Droid Mini vs GS3

[boomhower]

Had a thread recently about buying a phone for my son. Bought a Droid Mini without doing enough research. Initially research said it was routable, but after I got found out you can't if it's been upgraded to 4.4 which this one has. Only way to do it is to order a $40 unlock code from China.... Now considering selling it and get something else. The GS3 jumps to the top of the list. I've seriously considered the Galaxy Nexus but it's getting a bit long in the tooth at this point but still in the running. Are their any issues rooting the GS3 and/or the Galaxy Nexus Verizon varieties? Or would you just pay the $40 and be done with it. I've gotten a headache reading through these unlock rooting threads. Looking lovingly at my simplistic iPhone....

 

[poofyhairguy]

GS3 > GNex easily

 

[shortylickens]

if you love your iphone so much, get another one.

if you want android, get something that will survive. Buy the small HTC or Sony Z. Much more powerful, will keep being useful years from now.

 

[boomhower]

if you love your iphone so much, get another one.

if you want android, get something that will survive. Buy the small HTC or Sony Z. Much more powerful, will keep being useful years from now.

Oh I am keeping my iPhone, I'm an unabashed iPhone fanboy. This is for my son. Looking for something cheap, somewhat durable and rootable with it not being way way out of date. The current phone that broke is a Moto X2. Anything would be an upgrade from that. Kinda leaning towards the Gnex since it's cheap I just hate buying something that old at this point. May just end up doing that though. Still haven't quite given up on the Mini, apparently there is a way to get an unlock code from the Chinese for it but haven't gotten that completely sorted yet.

 

[poofyhairguy]

2GB of RAM > 1GB of RAM

Plus the GS3 should have better battery life.

 

[s44]

if you want android, get something that will survive. Buy the small HTC or Sony Z. Much more powerful, will keep being useful years from now.

No it won't. The battery will be toast long before then.

I'd get him the S4 mini actually.

 

[podspi]

Owning a GS3, and knowing somebody with a Droid MAXX (essentially the same but bigger) -- I'd go with the Droid Mini.

Are you trying to root it, or unlock it? They are different things, and AFAIK there is no way to pay for a "root" code (though many places sell unlock codes).

 

[boomhower]

Owning a GS3, and knowing somebody with a Droid MAXX (essentially the same but bigger) -- I'd go with the Droid Mini.

Are you trying to root it, or unlock it? They are different things, and AFAIK there is no way to pay for a "root" code (though many places sell unlock codes).

I just need to root it. I don't care about flashing another ROM. I have one program I have to run and the phone needs to be rooted for it. I have the phone and am desperately in need to root it. I was heavily into the Android scene years ago but I'm lost now. I just need help getting this thing rooted. I'll happily paypal $20 to someone who can walk me through rooting this thing.

 

[OBLAMA2009]

i didnt bother reading what his issue was but i would either get motox or as someone else said gs4 mini, probably motox

 

[boomhower]

i didnt bother reading what his issue was but i would either get motox or as someone else said gs4 mini, probably motox

Moto X suffers the same issue, if it's on the newest OS already it's extremely difficult root. The Mini is basically a small Moto X.

 

[podspi]

Oh wow, I didn't realize they had found some way to unlock the bootloader (and you had to pay).


I actually was considering the MAXX but this kind of stinks...

 

[podspi]

Edit:Oops double post

 

[boomhower]

I bought the unlock code from China. Now lets see if I actually get it. PSA: Navigating a Chinese website and figuring out payment is a massive PITA.

 

[boomhower]

I finally got it done. It was a royal pain and even took a phone call from a very nice gentleman at XDA to get it rooted but it's done. I have what I imagine is one of the few unlocked and rooted Droid Mini's out there.

 

[stinkynathan]

I finally got it done. It was a royal pain and even took a phone call from a very nice gentleman at XDA to get it rooted but it's done. I have what I imagine is one of the few unlocked and rooted Droid Mini's out there.

Hah...well that answers my question then.

I emailed the guy directly for the motox unlock last night. Had my code this morning. Now rocking TWRP and CM11 on my non-DE moto.

Wife wants the same thing for her Droid Mini. Apparently the same guy can help me.