Samsung Galaxy A5 2015 (samsung-a5)
![]() Samsung Galaxy A5 | |
Manufacturer | Samsung |
---|---|
Name | Galaxy A5 (2015) |
Codename | samsung-a5 |
Released | 2014 |
Hardware | |
Chipset | Qualcomm MSM8916 Snapdragon 410 |
CPU | 4x 1.2 Ghz Cortex-A53 |
GPU | Adreno 306 |
Display | 5 inch 16:9, 720 x 1280 AMOLED |
Storage | 16 GB |
Memory | 2 GB |
Architecture | aarch64 |
Software | |
Original software | Android 4.4.4 |
postmarketOS | |
Category | community |
Pre-built images | yes |
postmarketOS kernel | Mainline |
Unixbench Whet/Dhry score | 912.7 |
Flashing |
Works |
---|---|
USB Networking |
Works |
Internal storage |
No data |
SD card |
No data |
Battery |
Works |
Screen |
Partial |
Touchscreen |
Works |
Multimedia | |
3D Acceleration |
Works |
Audio |
Works |
Camera |
No data |
Camera Flash |
No data |
Connectivity | |
WiFi |
Works |
Bluetooth |
Works |
GPS |
Works |
NFC |
Works |
Modem | |
Calls |
Works |
SMS |
Works |
Mobile data |
Works |
Miscellaneous | |
FDE |
Works |
USB OTG |
Partial |
HDMI/DP |
No data |
Sensors | |
Accelerometer |
Works |
Magnetometer |
No data |
Ambient Light |
No data |
Proximity |
No data |
Hall Effect |
No data |
Haptics |
No data |
Barometer |
No data |
This device is based on the Snapdragon 410. See the SoC page for common tips, guides and troubleshooting steps |
Contributors
- minecrell
- maccraft123 (only wiki page)
Users owning this device
- Alexeymin (Notes: SM-A500F (not FU) replaced battery, almost like new now)
- ArMor (Notes: SM-A500H Dual Sim)
- Baonks81 (Notes: 3G SM-A500H Dual Sim 2GB/16GB)
- Blender Addict (Notes: SM-A500FU, previous daily driver)
- Bolilingmeng89006 (Notes: a5ltezt)
- Citrullin (Notes: (4x SM-A500FU available to borrow in Berlin))
- Danct12 (Notes: SM-A500H Dual Sim - dead)
- Darkness (Notes: SM-A500M)
- Debiansh (Notes: Notes: SM-A500FU Running postmarketOS with Phosh, not working display brightness, Camera and USB-OTG. I made a polish review: https://www.internet-czas-dzialac.pl/recenzja-postmarketos/)
- Exkc (Notes: Dead)
- Ferenc- (Notes: SM-A500FU)
- Grimler
- KenOokamiHoro (Notes: SM-A5000 (China), Boot from SD card not works.)
- Knuxify (Notes: (SM-A500FU))
- LayerDE (Notes: keyboard burned in)
- Lewis Collard (Notes: A5U (EUR))
- Maccraft123
- Minecrell (Notes: SM-A500FU, with weird replacement screen :))
- Omame
- Operachi (Notes: PostmarketOS Server)
- Pojntfx
- Powwu (Notes: Sxmo)
- Rich Morin (Notes: compatibility and deployment testing)
- RoDen (Notes: SM-A500F/DS, Plasma Desktop & Mobile)
- Sado1
- Samcday
- Stupidenbyace (Notes: SM-A500FU, No OS Flashed)
- UltrasonicMadness (Notes: SM-A500FU, daily driver)
- ValPackett (Notes: Headless (no display panel), runs pmOS as a server)
- Wann (Notes: broken touch screen, but working)
- WonderfulShrineMaidenOfParadise
Installation
There are several ways to install postmarketOS on Samsung Galaxy A5 2015. All of them require you to flash an alternative second stage bootloader called lk2nd.
First, install lk2nd:
- Boot your phone to bootloader (download) mode by holding and while powering up.
- Follow lk2nd instructions to install lk2nd: basically, download lk2nd.img from Releases page on Github and flash it to boot partition (
heimdall flash --BOOT lk2nd.img
) - Reboot your phone to "lk2nd mode": hold while booting (this time do not hold !)
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. |
When you have lk2nd installed and running, follow Qualcomm_Snapdragon_410/412_(MSM8916)#Installation to install postmarketOS.
Audio
Note: The speakers are rather loud on 100% volume and may produce distorted sound that may damage your speakers after long use. Please make sure to use reasonable volumes - your ears and your speaker will thank you! |
Screen
Screen works partially. While displaying the UI works fine, adjusting the brightness doesn't work.
Touch keys
See Tm2-touchkey.
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.
To run this command from ssh session add the following env variables to the above command:
XDG_RUNTIME_DIR=/run/user/10000 QT_QPA_PLATFORM=wayland kscreen-doctor output.1.scale.2
Plasma works smoothly, but there are some graphical glitches sometimes.
Photos
-
Weston
-
Phosh Apps menu
-
Phosh About
-
Phosh Wi-Fi settings
-
Plasma Mobile Home screen
-
Plasma Mobile top bar
-
Plasma Mobile About
-
Plasma Mobile Lockscreen