After 10 years I want to get back to fiddling with a new phone. Need your advice! - Off-topic

Hey everyone,
Story:
back in 2012 I bought an Samsung S3 and did everything a tinkerer would, I rooted the phone, tried several roms, edited those roms, installed AMAzing apps such as droidwall and adblock, I loved and cared Alot for that phone. Unfortunately it brke at some point (I think I dropped it after 7 Years). then I had no time so I bought a Huawei p20 Lite, I hated the OS, I hated that it has a quickcharge function which I cannot diable, which reduces battery life by alot, I think there is a lot wrong with the Phone's software and subsequently its hardware. Now, after 4 years, the battery is drained within one day of barely using the phone and it has some cracks on the display.
Question:
I want to get back to fiddling around, I want to buy a new Android Phone and install a custom ROM, I wanna edit my stuff and preferably change the battery more easily (lets be hones, its aleays easy). BUT Since i haven't been up to date with the Phone market and the ROM community for a very long time I don't know where to start. Can you guys tell which phone and ROM combo you're using and what for? is AOSP still a thing? I am not a big mobile gamer or user in general, I use it for messaging and taking notes so no fancy stuff is required.
Any tips and info's are appreciated.
For context: I had a rooted Galaxy S3 with the WanamLite ROM, I had Droidwall, adblock and some other roms for backing up and everything. SOmething similar to that would be splendid. Bonus for customizable ROM (in regards of the Theme)
Thanks for taking the Time
Sincerely
Gram

Avoid phones from Oppo, Vivo, Honor, Huawei, Tecno, Infinix, Nokia, etc. (That don't let you unlock your phone's bootloader) like the plague.
Xiaomi, Poco (well Poco is a part of Xiaomi) and OnePlus phones are highly recommended as, apart from easily allowing you to unlock bootloader (once you do that, sky is the limit), they make the kernels of their phones open source, making custom rom development much easier.
And if you're looking for a specific phone, I'd recommend the Redmi Note 10 Pro, the recently launched Poco F4 or if it's available, then go for with either Redmi K20 Pro or the OnePlus 7 series phones (I'd prefer the 7 Pro or the 7T Pro).

Related

New to custom ROMs / Privacy / Camera

Hello everybody,
first of all: I'm completely new to custom ROMs. I've just used some phones with CyanogenMod long ago.
Currently I have a Galaxy S8 with the default shipped Samsung OS.
I thought about buying the Huawei P20 Pro because people say it has a very good camera.
And I want to switch to custom ROMs because of privacy concerns.
Especially because I've read very bad things about Huawei collecting A LOT of my personal information and also its connection to the chinese government.
Obviously I want to install my OS without Google's services and also I want a ROM without bloatware.
I want a clean, stable and performant system.
I use the phone for surfing, chatting, mails, camera and music mainly.
Currently I'm only aware of LineageOS. Should I maybe consider another ROM too?
- How good is LineageOS in aspect of privacy?
- Does it work well on the Huawei P20?
- Is the camera as good as with Huawei's default OS?
Thank you in advance!
haressipar said:
Hello everybody,
first of all: I'm completely new to custom ROMs. I've just used some phones with CyanogenMod long ago.
Currently I have a Galaxy S8 with the default shipped Samsung OS.
I thought about buying the Huawei P20 Pro because people say it has a very good camera.
And I want to switch to custom ROMs because of privacy concerns.
Especially because I've read very bad things about Huawei collecting A LOT of my personal information and also its connection to the chinese government.
Obviously I want to install my OS without Google's services and also I want a ROM without bloatware.
I want a clean, stable and performant system.
I use the phone for surfing, chatting, mails, camera and music mainly.
Currently I'm only aware of LineageOS. Should I maybe consider another ROM too?
- How good is LineageOS in aspect of privacy?
- Does it work well on the Huawei P20?
- Is the camera as good as with Huawei's default OS?
Thank you in advance!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
First off. It is a great camera so you're right there.
However, so not buy the P20 Pro, the bootloader can no longer be unlocked, so custom ROMs for a late adopter is not possible.
My advice, keep hold of the S8, personally is root I and install one of the many ROMs you probably have available , here on the p20 pro we have 2, treble doesn't work without rebooting every ten minutes and the fingerprint doesn't work.
Doesn't sound great I know, but the phones so good and lineage is decent enough if the bootloader could be unlocked I'd recommend it.
But as it can't be, I can't recommend it.

