yashsingh1/xdaforums huggingface dataset:
[Samsung Galaxy Note 9 Questions & Answers] Tidbits:
It's the same thing with the Note8. It all depends on the lighting and if anything blocking the other camera. It works by design. So when you hit 2x it seems it's blocked and gives you 2x digital zoom instead.
[Samsung Galaxy Note 9 Questions & Answers] kaalalto:
So it's truly an optical zoom ? I ask because if it's "just" a software one, I won't never use it to preserve picture quality !
[Samsung Galaxy Note 9 Questions & Answers] StardustGeass:
yep, AFAIK, it is true optical zoom. The camera just changes back to main camera if something is blocking the secondary one.
[Samsung Galaxy Note 9 Questions & Answers] JalenHo:
Um I try to not cover it ,but it still using the main one
[Samsung Galaxy Note 9 Questions & Answers] kaalalto:
Same here !

I hope I didn't started a "cameragate" scandal !

There are no official specifications from Samsung explaining the purpose of each camera ?!
[Samsung Galaxy Note 9 Questions & Answers] n1Bb135:
It depends on the lighting

Try and go outside, on a sunny and bright day, point at the clouds or something, and zoom

Then cover the center camera, it should be using the 2x lens (can confirm with my SM-N960F)
[Samsung Galaxy Note 9 Questions & Answers] eskomo:
You didn't, it's working properly. You are just confused. Cover the middle one and see. Take multiple pics @ 1x and then at @ 2x on both cameras with and without covering. Covering the camera just out it into a different mode so as to not take bad pics by default. The difference is clear of you understand the 2 technologies and have any eye for photography. It's working completely correctly and very nicely.
[Samsung Galaxy Note 9 Questions & Answers] CharliesTheMan:
Yeah like the others stated, it's not supposed to work completely independently and take pictures even with no light to the sensor, it's supposed to be smarter than that, if it's working correctly.
[Samsung Galaxy Note 9 Questions & Answers] willhemmens:
Hey all, I worked this out.

In a low light situation the wide camera is used for the 2X zoom (So technically Digital zoom)

In a situation with more light, it switches to the dedicated 2X camera.

You can test this by putting your finger over the camera and showing it a bight light, then dark. I'm guessing this is because the main (Wide) camera is better at low light.
[Samsung Galaxy Note 9 Questions & Answers] FYL21:
Yes, although you mean digital zoom for low light situations.

My issue is that sometimes the camera still decides to use digital zoom in good lighting instead of the second camera because it decides that a slightly overcast day or sunset is "low light" or the subject is too close. I'm guessing the second camera can't focus as closely and its optics aren't quite as good as the main camera. In more inconsistent conditions I can sometimes see the viewfinder image jump between the two lenses and usually settle for the digital zoom. Doesn't seem to be used at all in Pro Mode. (I also wish Pro Mode had burst capture)

If you look at the EXIF data you can see which lens is used for your photo. The wide lens is 4.3mm and the telephoto lens is 6mm. The mushroom images were taken 20 seconds apart with "2X" in Auto mode; in the second shot the camera decided to use the wide lens with crop, and the EXIF shows 4.3mm compared to the first image. The crop version just looks like an upscale and has more aggressive nose reduction and edge enhancement; it's not too bad compared to some phone cameras which add too much sharpening or use a simpler interpolation filter. The third image of the grasshopper/locust was in very bright daylight, but the camera decided to use the main camera with 2X crop.

https://imgur.com/a/MYpRogb

With video it tends to be even more obvious which camera is used because if you take 4K in low light with 2X enabled it looks more noise-reduced and interpolated.
[Samsung Galaxy Note 9 Questions & Answers] kylehase:
I get that Samsung tried to make its camera app "smart" but the 2x button implies that it's using the 2x lens and doing otherwise is deceiving.

If I knew that a zoomed photo would use digital zoom then I'd rather take the full shot and crop later so that I can have more flexibility in framing.

While this is unlikely to ever happen, here's how I feel this should be fixed:

1) Add an option to force switch cameras in all conditions (perhaps in pro mode only?)

2) Hide the 2x button unless the telephoto camera will actually be used. Still allow pinch to digital zoom.

I've looked around but couldn't find any 3rd party camera apps which are able to use the zoom lens. Does anyone know of one?
[Samsung Galaxy Note 9 Questions & Answers] Shocky2:
I've tried a few shot it seems if the lighting isn't good enough it will stick with the primary camera., in good lighting it does work though.

