Paranoid Android Quartz 5 - Essential PH-1

[MuddyDog]

Paranoid Android Ruby Beta has been released for the PH-1
link: https://build.aospa.co/prerelease/mata/pa-ruby-1-mata-20210515-alpha.zip

- Mobile network settings are still greyed out, but the network connection continues to be stable and correct.
- VoLTE works without the audio bug that plagues Lineage and Lineage based roms.
- SMS is sending and receiving.
- WiFi calling is not accessible.

- SafetyNet passes right away; no need for SafetyNet-Fix or Magisk.
- June 5, 2021 Security Update
- Fingerprint works for unlocking the phone and app login.
- Face Unlock works.

- "Hey Google" works.
- Chrome has been working without any problems.
- Google Pay works.
- Banking apps work (only tested mine, which are US)

Essential Camera still crashes, but I just ignore it and use Camera Go or Parrot043 version 8.2.204.

Although the PA team is taking its time to finally release Android 11 Ruby, this beta build is (for my needs) easily the best of the available roms that officially support the PH-1.

 

[Pkt1986Q]

Paranoid Android Ruby Beta has been released for the PH-1
link: https://build.aospa.co/prerelease/mata/pa-ruby-1-mata-20210515-alpha.zip

- Mobile network settings are still greyed out, but the network connection continues to be stable and correct.
- VoLTE works without the audio bug that plagues Lineage and Lineage based roms.
- SMS is sending and receiving.
- WiFi calling is not accessible.

- SafetyNet passes right away; no need for SafetyNet-Fix or Magisk.
- June 5, 2021 Security Update
- Fingerprint works for unlocking the phone and app login.
- Face Unlock works.

- "Hey Google" works.
- Chrome has been working without any problems.
- Google Pay works.
- Banking apps work (only tested mine, which are US)

Essential Camera still crashes, but I just ignore it and use Camera Go or Parrot043 version 8.2.204.

Although the PA team is taking its time to finally release Android 11 Ruby, this beta build is (for my needs) easily the best of the available roms that officially support the PH-1.

I'm on PA5, any specific instructions to flash it over that? And do I need to flash a different vendor before flashing this?

 

[MuddyDog]

The Paranoid Android releases include 3 files in the .zip: boot.img, system.img, and vendor.img. So, these PA files overwrite whatever boot/system/vendor files are installed on your phone.
I'd do a full backup and a clean install. I don't know if a dirty install would work... I never do it that way.

I have been using PA Ruby as a daily driver for the last month and it has been completely stable and has met all of my needs. That said, PA has no discernible release schedule and no history of updating PA Quartz with security updates.
The devs are very active on GitHub, and the official PA Ruby release could be imminent (or not).

I'll use PA Ruby as long as the security updates are kept current. Or, until Lineage stops embarrasing itself and fixes the VoLTE audio fail (which would solve the same issue on Lineage dependent roms: Statix, Havoc, etc.)

 

[Pkt1986Q]

The Paranoid Android releases include 3 files in the .zip: boot.img, system.img, and vendor.img. So, these PA files overwrite whatever boot/system/vendor files are installed on your phone.
I'd do a full backup and a clean install. I don't know if a dirty install would work... I never do it that way.

I have been using PA Ruby as a daily driver for the last month and it has been completely stable and has met all of my needs. That said, PA has no discernible release schedule and no history of updating PA Quartz with security updates.
The devs are very active on GitHub, and the official PA Ruby release could be imminent (or not).

I'll use PA Ruby as long as the security updates are kept current. Or, until Lineage stops embarrasing itself and fixes the VoLTE audio fail (which would solve the same issue on Lineage dependent roms: Statix, Havoc, etc.)

Thanks man.. For me, essential basically has been something of a novelty for a while, not using it actively but can't let go of it because it's perhaps the last proper handy sized flagship..

 

[MuddyDog]

the Asus Zenfone 8 now carries that flag

 

[hedgecore44]

The Paranoid Android releases include 3 files in the .zip: boot.img, system.img, and vendor.img. So, these PA files overwrite whatever boot/system/vendor files are installed on your phone.
I'd do a full backup and a clean install. I don't know if a dirty install would work... I never do it that way.

I have been using PA Ruby as a daily driver for the last month and it has been completely stable and has met all of my needs. That said, PA has no discernible release schedule and no history of updating PA Quartz with security updates.
The devs are very active on GitHub, and the official PA Ruby release could be imminent (or not).

