Bugs of the Hisense A5

[ploum]

Hello,

I'm using the Hisense A5 for nearly a year. I'm completely sold to the eink phone concept but the device is completely buggy.

1) For several weeks, autofocus on the camera has been broken. It was already the case a few months ago and solved itself. This times, it did not. It means that I'm not even able to scan a QR code.

2) The phone unlock itself randomly. It has done it less frequently since I disabled the "face unlock" but still does it. I've witnessed the phone unlocking for no reason on my desk, without even touching it.

3) Once unlocked in my pocket, it does a lot of strange things. For days, I*now have a white circle on my screen that I*can move but not disable. Other things it does : reordering apps, changing settings like switching to no disturb mode.

4) It regularly disable the light. Which is very impractical when I'm in the dark and need the phone.

5) It doesn't ring for approximately 1 call every 3 or 4. Once again, I've witnessed it on my desk :*the phone didn't ring but the symbol "missed call" immediately appeared.


Do we agree that this is just the "cheap chinese crap" syndrom. Would I*have any more change with a A5*pro or another model?

[Question Mark]

Sorry to hear about the issues which you're having with your A5. As I'm not experiencing those issues, I'm wondering what version of the A5 are you using?

Did you get the unofficial so called "international" version with Google Play Store somewhat enabled? I seem to recall reading others having some issues with that.

If not, have you updated to the latest firmware version? I'm currently on version L1657.6.11.01.00. It last updated in September.

From what I understand, the unofficial "international" version does not receive updates to the firmware.

I mainly just use my A5 as an ereader and an emergency phone. Occasionally I use the camera. So far, it mostly seems to work fine for my needs.

[ploum]

Hi,

Thanks for the answer. I don't have an international version, I*don't have Google Play Store (I*sometimes wish I*had but that's another topic ;-) ) and I'm on the same OS version than you.

I*think that it's because I*really use it as a daily phone all the time, every day. I'm maybe pushing it more to its limits than someone using it as an ereader.

[Markismus]

What you could do is a full system android backup* followed by a factory reset and the updates. Than test whether the problems are resolved. If not restore the backup. Otherwise install your apps piecemeal to see which is causing the problems.

As autofocus is mostly software, you at least know that it worked with that system before, so if the problem persists, you might have to look into physical problems. E.g. scratched lens, condense on lens preventing autofocus.

Of course, you could just say that it is Chinese crap: It justifies you to bin the phone and buy a new one. Consumer power! That is also an approach. To me my Hisense A5 pro cc doesn't seem like crap, not Chinese nor otherwise. However, I've only had it a month, so I don't have any experience with its durability.

__________________
* Google it. It's a standard approach.

[ploum]

Mine is note the pro (it's the A5 first gen). And I must add that problems started to appear gradually after a few months so it "looks" like hardware is crap and software buggy.

But you are right:*I*should first reset it completely to be sure.

[ploum]

I encountered a random tip on the web about autofocus bugs on cheap smartphone. The fix ? Tap the camera with your finger.

And you know what ? It works with my A5.

Problem is that it works only once : each time I want to take a picture, I need to tap the lens.

This seems to confirm the "cheap crappy hardware" hypothesis.

[tracey1]

Where did you purchase your A5 from ?

[underscore]

Originally Posted by ploum

Hello,

I'm using the Hisense A5 for nearly a year. I'm completely sold to the eink phone concept but the device is completely buggy.

1) For several weeks, autofocus on the camera has been broken. It was already the case a few months ago and solved itself. This times, it did not. It means that I'm not even able to scan a QR code.

i found "a better camera" app to be way better focusing than the default app camera on my k1

[StuartJ]

s

Originally Posted by ploum

3) Once unlocked in my pocket, it does a lot of strange things. For days, I*now have a white circle on my screen that I*can move but not disable. [...]

I don't know if the OP still has this problem (or has now given up on the A5!) but in case anyone else hits this issue, I saw it too recently, and found the fix (at least on version L1657.6.10.04.00): Settings > Intelligent Assistance > Floating Navigation > toggle off.

So far I've been happy enough with the A5 as a pocket e-reader that is occasionally useful as a phone, or for email, or a browser, alarm timer etc. It will do until there a really good e-ink phone comes along!