Question Change my mind: I bought a Xiaomi Mi 11 but I dislike MIUI

Hi all. I recently bought my first Xiaomi phone taking advantage of a launch offer on Amazon Italy (phone + Xiaomi Mi Smartwatch for 650 euros instead of 830 euros).
I was happy to have a device with a Snapdragon 888 processor, a super camera and an excellent 120 Hz screen but it took a few hours of use to realize that the biggest flaw of this device is the operating system.
I have been using Google or OnePlus phones for years, currently I also have a OnePlus 8 and I must say that the switch from OxygenOS to MIUI was devastating.
Handling background apps and notifications is awful. Often the notifications are not grouped or are identified correctly (those of Telegram are associated with a contact even if they are from another), in the background applications I find the same application several times. Using a "Pixel Experience" theme didn't improve that.
I prefer a device that is more like stock Android than a badly made iPhone.
I think about returning the product to Amazon but I'm here to ask you: why should I keep it? Am I wrong with my approach?
Help me make the right decision. Thank you.
-PaRRoT- said:
Hi all. I recently bought my first Xiaomi phone taking advantage of a launch offer on Amazon Italy (phone + Xiaomi Mi Smartwatch for 650 euros instead of 830 euros).
I was happy to have a device with a Snapdragon 888 processor, a super camera and an excellent 120 Hz screen but it took a few hours of use to realize that the biggest flaw of this device is the operating system.
I have been using Google or OnePlus phones for years, currently I also have a OnePlus 8 and I must say that the switch from OxygenOS to MIUI was devastating.
Handling background apps and notifications is awful. Often the notifications are not grouped or are identified correctly (those of Telegram are associated with a contact even if they are from another), in the background applications I find the same application several times. Using a "Pixel Experience" theme didn't improve that.
I prefer a device that is more like stock Android than a badly made iPhone.
I think about returning the product to Amazon but I'm here to ask you: why should I keep it? Am I wrong with my approach?
Help me make the right decision. Thank you.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I dislike MIUI as you. Nevertheless i use Xiaomi phones since 4 years. I use the developer rom (weekly) from Xiaomi.eu in combination with nova launcher. I like the multiple options (extras) of the rom based of latest android, the removed ads and bloadware and their grandiose community/ forums for the rom and the phones.
weekly
MIUI 12.5 - 21.3.3/5
Status: RELEASED RULES WHEN POSTING 1. If a ROM is not published DONT ASK ABOUT ITS ETA 2. If a ROM is not published DONT ASK why! 3. If a ROM is available, download it and use it 4. If a ROM has bugs, post the bug to the bug section if the BUG is not already listed 5. If you use any form of...
xiaomi.eu
phone
Xiaomi Mi 11 / Pro / Ultra / Lite / 11TPro
[venus, star, mars, courbet, renoir, vili]
xiaomi.eu
or parallel thread
[ROM][MIUI][venus] Xiaomi.eu ROM for Xiaomi MI 11
How to install Xiaomi.eu ROM for Xiaomi MI 11 We will release fastboot ROM versions until TWRP for venus is released TWRP is RELEASED Steps to install xiaomi.eu ROM for first time from China ROM (All your data and files on internal storage...
forum.xda-developers.com
-PaRRoT- said:
Hi all. I recently bought my first Xiaomi phone taking advantage of a launch offer on Amazon Italy (phone + Xiaomi Mi Smartwatch for 650 euros instead of 830 euros).
