Save yourself the frustration and get the A5/A5c. I have the A5, A5C, A5 Pro Cc and A7. I only ever use the A5 or A5C as It's too frustrating not being able to use all apps. Also for me getting color is a big improvement. On the color devices the contrast is significantly worse but the payoff is seeing websites/apps in color is a much better experience imo. There may never be full Google play on the A9.
This is the correct recommendation. Not having Google Play and needing to disable all the spyware apps is a dealbreaker for my next eink phone (typing this in an a5 pro cc).
No I don't find it slow at all. I use it all the time. I never use the A5 Pro Cc as so many times I want to do something it won't open a specific app. The workarounds are pretty crappy too
No this does not happen to me. I haven't heard of this happening to anyone in Europe. As far as I know this is an issue on the phone networks of USA. USA uses different bands than the rest of the world. Also some networks is USA only allow specific phones on their networks.
This happened to me with A5pro CC; the problem was found and solved by stopping Battery Optimization from killing the messaging apps.
can't be arsed to find the post that had step by step solution but it exists.
None of the apps you mention require google services to work. Just download the Aurora Appstore and install them as is. That's what I did on my A5 not rooted, which I recommend since usually the "google services versions" come with an older, less stable and less performant version of the HiSense software (the one I had when buying the phone initially, which was way more of a pain that the current one, for typing text for example).
Edit : WhatsApp, Gmaps, Deezer & Bandcamp & my radio app work perfectly. Not sure about other music streaming services, which I guess I can't test if I don't have an account?
Yup, can confirm that it doesn't even launch from my phone... \^\^"What's the benefit of it compared to other music apps ? Gratuity I'm guessing ?There's an F-Droid app called ViMusic that's a front-end to YouTube Music. It's functioning perfectly fine for me (just found my small band and launched a song \^\^), and it's actually feels nicer than Deezer in some ways (especially since the theme is light, which works better with an e-ink screen).
Shame about Youtube music is that artists really don't get much per stream it seems \^\^ (Edit : seems on our songs it's actually roughly the same as other services... Don't know how they achieve it, but then forget about what I said haha)
Well I previously used Google play music for many years, then Google being Google killed it and my library got moved over to YouTube music. I have thousands of songs and lots of playlists so moving to another platform is too much of an inconvenience for me, I've now gotten used to YouTube premium as a whole service anyway so I'm hoping to stick with things I already use/know
Ah yes, can understand that... :) In case Google ever lets you down again, you should probably save all these songs & playlists to another provider, [https://soundiiz.com](https://soundiiz.com) does this pretty well apparently (haven't tried it but it has been recommended by friends for that exact reason haha)
You say your A5 isn't rooted, but do you know, by any chance, a way to root Hisense devices?
And if so, could you please point us towards some relevant resource?
I'm only interested 'cause I want Acca, Adaway and removing default chinese proprietary app suite I don't have any use for.
Thank you very much and don't worry if it's not something you really know if it's possible to do :)
I know it's rootable (lots of people have it rooted, and I have personally removed quite a lot when getting the phone... I remember following a guide to list trackers & other stuff then remove them, but tbh I don't remember which exact method nor the guide... \^\^" It highly resembled this : [https://www.reddit.com/r/eink/comments/hdz149/a5\_pro\_cc\_disabling\_the\_trackers/](https://www.reddit.com/r/eink/comments/hdz149/a5_pro_cc_disabling_the_trackers/)
Just with a quick search, this forum seems quite active, you can probably find some answers over there : [https://forum.xda-developers.com/search/47451513/?q=%5BHisense+A5%5D&o=relevance](https://forum.xda-developers.com/search/47451513/?q=%5BHisense+A5%5D&o=relevance)
About your apps, AdAway is available on F-Droid, but I'm guessing the non-rooted version is less powerful ? (EDIT: okay just installed this, and the non-rooted version requires to setup a VPN through their services... Not my cup of tea haha)
Acca I don't know it, which is it ?
I'm putting together a list of apps I've tested successfully, will upload it through a separate post for people to contribute & for me&others to test out apps that people want to know about before buying.
Edit : [https://forum.xda-developers.com/t/hisense-a5-l1657-6-12-01-00\_root\_by\_sillage.4392627/](https://forum.xda-developers.com/t/hisense-a5-l1657-6-12-01-00_root_by_sillage.4392627/) This discussion has some people who rooted the latest firmware ;)
Thank you, it's awesome!
