Some ZTE Axon 7 phones in the US now running test version of Android Oreo

So you want an affordable but powerful phone with unmodded Android? “Affordable” means not a Pixel. “Powerful” dismisses Android Ones. And “Unmodded” discounts the likes of Xiaomi. A surprising answer to this question might be the ZTE Axon 7, a phone that is (unfortunately) no longer in production.

Launched in mid-2016 with Marshmallow, the phone is on track to receive Android 8.0 Oreo in April. And better yet, the company is dropping the MiFavor custom ROM to something much closer to stock – in fact, it’s called Stock+.

A test version of Oreo is currently running on some Axon 7 phones in the US. It’s Android 8.0.0 with the January 5 security patch, quite fresh. Here’s a shot of the About screen.

ZTE Axon 7 running Stock+ version of Android 8.0 Oreo

Clearly Stock+ will have some additions to AOSP, but to be fair even Google’s phones do not run AOSP. And ZTE is collaborating with the LineageOS team to help them build version 15 (the one based on Oreo) for the phone.

Anyway, you can probably still find some leftover Axon 7 units - at less than €300 for a QHD AMOLED screen, stereo speakers and Snapdragon 820. But what we really want is a new model. So come on ZTE, bring out the Axon 8.

Here's why iMessage isn't coming to Android anytime soon

iPhone, Android phones, Windows Phones and more plus the best free and paid apps

One of the big rumours going into WWDC 2016 was that Apple might open up iMessage and produce an Android app for it - that didn't happen, although the iOS and macOS Messages apps did get a host of minor tweaks and upgrades.

Now an Apple executive has revealed the reasons why iMessage remains exclusive to the company's devices - and it sounds like you shouldn't be holding your breath for the software to make the leap to other platforms anytime soon.

It's actually no surprise: the unnamed executive told Walt Mossberg at The Verge that keeping iMessage locked to Apple's hardware helps shift more iPhones, iPads and Macs. Porting it to Android would mean one less reason to buy an iPhone 7.

What's 'app-ening?

The source also said that with over a billion active devices to work with, there's plenty of data to dig into to improve the AI underpinning Apple's messaging services. There's no need for Apple to try and expand the number of users beyond that right now.

All of which makes sense for Apple, of course, but it pushes people with iPhones who want to chat to friends on Android (or vice versa) towards alternative, cross-platform solutions like WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger or even Google Hangouts. All of those apps work in a web browser too.

Still, it doesn't seem to have done Apple much harm so far, so the company won't be changing its mind for a long while. If you really want to run some Apple software on your Android device, you're stuck with Apple Music for the time being.

• 7 things Apple didn't announce at WWDC - but we expect to see soon

Here's our take on the 9.7-inch iPad Pro from Apple:

HMD confirms Nokia 6, 5 and 3 will get Android O

The Nokia 6 and friends were sold on the promise that the company will take Android updates seriously. Sticking to that promise, HMD Global has officially confirmed that the 6, 5 and 3 will be updated to Android O. Presumably this extends to other devices that may launch soon.

Google is still tinkering with Android O, it is slated to launch sometime the third quarter of this year. And then it will take some time for HMD to port the new OS over to its phones - the company did not commit to any time frames.

The hope is that the mostly pure implementation of Android that the Nokias use will not present any major challenges in porting. Once on O, Project Treble should make future updates much quicker.

Essential says it’s committed to monthly security updates

If you haven’t yet heard of Essential, it’s a company started by co-creator of Android and Danger, Andy Rubin. [Danger was the OS found on the Danger Hiptop a.k.a T-Mobile Sidekick] Essential promises an unmatched hardware experience along with a clean, pure Android flavor.

Today, in a statement made to Andro Guider Essential has confirmed that it is committed to frequent security updates for the Essential PH-1 with a goal of monthly security updates, just like Pixel devices get directly from Google.

