Huawei Y550 out in uk, 4G LTE, 64bit Snapdragon 410, £44.99 on PAYG

[Guest]

 

Hi guys, not many people seem to be aware that the Y550 is out.

 

Android 4.4.4 on Linux kernel 3.10.28

Qualcomm Snapdragon 410 (MSM8916), 1.2ghz Quad core Cortex A53 (64bit and 28nm)

Adreno 306 GPU (opengl es 3.0, open cl 1.1e embedded profile, open vg 1.1, RenderScript, DirectX 9.3)

4G LTE Cat4 support (150Mbps)

HSPA 42.2Mbps support

GPS/A-GPS/Glonass

Bluetooth 4.0

4.5" 480x854 screen

1GB Ram

4GB Rom

Micro SD slot

5mp rear camera (720p recording) + LED flash

1080p h264 playback, 720p h265 playback

2mp front camera

Micro-sim slot (not regular sim or nano sim)

Led notification for texts etc

Accelerometer, Proximity sensor, Ambient light sensor, Digital compass

2000 mah battery

Huawei's own User Interface - EMUI 2.3 (surprisingly decent except for their keyboard which can be replaced with google keyboard if you download it from the play store)

 

Here are the full specs: http://consumer.huawei.com/en/support/products/technicalspecs/ascend-y550.htm + http://www.gsmarena.com/huawei_ascend_y550-6676.php

 

Here is info about the price deal: http://www.hotukdeals.com/deals/huawei-ascend-y550-4g-smartphone-payg-44-99-o2-free-delivery-2135152

 

The only minor annoyance is that the touch buttons aren't illuminated which is a little annoying using it in the dark. Build quality is excellent.

 

You can uninstall games but you don't seem to be able to remove huawei's own apps or google's own apps that are pre-installed, at least not without using seperate apps to uninstall them.

 

1.25GB ish is available when you first run it, less once you have updated all the apps on the app store.

 

DOWNLOADS:

 

Huawei HiSuite (this application lets you sync files to your pc, it also installers drivers which will allow you to unlock your bootloader): http://consumer.huawei.com/en/support/downloads/detail/index.htm?id=16205

Root (superuser): http://download.clockworkmod.com/superuser/superuser.zip

TWRP v2.8.7.0: https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B5KRmU8P96dlX3RnNHAzaXM0c1U/view?usp=sharing

Bootloader unlock request information:

Email [email protected] or [email protected] with the following details:

Mobile Model: Y550-L01
IMEI: 
Serial: 
Email: 

 

Gapps STOCK for android 4.4.4 (422mb) (2015-03-08): http://downloadandroidfiles.org/Files/Gapps/KitKat/Android%204.4.X/pa_gapps-stock-4.4.4-20150308-signed.zip

Gapps MICRO for android 4.4.4 (189mb) (2015-03-08): http://downloadandroidfiles.org/Files/Gapps/KitKat/Android%204.4.X/pa_gapps-modular-micro-4.4.4-20150308-signed.zip

Comparison chart between MICRO and STOCK: http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_fgPH-TBdZM/VTFfaMwlN7I/AAAAAAAAIjs/WvFEbXOYHNM/s1600/pa_gapps_comparison_chart.png

Cyanogenmod 11 (2015-05-30) [Hecaex's build] (240mb), wifi uses a random MAC address and the flash doesn't work when taking photos, does work with torch though, everything else works we think: https://drive.google.com/file/d/0Bx97AhConuqEOVZFYWVEc2RYck0/view?usp=sharing

Stock recovery rom (Install through fastboot - "fastboot flash recovery recovery_y550.img"): http://www.filedropper.com/recoveryy550

 

FLASHING INSTRUCTIONS (to be done in this order):

 

Unlocking bootloader instructions:

switch device off
boot into fastboot mode "volume down and power"
connect by usb to your PC
wait for drivers to install (just install the huawei app to get the drivers)
download and install ADB toolkit from google (or Android SDK Slim here: http://www.mirrorcreator.com/files/1V2VAOLB/AndroidSDKSlim.zip_links)
open the directory adb toolkit is in, shift and right click and select open command window
type in... "fastboot oem unlock 1234567812345678" where the number is your unlock code
Your bootloader will now be unlocked.

