Database Info

HTC, Motorola, Samsung

All three of these guys have claimed they will be more developer friendly and intend on providing unlockable bootloaders in their future devices. However, as of yet only Samsung has actually shipped their powerhouse devices unencrypted. HTC has promised to release future patches that will unlock their devices. Motorola made pretty much one statement about offering unencrypted devices but has yet to release any details and all of their devices since that statement (bar the Xoom) have been released with encrypted boot loaders.
The question is, does this have a major impact on who you decide to support with your hard earned cash?

as a beginner in the development industry, i believe Motorola will hold the key from now on. Why? Because Motorola is now Google. Simple as that

alxz_4acdc said:
as a beginner in the development industry, i believe Motorola will hold the key from now on. Why? Because Motorola is now Google. Simple as that
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think it still has to be approved...

Motorola-Google is approved today both in the US and in Europe.
As for the question, it does. I want a phone that I know will be maintainable. Even if that is not by the manufacturer. I think of my phone like a car. I spent a lot of money on it and I need it to last for a long time. If the manufacturer stops servicing it, I need to be able to service it myself.

The next Nexus is hopefully a Motorola with an unlocked bootloader.
Nexus Razr. Ha
Sent from my ADR6425LVW

I Am Marino said:
The next Nexus is hopefully a Motorola with an unlocked bootloader.
Nexus Razr. Ha
Sent from my ADR6425LVW
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That doesn't actually sound bad at all, or maybe Droid Nexus, Nexus MAXX, as long as it's not exclusive to VZW

Motorola all the way!

Verizon S3 vs Developer Edition

The Battle of the Verizon S3's​
Verizon S3 (Locked Bootloader)
Vs
Verizon S3 Dev. Edition
Note: Do NOT include color/storage size as a factor, we're assuming both colors and 16/32 are available for each version.
We are also assuming that the customer in question has not bought the S3 yet (Though many of you have, and your situation would requre you selling the S3 to get the Dev Edition, please assume this is prior to any purchases).
Verizon S3:
Pros:
Larger Dev community (tons more people will have the phone)
Cheaper (200/250 vs 600/650)
Available now
Dev. Edition:
Pros:
Unlocked Bootloader (Custom Kernels/Full ROMS available without need for Kexec workaround)
No Contract (Costs more, but bought off of contract)
Comments are MUCH appreciated.
Also, here is some information that is already known (need not be re-stated):
Verizon is NOT releasing an unlock-ready software update, they have confirmed it is false.
There is NO timeline or guarantee that the S3 bootloader will be cracked. Most likely, a workaround is the best we'll get, not a full unlock
.
You can currently install ROMS on the S3, but you cannot have all the features (Kernel features) along with the ROM. Due to the kernel wiping the custom recovery, you have to choose between the ROM or the kernel, both cannot be had.

Boardwalk30 said:
There is NO timeline or guarantee that the S3 bootloader will be cracked. Most likely, a workaround is the best we'll get, not a full unlock
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
A workaround already exists (kexec) and it has/is being put into practice.
For example, read:
https://plus.google.com/app/plus/mp...qzjybns3xad04cc5q4knbyjh4hprg0k&view=activity
If things continue like they have been since the S3's launch, there won't be any need for the average consumer who wants custom ROMs to shell out money for the Developer Edition.
Boardwalk30 said:
You can currently install ROMS on the S3, but you cannot have all the features (Kernel features) along with the ROM. Due to the kernel wiping the custom recovery, you have to choose between the ROM or the kernel, both cannot be had.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That is just misinformation. We knew from the kexec proof-of-concept we could feasibly put AOSP on the S3, assuming things like the RIL were cracked (supposedly it has been).
Since that point there was no question that we could have custom ROMs with custom kernels- just that it might be a pain to install them and potentially rebooting requiring reflashing the kernel, etc. As you can see from the link I posted above, this is almost a non-issue now.

Also the warranty on the developers edition is only 30 days at the most or until you load custom firmware whichever comes first. LOL that kicks it for me.