Just do two shots with each and compare the level of detail, it should be obvious.
[Essential Phone Questions & Answers] kirzan:
So, when I use the up or down volume buttons on the side of the phone, there's a new slider that pops up that looks like a guy with his arms out. I cannot for the life of me figure out what this controls. I may have just provided the world with proof that there are stupid questions, but it's driving me crazy! Not really something you can get a screenshot of or I would have posted one
[Essential Phone Questions & Answers] kirzan:
Finally figured it out. Switch access had gotten turned on for whatever reason. Someone probably broke into my house and did it. I certainly don't recall turning it on.
[Google Pixel 2 XL Questions & Answers] neelchauhan:
Right now, my phone is a Nexus 6P that I was given second-hand. However, I am thinking about upgrading to a Pixel 2 XL (maybe buy one when the Pixel 3/3 XL comes out).

I know that the Verizon Pixel 2 XL has a locked bootloader, where the Google Play version has an unlockable one. I don't want to wait for someone to unlock the VZ variant (I tried "waiting" for an unlock with the Sprint LG G4, but had to give up on it even though my G4 never bootlooped).

I know about Swappa, but are there any alternatives to Swappa for a used or refurbished bootloader unlockable Pixel 2 XL?

I also have found Pixel 2 XLs on eBay, but am worried I would end up with a VZ variant. Should I avoid eBay? What should I look for if I want a bootloader unlockable 2XL on eBay?

Also, I'm on Sprint so OnePlus is not an option (well, unless T-Mobile closes their merger with Sprint).

UPDATE: Thanks for the responses. I managed to get a bootloader unlocked Pixel 2 XL on eBay. I also returned it because of hardware issues and now I have a Sprint Moto Z2 Force (my bootloader is unlocked). I guess a working Motorola is better than a broken Pixel (plus my Z2 Force is cheaper new versus the Pixel 2 XL used, and my Z2 runs Lineage, so that's two pluses, although the 2XL probably will get Lineage sometimes).
[Google Pixel 2 XL Questions & Answers] bigcelo75:
Why don't you just buy an unlocked Pixel 2 xl (international version) from Amazon.com?

https://www.amazon.com/Google-Facto...38888&sr=8-1-fkmrnull&ref=mp_s_a_1_fkmrnull_1
[Google Pixel 2 XL Questions & Answers] neelchauhan:
I'm on Sprint, so the international version won't work, only the US version (I believe it includes the bootloader unlockable one).
[Google Pixel 2 XL Questions & Answers] michaelbsheldon:
Most eBay purchases can be returned for credit. Big plus. I got a Google refurb on eBay and it had more tint that one other in our family,

making me wonder if it was one of the bunch that was returned in the pink-tint terror time just after P2-XL was released. If you buy a Swappa

unlocked P2-XL, it's for sure not going to be a Verizon and may includes box and contents - maybe important later when you go to sell it.
[Google Pixel 2 XL Questions & Answers] neelchauhan:
To michaelbsheldon, thank you for your answer.

Also, when the Pixel 3 XL comes out, how much should the Pixel 2 XL's drop? Not that it has to be accurate, but for instance you could show how much the original Pixel XL dropped in price when the 2 XL came out.
[Google Pixel 2 XL Questions & Answers] TonikJDK:
There is another thread going on where the poster found a decent deal on Google refurbs. He is getting his Friday, keep an eye on it.

https://xdaforums.com/pixel-2-xl/help/looking-to-buy-refurb-xl-one-look-legit-t3843193
[Google Pixel 2 XL Questions & Answers] holywhitebread:
Just got mine from Craigslist. gazelle.com has some too.
[Xiaomi Mi 8 Guides, News, & Discussion] skanskan:
I have installed the new ROM based on Android 9.0 and seen it has an "use Full GNSS Measurements" option.

Should I enable it to get higher accuracy?

Now the phone reports properly L1 and L5 satellites but the accuracy seems to be as bad as before (4 to 6 meteres instead of the alleged 30cm).
[Xiaomi Mi 8 Guides, News, & Discussion] rodfrang:
Where is that option?
[Xiaomi Mi 8 Guides, News, & Discussion] skanskan:
It just popped-up automatically the first time I used the GPS but you can also find it here:

Settings -> Additional Settings -> Developer Options -> Force full GNSS measurements

