Hi all!
I've been an S3 user for a little over 1.5 years; been a native of the Sprint forums (although my Sprint S3 is flashed to Page Plus).
Now that VZW has made their prepaid plan a lot more competitive and included LTE, I'm planning on making the jump, and picking up an S4 in the process. The $ cost to me will end up being negligible, as I'm able to sell my S3 and mostly make up for the expense of the S4.
I've loved my S3 - I run a rooted stock 4.4.2 rom, debloated all the samsung & sprint crap via titanium, and a ktoonsez kernel that's been tweaked to work well with my phone - and it functions perfectly - still fast, great battery life for a ~2 year old phone, etc. Been around android for some time now (first phone was the OG incredible), so am perfectly comfortable tweaking and such, however I don't want to spend too much time doing so.
I'm reading about the S4 and curious if it's worth the upgrade. I've heard several people online complain about the verizon 4.4.2 update causing overheating and issues with the phone. If I root, debloat, and run a quality custom kernel, am I likely to have issues?
I only use my phone for web browsing, calendaring email, texting, and talking - no gaming. I'm mainly looking forward to having the nicer screen and camera, and the likely possibility of a few more Android updates (which the S3 is unlikely to get). Honestly I'd love to have the next Nexus or something that runs closer to stock, but don't have the luxury to wait around for that phone (and I want to stay on vzw's network).
I've been doing some reading around your forum and am just curious as to your thoughts on the jump S3 -> vzw S4! Pros & cons?
Thanks much,
-Dirk
VZW has it locked down. You can root & perhaps a custom rom using Safestrap. But only TW based roms & some Xposed framework customization. Just about 0 choice on kernels. (unless you can get hold of one with MDK bootloader, - - then you are golden.)
wtherrell said:
VZW has it locked down. You can root & perhaps a custom rom using Safestrap. But only TW based roms & some Xposed framework customization. Just about 0 choice on kernels. (unless you can get hold of one with MDK bootloader, - - then you are golden.)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Huh. I was planning on picking up one of the manufacturer refurb ones ($200) thru vzw's site. I'm assuming those will all be on whatever the newest bootloader version is ... this is disappointing (don't really mind running stock, just need to be rooted).
But really no kernels work on the newest OTA?
EDIT: Wow, just read the "Customizing your vzw S4" post ...
If the bootloader isn't "I545VRUAMDK" you have a locked bootloader and can only use Safestrap to install custom ROMs. Custom recovery is not possible. Attempts to install custom recovery will soft-brick your phone and require you to re-flash a stock ROM.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That is very unfortunate. Hmm, now I'm not so sure about this purchase. Assuming the S4 gets Android "L", do you think the device will be locked down again and root will be removed permanently?
dirkdigles said:
Huh. I was planning on picking up one of the manufacturer refurb ones ($200) thru vzw's site. I'm asking those will all be on whatever the newest bootloader version is ... this is disappointing (don't really mind running stock, just need to be rooted).
But really no kernels work on the newest OTA?
EDIT: Wow, just read the "Customizing your vzw S4" post ...
That is very unfortunate. Hmm, now I'm not so sure about this purchase. Assuming the S4 gets Android "L", do you think the device will be locked down again and root will be removed permanently?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There are a lot of great roms you can run and yes you can obtain root with the newest version nc5. Easy as pie with towelroot. Don't even need a pc. Safestrap 3.72 is what you will need if you get the latest version. You could check out swappa if you want a MK2 or maybe even a MDK. Safestrap has its own recovery and works just fine. Most of the people on here use Safestrap. You would be happier if you found one running 4.3 as opposed to 4.4.2 because of better battery life but NC5 (4.4.2) works fine and is a lttle faster probably.
dirkdigles said:
That is very unfortunate. Hmm, now I'm not so sure about this purchase. Assuming the S4 gets Android "L", do you think the device will be locked down again and root will be removed permanently?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What's the bad part about safestrap vs. a custom recovery? I still see CM11 for the S4. Is it a lack of backups or something?
Flowah said:
What's the bad part about safestrap vs. a custom recovery? I still see CM11 for the S4. Is it a lack of backups or something?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Safestrap enables you to flash roms on a locked bootloader which is pretty cool. Unfortunately the big limitation is basically that you can't touch the kernel on a locked bootloader without kexec support ( which will probably never happen) so the only roms you can flash have to be based on the same firmware that your phone has stock. No AOSP roms at all or TW roms that are newer than an OTA and no custom kernels.
