I've tried out several of the ROMs available for the Droid 4 and I was already taking notes on each of them, so thought I'd share a review on each here. I already posted my thoughts on LineageOS 14.1 in a previous thread so we'll skip straight to crDroid.
crDroid 3.8.5 is the latest addition to the D4 scene. It runs Android 7.1.2 and is based on LineageOS 14.1, apparently branched from the spyder builds. Its advantages include support for JJB's overclock kernels, in fact WiFi doesn't work without it; support for use of the altpart Safestrap to repurpose the webtop partition and give you the largest 1.3GB /system partition in your stock slot; built-in signature spoofing for MicroG/Xposed support; the most recent (Jan/2018) Android security patch level; integrated custom fonts; Ad Away browser integration; great battery life; and its own cool settings section with lots of other custom features. Like all Android V5+ versions this supports hand-wave notifications on the lock screen.
Its disadvantages are that it's fairly thick due to being on 7.1.2, and unless you're running MicroG or a very tiny Gapps package (Slim Zero or OpenG pico), it can be slow, though not nearly as bad as LineageOS 14.1 on which it's based. Videos are jerky and audio stutters. It's really intended to be used with MicroG. And despite being around only six months, it is no longer officially supported by the crDroid team, so no further updates at this time. A major factor for users of Google Voice is that it displays the routing phone number of your call rather than your actual destination phone number during the call, which can be confusing at worst and annoying at best. The call log still shows the correct destination phone number though. I'm not sure where the bug for this lives but it is specific to the ROM. Most annoyingly, the swipe-to-unlock is quirky - you have to swipe fully from bottom to top, and fairly quickly. It usually takes a couple attempts before the phone unlocks, making it difficult if not impossible to do with one hand.
Verdict: Best of the AOSP V7 ROMs for D4. But V7 isn't necessarily the best choice for D4 because of its high RAM usage. Unless there's a reason you absolutely need to run V7, i.e. for an app, you're better off with an older release that uses less RAM.
Thanks for you review. It is awesome to see that there still is active members hanging around. In my mind Lollipop was a bit laggy on Droid 4 compared to KitKat roms but Marshmallow and specially Nougat roms have improved the situation. I can consider Nougat as a daily driver for Droid 4 in 2018. I just hope that we could still see Android Oreo Go edition on our device.
Related
This is a bit unorthodox and clumsy, but I carry two devices around with me in order to keep in touch with the world.
A QWERTY Droid4 for SMS and calls.
A more modern Android device (Samsung Note 4 for WhatsApp, FB Messenger, YT, web browsing).
Which ROM would be best for the Droid 4 if it is used only for the four things listed below?
Calls
SMS
Messaging (including WhatsApp and Messenger Lite) (no SnapChat/Instagram/etc)
Email (keeping in mind I may need to view attached links and docs)
I am looking for something reliable, snappy and responsive. Thank you!
I would definitely recommend some Android KitKat based ROMs, such as this or that one.
Android KitKat based ROMs are noticeable newer than stock ROM and lighter than Android Lollipop based and newer ones.
Thank you very much for your reply!
I believe you are 100% correct. In my time waiting for a reply, I went ahead with experimenting with LOS 14, and SlimKat.
Though LOS 14 looks fancy, shiny, and new... it doesn't run as good as how it's styled, at least on the 2012 Droid 4.
Running SlimKat was a breath of fresh air. It is an especially nice bonus that small details in its function are all programmed in (ex, volume rocker in landscape, any many others I'm sure I"m missing). Overall, SlimKat is miles more functional that LOS14, at least from my short experience.
Though SlimKat took a bit of extra work to get running with Canada's GSM (Rogers). That in itself was a very fun and challenging process (better understanding rooting/safestrap/mounting-storage-as-root/build.prop).
I look forward to seeing how this device in its current form can help manage my life. So far GCal, the messaging apps and the QWERTY keyboard have been immensely helpful.
