Database Users

Buying advice & device impressions

Hoping to get feedback on user experience with the Mediapad M3. I have not seen a post for this and just purchased US m3 64GB - waiting on delivery.
It would be great to hear from you on the following:
- Are you pleased with the purchase?
- Country
- 32 or 64GB, LTE
- Stock or custom ROM
- Expanded storage size
- What you like most about the device.
- In reading through threads here, seems most everyone loves the hardware and build quality.
- Firmware updates have corrected issues seen early. Settings adjustments and launchers help too.
- 5ghz works if device is rooted and file tweaked
- Unlocking and rooting are possible but not as clean as we've seen with other devices. Untrusted screen popup on boot is annoying.
I will likely use stock and be hawkish for updates and would appreciate your insight.
Thanks in advance.
John

Just recently bought this and had it for an hour.
Compared to a couple of other tablets I own, I'm blown away by the sound quality so far (Its really loud..)
Located in USA 64GB on Stock rom latest update.
The main feature I look for in tablets is the expanded storage so it's a plus.
I like the size, weight wise it's not so bad, screen is bright indoors (Some people say it's not enough)
I'm saddened that this device isn't really popular, it doesn't have custom roms or kernels but I can make do with it with what ever it has. Besides that I have a OP3 power horse for anything else.
As the name suggest for this tablet it'll literally be only for media like books, manga, videos, and music(?).
You won't be disappointed and will be more eager to use it when it hits EMUI 5.0 and it's Nougat update :]

HermitDash said:
Just recently bought this and had it for an hour.
Compared to a couple of other tablets I own, I'm blown away by the sound quality so far (Its really loud..)
Located in USA 64GB on Stock rom latest update.
The main feature I look for in tablets is the expanded storage so it's a plus.
I like the size, weight wise it's not so bad, screen is bright indoors (Some people say it's not enough)
I'm saddened that this device isn't really popular, it doesn't have custom roms or kernels but I can make do with it with what ever it has. Besides that I have a OP3 power horse for anything else.
As the name suggest for this tablet it'll literally be only for media like books, manga, videos, and music(?).
You won't be disappointed and will be more eager to use it when it hits EMUI 5.0 and it's Nougat update :]
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the response! Great insight.
Did you get the firmware update when booted up or did you have to check for updates? I agree on Nougat and EM5. Come quick. ?
I have had Nexus devices since GNexus. Nexus 5, 7, 10, 6, 9 and 6p. Of these, the Nexus 9 had been the most disappointing by far performance wise. The sound is decent for movies and videos. However, been waiting for the right replacement and do hope this is it.
Thanks again.

johninsf said:
Thanks for the response! Great insight.
Did you get the firmware update when booted up or did you have to check for updates? I agree on Nougat and EM5. Come quick.
I have had Nexus devices since GNexus. Nexus 5, 7, 10, 6, 9 and 6p. Of these, the Nexus 9 had been the most disappointing by far performance wise. The sound is decent for movies and videos. However, been waiting for the right replacement and do hope this is it.
Thanks again.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It already had the update when I got it. Bought it used (like new) on Amazon. It's really snappy and kinda big for my small hands but a better keyboard fixed that right up. Using thumb keyboard and the layout fits very nicely when typing in either horizontal or vertically.
Performance wise you just need to switch it over to performance mode and you can forget about it being sluggish.

Have been looking at this as a replacement for my Samsung Galaxy Tab Pro 8.4 whose battery is slowly failing. The specs look great but the lack of development is kind of concerning, I love trying new roms on my android devices.
I've looked at the root and twrp threads and it looks like things have progressed to the point I can be confident of having a rooted device I can take nandroid backups of. As long as I can have root and put Action Launcher 3, TB, and the other basics on it I should be happy.
Now I just have to debate whether an extra $50 for the 64gb version is worth it considering I'm coming from a device with 16gb.