All the AOSP roms you see are for MDK and Dev edition phones.
Flowah said:
What's the bad part about safestrap vs. a custom recovery? I still see CM11 for the S4. Is it a lack of backups or something?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If u don't have mdk firmware safestrap only option and no cm or asop roms.
sent by safestrap powered echo v26
I'm pretty happy with my phone. It's not a huge jump from the s3. I am rooted on 4.4.2 and flash roms with SS. You can flash aosp look alike roms. Also, my battery life is just fine!
s4 upgrade not worth it
dirkdigles said:
Hi all!
I've been an S3 user for a little over 1.5 years; been a native of the Sprint forums (although my Sprint S3 is flashed to Page Plus).
Now that VZW has made their prepaid plan a lot more competitive and included LTE, I'm planning on making the jump, and picking up an S4 in the process. The $ cost to me will end up being negligible, as I'm able to sell my S3 and mostly make up for the expense of the S4.
I've loved my S3 - I run a rooted stock 4.4.2 rom, debloated all the samsung & sprint crap via titanium, and a ktoonsez kernel that's been tweaked to work well with my phone - and it functions perfectly - still fast, great battery life for a ~2 year old phone, etc. Been around android for some time now (first phone was the OG incredible), so am perfectly comfortable tweaking and such, however I don't want to spend too much time doing so.
I'm reading about the S4 and curious if it's worth the upgrade. I've heard several people online complain about the verizon 4.4.2 update causing overheating and issues with the phone. If I root, debloat, and run a quality custom kernel, am I likely to have issues?
I only use my phone for web browsing, calendaring email, texting, and talking - no gaming. I'm mainly looking forward to having the nicer screen and camera, and the likely possibility of a few more Android updates (which the S3 is unlikely to get). Honestly I'd love to have the next Nexus or something that runs closer to stock, but don't have the luxury to wait around for that phone (and I want to stay on vzw's network).
I've been doing some reading around your forum and am just curious as to your thoughts on the jump S3 -> vzw S4! Pros & cons?
Thanks much,
-Dirk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have the samsung galaxy s4 on verizon and i wouldnt say the upgrade is really worth it from the s3. If you want to stay with samsung go with the s5 with all the newest specs. Then once you get it, if you dont like the soft ware then just flash a stock s3 rom to it and it wil be like your s3 just work a lot more efficient. In short, it is not worth the upgrade from GS3 to GS4.
joshm.1219 said:
Safestrap enables you to flash roms on a locked bootloader which is pretty cool. Unfortunately the big limitation is basically that you can't touch the kernel on a locked bootloader without kexec support ( which will probably never happen) so the only roms you can flash have to be based on the same firmware that your phone has stock. No AOSP roms at all or TW roms that are newer than an OTA and no custom kernels.
All the AOSP roms you see are for MDK and Dev edition phones.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just an fyi for people, this isn't totally true. In the general section there is a thread about running a 4.4.4 GPE rom. I've been on the 4.4.3 version for a few days and it's great. With gravity box I can get it set up almost like a custom rom. There are a few bugs but nothing that is a deal breaker (for me)
Sent from my SCH-I545 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
rrrrrrredbelly said:
Just an fyi for people, this isn't totally true. In the general section there is a thread about running a 4.4.4 GPE rom. I've been on the 4.4.3 version for a few days and it's great. With gravity box I can get it set up almost like a custom rom. There are a few bugs but nothing that is a deal breaker (for me)
Sent from my SCH-I545 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes that's true, seems like only a few of you really have it working flawlessly though.
joshm.1219 said:
Yes that's true, seems like only a few of you really have it working flawlessly though.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I haven't been following the thread that closely, didn't realize. There are definitely issues (no usb connection is a big one) but after losing my mdk phone 2 months ago on a warranty issue, i love this rom.
Sent from my SCH-I545 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
Related
Bought my S4 with ME7 from a N2 before I knew what was good for me. As a recovering flash-a-holic, ME7 has helped me appreciate the functionality and stability of a factory ROM. In the past, factory ROMs never really did it for me - mainly because I've owned devices where factory overlay versus hardware were never really equal.
