I have asked this question elsewhere but didn't get an answer so I'm trying here.
I've had 3 generations of Samsungs and I really want to switch to something different, possibly the LG G3. What would really convince me is if I could reasonably anticipate a rock solid AOSP ROM for it at some point in the future. I'm sick of Samsungs bulky and laggy Touchwiz, and I've fallen in love with the pure Google experience that AOSP roms offer; but while they work OK on the Samsung, they suffer from a drop in quality and performance because I am told Samsung drivers are not open source and they have to use open source alternatives.
I've noticed that LG have an open source code distribution page with software for phones on it. Now I'm no developer, so the question I am asking is - do LG release their code open source? And does this mean that original developers are able to drive the LG hardware properly? What were AOSP roms like for the G2?
astralbee said:
I have asked this question elsewhere but didn't get an answer so I'm trying here.
I've had 3 generations of Samsungs and I really want to switch to something different, possibly the LG G3. What would really convince me is if I could reasonably anticipate a rock solid AOSP ROM for it at some point in the future. I'm sick of Samsungs bulky and laggy Touchwiz, and I've fallen in love with the pure Google experience that AOSP roms offer; but while they work OK on the Samsung, they suffer from a drop in quality and performance because I am told Samsung drivers are not open source and they have to use open source alternatives.
I've noticed that LG have an open source code distribution page with software for phones on it. Now I'm no developer, so the question I am asking is - do LG release their code open source? And does this mean that original developers are able to drive the LG hardware properly? What were AOSP roms like for the G2?
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the aosp builds for the g2 are pretty stable..it only took them a few weeks to sort them out but i just wish they offered a google edition like many companies are doing with their devices like the m8..s5..etc
hello00 said:
the aosp builds for the g2 are pretty stable..it only took them a few weeks to sort them out but i just wish they offered a google edition like many companies are doing with their devices like the m8..s5..etc
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Thanks for the reply. I found one or two aosp builds for my Galaxy S3 that I would describe as 'stable' in that they don't crash or lock up - but the audio quality using an open source driver is noticeably poorer, and that affects using the phone, audio messages, music playback, and video recording/playback - to the point that it just wasn't acceptable to me. My camera would always crash on aosp roms too.
So I'm still interested to know if original developers have access to the source code for for the G3 hardware - because if I'm paying for a 13mp laser guided camera, I want it to still function as it should under any rom I put on it!
astralbee said:
Thanks for the reply. I found one or two aosp builds for my Galaxy S3 that I would describe as 'stable' in that they don't crash or lock up - but the audio quality using an open source driver is noticeably poorer, and that affects using the phone, audio messages, music playback, and video recording/playback - to the point that it just wasn't acceptable to me. My camera would always crash on aosp roms too.
So I'm still interested to know if original developers have access to the source code for for the G3 hardware - because if I'm paying for a 13mp laser guided camera, I want it to still function as it should under any rom I put on it!
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I was also wondering about this. On the Htc one xl the aosp camera was significantly worse than the sense one.
Is there any way to know if when the g3 gets aosp there will be any driver issues? The g3 on paper seems absolutely fantastic but the possibility of no aosp or aosp with less functionality is terrifying to me.
I wish there was a GPE version of the G3.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N900A using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
astralbee said:
Thanks for the reply. I found one or two aosp builds for my Galaxy S3 that I would describe as 'stable' in that they don't crash or lock up - but the audio quality using an open source driver is noticeably poorer, and that affects using the phone, audio messages, music playback, and video recording/playback - to the point that it just wasn't acceptable to me. My camera would always crash on aosp roms too.
So I'm still interested to know if original developers have access to the source code for for the G3 hardware - because if I'm paying for a 13mp laser guided camera, I want it to still function as it should under any rom I put on it!