thecdn said:
Have been looking at this as a replacement for my Samsung Galaxy Tab Pro 8.4 whose battery is slowly failing. The specs look great but the lack of development is kind of concerning, I love trying new roms on my android devices.
I've looked at the root and twrp threads and it looks like things have progressed to the point I can be confident of having a rooted device I can take nandroid backups of. As long as I can have root and put Action Launcher 3, TB, and the other basics on it I should be happy.
Now I just have to debate whether an extra $50 for the 64gb version is worth it considering I'm coming from a device with 16gb.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the response!
1. Yes. Very little traction on development. Would love to see this pick up.
2. Good progress on rooting. Wonder what the unlocked warning page looks like...but only want to see it once.
3. Action Launcher 3 is great & I will install even before rooting. I run Action 3 on my 6P.
4. Spend the $50 - you get a headset and twice the storage.
Mine arrives today. I will post feedback once I give it a spin. If the IMUI 5/Nougat beta program is open, I will register.

Too loud
HermitDash said:
Compared to a couple of other tablets I own, I'm blown away by the sound quality so far (Its really loud..)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It is loud indeed, unfortunately too loud for me. The lowest volume is the same as 50% on my Galaxy S6.
I've tried Fine Volume Control V2, which works great on my phone. But on the M3 you have to open the app itself to adjust the volume. Using the volume rockers resets the volume level.
Is there any other apps I can try? Thinking about returning it and wait for WMC.

Hi,
I'm also interested in buying this tablet, but I have some concerns:
1. I will be using the tablet 100% in landscape mode. Can I lock the rotation to landscape (*without* third party apps)?
2. In landscape mode, is the navbar to the right instead of bottom? Can it be changed to bottom in the settings?
3. I saw that it supports gestures on the fingerprint reader. Can the navbar be disabled in the settings, so only the gestures can be used? Can *both* be disabled (since the fingerprint reader is right where you hold it in landscape and it will get accidentally pressed) so I can use a third party pie control?
4. Is the lowest brightness low enough so you can use it at night without any problems (and *without* software filters)?
5. At the lowest brightness, does it flicker? Using a white background / picture, when you wave your hand / finger, is it continuous or "framed"? See https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=ru474L8N15w
6. Can all versions be rooted & TWRP installed, or only the US version? I will buy it in Europe. Can Xposed be installed?
Thanks.

nick_white said:
Hi,
I'm also interested in buying this tablet, but I have some concerns:
1. I will be using the tablet 100% in landscape mode. Can I lock the rotation to landscape (*without* third party apps)?
2. In landscape mode, is the navbar to the right instead of bottom? Can it be changed to bottom in the settings?
3. I saw that it supports gestures on the fingerprint reader. Can the navbar be disabled in the settings, so only the gestures can be used? Can *both* be disabled (since the fingerprint reader is right where you hold it in landscape and it will get accidentally pressed) so I can use a third party pie control?
4. Is the lowest brightness low enough so you can use it at night without any problems (and *without* software filters)?
5. At the lowest brightness, does it flicker? Using a white background / picture, when you wave your hand / finger, is it continuous or "framed"? See https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=ru474L8N15w
6. Can all versions be rooted & TWRP installed, or only the US version? I will buy it in Europe. Can Xposed be installed?
Thanks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This might not be the tablet for you if not rooted with ROM. Others may know differently but this is what I have found.
1. Landscape locking: if you use a launcher like Action 3, you can lock in landscape. However, this does not lock stock settings menu.
2. Landscape horizontal nav bar: no but you could turn them off. This is a phone OS with little thought of limiting phone centric features.
3. Disabling nav bar and finger print gestures: you can turn each off independently but not at the same time.
4. Brightness or dimming are fine. Low setting is low.
5. No flicker at lowest setting.
6. See the post of rooting devices. I think all can be rooted. Unsure about Xposed.

There's also a built in pie type control.

