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I understand there is some proprietary hardware in the Atrix 2. What features of the phone would be unlikely to work in a rom (when the bootloader is cracked)?
Reason I am asking is I recently bought an Infuse 4G in auction, and was disappointed to find Bluetooth would not work in a rom. I am currently looking to sell and get a phone that's robust and CM7/9 modifiable with all features working and not in a SGSII price range.
Thats a hard question to answer since there is no "list" of hardware in each phone. But whenever a ROM is built for any particular phone, the developer will need drivers that will work with the phone and the ROM. Certain phones have drivers that have trouble with certain ROMs...so that means that the developers will have to try work arounds and patches to try and get them to work. As far as the Atrix 2 goes, I don't really know if anyone knows if anything will present any problems since there are no "really" custom ROM's (ie CM7/9, MIUI) available for the phone yet.
Sorry for this noobish question, I've really only had an Incredible, a Rezound, and a B&N Nook Color, so this kind of fracture within a device was quite a surprise, and really made me a bit paranoid in making sure I had the right instructions for my device, the right recovery, and a ROM that would support my features (like the IR). Maybe this is more common than I'm aware of (like the GSM version of the Rezound, of which there's like 2 threads in the entire Rezound forum for, unlike the major fracturing here).
As someone who just bought this device on Boxing Day, I had no idea there was a P3100, P3110, P3113, SCH-i705... and apparently other models, until I came looking for a Jelly Bean update.
It would have been a lot easier for me to find that out, and get root instructions, a recovery, kernel, ROM, etc for my device had the dev forums been broken out accordingly. It's got to be harder on devs too making ROMs that work only for 3110, for instance, and people claiming bugs with the ROM when they have a different device.
So, I'm a bit curious since the kernels don't appear to work across models and they have different features, how come the forums aren't broken out? Was this a conscious decision? (Like assumptions that a single kernel would support all 4+ models?)
Good to see you over here as well quantum rabbit. I have seen you around the rezound forums, and the nook forums. I had the same problems as you when I first came here a week or two ago. Apparently, the only difference between all of these tab 2s is minor hardware. The p3100=cell radio, p3110=WiFi international, and the p3113=U.S. version. The p3110 is almost identical to the p3113 version, and most ROMs, and kernels work between the two.(at least that is my understanding) There are a couple of threads about this here already, and you are not alone in your thinking. If you need anything, give me a shout, we have been in the same forums since I got my Dinc. If you upgrade to the UK version of the JB ota, and then root, and install clockworkmod, you can maintain the it blaster, or jump into cm10.1. Any who, it is good to see you here:thumbup:
Sent from my Rezound using Tapatalk 2
JeramyEggs said:
Good to see you over here as well quantum rabbit. I have seen you around the rezound forums, and the nook forums. I had the same problems as you when I first came here a week or two ago. Apparently, the only difference between all of these tab 2s is minor hardware. The p3100=cell radio, p3110=WiFi international, and the p3113=U.S. version. The p3110 is almost identical to the p3113 version, and most ROMs, and kernels work between the two.(at least that is my understanding) There are a couple of threads about this here already, and you are not alone in your thinking. If you need anything, give me a shout, we have been in the same forums since I got my Dinc. If you upgrade to the UK version of the JB ota, and then root, and install clockworkmod, you can maintain the it blaster, or jump into cm10.1. Any who, it is good to see you here:thumbup:
Sent from my Rezound using Tapatalk 2
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Good to see you, too. I also noticed Scott is here for the SCH device (Verizon LTE one) and recognized him from the Rez.
I did find the difference thread earlier... thank god for acefsw here: [Q] Differences between models. So I get that the 3110 vs the 3113 is nearly identical, but apparently the p3100 and the SCHi705 are different from the 3113 enough such that all the kernels I find appear to be for the 4G enabled tabs (SCH models), like DoubleShot, Decaf, Scott's etc. (I also see CM9 and 10 kernels). For all I know, they'd work on my device, or they'd work but I'd lose features. I am unsure, yet.
On the Inc, there were single kernels that worked across Froyo, GB, and ICS... on the Rezound, seems like each android version and CM of each android version all have different kernels. Here, unless I'm misunderstanding it appears to be like the Rezound, only that there are also 2 or 3 or 4 hardware variants I may have to worry about to. Which really complicates the situation.
Here's how I see it.