Flashing TWRP instructions:

 

1. Download the TWRP Image file
2. Place the image file in the same directory as fastboot.exe from the previous step
3. Connect phone in fastboot mode (up+power)
4) Check compatibility by booting only initially using this command: 

"fastboot boot TWRP_y550_20150130.img"

if it boots correctly restart the phone and go back into fastboot mode and run in the dos window this command:

"fastboot flash recovery TWRP_y550_20150130.img"

Rooting instructions:

 

1. copy superuser.zip to your SD card. 
2. Boot into TWRP (Volume up and power key)
3. install the superuser.zip

 

Install CM11 & Gapps:

 

1. boot in to TWRP with up+power.

2. choose "wipe" then "advanced wipe", select all checkboxes except external sd and usb otg then swipe right to wipe it.

3. install the cyanogenmodrom zip file.

4. install the gapps zip file.

5. restart.

 

Here is a video of someone installing CM11 on this phone: 

 

 

Huawei has not released the source code for this phone yet.

 

Please can a moderator create a separate forum for the Huawei Y550, thanks :)

Edited August 21, 2015 by Guest

[Guest luca020400]

If you give me system dump I can create cwm and twrp

[Guest]

If you give me system dump I can create cwm and twrp

do you have a link to show me how to do this?

[Guest luca020400]

Is there any update.app online ?

[Guest]

apparently here is a european firmware: http://www.android-hilfe.de/huawei-allgemein/622669-firmware-y550-l01-b239sp01-west-europe.html

 

my uk phone build number ends in SP02 not SP01 btw.

Edited November 29, 2014 by Guest

[Guest spanitzer]

Antutu Benchmark Result please?

Edited November 29, 2014 by spanitzer

[Guest]

benchmarks:

 

I get 20484 for antutu on my specific phone.

Edited November 29, 2014 by Guest

[Guest spanitzer]

Thanks.

I edit my post

[Guest H3ROS]

I like that this is Android 4.4 (.4?), but that's all that I like. It's resolution is too low and it's got the EmotionUI that I hate with a passion to the point where I now only buy stock Android devices. I know that Huawei probably won't ever update it to Android 5.0 either because it's one of their budget phones. They would sooner release a new phone so that you'd have to buy another.

 

Having worked with the Y300/G510 I'd much sooner buy a Moto G (LTE) or Moto G 2014 because they'll actually receive worthwhile Android updates. They both have far better screens than this too.

 

http://www.cnet.com/products/huawei-ascend-y550/

http://www.techradar.com/reviews/phones/mobile-phones/huawei-ascend-y550-1263336/review

http://www.coolsmartphone.com/2014/11/12/huawei-ascend-y550-review/

 

Edit: I forgot to mention that Huawei have poor kernel support. If they release ROM updates that include fixes to the kernel then they either won't post the kernel fixes or it'll take months for the download to show up. In comparison Motorola has their kernels uploaded to github :)

Edited November 29, 2014 by H3ROS

[Guest]

the screens on the motorola's are indeed higher resolution but the cpu on this is excellent. The cost of this phone is wayyyy less than the moto g 2014, can't really compare them. If we can get a cyanogenmod rom then this will be much better due to a better UI and more free space as huawei's apps wouldn't be taking up space. P.S yes this phone has android 4.4.4 not 4.4.2.

[Guest H3ROS]

the screens on the motorola's are indeed higher resolution but the cpu on this is excellent. The cost of this phone is wayyyy less than the moto g 2014, can't really compare them. If we can get a cyanogenmod rom then this will be much better due to a better UI and more free space as huawei's apps wouldn't be taking up space. P.S yes this phone has android 4.4.4 not 4.4.2.

 

The CPU on the Moto G also isn't bad though and Motorola optimizes their ROM's, which is something that Huawei doesn't do. Huawei just takes existing versions of Android from their more expensive devices and makes them run on the hardware. That's why their framework is scattered with unused code and changes that make no sense. ROM's can also contain files that aren't even designed for the device you're using. It's as if they've paid someone very little money and told them to just "make it work".

 

This is a temporary deal. Here's the normal price...

 

http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Product/partNumber/3300714.htm

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Huawei-Ascend-Y550-SIM-Free-Smartphone/sim/B00NGJHKZK/2

http://www.pixmania.co.uk/smartphones/huawei-huawei-ascend-y550-android-phone-gsm-umts-4g-lte-4-gb-4-5-ips-black/22305905-a.html

 

You can get a Moto G 4G for £125-129. So it's not a huge difference when the deals not running.

 

If you can get the Y550 for £29.95 via the CPW upgrade and have it tied to a network (needs an unlock, right?) then as long as you don't mind the low PPI and the changes Huawei has made to the UI then you might like it. But if you want a great looking screen, stock Android, kernel support and to be able to receive worthwhile Android updates then you'll hate the Y550.