I'll use PA Ruby as long as the security updates are kept current. Or, until Lineage stops embarrasing itself and fixes the VoLTE audio fail (which would solve the same issue on Lineage dependent roms: Statix, Havoc, etc.)

Do you have the speakerphone mic issue where when talking to somebody on speakerphone you have to talk directly up close into the auxiliary mic on the top of the phone in order for the other person to hear you??

 

[MuddyDog]

Do you have the speakerphone mic issue where when talking to somebody on speakerphone you have to talk directly up close into the auxiliary mic on the top of the phone in order for the other person to hear you??

I think the answer is "no". I use the speakerphone frequently, don't hold the phone very close or speak into the aux mic. Have not had any problem being heard.

PA made an update last November to "Switch speaker dual mic to use earpiece and SIM slot mics" .
See: https://github.com/AOSPA/android_device_essential_mata/blob/ruby/audio/mixer_paths_tasha.xml

 

[hedgecore44]

I think the answer is "no". I use the speakerphone frequently, don't hold the very close or speak into the aux mic. Have not had any problem being heard.

PA made an update last November to "Switch speaker dual mic to use earpiece and SIM slot mics" .
See: https://github.com/AOSPA/android_device_essential_mata/blob/ruby/audio/mixer_paths_tasha.xml

woah cooool. thanks for the link too. that is good info. I think I will switch over from latest Havoc then

 

[Pkt1986Q]

The Paranoid Android releases include 3 files in the .zip: boot.img, system.img, and vendor.img. So, these PA files overwrite whatever boot/system/vendor files are installed on your phone.
I'd do a full backup and a clean install. I don't know if a dirty install would work... I never do it that way.

I have been using PA Ruby as a daily driver for the last month and it has been completely stable and has met all of my needs. That said, PA has no discernible release schedule and no history of updating PA Quartz with security updates.
The devs are very active on GitHub, and the official PA Ruby release could be imminent (or not).

I'll use PA Ruby as long as the security updates are kept current. Or, until Lineage stops embarrasing itself and fixes the VoLTE audio fail (which would solve the same issue on Lineage dependent roms: Statix, Havoc, etc.)

One more question.. While trying to flash it I realized that I lost root and twrp when I flashed quartz 5..on stock I had flashed the patched boot image with twrp built in, based on whether I was on Jan update or Dec update.. But on pa, I'm not sure how to root or install twrp.. No clear guides for this and I don't want to again end up with bricked device..

Can someone point me to relevant article or help me on how do I get twrp on pa quarts 5?

 

[hedgecore44]

This rom seems pretty slow compared to latest Havoc. Also, the notification LED does not come on. Other than that tho it seems pretty stable and usable as a daily.

 

[MuddyDog]

While benchmarks don't tell the whole story, I ran Geekbench 5 on the latest Havoc and PA Beta.
- Havoc scored: 366 / 1506 (single core / multi core)
- PA Beta scored: 373 / 1542

The PH-1 has only a few officially supported roms: Statix, PA, Carbon, Lineage. And, since I'd like to keep using my phone, I try to keep up with their development, hope that they continue to support the PH-1, and hope that they work correctly. PA's development looks like a science project, but the beta works. An unofficial rom like Havoc (which is almost all working) is very dependent on the time/commitment of liamtw22, who is still at university.

The alternative roms for the PH-1 are the GSI roms, And, particularly the roms based on phhusson's very mature work.
His builds are always kept up to date and outperform all of the official builds.
So, I also ran Geekbench on the latest crDROM 11 (one of eremitein's builds based on phhusson and using crDroid 7.6 sources).
- crDROM 11 scored: 375 / 1615

The official roms are easier setup (restore from Google backup, pass Safetynet right away, etc.), while the GSIs need more hands on configuration (to enable VoLTE, pass Safetynet, manage backups). So lately, I have been test driving all of the official builds as they have been getting updated to Android 11. And, it has been easier and quicker to switch back to a rom like PA, which works better for me than the others.

If none of the official roms catches up to the phhusson GSI variants, then I'll go back to one of them (probably crDROM 11, CAOS 11, or Pixel Experince Plus). Or an Android 12 GSI.

 

[hedgecore44]

Geekbench scores don't mean much if the rom still feels sluggish and there are notification LED and speakerphone bugs.

 

[Pkt1986Q]

the Asus Zenfone 8 now carries that flag

Unfortunately not released in India yet.. Plus still not at par - no ceramic titanium.

