Hi Everyone,
I am looking to buy an 8 inch tablet in the cheaper price range of +- $ 200.00.
When comparing, I am still choosing between:
- Xiaomi Mi Tab 4
- Lenovo Tab4 plus 8
After some searching I have found a lot of info, but I have too many questions. Can someone help me decide?
1. I am looking for a tablet, mainly to use on Holiday to watch video's, stock camera pictures and use it as a basic computer for mail and browsing. English language is fine.
2. I have found 3 ROMs: Global - China - Vendor
Which one should I go for? I want a stable tablet with a lot of apps. Maybe install Android instead of the basic OS, but not sure yet as I haven't tried it yet
3. locked/unlocked bootloader: what is this for and how can I recognize it?
Hope you can help me which version to buy
Thanks!
Tom
mi pad 4 doesnt have official global version. so if anyone is selling one with global rom, its fake. buy one with china rom, than unlock bootloader and flash xiaomi.eu rom. you should be good to go after that. this is what i did, and i use my tab mostly for internet use and media consumption, and its working fine after doing those steps.
Mi Pad 4 has better specs (i.e. CPU and battery) than Lenovo.
See #2 reply.
You need unlocked bootloader to install custom ROM, including the xiaomi.eu ROM. Most Mi Pads are sold with locked bootloader and you need to wait for a month to unlock (you can use the device as usual while waiting). Some Mi Pads are sold pre-unlocked, seller would highlight it. Do note locked bootloader is totally different from carrier-locked. All Mi Pad are carrier-unlocked.
China ROM has English language, but doesn't include GApps (e.g. Google Play Store/Services). While you can easily install it through the MIUI App Store (or directly download the APK), but it doesn't always work.
That's why some users install xiaomi.eu ROM because it includes GApps and supports more languages. But again, you need unlocked bootloader.
Here's what you can do once you got a Mi Pad:
Install the apps you want through Mi App Store or Yalp Store. Yalp Store allows you to install apps from the Play Store without using the Play Store app. If you depend on Google Account, then those apps probably won't work, so you need GApps.
If you need GApps, try the Google Installer from Mi App Store or its APK.
If that doesn't work, you need to unlock bootloader and flash xiaomi.eu ROM.
gleenfield97 said:
Mi Pad 4 has better specs (i.e. CPU and battery) than Lenovo.
See #2 reply.
You need unlocked bootloader to install custom ROM, including the xiaomi.eu ROM. Most Mi Pads are sold with locked bootloader and you need to wait for a month to unlock (you can use the device as usual while waiting). Some Mi Pads are sold pre-unlocked, seller would highlight it. Do note locked bootloader is totally different from carrier-locked. All Mi Pad are carrier-unlocked.
China ROM has English language, but doesn't include GApps (e.g. Google Play Store/Services). While you can easily install it through the MIUI App Store (or directly download the APK), but it doesn't always work.
That's why some users install xiaomi.eu ROM because it includes GApps and supports more languages. But again, you need unlocked bootloader.
Here's what you can do once you got a Mi Pad:
Install the apps you want through Mi App Store or Yalp Store. Yalp Store allows you to install apps from the Play Store without using the Play Store app. If you depend on Google Account, then those apps probably won't work, so you need GApps.
If you need GApps, try the Google Installer from Mi App Store or its APK.
If that doesn't work, you need to unlock bootloader and flash xiaomi.eu ROM.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you so much for this reply, it's exactly what I was looking for.
So I will go for the China ROM, which will be fine to start. If needed, I can unlock the bootloader and set up the Xiaomi.eu ROM, thank you very much! Will this cause the tablet to slow down or will it work just fine?
EU ROM should have similar performance.
Related
Hi guys,
Long time Android user here - I've recently sold my Blackberry Priv and have picked up a Redmi 3. I'm struggling to wrap my head around the ROM terminology for this device.
- I am based in the UK, I can see in my device settings that I am on a 'Global' ROM
- I can see that there is a 7.3 version of miui available for this device, but cant find a reliable download source (currently running 7.2.7.0.0 - LHPCNDB)
- Will Miui 8 be released for this device (Global?)
- If I choose to flash the device with a Chinese version, what will the differences in the software be?
