yashsingh1/xdaforums huggingface dataset:
[Device Reviews and Information] Al3xandar:
I forgot to post this after I did the firmware update. Some people wrote they had lower Antutu score after the update (not sure which update), but for me there was a higher score.

Edit: Adding pictures in post was bugged, so I'll just leave them as attachments. Pictures 1-4 are from stock firmware 0623, and pictures 5-8 are from firmware 0829.
[Device Reviews and Information] LinCeX7:
What do you mean with last version. The 029 one ?.
[Device Reviews and Information] Callmenobody:
This solved it for me.

I tried some other malware scanners but they didn't help much. AVG deactivated the app and I haven't had a popup for some days now.

AVG has some rather annoying ads in the notification bar though.
[Device Reviews and Information] Nonomen:
Avg deinstalled after use.
[Device Reviews and Information] Al3xandar:
You don't need AVG for that, you can disable any app through Apps section under Settings. Just click Show System and it will show you com.beauty,snap and then you can disable it.
[Device Reviews and Information] Kenif1983:
Hi, I've had the Doogee X5 Max Pro for a couple of days now and it's running relatively well.

Question though...

In put in a 32GB microSD card in.

When I view "storage & USB" the default write disk is internal

Device storage is 5.74 out of 16gb

Internal is 4.73 out of 16gb

SD card is 1.01 out of 28.5

SO despite having 16gb + 32gb - the phone only believes I have 16gb in total - what's this about?

Edit: also just read about this beauty snap app - is this definitely malware?

Also there's other apps called "SherlockNews" and Opera Mobile Store (webcore.apk) as well as FineSearch.apk - any chat on these?
[Device Reviews and Information] Kitarist:
So guys whats the general quality on this phone? How usable and stable it is?
[Device Reviews and Information] torax242:
What should I say: With the X5 Max Pro you get as much smartphone as you pay for. It is quite useable but the camera and the "up to two"-multitouch of the display are crap. The phone itself is quite stable (mine is currently at over 420h of uptime), the battery capacity is fine and the performance is consistent and OK-ish.

The overall grade I would give this phone is "C" but if you count in the low price (it is way cheaper than even a replacement screen for a flagship phone) I would say from the price/performance perspective you get a "B-".
[Device Reviews and Information] Callmenobody:
And after a few days without any ads they are back with a vengence.

Different ads but more of them and at much smaller intervals.

No scanners find any malware. And no new apps installed.

I'm going to update to latest ROM from Needroms and root the device. Hopefully I won't mess up to much when I start to remove stuff.

Since some people experience this while others don't, could it be the retailers that have installed something? I got mine from DX.com EU warehouse.
[Device Reviews and Information] Nonomen:
No ads after deactvated snap.com. And it was a giveaway from DX. Still on stock ROM without root.
[Device Reviews and Information] Kenif1983:
I've had no pop ups.

Snap and finesearch have been disabled.

SherlockNews and webcore are under scrutiny.

Mine was purchased from Amazon UK
[Device Reviews and Information] Servaas:
Can anyone tell me, do I need to install a different version of Google Play Store for this? I bought it for my niece but 7 out of 10 apps say "This hardware is not supported". Its probably due to the MTK processor? So now what? She can't play those games? Even facebook isnt supported and thats just weird right?
[Device Reviews and Information] Kenif1983:
That shouldn't be happening.

Id see if you can do a firmware update.

Alternatively, make sure Google play services is up to date.

Does anybody have a problem installing apps on a SD card?

If i change the storage of an app to SD, it works fine.

Any apps that are installed onto the SD card from Google play won't open.

(I change them to internal, open and then re transfer as a workaround)
[Device Reviews and Information] diogo.silva.nascimento:
After the last update via OTA the device is significantly better. This more stable and touch this better though walking is slow in comparison to other devices.

How had root had to remove or OTA not worked.
[Device Reviews and Information] Al3xandar:
I was surprised to receive firmware 1020 over OTA this morning, look like Doogee might be taking more serious approach. Anyway they fixed the problem with slow fingerprint unlocking of the screen. So far I didn't notice any other changes.

By the way, does anyone else have a problem that the inside of the glass on rear camera is getting slowly covered by some particles (I guess dust)?
[Device Reviews and Information] HypoTurtle:
So you didn't notice the change to running as 32bit as opposed to 64bit?