Edited November 29, 2014 by H3ROS

[Guest spanitzer]

The Huawei Ascend G620s is the same Phone but a little bit better.

5" HD 720p Screen

8MP Camera

1GB RAM

Snapdragon 410

[Guest mshaw213]

The normal CPW upgrade price for the Y550 is only £49.95, and it definitely isn't locked to any specific network.

Would installing Nova launcher solve most of the UI issues? I'd want to see one working to see how the screen looked before buying one. But at that price, and with the awareness of the software issues H3ROS has already mentioned it might be tempting as a really cheap phone.

[Guest]

The normal CPW upgrade price for the Y550 is only £49.95, and it definitely isn't locked to any specific network.

Would installing Nova launcher solve most of the UI issues? I'd want to see one working to see how the screen looked before buying one. But at that price, and with the awareness of the software issues H3ROS has already mentioned it might be tempting as a really cheap phone.

there are video reviews on youtube showing the phone in use. The user interface isn't too bad, the settings app, looks poor from a visual perspective but it pretty much stock in terms of functionality. The only bad thing is their keyboard but i downloaded google keyboard from the play store, works perfectly in all apps and after reboots. I'm very happy with the phone it is fast, has 4g so i can use my 100MB 4g free data per month for life sim that i got for £5. There's enough room for all my apps, if this could be rooted we could install apps to an sd card too. I'm sure someone will make a CM rom within the next few months then we can have a nice stock UI for everything, no huawei apps and not be forced to have so many google apps pre-installed as i don't use many of them.

 

Google doesn't have a "google dialer/contacts" app on play store, would prefer the android stock one.

Edited November 29, 2014 by Guest

[Guest luca020400]

Can you unlock the boot loader ?

[Guest]

Can you unlock the boot loader ?

I think all huawei phones can have their bootloaders unlocked by contacting huawei via email i believe?

[Guest luca020400]

I hope this too

Our y300 can be unlocked directly compiling an online form

Just send an email to huawei with needed infos and hope they will answer ( usually it takes 1 or 2 weeks )

Email infos :

Device name

S/N number (written on the label under the battery)

IMEI (Settings -> About phone -> Status)

Product ID (on your phone dial *#*#1357946#*#*)

Edited November 30, 2014 by luca020400

[Guest H3ROS]

Would installing Nova launcher solve most of the UI issues? I'd want to see one working to see how the screen looked before buying one. But at that price, and with the awareness of the software issues H3ROS has already mentioned it might be tempting as a really cheap phone.

 

The lock screen will probably be different, the notification menu etc. Basically the whole system UI isn't the same as stock Android.

 

http://www.coolsmartphone.com/2014/11/12/huawei-ascend-y550-review/

[Guest xals1997]

You can buy huawei g620s. Very similar specs, and there are some devs that have ported roms like cm11 or moke.

 

But, after my Huawei experience with Y300... I am not going to buy another huawei phone XD.

 

http://www.gsmarena.com/huawei_ascend_g620s-6677.php

Edited November 30, 2014 by xals1997

[Guest luca020400]

The G630 too . Great phone like moto g

I and eloygomez are working on it

[Guest davef7]

Guys what do you think about Honor 6?? Seems a realy great phone for the price (on amazon.it the price is 299 €). But the cpu is Hisilicon Kirin 920, that seems have great performance like the snapdragon 800/801 (it is true??) 

And for the future (when huawei abandon it, like always), modding is possible on this specs hardware or is a close source? I don't understand anything about this, therefore i ask to you.

 

Ah, the Honor 6 have also 3gb of ram...O_O

 

Probably i'm in offtopic, sorry :)

[Guest spanitzer]

Buy a OnePlus One

[Guest davef7]

Buy a OnePlus One

It's too big, with a not good assistance, and you can buy it only with stupid invitations. I prefer Nexus 5, but this Honor 6 has stimulated my curiosity for the better camera, better battery and the 3gb of ram.

[Guest spanitzer]

Okay.

And Xiaomi MI3?

[Guest davef7]

Yes is a good smartphone and also mi4 the only stupid thing is that they don't support LTE, but it's not a real problem. But this is not the point, I have asked for this CPU kirin 920, maybe someone know it, because I wanna know if is really good like huawei says, and if is possible modding with this CPU. Only curiosity for future, I know there is other valid smartphone for this price...