I was happy to have a device with a Snapdragon 888 processor, a super camera and an excellent 120 Hz screen but it took a few hours of use to realize that the biggest flaw of this device is the operating system.
I have been using Google or OnePlus phones for years, currently I also have a OnePlus 8 and I must say that the switch from OxygenOS to MIUI was devastating.
Handling background apps and notifications is awful. Often the notifications are not grouped or are identified correctly (those of Telegram are associated with a contact even if they are from another), in the background applications I find the same application several times. Using a "Pixel Experience" theme didn't improve that.
I prefer a device that is more like stock Android than a badly made iPhone.
I think about returning the product to Amazon but I'm here to ask you: why should I keep it? Am I wrong with my approach?
Help me make the right decision. Thank you.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Wellcome to the club
You are on the righ place.
Here you can learn how to customize the hell out of your device. I also use "Nova" launcher and that makes experience so much better for the start. And I apply "viral" custom icon theme pack across all of the apps.
In time developers will start releasing custom roms here that are maybe for your needs and likes. So just be patient and you will fall in love in Xiaomi and the device. No need to return it, it a good device that will just become better in the near future with upcoming updates. There is a 12.5 update coming sometime in April which will have much improvement in many segments.
Weird. After buying why this question?
New trend?
Just buy Pixel or OnePlus.
xdamami said:
Weird. After buying why this question?
New trend?
Just buy Pixel or OnePlus.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I can understand this question after buy. If somebody is not knowing Miui and bought an xiaomi, chinese one, that could be a shock.
-PaRRoT- said:
Hi all. I recently bought my first Xiaomi phone taking advantage of a launch offer on Amazon Italy (phone + Xiaomi Mi Smartwatch for 650 euros instead of 830 euros).
I was happy to have a device with a Snapdragon 888 processor, a super camera and an excellent 120 Hz screen but it took a few hours of use to realize that the biggest flaw of this device is the operating system.
I have been using Google or OnePlus phones for years, currently I also have a OnePlus 8 and I must say that the switch from OxygenOS to MIUI was devastating.
Handling background apps and notifications is awful. Often the notifications are not grouped or are identified correctly (those of Telegram are associated with a contact even if they are from another), in the background applications I find the same application several times. Using a "Pixel Experience" theme didn't improve that.
I prefer a device that is more like stock Android than a badly made iPhone.
I think about returning the product to Amazon but I'm here to ask you: why should I keep it? Am I wrong with my approach?
Help me make the right decision. Thank you.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ciao compa'
Coming from a Pixel 4XL and yes: devastating.
Using Nova Launcher or installing Xiaomi.eu will solve none of the problems that you are having. Actually Xiaomi.eu, even if based on 12.5, may make experience worts since you'll get Xiaomi apps for browser, dialer, contacts etc. Although Xiaomi.eu does not have the notification problems that you, me and everyone else with a EU Android 11 ROM is having, also on Mi10T phones.
If you contact me via pm I can try to provide some hints to ease the pain...