 

[pakpenyo]

While benchmarks don't tell the whole story, I ran Geekbench 5 on the latest Havoc and PA Beta.
- Havoc scored: 366 / 1506 (single core / multi core)
- PA Beta scored: 373 / 1542

The PH-1 has only a few officially supported roms: Statix, PA, Carbon, Lineage. And, since I'd like to keep using my phone, I try to keep up with their development, hope that they continue to support the PH-1, and hope that they work correctly. PA's development looks like a science project, but the beta works. An unofficial rom like Havoc (which is almost all working) is very dependent on the time/commitment of liamtw22, who is still at university.

The alternative roms for the PH-1 are the GSI roms, And, particularly the roms based on phhusson's very mature work.
His builds are always kept up to date and outperform all of the official builds.
So, I also ran Geekbench on the latest crDROM 11 (one of eremitein's builds based on phhusson and using crDroid 7.6 sources).
- crDROM 11 scored: 375 / 1615

The official roms are easier setup (restore from Google backup, pass Safetynet right away, etc.), while the GSIs need more hands on configuration (to enable VoLTE, pass Safetynet, manage backups). So lately, I have been test driving all of the official builds as they have been getting updated to Android 11. And, it has been easier and quicker to switch back to a rom like PA, which works better for me than the others.

If none of the official roms catches up to the phhusson GSI variants, then I'll go back to one of them (probably crDROM 11, CAOS 11, or Pixel Experince Plus). Or an Android 12 GSI.

Havoc:
Smooth
Extreme Battery saving (sometimes can't see notification from some apps)
Led Notification working fine
Problem with mic (WhatsApp call, etc)
Volume step (lot of customized)

PA Beta:
Smooth
Good Battery saving
No Led Notification
No issue with mic
No volume step/minimal customized

I always remove some default apps like Chrome, Photos, MusicFX, CameraGo, etc (not using Chrome), but ungoogled Chromium version works fine at PA and Havoc.

 

[Sceccu]

With Havoc the only issues I have are I don't always get calls even with full service, and I have VoLTE issues.
With this ROM I don't have those issues but I have noticed I can't send texts to anybody that is not on Tmobile as far as I can tell. Which is a big frustration.

 

[mawdogbe]

With Havoc the only issues I have are I don't always get calls even with full service, and I have VoLTE issues.
With this ROM I don't have those issues but I have noticed I can't send texts to anybody that is not on Tmobile as far as I can tell. Which is a big frustration.

Having the same issue on T-Mobile. Are you running the build from the link or the newer one?

 

[Sceccu]

Having the same issue on T-Mobile. Are you running the build from the link or the newer one?

6/29 build, that link for the 5/15 auto redirects to the 6/29

 

[nomesrjp]

Hey there, I've installed the Ruby beta listed above (06/29), and whilst everything seemed fine, I can't seem to get mobile data functioning (network connectivity is only attained via WiFi). Is anyone else having this issue, otherwise I assume it's specific to my carrier (and this beta)?

I just dumped StatixOS as I wanted GPay to function (CTS/safetynet), without root (as Magisk borks O365 apps).

 

[MuddyDog]

I'm using t-mobile and texting to recipients that are not on t-mobile has been working without any problems.
t-mobile is known to set messaging blocks ... could be worth checking.

Or, if the Messaging app is treating everything as MMS, then it could be an APN settings problem... but current PA beta doesn't enable access to Mobile Network settings. On my phone the automatic settings have everything enabled correctly.

I'm not having any problems with mobile data.

Disappointing to hear that guys are having these issues. Hope the PA devs are monitoring XDA.
The most active PA discussion is on Telegram. I'll post these problem reports over there.

 

[Sceccu]

I'm using t-mobile and texting to recipients that are not on t-mobile has been working without any problems.
t-mobile is known to set messaging blocks ... could be worth checking.

Or, if the Messaging app is treating everything as MMS, then it could be an APN settings problem... but current PA beta doesn't enable access to Mobile Network settings. On my phone the automatic settings have everything enabled correctly.

I'm not having any problems with mobile data.

Disappointing to hear that guys are having these issues. Hope the PA devs are monitoring XDA.
The most active PA discussion is on Telegram. I'll post these problem reports over there.

For what it's worth, I'm having the same issue on the 7/18 build of SatixOS4.2 which is Aosp based.