My question is who will be providing updates for the developer edition? Samsung?
I ask because Verizon stated in a future update it will unlock the sim card to be able to use it overseas and such. My cousin is deciding on getting the S3 and might buy the unlocked bootloader one but not sure if that already has the unlocked sim or will be available afterwards

A lot of the developers are refusing to work on the S3 developer version due to the fact they are making more money on what should be open source.
There is and will be more support for the vzw version. (I believe)
We have a lot of talented people in these forums!
Sent from my SCH-I535 using xda app-developers app

the developer edition will run all the stuff the other us carriers will
Sent from my SCH-I535 using xda premium

I am on the same boat except I don't have an option of buying the on-contract phone since I signed up only in March with an iPhone 4S (already sold).
So for me, I am either going to pay $500-550 buying a locked S3 off Craigslist or pay $600 + tax to Sammy for the Dev edition. And, the locked one is now vs Dev edition is who knows when. Meanwhile, I am beating up an ancient HTC Eris :cyclops:

Well I just read the page and now it says the warranty is 1 year, so I am back in. Return the 16gig ive got and buy a 32gig direct from samsung. sweet.

I think this has to be the worst marketing move ever made. This just give programmers a bigger incentive to hack their phones instead of paying 3 times as much. Selling an optional development version to developers who are knowledgable about android and exploits is probably not the best idea. Also, it sounds like there is already a viable work around so, Verizon is probably manufacturing phones that will never fly off the shelf. I pity da foo.

Dev edition is blue only (both 16gb and 32gb) according to samsung's site. Think this is a big negative.

Samsung is not doing this to sell phones. There doing it because they did not want people completely screwed by Verizon. They did not Jack the price by any means. It's actually less than what Verizon will sell it without contact. Samsung only wanted you to have a choice. Verizon are the scumbags. Samsung just needs to grow some balls in its dealing with the scumbag carriers
Sent from my SCH-I535 using xda premium

Hilbe said:
Dev edition is blue only (both 16gb and 32gb) according to samsung's site. Think this is a big negative.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I can understand the colour being a preference but a big negative? Really?

Considering the speed that the workarounds have been moving at the only advantage of the developer would seem to be no contract. That's about it.

The Verizon GS3 has more support lol.
I unless you are going to lose your unlimited data, just get the VZW GS3 and use the k exec exploit.

juryben said:
The Verizon GS3 has more support lol.
I unless you are going to lose your unlimited data, just get the VZW GS3 and use the k exec exploit.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi all,
We need an aboot image from a developer unlocked bootloader Verizon S3, If you have one can you dumb the aboot image for us?

buhohitr said:
Hi all,
We need an aboot image from a developer unlocked bootloader Verizon S3, If you have one can you dumb the aboot image for us?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sorry I don't. I'll ask around though. Good luck

juryben said:
Sorry I don't. I'll ask around though. Good luck
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks, appreciated!!

[Q] What phone to get?

I currently have a Verizon Galaxy S4 and all in all i'm happy with it but there's one HUGE fault for me. The bootloader isn't unlockable. I'm the type of person who really loves customization and well you can see why this is a problem for me. What would be another option similar in specs that would have an unlockable bootloader + root methods available?
The phone i currently want would be an HTC One or HTC One (M8), but i'm not sure as to if it's bootloader is unlockable so if someone who knows could tell me i'd be grateful. (I would Google it but it's 3:30 am in the morning and i can't think straight enough to think of what to Google )

S1L3nTShaDoWz said:
I currently have a Verizon Galaxy S4 and all in all i'm happy with it but there's one HUGE fault for me. The bootloader isn't unlockable. I'm the type of person who really loves customization and well you can see why this is a problem for me. What would be another option similar in specs that would have an unlockable bootloader + root methods available?
The phone i currently want would be an HTC One or HTC One (M8), but i'm not sure as to if it's bootloader is unlockable so if someone who knows could tell me i'd be grateful. (I would Google it but it's 3:30 am in the morning and i can't think straight enough to think of what to Google )
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Nexus 5! No more problems with bootloaders, knox or risk of bricking

HTC One M8 Developer Editions will have an unlocked bootloader I guess...
Sent from my SM-T311 using Tapatalk

I wish
sharkware said:
Nexus 5! No more problems with bootloaders, knox or risk of bricking
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I had my eyes set on that a week ago and was going to get one until I came across stuff about it being incompatible with Verizon so I dropped it and found another. Was I wrong and it'll work with them?