Obviously AOSP was the way to go - stable builds of Cyanogenmod to be specific (nightlies and insert developernamehere ROMs always had insertquirkhere that inevitably revealed itself - being a perfectionist who loves minimalism, I had limited options. My ROM choice was always stable AOSP-built or TouchWiz with very light modifications (I looked for debloated, odexed ROMs with no mods, maybe volume key to change track).
Back to the topic name, has anyone grown content with their ME7 stock device? Obviously I'm anticipating Safestrap (I went from a Fascinate to a Bionic, then to GNex, GS3, GN2, GS4 for those wondering), but if it never reaches fruition, I could be content with this device for a little while. Opinions?
Sent from my SCH-I545 using xda app-developers app
zerofighter1 said:
Bought my S4 with ME7 from a N2 before I knew what was good for me. As a recovering flash-a-holic, ME7 has helped me appreciate the functionality and stability of a factory ROM. In the past, factory ROMs never really did it for me - mainly because I've owned devices where factory overlay versus hardware were never really equal.
Obviously AOSP was the way to go - stable builds of Cyanogenmod to be specific (nightlies and insert developernamehere ROMs always had insertquirkhere that inevitably revealed itself - being a perfectionist who loves minimalism, I had limited options. My ROM choice was always stable AOSP-built or TouchWiz with very light modifications (I looked for debloated, odexed ROMs with no mods, maybe volume key to change track).
Back to the topic name, has anyone grown content with their ME7 stock device? Obviously I'm anticipating Safestrap (I went from a Fascinate to a Bionic, then to GNex, GS3, GN2, GS4 for those wondering), but if it never reaches fruition, I could be content with this device for a little while. Opinions?
Sent from my SCH-I545 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
root alone is fine for me, tbh, even though i run a custom rom. Just the ability to get rid of bloatware is fine with stuff like nova launcher.
zerofighter1 said:
Bought my S4 with ME7 from a N2 before I knew what was good for me. As a recovering flash-a-holic, ME7 has helped me appreciate the functionality and stability of a factory ROM. In the past, factory ROMs never really did it for me - mainly because I've owned devices where factory overlay versus hardware were never really equal.
Obviously AOSP was the way to go - stable builds of Cyanogenmod to be specific (nightlies and insert developernamehere ROMs always had insertquirkhere that inevitably revealed itself - being a perfectionist who loves minimalism, I had limited options. My ROM choice was always stable AOSP-built or TouchWiz with very light modifications (I looked for debloated, odexed ROMs with no mods, maybe volume key to change track).
Back to the topic name, has anyone grown content with their ME7 stock device? Obviously I'm anticipating Safestrap (I went from a Fascinate to a Bionic, then to GNex, GS3, GN2, GS4 for those wondering), but if it never reaches fruition, I could be content with this device for a little while. Opinions?
Sent from my SCH-I545 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have ran basically every custom TW rom but now im on an me7 stock rom (can go back to mdk) and im content with it. Im running the xposed framework so I can do some basic customization. Getting some awesome battery life too, day and a half with 6 hours screen on time.
Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk 2
Rooted, debloated with TBU, tweaked a bit with Tweakbox and Wanam via Xposed and using Nova, stock ME7 is fairly dynamic. Will I try a custom via SS, and/or via a custom recovery.....you bet. Am I OK with the GS4 as is? Yep. Best phone I have ever had by a long shot.
I used a 16gb S4 for couple days and then returned it and ordered the 32gb version online. I knew I had found my new phone because the only thing that bugged me was the bloat and that will go once rooted. Came from GNex, which I hated stock. Before that, the Incredible-hated Sense. So I was really thrilled with the S4 in all respects.
Question: When my new S4 arrives in the next day or two, what's the way to keep it from downloading the update before I can get it rooted? (I realize it may come already updated, in which case I'll just root, period )
GNex Toro
Pull sim and root or just put it in airplane mode then root. If it can't communicate to wonderful world of VZW, it can't pull down the update
Eric214 said:
Pull sim and root or just put it in airplane mode then root. If it can't communicate to wonderful world of VZW, it can't pull down the update
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The above would be the absolute 1st step/s. 2nd step is to freeze/uninstall SDM 1.0. and go to system root/data/fota/ and delete the ota file/s.