I pulled the trigger on the 64gb version today. It's $20 off at newegg this weekend and my son had given me a newegg gift card for xmas. Bought what looks like an ok case on amazon - will be looking to see if seidio/trident/otterbox come out with one in the future.
Now just have to wait for my new toy to arrive .

johninsf said:
1. Landscape locking: if you use a launcher like Action 3, you can lock in landscape. However, this does not lock stock settings menu.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You are probably talking about the home screen orientation, which for most launchers is by default locked to portrait.
But are you saying that, if you hold it in landscape, the Android settings is still in portrait?

nick_white said:
You are probably talking about the home screen orientation, which for most launchers is by default locked to portrait.
But are you saying that, if you hold it in landscape, the Android settings is still in portrait?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Correction: Actually, system settings display in landscape. I had the portrait screen orientation setting locked.

If you don't have security enabled, does touching the fingerprint sensor when the screen is off turn it on?

johninsf said:
Correction: Actually, system settings display in landscape. I had the portrait screen orientation setting locked.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
But can you lock the orientation to landscape? Or it behaves like a (giant) phone: either auto-rotate, or just portrait?

nick_white said:
But can you lock the orientation to landscape? Or it behaves like a (giant) phone: either auto-rotate, or just portrait?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I could not find a way to lock it with stock launcher. It can be locked in landscape with Action launcher and ADW launcher.
Sent from my BTV-W09 using Tapatalk

nick_white said:
If you don't have security enabled, does touching the fingerprint sensor when the screen is off turn it on?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can turn off the fingerprint ID so that it does not unlock and wake. However, the fingerprint touch pad continues to allow gestures once unlocked. I have not found a way to turn off security. I think I read you need to root before you can do this.
Sent from my BTV-W09 using Tapatalk

johninsf said:
I could not find a way to lock it with stock launcher. It can be locked in landscape with Action launcher and ADW launcher.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm not talking about the home screen (which is launcher dependent), but the "global" orientation.
For example, you're holding it in landscape with auto rotate on. Open Chrome. Swipe the notification shade, go to toggles, then toggle auto rotate off. Does Chrome remain in landscape, or it switches to portrait?

nick_white said:
I'm not talking about the home screen (which is launcher dependent), but the "global" orientation.
For example, you're holding it in landscape with auto rotate on. Open Chrome. Swipe the notification shade, go to toggles, then toggle auto rotate off. Does Chrome remain in landscape, or it switches to portrait?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The button in the only has two options, auto rotate or portrait. So it locks both the homescreen and apps to portrait like lots of phones do.
Had the same problem with my old Galaxy Tab 7.7 and had to use an app to fix it.

nick_white said:
You are probably talking about the home screen orientation, which for most launchers is by default locked to portrait.
But are you saying that, if you hold it in landscape, the Android settings is still in portrait?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
@finduz answered this as I understand it.

3rd party applications comparability

Hello
I was very much interested in LG G6 and have even ordered it once in eBay yesterday and cancelled it after getting to know one information none of the reviewers have pointed it out.
I have heard that most of the 3rd party applications would show black border even in portrait mode because of the aspect ratio difference.
But I was also been told that applications would automatically utilise the entire screen at least in portrait mode.
I have also heard that LG provided scaling function is not of great help as well.
I am from India and I am not sure how much time it would take for the developers here to update their application for a new screen aspect ratio.
Please provide your valuable inputs.
I am upgrading from Nexus 5x

This model released just 4 months ago so expect little delay with specific apps but LG's scaling works fairly well in standard apps, I would say stick with ur current phone for few months.

Thanks for your kind reply.
I am using the mobile phone mostly for applications and in portrait mode itself and would watch YouTube videos also.
I am not using the mobile phone for gaming.
Can you please post some photos of the scaled applications ?
I heard that the navigation bar would be in black colour even when an application scaled.
Are all Google applications and prominent 3rd party applications support the 18:9 aspect ratio?

yes the navigation bar does turn black but it will be hidden under the app your are using in full screen and pull down on noti panel will bring back the navi buttons, so if u watch YouTube videos after scaling u won't see any back bar while in full screen.

lingarajug said:
yes the navigation bar does turn black but it will be hidden under the app your are using in full screen and pull down on noti panel will bring back the navi buttons, so if u watch YouTube videos after scaling u won't see any back bar while in full screen.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You mean I won't see black borders while youtubing in fullscreen?

yes but only if the content is in 18:9 format, lets say if u resize YouTube app and the video is also coded in 18:9 format then the bar will be hidden, at least that's my experience on couple of occasions so far.