We’re committed to frequent updates an our goal is monthly security updates

Not all smartphone manufacturers are able to keep up with a large portfolio of devices and updating them with Google’s monthly security updates. Smartphones are oftentimes stuck on previous month’s updates or sometimes skip one or more months. Something that will probably never go away on Android because of fragmentation. But that’s another conversation for another day.

Seeing as Essential is mostly stock-Android, there isn’t too much customization that needs to be tested before releasing an update.

The Essential phone is definitely one worth following. Whether or not it will be a huge hit remains to be seen. If Essential can make it into carrier stores in the US, we could be looking at a worthy new contender in the smartphone space.

Google Fi will replace bricked Nexus 5X with Moto X4

Some phones age more gracefully than the Nexus 5X. Later in its lifecycle, reports of Nexus 5Xdevices getting stuck in bootloops began to flood support forums. Many folks with bootlooping LG’s last Nexus phone had to get them replaced or refunded.

The Nexus 5X’s hardware has been well discontinued and refurbished Nexus 5X units are running out. As a result, Project Fi has started offering the Moto X4 as the Nexus 5X’s replacement under Project Fi’s Device Protection.

If you’re covered under Project Fi and your Nexus 5X fails, you can pay a $69 deductible and receive a new Moto X4 as a replacement. The Moto X4 is a great replacement for the Nexus 5X. It has an identical screen (5.2” 1080p) and it runs a Snapdragon 630 CPU, one that is much more efficient than the 5X’s Snapdragon 808 so battery life will definitely be better.

There is also a third more RAM and storage is expandable via microSD card. You’d also enjoy the Moto X4’s superior glass and metal build as well as some dual camera features. Software will be very similar since Project Fi has the Android One version with pure stock Android.

As Android Police reported, Project Fi’s $5 per month protection plan had customers with faulty phones choose from either a $100 Google Store credit or a $53 check – both of which were pathetic considering the customer was left with a fraction of the cost of a new phone.

Moto X Play is now receiving the update to Android 7.1.1 Nougat

The Moto X Play from 2015 is the latest smartphone to be graced with an update to Android Nougat, perhaps surprisingly given its age. Moreover, this model is getting Android 7.1.1, and not 7.0 like most non-Nexus or Pixel devices have so far. That's a good thing too, because one can't have too many bug fixes.

Motorola's official support site already has documentation about this update listed, so the over-the-air rollout should have started by now.

Aside from bringing you a more recent iteration of Google's mobile OS, this release also contains all the security fixes outed so far. Thus after applying the update you will have the May 1, 2017 security patch level.

Thanks for the tip, liu min han!

Xiaomi Redmi 5 Plus review

Introduction

So, no more Redmi Notes eh? The Redmi 5 Plus should clearly have been the Note 5, a successor of the Redmi Note 4, but Xiaomi wanted a fresh start. The fifth generation is trying to shake things up and the new look obviously called for a new name. So, Xiaomi retired the Note brand promoting the Plus from a mere qualifier to a proper name. The phablet lives on regardless, and goes all-in with a wide 6" screen.

'Tis the season of tall screens and Xiaomi is the next maker to go 18:9 in the midrange as well. Both the Redmi 5 and Redmi 5 Plus have wide screens and both build on the predecessor's 5.5" diagonal with 5.7" and 5.99" respectively.

The Redmi 5 Plus may have received a pretty obvious upgrade, but that's nearly all that's new. The 5 Plus keeps the Snapdragon 625 chip and 4,000mAh battery of the Redmi Note 4. The old 5MP selfie camera stays too, while the rear cam now has bigger pixels but smaller aperture.