Getting rid of the bloat ware did it for me. My battery life is much better now than when I first got it. I still wish I could flash some different ROMs. I've never had a phone I couldn't do that on so this will be a first.
Sent from my SCH-I545 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
Actually, I'm ok with rooted ME7 for now. It's only been, maybe 10 hours, and most of that time has been spent searching and reading, but after removing all the bloat mentioned here and downloading blacked out apps from TBO Blackout Updater, I think it should be just fine. Especially coming from the ol' Fascinate.
My first Droid was a HTC Incredible. I went through tons of ROM"s on that. Everything from an ODex'd stock rom to MIUI. I ultimately ran MIUI with tons of customizations flashed via recovery.
With the S4 Im content with root and just getting rid of the bloat. I like TouchWiz more than I liked HTC Sense.
Just rooting alone and removing the bloat I can go 27 hours with 55% screen time and 8% GPS usage. I went with the 32Gb version and a 16Gb Microsd card with tons of wallpapers, notification sounds, etc.
Very content.
I used to be a flash-a-holic, but in the last year, I have had a child and gone back to school. I have found very little time or motivation to mess around with ROMs I don't like, have strange glitches, or are just plain unreliable. I know there are many good ROMs usually available for well supported devices, but the time spent trying one after another has worn on me. My Nexus 7 has been running the same fully functional ROM for a long time, and I feel no need to "update" to the latest version of the ROM just for the sake of having the "latest" when this is running rock solid.
Stuck on stock... hehe... has been good for me actually. Very stable, functional. reliable. After rooting, removing all the bloat (still just frozen until thouroughly proven to be safe for me), and installling HOLO Launcher HD, I am very happy. I am findng tweaks to polish the user experience more and more every day, and my battery life is much better than I thought it would be with this huge and gorgeous screen. I have had no issues with the heat or battery drain I read about and feared before diving in and buying this phone, and whether or not it is because the first thing I did was root and debloat, doesn't matter to me.
I love this phone, my first Sammy.
Tool Belt said:
Rooted, debloated with TBU, tweaked a bit with Tweakbox and Wanam via Xposed and using Nova, stock ME7 is fairly dynamic. Will I try a custom via SS, and/or via a custom recovery.....you bet. Am I OK with the GS4 as is? Yep. Best phone I have ever had by a long shot.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Wanam Xposed is so awesome, finally able to customized the device how I like
IamPro said:
Wanam Xposed is so awesome, finally able to customized the device how I like
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just installed Viper4Android.......WOW!!
Stupid question I'm sure, but how do I "debloat"? Is there an app, or is this simply manually deleting unwanted apps? FYI, I have Verizon ME7 rooted.
TMack1962 said:
Stupid question I'm sure, but how do I "debloat"? Is there an app, or is this simply manually deleting unwanted apps? FYI, I have Verizon ME7 rooted.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Debloating is basically removing all the apps that come pre installed that you have no use/need for. There is a 1 click debloater posted in the dev section but I prefer to do it manually.
Hit thanks if I helped you out. Doing a little bit of reading goes a long way. Sent via tapatalk.
I just got back home with my shiny new S4 and I can't wait to get the thing rooted and rom'd. But! Before I take the dive, I'd like to test the waters of this lovely phone's community.
If you have a few minutes to spare:
- What rom/kernel are you using? Why?
- What is one thing that you wish you knew about the S4 before flashing?
Thanks!
- EJ
.Ejekt said:
I just got back home with my shiny new S4 and I can't wait to get the thing rooted and rom'd. But! Before I take the dive, I'd like to test the waters of this lovely phone's community.
If you have a few minutes to spare:
- What rom/kernel are you using? Why?
- What is one thing that you wish you knew about the S4 before flashing?
Thanks!
- EJ
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Before you get to excited, you might want to check what firmware version you have.
riker147 said:
Before you get to excited, you might want to check what firmware version you have.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That was painfully vague. Care to elaborate?
.Ejekt said:
That was painfully vague. Care to elaborate?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
As far as I know (which I'm not 100%sure since I'm on mdk) you cannot flash custom roms yet if on the latest update (mj7 with Android 4.3) If you're lucky enough (unlikely) to get one with me7 firmware, you can flash custom roms with safestrap. This phone is not doing so well in the development area as I expected it would before release. Hopefully someone can figure out a way around the locked down bootloader
Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk 2
.Ejekt said:
That was painfully vague. Care to elaborate?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That makes it painfully obvious that you haven't read much around here.
