Hi! I’m looking for a privacy respecting Android tablet.
I ruled out the google tablet due to it being too expensive with an LCD screen
I would prefer a nice OLED screen if possible (or similar), and preferably cheap. Must be able to stream HEVC encoded videos (not 10 years old hardware), and preferably more (VP9, AV1, for future proofing)
The main use will be to watch content (movies, series, videos) from YouTube and Jellyfin, and sometimes some other apps if they’re not enforcing the Play Integrity API
So far I’ve searched some OS and I’m considering LineageOS or /e/OS, with /e/OS looking better in terms of privacy. Don’t want google to track everywhere I go and everything I do.
Any recommendations for good cheap hardware with bootloader unlocking, and recommendations for a good Android ROM?
I’m getting on very well with the Samsung Galaxy Tab A7, on which I run LineageOS; although a later model or something from the S-series may be more performant. I wrote this blog post about it.
I love LineageOS, but on this machine the bootloader cannot be re-locked and there will probably be someone about to reply to this comment explaining why LineageOS is insecure or whatever. Also, Samsung devices require that you have a Windows PC in order to flash ROMs, as you have to use Odin instead of
fastboot.Also, it’s worth noting that, while /e/ is slightly superior from a privacy perspective, it is potentially less secure, as it sometimes takes months for the team to apply patches from upstream. Lineage, meanwhile, only takes a few days or weeks.
I am also running Lineage on Tab 7, but iirc, I flashed it using Linux only.
Edit - i just checked and yes it does require Odin. I don’t remember using windows for this. Does it work using wine?
You might have used Heimdall, https://github.com/Benjamin-Dobell/Heimdall, the open source Odin alternative 😉.
It possibly does work under Wine, but I didn’t want to risk soft-bricking my tablet (which happened anyway, but that was because I didn’t let the download finish before flashing).
How do you do with Play Services? Did you install the proprietary stuff or installed MicroG (or just don’t run GPServices at all)? is it easy?
I was also worried a bit about the updates. They seem to take time and most of the stuff is community releases only. Coming from GrapheneOS, so that shocks me a bit
I used to use MicroG, which was quite easy, but I don’t actually have any Play Services implementation installed nowadays. I use my phone for GPS and things that would require it, so I just keep my tablet clean.
A cheaper option is the Galaxy Tab 5e, a mid-range tablet from 2019. It has a very nice 1600p Super AMOLED panel and it is supported by both LineageOS and iodéOS. I own one myself and it can do HEVC fine, but I’m not sure about those other codecs as I haven’t tried them. I don’t know what the availability is like where you’re from, but here in Australia they are very easy to pick up secondhand in great condition for ~AU$200 which I think is a great price considering the quality of the display and their ongoing monthly updates.
Still using my old trusty Galaxy Tab S 5e but batteryis showing its age. Thinking of Tab S9 which has unofficial LineageOS at XDA, modern CPU and OLED. Cannot find anything else to replace S5e. Most new tablets eithet too big or LCD.
I was considering it but was afraid it would be slow
Does it still seem okay?
For video playback it’s more than fast enough. I don’t have any stutters or hangs in the UI either, iodéOS is a lot lighter than the One UI version it came with. To be honest, aside from the 60Hz refresh rate, I can’t really tell that it’s a 6-year-old tablet. It is very thin, even by today’s standards, which makes it feel quite modern.
If you wanted to use it for gaming I’m sure you would run into issues, but I’m guessing you’re like me and just want it for watching stuff on.
alright, thanks for the recommendation
iodéOS
How does it compare to /e/OS?
iodéOS is a fork of LineageOS, so visually it’s very similar. I’ve never used /e/OS, but from my understanding its UI tries to mimic iOS so it is quite different in that regard.
/e/OS is also a fork of LineageOS
GrapheneOS is the best for privacy imo. They only support Pixel Tablet (tangorpro) but I’ve ruled out google so ur going to have to use a different os which will be less secure.
Considering your use case u might be able to get a standalone display and put it in a custom 3d printed case with a raspberry pi and battery. I believe their are some similar projects online that are worth checking out.
U will struggle to find something cheap with an oled as its often used as a price differentiator for “premium” products.
I care a bit less about security, no one will have direct access to the hardware except me, and there won’t be anything sensitive on it. Security updates are still important because… it would be nice not to get the entire OS fucked and joining a botnet
I don’t want to bother too much, and yea sadly I don’t care much about OS features as long as I can flash some custom OS or something. Even AOSP might do the trick because I probably won’t install proprietary stuff. Why can’t manufacturers sell tablets with a good screen and speaker, without cameras or annoying useless BS?
Considering your use case u might be able to get a standalone display and put it in a custom 3d printed case with a raspberry pi and battery. I believe their are some similar projects online that are worth checking out.
Seems interesting if well made but I would probably prefer some Android device
I haven’t tried it myself but GrapheneOS supports the Pixel Tablet, so that might be an option! Not sure if the hardware meets your needs but it should be top notch regarding security and privacy!
I ruled out the google tablet due to it being too expensive with an LCD screen
I didn’t want it, but after looking at the market, I realize it’s not that bad for the price range and for my requirements. It might sadly be the only final answer
I’m also considering the Xiaomi Pad 5 with /e/OS