Xiaomi Redmi 5 Plus specs:

• Body: Metal unibody, 2.5D glass front
• Screen: 5.99" IPS LCD, 1080p (403ppi); Gorilla Glass (undisclosed version)
• Chipset: Snapdragon 625, 8x Cortex-A53@2.0GHz, Adreno 506
• Memory: 3/4GB RAM + 32/64GB storage, Hybrid microSD slot
• Camera: 12MP, f/2.2, PDAF, 1080p video @ 30fps
• Selfie cam: 5 MP, 1080p video @ 30fps
• OS: Android 7.1.2 Nougat, MIUI 9 on top
• Battery: 4,000mAh (non-removable)
• Connectivity: Hybrid Dual Nano-SIM (hybrid microSD slot); LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps support; Wi-Fi g/b/n; Bluetooth 4.1; GPS with GLONASS; FM radio; 3.5mm audio jack; microUSB port
• Misc: Fingerprint reader

We always get excited when a new Redmi checks in and enjoy watching Xiaomi give the competition a good run for its money. By the looks of the new Redmi 5 series, Xiaomi is keen on doing it again.

Xiaomi Redmi 5 Plus Unboxing

The Redmi 5 Plus comes wrapped in an all-red cardboard box. Just as nearly every single Redmi before it, the 5 Plus is bundled with a 10W charger (5V/2A) and a microUSB cable. Xiaomi also provides a transparent rubber case, but we almost missed it as it was packed with the quick start guides, which no one cares about, right?

Design

It seems Xiaomi didn't make itself quite a favor last year with the Helio-powered Redmi Note 4. An all-metal unibody and diamond-cut antenna ducts looked cool. Maybe even too cool for the global Snapdragon-powered version, which felt almost like a downgrade when it was released. Both of them pretty much reused the Redmi Note 3 design and that wasn't such a bad thing back then. However, recycling it yet again for the Redmi 5 Plus is too much perhaps.

Here is an all-around view of the Redmi 5 Plus.Perhaps, Xiaomi didn't go for a complete re-design because the widescreen gave it enough of a new look and feel. Below the noticeably bigger screen, the capacitive keys are gone for good. The subtle 2.5D effect on the front glass is still there but not too prominent.

Flip the Redmi 5 Plus and you'll find a virtually identical back with the Redmi Note 4. The top and bottom antenna inlays are made of plastic, while the centerpiece is all metal as is the camera rim. If it weren't for the difference is size, the Note 4 and 5 Plus would have been impossible to tell apart.

Now take a look at the Redmi Note 4. The Redmi 5 Plus is 7mm taller than the Redmi Note 4 and weighs 180g (15g heavier).

The good news is it's really hard to tell the plastic bits of the Redmi 5 Plus, but Xiaomi could have done a better job at matching the paint with the rest of the body.

There are no surprises on the Redmi 5 Plus, new screen or not. The hybrid card slot lets you choose between a second SIM or a microSD, while the top of the 5 Plus has the good ol' audio jack and the fan-favorite IR blaster.

   
Xiaomi Redmi 5 Plus

Over at the bottom, the single speaker and the primary mic are behind symmetrical micro-drilled grilles.

  
Xiaomi Redmi 5 Plus

Display

Xiaomi has equipped the Redmi 5 Plus with a trending 6" display of 1,080 x 2,160px resolution. The Redmis are the next midrange series to adopt the 18:9 wide aspect ratio. The tall screen is the single most important change on the 5 Plus feature list, so let's see if it really make for a solid upgrade.

Stretching the 1080p resolution across a 6" display doesn't hurt the Redmi 5 Plus, which still keeps a respectable 403ppi. We enjoyed sharp images and no pixelization whatsoever.

Xiaomi promises 1000:1 contrast and a maximum brightness of 450 nits. In our tests it surpassed both promises with a maximum brightness north of 500 nits and an excellent contrast at 1431:1. The black levels are quote deep too.

When we set the brightness at auto, the screen went as high as 555 nits at the expense of some contrast.

