I will soon be buying an Xperia Play. I have some noob questions. What is the best model to purchase and why? If I upgrade the OS to Ice Cream Sandwich, would I still have the built in games and Playstation Suite? What be the best way to root and overclock the phone with Ice Cream Sandwich (Preferably 1.6 GHZ)? Once again I am a noob so please don't bite my head off.
Depends on your carrier for one if u want to play Gamez stay on gingerbread ICS and jb the games lag a lot I'm on jb gta3 lags bad I have a r800x CDMA with built in gamepad which works great for emulated games And other games I am also on Verizon network too if you get the r800x like I have use super one click on 2.3.3 (I stayed on 2.3.3 awhile a lot of ROMs And mods if you went to get In to that stuff
Unlocked using turbo jb kernel on slimbean
The Essential Starter's guide.
Nanosuituser059 said:
I will soon be buying an Xperia Play. I have some noob questions. What is the best model to purchase and why? If I upgrade the OS to Ice Cream Sandwich, would I still have the built in games and Playstation Suite? What be the best way to root and overclock the phone with Ice Cream Sandwich (Preferably 1.6 GHZ)? Once again I am a noob so please don't bite my head off.
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Click to collapse
Hi there. I'm six months in with the GSM AT&T r800at model. (Xperia Play 4G) I'll give you what I know.
Flashtool and SuperOneClick are your best friends. Both offer the ability to root. Flashtool has only rooted me twice with success, so where it failed, SuperOneClick saved me. SuperOneClick will also find and install missing drivers that you'll probably end up needing for Flashtool later. These are the essential software tools you'll need for any situation with your new Xperia Play.
When you're looking to flash firmware or "*.ftf" files, (usually in Flashtool) in order to boot into flashmode, press and hold the back button while the phone is off as you plug in a usb cable.
If you're waiting around before unlocking your bootloader, you can still install a number of Roms on the locked bootloader. What you'll need to accomplish this is X-Parts, your essential tool for CWM (or as close as you can get) on a locked bootloader. My favorite Rom that worked on a locked bootloader was Gin2Jellybean, which was strictly GSM.
As far as I could tell from my research, the r800i had the ability to get its bootloder unlocked courtesy of their site, here. As of November 30th, 2012, it was reported via XDATV that r800x (Verizon models) were now supported for free unlocking as well as the r800i. As for the r800at, the bootloader status is locked, and I ended up paying (recently) to get mine unlocked. Seeing as you're coming in later than most, the normal price for unlocks have dropped from $24 to $15, with a chance of price drops now and again. The site that hosts unlocks can be found at this location. The guy also has a facebook page, where he hosts trivia (for free unlocks) now and again, and posts sales on unlocks.
An overlooked problem was when on custom roms and not on stock, there was problems with the baseband which caused the microphone to mute itself every other call. This problem wasn't applicable to every phone, but was scattered. I did more research and came up with the much unnoticed solution, courtesy of Archfeind2 (here, which also gives you instructions of what to flash) who linked to the Xperia Play stock basebands, found here.
I'm currently using the Ice Cream Sandwich Pureness ROM which has access to Crash Bandicoot from the stock rom, and gives you access to the PS Store as well. In this rom specifically, you have a overclock tool built into the settings from the get-go. It's pretty nice to be able to control it internally.
So, that's what I have to offer, and hopefully others in this thread will give you other good advice I didn't cover. Enjoy your Xperia Play!
Most custom roms are pre-rooted, meaning you don't have to root them yourselves. Note that there is no official ICS available, only via custom roms, which (most of them at least) require custom kernels. To flash a kernel, you need an unlocked bootloader, like DeusJZ mentioned. Most kernels available have the option to overclock (Doomkernel can go up to 2.0Ghz).
My initial post was a bit confusing. I will be more specific. R800a or R800i and why? How to root, and how to overclock to 1.6 ghz(with ICS) and keep Playstation Suite and Playstation Mobile compatibility? (Don't want any higher than 1.6 ghz because I heard it can reduce the life of the processor?)?
You need to choose your model based on where do you live, the "a" stands for america, "i" for international and both have different basebands. If you want ICS you'll need to unlock your bootloader, which will enable you to change your kernel and overclock the phone. Some kernels usually come overclocked and rooted, look around for some.
Nanosuituser059 said:
My initial post was a bit confusing. I will be more specific. R800a or R800i and why? How to root, and how to overclock to 1.6 ghz(with ICS) and keep Playstation Suite and Playstation Mobile compatibility? (Don't want any higher than 1.6 ghz because I heard it can reduce the life of the processor?)?