All the P3xxx tabs are nearly identical.
The SCH-I705 is COMPLETELY different from the rest. The I705 is closest relative is the SCH-I535 (VZW GS3). If you or anyone else flashes a I705 kernel/rom/etc on a P3xxx, it will brick. Mount points are completely different, hardware is completely different. Why it's still mixed together with the P3xxx tabs is still a wonder. Though, there aren't many people with the I705 except for a couple of us.
MrHyde03 said:
Here's how I see it.
All the P3xxx tabs are nearly identical.
The SCH-I705 is COMPLETELY different from the rest. The I705 is closest relative is the SCH-I535 (VZW GS3). If you or anyone else flashes a I705 kernel/rom/etc on a P3xxx, it will brick. Mount points are completely different, hardware is completely different. Why it's still mixed together with the P3xxx tabs is still a wonder. Though, there aren't many people with the I705 except for a couple of us.
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So seems like for Recoveries in particular, the SCH to P31XX is a definitive no go... that helps. Does that mean the 3100, 3110, and 3113 can all use the same recoveries at least, and maybe kernels and such?
I don't plan to play around too much, for now I'm on CWM 6.0.2.3 (May try for TWRP later) and kwbr Espresso, which I saw numerous posts of people on 3113 and how it works great including IR Blaster.
I am nearing the end of my contract with Sprint and will be going to Verizon. I have moved to a new area and that is who has the best local coverage. That said, I have a couple questions before I buy a new device.
First. I have always liked Motorola devices. They seem to have the best reception and physical build. Do the current Moto phones still have an unlockable bootloader? As with my previous device (Photon 4G), it will only be a matter of days before I will unlock, root, install a custom recovery, and flash a custom ROM. Are there any recommendations or things to look out for?
Second is battery life and features. What is good as far as Moto is concerned?
And finally. I have been eyeing the Samsung Galaxy S4. Is it a good device? The main thing for me is reception and I have heard that Samsung's radios are not always the best. A phone that has a great camera and is very customizable by different ROMs doesn't mean a whole lot when reception is poor when you are in an area where coverage is excellent.
If I were to choose a non-Moto device it would be the GS4. What does everyone think?
Anyone?
FernBch said:
I am nearing the end of my contract with Sprint and will be going to Verizon. I have moved to a new area and that is who has the best local coverage. That said, I have a couple questions before I buy a new device.
First. I have always liked Motorola devices. They seem to have the best reception and physical build. Do the current Moto phones still have an unlockable bootloader? As with my previous device (Photon 4G), it will only be a matter of days before I will unlock, root, install a custom recovery, and flash a custom ROM. Are there any recommendations or things to look out for?
Second is battery life and features. What is good as far as Moto is concerned?
And finally. I have been eyeing the Samsung Galaxy S4. Is it a good device? The main thing for me is reception and I have heard that Samsung's radios are not always the best. A phone that has a great camera and is very customizable by different ROMs doesn't mean a whole lot when reception is poor when you are in an area where coverage is excellent.
If I were to choose a non-Moto device it would be the GS4. What does everyone think?
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Not sure about the unlockable bootloader, but as for battery life Motorola has a host of phones that have great battery life. I think you have to get more specific on what Moto device you want. The GS4 is a good phone however, touchwiz makes it lag a lot.
The thing is I'm not sure what I want, but being able to run Cyanogenmod is high on the list. I currently use a Motorola Photon 4G running CM10.
I guess I need to figure out what can and can't be unlocked. From what I have read that could be the trick as Verizon has most things locked down fairly tight. I was hoping that someone in the community could help there.
Yeah I read about how Verizon does things. I think the best thing you can do right now is get a pool of devices your interested in and head on over to their respective forums because you'll get answers in much more detail.
Sent from my YP-G1 using xda app-developers app
People, I had Sprint S5 and I had an opportunity to play around loads of ROMs and Kernels. And I heard Tmobile and sprint has the highest number of ROMS and KERNELs.... But what has happened this year. I checked the unified s6 edge dev and none of the custom rom or kernel support 925P.
Is there any problem?
Yeah, there are too many phones out there and too many carriers. The few legit devs are spread thin between the numerous carriers and phones.
