So regarding app support, google play is like the ios app store, and it is an easy way to get apps that are both free and paid, and can auto update, and the store has a huge catalog. For a device with no google play, you have to download packages called apks which you can then install on your own. You are mainly limited to free apps and might have to do some searching online to try and download apk packages for the apps you might want. The fiio and Ibasso do include a small app store, but it does not have as many features as google play does. The thing that kills me about the m11 is that I really want to use a music player app called Usb Audio Player Pro, but since there is no google play store, there is not a way to pay for it and download it on the m11, so I cannot use it.
I think the sound quality on the m11 and everything else is great, but the no google play store bothers me on the fiio and ibasso, but it might not be an issue for everyone.
I would say all of these players are fast and have great features and sound, but the hiby is the only one with google play support.
Edit: think of Google play as a huge supermarket where they have almost everything, and the smaller app stores (and potentially browser app stores) that come with the ibasso and fiio as something like an Aldi or gas station where they have the essentials, but might lack variety or higher end products
Another thing is that you can’t just install the play store on your own like how you can’t build your own supermarket. You can try and cheat the system (that can get complicated) and it might work, but that requires Android development knowledge and in fiios case they just lock you from doing it, so you would have to exploit the system to try and break in and modify the system (haven’t really had the time to try and find an exploit, also pretty much kisses your warranty bye bye)
I was lerking and had to say thank you m0n! never even heard of the r5 before you mentioned it. I need something to run all these IEMs i’m buying because all i hear is hiss on my phone lol.
I have the M11 and there is NO PROBLEM due to the lack of Google Play. I dont need it for anything else than playing music. And getting Spotify downloaded was easy and I choose it due to the 4.4 connector and the screen.
The only reason for me to choose some of the other DAP’s would be the price.
I wish more daps could do a full watt of power like the R5. I know it’s at 16 ohms but still. If I had a powerful enough dap I could just use it like a portable desktop amp. Anybody happen to know of any other daps like that? I’ve been looking but no luck finding one that comes close.