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I THINK a lot of code is shared from these manufacturers but camera stuff may not be on that list . Just got the LG G3 yesterday and i don't like it at all besides the camera , finding it kinda laggy in comparison to N5 ( if u use the resents button a lot u'll notice ) and its not the same build quality as my G2 , feels cheaper to me . I'm a fan of AOSP, all my devices have some form of it, this G3 may be going back to the store for a new M8 its pretty easy convert to full GPE . and i love my M7
hello00 said:
the aosp builds for the g2 are pretty stable..it only took them a few weeks to sort them out but i just wish they offered a google edition like many companies are doing with their devices like the m8..s5..etc
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Where can I download the AOSP builds for g3? If they don't exist, where will I go to find them when they do exist?
Thanks!
distancesprinter said:
Where can I download the AOSP builds for g3? If they don't exist, where will I go to find them when they do exist?
Thanks!
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They don't exist yet. From what I understand the boot loader hasn't even been unlocked yet. I guess there are people working on it tho. As far as where you can find the builds, they'll be here on XDA, either in the Android Development section of this G3 forum, or in the carrier specific G3 sections (which have yet to be created).
Never mind, I guess they just created the carrier threads.....
Hello Forum
I'm trying to find a replacement for my s4, and looking at the G3. I'd like to know what you give up when you root/rom this phone. I understand the Sony Z3 camera software is lost, and can't find any specific mention in my googling.
Also, I understand some/all LG apps are not cracked. Anything that kills the features that make the phone special, or typical mfg bloat? I can't bring myself to accept stock.
Rooting i think you only really lose OTA - flashing a custom ROM, depends on the ROM, you may lose some system apps and the LG widgets but thats about it.
Custom ROM's are still in there infancy just now on the G3.
Any comparison of pre/post? It's a pretty significant issue, especially considering the G3 is being touted as the best android camera at the moment.
gotcha640 said:
Any comparison of pre/post? It's a pretty significant issue, especially considering the G3 is being touted as the best android camera at the moment.
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I wouldn't go that far. The camera is OK but z2 or z3 are better. The only down side to z2 or z3 is 16gb build in storage.
Sent from my LG-D852 using XDA Free mobile app
Like it's been said before, you'll lose OTA with root, but remaining on a stock-LG based ROM will let you keep all the features.
The downside to moving to AOSP that I can see is losing the stock camera app itself.. The hand gesture to take selfies from the front cam is really neat & useful. Aside from that I don't think there is much to miss from stock software.
So I finally broke my Galaxy S4 last night, and I'm thinking about buying an LG G4 to replace it. However, the LG UI "improvements" look awful, and I bet I would be changing the firmware pretty soon if I get it. So with that in mind, I'm wondering if I should be buying the phone. Is CM13 or other roms stable enough that replacing the stock rom a good idea on a new phone?
I'm also considering any any other phone in the same price range, including the Moto X Style (Pure).
Unless you're looking to get the T-Mobile (811) or the International EU (815) version, there is no way to install custom roms. Those are the only two unlockable variants.
The other versions are rootable if you stay on 5.1.1 LP, but if you want 6.0 MM, you'll be stuck with the T-Mobile or EU Int version. There is no way to root all the other variants on 6.0
Luckily, I would be getting the 815 version.
As far as I can tell the ROMs based on stock are very stable. You won't even notice the difference. CM and CM based ROMs are the usual. Stable but have a few annoying bugs. I haven't really tried any AOSP so I won't speak for those
Heres my opinion.i have a tmobile version and if i flasha custom rom it seems to drop the bands as i cannot get signal in places where i can on stock based custom roms or pure stock rom.it does not switch between towers properly and i lose the ability to make or recieve calls.when i check phone info on aosp or cm based roms it shows it uses only 4 of the 12 bands i have.
Overlord Yuri said:
So I finally broke my Galaxy S4 last night, and I'm thinking about buying an LG G4 to replace it. However, the LG UI "improvements" look awful, and I bet I would be changing the firmware pretty soon if I get it. So with that in mind, I'm wondering if I should be buying the phone. Is CM13 or other roms stable enough that replacing the stock rom a good idea on a new phone?
I'm also considering any any other phone in the same price range, including the Moto X Style (Pure).
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Click to collapse
I made the same transition; from Galaxy S4 to Lg G4.