- The BL unlocking processes confuses me - do I literally need to send a request to Xiaomi for this to be done or can I do it via a tool?
I think this is all for now - I'd appreciate some help clearing up the above questions.
Dan
adaimespechip said:
Hi guys,
Long time Android user here - I've recently sold my Blackberry Priv and have picked up a Redmi 3. I'm struggling to wrap my head around the ROM terminology for this device.
- I am based in the UK, I can see in my device settings that I am on a 'Global' ROM
- I can see that there is a 7.3 version of miui available for this device, but cant find a reliable download source (currently running 7.2.7.0.0 - LHPCNDB)
- Will Miui 8 be released for this device (Global?)
- If I choose to flash the device with a Chinese version, what will the differences in the software be?
- The BL unlocking processes confuses me - do I literally need to send a request to Xiaomi for this to be done or can I do it via a tool?
I think this is all for now - I'd appreciate some help clearing up the above questions.
Dan
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There is no official global rom for this device at the moment. Your rom seems to be a cooked room by the seller.
Official rom comes with English and Chinese only (and a lot of Chinese useless apps)
My suggest is to flash official developer rom (you need the developer rom to unlock bootloader), unlock bootloader (yes you need to apply for it to Xiaomi). Once unlocked, install twrp and a stable unofficial eu rom (this one has no OTA but is clean off Chinese apps).
If you have the no-pro version, you can also try the CM12 from this forum. It seems to be a very good rom.
Enviado desde mi Redmi 3 mediante Tapatalk
adaimespechip said:
Hi guys,
Long time Android user here - I've recently sold my Blackberry Priv and have picked up a Redmi 3. I'm struggling to wrap my head around the ROM terminology for this device.
- I am based in the UK, I can see in my device settings that I am on a 'Global' ROM
- I can see that there is a 7.3 version of miui available for this device, but cant find a reliable download source (currently running 7.2.7.0.0 - LHPCNDB)
- Will Miui 8 be released for this device (Global?)
- If I choose to flash the device with a Chinese version, what will the differences in the software be?
- The BL unlocking processes confuses me - do I literally need to send a request to Xiaomi for this to be done or can I do it via a tool?
I think this is all for now - I'd appreciate some help clearing up the above questions.
Dan
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You should apply to unlock your bootloader first; just make a Mi Account and go through the process. You might have to wait a few days (I waited 6). Some good tutorials are available on the MIUI forums or here on XDA.
After you've unlocked the bootlader, the next step is to flash a custom recovery such as TWRP (also on XDA), then a custom ROM of your choice. I reccommend installing xiaomi.eu if you live in Europe for the good localizations. Otherwise you can install the Chinese Stable / Dev ROM at your choosing; it has English language but some of the Chinese apps might annoy you. MIUI8 has been released for the Chinese developer ROM, and therefore the xiaomi.eu custom ROM which uses it as base. A CM 12.1 build is also available on XDA if you're into that, although it has some bugs regarding the camera, fingerprint sensor, and GPS.
Got My mi pad 4 today with what seems global rom 9.6.7 i dont know IF its shop rom?
Please see My post at miui forum cant seem to upload picture heter.
http://en.miui.com/thread-3616303-1-1.html
sifri said:
Got My mi pad 4 today with what seems global rom 9.6.7 i dont know IF its shop rom?
Please see My post at miui forum cant seem to upload picture heter.
http://en.miui.com/thread-3616303-1-1.html
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
A moderator on the Xiaomi Forum just confirmed that you have a fake ROM. It seems that some resellers are flashing these fake global ROMs in order to sell them as Global.
Well, AFAIC i definitely would like to try this 'fake' ROM. Mine may be very real but also very much in chinese/english only. I wouldnt mind for myself, but my mother not so much. I'm pretty sure this is basically a reseller's modified CN ROM in order to sell as global with added languages.
sifri said:
Got My mi pad 4 today with what seems global rom 9.6.7 i dont know IF its shop rom?
Please see My post at miui forum cant seem to upload picture heter.
http://en.miui.com/thread-3616303-1-1.html
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
can you have unlock bootloader and installer twrp and backups for me this rom
please
I received my mi pad 4 with this 'fake' global rom.
I've been using it all day and it's pretty good. It's miui but with integrated Google play out of the box.
