It’s been a while since we’ve had an open thread here at GizChina. The GizChina community is buzzing with info from all sides, and an open thread is a great way to concentrate (some of) the information in one place. This week’s open thread is about the Android version running on your Chinese phone.
What Android version is your Chinese phone running?
Most Chinese OEMs are usually very slow in pushing updates. It is even worse when you’re using an ‘export brand’ phone, although that scene is improving.
Gizchina News of the week
Today we’d like to know from you, and interact with you about the Android version on your phone. How long have you been using your phone, and have you been happy with it?
Do let us know what you’re running (don’t forget to include your phone’s model), and if you’re satisfied with the software support provided by your OEM!
I’ll get the ball rolling. When I’m not using a review phone, its usually the Mi 4 that I rock. Running Android v4.4 KitKat. It might sound like a very outdated version of Android (sub-$100 phones have KitKat these days), but to be honest I’m happy with the Mi 4… probably because MIUI.
While miui looks like a hybrid between android and iOS…
No matter which version you run… U will always be out dated.
Even my my kolina running my private version of Android 4.2.2 Lollibean looks better than any miui ROM
Ahh, and lets not forget it: Fuck you 100+ for your missing KitKat updates!
Eh?
I have a Jiayu S3 now running latest 4.4, was running Lollipop 5.1 a few days ago, but still in development so I’ve decided to go to the most stable KK. I’m pretty satisfied with the development made for the device 4 Updates for KK and LP already in the Beta 4 and the next should arrive next week.
I have an S3a and am running the out if the box 4.4. As far as I can tell wireless updates are broken. Which 4.4 update would you recommend, and what was your flashing method? (if you don’t mind me asking)
Mine is S3A too, yeah the OTA system is not the best, and theres a ness between updates, Jiayu updates the S3S Rom more often that Rom is the chinese one without Gapps, our phones from international resellers comes with the S3SW Rom the same Rom but with Gapps. The best way, and I did it for myself is to flash the S3S Rom from 05/07/2015 via SPFlash Tools and after that flash Gapps with TWRP, you can find the explaination of this method and other useful things in the XDA thread about Jiayu S3.
OPO, cyanogenmod 5.1 excellent ROM
Blu Studio 5. running 4.1.2 and stuck there as blu never will update to kitkat. That sucks !
Vivo xplay 3s have no idea couldn’t care less. The phone runs beautiful with whatever fun touch version I’m using.
Which Studio 5 is it? It has to be the older 5.0 from 2013. Because the 5.0II and 5.0e are running 4.2 Jelly Bean and the 5.0C, 5.0CE, 5.0 HD and 5.0 HD LTE are all running Kit Kat.
Hi, it is the original studio 5 blu. Yes i am aware that the newer phones run newer android versions and some were updated by blu but mine wasn’t so i am stuck with 4.1
Hi, it is the original studio 5 blu. Yes i am aware that the newer phones run newer android versions and some were updated by blu but mine wasn’t so i am stuck with 4.1
To be fair that is a 2+ year old phone a lot of phones from 2013 were never updated to Kit Kat.
The latest OPO Cyanogen is 5.02 ROM. Where did you get 5.1? As far as I know 5.1 is not out yet. 5.1 was promised “soon”, but still waiting.
That is Cyannogen OS you’re talking about and the author mentions CyannogenMod — two different things 😉
Bluboo X550, Stock 5.1 out of the box. Stable and responsive with awesome battery life.
Xiaomi Mi Note Android 4.4.4 and LeTV Le 1 Android 5.0
ZTE Nubia Z5S running KitKat 4.4.2
MIUI v6 5.0 on Xiaomi mi2
will change to v6 4.4 on Mi4 in one week
Mlais M7 running Android 5.0
How you finding it? I’ve not long ordered 2 for my siblings, they haven’t arrived yet but since ordering I’ve been reading terrible things about the battery life..?
Got fed up of waiting for GizChinas full review of it and so I just went ahead and ordered as I needed one of them before the 16th of July…
Hey Adam
It’s my first china phone so its hard to compare to others. But I’m quite happy with the device. Unfortunately I can’t tell you much about the battery life. I have it since a few days and didn’t use it much. So most of the time its pluged. I think it has a better battery life then my nexus 5 I’ve had bevor.
