Will be new to Android - Questions

avalpert · Aug 14, 2011

Hi, I am likely switching from blackberry (ever since I last had a palm pilot) to android and am curious about some things.

I think I have narrowed down phone choices to the Epic 4g, Nexus S or waiting for Nexus Prime or Galaxy S2 (I am somewhat provider agnostic). Other than deciding if I need a keyboard or not, it seems the biggest benefit to the Nexus is the clean OS - but if I were to root another phone, can't I just install the clean OS as a new ROM?

I have always done clean installs on my blackberries to remove the provider bloatware and am trying to understand how different it really is on Android.

What am I misunderstanding?

Thanks.

ardchoille · Aug 14, 2011

avalpert said:
Hi, I am likely switching from blackberry (ever since I last had a palm pilot) to android and am curious about some things.

I think I have narrowed down phone choices to the Epic 4g, Nexus S or waiting for Nexus Prime or Galaxy S2 (I am somewhat provider agnostic). Other than deciding if I need a keyboard or not, it seems the biggest benefit to the Nexus is the clean OS - but if I were to root another phone, can't I just install the clean OS as a new ROM?

I have always done clean installs on my blackberries to remove the provider bloatware and am trying to understand how different it really is on Android.

What am I misunderstanding?

Thanks.

It depends on the phone. For instalnce my phone, Evo 4G, has tons of ROMs available for it including AOSP ROMs - which is what the Nexus S ships with. Some phones have a lock and encrypted bootloader so flashing isn't an option.. yet. I would recommend checking out the available ROMs prior to purchase as that will give you some idea of what you can and can't flash on the phone.

As far as bloatware is concerned, you can always purchase a phone that can be rooted, install Titanium Backup, remove the bloatware and then make a nandroid backup in case you ever need to revert.. this is what I did.

avalpert · Aug 14, 2011

Thanks, it is a bit more complicated than I hoped.

Is there any site that lists the ROMs with their features (and maybe screenshots) by phone?

I do plan on rooting in any case to remove bloat and set up tethering, but I would like to know what possible features one is forgoing by choosing different phones.

Stringyquark · Aug 15, 2011

Of the phones you listed above rooting shouldn't be a issue. The nexus might be the way to go for you, its clean right off the start. The epic is my first android phone and I think I made a good choice for a phone to learn the ways of the force. If I had waited I might have gone with the nexus.

Check out xda fourms, tons of the info you are looking for can be found there.

Search

Search

Will be new to Android - Questions

avalpert

Newbie

ardchoille

Android Expert

avalpert

Newbie

Stringyquark

Member

BEST TECH IN 2023

Smartphones

Best Android Phones

Upcoming

Best iPhones

Upcoming

Tablets

Best Tablets

Upcoming

Laptops

Best Laptops

Upcoming

Televisions

Best TVs

Upcoming

Game Consoles

Best Game Consoles

Upcoming

Wearables

Best Wearables

Upcoming

Smart Home

Smart Home Tech

Upcoming

Similar threads