(You must have the developer options enabled).
[Xiaomi Mi 8 Guides, News, & Discussion] heliozinhow:
No changes here.
[Android General] michael08071984:
Hello. I made a mistake last week. I flashed accidently twrp with a scatter File from the HI9 Air through the spflashtool on the Hi9 Pro. Now it doesnt turn on etc. Is it hardbricked or can i still get it back to life?
[Android General] zelipukin:
No, its not complitely bricked if flash tool still recognizes your phone in bootloader mode. Most likely youve made same mistake I did. Depends of how you flashed that recovery - recovery only or full sisyem WITH new recovery. most likely you flashed only recovery partition. than, first, try to reflash backed recovery & next to recovery ("para") partition. in "download only mode" therell be an error "pmt has changed" than try "format & download" and "firmvare upgrade" - use scatter file contained only those two partitions. if you didnt make a backup ill put here that "para" partition and you can use hi9pro twrp img. in case this wont work, you may want to reflash the whole rom. We need to find factory rom image (from Chuwi or someone who did a back up prior he entered his credintals - thats another mistake Ive made Ive dumped a rom with all my logins information). if I have time I'll try "factory reset" to make a backup from "clean" system.

again, its almost impossible to brick mtk completely. even if flash tool doesnt recognize you phone (dead battery) there is a jump-pins method.

upd. Just looked @ Air scatter and found that Air recovery partition size is same as Pro (~16mb). now I dont know haw was that possible to overwrite next to recovery partition(s) and I think I used same Air img as you did and I've got size warning message when I flash it. anyway here is archive with scatter for recovery and para. just add twrp hi9 pro recovery (rename recovery.img to recovery.bin) and try to flash.
[Android General] michael08071984:
I didnt made a Backup (stupid me) i flashed the recovery file with a scatter file. When i plug the device in the pc the USB sound comes and its recognized as MEDIATEK USB PORT (COM8), but its removed automatic (USB Sound for disconnecting) The Screen stays black. So i have to wait for a Rom and a scatter File then?

---------- Post added at 19:50 ---------- Previous post was at 19:39 ----------

I tried your idea. I got an error Message: "Status Preloader Invalid" The Preloader File Format is invalid.
[Android General] zelipukin:
you know how to use flash tool , first you have to press "download" THAN connect usb cable.

but this is a good sign (pc recognize something), you may want to google for something like "unbrick mtk 6797 sp flash tool" for more info

this is archive w. 4 1st partitions (incl preloader)

Ive gotta go. Dont smash your tablet its 100% repairable, well 99.999%
[Android General] michael08071984:
thats how it looks

https://photos.app.goo.gl/9EK8vTwcTS3fDf1a7

---------- Post added at 20:21 ---------- Previous post was at 19:58 ----------

Still get an error Message for the PRELOADER. I read some Tutorials and dont find a Problem in my setup or my doing. Sucks :-/ But Thank you very much for your help
[Android General] zelipukin:
is it "MEDIATEK USB PORT (COM8)" appears for a second in the devices tree or "mediatek preloader usb vcom (android) (com8)"

if second, then everything is OK with the connection.

if its exactly MEDIATEK USB PORT (COM8) then there is something wrong

try to connect cable with diff buttons combination, i.e. "vol+" + connect cable .

try different "download agent" (DA_PL.bin ?)

Though I also used AllInOne_DA and flash tool V.5.1728

also, you might find Miracle Box Tool is easier to use

try "read" option first to backup your current rom

View attachment 4598709

I shoul ask this first:

- have you ulocked bootloader ?

- when your press "power" and "vol+" after some wait is anything appears on the screen

(boot menu: fastboot, recovery, regular boot) ?

- when your press "power" and "vol-" after some wait is anything appears on the screen

(chinese written) ?
[Android General] michael08071984:
Good Morning.

Bootloader is unlocked, no matter which key combinations ill try the screen stays black. When i have the usb cable at the PC (no matter which Port or cable) it the plugin - plugout sound plays every few seconds/minutes (not the same time in between). It is recognized as "MediaTek USB Port (COM4)" (different PC i tried). When ill try to install the vcom drivers i get the message that the best drivers are already installed and that are the mediatek usb port driver.

Image of the device manager: https://ibb.co/erkW6e

---------- Post added at 07:34 ---------- Previous post was at 07:07 ----------

zelipukin i made a short Video about the behavior. The Device seems to activate when i push vol+ or power, but it looses connection when i stop holding the button or sometimes even when i hold the button.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1m3YLrH5ZaVLttcSfDxx3RvL0DaXPcxzk/view?usp=sharing
[Android General] zelipukin:
...thinking

Just tried...seems like backups I made(and posted here) from Miracle Box is incompatible with SP Flash.

