The ability to install different versions of Android on most devices is one of the things that makes the Google-owned platform the best mobile operating system there is.
The vast choice of smartphones to buy at various price points is another selling point of the OS. But with such a huge database comes a major problem – choosing a device with the best combination of hardware and software.
If you are not so careful, you can easily end up with a smartphone with terrific hardware, but the software is something else that you definitely weren’t looking forward to.
This has often been the case with lots of Chinese smartphones. But with what Android offers, you can get rid of the unwanted software and install the Android version of your choice. The most popular one, if you didn’t know, is LineageOS (formerly CyanogenMod).
The official LineageOS 17.1 based on Android 10 hasn’t arrived yet, but it should in the coming weeks or months depending on which device you have. When it arrives, those on the OnePlus 7 Pro/6/6T, LG V20/G5, Xiaomi Mi MIX 2S, and Sony Xperia XA2/Ultra will get it first.
But until then, the unofficial LineageOS 17.1 is already available for several devices, among them Xiaomi Mi A1, Samsung Galaxy J7 2017, and Xperia Z5 Premium; Redmi K20/Mi 9T; Xperia 10 and 10 Plus; Poco F1, Pixel 2 XL, and Redmi 5A.
Joining the list are Asus ZenFone Max Pro M1 and Sony Xperia Z5 Compact. Sure, the ZenFone Max Pro M1 Android 10 update is already confirmed. Matter of fact, beta testing is currently ongoing, but it’s still unknown when the stable version will arrive.
LineageOS 17.1 is your opportunity for an early dive into the upcoming ZenFone Max Pro M1 Android 10 update, although there will definitely be some differences in the overall experience. This is because LOS is near-stock with customizable extras meant to make your device even more powerful.
As for the Xperia Z5 Compact, the device is getting a fresh breath of air with Android 10. Sony no longer supports the Z5 series, which makes this one of the only alternatives to go past the official Android Nougat that was pushed as the second major OS upgrade a while back.
If interested in trying the unofficial ZenFone Max Pro M1 Android 10 update, check out this XDA thread for the download packages and installation guide. The same for the Xperia Z5 Compact can be found here.
Happy flashing!
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Hillary Keverenge
2097 Posts
Tech has been my playground for over a decade. While the Android journey began early, it truly took flight with the revolutionary Lollipop update. Since then, it's been a parade of Android devices (with a sprinkle of iOS), culminating in a mostly happy marriage with Google's smart home ecosystem. Expect insightful articles and explorations of the ever-evolving world of Android and Google products coupled with occasional rants on the Nest smart home ecosystem.
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