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Click to collapse
As said by jasb92, r800i/a is dependent upon where you are. r800i is (if I'm not mistaken) a phone model that can be unlocked for free, without a paid service.
In order to root, use Flashtool or SuperOneClick, as I mentioned in my post above. They both have simple buttons to root your phone.
Most customs roms come pre-rooted, so it's not much of a problem.
As for overclocking, some roms come with the ability built in, some are built into custom kernels, and others will need an app. It's fairly easy to find one on Google Play, and a popular example is SetCPU.
When choosing custom roms, if you're looking to play games, I suggest you check the changelogs to make sure that both the touchpads and gamepads are supported.
DeusJZ said:
As said by jasb92, r800i/a is dependent upon where you are. r800i is (if I'm not mistaken) a phone model that can be unlocked for free, without a paid service.
In order to root, use Flashtool or SuperOneClick, as I mentioned in my post above. They both have simple buttons to root your phone.
Most customs roms come pre-rooted, so it's not much of a problem.
As for overclocking, some roms come with the ability built in, some are built into custom kernels, and others will need an app. It's fairly easy to find one on Google Play, and a popular example is SetCPU.
When choosing custom roms, if you're looking to play games, I suggest you check the changelogs to make sure that both the touchpads and gamepads are supported.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not all r800i can be unlocked for free (like mine) which sucks
Ok, I'll answer
Nanosuituser059 said:
I will soon be buying an Xperia Play. I have some noob questions. What is the best model to purchase and why? If I upgrade the OS to Ice Cream Sandwich, would I still have the built in games and Playstation Suite? What be the best way to root and overclock the phone with Ice Cream Sandwich (Preferably 1.6 GHZ)? Once again I am a noob so please don't bite my head off.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
"I will soon be buying an Xperia Play" - Great, good choice
"What is the best model to purchase" - R800i - if i think what you mean is what type of the play. They are all the same more or less. R800i is the latest one
"If I upgrade the OS to Ice Cream Sandwich" - Currently next to impossible as Sony are being a load of f****** idiots withholding he ICS upgrade to never. It's possible to do with ROMs but that requires unlocking the BL (Bootloader) whuch at present I am not able to do curtsey of O2 placing a lock-down that i have to pay to remove.
" I still have the built in games and Playstation Suite" I never installed a ROM to be honest but I think all your stuff gets wiped when you do (Apart from SD card). To keep all of your stuff I'd use Root uninstall (Don't call an ambulance yet!) to back up all your apps usin the back up button to your SD card and then resore the backups using either a file explorer like FX or The amazing Batch installer tool available here
"What be the best way to root and overclock the phone with Ice Cream Sandwich" - Root first, overclock second. Root with Su[erOneClick - that's the way i did it or use this guide. To overclock I use the Overclock widget available on google 'play'
Good luck with ICS though - I wish I got the unbranded phone - BL unlocking would've been 10 times easier.
Check your country's frequencies. R800i is not pentaband regarding hdspa (sp?), it only works in 900/2100 mhz. It supports all four gsm bands.
DeusJZ said:
Hi there. I'm six months in with the GSM AT&T r800at model. (Xperia Play 4G) I'll give you what I know.
Flashtool and SuperOneClick are your best friends. Both offer the ability to root. Flashtool has only rooted me twice with success, so where it failed, SuperOneClick saved me. SuperOneClick will also find and install missing drivers that you'll probably end up needing for Flashtool later. These are the essential software tools you'll need for any situation with your new Xperia Play.
When you're looking to flash firmware or "*.ftf" files, (usually in Flashtool) in order to boot into flashmode, press and hold the back button while the phone is off as you plug in a usb cable.
If you're waiting around before unlocking your bootloader, you can still install a number of Roms on the locked bootloader. What you'll need to accomplish this is X-Parts, your essential tool for CWM (or as close as you can get) on a locked bootloader. My favorite Rom that worked on a locked bootloader was Gin2Jellybean, which was strictly GSM.
As far as I could tell from my research, the r800i had the ability to get its bootloder unlocked courtesy of their site, here. As of November 30th, 2012, it was reported via XDATV that r800x (Verizon models) were now supported for free unlocking as well as the r800i. As for the r800at, the bootloader status is locked, and I ended up paying (recently) to get mine unlocked. Seeing as you're coming in later than most, the normal price for unlocks have dropped from $24 to $15, with a chance of price drops now and again. The site that hosts unlocks can be found at this location. The guy also has a facebook page, where he hosts trivia (for free unlocks) now and again, and posts sales on unlocks.
