Help S5 ROM/Root Help

[Android Question]

Hey all, I'm not much of a tech guy and know next to nothing about computers or smart phones, so I'm coming here for help.

I'm getting my first Android phone since Android was brand new and really crappy. It is a Galaxy S5.

Here's what I want: I want a no frills phone that will surf the web, play music, text, and make calls without glitches, bloatware that takes up storage and RAM, and needless extras. I don't need fonts or animations, the latest apps, or anything like that. I want both Samsung's and Verizon's bullshit gone.

Do I root or find a very basic ROM? I guess I want as close to the pure, basic, stock Android OS as I can get. What's the best ROM for this?

Thanks in advance.

 

[Bg260]

1. Android was never crappy.
2. If you don't know your way around a computer than you have no business rooting, unless you want a one-way ticket to Bricksville
3. If you don't like Samsung and Verizon's bloatware, you shouldn't have bought a Samsung phone from Verizon.

 

[svim]

Bummer that you're not happy with your phone. Verizon I can see being an issue but the S5 is a pretty solid performer. Anyway, there are somewhat limited, non-root ways to clean up some of Samsung's cruft but if you're really interested in rooting your phone you should be reading through the postings on the S5's rooting pages:
http://androidforums.com/forums/root-samsung-galaxy-s5.2583/
http://androidforums.com/threads/verizon-galaxy-s5-all-things-root-guide.863764/

 

[Jfalls63]

Best suggestion I could give would be not to buy a Verizon branded device. Look at Nexus or something similar for pure Android without the bloat. I have a Motorola X Pure Edition I'm using on Verizon's network. Other than a few Motorola apps, pure Android.

 

[scary alien]

Android 1.5 (Cupcake) was no work of art [neither was 1.6 (Donut), either]...

The OP might also be locked-in to Verizon (for whatever reason--coverage, contract, etc.) and to the S5 he has or will purchase(d).

But please heed all cautions regarding rooting if you decide to go the route--there are consequences and downsides should something go awry...

Best of luck!

 

[Jfalls63]

Everything you ever wanted to know about the Verizon variant of the S5. What can and can't be done to the device and what custom development is available
http://forum.xda-developers.com/verizon-galaxy-s5