So after seeing announcements about Project Treble and GSI floating about the internet I thought I'd look for a version to use on my Honor 9 Lite and came across this thread:
https://forum.xda-developers.com/project-treble/trebleenabled-device-discussion/android-pie-kirin-guys-t3830420
Users have had Android Pie running on a honor 7X so I thought there can't be that much difference between the 2 devices, so why not give it a try? If it goes wrong I can always use my stock backup.
So I flashed as per the instructions in that post and it works, really well. So much so that I'm gonna keep it as a daily driver.
Be careful which version of Gapps you use, the BitGapps mentioned in the post has been discontinued by the Dev, I initially tried OpenGapps but it was for 8.0 so failed to install.
If you search around you can still find the last version of BitGapps that was released, and is version 9.0 compatible.
What's Good
Installs pretty quick
Fast, much faster than EMUI - Could be a Placebo effect, but general use is very snappy and downloads/app installs seem very quick
Wi-Fi working fine
Bluetooth working fine, confirmed on Ticwatch and Car radio
Mobile data works fine
Finger print reader works fine
Sound and phone calls work fine
What's not so Good
This Rom is based off AOSP, don't expect any of the Huawei/EMUI functions or features.
On first boot the ROM is bare bones, hardly any apps installed, looks like an old version of Android rather than a shiny new one.
You have to enable guestures before the swipe navbar appears
You'll have to use a 3rd party launcher to get the full Android P look. The Quickstep launcher in this version of AOSP has sqaure icons and certain options like wallpaper/widgets etc just FC. - I chose Lawnchair for this.
Hotspot doesn't work at all, it just disables wi-fi then FC
You may have to mess around with the display settings to make things align correctly, for some reason everything seemed to be shifted to the left edge. I chose small display size with large font size to smooth it out
Camera obviously, same issues as we had on the 8.0 roms, banding/poor tracking/poor quality (Biggest downside) I've not rooted, so not tried any of the camera ports. Open Camera app has the same issues.
Sound over bluetooth was distorted (not confirmed, could be my car radio)
Some graphical glitches. Stutters & frame drops when using task switcher, switching to chrome from recents has a lag/distorted effect and menus appear out of focus and take a second or two to correct
Any Questions I'll try to answer as best as I can.
I've tried many different gsi images on my H9L. Most did make my phone 'feel' faster, I guess mainly due to the overhead EMUI takes and eliminating it does remove some burden from the phone. However, that's where the advantages stopped. Many of the issues you mention on Pie are on Oreo also. I had too many issues to overcome and make it 'daily driver' usable that it just wasn't worth it, so went back to stock and removed as much huawei/honor stuff as i could via root, then removed root. This seems to give me best of both worlds, i.e. close to vanilla android but everything, hardware wise, just works as intended. Since I have BL unlocked and TWRP working i can also keep updating, via HURupdater, with official updates for as long as huawei/honor keep posting updates; e.g. currently on B135 with Aug security patches, that is just as good as any GSI image now (Aug18).
Hi all,
I've been using various custom roms on my samsung galaxy s5 for a number of years now starting from Resurrection Remix, Lineage 14.1, then progressing to lineage 15.1 and now AospExtended-v6.2-official.
It's been an interesting learning experience and somewhat enjoyable and sometimes frustrating experience.
In some aspects I'm really happy that I've done so, as the software is updated quite frequently with the latest Android security patches.
* Get to experience features that my phone was never intended to have.
* Obtain root
* scratch a learning itch.
In some other aspects it can be quite frustrating:
* I've never gotten google assistant to be responsive on a consistent level
* Sometimes my device freezes when I say ok google to wake it up from the lock screen and it takes multiple "hey google" or "ok google attempts" to get my search while the phone just freezes or takes an excessively long time to load my search (which has been consistent over all of my custom roms).
* Since using Lineage 15.1 (oreo based rom) and AospExtended (pie based rom), the frequent bluetooth disconnections, which I'm not sure will ever be fixed.
