SAS
Member
- Joined
 - Jan 10, 2019
 
- Messages
 - 90
 
After discovering that PinePhone with hardware keyboard is not my solution for 'always on, always connected device with hardware keyboard' - and not expecting to get  
 in 2 Months TM  
 - the quest for successor of Blackberry Priv continues.
The main reasons I am considering upgrade from the Priv are:
* dual-language glitches - my main inconvenience with the Priv is that there is no system support for the second language layout for the hardware keyboard I am using besides English. And third-party solutions like AnySoft unfortunately do not have time-saving 'extras' like auto-completion.
* no root - and I don't feel like I am in control over my device. What I am missing most is TitaniumBackup.
* cramped keyboard - although any hardware keyboard is better than no-hw-kbd
 - the one on the Priv has relatively small keys with minimal travel distance. Being a portrait slider - there is no space for arrow keys or dedicated numbers row. And being Blackberry - the keys are squar-ish, with no distance between them - so unlike Treo 680  (or Blackberry Bold 9000 from the days of old) - I still cannot type without looking at the device. 
* lack of fingerprint sensor.
* lack of wireless charging - finding STV100-1 (US version) Priv in Europe was quite difficult - so I ended with STV100-4 that lacks Qi charging.
I will probably stick with Android (official, as long as there is root, or fork like Lineage), because of the variety of options - starting with browsers and going on with text editors / e-book readers / camera apps / etc. But having Linux compatibility will be an appreciated extra.
So I am considering two devices - Planet Computers Astro Slide 5G (AS_5G) and F(x)tec Pro1 X (Fx_Pro1X). Here is a quick comparison of their specifications (couldn't find anything similar):
What I like about the AS_5G:
* keyboard design;
* Qi charging;
* stylus-support - details needed;
* Psion-spirit;
* feels closer to being ready to ship.
What I like about the Fx_Pro1X:
* size - more compact;
* number of keys;
* more 'root-rooted' / xda-spirit.
There are 'horror stories' both for Fx1 Pro and Gemini / Cosmo - but both companies deliver. Currently, the communication from Planet Computers feels more straight-forward and it seems like they will ship sooner - probably even this month.
I am leaning toward the AS_5G because of the Qi charging, the keys design and possible stylus support - that will make it 'almost perfect'. Only if the number of keys ...
Do you have any opinion? Am I missing something? Recommendations? Remarks :- ?)
Thanks!
				
			
 in 2 Months TM  The main reasons I am considering upgrade from the Priv are:
* dual-language glitches - my main inconvenience with the Priv is that there is no system support for the second language layout for the hardware keyboard I am using besides English. And third-party solutions like AnySoft unfortunately do not have time-saving 'extras' like auto-completion.
* no root - and I don't feel like I am in control over my device. What I am missing most is TitaniumBackup.
* cramped keyboard - although any hardware keyboard is better than no-hw-kbd
* lack of fingerprint sensor.
* lack of wireless charging - finding STV100-1 (US version) Priv in Europe was quite difficult - so I ended with STV100-4 that lacks Qi charging.
I will probably stick with Android (official, as long as there is root, or fork like Lineage), because of the variety of options - starting with browsers and going on with text editors / e-book readers / camera apps / etc. But having Linux compatibility will be an appreciated extra.
So I am considering two devices - Planet Computers Astro Slide 5G (AS_5G) and F(x)tec Pro1 X (Fx_Pro1X). Here is a quick comparison of their specifications (couldn't find anything similar):
| AS_5G | Fx_Pro1X | |
| CPU | 8-core MediaTek Dimensity 800 processor (4 x 2.6GHz A76\4 x 2GHz A55 cores, MT6873 SoC | Qualcomm Snapdragon 662 | 
| kbd | 5-row; 53-key | 5-row, 64-key | 
| screen size | 6.4" | 6" | 
| screen resolution | 2340x1080 | 2160 x 1080 | 
| weight | 325 g | 243 g | 
| dimensions | 172.4 x 76.5 x 18.7mm | 154 x 73.6 x 13.98 mm | 
| RAM | 8 GB | 6 / 8 GB | 
| built-in storage | 128 GB | 128 GB | 
| mSD | yes | up to 2 TB | 
| bluetooth | 5.1 | 5.1 + LE | 
| USB C | USB type C * 2 | USB Type-C with HDMI support | 
| wireless charging | yes | no | 
| battery | 4000 mAh | 3200 mAh | 
| GPU | ? ARM Mali-G57 GP | Qualcomm Adreno 610 | 
| 5G | yes | no | 
| 3.5 mm | yes | yes | 
| FingerPrint | yes | yes | 
| NFC | yes | yes | 
What I like about the AS_5G:
* keyboard design;
* Qi charging;
* stylus-support - details needed;
* Psion-spirit;
* feels closer to being ready to ship.
What I like about the Fx_Pro1X:
* size - more compact;
* number of keys;
* more 'root-rooted' / xda-spirit.
There are 'horror stories' both for Fx1 Pro and Gemini / Cosmo - but both companies deliver. Currently, the communication from Planet Computers feels more straight-forward and it seems like they will ship sooner - probably even this month.
I am leaning toward the AS_5G because of the Qi charging, the keys design and possible stylus support - that will make it 'almost perfect'. Only if the number of keys ...
Do you have any opinion? Am I missing something? Recommendations? Remarks :- ?)
Thanks!
	