J Touch app for navigation rocks

Hey friends
I really don't like the navbar which is reducing the screen to much, so I decided to install J Touch app from playstore.
Loaded a nice looking home button jpeg picture from the web. Give the button a one hit back function, a long press home function and a swipe up for recents.
Please see attached pictures navigating is nice and I whish I could even eliminate the navbar on the homescreen

FridrufHau said:
Hey friends
I really don't like the navbar which is reducing the screen to much, so I decided to install J Touch app from playstore.
Loaded a nice looking home button jpeg picture from the web. Give the button a one hit back function, a long press home function and a swipe up for recents.
Please see attached pictures navigating is nice and I whish I could even eliminate the navbar on the homescreen
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Keeping one icon appear on the screen all the time may cause burn in I'd be worried about that

big_b0sss said:
Keeping one icon appear on the screen all the time may cause burn in I'd be worried about that
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No I don't think so. There is transparency setted, the button is popping if hitted and it is shifting up on home screen. You could be as scared or even more about a status bar burn in...
and look how much time is needed:
"Test Results
The iPhone X displayed burn-ins before the Galaxy Note 8 at 17 hours. However, it took 510 hours for the images to become permanently etched on its display which also marked the end of the test.
Compared to that, the Note 8 took 62 hours to show first signs of display burn-in, which is impressive. However, it had permanent marks way before the end of the test. The Galaxy S7 Edge showed signs of burn-in sooner than the iPhone X, however, it showed permanent burn-ins much later than the Note 8 and almost at iPhone X’s 510 hour mark."
From page:
https://propakistani.pk/2018/01/05/iphone-xs-screen-shows-burn-marks-just-17-hours-test/

Ok so would you recommend the app over navigation gesture? The gesture is not polished at the moment I'll give the app a go

big_b0sss said:
Ok so would you recommend the app over navigation gesture? The gesture is not polished at the moment I'll give the app a go
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think so, you can also activate temporary move, which is helpful is s.th. is hided by the button. So you can move the button away for two seconds. You can hide button always in landscape, it is hiding when you are keyboard typing... it is perfect for 18:9 displays.
If navbar would have a one button control too, I wouldn't use J Touch.
You can also give it an iPhone look but ok I guess everybody is hating apple .
Edit: Ah ok you mean gesture. Sorry I didn't have this option until now.... don't know what is better

Looks like a nice app. I prefer LMT Launcher though as you can set it to do almost any task and only comes on the screen when you activate it so creates a really clean look with extra functionality.

Or you could try Gesture Control from Conena.. I'm very happy with the way the gestures work

es0tericcha0s said:
Looks like a nice app. I prefer LMT Launcher though as you can set it to do almost any task and only comes on the screen when you activate it so creates a really clean look with extra functionality.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Have you been able to use lmt with stock os? If so, I'd like to know the secret for getting rid of the nav bar

Not sure. Not really a fan of stock. From other forum members, it's possible to disable it with the joneplustool app. Both that and LMT require root.

I've been using Swipe Navigation. It even has long press functionality. Loving it so far.

That looks bat **** ugly, why don't you just download https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.suphi.swipenavigation&hl=en ?

In my kg g6 its eating battery like elephant ??

Xposed Edge anyone?

Software (ease of use, features, etc)

When you hand your phone to granny to take a photo of you, can she get the job done? Rate this thread to express how you deem the Xiaomi Poco F1's camera software. A higher rating indicates that the software is easy to use, fast, uncluttered, and inclusive of advanced features for when you need them.
Then, drop a comment if you have anything to add!