* Camera quality has never been the same as stock.
What have been some of your experiences?
Have you been able to overcome your frustrations?
Thank you.
I am pretty happy with all the roms I've used on my s5 duos .....I never use Google services so no gapps ..... everything runs lagfree ......all my app needs are met by yalpstore(it fetches apps from Google Play Store) or aurora store (same)....…....very grateful to all the devs of LOS,AEX,HAVOC,VIPEROS,BOOTLEGGERS,etc roms they have made my phone usefull again ....
clockstoper said:
I am pretty happy with all the roms I've used on my s5 duos .....I never use Google services so no gapps ..... everything runs lagfree ......all my app needs are met by yalpstore(it fetches apps from Google Play Store) or aurora store (same)....…....very grateful to all the devs of LOS,AEX,HAVOC,VIPEROS,BOOTLEGGERS,etc roms they have made my phone usefull again ....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Interesting thanks for the response.
I enjoy Google products (when they work) but haven't had much luck with Google assistant. There's quite a bit of delay at times after I've woken up the phone with the hey Google voice command.
Sometimes this is the same with my gboard though.
Not sure whether I'm expecting too much from my old phone but it does tend to run on the slower side at times.
Sometimes I wonder whether the launcher has anything to do with it. I've decided today to use the pixel launcher which so far seems a bit smoother.
Otherwise I'd be using Nova and I've put all my apps in their own folders within the app drawee which sometimes I believe contributes to the slowness.
Overall today has been a good day I've had a couple of moments where Google assistant hasn't responded and some Bluetooth disconnects but otherwise ok.
I'm thinking about installing magisk on this rom but not sure whether it can be done as I have adopted my entire SD card.
Paul_Lunardi said:
Hi all,
I've been using various custom roms on my samsung galaxy s5 for a number of years now starting from Resurrection Remix, Lineage 14.1, then progressing to lineage 15.1 and now AospExtended-v6.2-official.
It's been an interesting learning experience and somewhat enjoyable and sometimes frustrating experience.
In some aspects I'm really happy that I've done so, as the software is updated quite frequently with the latest Android security patches.
* Get to experience features that my phone was never intended to have.
* Obtain root
* scratch a learning itch.
In some other aspects it can be quite frustrating:
* I've never gotten google assistant to be responsive on a consistent level
* Sometimes my device freezes when I say ok google to wake it up from the lock screen and it takes multiple "hey google" or "ok google attempts" to get my search while the phone just freezes or takes an excessively long time to load my search (which has been consistent over all of my custom roms).
* Since using Lineage 15.1 (oreo based rom) and AospExtended (pie based rom), the frequent bluetooth disconnections, which I'm not sure will ever be fixed.
* Camera quality has never been the same as stock.
What have been some of your experiences?
Have you been able to overcome your frustrations?
Thank you.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Is there no fix for the Bluetooth problem ?
Hi,
can any of you recommend the Rom to be fully functional and without any major bugs? Which of the basic normal functions must work and most do not work:
- enabling / disabling locations from the drop-down upper bar
- the ability to remove the search bar from the bottom of the background of the main screen and the date and time from its upper part (unnecessarily blocks the space, from this are the widgets)
- adaptation to fast charging, with a minimum current of 2000 mAh
- small date and watch with seconds on the upper beam
- list of connections as in older versions of android with a specific date and time, not in the type "3 days ago"
- dark background in the call list and sms messages
- software flashlight
- 8 shortcuts in one line (upper pull-down bar)
- main screen number of columns 8, number of lines 9
- working encryption
- average memory consumption max 1.5 GB
- security update status> March 2020
- advanced restart
- gallery with menu offering after the first click, e.g. image rotation, etc.
- installation file without Gapps and max 600 MB!
