Hi!
My friend is looking for an Android tablet that has an unlockable bootloader and also has a custom ROM. I’ve checked a lot and every one of them is problematic. Usual brands here are Samsung, Lenovo, Huawei, Honor, TCL, Xiaomi. Apparently Huawei and Honor is out of question since they don’t allow unlocking bootloader. TCL is new so no ROMs. Xiaomi seems possible but unlocking a Xiaomi device recently became even more pain.
Do you know a decent model from these brands? Preferably 10-12 inch screen.
A Galaxy Tab?
I checked a couple models but they don’t have a custom ROM currently. If you know a certain model with ROMs available, I can check that if it’s on sale here.
I’m running lineageos on a Galaxy Tab A7. It’s great!
S5e can run lineage
I presume it’s an older model since they only sell peripherals for it.
Released 5 years ago so I guess it depends on what you call “older”
It would be fine if it was on sale but I can only find some peripherals for it. Some spare parts even, but not the exact device sadly.
Do you not have something like Swappa in your country? I always by used/refurbished.
You can run several custom roms on a Galaxy Tab but the process is slightly infuriating. Well, it’s very infuriating. I finally got it to work after about two moths of fairly-regular futzing with it.
The key is to find the ROM for your specific model number before you buy - and don’t get anything carrier locked if possible.
Pixel is really the best option because the custom ROM process for it just works pretty easily. Everything else - including and especially Samsung is ridiculous. It can be done, yes, but it’s a lot of searching through forums and finding things that don’t work.
Yeah Samsung sucks. You can’t even use standard platform-tools. I wish Google sold mobile devices here.
There are some linux tablets which may be better if you want unlock. less apps but much more hackable.
Personally I would go that way, though my Nexus 7 is already handling that pretty well. But I don’t think my friend would want a Linux tablet. :)
if you go for an Android tablet go for a Wifi only model, mobile network devices are usually not supported by custom roms. Anyway I would also suggest to look at Linux tablets, no tinkering with locked bootloaders and bricked devices.
Why not Pixel?
They don’t sell them here.
Try Amazon. Amazon has different storefronts for different countries that allow you to buy products that aren’t sold in your region with added shipping cost. I order stuff from Japan like this with good results.
Second hand, eBay?