How you finding it? I’ve not long ordered 2 for my siblings, they haven’t arrived yet but since ordering I’ve been reading terrible things about the battery life..?
Got fed up of waiting for GizChinas full review of it and so I just went ahead and ordered as I needed one of them before the 16th of July…
Zte blade s6 running Lollipop 5.0.2
Oneplus One, CM12 (Lollipop 5.0.2)
Zte Nubia z5s mini temasek rom android 5.0.2
Coolpad9976A 4.4.2
Vodafone 890N 4.4.4
Galaxy Note 4.1.2
Xiaomi Mi3 running Kitkat 4.4.4 MIUI.
iOcean X8 MIUI V6 android 4.4.2
Xiaomi Redmi 1s MIUI Multilanguage v50 Android 4.3
MIUI V6 on XIAOMI Mi2s, very satisfied with phone and OS!
-doogee dg800 4.4.2 (it has an oficial lollipop rom but i’m wating for bugfixes from comunity).
-old broken tablet u9gtv with 4.4.2 (battery died)
Mi3w Running KitKat 4.4.4 MIUI ROM V5, better than V6, if I could run Jelly Bean will be better but it’s not compatible with Mi Band
5.02 Cyanogen on One Plus and Ulefone Be Pro 5.0.
Mlais m52 with Android 4.4.4
Elephone P6000 Android Lollipop v5.0.
I wish there’s an upgrade to v5.1 though.
Meizu MX4 4.4.2 still waiting for lollipop!!!!!
You can install the beta, if you have the A/I version of the device. It runs well.
http://www.flyme.cn/firmwarelist?modelId=8&type=2
My Lenovo A7000 runs on Android L 5.0 with vibe UI on the top.
My Redmi Note 4G running on Kitkat with MIUI V5.
Jiayu s3 w 5.1, I’m really happy. Still a bit buggy but next update (sp flash tool but even OTA ) is very close
Meizu m1 note on 4.5.3 Flyme (5.0 Lollipop)
Android 5.1 (Flyme 4.5.3A), Meizu m1 note. It’s kinda unstable ROM, problems with some apps, I hope they will fix the bugs very quick.
NUU Mobile – Z8 … Running on stock Android 5.0 .. I m loving the performance and the a really good camera … apparently it’s upgradeable via OTA to Android 5.1!
OnePlus 1 – YIOS (Lollipop 5.1.1) since yesterday, ColorOS 2.0.60 (KitKat 4.4.4) for a couple of weeks before that and SmartisanOS 1.5.1 (KitKat 4.4.2) as my “main”
JIayu G4 MIUI V6 android 4.4.2
My Cubot One-S only has Android 4.2.2, but I can’t afford a new phone.
Meizu phone has horrible kitkat FlymeOS
Lenovo K910 running CM12.1 (Android 5.1)
OnePlus One – Android 5.1.1
mine ONE PLUS runs on lolipop cm12, its awesome
I’m running stock 4.0.4 Ice cream sandwich on my trusty old Jiayu G3 (6577) ＼(＾O＾)／
zee-you-kaaayy!
My aunt`s got that, I installed 4.1.2 on it. You should check needrom.com, how to do so.
I’ve tried it all, custom ROMs official 4.2 different kernels. In the end 4.0.4 works best for me. 4.2 shortens the battery life a bit and messes with the proximity sensor( for me). I’m fine with 4.0.4 though. Just waiting on a new phone! 🙂
My aunt`s got that, I installed 4.1.2 on it. You should check needrom.com, how to do so.
My taiwanese Htc one m8 runs 5.0.1 with sense 6. I m very happy with the performance and the theme engine it is very nice.
Xiaomi Mi4 Android 4.4 don’t need or want Lollipop, have used it on a few devices and it is not good. Also BQ Aquaris 4.5 running Ubuntu.
MI4 MIUI V6 4.4.4
nubia z5s mini flashed with Cyanogenmod 12 (android 5.0.2)
LeTV One on Android 5.0
How do u find the LeTV One? Any bugs? The videos so far look really nice and I like their EUI skin over the top.