Ya
Ferris Cruiser said:
HTC One M8 Developer Editions will have an unlocked bootloader I guess...
Sent from my SM-T311 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah well I'm going with a contract phone because at the moment I don't have $700 to blow on Smartphones
I wish though

Lg gflex2 custom recovery

Has anyone made a custom recovery for gflex2 I have a AT&T h950 running950pr Rom I do believe that the boot loader is unlocked unless it has two boots which I doubt....
Any how just asking....

Hahaha, NOT AT ALL (sorry for answering this way!)

francescrm said:
Hahaha, NOT AT ALL (sorry for answering this way!)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So there is all these h950 AT&T unlocked device and no one has built recovery for them....

Well, i am not sure about unlocked H950 but for now, bootloader is still closed so no custom recovery.

francescrm said:
Well, i am not sure about unlocked H950 but for now, bootloader is still closed so no custom recovery.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well the AT&T h950 I have is unlocked and because I'm not on the US there is no boot loader.....I can't see there being two boot loader on this phone......

Unlocked = Bootloader open? Is that what you mean?

francescrm said:
Unlocked = Bootloader open? Is that what you mean?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
How can you tell
When I go in to service menu I see nothing about the boot loader INFO.....
It is like the g3 I had no boot loader that I can see.....

I don't know, sorry, in fact I have H955, I just replied because I never heard that any Flex 2 model has custom recovery.

unlocked meaning that it is Carrier Unlocked... (ie Any GSM SIM would work along with ATT's)
Bootloader unlock is something different...
lockscreen unlock is different..
your door lock unlock is different...
The bootloader is still securely locked away and encrypted by Mrs. ATT and Mr. LG ..

adds08 said:
unlocked meaning that it is Carrier Unlocked... (ie Any GSM SIM would work along with ATT's)
Bootloader unlock is something different...
lockscreen unlock is different..
your door lock unlock is different...
The bootloader is still securely locked away and encrypted by Mrs. ATT and Mr. LG ..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
How can I tell if it is locked......I was told the same thing about my g3 but still got recovery......I do believe that it may be a fact for the US but I'm not in the us...

No matter where you are US or Pluto....bootloader is locked..
G3 is different device where bootloader was workedaround using bump to flash bumped imgs

adds08 said:
No matter where you are US or Pluto....bootloader is locked..
G3 is different device where bootloader was workedaround using bump to flash bumped imgs
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yea well if this is the case I reckon I'm done with all lg junk very disappointed with the g4 h815t and lg gflex2 it is a good device but no development. I think a may move to a oppo or one plus....

Blame Qualcomm for it's SD810.

Le_Zouave said:
Blame Qualcomm for it's SD810.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Seriously, why SD810?
6p is 810
1+2 is 810
Sent from my Honor 5X KIW-L24

Because of his overheated reputation, the Flex 2, the first phone to have the SD810, sold quite poorly. In reality there was more phone in the past that overheated more than the Flex 2 but people stay away from a phone that seems to have a flaw.
That reputation forced LG to use a 6 core SoC in the LG G4 (that came after the LG G Flex 2 with 8 core).
If there is no dev for LG G Flex 2 is because there is few user. Even with a locked bootloader, if our phone was sold massively, someone would have found a way to unlock it as it already happened with so many phone with locked bootloader in the past.
1plus two have a reputation of overheating, Nexus 6P have a reputation of overheating.
In fact SD810 caused inderectly major profit loss for Qualcomm as it was not chosen for the alternate SoC for the Galaxy S6. Samsung sell so many phone that their own production of Exynos SoC is not enough and need another SoC to still produce their flagship. But with SD810 they lose Samsung which is a major client.

Le_Zouave said:
Because of his overheated reputation, the Flex 2, the first phone to have the SD810, sold quite poorly. In reality there was more phone in the past that overheated more than the Flex 2 but people stay away from a phone that seems to have a flaw.
That reputation forced LG to use a 6 core SoC in the LG G4 (that came after the LG G Flex 2 with 8 core).
If there is no dev for LG G Flex 2 is because there is few user. Even with a locked bootloader, if our phone was sold massively, someone would have found a way to unlock it as it already happened with so many phone with locked bootloader in the past.
1plus two have a reputation of overheating, Nexus 6P have a reputation of overheating.
In fact SD810 caused inderectly major profit loss for Qualcomm as it was not chosen for the alternate SoC for the Galaxy S6. Samsung sell so many phone that their own production of Exynos SoC is not enough and need another SoC to still produce their flagship. But with SD810 they lose Samsung which is a major client.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Nexus 6P and OP2 have SD810 but not the initial realese, have v.3.0 since i know and that version dont overheat...so, Qualcomm did a big mistake launch the SD810 too early...if they aprimorate more this SoC i am sure more phones will use it, unfortunnaly LG are the fist brand to use it so it's the first to suffer in market.
but now GF2 have a 80% price cut since theyr launch and i see a lot of people buy it, i dont know why LG dont unlock theyr bootloader now!