What he said ^^^^^^^^
That and the locked bootloaders of AT&T and Verizon have driven developers to other phones that they CAN work on. Development for pretty much all but the Nexus line has been on a decrease steadily due to the amount of phones, difficulty of unified AOSP type ROMs and the addition of self-modifying abilities using Xposed. There is very little point in making a unified ROM if only the lesser popular carriers Sprint and T-Mobile will use them. Everyone say "Thanks AT&T and Verizon"
When I first started with an Android phone, OG Moto Droid, there was a need for developers to tweak the phone. With manufacturer skins on Android from Samsung and LG, it has become more difficult for developing. Thus is just my opinion as I'm not a developer just a fan. However I've been only using and since Verizon first started carrying them.
Also, phones have gotten a lot better. They've become faster, smoother and last longer than years ago. Remember when Android phones only had 512mb of ram. Now our phones are mini computers. In my opinion, now all you can hope for is that your phone can get rooted. Unlocked bootloaders are few and dar between. Services like T-Mobile and Sprint may allow for it to happen o their products, but they need customers to catch up to AT&T and Verizon.
Sent from my SM-G920V using XDA Free mobile app
Is there such a big disparity between tmobile/sprint and verizon/at&t
Hi All,
While I was searching for a new device to purchase, this question popped into my head: how do ROM developers decide which devices to support? Admittedly, this question arose because I wanted to find a phone that would be compatible with the most ROMs and is currently still under active development. But I also am genuinely curious as well.
I'm new to the custom ROM scene and just started researching but from what I can understand, most, if not all, developers are doing this on their own free time without any sort of payment. In that case, I would assume, they would only support devices that they have access to, in other words, devices that are currently using and have used. Additionally, developers are probably tech-savvy so I am also assuming that most developers will choose a phone that they think is best. Although what is best is subjective, I believe that there are a common set of desired features which will lead to a couple of devices being more popular than others. As a result, some phones will see support from a wide variety of ROMs while others will see a few or none at all.
I went through a couple of the ROMs I was interested in from this list (https://www.xda-developers.com/the-most-popular-custom-roms-on-xda/), and found that Nexus 5x was common between them all. I can't recall what phone was popular during 2015 but was this phone really so popular/desired that all ROM developers seems to have one lying around in 2019/2020? Its been past 4 years since its launch and I assume that its specs are very outdated compared to what we have now but it is still being supported by many ROMs. What lead to this phone to become such a commonly supported phone by ROM developers?
The Nexus line was at a good price point, good hardware for the time and fully supported factory images from Google with regular updates, next to impossible to hard brick, worked across multiple carriers worldwide, easy to unlock bootloader, custom recoveries available, and popular following. I'm sure I've missed something [emoji846]
Device's that are only available in a limited market, or are unable to be bootloader unlocked, don't have factory images are difficult to support and have a limited following reduces the likelihood that a person interested in developing will buy that phone.
ktmom said:
The Nexus line was at a good price point, good hardware for the time and fully supported factory images from Google with regular updates, next to impossible to hard brick, worked across multiple carriers worldwide, easy to unlock bootloader, custom recoveries available, and popular following. I'm sure I've missed something [emoji846]
Device's that are only available in a limited market, or are unable to be bootloader unlocked, don't have factory images are difficult to support and have a limited following reduces the likelihood that a person interested in developing will buy that phone.
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If you don't mind, could I have your opinion on Moto G5 Plus in regards to ROM support? It appears to be supported by Pixel Experience, AOSP Extended, and ResurrectionRemix so it looks like it has a fair amount of support. However, when I view the top devices page on XDA (https://forum.xda-developers.com/top) I don't see the Moto G5 Plus. Would there be any relationship between the top devices on XDA and devices supported by the most ROMs?
No, there really is not a correlation between the top devices on XDA and ROM support.
The top devices reflects basically the activity within the forum. So new device releases will trigger people's curiosity so even though there may be zero ROM support, the device has activity.
A device like the Moto G5 plus that has been out for awhile, just doesn't have loads of activity in the forums. There is still activity on ROM threads, but it's more sporadic.
Got it, thanks for your help. Looks like I'll just have to keep digging through the forums and rom websites and try to make an educated guess about what device has and will continue having the most rom support.
The lineageOS support for the Nexus 6 is ongoing and that phone was released in 2014. There was a lot of passion surrounding that device, but as developers had their device fail (battery died, screen broken, ect), they moved onto other devices.
My point is, the best you can do is find a popular phone in your price range and hope. The OnePlus series may be worth looking at.