ROMs What's the point of a custom rom?

[Paul7876]

I'm curious as to what advantages / disadvantages I'd get from a custom rom.
I have Googled this many times and spent many hours reading up on it but still can't see the point.

Updates - I know there'd be more frequent updates, but there'd also be more frequent bugs. I seem to read a lot that certain things (even big things like the camera) won't work on some popular handsets.

Features - If I want some specific feature, I'm sure I could find an app for it.

Themes - I've always run a third party launcher and they're easy to find new themes for.

Performance / battery life - This is the only benefit I can see to a custom rom, although some battery saving aspects could be achieved on a stock rom (I mean by being smart, not by using Juice Defender or some equivalent.

Am I totally wrong in my thinking?

 

[sdrawkcab25]

a feature built right into a rom will always be (perform)better than a 3rd party app. a custom rom's theme can theme EVERYTHING not just the launcher. Check out the "paranoid android" rom for an example. that rom achieves things that can never be done with just a customer launcher or theme.

custom roms usually also have a custom kernel that may enhance your processors performance or battery life. you can choose a kernel/rom that best suit your needs, ie: there are roms that favor battery life vs roms that favor performance and everything in between.

as to bugs, it all depends on what phone you have, there are plenty of phones with ROMs that have zero bugs and some may have bugs that you never notice. but there are phones that only have roms with a lot of major bugs, in that case it is best to stay stock.

 

[SwoRNLeaDejZ]

It's all about personal preference. Most custom roms ate installed to achieve a version of android on your handset that wouldn't necessarily be released via an update from your wireless provider.

Many people are pretty convincing that a custom rom is the way to go, and other people hate them. It's more about your preference.

From my own experience, I installed a version of CyanogenMod 10 for my phone, the LG Motion, which is based on android 4.1.2,which metro pcs will never release for my phone. Most roms have issues, things that don't work. With the rom I installed, call volume was about 50% of stock, GPS was broken, as well as 1080p video and the front facing camera. While these issues didn't bother me at first, eventually, I was forced to reinstall stock firmware because of things like navigation and Skype.

I would definitely install a rom again though, as long as those issues were not present. I did notice faster 4G, extended battery life, and a faster, more compatible device. I could download and install apps that were 'incompatible' before I installed the rom.

 

[Paul7876]

So if I were to give it a try, is it as simple as flashing a zip, or do I have to worry about the kernel and the modem / baseband as well?

 

[sdrawkcab25]

So if I were to give it a try, is it as simple as flashing a zip, or do I have to worry about the kernel and the modem / baseband as well?

depends on the phone, and are you already rooted?

 

[SwoRNLeaDejZ]

Yeah that is the best place to start, what phone are you using, and on what carrier? And are you already rooted?

 

[Paul7876]

I'm already rooted but don't have a custom recovery installed.
I'm on Telstra (Australia) and have the N7105T. I think the T variant has different radio (not sure though) and I have no idea if I can use a rom for the non-T or if I'd have to change radios etc.

 

[SwoRNLeaDejZ]

Difference between the regular note and the t variant is the radio. The regular is capable of 800mHz, 1800mHz, and 2600mHz bands the t variant is only capable of 1800mHz and 2600mHz bands. Apparently regular roms will work on the t variant, but don't quote me on that...

 

[Skrillex]

-free wifi hotspot
-move any app to SD card
-remove carrier bloatware
-ad blocking
-custom themes
-custom fonts
-custom boot animations
-custom icons/status bars
-higher benchmark scores
-MUCH lighter OS sizes (free up memory you paid for especially on devices with no memory expansion)
-bettery battery life
-map any button/gesture/component to do something new &/or useful (vol up activates torch for XX seconds)
-kindly request your favorite dev to build new features (dream big)
-3Minit (Google it)
-install "forbidden" apps
-hardware acceleration (Google it)
-the communities
-it's cool
-it voids your stupid warranty
-it's a hobby
-impresses nerds/geeks/newbs
-increase read/write speeds to SD card
-etc.

 

[Davdi]

For example: on my Wildfire S I'm running AOKP (Android Open Kang Project version JB-MR1 (Jelly Bean 4.2.2) rooted. Overclocked from stock 600MHz to 806MHz. with Int2EXt4+ installed the phone now has 2GB 'internal' storage. The main reason for it was to get a more current version of Android than Gingerbread that was HTC's 'up to date' version.

 

[westbrook90]

I used cyanogenmod 11 on my Sprint Galaxy S3 (Model#SPH L-710) I understand that custom ROMs, especially 1st release are going to have bugs and I can deal with that to a point, but when damn near all the Galaxy S features are missing its very frustrating. Simple stuff like creating folders in my app drawer, swiping to call or text, the hand slide for screen shot, so on and so fourth. Like I said, damn near ever galaxy specific feature. Also, no voice button on keyboard or top number row, or .com button. There is simply to much missing for it to be worth it. Besides if you ever have to send your phone in for warranty, or a trade in, you have to un-root it anyways. I just wish these damn stock ota updates would have a quicker release.

 

[creed10]

I used cyanogenmod 11 on my Sprint Galaxy S3 (Model#SPH L-710) I understand that custom ROMs, especially 1st release are going to have bugs and I can deal with that to a point, but when damn near all the Galaxy S features are missing its very frustrating. Simple stuff like creating folders in my app drawer, swiping to call or text, the hand slide for screen shot, so on and so fourth. Like I said, damn near ever galaxy specific feature. Also, no voice button on keyboard or top number row, or .com button. There is simply to much missing for it to be worth it. Besides if you ever have to send your phone in for warranty, or a trade in, you have to un-root it anyways. I just wish these damn stock ota updates would have a quicker release.

Honestly, it's all a matter of personal preference. You can try to to back and reinstall the apps that add that functionality, but I don't know if it will work or not. I don't like the way TouchWiz looks, or most of their features. (Hated the keyboard, could not STAND the home screen...) So that's why I flash ROMs. Also, custom ROMs add different features that touchwiz doesn't have. But like I said, it's all a matter of personal preference.