Personally don't really mind the change; but having trouble getting a TWRP recovery to boot.

EDIT. 4pda has a TWRP for the 32bit update
[Device Reviews and Information] Nonomen:
Dust... me too. No OTA in the Netherlands though.
[Device Reviews and Information] Al3xandar:
It was just a regular use, I didn't install any app to check for possible changes.

I'll disassemble it to clean the camera, but I guess I'll have to do it quite often....

One annoying thing with the new firmware is that it now opens all the links (from all the apps) with stock browser even though no browser has been chosen as default in the Apps section of settings. Only way to change it is by choosing other browser as default by clicking on that cogwheel in Apps and then in Default Apps.

Before this update each time I would click some link it would pop up a menu asking me which browser I want it opened with and you could click "Just once" or "Always". Anyone with a way to fix this?
[Device Reviews and Information] jan177:
Remove default browser.

or

install better open with apk

____hit thank you if I helped you
[Device Reviews and Information] Al3xandar:
My phone is not rooted. Plus I'd still like to keep the stock browser, I just want to be able to use different browsers for different things.

I know about that app, but I prefer getting back the android's stock pop-up with possibility to chose the app.
[Device Reviews and Information] Kenif1983:
Is there any way to download the ota files?

I have 20160708 ROM and it doesn't seem to find OTA update and sp flash is a bit funny on my computer.
[Device Reviews and Information] seunot:
I downloaded the update via the wireless update app, but i couldn't install it because my phone is rooted. Can i use sp flash tool to perform the installation, also, where is the ota update stored?
[Device Reviews and Information] eoink:
Needrom have just posted this update, but not customised.

Give it a few days for a rooted version, or at least instructions on TWRP.
[Device Reviews and Information] mattagazzu:
Hi all,

Could you try to take some videos in 720p with the new firmware? Could you take more than 22fps?

Thanks
[Device Reviews and Information] HypoTurtle:
For TWRP you would have to OEM Unlock in Settings; then fastboot oem unlock which will wipe data, before flashing TWRP
[Device Reviews and Information] Nonomen:
I'm on DOOGEE-x5max_PRO-Android6.0-20160623_183711

Just downloaded from needrom the update2.zip file.

Tried without unzipping the update2.zip file but got a failure.

Unzipped it before putting on SD card and failure again:

This is the message:

supported API: 3

Opening update package…

The update.zip is corrupted

Installation aborted.

OTA failed! Please power off the device to keep it in this state and file a bug report.

unzipped the update.zip file and all files are dated 27-5-2015 ???
[Device Reviews and Information] diogo.silva.nascimento:
You are on recovery or in Android?
[Device Reviews and Information] DD-Indeed:
Same issue here, latest ''update2'' won't install at all and SP Flash Tool won't accept it.
[Device Reviews and Information] diogo.silva.nascimento:
You tried to install the configurations in upgrade option?

There is to select an update on own smartphone and manually install the zip.
[Device Reviews and Information] DD-Indeed:
So you mean Wireless Updates --> ''three dots'' --> Local Updates --> Select zip-file from there ? Yes, I did just that, and it didn't work.
[Device Reviews and Information] diogo.silva.nascimento:
Yep.

You select "update2.zip" or "update.zip" inside of update2.zip?

Anyway you are in 20160829? Because only my 20160829 received OTA; Other X5 Max Pro form my brother in older FW (20160810 if i'm not mistaken) don't received.
[Device Reviews and Information] DD-Indeed:
No, I just tried to update with that update2-package, I didn't unzip it before that, should I ?

and I'm running with 826-version right now, so I guess I cold try to flast it into 829 and then try again.
[Device Reviews and Information] Kenif1983:
I just updated using the package from the official doogee website (and SP Flashtool)

Chose firmware update but it wiped the user data anway.

Immediately gave me the option of wireless update.

After wireless update I'm noting the screen is less responsive..
[Device Reviews and Information] DD-Indeed:
Wait for couple mins and test the screen a minute. Usually it's slow at start and when starting to use the phone again after some while. But when you start to use it, it's usually fine.

But if it continues to jerk, then there's something wrong definitely.
[Device Reviews and Information] Nonomen:
Android. The failure notice is in stock recovery.
[Device Reviews and Information] Callmenobody:
Updated, rooted and uninstalled adware.

Everything works fine but the camera is still in all practicality useless.