What you first need to know is what firmware version you have. That determines what you can do.
What you asked is equivalent to saying that you have a car then asking what you can do to improve it - no data on what year or model, or what you want to do. Without that info, how can anyone help you? If you can't even be bothered to figure out what build you have to start with, nobody can suggest anything to help you.
Evocm7 said:
As far as I know (which I'm not 100%sure since I'm on mdk) you cannot flash custom roms yet if on the latest update (mj7 with Android 4.3) If you're lucky enough (unlikely) to get one with me7 firmware, you can flash custom roms with safestrap. This phone is not doing so well in the development area as I expected it would before release. Hopefully someone can figure out a way around the locked down bootloader
Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I managed to figure that out a couple minutes ago. I actually got pushed to ME7 while I was rooting my S4 (ironic?) and was able to stop it after that. So, it seems I was one of the lucky(ish) ones. Would've been nice to stay at MDK, but SafeStrap seems to be one hell of a tool.
.Ejekt said:
I just got back home with my shiny new S4 and I can't wait to get the thing rooted and rom'd. But! Before I take the dive, I'd like to test the waters of this lovely phone's community.
If you have a few minutes to spare:
- What rom/kernel are you using? Why?
- What is one thing that you wish you knew about the S4 before flashing?
Thanks!
- EJ
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hey there... I remember you from the Fascinate forums. I finally ended up getting an S4 about 2 1/2 months ago and for the most part it's a great device, but you can't expect near the same freedom as you had with the Fascinate.
When I got mine I ended up with ME7 so it sounds like you're in the same boat. I have mine rooted, but decided not to use Safestrap because of the limitations it brings (mainly the storage issue). I'm pretty happy with how I have mine set up and it's pretty snappy overall, but I really do wish I had gotten an MDK in order to really flash roms like I used to on my Fascinate.
If you choose to use Safestrap then go nuts and I hope you find some roms you like (Hyperdrive seems to get the most love around here from what I've noticed). I'll just quickly list off the modifications I did to mine that got it to where I like it:
-Froze all bloat with Titanium, including the SDM 1.0 (to prevent unwanted updates)
-Got rid of e911 icon and ongoing WiFi notification
-Installed the International Voice Dialer with call recording
-Installed Volume Boost mod (increased it around 50% over stock)
-Installed Xposed Framework so I could use Greenify features
-Used Greenify to hibernate all misbehaving apps (examples would be Facebook and Google Play Store) (... this increased battery life A LOT)
-Installed AdAway (adblocker)
-Turned all animations down to .5 in developer options and disabled all hovering effects on the lock screen
Doing all that really made this thing a lot better than it was, but I'm still hoping for a true bootloader unlock to start playing with it more. I have found a lot of the Touchwiz features to be quite useful, like the voice control stuff, camera app, etc, so I would probably stick with a modded Touchwiz rom if I had the option. Good luck.
edit: Oh and another thing you might not be aware of - the camera is set to 9.5MP by default in the app, you need to go into settings to use the native 13MP resolution.
One thing to note that no one mentioned (and in case you didn't read elsewhere) is that with SafeStrap you can not use ROMs with custom kernels. So that means no AOSP based ROMs like CM, Carbon, PACman and others since they are all using a custom kernel. At least until they get KEXEC working with SafeStrap (if they get it working). So basically you can only use modded TW roms with a stock kernel.
My S3 died when plugging a USB stick via an OTG cable. See here for the issue:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1981582
I'm past the year warranty, and no upgrade until October. This backup TBolt is killing me, so I need to buy a used phone, either an S3 or an S4. I had a couple questions about the S4:
SAFESTRAP QUESTIONS
- I'm guessing that Safestrap chainloads another partition using code written into the primary system partition?
- I'm unclear as to the ROM limitations. Is it just the kernel that has to be stock, or does the ROM have to be essentially TW? Can the ROM be debloated?
- Is it as fast as running the stock partition? (I know it's on EMMC)
- How does multiboot work? Does one have to go into Safestrap Recovery, choose a partition, and reboot? Or is it more like a desktop OS, where there's a chooser at boot time?
- Does the decreased RAM significantly impact app space? Is it imperative to find a 32gb model?