- rom created min 1-2 months ago, constantly updated
None of the following systems:
AospExtended-v7.0-santoni-20200309-1447-Dhruv-BUILDS (my favorite, No. 1)
crDroidAndroid-10.0-20200319-santoni-v6.4-LuisROM
Havoc-OS-v3.3-20200306-santoni-Official
Xtended-santoni-OFFICIAL-20200316-XQ-Rel-v7.0
RevengeOS-3.2-Q-OFFICIAL-santoni-20200319-0633
aicp_santoni_p-14.0-WEEKLY-20200328 (my favorite, No. 2)
RR-P-v7.0.2-20200213-santoni-Unofficial-LuisROM_9
AospExtended-v6.7-santoni-20200318-1847-Final_9 (my favorite, No. 3)
SuperiorOS-Phoenix-santoni-OFFICIAL-20200331-0941 (my favorite, No. 4)
can offer the above combined functionalities without the need to install additional software.
Worst of all, the developers do not respond to comments and submissions.
Some of them are almost perfect, but the grid density, hotspot, or the right number of columns settings are missing.
I was thinking about LineogeOs .. but this is a very limited rom in terms of personalization and settings. Practically like MIUI.
Table from a comparison of Roms:
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1tCVfL3i3j6H9mWrmzM_q-erkzYRjm2PRzNjwmNyNTPE/edit?usp=sharing
How about you build your own ROM ? No offence. I've been thinking the same I too need the exact features you ask for. But I do not have any coding knowledge to build a rom. Tho I'm willing to learn but I don't find anything that would teach me lol. (searching YouTube too build a rom would be futile since some videos are either old that it's not the current format and or if it is the current format they talk as if we already have knowledge of what they're talking about). But otherwise lineage with nothing in it would make good empty cup to fill tea or coffee of your wish to fill in. But I know it's p.i.a to have additional softwares like magisk or apps, thus comes ROMs of other better developers but with one noticeable flaw that the ROMs are not customised to your liking. So the only option left for you is to build your own ROM. I guess lineage allows you to customise and share your ROM however you like it.
Lineage hasn't been updated in 7 days(usually within 5 days you'd have gotten an update) .. I think the official version is gonna jump from 16.0 to 17.1. if it did I hope the features you asked for would be there. Obviously except the gapps one.
Thanks for the message .. what are you not angry
I also thought to build my ROM, I have energy for it, but no time at the moment. I did not check how to build instructions ... if you do not need to be able to program it sure and it would do the trick.
In addition, Remi 4x is a bit old equipment, but still without a successor in these dimensions and with such a battery. So he'll probably live some more. I do not know to what extent the knowledge and rom prepared for a given phone can be used to transfer everything to a possible new phone model.
In my opinion, LineageOs is unnecessarily updated every day ... it's a waste of time - because no one updates the phone so often! Unless there are some patches from your phone by checking for updates (partial additions, like in Windows) that I don't know about?
Downloading 600 MB of data each time is also an unnecessary load on connections.
In fact LoS 17.1 may be showing up at any moment, but I am convinced that not much will change. Do not understand and understand that the community and developers completely ignore bug reports! I also do not understand the logs, since the applications are based on freshly installed software and ordinary uncomplicated, perfectly visible faults.
A lot of new ROMs are being created, but if I don't see earlier versions and the creator is little known then I will certainly not install such software. Unfortunately, I value privacy.
All in all, I prefer a ROM with minimal additions, embellishments, etc. but with lots of settings. The Rom remix was such, but from June 2019 it is not updated.
In addition, I see a lot of duplicate settings not needed from several places on the system. Elementary deficiencies in the ergonomics of use. I have the impression that Android was built for the first time and in addition they were students ... and yet it already has several editions. How much time has passed and how much discussion was about dual-sim, and yet it was a standard that was obvious.
Developers are developers, but certainly Google itself is extremely mixed in all this. Probably, if not for the huge number of devices and even more subcontractors, something could be created that would be fully open to the benefit of all users, such as Firefox, Openstreetmaps or Linux Manjaro.
