Greetings! My current phone plan is ending (finally!) and I'm looking to get a new phone. I am not an Android developer (though I am keen on getting into that at some point) but I most certainly will root it and install a custom ROM, etc, as I have always done. I need advice on which phone is best for that: has the most extensible developer support and biggest number of custom ROMs (that are not just debloated version of stock). Also, what's the status on Android Pay+root, does it work on any phone? Finally, I need it to have a powerful hardware. I read my options come down pretty much to Nexus 6P, Pixel, HTC 10 and OnePlus 3T (I think all of them, but Pixel, come with Marshmallow but have Nougat updates released.) Their prices are vastly different and most are not available as a phone plan in my country (Australia). I may end up having to buy them as a pre-paid phone from eBay or wherever. What are your thoughts on them when it comes to rooting/modding, hardware prowess and price?
P.S. I use Linux on my PC and laptops, so it would be great if the bootloader unlocking, rooting and flashing of recovery can be done via fastboot and adb. I've only owned Samsung Galaxies so far and had to go through the trouble of installing Windows just to use Odin.
Hi,
For your smartphones choice, I vote for Oneplus.
I have OP3 and tried OOS (stock), ResurrectionRemix and PhoenixExtended ROMS.
OP3 is really well supported by devs and hardware quality is really good for the privé.
Related
This is sort of a technical question regarding the architecture of the Android OS and possibly its licensing, etc... For most Windows computers, you can simply download, or buy a copy of Windows directly from Microsoft, install it on any x86 hardware and it will be fully optimized (speed, battery life, etc...). Why can't Google make a build of Android like this so I can simply buy a copy from them and install it on my phone with OEM hardware overtop of their bloated and skinned version of Android? For example, why can I not buy, say a Galaxy SII, and then buy a copy of 'Vanilla Android' from Google and install it legitimately and have it work? I realize that I can flash a copy of CM7 or some other custom ROM from open source developers but I would like to be able to just simply buy a copy of stock android, directly from Google, install it on my device, and have it work, just like with a Windows computer. Is the reason Google does not do this due to licensing issues? Or is there some other reason for this seemingly obvious solution to all the annoying OEM and Carrier bloatware that most Android phones are subject to?
Note: I realize this question has already been asked but I was hoping for a reason for why Google can't (or won't) provide an alternate build of android that works on all devices in addition to the stock builds that come with phones. As well, why do device manufacturers insist on being total d'bags and not just simply release all the drivers for their phones so we can choose the best phone for the reasons you want to (i.e. speed, build quality, price, specs etc...) and not because of the stupid bloatware or lack thereof?!?
Because, stock Android means absolutely NO drivers installed for a specific device so your phone WILL NOT function (No Touchscreen, No signal, etc). Samsung releases their own firmware after compiling their own Baseband, Kernel and ROM. This contains their touchscreen drivers, wireless drivers, etc. When you change the ROM, you essentially void the warranty, so manufacturers do not encourage it, but they do allow you to combine their components together for you to make your own custom ROM (using their baseband, kernel and/or Samsung official rom as their base roms)
They build their own ROMs so that they know what they are managing, and what they need to fix and update. Also there's also a USP for every product released, let's say, Sony Ericsson's UI with Timescape, Samsung's Touch-Wiz UI, Motorola's Blur, etc. If you want a stock phone then I suggest you go for the Galaxy Nexus, or one of those Nexus phones that Google themselves maintain.
If you want a stock copy of Android OS on the Galaxy S II, try CyanogenMod, it is a custom ROM which is very stock and runs on every device, BUT each device, you need to download a DIFFERENT rom, because their different drivers. If you expect Google to release drivers for each phone for their stock OS'es, they will go insane as their are an uncountable amount of Android devices released on a weekly basis
Great answer Nicholas I read this about an hour ago & spent 10 minutes trying to come up with a detailed answer that would make sense to a user of any experience level. Then I gave up
I'm referring to all smartphones not only SGS2 here.
Ad part 1 - It could be difficult. Every device is different and going this way Google would have to prepare/upgrade it's OS for every device on the market. This is hell of a job, so it's up to device manufacturer or community to do this. I think smartphones differ to much (much more than PCs), so it's not possible to create one system for all. Besides, warranty issues - manufacturer of the device could not be responsible for problems caused by someone else's OS (this is understandable). It's also worth to notice that flashing a smartphone is a process completly different than installing OS on PC as PC cannot be bricked in this process. Give users easy way to flash anything on their phones and you have another gate to problems as they will surely flash everything including windows dlls on their phones. You say that on PC any OS can be installed, I say FOR NOW. In a few years You will have a choice - cheaper PC, windows only, OS only from manufacturer or more expensive one and you install anything You want. Why do you think UEFI was created? It will happen unless PC market collapses, because according to some market analytics we are entering post-PC era and mobile devices will became our main devices.
