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Asus Zenfone 9

asus.com

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Re: Asus Zenfone 9

#271

Post by ratdragon »

Gigachad wrote: post #177
googlryas wrote: post #153

Earlier quoted context omitted.

What's stopping people from just running the, say, Google build of Android on this phone? If there is custom device drivers or whatever, can't they just be copied from the custom ASUS android over to the standard android build, while avoiding all the crapware and lack of updates?

It’s a huge pain in the ass. Usually trips up the android safteynet drm and doesn’t give kernel updates because no one has access to the proprietary driver blobs which no longer work with new kernels. You can often get android api updates like this but not any real security updates.

I'm planning to test (but I hate reinstalling) https://github.com/topjohnwu/Magisk for safetynet whatnot.

But lack of kernel updates is pita and absolutely true :(

Re: Asus Zenfone 9

#272

Post by ratdragon »

izacus wrote: post #267
googlryas wrote: post #153

Earlier quoted context omitted.

What's stopping people from just running the, say, Google build of Android on this phone? If there is custom device drivers or whatever, can't they just be copied from the custom ASUS android over to the standard android build, while avoiding all the crapware and lack of updates?

Apps have started locking you out if they detect you have an unofficial build. Even dumb apps like McDonalds. Good luck using mandatory banking apps there as well.

I've deleted Revolut some time ago because of that. Well, they've since reversed their stance. Not sure why but now it works with Lineage.

Re: Asus Zenfone 9

#273

Post by andrepd »

diego_sandoval wrote: post #253

We've gotten to the point of peak absurdity where 5.9" is considered "ultra-compact". I'm in the market for a new phone right now, and it's baffling how ridiculously big most phones are right now. I only use mine for instant messaging and browsing Hacker News. 5" is more than enough for that.

It's absurd. I need to buy a new phone (as in, my 6-year old 5" phone is really falling apart and I can't find parts to replace) and my only option is pretty much a used Pixel 2, 3, or 4a.

Re: Asus Zenfone 9

#274

Post by nathell »

diego_sandoval wrote: post #253

We've gotten to the point of peak absurdity where 5.9" is considered "ultra-compact". I'm in the market for a new phone right now, and it's baffling how ridiculously big most phones are right now. I only use mine for instant messaging and browsing Hacker News. 5" is more than enough for that.

Come rally: https://smallandroidphone.com/

Re: Asus Zenfone 9

#275

Post by not1ofU »

jaimex2 wrote: post #135
cercatrova wrote: post #73

The only problem with Asus phones in general, which is also apparent in their ROG phones, is the lack of updates. Their hardware is top-notch, literally; I've never seen faster phones. But, they don't update them consistently enough, unlike Google and Samsung which have pledged multiple years of software support through Android releases.

How good is the Lineage OS support on Asus phones? Do they lock it down including the camera modules or are they fairly open?

Running linageOS 18.1 (Android 11) on a Zenfone Max Pro M1 (fresh install over 16.1 - which received regular updates every 2 weeks i think)

I beleive each model depends on the number of contributors working on image for that model, my phone is quite old yet it is now possible to upgrade (fresh install) to 19.1, which I will eventually get around to. I bought this phone specifically to use lineage. I use the camera, it works fine, and dont have any issues personally with the quality, although i am not really too bothered as long as its not shit, which it isn't IMO

Re: Asus Zenfone 9

#276

Post by russianGuy83829 »

diego_sandoval wrote: post #253

We've gotten to the point of peak absurdity where 5.9" is considered "ultra-compact". I'm in the market for a new phone right now, and it's baffling how ridiculously big most phones are right now. I only use mine for instant messaging and browsing Hacker News. 5" is more than enough for that.

While phones have gotten bigger, screen size is not a good indication of that. It’s more useful to compare physical dimensions because of slightly different aspect ratios and border widths/roundness

Re: Asus Zenfone 9

#277

Post by wvh »

pjerem wrote: post #219
cercatrova wrote: post #73

The only problem with Asus phones in general, which is also apparent in their ROG phones, is the lack of updates. Their hardware is top-notch, literally; I've never seen faster phones. But, they don't update them consistently enough, unlike Google and Samsung which have pledged multiple years of software support through Android releases.

It’s sad that no phone maker is playing the open and standard platform game. A brand like Asus would have everything to win with this : they already are recognized as a « geek » brand, they could ship updates with no effort and they could get free marketing from the word to mouth of the « geek of the family ». Instead of that, like any other Android manufacturer in the market, they ship great hardware with shitty or…

Sony has an open devices program where some models end up a year or so after their release. Jolla uses this program to make Sailfish releases tuned for select models.

I think it's hard to have easy open-source support by default as ARM hardware needs a model specific device tree and some of the required software might not be fully open.

Asus might not own either all software or rights to release a fully open model themselves, even if they'd like the idea.

Re: Asus Zenfone 9

#278

Post by tauntz »

nathell wrote: post #274
diego_sandoval wrote: post #253

We've gotten to the point of peak absurdity where 5.9" is considered "ultra-compact". I'm in the market for a new phone right now, and it's baffling how ridiculously big most phones are right now. I only use mine for instant messaging and browsing Hacker News. 5" is more than enough for that.

Come rally: https://smallandroidphone.com/

Wanted to "sign up" there but getting a 404: NOT_FOUND after submitting the form

Re: Asus Zenfone 9

#279

Post by tauntz »

How can they claim that it's "ultra compact"? That's just plain misleading advertising. Heck, it's bigger than my current Pixel 3a, which is already a bit too large for my comfort.

Re: Asus Zenfone 9

#280

Post by andrepd »

yxhuvud wrote: post #194
pjmlp wrote: post #156

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Yeah, apparently the marketing material is big on everything, except updates.

No, battery life is very notably absent. And that is a painpoint in the zenphone 8 already.

Well rather than trust promotional material, see the gsmarena review ;) https://m.gsmarena.com/asus_zenfone_9-review-2455p3.php
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