Probably I will return into Los:
https://forum.xda-developers.com/li...c-settings-t4083435/post82298887#post82298887
Hi everyone.
I just got my Note 8 and it is a beast!
my phone prior to this was actually an Xperia Z1 (yep, the one from 2013), which has LineageOS 7.1 (Nougat) loaded onto it. I loved that rom, so much I actually put the same LineageOS version on my ASUS tablet too. So I'm pretty used to the trebuchet launcher and Nougat system in general.
the previous owner of my Note8 had pretty much installed all the updates up till late last year, so It's got the 9 Pie update installed. Android 9, combined with the One UI launcher, and topped with annoying "Bixby???" button I keep accidentally pressing, is all a little too crazy for me, coming from LOs Nougat.
with my scouring of forums, I've seen a few people suggest that staying on Oreo is better for battery life / performance / usability compared to the Pie update.
Compared to my Z1, this thing is a speed demon, it certainly isn't slow... but I do notice that the battery seems to drain a bit even when the phone is left in standby, and considering it's a fresh factory reset OS with almost no user apps installed, I'm a little concerned to see it's using 3gb of memory on just bloat and background services.
So pretty much I've been looking into the custom rom situation for the Note8.
My main priority is debloating and stability. I've seen the popular Hades and Deluxe roms, but they look almost more like they are adding features and customization, rather than stripping the useless bloat. Also they seem to be pushing even newer android versions now.
I've seen that TeamEXYKings put out a few light roms, even ones supporting nougat. which I'm interested in trying, anyone have any thoughts on these? It looks like support has dropped for them.
Points I understand so far.... (correct me if I'm wrong)
*Currently, I can't flash because my KG state is in Prenormal, still waiting the 7 days with simcard and phone staying on.
*Exynos has an unlocked bootloader, snapdragon doesn't. It seems to be a common opinion that Booatloader can't be downgraded, so therefore I won't be able to roll back an oreo or nougat rom? yet I've seen some people claim they were able to after they unlocked the bootloader (very confused)?
*Most Roms take away Spen functionality? I do need this, but only for the pressure sensetivity in my art apps, I don't care too much about the drawing on notes/screenshots/off screen/ring shortcut. Will I still get the basic funcationality of my Spen on a custom rom?
*Seems there are some Galaxy S8 roms that have Note 8 functionality and vice-versa.. should I consider these? are there any drawbacks/bugs to consider?
sorry for the long post I'm open to anyone's thoughts and suggestion, cheers!
TLDR: new phone, not too keen on Android Pie and excessive Samsung bloat. please suggest light and stable rom for note 8.
dc_all said:
Hi everyone.
I just got my Note 8 and it is a beast!
my phone prior to this was actually an Xperia Z1 (yep, the one from 2013), which has LineageOS 7.1 (Nougat) loaded onto it. I loved that rom, so much I actually put the same LineageOS version on my ASUS tablet too. So I'm pretty used to the trebuchet launcher and Nougat system in general.
the previous owner of my Note8 had pretty much installed all the updates up till late last year, so It's got the 9 Pie update installed. Android 9, combined with the One UI launcher, and topped with annoying "Bixby???" button I keep accidentally pressing, is all a little too crazy for me, coming from LOs Nougat.
with my scouring of forums, I've seen a few people suggest that staying on Oreo is better for battery life / performance / usability compared to the Pie update.
Compared to my Z1, this thing is a speed demon, it certainly isn't slow... but I do notice that the battery seems to drain a bit even when the phone is left in standby, and considering it's a fresh factory reset OS with almost no user apps installed, I'm a little concerned to see it's using 3gb of memory on just bloat and background services.
So pretty much I've been looking into the custom rom situation for the Note8.
My main priority is debloating and stability. I've seen the popular Hades and Deluxe roms, but they look almost more like they are adding features and customization, rather than stripping the useless bloat. Also they seem to be pushing even newer android versions now.
