Root Before I buy 6P

[PrinceCorwin]

So I plan to get a 6P as my next phone. I know the new Pixels are coming out soon but I prefer to stay a flagship behind for the sake of expense. I'm on a galaxy S6 right now.
My main reason for getting the 6P is a desire to rooting and ROMing again.

My question: is there anything I need to know about firmware version or updates that will make cause me problems when rooting. I found out this info too late with my S6 and after updating to the current firmware, unlocking the bootloader is no longer an option.

 

[Vamp07]

6p is easy to root. I see little point in rooting now a days but its easy. I do like the 6p.

 

[scary alien]

Rooting is still straight-forward for Nexus devices, so there's no version issues that you should encounter.

The 6P supports Chainfire's systemless root (or vice-versa ), so root actually doesn't get installed in the /system partition for systemless root (you get a /su mount for all of the root goodies).

To do this, systemless root has to update your boot.img (it makes a backup, of course) to make all of the SE Linux and root stuff work properly.

Chainfire also has FlashFire which helps you install an OTA and retain root:

http://forum.xda-developers.com/general/paid-software/flashfire-t3075433
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=eu.chainfire.flash&hl=en​

BTW, going to move this thread to the root area for you/us.

Cheers!

 

[Rxpert83]

Thats one of my favorite things about nexus, google doesn't mind if we root (even for warranty! ), and gives us all the tools we could possibly need to recover in case we screw it up.

 

[PrinceCorwin]

And btw... Anyone else cringing at the name change from Nexus to Pixel?

 

[scary alien]

And btw... Anyone else cringing at the name change from Nexus to Pixel?

A little bit ...I know (or think) they got the name from the Chromebooks, which must have had pretty good success and been well-regarded enough to have made them expand on the name to other devices...

 

[PrinceCorwin]

A little bit ...I know (or think) they got the name from the Chromebooks, which must have had pretty good success and been well-regarded enough to have made them expand on the name to other devices...

Yeah, but it sounds like a phone for soccer moms... Not tech savvy mod enthusiasts

 

[Rxpert83]

It seems to be more than just a brand change. Where nexus is (closer to) AOSP, pixel phones seem to be getting more of the typical OEM flavors sprinkled on top with the new pixel launcher.


With it, the pricing that comes with the pixel name. Its googles premium brand, and they're going to have to pay for it. Its Google seemingly directly trying to compete with the s7/iphone

 

[scary alien]

^^^ Not only that, but the info referenced in this thread (referenced here at AF) indicates the there's a new (dual?) filesystem layout (dual booting?) and/or a combo root/system partition--so, things are indeed different from legacy Nexii underneath the hood.

 

[Rxpert83]

Havent had a chance to dig though that yet, but the dual filesystem may be related to the new OTA system I vaguely remember in the back of my head.

Wasnt there supposed to be some rebootless process going forward?

/heads to the googles

Edit: oh yeah, linked in the article you posted

http://www.xda-developers.com/exclusive-dual-boot-may-be-possible-on-pixel-phones/

http://www.xda-developers.com/curre...o-receive-android-ns-seamless-update-feature/

 

[PrinceCorwin]

Thanks for all the information. Next question: why should I or should I not choose the 5X instead?

 

[scary alien]

I almost got the 5X since I had (have) the N5, but the 6P was just a beast and the nice but incremental differences between the N5 and the 5X weren't enough to sway me at the time where as the 6P was a pretty big jump in many respects.

 

[Hook]

The main thing for me was I will never have a phone with only 32GB again. Just recieved my 6p and loving it. Already unlocked and rooted. It's fantastic.

The one problem with adopting a phone a year late is you miss out on all the community excitement as everyone first gets their new phone.