WileyFox Swift 2 Plus observations

SMessy

Member
Jul 16, 2013
30
2
0
London
The WileyFox Swift 2 Plus is not a bad looking phone, the case feels good in my hand. It is almost small and light enough to fit into my shirt pocket should I need to.
It runs CyanogenOS which is an improvement on the standard bloated Google Android and is to be applauded.

3Gb for the System and 32Gb Storage, 2.4GHz WiFi, Dual Sim, External SDCard, NFC, Android Pay, Android Beam , FingerPrint recognition, 4G, 16Mp/8Mp cameras, 5" screen - great stuff especially for the price. It is however, designed as a city phone not an everywhere phone that much is apparent.

There are a number of downsides :crying:
The second SIM slot doubles up as the Ext SDRam slot - one or the other not both - what an epic fail !!!
Can't actually use the SDcard for backups or data or media - bit of a waste of space really. You need to root the phone and install SD Fix or similar.

It only works with 2.4GHz WiFi which is a disgrace given my ancient Xperia T covers 5GHz as well.

There is no real GPS only A-GPS which needs an internet connection to work - no good if you have a poor or zero mobile signal. This is really such a waste of time even implementing this instead of the real thing.

Only the Google versions of photo album and media player (which don't find local files), mail(gmail) , calendar, calculator etc are installed. If you like having to use a data connection and Google knowing everything you do then fine. I don't which means I have to install apps covering those functions. Shame I can't just install those I used on my Sony Xperia. If you already have favourites its not a big deal. If you don't then you have to start loading and trying out Apps to find the one you like.

Having set up the phone to your liking it would be nice to be able to save it that way. Which you can't without Rooting the phone.

To make the best of it you need to Root the phone - this is to be able to install effective anti-virus, firewall and anti-theft software. To be able to install Titanium Backup in order to actually backup the current state of the phone including apps and data to the SDcard as well as the cloud.
And remove the Apps that you don't use or don't care to have installed.
Would you use a PC without that type of software ? I suspect not - So why make a phone that you can't install the protective software on to ?

It is very simple to unlock the Bootloader and then Root the phone using SuperSU just using the phones developer options. No need to install ADB on the PC or install TWRP on the phone if you don't want to use a custom ROM. Unfortunately it invalidates the manufacturers warranties. :crying::crying::crying:

This could have so easily been a perfect phone, unfortunately a couple of poor cost cutting decisions have more or less ruined it.
Me ? I have already given away this phone after just 3 days, much to my disappointment.
 

rivierakid

Member
Feb 7, 2009
49
20
0
You're right, this "review" is full of nonsenses :)

1. The SD card slot is shared with second SIM slot, it is right. But SD card can be use to backup data or to extend the internal storage space (marsmallow feature)! You don't really need root and SD fix...

2. A-GPS is used to improve startup speed, which is really impressive (snapdragon!)

3. Photo album and media player, mail, ...? You could install whatever you want, there is a google play store :)

4. Root. No phones come with builtin root, but if you really need it, it is possible and easy to install.

I believe that there will be a community CaynogenMod ROM in the future - just like for the original Wileyfox Swift 1...

I'm very satisfied with this phone. Yeah there are some drawbacks - it has only 720p display (instead of full HD), it can be a bit smaller (just like the previous Swift) and the CyanogenOS has some bugs (for example the theme provider is time to time crashing...), but I hope it will be fixed in the future...
 
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bahjesaispas

Member
Mar 26, 2015
17
7
0
Even better

You can delete easily what you want with titanium backup. And whitout lag (not like a Miui rom).
The bootloader is probably one of the most easier than I've done in my life (not like a xiaomi one).
The SD cart can be use to save your backup, even my 128gb is working.

The screen it's just the perfect size & definition is the perfect combo for not to drain the battery.

Waiting the LineagOS for the marmite :fingers-crossed:
 
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Masteryates

Senior Member
Apr 30, 2013
897
178
0
London
Just managed to pick up one of these practically brand new for only £100 for a friend.

Really nice build quality and look of the phone and packaging. CM13.1 looks nice and any bloat can be quickly disabled or even uninstalled. 3GB Ram is great as sitting here now, this phone has 2GB just sat there free. (Unlike the Nexus 9 for example!) If I was nit picking, the screen could be better and the fingerprint reader isn't as fast as my One Plus 3, (Not to be expected given the price.)

If I had this in front of me, a P9 Lite, and the standard Moto G4 for the same cash, I'd pick the P9 Lite due to its better screen. I'd pick this second due to the extra RAM and fingerprint reader, and the Moto last. If I had to pick a phone to last 2 years, I'd pick this over the P9 as CM13 is better than the strange Huawei stuff.

If Wileyfox could drop the price to £160, I think they'd be onto a real winner.
 

stevegtrlmk

Senior Member
Mar 22, 2016
251
34
0
40
Limerick
You can delete easily what you want with titanium backup. And whitout lag (not like a Miui rom).
The bootloader is probably one of the most easier than I've done in my life (not like a xiaomi one).
The SD cart can be use to save your backup, even my 128gb is working.

The screen it's just the perfect size & definition is the perfect combo for not to drain the battery.

Waiting the LineagOS for the marmite :fingers-crossed:

Just bought today can you give run down how to unlock bootloader:good:
 

MoHaG

New member
Mar 24, 2014
4
1
0
Johannesburg
Just bought today can you give run down how to unlock bootloader:good:
On the Nougat ROM:
Enabled developer options (tap build number several times)
Go to developer options
Enable the "OEM unlocking" option
Not so sure about the rest:
reboot into fastboot (adb reboot bootloader)
fastboot oem unlock

It seems like unlocking will wipe your phone... (At the fastboot step... I only recently got mine, haven't tried this yet)
 
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SMessy

Member
Jul 16, 2013
30
2
0
London
Isn't A-GPS built on top of GPS and purely there for lock startup speed?
Nope A-GPS is a cheap replacement for real GPS.
http://www.diffen.com/difference/A-GPS_vs_GPS

If you are running a WileyFox Swift with Cyanogen you will find that any of the GPS test apps will say there is no GPS.
A-GPS does NOT work without an internet connection.
Some phone use A-GPS to speed up their lock within built up areas.