Oh yeah the so called hardware revision.
The Sony Xperia Z3+/Z4 (same model, different name) had the V2.1 (same as 1+two) and it was the worst of them all before being patched, the camera triggered an auto shutdown after few minutes. There is no V3.0
I bought the Flex 2 because of the price cut and I'm happy with that phone for the price I paid.
In fact in the end it's not really Qualcomm that is to blame but ARM as their big.LITTLE architecture is a failure. Qualcomm failed, Samsung almost failed but limited the heat with 14nm technology and other chinese branch chose 8 Cortex-A53 core (as opposed to the 4 A57 + 4 A53)
It don't change the fact that there is way less LG G Flex 2 than any LG G model.

The fact is that this phone rocks, no matter if the bootloaders are locked or unlocked. Anyone can check the benchmarks and see.
Also it sells a lot due to price cut.
Also there is no real overheating problem. Maybe because its plastic and not metal, i am not sure. Still, i cant say that i ve felt overheating nder any circumstance.
It s a shame the is no custom ROM.

This is amazing device except boring and heavy lg skin. This hardware need AOSP rom, just imagine how fluid and smooth that combo will work.
Shame on you LG, people with some cripled mediatek phones have custom roms and we are not able to flash anything.
Sent from my LG-H955 using Tapatalk

Mr.Nice.ba said:
This is amazing device except boring and heavy lg skin. This hardware need AOSP rom, just imagine how fluid and smooth that combo will work.
Shame on you LG, people with some cripled mediatek phones have custom roms and we are not able to flash anything.
Sent from my LG-H955 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Agree with you. I think the reason LG is acting so weird about not unlocking and going against independent development is because they want their phones to have tight security. They don't want everyone playing around with their bootloaders and Xposed etc. The reason for my belief is because last month I incidentally faced FRP lockdown. And spent a month looking for a method to unlock it but ONLY one software worked. I bought the phone in December and LG had plugged all the possible methods available even that were discovered in Jan on Samsung phones and even that loophole will be fixed as soon as they find it. Even Samsung is tightening the noose on security because they are facing harder competition when Blackberry decided to switch to android too with fort knox security. No one wants losing business. Google was already facing major embarrassment on security front and people switching to Apple. Just see how fast they are acting on plugging security holes each month with their patches. So I don't think we would see any development on LG phones atleast and even less in future.
@ op
No there is no unlocked bootloader yet... we have prepared a bounty for whoever does.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/g-flex2/general/bounty-bootloader-unlock-t3322013

Note 7 and it's fate

Given the fact that Samsung rolled out all the Snapdragon s7 and s7e with locked bootloaders, I have little to no hope for the note 7. What do you guys think about its chances of coming with an unlocked bootloader?

Critical Detox said:
Given the fact that Samsung rolled out all the Snapdragon s7 and s7e with locked bootloaders, I have little to no hope for the note 7. What do you guys think about its chances of coming with an unlocked bootloader?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
All the future samsung usa phones which are branded tmobile, at&t, sprint and verizon will have locked bootloaders
If you want a rooted samsung phone in the future you will all need to buy the international models.
Thats why I purchased the S7 EDGE G935F international model a few weeks ago. All the international samsung phones are very easily rooted and none of them have locked bootloaders.
And to top it off all the samsung international phone models come sim unlocked .
Good luck.
Sent from my SM-G935F using Tapatalk

I wonder how pricy will the Note 7 be.
Sent from my SM-N920T using Tapatalk

Critical Detox said:
Given the fact that Samsung rolled out all the Snapdragon s7 and s7e with locked bootloaders, I have little to no hope for the note 7. What do you guys think about its chances of coming with an unlocked bootloader?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think chances are zero
Sent from my SM-N920T using Tapatalk

