XA2: Looking for arguments for sticking with Sailfish OS

asked 2019-03-02 23:21:59 +0200

Jonathan
121 ●3 ●3 ●5

updated 2019-03-03 15:43:46 +0200

Dear all,

I wanted to get a google-free Smartphone with Long Term Support.

This is what I did: Bought a refurbed XA2, payed € 29,99 to Jolla Ltd. and installed Sailfish 3.

This is what I got:

• Opened the browser, started a search, was welcomed by a Google Logo ... ?!?!? ... After a research I learned, that there is an app named "Storeman" (not supported by Jolla, not preinstalled) where I can add a repository of a user called "coderus" (not affiliated with Jolla) which installs a few more search engines ... Wow, this is tough. [Edit: I wasn't clear at this point. Sure I do know where to find settings for search engines. My concern was the limited choice of alternatives like Bing & Co. I'm preferring qwant.com)

• When being called or when starting a call the screen gets blank and I'm not able to switch it on until the call is ended. Wow ... I thought calling is sort of a basic function which should work without hassles when paying for a smartphone OS which is almost solely build for the model I bought.

• When returning home from outside the Wifi is not re-connecting. I have to switch wifi off an on again. This is not acceptable ... and once again sort of a basic function.

• When opening the calendar half of the screen is cluttered with numbers and there is no way to change this "month view". Other calendar apps seems to be non-existent.

• App navigation is sometimes weird. For example, when a video is opened by an app it's pretty hard to go back to the app - since you will be navigated to the gallery(!) which you have to exit, go back to the home screen and start the first app again.

• The "pull gestures" ("pull down to have more options") seems to be a clever way of hiding menu buttons, but I found it rather fiddling to move my fingers exactly in the right distance to highlight the correct item. Nearly every time I'm thinking: "Couldn't there be some buttons to click on? Would be so easy ...")

• for the advertised Android Layer I'm asked to use "aptoide" - a store where I will get unauthorized copies of outdated APKs uploaded by unknown people not affiliated with the owners of the apps. However, installing F-Droid was easy.

• The only Android app I'm really in the need of - Wire from wire.com - keeps crashing after startup. No workaround found, therefore unusable.

• BLE (Bluetooth Low Energy) is not working. What a pity, I would love to connect a Mi-Band 3. Well I could buy an old Pebble time, stick with Bluetooth, an use Rockpool. But I'm not sure if this is what I want.

Ok, folks, now here comes my question:

I really do like Sailfish OS as an google free alternative to mainstream, and I do like this community. But there are so many deal-breaker (see above) that it's pretty hard to keep lovin' u ...

Now there is Lineage OS 16 out and you know what: Our beloved Sony Xperia XA2 is officially supported from start on.

I would love to stick with Sailfish but I need arguments which weights more than the deal-breaker from above.

One argument could be: "Listen, Jonathan, if you really want Long Term Support, stick with Sailfish for Jolla Ltd will support exactly your phone for the next five years and will provide monthly security patches. You will have to pay for this tremendous support, but I'm assuming this is ok for you. This way you will not be dependent on Googles AOSP and some single developers which only by chance happens to have your phone model and presumably won't support it in two years anymore."

Please, give me this and more arguments. Otherwise I would have to say good bye.

Looking forward,

Jonathan