Ad part 2 - It's just business model. Manufacturer/carrier does not sell You the device (that's how they see it), they sell You some bunch of features and have no interest in You adding more of them to Your device. SGS2 is a flagship phone and it's kernel sources are released. It has unlocked bootloader also. You payed accordingly - so you free to do much more things, and use full hardware potential. With lower-end devices - manufacturers prefer that You buy another device instead of upgrading current one. Market insist on lower prices, but with every device unlocked/released drivers etc. prices would be much higher and smartphones much less affordable. Devices like SGS2 are created for very specific users - power users/devs/businessmans/enthusiasts.
I think that You want impossible. IMHO it's almost miracle that Samsung released some smartphones with unlocked bootloader so You can flash everything You want. (btw. it was the reason for me to choose sgs2). And about that "bloatware obsession" - I just don't understand why some people are sooo obsessive. I don't find some app usefull - I don't use it, period. But TBH I must say that Samsung put some serious s**t preinstalled on SGS2. Sometimes it outranks even worst market junk.
It seems that 9 times out of 10 I read about a problem with an android, it's about an OS update breaking things:
"Can't root the latest stock ROM update nohow"
"Latest mfc ROM / CM / etc. incorporated XXX change and now I can't get Viper4Android / AutomateIt / whatever working"
"Latest 5.x ROM now requires root for the same app / action that didn't require root before"
"SELinux / Knox / etc. can't be disabled nohow on the latest ROM"
Personally I got everything working just the way I want on the rooted form of the stock 4.4.2 ROM that came with my LG G Pro 2
--and I'd strangle anyone who hits the update button on it (except I think rooting disabled the OTA update thing)
----and I have half a mind to buy another identical phone for backup, because this phone still seems to be able to go toe to toe with the latest flagships (1080p screen is plenty dense enough for my eyes, 3GB/32GB still seems to be the maximum amount of memory any phone packs, I could care less about new CPUs that eat batteries at the same rate that they increase performance) and more importantly, I'm very pessimistic about the prospects of being able to get Viper4Android, Xposed framework, VolumeSteps+, PBMC Mappings and AutomateIt all working on whatever ROM that comes with whatever next phone I would have to buy when this one breaks.
I read the adventures of those who upgrade their ROM nightly and run into a different compatibility problem every night the way I listen to the ravings of a lunatic walking out of a spectacular train wreck
And I have a friend whom I bought a Sony Z3 for who had gone through trying a dozen different ROMs in a few weeks. It's a brick now
You can argue that the older versions of Android would have more stability and mods, but most end users are not as tech savvy and are less demanding as yourself. All they need is a phone that functions properly for them. Usually developers release updates to fix stuff with the current firmware, so most end users would be tempted to do the update when it comes out. They would be less concerned with things like V4A and custom mods which require more knowledge. As for LG G Pro 2, I wouldn't say it's able to go head to head with other flagship phones, unless you used a custom ROM with it. Specifications wise, it will still lose out to most phones, because no matter how much you attempt to tweak the software, it is still limited by the hardware. Furthermore, when you compare the developer database to Samsung and Sony, LG has a much smaller database as compared to both manufacturers. You can find plenty of custom ROMs for Samsung and Sony phones, but not so for LG phones. Just my two cents.
Hi, this question may sound weird. I believe I made a general post about but got lost.
I have the XT1650-03 and also XT1543 (may sound off topic but is not).
Both of them are running custom roms, the Z running Android 9, and the G3 2015 running Android 7.
My question is, how do you know which is the "optimal" version for a phone? I'm not talking about features, or security updates. Is like having a PC running Windows 7, and then upgrading (doing a clean install of course) to Windows 10 and you see that the computer works but has a hard time with it. The same could be said with Linux versions; maybe.
I'm debating myself between staying where I'm or going back to stock on both phones, then rooting them, as not much modification was done and both of them are my daily drivers; so I care more for stability and optimal resource use during the day than anything else.
I remember once @ lost101 made some optimized roms for the Moto G, basically stock roms but without bloatware and some optimizations, but haven't seen anyhing for the G3 or even the Z. I remember my Moto G lasted quite a long time before I gave it to my mom a few years ago, today she has a Moto E, but still has my old Moto G working, she has it as a backup phone; still with the improved Moto G stock rom.
Edit: I also wanted to thank @squid2, @sd_shadow, their files have also kept in shape my trusty Moto G3
Sorry, I'm getting old for this.
XDADoog said:
Hi, this question may sound weird. I believe I made a general post about but got lost.
I have the XT1650-03 and also XT1543 (may sound off topic but is not).
Both of them are running custom roms, the Z running Android 9, and the G3 2015 running Android 7.
My question is, how do you know which is the "optimal" version for a phone? I'm not talking about features, or security updates. Is like having a PC running Windows 7, and then upgrading (doing a clean install of course) to Windows 10 and you see that the computer works but has a hard time with it. The same could be said with Linux versions; maybe.
I'm debating myself between staying where I'm or going back to stock on both phones, then rooting them, as not much modification was done and both of them are my daily drivers; so I care more for stability and optimal resource use during the day than anything else.
I remember once @ lost101 made some optimized roms for the Moto G, basically stock roms but without bloatware and some optimizations, but haven't seen anyhing for the G3 or even the Z. I remember my Moto G lasted quite a long time before I gave it to my mom a few years ago, today she has a Moto E, but still has my old Moto G working, she has it as a backup phone; still with the improved Moto G stock rom.