Having said that the Swift running the Android v7.1.1 Nougat package the GPS has been enabled and the GPS Test tools now work.
Go figure why it wasn't enabled in the first place.
 

SMessy

Member
Jul 16, 2013
30
2
0
London
You're right, this "review" is full of nonsenses :)

1. The SD card slot is shared with second SIM slot, it is right. But SD card can be use to backup data or to extend the internal storage space (marsmallow feature)! You don't really need root and SD fix...
Depends what you want to use the SD card for, maybe something like saving your Titatium backups which can be removed from the phone if it is dead. And if you want dual SIM you can't use the SD card. And you need to root the phone to use the Marchmallow SD card unlock.
If you let the phone use the SD card as extended memory it is encrypted and you can't read it without that phone - thanks Google.


2. A-GPS is used to improve startup speed, which is really impressive (snapdragon!)
Nope SOME phones use A-GPS to speed up lock within built up areas but it is really a cheap replacement for real GPS.
http://www.diffen.com/difference/A-GPS_vs_GPS
check your facts.


3. Photo album and media player, mail, ...? You could install whatever you want, there is a google play store :)
And if you don't like the pre-installed versions you need something like Titanium to remove them.

4. Root. No phones come with builtin root, but if you really need it, it is possible and easy to install.
And the UPDATES stop the moment you unlock the BootLoader let alone Root the phone.
Anti-Theft, Anti-Virus, Anti-Malware, Titanium Backup, Nandroid Backup all need ROOT.
The Cyanogen Anti-Theft stopped working when the website closed.
The point I was making is why should you have to 'break' your phone to protect your investment?"


I believe that there will be a community CaynogenMod ROM in the future - just like for the original Wileyfox Swift 1...
LOL - no Cyanogen is no more , although there is a movement to Lineage which may grow into a Cyanogen replacement

I'm very satisfied with this phone. Yeah there are some drawbacks - it has only 720p display (instead of full HD), it can be a bit smaller (just like the previous Swift) and the CyanogenOS has some bugs (for example the theme provider is time to time crashing...), but I hope it will be fixed in the future...
Yes I also like the phone and its even better running v7.1.1 Nougat - even though the Zen app is not needed.
 
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finbaar

Senior Member
Apr 1, 2011
271
40
0
Yes I also like the phone and its even better running v7.1.1 Nougat - even though the Zen app is not needed.
Get your facts right, just about all phones use aGPS. And all phones lose updates when rooted. You make generic points and a tribute them to a particular device. Sad.

Sent from my Lenovo P2a42 using Tapatalk
 

stevegtrlmk

Senior Member
Mar 22, 2016
251
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Limerick
On the Nougat ROM:
Enabled developer options (tap build number several times)
Go to developer options
Enable the "OEM unlocking" option
Not so sure about the rest:
reboot into fastboot (adb reboot bootloader)
fastboot oem unlock

It seems like unlocking will wipe your phone... (At the fastboot step... I only recently got mine, haven't tried this yet)
Reboot into fast boot is that within the phone or when your connected to computer :good:
 

image45

Senior Member
Nov 16, 2014
563
78
0
York
Hey thanks unlocked boot but can't get twrp to flash. Download the newest marmite version put in adb folder tried to flash but nothing
Hi,

I choose to unlock my swift 2 bootloader and flash TWRP using fastboot commands. If you have unlocked bootloader then using minimal ADB and fastboot command use: fastboot flash recovery recovery.img replacing recovery.img with the one you downloaded. So mine was fastboot flash recovery twrp-3.1.1-0-marmite.img as I am on the current official build.
 
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stevegtrlmk

Senior Member
Mar 22, 2016
251
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Limerick
Hi,

I choose to unlock my swift 2 bootloader and flash TWRP using fastboot commands. If you have unlocked bootloader then using minimal ADB and fastboot command use: fastboot flash recovery recovery.img replacing recovery.img with the one you downloaded. So mine was fastboot flash recovery twrp-3.1.1-0-marmite.img as I am on the current official build.
Thanks for that I have not tried yet but will do soon much appreciated:good:
 

stevegtrlmk

Senior Member
Mar 22, 2016
251
34
0
40
Limerick
Hi,

I choose to unlock my swift 2 bootloader and flash TWRP using fastboot commands. If you have unlocked bootloader then using minimal ADB and fastboot command use: fastboot flash recovery recovery.img replacing recovery.img with the one you downloaded. So mine was fastboot flash recovery twrp-3.1.1-0-marmite.img as I am on the current official build.

Do you have to have the file on root of device or in the adb folder as I am just getting error cannot flash twrp
 

image45

Senior Member
Nov 16, 2014
563
78
0
York
Do you have to have the file on root of device or in the adb folder as I am just getting error cannot flash twrp
Minimal ADB and Fastboot is a PC based program. I have provided link below for you.


https://freeandroidroot.com/download-minimal-adb-and-fastboot-all-versions/

Once installed you place the file to be flashed in the program folder with the other installed core program files in directory.

If you run the program you get the command prompt window as displayed in post. This is where you run the Fastboot common I advised you about in earlier post.

So in the command window type and execute:
fastboot flash recovery twrp-3.1.1-0-marmite.img

You might wish to read this thread too on XDA


https://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2317790



Hope this helps Robert.
 

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