I'm replacing it.
[Device Reviews and Information] mattagazzu:
Hi.

What do you mean with "camera is still in all practicality useless." ?

In previous firmware versions I notice that the videos in 720p have a maximum of 22 frame/per/seconds (less in low light environments....)

Do you?

Can you take some videos to check this?

Thanks a lot
[Device Reviews and Information] Callmenobody:
What I mean is that the camera is a regular piece of ****.

Photos taken in full daylight at a distance of 0,5-1,5m
[Device Reviews and Information] Kenif1983:
After about 12 hours since update- the phone does seem better.

Fingerprint is working considerably better than before
[Device Reviews and Information] mattagazzu:
LOL!!!!

I definitely agree with you!

And what about video fps? always not more than 22 like in previous firmware?
[Device Reviews and Information] Callmenobody:
I have never used the recording function so don't even know where to find the info you are after :)
[Device Reviews and Information] mattagazzu:
You could tranfer video file on the PC and then properties/details/ frame per seconds (in Italian "Fotogrammi al secondo" in the screenshot attached)
[Device Reviews and Information] Callmenobody:
1280x720 and 21fps running Android 6.0 version 20160829
[Device Reviews and Information] mattagazzu:
Its very strange, because mediatek 6737m, theoretically, supports 720p @30 fps
[Device Reviews and Information] myjess:
Just downloaded latest OTA update, now how can I twrp it onto my phone?

Thanks.
[Device Reviews and Information] diogo.silva.nascimento:
Yes, here it is also 21 ~ 22 fps in 720p.

But the camera hardly use then in that case it is no problem for me.
[Device Reviews and Information] DD-Indeed:
What camera app are you people using ? I use OpenCamera and it works somewhat better than the native camera app.
[Device Reviews and Information] mattagazzu:
I tried several cameras, including stock one.

I used OpenCamera but I 'm not using it anymore for one reason: no picture shooting during video recording.

I also used Camera MX but there is a problem (imho): no manual white balancing and it is very important for take videos in indoor environment with artificial light.

Stock camera is simple and quite good. One issue is that is not possible to use volume +/-for zooming in/out, and videos are recorded with 3gp format instead mp4

I tried several other camera app but all of them suffer their own problems...

Regarding video and picture quality. I try a lot of comparisons but I cannot appreciate a real advantage using one specific camera with respect the other ones.

Quality camera is very poor........ So, finally, I have not found my ideal camera application yet.
[Device Reviews and Information] DD-Indeed:
Good points there, but we do get the conclusion, that the camera component itself is just rubbish.

I've compared this to my ex-Lumia 535, which had superior camera for its price range, which was similar. Reason why I swapped to this was the lack of 4G and way too low RAM of 1 gb.

But after one month of using this, I have started to regret. Same android issues are still there like with my previous Samsungs:

- Many second delay on call screen after I accept the call

- Performance slows down dramatically after 2 week use

- Bad camera, like on all cheap Android-phones

- Many native features are a bit rough in edges still

- Bad keyboard and cursor controls

So, we'll see, will I continue with this and will the Doogee manage to bring us updates, that would make the phone a lot better.
[Device Reviews and Information] mattagazzu:
I confirm only

- Bad camera, like on all cheap Android-phones

- Bad keyboard and cursor controls (not a good touch screen)

I haven't notice the other problems.

I append a few other issues I found:

- 720p video recording use a maximum of 22fps in optimal light, while in darker environment the fps are less (17fps or even more less....)

- when two SIM are used, If you are using data on SIM1 Slot, Wi-fi tethering does non work for DNS issues (tried with several sims, SLOT 2 works perfecly, and it works also with the same SIM card in SIM1 slot if Slot 2 is empty. Sims in SLOT2 always work perfecly).

- when connected with Car's Bluetooth, if you try to make a call using the car keyboard, when the cellphone screen is black/off the audio is not passed to the car speakers. When the screen is on, the bluetooth works perfetly

I'm on 810 firmware version
[Device Reviews and Information] Kenif1983:
Camera isn't great. Z camera seems to do better from it than others.
[Device Reviews and Information] Nonomen:
after updated to august 29 using sp flashtools, I got the OTA (20-10-2016). Installing just now …

edit: sd card needs to be formatted so lost backup files to restore apps

anyone tried a 64 Gb ds card?
[Device Reviews and Information] Nonomen:
I want to use Chrome as standard app but still browser opens all links.

