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Samsung Galaxy A5 2015 (samsung-a5)

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Revision as of 19:27, 21 January 2020 by Minecrell (talk | contribs) (Add modem device status)
Samsung Galaxy A5 (2015)
Samsung Galaxy A5
Samsung Galaxy A5
Manufacturer Samsung
Name Galaxy A5 (2015)
Codename samsung-a5ulte
Released 2014
Hardware
Chipset Qualcomm MSM8916 Snapdragon 410
CPU 4x ARM Cortex A53 @ 1.2 GHz
GPU Adreno 306
Display 5 inch 16:9, 720 x 1280 AMOLED
Storage 16 GB
Memory 2 GB
Architecture aarch64
Software
Original software
The software and version the device was shipped with.
Android 4.4.4
Extended version
The most recent supported version from the manufacturer.
Android 4.4.4
postmarketOS
Mainline
Instead of a Linux kernel fork, it is possible to run (Close to) Mainline.
no
pmOS kernel
The kernel version that runs on the device's port.
Mainline
Unixbench score
Unixbench Whetstone/Dhrystone score. See Unixbench.
912.7
Device package device-samsung-a5ulte
Kernel package linux-samsung-a5ulte
Features
Flashing
It is possible to flash the device with pmbootstrap flasher.
Works
USB Networking
After connecting the device with USB to your PC, you can connect to it via telnet (initramfs) or SSH (booted system).
Works
Battery
Charging and battery level reporting works
Works
Screen
Display works. Ideally with sleep mode and brightness control.
Partial
Touchscreen
Works
Multimedia
3D Acceleration
Works
Audio
Audio playback, microphone, headset and buttons.
Partial
Camera
Broken
Connectivity
WiFi
Works
Bluetooth
Works
GPS
Untested
Modem
Calls
Partial
SMS
Works
Mobile data
Untested
Miscellaneous
FDE
Full disk encryption and unlocking with unl0kr.
Untested
Sensors
Accelerometer
Auto screen rotation works in desktops e.g. Phosh or Plasma Mobile
Works

Contributors

Users owning this device


Installation

  1. Install lk2nd (alternative bootloader that provides a standard fastboot interface)
  2. Follow the Installation guide
  3. If you don't install wifi firmware, display won't work
Note Note: Enter lk2nd fastboot mode by pressing only Volume Down + Power (not the Home button). Pressing the Home button additionally will bring you to the Samsung Download mode.

Audio

Everything is muted by default and must be enabled through alsaucm. Unfortunately, the tool is not very user-friendly.

$ alsaucm -i -c msm8916-samsung-a2015
set _verb HiFi
set _enadev <device>

where <device> is one of Earpiece, Headphones, PrimaryMic, HeadsetMic or SecondaryMic. (Speaker not supported yet...) alsaucm does not track which devices are already enabled, therefore it is possible to produce combinations that won't work properly (e.g. Headphones+Earpiece). To switch between devices, the old device first needs to be re-enabled and then disabled:

$ alsaucm -i -c msm8916-samsung-a2015
set _verb HiFi
set _enadev OLD
set _disdev OLD
set _enadev NEW
Note Warning: alsaucm sets the volume to maximum by default. It is possible to increase the volume even further, however, this may lead to permanent damage to your speaker!

Screen

Screen works partially. While displaying the UI works fine, adjusting the brightness doesn't work.

Plasma Mobile

Plasma mobile currently works on A5 2015, but you should set custom scaling factor to 2.

kscreen-doctor output.1.scale.2 should work

Plasma works smoothly, but there are some graphical glitches like choppy text

Hildon

Kinda works, it has to be rotated 90 degrees, and crashes when touched