Edit: I also wanted to thank @squid2, @sd_shadow, their files have also kept in shape my trusty Moto G3
Sorry, I'm getting old for this.
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This may not help you as much as you would like The most optimized ROM is the one that works the best for you.
Most ROMs that are going beyond what the OEM provided are building that against the base firmware of the device. So a device that doesn't have A/B slots, won't get seamless updates, or treble support (ok, there are rare cases for Treble). The point is, custom ROMs are providing kernel and security updates. For some people, all of the bells and whistles in a custom ROM is not optimized for their use. For others, stock is never enough. I personally retire a device that no longer gets security updates, either from the OEM or at least from the custom development community.
Often a device performs badly due to an aging battery. Also, any ROM, over time can get bogged down and benefit from a factory reset fresh start.
You need to decide what serves you and your device best
@ktmom It does help, thank you.
The thing is that, I was debating myself thinking that the whole android world depended heavily on the phone's tech specs. I mean, I have read about a Moto G with Android 9 but... for a daily driver, that doesn't need all the bells and whistles... is it worth it? is it too much? That's what I was thinking.
Thank you for taking your time and answering me, I really appreciate it.
I think sometimes the new and improved specs are being chased because it's shiny. I tend to buy last season's model Google phone from swappa. I think the Nexus 6 is roughly equivalent to the Moto G. The N6 has several A9 ROMs still developed and at least one A10 ROM. I still have two N6 devices but they run as control devices in the house. Either could be pressed back into service as a daily driver if needed.
Hi all
I used AOKP on Samsung and LG some years ago, and it was incredible. I've tried many other ROMs (like 2 a month for a year), it was not the same. crDroid came close, but is still lacking. I want to buy a new phone that is known to have very stable AOKP support. I'm talking about someone who's used the device for 6-12 months at least with no known issues (or minor issues that legit don't bother them), and uses almost every aspect of the ROM's features (I've seen phones that don't support the ribbon, for example, which is a deal breaker).
My budget is anywhere from $300-$1000, I don't really care, so long as the device has at least 2GB RAM and an OK processor.
I don't care too much about the GPU because modern games block rooted devices anyway.
Phone size etc doesn't matter, though I'd prefer bigger rather than smaller.
At least 1920x1080 res, but larger is fine.
I'd prefer very good battery life. I don't want a second hand phone as people tend to ruin batteries, and replacements tend to have terrible shelf lives.
Getdroidtips dot com has some phones listed (I can't post the exact link to the list because too low rep ). The Google Pixel XL looks like a very good choice, but it seems you can't buy them new anymore.
Any suggestions from existing AOKP users? All advice will be much appreciated.
@aggregate1166877
I'm not an AOKP user.
The latest AOKP Custom ROM is based on Android 8.1. A Custom ROM such as TWRP is required to flash it, what presupposes that device's bootloader can get unlocked.
So your options are restricted to Android devices a TWRP exists for and its bootloader can get unlocked.
I'd like to get to as close to vanilla as possible. Not a fan of Samsung's ui or bloat. I'm coming from the tab s1 which had some pretty good roms. There are none for this device and it's almost 6 months old. I would make one myself but lack the necessary skills
Most of the newer top end Samsung Tablets get very little developer support since they cost so much. Happens with every new tablet having people asking where the developer support is for it. Samsung newer UI much nicer and any vanilla roms would take away most of the functionality that makes the tablets great. Apparently the S5e has some dev support.
Problem is Samsung seems to be super slow with there updates for the S7.
I've owned the S7+ SM-T970 for like just a week and I'm already feeling impatient waiting still running off the Oct. update while I keep hearing about about UI 3.0 update hitting there flagship phones.
Do you think at some point down the road when or before OEM support ends we can look forward to some working roms or Treble GSI options ?
Markeee said:
Problem is Samsung seems to be super slow with there updates for the S7.
I've owned the S7+ SM-T970 for like just a week and I'm already feeling impatient waiting still running off the Oct. update while I keep hearing about about UI 3.0 update hitting there flagship phones.
Do you think at some point down the road when or before OEM support ends we can look forward to some working roms or Treble GSI options ?
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Not everyone gets the update at the same time (don't know how they handle when and who should receive the update). I only got a November update a few days ago (though some claimed to have already gotten it) and it offered few improvements. The tablet still feels the same as usual.
As one must choose between custom ROMs and Knox (especially warranty), I'm currently at a loss myself, and for the time being I haven't heard of anyone trying (or succeeded in) booting a GSI on S7/S7+ probably because of this, although it's theoretically possible (again thanks to Treble). At least we now have TWRP... it might be better if one day custom kernels become available.
So far this is the only tablet I know that can offer 120Hz display. My current phone (Razer Phone 2 which is also 120Hz-capable) still doesn't have a specialized ROM but I can already run GSIs on it with adequate performance. For new devices, going for GSI might be easier, but performance-wise it still has a way to go compared to specialized ROMs.
Think it has to do with the fact that snapdragon is locked on samsung