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.

  • bluGill@fedia.io
    4·
    3 hours ago

    There are some linux tablets which may be better if you want unlock. less apps but much more hackable.

    • muhybOPEnglish
      2·
      3 hours ago

      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. :)

    • muhybOPEnglish
      2·
      3 hours ago

      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.

      • Optional@lemmy.worldEnglish
        2·
        49 minutes ago

        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.

        • muhybOPEnglish
          2·
          37 minutes ago

          Yeah Samsung sucks. You can’t even use standard platform-tools. I wish Google sold mobile devices here.

        • muhybOPEnglish
          1·
          2 hours ago

          I presume it’s an older model since they only sell peripherals for it.

            • muhybOPEnglish
              1·
              1 hour ago

              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.