An overlooked problem was when on custom roms and not on stock, there was problems with the baseband which caused the microphone to mute itself every other call. This problem wasn't applicable to every phone, but was scattered. I did more research and came up with the much unnoticed solution, courtesy of Archfeind2 (here, which also gives you instructions of what to flash) who linked to the Xperia Play stock basebands, found here.
I'm currently using the Ice Cream Sandwich Pureness ROM which has access to Crash Bandicoot from the stock rom, and gives you access to the PS Store as well. In this rom specifically, you have a overclock tool built into the settings from the get-go. It's pretty nice to be able to control it internally.
So, that's what I have to offer, and hopefully others in this thread will give you other good advice I didn't cover. Enjoy your Xperia Play!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
After further consideration, I will be getting this version of the xperia play, do you know if the R800AT has 2g capabilities? I ask this because I have a friend who wants the xperia play and has 2g. Also, would Ice Cream Sandwich Pureness works with the r800a version?
Nanosuituser059 said:
After further consideration, I will be getting this version of the xperia play, do you know if the R800AT has 2g capabilities? I ask this because I have a friend who wants the xperia play and has 2g. Also, would Ice Cream Sandwich Pureness works with the r800a version?
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Click to collapse
R800at will have 4g if you use AT&T service. But if you use R800a on any USA GSM carrier you will have 2g no matter what.
I have an unlocked and rooted Xperia Play Verizon CDMA 800x. With Android 4.04 4PDA-XPLAY-GAMER-ULTRA AND KERNEL 2.6.32.9-LUPUS-ICS-BETA. Great system for an 800i but problem is that it is a Gsm version only. So i can't use my phone lol
Im new to this! so, if you have any good kernels and rom that are CDMA compatible & fully functional can you send them my way. I have bricked my phone a couple times so im looking for somthing pretty easy to do. so a tutorial would help thanks.
Rmontoya83 said:
I have an unlocked and rooted Xperia Play Verizon CDMA 800x. With Android 4.04 4PDA-XPLAY-GAMER-ULTRA AND KERNEL 2.6.32.9-LUPUS-ICS-BETA. Great system for an 800i but problem is that it is a Gsm version only. So i can't use my phone lol
Im new to this! so, if you have any good kernels and rom that are CDMA compatible & fully functional can you send them my way. I have bricked my phone a couple times so im looking for somthing pretty easy to do. so a tutorial would help thanks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can use any ICS or JB kernels on your R800x. You just cant use GSM gingerbread kernels on your xperia play. There are only 2 xperia play kernels which is lupus and doomkernel. Thats about it.
I found this Rom that I really likehttp://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2108386. I was wondering how to convert it to a CDMA rom. I know there are patches that can do it like the AtariiKieranFTW9 patch, but all of the threads I can see say you can't ever port a GSM Rom to a CDMA phone. Can anybody tell me why some roms are patchable and some roms aren't?
You can use use custom jb and ics on your R800x. But you cant you use custom gb on your r800x. The "x" is there for a reason no support from developers and because they dont have the "x" themselves. So what they are doing now is guess work. Like I said before you can install jb and ics on your R800x. You will have voice but no data or internet access from your provider.
chery2k said:
You can use use custom jb and ics on your R800x. But you cant you use custom gb on your r800x. The "x" is there for a reason no support from developers and because they dont have the "x" themselves. So what they are doing now is guess work. Like I said before you can install jb and ics on your R800x. You will have voice but no data or internet access from your provider.
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Click to collapse
I know that if you install a GSM rom on a CDMA phone that you can't get Data or internet, but I also know there are some roms like AOKPlay and CM9 that were written for GSM where you can use the AtariiKieran patch and use the full features on a CDMA phone. What I'm trying to understand is why that patch works for those ROMs..
i'm very disappointed because i install all Jelly Bean rom that i find here in this forum and all them have the data issue. any rom can fix that, i tried all roms by chillybean and nothing, i can navigate with the ZOE rom but still have problems conections with all the apps.
Somebody can make a good rom based in Jelly Bean that no have data issue because in my opinion this roms are wonderful and i want to use it in mi Droid Incredidible 2
thanks a loT
Are you gsm or cdma? Cuz most roms are still in the works for gsm so data is gonna be an issue. But if you are cdma then data works on majority of chilly's roms. Im on his cm10 rom on 4.1.2 jellybean and i dont have any issues at all. Make if u are try a different kernel or maybe flash an older radio cuz in the newer radios it does cause some glitches to data and service.