How to choose and where to purchase?
-
I am condisering Xiaomi Mi A2 as a modren alternative to my Nexus 5, was looking for a new item on eBay:
https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_nkw=Xiaomi+Mi+A2
But not sure whether all of them are suitable for installing Ubuntu Touch. I already found here on forums that Lite version is not compatible with it. But each other items' titles on eBay say: "Mi A2 Mi X6".
I googled for specs on GSM Arena: https://www.gsmarena.com/xiaomi_mi_a2_(mi_6x)-9140.php#mi-6x
And it looks like X6 is the version for China. Are there any real differences between Mi A2 and Mi X6? Do any limitations exist with bootloader, carrier or anything for this phone? Which version I should look for and what to ask the seller?
-
@ezze yeah, don't get the ones that are x6 - these are not a2's I made that mistake, these phones are actually code named wayne. the wayne device with miui has antirollback and is very hard to flash, and is not inside the installer
The version you want to look for has the 'android one' logo on the back
-
@mateo_salta Thanks, it's very useful. I am confused now. How can I be sure that I order the proper model? As I can see, all of them are titled as A2 X6. Where did you get your A2?
-
@ezze Hi, same step for me but coming from PRO5. I can confirm that the X6 is the chinese version and is not supposed compatible with UBports, neither MiA2 Lite.
I got my MiA2 on Amazon (Xiaomi boutique) after 2 weeks search and I must admit, a lot of chance because it was brand new, never used !
I also searched before on "second hand" web sites but the risk is you never know what you will receive as a phone.
I really hope you will finally have the opportunity to get one ! From my perspective, the MiA2 is currently one of the best phone to use with UTouch. -
@nauvpp Thank you for your response, mate! I am looking only for a new device so hope I'll have some luck getting the one I need.
I can agree with you that Mi A2 looks like the best device for now according to the list of supported features: https://devices.ubuntu-touch.io/device/jasmine-sprout/
I really appreciate your help, guys! I'm happy to get your feedback so soon!
-
@ezze I accientdly got the 'a2 x6' one on ebay and it is not the right one although there was some kind of build for it, the anti-rollback and if it bricks only 'authroized' accounts can use edl mode on that version... I quickly bricked mine in a way that would need xiaomi service...
so if you do try that (not in the installer) make sure to make and sign into the xiaomi account in the phone so that the phone can be unlocked, because if you don't sign in before doing something it won't let you unlock after
-
This post is deleted! -
@mateo_salta said in How to choose and where to purchase?:
@ezze yeah, don't get the ones that are x6 - these are not a2's I made that mistake, these phones are actually code named wayne. the wayne device with miui has antirollback and is very hard to flash, and is not inside the installer
The version you want to look for has the 'android one' logo on the back
ARB is not always actually active as far as I have understood it correctly!
I have been flashing a Mi 9T and although it has an ARB Counter it does not actually work and you can downgrade the phone safely from Android 10 to Android 9 when you Flash it with the official Xiaomi Flashing Tool under Windows with the phone beeing in Fastboot mode after also Unlocking the Bootloader with the official Xiaomi Unlocking Tool
-
@nero355 it was on the x6 was a 4 i think on mine
-
@mateo_salta and it couldnt be unlocked with the tool unless a account was already entered on device, so soft bricking it before i entered the account in was a big problem, safe to say x6 avoid, a real A2 is the way to go