If it is just the CN version with Google play services pre-installed then I'll stick with it for now. I don't have the ability to check if there are nefarious modifications made to this rom, but I know I'm taking a risk on it. Also I'm pretty sure there will be no over the air updates for it which is a bummer.
If there was a xiaomi.eu rom available I would flash that straight away.
The official CN image: does this include English at least?
In my opinion, I don't use this unknow chinese mod rom because she maybe contain malware.
Just use official MIUI rom or custom rom made by a good dev like in XDA.
wheresmybeaver said:
I received my mi pad 4 with this 'fake' global rom.
I've been using it all day and it's pretty good. It's miui but with integrated Google play out of the box.
If it is just the CN version with Google play services pre-installed then I'll stick with it for now. I don't have the ability to check if there are nefarious modifications made to this rom, but I know I'm taking a risk on it. Also I'm pretty sure there will be no over the air updates for it which is a bummer.
If there was a xiaomi.eu rom available I would flash that straight away.
The official CN image: does this include English at least?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
can you backup for me this fake rom by twrp ?
thank u
Went (with full wipe) from unofficial "global" MIUI 9 rom to MIUI 10 China Stable ROM (https://en.miui.com/thread-4590474-1-1.html).
Excited to have face unlock, but I can't find double tap to wake in setting anymore, also, after using the Google Installer APK I feel that something is missing -- the apps with paid subscriptions cannot fetch their paid status from the Play Store and device doesn't show up on the Play Store web-site.
Anyone has an idea how to fix either of these problems?
Thanks in advance!
Does the play store say that the device is uncertified? I've been on china version since I got my tablet and it says uncertified and doesn't show up on the website either. One of the features with xiaomi.eu is that it is play store certified, or at least fakes it good enough.
kalasa said:
Does the play store say that the device is uncertified?.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Uhm, solved it by flashing (with wipe) AICP Mordiford image. But you're probably right on the cause.
what's "AICP Mordiford image"? Is it a ROM?
It is Treble Generic System Image .
More here : https://forum.xda-developers.com/project-treble/trebleenabled-device-development/8-1-0-t3839168
Hello guys ! Just to notice to you that the awesome game MMM 3 is not available for our beautiful tablet MiPad 4. Is someone knows is there is a rom where the game is working ? I'm on beta MIUI 10 xiaomi.eu rom. Thank you.
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.playsportgames.mmm3
I Use MUI10 china stable.
Not just Motorsport. MH Stories and other great Apps too. What I have done was bought them via Smartphone. Then I have 2 options create the .apk on my phone via Yalp Store and transfer the .apk to the Mi Pad or use Yalp Store with my original Play Account Data and download it while if fakes Google Pixel identity on my Mi Pad4.
That's the way I download blocked stuff.
OK thank you but unfortunately your advice don't work because impossible to put additional download. Same issue with titanium backup and restore.
Hi,
I'm almost decided to order a Reno x10 Zoom, but I can't seem to find a "true" global/international version of the phone, and I've never had a chance to use any phone with Chinese ROM with pre-installed Google Services while from Europe (Poland, to be precise).
Could an Oppo Reno x10 Zoom user be so kind to explain me the following concerns/answer my questions, please:
1. What's the actual difference from daily-use perspective of Global ROM vs Chinese ROM "with pre-installed Google services"?
2. Do all Google services work on Chinese ROM device as if they were on a global version?
3. Can one use Google Assistant without problems?
Much appreciated for help!
kampiotrow said:
Hi,
I'm almost decided to order a Reno x10 Zoom, but I can't seem to find a "true" global/international version of the phone, and I've never had a chance to use any phone with Chinese ROM with pre-installed Google Services while from Europe (Poland, to be precise).
Could an Oppo Reno x10 Zoom user be so kind to explain me the following concerns/answer my questions, please:
1. What's the actual difference from daily-use perspective of Global ROM vs Chinese ROM "with pre-installed Google services"?
2. Do all Google services work on Chinese ROM device as if they were on a global version?
3. Can one use Google Assistant without problems?
Much appreciated for help!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It comes with some sort o preinstalled apps but you don't have direct access until you install the store from some thirty partiies. (Disclaimer there is a lot of chines apps unable to uninstall. Regarding the model PCCM00)