- Can one use the same data/sdcard partitions with multiple 'ROM'-slots, or even the stock partition?
HARDWARE QUESTIONS
- Are the overheating issues serious, or just overblown?
- Have there been problems with the USB port? (I don't want to fry another phone)
- I'm guessing it's hard to find an MDK phone at a reasonable price?
- Anyone remember the videogame "MDK"?
SUMMARY
I mainly use the phone for PIM apps, web browsing, GMaps, and podcasts/music. I prefer a debloated ROM for speed, but don't mind a stock base. I don't nead CM/AOSP, etc. For reference, I run CleanROM on the S3. I use a 64gb SD card for data, so don't need much internal memory.
It seems the only advantage of the S4 to me is the better display. The S3 is plenty fast for me. OTOH, the S4 would also future-proof me. The S5 doesn't sound like much of an upgrade from the S4, and will problably be locked down even more.
Any advice?
No overheating with the s4, I should know. I mean I have 4 of em in my house that my sisters use. Their perfect because when you root them you can get sick android and not all your tells garbage from whatever your carrier is. Bottom line is get and s4 used of eBay then upgrade the s3 you has ace to an s5 when it comes out, if it comes, when... The s5 might just be a rumor. But yes
Sent from my Nexus 7 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
pepsitank said:
No overheating with the s4, I should know. I mean I have 4 of em in my house that my sisters use. Their perfect because when you root them you can get sick android and not all your tells garbage from whatever your carrier is. Bottom line is get and s4 used of eBay then upgrade the s3 you has ace to an s5 when it comes out, if it comes, when... The s5 might just be a rumor. But yes
Sent from my Nexus 7 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
S5 is out on alot of carriers including verizon
mageus said:
- I'm guessing it's hard to find an MDK phone at a reasonable price?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
$240: http://swappa.com/listing/WSA236/view
$320: http://swappa.com/listing/ZYS520/view
$335: http://swappa.com/listing/QUI701/view
I'd definitely say get an MDK S4 - the S5 may never have an unlock exploit.
Oishikatta said:
$240: http://swappa.com/listing/WSA236/view
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Wow, didn't know there was an MDK S4 for that cheap. Can one assume that's MDK since it has CM on it?
However, S3s are dropping to $150 since people are getting S5s.
Also, what, exactly, was tasty?
mageus said:
Wow, didn't know there was an MDK S4 for that cheap. Can one assume that's MDK since it has CM on it?
However, S3s are dropping to $150 since people are getting S5s.
Also, what, exactly, was tasty?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
みんなはおいしいです。僕は恐竜です。
The 7th picture looked like AOSP icons, and CM can only be installed on MDK.
joshuabg said:
S5 is out on alot of carriers including verizon
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ooh. Thank you for helping me learn more about technology
I tell people that I'd trade my MDK S4 for an S3 all the time. I just felt like I got better performance out of it all around. CM11 definitely ran better and was more stable on the S3, even in Alpha stages, than even the most current CM11 build for the S4.
Just my opinion though.
And yes I remember the old MDK Sega Genesis game. I loved that game.
Sent from my SCH-I545 using xda app-developers app
Oishikatta said:
みんなはおいしいです。僕は恐竜です。
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thats japanese, it means: Everyone is delicious. I'm a dinosaur.
Oishikatta said:
みんなはおいしいです。僕は恐竜です
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
<shudder>
32BitWhore said:
I tell people that I'd trade my MDK S4 for an S3 all the time. I just felt like I got better performance out of it all around. CM11 definitely ran better and was more stable on the S3, even in Alpha stages, than even the most current CM11 build for the S4.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So, are you saying the ROMS for the S4 aren't mature yet? As I said above, I run CleanROM. Rock stable but still quick because of the debloat. If S4 ROMS don't provide a stable environment, I may want to stick with an S3.
BTW, the S4 for $235 @ Swappa has been dropped about a foot and has a crack in the glass near the button (not over the screen). It also only comes with a Zerolemon extended battery/case which is twice as thick as a stock S4. One would have to buy a stock backplate and standard sized battery. I'm guessing it's been through multiple owners.