SP Flash doesn't like this and doesn't like that when tries to restore those backups but Miracle Box restores individual partitions or whole ROM w/o problem.

SP Flash is so inconvenient if you try to make a backup ... its also inconvenient when you try to restore.

Where did I get that Miracle Box for free ?

Let me figure out something...

....

This is something beyond my understanding but let me to describe what I did

- in SP Flash I choose scatter file and recovery.bin (like I sent to you)

- download only - no go

- download+format - no go

- firmware update - warning message about wrong partition size or something like this - Ignored - Flashed

- Bricked again (like yours - black screen - that's it)

- OK, I have several backups. Tried all of them - none of them works... except one

- Flashed that backup with SP Flash - no questions, no warnings, no errors - device came alive

- Flashed only recovery.bin - everything went fine

- Tried to find difference btw different backups - but couldn't find any

- So I tried to flash those files (to try 3.zip) several times and everything went OK, so this is 100% working backup.

Try it and see what happens, then we can go somewhere else. I still suspicious about those MTK Usb Com(8) instead of preloader usb. Also if you used "Firmware upgrade" option once, I beleive you'll need full ROM flash. Keep looking for it @ Needrom.com.

Strange things happen. Couple years ago I lost MTP connection with my MiMax. I tried everything possible but no luck - have to use UMS Enabler so I can read/write ExtSD at least, but MTP works with Chuwi.

I spent numerous hours trying to connect Chuwi in preloader mode until found that solution about Virtual Serial Port drivers.
[Android General] michael08071984:
Thanks for your help so far. Seems like my Device is half dead after 2 Hours of use
[Android General] michael08071984:
I'll tried to change the Drivers for the mediatek, it shows the device now with the preloader, but i think it doesnt work right. when i change the usb port it comes back as MediaTek USB Port (COM4). I made you a 15 Second Clip of the behavior.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1m7wyIlIYJLN7ikmgUTzHBJtBdbZQrYaa/view?usp=sharing

Really weird. :-/

---------- Post added at 14:55 ---------- Previous post was at 14:40 ----------

and no chuwi hi9 pro rom at needrom yet. :-/
[Android General] zelipukin:
Sorry, haven't seen there is second page of this thread.

Saw a video where one guy showed how he changed drivers to right ones.

Main idea is in that short period of time when wrong drivers appear click right mouse button and choose "uninstall drivers"

after this in his video in next attempt system found usb vcomm by itself. worth to try

or other videos where guys catch a moment when this port appears in device tree but choose "update drivers"-> "browse my computer..."-> "let me pick from a list of device drivers" -> remove flag from "show only compatible.."->

I cleaned system, removed apps,accounts, etc. and made a backup of a "clean" ROM (well, almost). will put somewhere when/if I get good wifi somewhere (its 3GB.. w/o data partition) I'm on slow & limited mobile network.

but I don't think you need anything but recovery & para if you never used "format" & "firmware upgrade"
[Android General] michael08071984:
i think i used the upgrade one, after download only didnt work.

Ill tried the same method with changing drivers.

I will sit this one out, till you have uploaded the rom :)

Thanks for helping me out!
[Android General] NikosD:
Just a few questions after using Hi9 Pro for about a week:

1) Where is the microphone ? Is it the small hole under the volume button ? (Strange position)

2) On the back side the two metallic stripes separating the plastic of the metal body are they something like antennas ? (LTE or WiFi or both ? )

3) What is the version of Bluetooth ? (4.0 or 4.1 or 4.2 ? )

4) Is it possible to use some kind of fast charging with a suitable charger or software app (firmware update) ?

MediaTek has a technology called "Pump Express" or something like that...

5) Do you have sudden, unexpected pop-ups of full screen advertisements while you are working with your tablet ?

How do we get rid of them ?

6) How do I find the LTE band the tablet is actually using while it's in use ?

I don't mean the table of supported bands, I mean the active band while using it.

Thanks!
[Android General] zelipukin:
1) looks like and its logical bc its close to mouth than if they put it in the bottom.

2) not sure, but most likely

3) according to this https://www.manilashaker.com/mediatek-helio-x10-vs-x20-vs-x30-chip-comparison-difference-specs/ its 4.2

4) too many different opinions, cant find the truth

5) none so far

6) you can try to find some info from mtk engineering mode *#*#3646633#*#* from you dialer

but its not intuitive and complicated
[Android General] NikosD:
Yes, it is a very small hole at the bottom right as you hold it, with a size of the edge of a needle!

