----------
brljak83 said:
I must say it is not looking good for this phone to get some sort of support
for flashing..
I am also loving to flash and try out systems.. but this time it is not possible for me
becouse of two resons.. one there is and maybe will not be dev support for this model
And second I got the bootloader locked status at NO or not allowed to unlock it..
So for you from my flashing experiance the best flashable phones are the google nexus and
pixel ones.. lately one guy who repairs phones said to me.. dont flash phones but if you like to do it
get the one plus 3 couse it is made as he said an ''high end device for devs to flash''
So, if you like flashing try out some of the devices or do a good research before buying if it
has xda support.. and other thing.. even if it has xda support try to buy with bootloader able to be unlocked
Happy flashing
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I aflree been very disappointed with this phone
Camrea
[email protected] said:
Camrea
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
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