Star S7589 @Android 4.2 Jelly Bean Stock 😀
Call me oldschool 🙂
No I won’t, for I know you’ll still stick with it…
Asus zenfone 2 Lollipop 5.0
i am using huawei honor 3x , which i purchased last year in india….i am still running android 4.2 jelly bean. its so sick move from this international co. …i am totally exhausted with this phone…..huawei is a worst co. when it comes to software update ….worst co.
Jiayu S3 Advanced on stock 4.4.4 KitKat, Meizu M1 note on Flyme 4.2.0.5A (KitKat 4.4.4)
also using alcatel one touch idol x plus…..android 4.4.2 ….but pretty much satisfied..
Lenovo A6000 Android 4.4.4
Ecoo E04 3gb with Spacerom 1.0.0 on lollipop 5.0.
Bit of an overheating issue though, think I’ll try out a Kitkat custom rom.
I’d like to use this opportunity to not talk about my OnePlus One but instead my wife’s crap Zopo ZP999…
So, here it goes… Zopo ZP999 running its stock version of 4.4.2 which is the very, very latest OTA which was released back in late January and there’s been absolutely nothing since.
In a nut shell, the phone is absolute pants. The ROM is so unoptimized that even scrolling through web pages is laggy, the camera speed is terrible and the battery life is absolute p1ss take! They announced a couple of months back that they would update all of their current line to Lollipop EXCEPT FOR THE ZP999 which I think is atrocious given that its their Flagship device. And to be honest, if they at least spent a little time on ironing the creases out of KitKat that’d be something!
I’ve owned a ZP998 and now a ZP999 and I can hand on my heart say that its definitely the last time I even consider Zopo. Absolute cr@p company and that’s all there is to it.
P.s. Just keeping my eyes open here every day for something really, really good to replace it with… (Bit of checklist to work through for her next phone since I cocked up so greatly with this one…)
i keep my eyes open everyday.
i have an addiction for Chinese phones but I’m done jumping to the better deal.
I always wait for reviews and feedbacks and I’m OK paying an extra to get a brand with good software.
thanks for sharing your experience with Zopo.
I have that very same addiction! I’ve only been visiting GizChina since Jan 2014 if I’m honest and before that I was going at it a bit blind, I had a couple of THLs back then, W100 and a W8s and to be honest they were both OK, they just seemed to get outdated really quick during that time… Thankfully Andi introduced me to this new upcoming ‘OnePlus One’ and when I eventually got my invite in June I couldn’t be happier! Its been spot on all the way through the last 12months as my daily driver but I do feel at some point this year I’ll want to change it… Anyway, through GizChina, I’ve ordered for Friends and Family a Kingzone K1 Turbo, UMI Zero, Mlais M52, 2x Mlais M7s, Elephone P6000 and a couple of other things… If I could justify it I’d order multiple phones for myself all the time, but I just can’t, plus the fact that I’d hate setting up a new phone all the time with the apps etc…
Ye, anyway, getting back to Zopo, my advice is to steer well clear, because if they’re so happy to drop support for what was a 3month old flagship back then, then I’m sure they’ll keep on doing it. And if anyone starts saying that its Mediateks fault for not releasing the Lollipop source for the 6595 then they’re wrong, Lenovo released Lollipop for the Vibe X2 not too long ago and that’s the same SOC…
I’m staying away from Zopo for sure
I’m staying away from Zopo for sure
What Chinese phones have u had? I’ve had quite a few, original Huawei Honor, Xiaomi 3, IUNI U3 and recently I’ve been attracted to the almost 12-month old Smartisan t1. My Chinese friends are insistent I should stop buying anything Chinese unless its Xiaomi.
not many, i started not long time ago.
I started with a Samsung clone(awful), a Cubot one, Xiaomi Redmi 1s and now Xiaomi MI4.
i disagree with your friends.
I recon that Xiaomi might have started the war of prices but there are many brands that have awesome build quality with competitive price.
Meizu,Huawei,Iuni,Vivo,ZTE,Lenovo,Oppo,OnePlus,Gionee Jiayu and many other smaller or “newer” brands like Umi,LeTV.
some of them have better prices, some better specs but i would totally recommend any of them to my friends.