I've seen that TeamEXYKings put out a few light roms, even ones supporting nougat. which I'm interested in trying, anyone have any thoughts on these? It looks like support has dropped for them.
Points I understand so far.... (correct me if I'm wrong)
*Currently, I can't flash because my KG state is in Prenormal, still waiting the 7 days with simcard and phone staying on.
*Exynos has an unlocked bootloader, snapdragon doesn't. It seems to be a common opinion that Booatloader can't be downgraded, so therefore I won't be able to roll back an oreo or nougat rom? yet I've seen some people claim they were able to after they unlocked the bootloader (very confused)?
*Most Roms take away Spen functionality? I do need this, but only for the pressure sensetivity in my art apps, I don't care too much about the drawing on notes/screenshots/off screen/ring shortcut. Will I still get the basic funcationality of my Spen on a custom rom?
*Seems there are some Galaxy S8 roms that have Note 8 functionality and vice-versa.. should I consider these? are there any drawbacks/bugs to consider?
sorry for the long post I'm open to anyone's thoughts and suggestion, cheers!
TLDR: new phone, not too keen on Android Pie and excessive Samsung bloat. please suggest light and stable rom for note 8.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Rather than trying to address everything I will stick to what is most important for you, debloating and stability. Both Deluxe and Hades rom let you choose most of what bloatware you want during the Aroma installation, although they vary slightly in what is selectable but if you don't want Bixby for example just don't select it in Aroma. For stability you won't go wrong with a stock based rom.
If you love Lineaage OS you can flash Lineage 17 which is stable, you can find the latest build in the link I will post below, however this will remove the Spen functionality so it is literally just a touch pen and I don't know if the pressure censor works for drawing. You will need to flash Gapps with this to get the Google play store.
https://images.stricted.net/lineageos/greatlte/
I want to make you aware, just in case you don't know, that as soon as you flash TWRP this trips Knox so Samsung Pay will never work again, it breaks other things too like Shealth and Secure Folder but most stock based roms have this patched so they work, just not Samsung Pay.
Another option is to buy a package disabler, which is what I use, so I can disable or enable any app with just a click so then you can stay fully stock.
stonedpsycho said:
Rather than trying to address everything I will stick to what is most important for you, debloating and stability. Both Deluxe and Hades rom let you choose most of what bloatware you want during the Aroma installation, although they vary slightly in what is selectable but if you don't want Bixby for example just don't select it in Aroma. For stability you won't go wrong with a stock based rom.
If you love Lineaage OS you can flash Lineage 17 which is stable, you can find the latest build in the link I will post below, however this will remove the Spen functionality so it is literally just a touch pen and I don't know if the pressure censor works for drawing. You will need to flash Gapps with this to get the Google play store.
https://images.stricted.net/lineageos/greatlte/
I want to make you aware, just in case you don't know, that as soon as you flash TWRP this trips Knox so Samsung Pay will never work again, it breaks other things too like Shealth and Secure Folder but most stock based roms have this patched so they work, just not Samsung Pay.
Another option is to buy a package disabler, which is what I use, so I can disable or enable any app with just a click so then you can stay fully stock.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks a bunch for your advice, very helpful.
and thanks for bringing up the knox thing. I have heard that, though I forgot to mention it in my post. I think I'll be fine without those samsung features.
I'll keep a close eye on Hades and Deluxe then. There seems to be the most information about them online and even some video reviews.
I'll look into the newer lineageOS too, it sounds like it will meet my needs, but I would hate to lose some functionality on Spen or camera, so Stock based may be the way to go..
Also I hadn't ever heard of a Package disabler.. definitely going to look into that too.
Another great perk for LOS was the privacy guard, being able to disable apps loading at startup or not allowing them to run in background really extended my battery life. I'll have to look into similar options from 3rd party apps.
thanks again for your help.