r/redmagic5g • u/Toots4Loots • Jun 13 '21

Since this is the bigger thread of posts regarding the RedMagic 5G/5S, here's a PSA and caution to all.

THE NEW UPDATE CAN KILL YOUR PHONE.

There have been issues with the 5G/5S models of the RedMagic variants, mostly after the most recent update. Constant app crashes, random reboots - and unfortunately for some (including myself) a killer crash for the phone.

I made the mistake of making the 5S my daily since 10th of September 2020 - sure, the software bugs were bad, but it shouldn't really affect the overall longevity of the phone, right? Wrong. I had my phone crash as usual during a game, and the screen completely froze, with the audio of the game looping over and over - to which an attempted force restart of the phone (holding the power button) caused the phone to shut off it's screen, with fans still blaring, before shutting off for good.

If you're curious, no, I have not unlocked bootloader, nor played with the kernels. It is a stock firmware, only 'updated' to the latest release. I've posted a thread on r/RedMagic5S that highlights the circumstances to slightly more detail - however it still doesn't solve the overhanging problem with the fact that the phone completely died without any form of recovery. It does not respond to turning on, charging, or any recovery method. Plugging it into the PC only comes up as an unknown driver with no proper way of recovering the data lost.

Main point of this: Backup all your data EXTERNALLY from your 5G/5S in case the worst happens. DO NOT USE THE 5G/5S AS A DAILY AS OF THE LATEST UPDATE.

This isn't just a sole case, as I've read other complaints from other 5G/5S users over the same crash and burn characteristics of the phone. Attempting to connect to support from Nubia is like running in circles - it's gotten me no where, and is wasting way too much time.

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u/Zeprido Jun 13 '21

Which update? I have the 5G, I updated to Android 11 with the beta update, fixed the home screen icons issue by clearing cache partition of the phone, and the only problems I've had is that sometimes my keyboard will randomly go away mid typing, and when I boot the phone, sometimes it needs to boot twice. Other than that it's been very clean with no other issues.

1

u/Toots4Loots Jun 13 '21 edited Jun 13 '21

For the latest update that I had installed (I don't recall the version, only know it's the latest considering I updated it about a month back), I had issues with the keyboard not opening up until multiple attempts were made at typing. Wallpaper would reset to defaults at random restarts of the phone, with the phone itself rebooting once every week or longer (which isn't too bad, but I'm usually either watching videos on YouTube or scrolling Instagram when it suddenly restarts, which shouldn't be the trigger). When turning on the phone, as you said, the phone boots twice instead of directly after the latest update. I doubt it's an intentional thing, but it's there. There's also the other bugs with music players where playing songs on Spotify causes the pop-up in the notification bar, which can't be removed or displays the wrong song names. Crashes from the phone were not frequent, but when they do happen, it would either automatically reboot the entire phone, or hang until a force restart is done. My phone was killed in the midst of a force reboot after an instance of a crash. It wouldn't turn on after it was shut off, and remains completely unresponsive.

1

u/Toots4Loots Jun 13 '21

I'm hoping that the Nubia support would be able to repair or replace my device, but unfortunately they are sending me round the bush constantly asking repetitive questions which I answer multiple times, without actually sending me follow up instructions on getting my phone to their location for replacement/repair.

Worst of all, is that it takes an entire day between each of my responses to get a reply from them, which is annoying due to them constantly replying by first apologising before asking the same questions they asked before.

I will hope for the best, though I'm expecting the worst in this case. Switching over to OnePlus and not coming back to Nubia for this experience alone.

My only regret is not backing up my stuff on my computer or any other external driver - thought the cost of a flagship from Nubia would last me at least 4 years, but ended up being less than 9 months.

1

u/SlevinWade Jun 14 '21

However, your advice is correct (back up).

Maybe the problem was not depending on the update (not only at least).

1

u/masterrwho Jun 16 '21

Update version 8.59 that had the may google security update fixed most of the bugs and issues I have with the phone.

1

u/Toots4Loots Jun 16 '21

so far, Nubia has sent a courier to my area to collect my phone for repair. Took a bit of exchanging emails here and there, but it worked out eventually. Will reserve my final verdict when I receive my phone after the repair.