I’ve been an happy owner of Xiaomi but i would have no problem switching for any of those brands listed above.
Meizu MX5 is the right candidate for being my next phone unless something more attractive comes out
I do also like the look of the new Meizu MX5 and as people like Andy has said, some Vivo phones are great. Even Marquess Brownlee loved the One Plus too. I’ve owned a ZTE too but that failed on me quite quickly.
I’m looking to chane and am thinking MX5, Xiaomi 4 (because of pricing now) or Vivo X5 Pro. Smartisan seems a gamble as I can barley find anything on the phone after its release, but my addiction to trying different chinese brands still makes it attractive to me.
Xiaomi Mi3 with MIUI 6, Android 4.4.4. Had Stock ROM 5.1.1 installed for one evening but was annoyed for it not being MIUI and went back.
My Coolpad 7295+ still runs an optimized version of the stock Android 4.1.2. Newer community builds were buggy.
Xiaomi Mi3 with MIUI 6, Android 4.4.4. Had Stock ROM 5.1.1 installed for one evening but was annoyed for it not being MIUI and went back.
My Coolpad 7295+ still runs an optimized version of the stock Android 4.1.2. Newer community builds were buggy.
vivo X710L Funtouch OS 2.0 rev6.13.0 Android 4.4.2
vivo X710L Funtouch OS 2.0 rev6.13.0 Android 4.4.2
Elephone p7000 run 5.0
Bluboo x550 run 5.1
Altek leo a16 run 2.3.5
its bluboo x550 a good phone? tell me if the battery last like thl5000 or so? 🙂 thanks dude
its bluboo x550 a good phone? tell me if the battery last like thl5000 or so? 🙂 thanks dude
Elephone p7000 run 5.0
Bluboo x550 run 5.1
Altek leo a16 run 2.3.5
OnePlus One: CM12
RedMi Note 4G: MIUI V6/KK
RedMi Note 3G: MIUI V5/KK
Yash, another interesting open-thread discussion would be: “Buyers regret? Explain Why?” I’m happy with my three China phones (thanks to Andi and this site for guidance) but I made a number of impulsive buying mistakes along the way.
That’s a good idea, I’d be able to have yet another stab at how sh1t Zopo are then!
Your Zopo comments have put me off going anywhere near the brand.
Believe it or not I’ve always had Zopo and never encountered any of the reported issues.
The last model was the ZP998 which only got snappier with an OTA Upgrade they released shortly after receiving the unit.
But I got bored with the design, look and feel of Zopo (almost all zopos look alike) and I went with a Huawei Ascend Mate 7 and its a night and day comparison between them both.
I love my Mate7 so much that its still stock everything and i cant see myself switching to any other brand just yet. I’m even considering getting their talkband2 and one of their smartwatches!
That’s a good idea, I’d be able to have yet another stab at how sh1t Zopo are then!
OnePlus One: CM12
RedMi Note 4G: MIUI V6/KK
RedMi Note 3G: MIUI V5/KK
Yash, another interesting open-thread discussion would be: “Buyers regret? Explain Why?” I’m happy with my three China phones (thanks to Andi and this site for guidance) but I made a number of impulsive buying mistakes along the way.
Still rocking the Jelly Bean 4.1.2 on my Jiayu S1, because of no alternative(never released another firmware upgrade, bootloader locked). So far has not let me down. Had to just update the playstore and playservices and that`s it.
Still rocking the Jelly Bean 4.1.2 on my Jiayu S1, because of no alternative(never released another firmware upgrade, bootloader locked). So far has not let me down. Had to just update the playstore and playservices and that`s it.
Letv S1 Pro Running Andoird 5.0.2
ICS Hero 9300+
My MX4 still running on 4.4 Kitkat 4.2.8.2A stable version of Flyme since the test firmwares of lollipop (4.5.xA) are kinda a disappointment so far.
I have 4.2.2 on my Gionee Elife E7. This might sound bad but actually I’m pretty happy with it. Based on reviews I was expecting Amigo to be a lot worse. The ROM is very stable, no lag, no crashes, no bugs.