Should I exchange my s20FE 5G with Oneplus 9RT/Mi 11x pro?

I don't have any problems with the device, just that I am used to modding my devices and Samsung has made it very unappealing to root/unlock their phones. So if I trade this device, which is still under warranty, will it be a good deal?
that's gotta be entirely your decision as you've got to live with it. Oneplus 9 might've fixed some of it's heat issues or the community might've solved it, but look into that first. don't know much about the Xiaomi other than you need custom firmware because the stock one isn't good and the cameras aren't bad.
I'm currently running Lineage 19 GSI with a modified quick settings pull down, I'm rooted and have TWRP. the only thing I'm missing that I want is v4a and I could submit logs to get that fixed if I wanted. Samsung phones have had Knox for nearly a decade now, accepting Knox's demise going in is standard for Samsung modders. this phone is a rare chance to a Samsung with a snapdragon that can be rooted/modded for many people. custom roms are being worked on but both devs are new to Samsung and really struggling with a final major bug. if they overcome the problem custom roms will start to come thru with greater ease.
3mel said:
that's gotta be entirely your decision as you've got to live with it. Oneplus 9 might've fixed some of it's heat issues or the community might've solved it, but look into that first. don't know much about the Xiaomi other than you need custom firmware because the stock one isn't good and the cameras aren't bad.
I'm currently running Lineage 19 GSI with a modified quick settings pull down, I'm rooted and have TWRP. the only thing I'm missing that I want is v4a and I could submit logs to get that fixed if I wanted. Samsung phones have had Knox for nearly a decade now, accepting Knox's demise going in is standard for Samsung modders. this phone is a rare chance to a Samsung with a snapdragon that can be rooted/modded for many people. custom roms are being worked on but both devs are new to Samsung and really struggling with a final major bug. if they overcome the problem custom roms will start to come thru with greater ease.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well that last line gives me hope.
well the truth is the two guys working on roms have been struggling with getting the SIM cards to be recognised for months, to the point of needing to walk away for their sanity. the projects may resume or might not. there are one or two other devs with this phone who've said they'll be waiting until all the official updates are finished releasing. again there, no guarantee they'll even still have the phone by that time.
most guys are using GSI roms for now, they're OK but a full custom rom would be better.
If you like custom roms and development related fun with your device, you should go with xiaomi, xiaomi devices has better developement range and easy way to play with it, but oneplus hasn't as i also own 9rt and i am not a big fan of google dialer and because of only dialer i want to change rom to chinese( as 9rt has only chinese rom and chinese rom might have oneplus dialer ) and i am unable to find a proper thread or guide to get familier with oneplus phone - unlocking bootloader, flashing rom and vice versa. but in same case with xiaomi its easier and lots of videos on youtube too to get it done.
but mi 11 x pro has not a lot of custom roms, instead of this mi 11x has a wide range and you should try this
But one thing keep in mind among all devices you said and includes mi 11x samsnug s20 fe is best as i used all of this devcices and currently i am on 9rt samsung is good with stock rom you do not need to flash any custom rom.
mi 11x has best performance according to price but worst camera, mi 11x pro good phone but so so camera, 9rt is good in 3 of this but no wide range of custom developement.

Question Oneplus 10 pro users experience

Hi guys,
I appreciate sharing your user experience for oneplus 10 pro globalversion.
I compare between this device and oppo find x5 pro.
I read about some issues like overheating and lag with some apps.
Water resistant is not a real feature and it's not covered within the warranty.
A weak body of the phone and I shocked when I saw durability test.
The phone is perfectly fine and it ticks every box I could expect it to, bar a few..
1. Lack of a leaked recovery method, there is no MSM this time and there will never be.
2. Subsequently due to no MSM, there is no custom ROMs of any kind whatsoever and there never will be; simply because of the above and on android 12 a lack of complete sources.
If your only desire is the phone itself with root but no custom ROMs then yes it's a great great phone, also the global version doesn't get updates as well as the EU version (NE2213).
But.... if you ever have the idea to have more, then no it's not the phone for you, my advice is grab the nothing 2, wait for the pixel 8 pro or even the new Motorola 40 ultra.
OnePlus is now simply an extension of oppo and I highly doubt that it'll change any time soon, even if it did I believe the damage is already done, people now know that OnePlus/ oppo is doing a Huawei and they're sick of it, the writing is on the wall.
FYI this question has been asked a lot, I'd recommend searching these forums, your won't need to look for long.
Waterproof-ness on mine seems good. Dunked it in the swimming pool a couple of times with no issues.

Redmi 9A owner looking for alternatives to switching devices.

Hey guys. I'm from Brazil (so don't be surprised if some sentences are strange, I'm using google translator), I have a Redmi 9A, which is already giving me a headache because it's so slow!
The first thing I thought of doing was buying a new cell phone (simple, isn't it?), but due to budgetary issues (my daughter is 3 months old, so, you know, you know, it wears out and I'll spend a lot more!) I thought if I could do as I did years ago with my motorola C650...customize the phone with some ROM (or kernel, as I think it's called now) lighter, without the factory apps, which I can't uninstall to free up memory and help with its performance .
So that's it, I would like to know if there is any and what it would be, a very 'clean' rom/kernel, with basically just the phone application (dialing), so I can choose and install all the other apps that I will use on the smartphone , being able to uninstall or replace them whenever you want/need.
Welcome to XDA and enjoy the forums!
Cheers

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