Thank you.

But how did you do that ?

Did you add an Ad Block after rooting the tablet ?

The kind of ads I get, is more of suggested apps to install from Google Play.

It is literally bombarding me with an exhaustive rate.

I went to settings to "advertisements" of Google and it says that I can't turn it off.

Could it be some app that I installed that is spamming me this way ?

Can you suggest something to stop it ?

I installed LTE Discovery and although I'm not rooted it seems that it works OK and it's showing me the bands.

The signal strength is lower than a mobile phone at the same position, same time, same provider.

Do you have an equal signal strength like your mobile phone ?

One more question:

7) Is it feasible for a developer to build a custom ROM for this device if he wants to or there are certain restrictions forbidding custom firmware ?

Is there any chance for a custom ROM in the future, because I don't think Chuwi will upgrade to 8.1 or better Android.

Thank you!
[Android General] zelipukin:
Regarding ads - I didn't do anything, I looked @ settings->google->ads and I can turn it on and then off w/o problem

Also I culdnt find any junk software so far, the phone came from GearBest factory sealed. I didn't do any system modifications except installing Magisk and modules - ExCard Access Enabler, init.d injector, Magisk SELinux Manager, ViperX (slightly better sound from speaker)

I didn't try the device as a phone, though it fit in a pocket of one of my jeans. I'd like to try but my current phone (miMax) has a micro sim.

7) Depends how popular is this device and who (developers) got it. Also, depends if this chipset is used in many other similar models (popular, prefferable) than you don't need to be a real "developer" to port ROM from a similar device and if you find that divice X is updated to 8.1 there is a chance someone will make a port (or you can try to do it yourself). I'm not a big fan of immediate upgrading to a newest version, for me they usually bring more limitations (you cannot let apps to modify files on your own sdcard f.e.) than benefits. I still use >2 y.o. andr. 6.0 custom rom on my MiMax.
[Android General] NikosD:
Me too, I got a sealed and clean tablet from GearBest but If you look closer to that setting, it says that you can turn on or off the specialized ads for you, but you can't close ads completely.

For example, during web browsing do you see ads inside various sites ?

Or when opening apps on your tablet ?

I think we need an ad-blocker for this.

I meant for mobile 4G data, not as a phone.

In my country we have three bands for LTE:

B3, B7, B20.

When the tablet rotates between 3 and 7, I have poor to zero signal.

But I saw with LTE Discovery that when it switched to 20 then the signal is very good.

So, with the help of MTK Engineering I disabled 3 and 7 bands and everything seems OK now.

I hope B20 to be used everywhere near to me.

I'm not familiar with Android internals so much, I am only using a Note II with TWRP and a custom 7.1.2 ROM and I'm missing some simple customizations not available with out Oreo 8.0 stock ROM.

I haven't even tried yet your first post regarding rooting and all the others because I'm not so sure where to find these tools and how to use them.

It could help a lot when you find some time to add more descriptions and links in your first post, if possible like Hi9 Air thread.

Thank you!
[Android General] zelipukin:
I dont know how and why, but I dont have any agressive advertisements. Checked Opera I'm using for webbrowsing - even "block popups" option wasn't checked. Had to download app yesterday (AutoNotification) from gp store and when I started it in a "free mode" there was a message like "to use this app in a free mode you have to agree to see ads", clicked "ok" , then message "downloading..." appeared...and nothing, no ads. I connect my tablet to the internet through my phone but dont think that matter.
[Android General] NikosD:
Just a few more short questions:

8) Is there any other way to wake up the device instead of pressing the red button ?

For example double tap or maybe using the volume buttons or any other way.

Because I'm afraid of pressing the same button again and again.

9) Does this device have a WiFi 2x2 MIMO ?

I haven't found any particular info on this.

10) What is the kernel of the ROM ?

Is there any GUI compatible like Kernel Aiutor to make changes or take a look at info for the device ?

Thank you!
[Android General] NikosD:
I did one more battery test that will be the last one.

With Flight mode ON the battery percentage dropped from 25% to 22% in 7 hours.

I really don't know why one day drops 1% in 5 hours with Flight mode OFF (using WiFi and mobile data/phone) and the other day drops 3% in 7 hours with everything OFF.

But you can take an idea of average battery consumption in idle mode.
[Android General] Vihru:
do you have that 1511 firmware?
[Android General] NikosD:
I think there is only one official ROM 01-08-2018 with no OTA or any other updates.

At least, that's what I have and know for Hi9 Pro.