Think it's worth it?
mageus said:
<shudder>
So, are you saying the ROMS for the S4 aren't mature yet? As I said above, I run CleanROM. Rock stable but still quick because of the debloat. If S4 ROMS don't provide a stable environment, I may want to stick with an S3.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'd be more inclined to say the ROMs I use aren't. AOSP ROMs specifically. I'm sure many people are just fine with TW ROMs and are perfectly okay with the SafeStrap method. I'm not one of those people and as a result have had stability issues. I'm currently running the final release of CM 10.2.1 because it's much more fully matured, but I still have issues with data dropping from time to time and other general instability. I never had issues like this with my S3, iirc, even on CM 11.
Sent from my SCH-I545 using xda app-developers app
mageus said:
BTW, the S4 for $235 @ Swappa has been dropped about a foot and has a crack in the glass near the button (not over the screen). It also only comes with a Zerolemon extended battery/case which is twice as thick as a stock S4. One would have to buy a stock backplate and standard sized battery. I'm guessing it's been through multiple owners.
Think it's worth it?
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I would pass on just about all of them except those running MDK.
Having KNOX, is a pain in the butt.
I personally would not buy the S4. I have one but would not buy another.
I'd go for something that I could unlock the bootloader.
Right now the LG G2 is as cheap as the GS4 with hardware close to the HTC M8 or Galaxy S5.
If you need an internal SD that won't work. My next phone is not Samsung. Just say no to "KNOX Pox".
32BitWhore said:
I tell people that I'd trade my MDK S4 for an S3 all the time. I just felt like I got better performance out of it all around. CM11 definitely ran better and was more stable on the S3, even in Alpha stages, than even the most current CM11 build for the S4.
Just my opinion though.
And yes I remember the old MDK Sega Genesis game. I loved that game.
Sent from my SCH-I545 using xda app-developers app
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Click to collapse
Not sure what your doing but my S4 blows my S3 out of the water. Try a Rom like Liquidsmooth or Vanir !
ahoslc said:
Not sure what your doing but my S4 blows my S4 out of the water. Try a Rom like Liquidsmooth or Vanir !
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Would you care to rephrase that? I'm not sure how you S4 is better than your S4.
Honestly if you wanna mod, roms all that, your best bet Is either a nexus or HTC, as you can unlock HTC bootloader. Or pay full price for unlocked version of s4 :/
Sent from my GT-I9505 using Tapatalk
tech_head said:
Right now the LG G2 is as cheap as the GS4 with hardware close to the HTC M8 or Galaxy S5.
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Click to collapse
Need microSD. That rules out the G2, HTC One, Nexus 5 (off VZW). S4 is the only viable phone in that generation. M8/S5 too expensive.
Most people here harping on the need for mdk are ALMOST wrong, lol. The OP says he only wants stock based roms. That is totally an option with safestrap. Currently your needs sound like they would totally be met with a locked Verizon phone. However, who knows what future updates will "fix"... so there would be a chance that safestap couldnt be made to work on a new update... at which point you would have to choose between updates and roms...
Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk
scryan is prescient.
I'm leaning towards an S4 for 2 reasons:
- 1080 screen.
- It would be a shame to have to pay for a new phone, just to get the same old thing. Granted, the S4 is >$100 more . . .
It looks like the TW ROMs have enough customization to keep me happy. It's a shame that Scott stopped developing CleanROM, as that's rock stable on the S3. Hyperdrive sounds like a good candidate to start. Not worried about updates killing SS. I'm sure the devs will find a way around it.
Just waiting to see if the S5 release drives S4 prices downward any further.
MDK S4.
One thing you may not have seen first-hand is just how huge a difference AWS makes.
Hello all,
Apologies if this seems like a really dumb question. I have been out of the rooting / rom'ing game for almost two years now. I miss the OG Droid days .
So I have an NC5 verizon S4 with the new towelroot, and I was thinking about flashing a google play edition rom. However it looks like my options are slim. From what I have read, my only option is a Safestrap compatible rom. If that's the case, I have some Safestrap questions regarding performance. From what I can tell, safestrap is almost a little like dual-booting a PC, and allows you to have multiple operating systems (ROMs in our case) on the same hard drive. Will having a GPE ROM on a device that still has the humongous stock rom and all of its crap slow down the new rom? In other words, I am interested in a GPE rom for speed and to have a fast and efficient system, and I fear that Safestrap will simply put more data and more megabytes on top what already exists.
I am probably way off with this assumption, and I am hoping someone can explain to me how this works before I make a decision I could possibly regret.