Double Tap Gestures Control
Overall POCO F1 is a great and easy to use for so many people with revamped POCO launcher.
Double tap to wake and Raise to wake features are working fine.
It is difficult to lock the screen always by pressing the power button.
If Double tap to lock and long Press Fingerprint sensor to lock the screen is present then it will be more user-friendly.
Please add those features in next update.

srikirang said:
Overall POCO F1 is a great and easy to use for so many people with revamped POCO launcher.
Double tap to wake and Raise to wake features are working fine.
It is difficult to lock the screen always by pressing the power button.
If Double tap to lock and long Press Fingerprint sensor to lock the screen is present then it will be more user-friendly.
Please add those features in next update.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There is a shortcut that if you press a navigation button, it will lock the screen. I have it on now. I press "backwards" for a second and the screen goes off.

joaonctm said:
There is a shortcut that if you press a navigation button, it will lock the screen. I have it on now. I press "backwards" for a second and the screen goes off.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
But I am using Full-screen Gestures, So there are no nav buttons present.

srikirang said:
But I am using Full-screen Gestures, So there are no nav buttons present.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Put a screen off widget on the home screen . It is a system widget so doesnt create issues or battery drain.

Display feature
Found this feature in MIUI. When you expose the sensors to bright light(sunlight or torch), the screen tints to light color. For example a black UI turns to grey UI on exposure to light. It's not auto brightness because i never use auto brightness. I have tested it on a Redmi Note 5 pro and the same thing happens on it too. I am not sure how useful it is for people using this phone.

Overall it's great and fast as a bullet, but I found one thing.
When I scroll page up and down, if the "reading mode" is on, you can see red color dragging behind letters on page. Especially if it's white text on black background, night or dark mode in some apps. So much so, that I had to turn reading mode off.
Sent from my POCOPHONE F1 using Tapatalk

XDA_RealLifeReview said:
When you hand your phone to granny to take a photo of you, can she get the job done? Rate this thread to express how you deem the Xiaomi Poco F1's camera software. A higher rating indicates that the software is easy to use, fast, uncluttered, and inclusive of advanced features for when you need them.
Then, drop a comment if you have anything to add!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Snappy but slightly juttery due to that, would prefer stock miui 10 animations rather than the sped up ones. Themes don't work properly either

Notifications issue on lock screen
my notifications won't appear on lock screen after unlocking the device. 1st it's show up then the 2nd time it's gone even though i didn't open the notification.
why??
please help me.

the MIUI is convoluted for me, I've been using Xioami phones for almost 4 yrs now, (Mi Max, A1, and Poco) there are many unnecessary bloat in the software making the UI tedious to use most of the time, notifications are limited and needs a little tweak, unlike stock android, notifications works out of the box, also another minor annoyance to me is the Poco launcher, even after changing the icons, some keeps on return to their squary look, ruining the looks, but all of this can be solved by just flashing a custom ROM which everyone will do here in XDA

ackerman_17 said:
my notifications won't appear on lock screen after unlocking the device. 1st it's show up then the 2nd time it's gone even though i didn't open the notification.
why??
please help me.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Notifications are an issue on MIUI - if you pull down the notification shade once you unlock, I believe they stop showing on lock screen. Even if you haven't opened the notification. This is not for all notifications but I did notice this happening.

Screen Touch Issue
The screen responds for other than human skin touch like headset wire, cloths and other stuff when u keep the phone in the pocket without lock also opens the apps due to body touch,
It annoying and irritating

Akills said:
Found this feature in MIUI. When you expose the sensors to bright light(sunlight or torch), the screen tints to light color. For example a black UI turns to grey UI on exposure to light. It's not auto brightness because i never use auto brightness. I have tested it on a Redmi Note 5 pro and the same thing happens on it too. I am not sure how useful it is for people using this phone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Turn off automatic contrast in settings to get rid of it!

arcy1102 said:
Turn off automatic contrast in settings to get rid of it!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks, will do

Basically I hate MIUI the main reason for me which convinced me to buy this device is the SNAPDRAGON 845.