Display test	100% brightness
	Black, cd/m2	White, cd/m2	Contrast ratio
Xiaomi Redmi 5 Plus	0.355	508	1431
Xiaomi Redmi 5 Plus (Max Auto)	0.548	555	1013
Xiaomi Redmi Note 4 (S625)	0.322	484	1503
Xiaomi Redmi Note 3 (MediaTek)	0.42	403	953
vivo V7+	0.289	515	1782
Oppo F5	0.192	422	2198
Oppo F5 (Max Auto)	0.214	462	2159
LG Q6	0.288	510	1771
Huawei Mate 10 Lite	0.257	476	1852
Xiaomi Mi A1	0.351	551	1570

The sunlight legibility is not among the best we've seen, but it's a reasonably good score for the price bracket. If you don't mind some washed-out colors and loss of contrast the screen should remain readable when you're out and about on a bright sunny day.

MIUI 9 and Android Nougat

The Redmi 5 Plus runs on Xiaomi's own MIUI 9 - a neat launcher based on the latest Android Nougat version - 7.1.2. While MIUI is one of the most popular launchers with great support, it's been somewhat behind the competition when it comes to the latest Android adoption.

MIUI has been known for its clean interface, but looks are deceiving as it also offers a ton of customization options and advanced system tools at your disposal if you dig in.

MIUI 9 builds on v. 8 with multi-window support, quick replies for notifications, smart app launcher, smart assistance, and smart image search. Yes, there is a lot of "smart" with MIUI 9 and it's possible thanks to the new machine learning process. There are tons of improvements under the hood, too, such as better RAM management, faster performance, lighter on resources, and improved doze mode.

The novelties aside, it's MIUI however you look at it - every shortcut, plus widgets of your choosing, are dropped on the homescreen. You get a docked menu for the most commonly used apps, of course. The notification drawer comes from the top and has the quick toggles, as usual.

There is a Quick Card pane, the leftmost one. It's quite similar to Today's page in iOS. It contains different cards with relevant information - recent apps, step counter, notes, calendar events, the weather, and favorites, among others. You can configure what shows up here, or you can disable this altogether.

   
Lockscreen • Home • notification • quick card

The app switcher feels like it came out of iOS - apps are represented by appropriate thumbnails in the same manner, but there is an additional key for the Split Screen mode. MIUI 9 adds native support for multi-tasking via the new Split Screen feature. It allows you to launch two apps side-by-side. All native apps support it and, luckily, all third-party apps with support for any kind of split screen mode work flawlessly on MIUI 9 side-by-side view.

  
App switch • multi-window

Themes are fully supported, and several are available out of the box. You can download more and change your wallpapers, lockscreen style, system icons, font, and sounds.

    
Themes

MIUI v9 also offers a Security app. It can scan your phone for malware, manage your blacklist, manage or restrict your data usage, configure battery behavior, and free up some RAM. It can also manage the permissions of your installed apps, and allows you to define the battery behavior of selected apps and applies restrictions only to the apps you choose.

    
Security app • Cleaner • Battery management • Managing a single app • Battery Saver

MIUI also offers proprietary Gallery, Music, and Video player. If you are running on a Chinese ROM, then the Music and Video app will also allow access to local (paid) streaming services.

   
Multimedia

Benchmarks and performance

Xiaomi Redmi 5 Plus is powered by the Snapdragon 625 SoC - the same in charge of the Redmi Note 4. Other companies have already switched to the Snapdragon 630 with newer and more powerful GPU, but Xiaomi is sticking to the previous generation for some reason.

The Snapdragon 625 is pretty familiar as it was the most popular SoC for mid-rangers throughout 2017. It has an octa-core Cortex-A53 processor and Adreno 506 graphics. Just like the Redmi Note 4, the 5 Plus may come with either 3 or 4 GB of RAM, depending on the integrated storage (32 or 64 GB).

As usual, we ran Geekbench to see how the 8xA53 processor does. Not that we didn't already knew by the whole bunch of phones we've tested to date. And the Redmi 5 Plus didn't bring any surprises, for better or worse. Its processor is as fast and as capable as the rest of the competition.