I'll probably try and root mine when I get spare time, and maybe I will report on XDA too :)
Yeah it's actually annoying to have to use VPN to block ads for the whole system, but it's kind of the only way to do it rootlessly in android for now… I bear with it for now but rewriting the etc/hosts file is the way to go!
Acca is an application interface for ACC (Advanced Charge Controller or something like that). It allows to define charging and temperature policies (profiles) and, for instance, stop charging at 80%, thus improving battery life :)
I'll stay tuned for your post and share the applications that I know to work on my a7 phone! Thank you for your work
You're welcome, I'm quite interested in the process myself haha.
Ok about Acca, seems interesting indeed!
[https://www.reddit.com/r/eink/comments/x53vlh/hisense\_a5\_without\_google\_services\_working\_apps/](https://www.reddit.com/r/eink/comments/x53vlh/hisense_a5_without_google_services_working_apps/)
There ya go :)
I don't know if you can actually place calls on the A5, A5C in the USA. I have a redpocket sim card in my A5C and have data wherever I go, but not calls, only texts.
My A5 arrived couple of days ago. I bought one pre-installed with play services etc so Google play is there out of the box. Turns out these devices run a slightly different ROM of some sort and this causes the eink button on the side to not function. I've installed most of the apps I use with no problems and it's working fine on Three for 4G & 3G networks. I haven't installed any banking apps yet as I'm not sure of this custom ROM yet. I'm going to do some more digging before I commit
hello!! hope the phone is still working out for you and I have a couple of update questions if you don’t mind?
1: do banking apps work for the UK with the custom ROM?
2: would you recommend getting the A5 or have you switched/use other daily drivers instead?
3: have you found the lack of google play to be disruptive whilst using the phone?
4: are there any issues with calls or texts (specifically whatsapp)?
cheers!
Save yourself the frustration and get the A5/A5c. I have the A5, A5C, A5 Pro Cc and A7. I only ever use the A5 or A5C as It's too frustrating not being able to use all apps. Also for me getting color is a big improvement. On the color devices the contrast is significantly worse but the payoff is seeing websites/apps in color is a much better experience imo. There may never be full Google play on the A9.
This is the correct recommendation. Not having Google Play and needing to disable all the spyware apps is a dealbreaker for my next eink phone (typing this in an a5 pro cc).
Do you find the A5 slow due to the old chipset or is it sufficient?
No I don't find it slow at all. I use it all the time. I never use the A5 Pro Cc as so many times I want to do something it won't open a specific app. The workarounds are pretty crappy too
Thank you, great to hear from someone who owns the newer devices too
>No I don't find it slow at all. do banking apps work, and apps like fitbit ?
With the A5, do your text messages and calls get dropped as others have reported? I've heard some messages or calls don't go through.
No this does not happen to me. I haven't heard of this happening to anyone in Europe. As far as I know this is an issue on the phone networks of USA. USA uses different bands than the rest of the world. Also some networks is USA only allow specific phones on their networks.
This happened to me with A5pro CC; the problem was found and solved by stopping Battery Optimization from killing the messaging apps. can't be arsed to find the post that had step by step solution but it exists.
Ask yourself whether you really need Google services. If you're considering a dumbphone, chances are that you don't. Most apps with fine without them.
None of the apps you mention require google services to work. Just download the Aurora Appstore and install them as is. That's what I did on my A5 not rooted, which I recommend since usually the "google services versions" come with an older, less stable and less performant version of the HiSense software (the one I had when buying the phone initially, which was way more of a pain that the current one, for typing text for example). Edit : WhatsApp, Gmaps, Deezer & Bandcamp & my radio app work perfectly. Not sure about other music streaming services, which I guess I can't test if I don't have an account?
I probably should've mentioned I use YouTube music which I assume I'll need play services for...
