Android phones, apps and tablets

Oneplus 3T has just updated to Oreo. I can't tell the difference from the previous version.

I updated my OP3 to Oreo and it was a bit shit. Ran ok, slightly different colours, but Bluetooth is fucked. Sometimes just refuses to switch on requiring a reboot. Seems this is an Oreo issue rather than an OP specific issue, so I've finally decided to stick Lineage OS on the OP3. Running perfectly so far and although I'd heard the camera was supposed to be shit without the closed-source OP firmware, it's really not so bad (as far as I can tell).

At least it isn't iOS 11...

My bluetooth is fine, I seem to remember the Oneplus 3/T had bluetooth issues in general for some people but I use bluetooth headphones/speakers pretty much daily with no problems.

The adaptive brightness seems a bit aggressive, constantly upping and lowering the brightness now. Hopefully that will be changed.

Bluetooth on the older Oxygen OS was weird after the last couple of updates, would pair fine and then refuse to re-pair to speakers, car stereo etc. After the upgrade speakers and stereo worked fine (for the few days I was on it) but every time I tried to connect to my Wahoo Elemnt, it would shit the bed, switch BT off and refuse to switch BT back on until I rebooted (sometimes several times). Lineage is working fine so far and seems a fair bit less battery hungry.

In other news, fitted a new battery to my mate's (my old) OPO which has drastically improved his battery life. I've now bought a new battery and battery cover for my OP3 which I might fit at some point...

My Pixel XL screen unexpectedly bricked itself this morning. Right half of the screen blank and flashes white on some inputs, left half mostly black but occasionally shows the lock screen, dimly. Very odd.

Thankfully it did it while I was browsing the forum in bed, not after I'd left, so I just managed to get the old 6P working. Glad I hadn't sent it off for repair yet. But what a ballache.

can anyone recommend a dialler app that will actually look at my contacts rather than just telling me the number of who's calling? I have some truecaller bullshit at the moment that seems to be the default app on my wileyfox (running android 7.0).
for some reason the google android dialler (https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.google.android.dialer&hl=en_GB) doesn't seem to be compatible for my phone.
I'd like no ads, or pop ups asking me to install an sms junk mail filter. i get about 10 text messages a day, all from my family!

Callapp contacts, it has adverts but they are pretty unobtrusive.
https://play.google.com/store/apps/dev?id=6882074241033486164&hl=en_GB

Also, if they are making money off the adverts, its less likely that they are skimming your contact details and selling them to a marketing firm

Urgh, Sony repairs...

Sent my Z5 off for (another repair) only to be told it wasn't covered by the warranty... Despite warranty being valid till 2019. Turns out they think it has had an unauthorised repair by a third party. No you muppets - the only time its been repaired was earlier in the year to fix a proximity sensor issue.

Fuckers

Sadly I need to replace my N5, I tried a new battery and charge port but it's definitely dead, rip. There doesn't seem to be anything comparable around at the moment, I've read too many reviews now and just need to get a phone, so will probably just get a G5 as a stop gap. Pixel2 would be my top choice but it's out of budget. So far my options are:

Moto G5, is it worth the extra for the G5s?
Wileyfox swift 2x but all that dialler business mentioned above put me off
iPhone se (contract), probably the best phone out of these but after years of lusting after an iphone now I can't bring myself to get one.

What's the score with mobiles.co .uk? They have some decent pixel deals but I'm not convinced.

Oneplus 5t?

Are Pixel 1's cheap now. I love my XL.

The Oneplus phones are really tempting but I'm not sure about going up to a 5.5" but that seems to be the most common route from the N5. Pixel 1 still seems fairly pricey and can only find them from dubious sellers or direct from google.

there's very little difference between the G5S and G5Plus I've found through reading loaaaaaaads of reviews myself in the last week or so, both pretty much exact same dimensions as well. In the end I opted for the G5Plus as it has a better processor .

Got mine new for £167 new on ebay.

Whoop whoop my new phone has arrived from Banggood which was a surprise as their status page for my order is still saying it has left the origin border point.

Get the G5Plus or the 1+.

Whichever meets your price point.

Been mulling over whether or not to root my phone. This app https://www.kingoapp.com claims to do this easily. I reckon that by rooting I'll free up space, save battery and be able to eliminate ads.

Should I use this?
What are the risks for a non tech person like me?

If you do it, don't use an app would be my main advice. 90% of them will use that access to skim info or do other bad things for the phone. What phone is it? Default advice always used to be look on XDA, but its been a long time since I've bothered honestly

Thanks.
Phones a nexus 6p.
The Kingo 1 click root app seems to get great reviews and recommended the Geeks Hacking app

Ah fair enough, that was a bit of a knee-jerk/no research response from me; if it sounds okay then go for it

Various apps will cease to work. Things like Sky Go, the Virgin equivalent, some of the other video ones and some online banking don't work on rooted phones.

Can also cause issues when you're trying to upgrade the OS, sometimes over the air won't work.

For ad blocking DNS66 works pretty well, although not quite as well as adaway.

If you are going to do it I'd go with the step by step route rather than an app. Easier to sort if it goes wrong and you know exactly what is happening. It's easy enough with a Nexus, the only awkward thing generally is getting the drivers installed.

I used to root all my phones, I don't tend to bother now.

It's As blocking that I really want. Blockada works to a degree but not completely. Will try DNS66. Ta

Use magisk to root, if your phone's bootloader is unlocked. It'll "mask" that your phone is rooted so things like androidpay, Netflix etc will continue to work. Worth uninstalling them until you've tested it and confirmed it's working.

Kingo 1 click root app

Also installs a rootkit that continuously communicates with servers in China, sending details on everything that is on your phone and everything that you do with your phone. Also disables / modifies any other security apps on your phone.

Most oneclick solutions are disguised spyware.

Unlock the bootloader, flash TWRP, flash SuperSU. Choose a SuperSU version that is a Chainfire version if you can, as the new versions are less trusted.