When I bought it, I thought that kitkat is going to be ready for download but there are no updates available.
Me too, it is indeed a great phone with a good camera! I have also (in use): OnePlus One, Xiaomi Mi4, Xiaomi Mi3.
I also have e7, but I have updated it to KK. On 4.2.2 ota do not work, so you should update manually, but it is a piece of cake. Now I am waiting for lollipop. P.S. with K.K. E7 is much more smoother.
Yeah, OTA does not work. Can you help me with the update? Where did you find it?
i have iuni u3 on kit kat 4.4.4 on miui rom i’m happy
How do u find your IUNI U3? I have one too and love the look of the ROM, think the camera and battery life are good but after dropping the phone once, the mic on videos doesn’t work well, the screen got damaged (as can easily happen with a drop) and the speaker began to give a slight crackle. IUNI wanted 850RMB to replace the glass too!!
is it working ok with the miui? i got kinda bored with the iuni rom.
iNew V7 4.4.2
I have an IUNI U3 running Android 4.4.4.
me too and i m wondering when they’re gonna give us the update they promised. or the full english rom anyways.
Yeah, it looks so nice and clean but there haven’t been many updates and IUNI’s app store seems to never get anything new.
In fact, because I rooted it and have a russian/English rom with play store and Google services, I can tell you that the iuni store upgrades my apps from play store even to the beta versions, something Google doesn’t do. Also if I install an app from apk file, in 99% of the cases, iuni store updates the app like an official one.
ZTE Blade S6 5.0.2 L, 32-bit
Timmy E82 with stock 4.3 Jellybean. Can’t seem to remove Gsearch malware. But it’s still very good for me. Fast MT6582 (Good enough for emulators I guess), Very good OV8825 camera (I dunno why but a cousin with a Zenphone 5 says it’s better than her camera), slim enough that I get asked if it is an OPPO, very strong flash (Philip’s LED?), sturdy build.
Probably flash a Miui V5 ROM after I get my eMax. I’m thinking of how to use the eMax since I’m still okay with the E82.
Mine is on Kitkat 4.4.2. They have recently updated it with lollipop. But I haven’t done that till now.
One+ 1 for me, was running blisspop, pretty sweet, but sadly for me, my touch pscreen was awful. Tried every rom possible and kernels. But never fully fixed my issue. Just seems like the screen wasnt as responsive to my previous nexus phones. Anyways, I broke the charging port on the phone, so couldnt charge it. And went back to my nexus 5 running cataclysm 5.1.1 with franko kernel.
I’ll be buying the oneplus 2 when it hits, and most likely put blisspop on with Franco kernel (if he supports) it really depends on the support the phone will get. If it’s not much, then I might grab a nexus 5 2015 model (surely this year)
Oh and I did own a jiayu g4s at one stage with team force KitKat rom. Great phone. I’ll buy a s4 if the rumors pan out (just cause I can ha-ha)
I’ve been using iOcean X8 for more than a year with the android 4.2 originally come with the phone as I don’t know how to flash a new rom. I’m happy with the phone except for the battery short life due to the small size. I’ve ordered a Meizu M2 Note which is with DHL now and I expect to receive it in 1 to 2 days time. I have never use any Meizu phone and hopefully I have made a correct choice. Anyway Im not a gamer and I don’t need a top speed phone.
My f*cking Meizu M1 Note runs 4.4.4 kitkat. I can hear noise with headphones. Stuck on multitasking, late notifications, connection problem with email app etc. F*uck flyme os, f*ck Meizu! Never buy again!
Asus ZenFone 2 its at Android 5.0 …
Xiaomi MI4 still has Android 4.4. No news for Android L upgrade unfortunately.
Lenovo A820 (MT6589) with self-compiled KK 4.4.2 and kernel (official ROM stuck at 4.1.2) and GPU overclocked from 286 to 476MHz without voltage increase :p. It was hard to get it going, but now it flies (over 20K in antutu), plus I’ve also patched all major known vulnerabilities.
Elephone P6000 running Vibe 2.5 (Android 5.0)
Elephone P6000, Android 5.0. Happy with the hardware, I wish there was better support for different ROMS