I'm running stock with Xposed. The G4 Tweaksbox app has a themes option and I've got a stock android one applied. It's really stable (I always expect themes to go crazy). The only other thing is the settings. You can get a stock settings mod but I don't really see the point. It works well enough for me and settings isn't really something you'd aim to be going on everyday anyway.
The clip tray is annoying but can be disabled. Add nova launcher and Google keyboard and it's all good. This is a much better solution than a custom ROM. You'll never get this kind of stability. Not forgetting that your camera app and fm radio and others will also be gone.
EDIT:
When buying, make sure the serial number starts with 601 or 602 603... These phones were manufactured this year so hopefully won't have the bootloop bug. If buying 2nd hand, ask the seller for the serial. If they can't provide it, ask for the IMEI and look up the serial number using https://imeidata.net/warranty/lg
There are too many references for 6XX bootloop issues, so I wouldn't recommend LG G4 at all , for custom theming,roms etc. Even after replacing motherboards of 5xx to 6xx, the bootloops are something more common than I used to believe...
personally am very happy with g4(601). best combo for me is Genisys Rom 4.2 + SimpleGX KERNEL (then Tweaksbox, xposed & nova launcher). very stable, no lags, speedy, good battery, amazing camera/lg app. downsides are unlocking bootloader voids warranty & the body corner feels painfully sharp after a while in the hand.
I am happy with the G4 too, 601 as well , but unfortunately that doesn't change the fact that there are many issues with the phone! I hope the OP can enjoy and proceed at his own risk of course!
Thanks for the replies guys! At the moment I think I'm leaning towards the Moto X Style, and will probably order it (at pretty much the same price as the G4) tomorrow unless someone talks me out of it.
Overlord Yuri said:
Thanks for the replies guys! At the moment I think I'm leaning towards the Moto X Style, and will probably order it (at pretty much the same price as the G4) tomorrow unless someone talks me out of it.
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I'll be honest with you.....my mom has this phone and has massive battery drain issues, where as I have none. If your going for good battery and fast updates than Motorola will be your best bud, but if you don't mind mediocre battery but a kick ass camera then the G4 will be your best bud. PS it's as good as point and shoot this is coming from someone that does photography for a living.
Sent from my LG-H812 using XDA Free mobile app
I also have little to no faith in LG anymore. Moving on to bigger better things but will ride it out until my upgrade is eligible.
Going back to Samsung, Motorola, Huawei or HTC.
Sent from my VS986 using Tapatalk
Going to repeat this over and over again, i don't understand those people who after unboxing immediately install custom ROM (What!? you know what you're buying, you support OEM in this case LG, you support their firmware, skin and now you throwing out your money for something else in many cases worse, facepalm) if you want pure Android you buy Nexus, Motorola maybe, that's it, as Google says "Be together not the same". Installing custom ROM's it's like putting BMW rims on Toyota's car... beside that, G4 don't need a custom ROM, just imagine what your going to deal with custom ROM, awful camera, sound issue, lost functionalities, bugs, strange battery drains, degradation in overall battery life and everything for stock Android look? for latest security patches? themes? it's not worth it atleast now, IMO custom ROM's comes in handy when OEM stop's supporting your device with the latest firmware so if i done calculations right you should look for CM for LG G4 when Android 8-9 comes out. All you need is a root and good kernel then comes a good stuff, long story short, CM is a cancer for latest devices, flagships, believe me and don't think i'm condemning CM.
Frant1c said:
Going to repeat this over and over again, i don't understand those people who after unboxing immediately install custom ROM (What!? you know what you're buying, you support OEM in this case LG, you support their firmware, skin and now you throwing out your money for something else in many cases worse, facepalm) if you want pure Android you buy Nexus, Motorola maybe, that's it, as Google says "Be together not the same". Installing custom ROM's it's like putting BMW rims on Toyota's car... beside that, G4 don't need a custom ROM, just imagine what your going to deal with custom ROM, awful camera, sound issue, lost functionalities, bugs, strange battery drains, degradation in overall battery life and everything for stock Android look? for latest security patches? themes? it's not worth it atleast now, IMO custom ROM's comes in handy when OEM stop's supporting your device with the latest firmware so if i done calculations right you should look for CM for LG G4 when Android 8-9 comes out. All you need is a root and good kernel then comes a good stuff, long story short, CM is a cancer for latest devices, flagships, believe me and don't think i'm condemning CM.