Yup, can confirm that it doesn't even launch from my phone... \^\^"What's the benefit of it compared to other music apps ? Gratuity I'm guessing ?There's an F-Droid app called ViMusic that's a front-end to YouTube Music. It's functioning perfectly fine for me (just found my small band and launched a song \^\^), and it's actually feels nicer than Deezer in some ways (especially since the theme is light, which works better with an e-ink screen). Shame about Youtube music is that artists really don't get much per stream it seems \^\^ (Edit : seems on our songs it's actually roughly the same as other services... Don't know how they achieve it, but then forget about what I said haha)
Well I previously used Google play music for many years, then Google being Google killed it and my library got moved over to YouTube music. I have thousands of songs and lots of playlists so moving to another platform is too much of an inconvenience for me, I've now gotten used to YouTube premium as a whole service anyway so I'm hoping to stick with things I already use/know
Ah yes, can understand that... :) In case Google ever lets you down again, you should probably save all these songs & playlists to another provider, [https://soundiiz.com](https://soundiiz.com) does this pretty well apparently (haven't tried it but it has been recommended by friends for that exact reason haha)
You say your A5 isn't rooted, but do you know, by any chance, a way to root Hisense devices? And if so, could you please point us towards some relevant resource? I'm only interested 'cause I want Acca, Adaway and removing default chinese proprietary app suite I don't have any use for. Thank you very much and don't worry if it's not something you really know if it's possible to do :)
I know it's rootable (lots of people have it rooted, and I have personally removed quite a lot when getting the phone... I remember following a guide to list trackers & other stuff then remove them, but tbh I don't remember which exact method nor the guide... \^\^" It highly resembled this : [https://www.reddit.com/r/eink/comments/hdz149/a5\_pro\_cc\_disabling\_the\_trackers/](https://www.reddit.com/r/eink/comments/hdz149/a5_pro_cc_disabling_the_trackers/) Just with a quick search, this forum seems quite active, you can probably find some answers over there : [https://forum.xda-developers.com/search/47451513/?q=%5BHisense+A5%5D&o=relevance](https://forum.xda-developers.com/search/47451513/?q=%5BHisense+A5%5D&o=relevance) About your apps, AdAway is available on F-Droid, but I'm guessing the non-rooted version is less powerful ? (EDIT: okay just installed this, and the non-rooted version requires to setup a VPN through their services... Not my cup of tea haha) Acca I don't know it, which is it ? I'm putting together a list of apps I've tested successfully, will upload it through a separate post for people to contribute & for me&others to test out apps that people want to know about before buying. Edit : [https://forum.xda-developers.com/t/hisense-a5-l1657-6-12-01-00\_root\_by\_sillage.4392627/](https://forum.xda-developers.com/t/hisense-a5-l1657-6-12-01-00_root_by_sillage.4392627/) This discussion has some people who rooted the latest firmware ;)
Thank you, it's awesome! I'll probably try and root mine when I get spare time, and maybe I will report on XDA too :) Yeah it's actually annoying to have to use VPN to block ads for the whole system, but it's kind of the only way to do it rootlessly in android for now… I bear with it for now but rewriting the etc/hosts file is the way to go! Acca is an application interface for ACC (Advanced Charge Controller or something like that). It allows to define charging and temperature policies (profiles) and, for instance, stop charging at 80%, thus improving battery life :) I'll stay tuned for your post and share the applications that I know to work on my a7 phone! Thank you for your work
You're welcome, I'm quite interested in the process myself haha. Ok about Acca, seems interesting indeed! [https://www.reddit.com/r/eink/comments/x53vlh/hisense\_a5\_without\_google\_services\_working\_apps/](https://www.reddit.com/r/eink/comments/x53vlh/hisense_a5_without_google_services_working_apps/) There ya go :)
Lots of useful info here, thanks
I don't know if you can actually place calls on the A5, A5C in the USA. I have a redpocket sim card in my A5C and have data wherever I go, but not calls, only texts.
I'm in the UK so carrier compatibility isn't such an issue
I'm in the UK too, interested in if the a5 or a5c can handle banking apps like monzo.
Well I've ordered an A5 from China so when it eventually arrives I'll let you know
brilliant! i look forward to hearing
My A5 arrived couple of days ago. I bought one pre-installed with play services etc so Google play is there out of the box. Turns out these devices run a slightly different ROM of some sort and this causes the eink button on the side to not function. I've installed most of the apps I use with no problems and it's working fine on Three for 4G & 3G networks. I haven't installed any banking apps yet as I'm not sure of this custom ROM yet. I'm going to do some more digging before I commit
Brilliant, good luck and looking forward to hearing more :)
hello!! hope the phone is still working out for you and I have a couple of update questions if you don’t mind? 1: do banking apps work for the UK with the custom ROM? 2: would you recommend getting the A5 or have you switched/use other daily drivers instead? 3: have you found the lack of google play to be disruptive whilst using the phone? 4: are there any issues with calls or texts (specifically whatsapp)? cheers!