Any solution?

edit: solved by Al3xandar solution: Settings>Apps>right top corner cogwheel>default apps>Browser-app>chrome

But still a bug...
[Device Reviews and Information] diogo.silva.nascimento:
I use 64GB Class 10. Works very fine.
[Device Reviews and Information] thigger_tom:
Has anyone who's had the adware issue fully solved it? My wife has this phone and I've disabled com.android.snap and wireless update (and installed the ROM from the manufacturer's own website doogee.cc) but they're still popping up. I haven't rooted it yet, but that's the next plan - but since snap is already disabled I'm not sure what deleting it is going to add. I've read some reports that the launcher might be contaminated? Also the stock 'Browser' app seems resistant to being killed (and you can't disable it).
[Device Reviews and Information] eoink:
Root the phone, and uninstall Stock apps like snap and the browser.

It seems to be the only way.
[Device Reviews and Information] Nonomen:
I'm using Google now launcher. And since disabling snap I have no popups.

Verstuurd vanaf mijn X5max_PRO met Tapatalk
[Device Reviews and Information] HypoTurtle:
I've never seen any ads, but just had a look at the app activities (which you can disable); I guess it would be InterstitialAdActivity right?

EDIT Without root you can disable SystemUI's ability to create an overlay [draw over other apps] --- think that might have why I've never seen an ad
[Device Reviews and Information] thigger_tom:
Nice idea, thanks - hadn't thought of that!

I've just tried to root it - does this thing have a locked bootloader? Flashtools looks like it's flashed TWRP just fine but pwr+volup gets me the recovery/fastboot/normal menu - selecting 'recovery' gets me a system boot, fastboot seems to be what it's supposed to be, and 'normal' gets me into a fairly dull-looking android recovery (alps/full_n370b/n370b) which won't let me install SuperSU.

I have to say I'm really unimpressed with Doogee. Her X5 wasn't bad but the antenna stopped working; this phone is physically great but adware buried this deep into the system is really calling for me to send it back!

EDIT: it appears the latest OTA update resists TWRP being installed. There's some reports of success by flashing boot.img from an older firmware along with TWRP, but this then apparently prevents system from loading and I don't have a copy of the new boot.img to put back. Will try to use flashtools to pull it off before I replace it I guess!
[Device Reviews and Information] HypoTurtle:
Yea update locked the bootloader; couple options.

1. Unlock OEM bootloader in Settings; then fastboot oem unlock - which'll wipe data -- then flash a x32 TWRP.

--- this is what I did; you could try and pull the battery after the fastboot unlock to prevent it booting to stock recovery and wiping data.

2. See if flashing just the bootloader [lk.bin I guess]; and recovery.img while you're at it works via SPFlash

3. Some of the root tools -- i.e. kingroot might work on the now 32bit system; to at least give initial root to the system [that you can, and probably would replace]
[Device Reviews and Information] seunot:
I also have ads intruding into almost all my operations on the phone, is there any way I can stop the systemui app from displaying those ads?
[Device Reviews and Information] thigger_tom:
I am verging heavily towards sending the phone back - this was supposed to be a nice cheap replacement for my wife's old X5, not an engineering project! I'm very concerned about the part of the JSON response I posted earlier that says:

"AppName":"","Package":"","AppDownload":null,"AppInstall":null

Presumably Doogee are capable of making this phone install any random app they fancy in the future, which takes this from adware annoyance to full-on malware.

I thought Doogee had a reasonable reputation? This kind of thing is disgraceful - I think I'll avoid any phone in the future for which someone hasn't knocked up an AOSP ROM. I was becoming quite a fan of cheap Chinese phones after my Elephone and her previous Doogee.
[Device Reviews and Information] HypoTurtle:
There's a custom ROM or two over on 4pda that might be worth trying...
[Device Reviews and Information] thigger_tom:
The Russian site? I'm trying to look through but Google Translate isn't really up to the task:

"Advertising Chinese. Here no options."

"Ideal firmware will not, as the Chinese have all shoves advertising, though small but certainly will"

EDIT: found http://4pda.ru/forum/index.php?showtopic=775685&st=140 - there's a link to a CM13 beta but "Ports firmware with other devices" doesn't sound too promising in terms of whether it would work with an X5 Max Pro rather than a HT17!
[Device Reviews and Information] HypoTurtle:
MT67XX ports are generally fine; hardware is usually very similar, but usually with some quirks - in this case it seems to be that the camera will perform differently than stock.