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Click to collapse
+1
I used to be one of those who buys a flagship device, then immediately look for bootloader unlock, root and flash. But after having LG G4 for 3 weeks now, stock MM latest, installed with my needed apps and games, I lost the feel of flashing custom ROMs.
G4 is great as it is, although optimizations can be done, a little upgrade here and there. As long as LG supports G4 with updates and with their accessories, then I'll stay with LG as manufacturer. Of they abandon us (like what they did with G PRO), then I'll switch devices.
LG has been my favorite since 2013.
Overlord Yuri said:
Luckily, I would be getting the 815 version.
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Click to collapse
Be extremely cautious where you get your 815 from. I bought one from Value basket that was advertised as a European Variant for the express purpose of developing a CFW- When it came it wasn't and they refused to exchange it. I've got an email trail as long as your arm trying to get the thing exchanged but they're just con-merchants.
But it's still an awesome phone....
Frant1c said:
if you want pure Android you buy Nexus, Motorola maybe, that's it, as Google says "Be together not the same". Installing custom ROM's it's like putting BMW rims on Toyota's car... beside that, G4 don't need a custom ROM, just imagine what your going to deal with custom ROM, awful camera, sound issue, lost functionalities, bugs, strange battery drains, degradation in overall battery life and everything for stock Android look?
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I do get your point. Buying the G4 would have been a compromise to get some good hardware for a low price, and I hoped to to sweeten that deal even more by customizing the firmware to my liking. However, I ended up getting a second-hand Nexus 6P instead. :victory:
Overlord Yuri said:
I do get your point. Buying the G4 would have been a compromise to get some good hardware for a low price, and I hoped to to sweeten that deal even more by customizing the firmware to my liking. However, I ended up getting a second-hand Nexus 6P instead. :victory:
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Smartest move you could have ever made. LG has left me with a bitter taste in my mouth. Ever since I got my phone back with a new circuit board it feels like a ticking time bomb and I don't use it for anything other than texting, phone use and browsing. How pathetic is that.
Sent from my VS986 using Tapatalk
I don't see separate sub-forums for ROMs and recoveries etc. Just wondering what happened to this phone? The root is available. So, why is ROM development not there?
devsk said:
I don't see separate sub-forums for ROMs and recoveries etc. Just wondering what happened to this phone? The root is available. So, why is ROM development not there?
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Root is not available on all versions. There is no unlocking the bootloaders on the US versions.
Oh... And there is this.
[13][ROM][sGSI][CWAI+][Exynos2200] Pixel Experience Plus
Pixel Experience Plus "s"GSI DISCLAIMER I am not to be held responsible for any damage that might come to your device while trying to install or using this rom. This is your own responsibility. What is this? Pixel Experience is an AOSP based...
forum.xda-developers.com
Latest Samsung phones are not really friendly towards custom roms and third-party modifications. S20 is advancing at a really low pace compared to S10 and S9 series, which recieved a lot of love from the community. Maybe, if you're truly interested in custom rom development, you should get a phone from another brand (OnePlus, Google, etc..)
Tbh considering how long Samsung is supporting their phones currently i do not miss custom ROM's that much..
k3lcior said:
Tbh considering how long Samsung is supporting their phones currently i do not miss custom ROM's that much..
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I feel the same way. I would only bother with a custom rom if SOT was a few hours higher.
Custom ROMs will make changes to your device that cannot be undone. You might have issues later if you want to use company resources on your phone for your job. Also ROMS have really improved a lot the last years. Personally I don't miss custom ROMs anymore on my S22+. Even on my previous S8+ I was really satisifed with stock roms. The only thing I miss today is good ad-blocking. But not enough to 'partially break' my device.
If you can't live with Samsung's bloat, then you need a custom ROM