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Samsung Galaxy J7 (samsung-j7elte)

From postmarketOS Wiki
OUTDATED! Since my development device became totally unusable for development purposes, this is why I'm leaving the postmarketOS development scene. It has been fun, but please if anybody has this device then please contribute on making the experience atleast more usable.. --KrakinTheKonsole

Samsung Galaxy J7 (codenamed j7elte) was a popular entry-level smartphone from 2015. It had many different iterations over the years and ports to postmarketOS has been made to them. This is my attempt on the original J7.

Samsung Galaxy J7
This is a Image of a pretty badly destroyed Samsung Galaxy J7 running pmOS...
This is a Image of a pretty badly destroyed Samsung Galaxy J7 running pmOS...
Manufacturer Samsung
Name Galaxy J7
Codename samsung-j7elte
Released 2015
Type handset
Hardware
Chipset Samsung Exynos 7580 Octa
CPU 8x ARM Cortex-A53 @ 1500 MHz
GPU ARM Mali-T720 MP2 @ 600 MHz
Display 720x1280 SuperAMOLED
Storage 16 GB
Memory 1.5 GB LPDDR3
Architecture aarch64
Software
Original software Android
Original version
The version the device was shipped with.
5.1.1
Extended version
The most recent supported version from the manufacturer.
6.1
postmarketOS
Category downstream
pmOS kernel
The kernel version that runs on the device's port.
3.10.108
Features
Flashing
It is possible to flash the device with pmbootstrap flasher.
Partial
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
Partial
Screen
Display works. Ideally with sleep mode and brightness control.
Partial
Touchscreen
Works
Multimedia
3D Acceleration
Untested
Audio
Audio playback, microphone, headset and buttons.
Partial
Camera
Untested
Connectivity
WiFi
Untested
Bluetooth
Untested
GPS
Untested
Modem
Calls
Untested
SMS
Untested
Mobile data
Untested
Miscellaneous
FDE
Full disk encryption and unlocking with unl0kr.
Untested
USB OTG
USB On-The-Go or USB-C Role switching
Works
Sensors
Accelerometer
Auto screen rotation works in desktops e.g. Phosh or Plasma Mobile
Untested
Magnetometer
Sensor to measure magnetism
Untested
Ambient Light
Untested
Proximity
Untested
Hall Effect
Also known as flip cover sensor
Untested
Barometer
Sensor to measure air pressure
Untested
Power Sensor
Sensor to monitor current, voltage and power. Not fuel gauge!
Untested


Contributors

Users owning this device


Development status

Sources used

Lineage OS kernel sources for Exynos 7580 Devices

Compiles

  • Linux kernel 3.10.108
  • Device information

What's working

  • Hardcoded kernel arguments
  • Making a PMOS Recovery zip
  • Flashing using custom recovery
  • Showing splash screen during boot
  • Starting full X-Session and using the UI with USB-OTG Keyboard and Mouse
  • Running LXQt or SXMO

What's wrong

  • When the phone boots it shows the splash screen meaning the rendering is working. But it crashes and force reboots soon after. - This is probably caused due to the fact that the init is messed up because the bootloader passes the wrong kernel arguments. The ones that are used to boot android. - But this issue has been fixed
  • Being unable to mount the system partitions in TWRP to check logs or modify the system. - This is a common issue in many PMOS builds.
  • Display manager not showing up after starting up
  • WiFi and Bluetooth hardware not being detected or initialized.
  • LightDM Failing to start properly. Causing it to not boot into desktop automatically

How to enter flash mode

Power down the device first.

ODIN/Heimdall Mode

To enter ODIN/Heimdall flashing mode, press and hold Power + Home + Volume Down buttons until a warning screen pops up. Then press Volume Up button to enter ODIN mode.

Recovery (Stock/Custom) Mode

To enter Recovery (Stock/Custom) mode, press and hold Power + Home + Volume Up buttons until the Recovery splash screen pops up.

Installation

Perform the standard installation method provided by PostMarket OS Installation Guide

But keep in mind that...

Warning WARNING: Installation with Heimdall partially works. It is recommended to use the custom recovery method provided by PMOS Wiki to install it.
Note Remember to add these packages into the rootfs when asked in 'pmbootstrap init' :
  • mkbootimg (For building boot images)
  • msm-fb-refresher (Required for other DEs to render properly).

See also

Lineage OS kernel sources for Exynos 7580 Devices

Samsung J7 T-Mobile device page

Device package

Kernel package