Redmi 5A - No Android Oreo update?

There is no news that the Xiaomi Redmi 5A will get Android Oreo update anytime soon. But a new update was up today, V9.2.1.0.NCKMIEK which is a stable ROM. Incremental update size is 259MB. The full Recovery ROM can be download from here.

This update offers a long list of fixes and optimization.

MIUI 9 - V9.2.1.0.NCKMIEK changelog:

Highlights
New - New display formats for update logs in Updater (07-25)
New - Mi Mover, supports data migration restarting. During migrating data to the new phone, device hotspot connection will be restored automatically in case of interruption to complete the date migration (10-25)
New - Simplified the UI (10-31)

Optimization - Simplified and improved the design of the virus scan result page (09-07)
Optimization - Hide free and incompatible themes in the list of the purchased items (10-10)
Optimization - "Add to favorites" icon adjustments (10-24)

System
New - Distance sensor dynamic calibration function, to ensure that black screen appears correctly (10-26)
Fix - Apps stopped working in the background (06-24)

App Lock
New - App lock supports hiding messages from selected apps (10-31)

Phone
Optimization - Vibration no longer affects the features which reduce ringer volume when the phone is lifted or flipped to silence (10-10)

Messaging
Fix - Messages with one-time passwords disappeared (09-07)

Lockscreen, Status Bar, Notification Bar
Optimization - Adjusted time for tapping the Lockscreen notifications (10-24)

Home screen
Optimization - Multiple themes supported on the clock widget (10-19)
Optimization - Move app icons into a folder easier (10-19)
Optimization - Adding widgets to an empty spot with a single tap (10-31)

Themes
Optimization - Updated Peach blossom and Asphalt themes (09-14)
Optimization - Hide free and incompatible themes in the list of the purchased items (10-10)
Optimization - "Add to favorites" icon adjustments (10-24)
Fix - Previews in recent wallpapers rotated (09-20)

Gallery
Fix - Image has been compressed multiple times (10-19)

Backup
New - Mi Mover, supports data migration restarting. During migrating data to the new phone, device hotspot connection will be restored automatically in case of interruption to complete the date migration (10-25)
Fix - Mi Mover can't continue to migrate data after the network connection is interrupted and restored (10-25)
Fix - Mi Mover can't migrate all apps to the new phone (10-25)

Settings
Optimization - Introducing button and gesture shortcuts (09-15)

Mi Account
Optimization - Reduced the number of push notification when the user is signed out (10-30)

The Android security patch level has been updated to December patch from the October patch.

Problem with auto-brightness?

For users who are having problems with auto-brightness, there is a method to fix that. @riNKu090 on the MIUI forums has a solution here on the MIUI forums.

Sony Xperia XZ1 Compact - A Pocket Rocket

It's hard to find an Android phone that's easily pocketable, has reliable battery life and to do more than just making calls or messages these days. The compact mobile phone market is filled with cheap and low end hardware phones. A 1GB RAM/8GB ROM phone is not going to give me that satisfaction if I need to do more than just making calls/messaging.

It's all about the size

If the first priority is small form factor and anyone who doesn't mind paying near flagship phone price, then this is definitely a must-have smartphone. I would have preferred if the Sony Xperia XZ1 Compact has less bezels at the top and bottom of the screen. It's probably a design limitation, to cram all that feature-packed hardware in a small form factor. But it would still be great to shrink the existing bezels without compromises. The 9.3mm thickness of the phone doesn't bother me. In fact, it's thicker body gives me a better grip and confidence when holding the phone.

720p screen is a bad idea?

Not really. A 720p resolution at this screen size works great and comes with alot of benefit. Less pixels means less load on the GPU and runs cooler, therefore saving more power. Gaming, user interface, browsing runs really smooth, rarely any hickups.

Full HD resolution on this screen will be overkill. Text and other things will be hard to read at default. I can increase the size of icons and text in Android settings, but not all items/apps/websites will work. So it will defeat the purpose of having that extra screen estate. I don't think it's worth it just for that little bit of sharpness advantage.

The limited 32GB internal storage can be a real breaker for alot of people.The system alone takes up a whopping 9GB of internal storage space. And another 1.7GB of pre-installed apps. Frankly, that's not alot of space left for the user.

What's in the package?

I've ordered the Sony Xperia XZ1 Compact from Sony online store a week ago. The package came with a free soft/TPU case and a plastic screen protector. The model number printed on the box is a G8144 Rev.2 . I was surprised that an earphone and Sony's quick charger is included. I've seen other reviewers' unboxing, only a normal charger was provided. So I'm happy that Sony has included a fast charger out of the box.

This particular unit I have on hand here is made at a fairly new Sony's factory in Thailand.

Check out this phone on Amazon.com. Although the fingerprint sensor is disabled by default in the US, it can be easily enabled by flashing the international/European firmware. Also check if your carrier supports GSM for voicecalls(2G) and SMS.

Here are some photos of the Xperia XZ1 Compact.

What's in the box.

Sony MH750 earphone.

Sony UCH 12 fast charger.

USB-type C, UCB20 cable

XZ1 Compact soft case.

Mic and USB-type C port.

Mic and 3.5mm audio jack.

Sim card and microSD card tray.

Dedicated camera button, power/fingerprint button and volume rocker.

19 MP Camera f/2.0, 25mm, 1/2.3" sensor size. Laser AF sensor, RGBC-IR sensor and LED flash. And NFC.

Brightest LCD screen I've used so far.

 

XZ1 Compact Soft/TPU case in various angles.

Random size comparison with the Sony Xperia V. Almost the same size as the XZ1 Compact.

Samsung J1 Mini Prime vs Xperia XZ1 Compact size.

Redmi 5A - Removing and disabling bloatwares or Google apps

Recently, newly launched Xiaomi phones come with Google apps which can't be removed or disabled easily. It's the same with some of Xiaomi pre-installed apps. The Redmi 5A is no exception.

Unlocking the bootloader and rooting the Redmi 5A can be a tedious affair for the average-joe. So we won't be getting into that here in this post. Fortunately, there is another method to disable the bloatwares and free up some space which requires much less effort.

Disable Google apps

Step 1 : Goto Google Play store and search for 'Activity Launcher'. Then install the app.

Step 2 : Start the Activity Launcher app. Tap on 'Recent activities'. At the drop down menu, choose 'All activities'. The text menu may not be visible if your phone is set on low brightness, so turn the brightness up if you have to.

Step 3 : Now scroll down the list and choose 'Settings'(the first one). On the next list, choose 'Installed apps'(the second one).

Step 4 : Now all installed apps are listed down. Tap on the '3 dots' button. Then choose 'show system'. 'Show system' will add system apps to the list as well.

Step 5 : Disable any apps you don't need. Not all apps can be disabled, and if you're not sure what the app does, leave it enabled. Also uninstall updates to the app if there is an option before you disable. This will free up space.

The Activity Launcher app can be uninstalled after you are done. Install it again if you need to use it.

Goodluck!