For the ads [as edited above]; you could disable the SystemUI overlay permission [draw over other apps] without root.
[Device Reviews and Information] mattagazzu:
Hi, I'm on 810 firmware version. It seems the best compromise between performance and ad issues. I would try to monitor SystemUi activities. What tools and procedures are you using to have packet capture running when an ad popped up?
[Device Reviews and Information] eoink:
Where did you get the x32 TWRP for the X5?
[Device Reviews and Information] HypoTurtle:
from 4pda
[Device Reviews and Information] thigger_tom:
Managed to get the phone back off my wife and checked - it seems the bootloader wasn't locked; it was the change to 32-bit that was causing issues. I've just flashed 32-bit TWRP from 4pda.ru (getting registered on that site is a nightmare if you don't speak Russian!) and it's worked fine. Now I can try disabling the activity like you suggested. Might also stick in a firewall as I'm concerned that SystemUI.apk's ability to install random apps could be a risk in the future if/when Doogee decide to descend another level.

---------- Post added at 08:42 PM ---------- Previous post was at 08:29 PM ----------

I've been using "Packet Capture" - available from the Play Store and doesn't need root. It can even do a MITM to decrypt SSL. Nice tool (though lacks the analysis features of some of the other software I've used).

Worryingly, this phone now seems to be contacting another Chinese server (114.55.145.117) and the traffic looks a lot like some kind of Command & Control (looks like JSON, the response gives a port, a 'task' and a tcpSvr). Is there a virus embedded within Doogee's ROM?
[Device Reviews and Information] Kenif1983:
I've had the phone over a week and still not had one of these Chinese ads.

I disabled snap, stopped lots of apps having overlay permission, don't use stock browser and have always used custom launchers (blackberry launcher is surprisingly good!)
[Device Reviews and Information] thigger_tom:
Digging through the packet captures it's getting worse and worse. Removing the interstitial ad activity from systemui as HypoTurtle suggested seems to have stopped the ads displaying for now, but it's still merrily contacting the servers. As well as the C&C-type traffic I've seen already (from an unknown process unfortunately, which is likely to mean some android system one), there's traffic from other system apps - eg BSPTelephonyDevTool, which is contacting "bus.dominoppo.club" (an advertising network) and sending them full details of the phone (including IMEI/IMSI/serial numbers).

I'm going to email Doogee to see if they'll explain (or even admit it) but I really think this phone is going back!

---------- Post added at 11:25 PM ---------- Previous post was at 11:10 PM ----------

Quick check: is anyone with the latest firmware installed able to run a Sophos antivirus scan? Needs to have "Scan System Apps" enabled in settings - and it might ask for root if you have it. I'm detecting Dropr-FY (aka Ztorg) in systemui.apk (and other virus scanners have given it a pass)
[Device Reviews and Information] myjess:
I got same ads as other person attached to their post. All about fecking liptstick.

Root the fecking phone, do not do an OTA update or you wil lnot be able to root it afterwards, and why is that, probably because Chinese manufacturer doesn't want you to be able to do things like stopping the ads etc etc.

After rooting, install AFWALL or another firewall in root mode, and don't enable systemUI to be able to contact the internet. The AFWALL logs if you enable them, will tell you the kernel is hitting loads of internet addresses (but maybe ntp related) and systemUI is hitting loads of internet addressed. Now why would a systemUI which handles the screen etc need to go out to the internet?

Another thing I am very suspicious of, if I have VPN on the laptop through the phone hotspot, all of a sudden the laptop browser either stops working or it still works, but guess what, traffic is not going through the VPN tunnel anymore and DNS requests are maybe going via the phone gateway. BUT, and this is the important part, the VPN on the laptop thinks it is still working!
[Device Reviews and Information] thigger_tom:
Alternatively, could anyone with the latest firmware who isn't getting ads upload a copy of their systemui.apk (or send it to virustotal and report the results)? Thanks!
[Device Reviews and Information] myjess:
Where do I find systemui.apk?
[Device Reviews and Information] thigger_tom:
It's in /system/priv-app/ - but the easiest way is probably to use link2sd (from the play store), scroll down to System UI, and 'share apk' - then you can email it to yourself or whatever.