MIUI is the worst UX I've ever had on a phone. There is no logic in the settings, so that I end up searching for everything instead of navigating as I did on every stock device. You can't see notifications because of the badly implemented notch. Background services are being killed for no reason (i understand the need with the non play store Chinese apps though).
Also I don't get all that bloat on the phone. Nasty facebook app, some xiaomi calendar, notes what ever app. And all the apps asks for permission, they don't actually need. And why can't I disable most of the apps, nor can I fully delete them (without root). Also, you can't block them from sending notifications. LineageOS here I come
The only nice thing IMO is the notification dropdown where I can see current download speed, data being used today and data left on the plan. Luckily I can install LineageOS in few days (due to that unlock time period one has to wait).

faeArai said:
MIUI is the worst UX I've ever had on a phone. There is no logic in the settings, so that I end up searching for everything instead of navigating as I did on every stock device. You can't see notifications because of the badly implemented notch. Background services are being killed for no reason (i understand the need with the non play store Chinese apps though).
Also I don't get all that bloat on the phone. Nasty facebook app, some xiaomi calendar, notes what ever app. And all the apps asks for permission, they don't actually need. And why can't I disable most of the apps, nor can I fully delete them (without root). Also, you can't block them from sending notifications. LineageOS here I come
The only nice thing IMO is the notification dropdown where I can see current download speed, data being used today and data left on the plan. Luckily I can install LineageOS in few days (due to that unlock time period one has to wait).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Try Using a launcher that will help you change the UI of the device.

i'm use various xiaomi phones but the only one i use miui is original mi note ( don't have CM support lol) MIUI is crap to my eyes and heavy bloated, notifications don't show for no reason. Always on AOSP and LOS.

there is a option for lock screen " Double tap to lock screen" option available under home screen & Recents menu

4K 60 fps + Bitrate 100Mbps for third-party video camera applications
Will 4K 60 fps support appear in third-party video camera applications?

6T: Anyway to make apps ignore the teardrop notch?

Found this on Reddit. Dunno if the user is on XDA. But I'll post this for them anyways. Im interested as well.
https://www.reddit.com/r/oneplus/comments/9wi0sl/6t_anyway_to_make_apps_ignore_the_teardrop_notch/
How to enable FULL immersive mode (no status bar) and not have a black bar as a replacement?
When I had the Essential Phone, I was able to whitelist any app to disregard the existence of the notch and pretend like it wasn't there.
Take a look here: https://youtu.be/NLnMXtxz4f8
And here: https://www.xda-developers.com/essential-phone-force-apps-fill-screen/
I ran an adb script to remove the status bar, but that only places a black bar where the status bar would be.
A modification like what the Essential Phone has would be great since the teardrop notch is so minimal that it should not have any negative impact on FULL SCREEN apps (unlock the pixel 3xl *coughs) .

There's a setting under 'Display', 'App display in fullscreen' where you can choose the apps you want to display full screen.. Is this what you're looking for?

gregwee said:
There's a setting under 'Display', 'App display in fullscreen' where you can choose the apps you want to display full screen.. Is this what you're looking for?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not even close to what I described above .. even with a video included.

lemonspeakers said:
Not even close to what I described above .. even with a video included.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
gregwee said:
There's a setting under 'Display', 'App display in fullscreen' where you can choose the apps you want to display full screen.. Is this what you're looking for?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think that the App display in fullscreen does what the video showed.

harpin14789 said:
I think that the App display in fullscreen does what the video showed.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think you're correct. Only problem is that a lot of apps do not show up in this setting. Youtube and Gmail for one. And it's not just Google apps, either.
Another problem I've ran into when trying to do this is lag/jitter when scrolling when immersive mode is turned on. If I turn immersive mode off and reboot the phone the lag is gone and the phone is buttery smooth. If I turn immersive mode back on, the lag is immediately back. Any ideas why this might be?