I am sick of touchwiz and all of its crap, and I am seeking a clean and fast GPE rom!
Thanks for all who reply!
hackweed said:
Hello all,
Apologies if this seems like a really dumb question. I have been out of the rooting / rom'ing game for almost two years now. I miss the OG Droid days .
So I have an NC5 verizon S4 with the new towelroot, and I was thinking about flashing a google play edition rom. However it looks like my options are slim. From what I have read, my only option is a Safestrap compatible rom. If that's the case, I have some Safestrap questions regarding performance. From what I can tell, safestrap is almost a little like dual-booting a PC, and allows you to have multiple operating systems (ROMs in our case) on the same hard drive. Will having a GPE ROM on a device that still has the humongous stock rom and all of its crap slow down the new rom? In other words, I am interested in a GPE rom for speed and to have a fast and efficient system, and I fear that Safestrap will simply put more data and more megabytes on top what already exists.
I am probably way off with this assumption, and I am hoping someone can explain to me how this works before I make a decision I could possibly regret.
I am sick of touchwiz and all of its crap, and I am seeking a clean and fast GPE rom!
Thanks for all who reply!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I am on Hyperdrive 17.1 using Nova Prime launcher. Some Xposed framework mods. Hardly even recognizable as having TouchWiz as basis. As close to AOSP as you are likely to get unless the bootloader gets unlocked.
I've found mostly older threads to different builds. Not seeing what related to the build this device has?
Verizon S4
4.4.2
build number: KOT49H.I545VRUNK1
KERNEL 3.4
Just need some direction around these forums as it seems none of the root methods have a sticky.
Also, I'm buying up a bunch of used S4 from eBay for $100 and putting custom roms out of them for a last "good" life effort. Can you recommend the fastest most functional ROM?
I'm currently looking at HyperDrive. But, I like hearing about personal experience...
I Rooted my old ATT S4 a while ago. I recall using Odin and some other stuff, I believe Safestrap. I'm assuming a lot has changed since then...
GamerXavier said:
I've found mostly older threads to different builds. Not seeing what related to the build this device has?
Verizon S4
4.4.2
build number: KOT49H.I545VRUNK1
KERNEL 3.4
Just need some direction around these forums as it seems none of the root methods have a sticky.
Also, I'm buying up a bunch of used S4 from eBay for $100 and putting custom roms out of them for a last "good" life effort. Can you recommend the fastest most functional ROM?
I'm currently looking at HyperDrive. But, I like hearing about personal experience...
I Rooted my old ATT S4 a while ago. I recall using Odin and some other stuff, I believe Safestrap. I'm assuming a lot has changed since then...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
[How-To] Root I545_NK1 - 4.4.2 (12-1-2014)
Ah yes, I did manage to find that one after changing my search to NK1 instead of the entire build number.
Anyways, currently undergoing the entire stock install since it didn't take kindly to just using the NK5 kernel. It restarted repeatedly.
GamerXavier said:
Ah yes, I did manage to find that one after changing my search to NK1 instead of the entire build number.
Anyways, currently undergoing the entire stock install since it didn't take kindly to just using the NK5 kernel. It restarted repeatedly.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It is unstable when doing that method but is definitely doable.
You could also try kingroot.
I managed to get it to cooperate after about 4 hours of arguing. This phone was surely problematic. But, I got safestrap and a hyperdrive rom on it.
Would you suggest the most current and "best" solution for battery life and performance? I'm trying to think of something to put on other phones.
GamerXavier said:
I managed to get it to cooperate after about 4 hours of arguing. This phone was surely problematic. But, I got safestrap and a hyperdrive rom on it.
Would you suggest the most current and "best" solution for battery life and performance? I'm trying to think of something to put on other phones.
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Click to collapse
From my experience, Hyperdrive in combination with xposed, greenify, and amplify, has the best battery life.
If you want lollipop Stang5litre OC1 rom is the only thing there is besides stock/stock deodexed.
How about that Qualcomm app for battery management? "BatteryGuru"
GamerXavier said:
How about that Qualcomm app for battery management? "BatteryGuru"
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Click to collapse
I've never tried it so not sure.
But its always worth a try.
Using it so far. Won't know much until I get my new batteries. The downside of buying used phones batteries must be replaced, lol.