My main concern for it is im a huge Viper supporter, and If can't root and get Viper on that device....That device is dead to me. I'm hoping some miracle comes through and we get the Samsung device we all want AND an unlocked bootloader.
Sent from my SM-N920T using XDA Labs

Misterjunky said:
All the future samsung usa phones which are branded tmobile, at&t, sprint and verizon will have locked bootloaders
If you want a rooted samsung phone in the future you will all need to buy the international models.
Thats why I purchased the S7 EDGE G935F international model a few weeks ago. All the international samsung phones are very easily rooted and none of them have locked bootloaders.
And to top it off all the samsung international phone models come sim unlocked .
Good luck.
Sent from my SM-G935F using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Root has been achieved for the s7 and edge on ATT and Tmobile. May want to word your answers in such a way that they dont seem like absolutes.
Also every international model of every phone comes sim unlocked. Thats why there is a category for unlocked phones.
Sent from my SM-N920T using Tapatalk

I saw that a few days ago, maybe In due time they'll get the bootloader unlocked too.
Sent from my SM-N920T using XDA Labs

pcriz said:
Root has been achieved for the s7 and edge on ATT and Tmobile. May want to word your answers in such a way that they dont seem like absolutes.
Also every international model of every phone comes sim unlocked. Thats why there is a category for unlocked phones.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's awesome news! Do you know if they posted the root procedures for Tmobile S7 on XDA? I haven't seen them yet.

tribleten said:
That's awesome news! Do you know if they posted the root procedures for Tmobile S7 on XDA? I haven't seen them yet.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
http://www.gsmarena.com/snapdragons7variantsrooted-blog-19194.php

pcriz said:
http://www.gsmarena.com/snapdragons7variantsrooted-blog-19194.php
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Oh ok...seems like a few people are having issues with that method (as most new root methods), but it's definitely a start in the right direction.

tribleten said:
Oh ok...seems like a few people are having issues with that method (as most new root methods), but it's definitely a start in the right direction.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've seen both sides on it, some got issues and some are reporting that everything is okay. Another interesting aspect is people reporting this doesnt trip knox, while being rooted samsung pay doesnt work but when they revert knox still shows 0x0.

pcriz said:
I've seen both sides on it, some got issues and some are reporting that everything is okay. Another interesting aspect is people reporting this doesnt trip knox, while being rooted samsung pay doesnt work but when they revert knox still shows 0x0.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
They my understanding is knox remains 0x0 because it uses a repair kernel
Sent from my SM-N920T using Tapatalk

Crazy how there is not much talk about the Note 7 with it only about 2 weeks away. I am really mixed about getting it still since I know it is going to be locked. The only thing that is really holding me back at this point is not being able to use Viper. There are a couple of other things that would be nice to still be able to do but those aren't major. Android has come a long way and the need for a custom rom just isn't what it used to be. I really like the Note line and prefer to stay with it so I may just bit the bullet and go without root. Whether I get it at launch will also depend on the special offers they are giving out. I got the Year of Netflix and free VR with the S7 Edge before I returned it so if they have a simular offer, I will probably jump on it.

chipworkz said:
Crazy how there is not much talk about the Note 7 with it only about 2 weeks away. I am really mixed about getting it still since I know it is going to be locked. The only thing that is really holding me back at this point is not being able to use Viper. There are a couple of other things that would be nice to still be able to do but those aren't major. Android has come a long way and the need for a custom rom just isn't what it used to be. I really like the Note line and prefer to stay with it so I may just bit the bullet and go without root. Whether I get it at launch will also depend on the special offers they are giving out. I got the Year of Netflix and free VR with the S7 Edge before I returned it so if they have a simular offer, I will probably jump on it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I was just thinking this same thing...i own my note 5 outright so i may just trade it in if there's a good deal...progress has been made with root on the s7's so I'm hopeful similar leaps are made...nonetheless, i have to say, my girls note 5 is bone stock unrooted and with few exceptions there's little that can't be done...for her nothing, and for me, well, I'm just finally learning to develop on Linux so i definitely want to keep SOME rootable device in my stable as well, but that's might end up meaning a second device (next nexus?) and swapping my sim around smh...it's just that usb3.0, ip68, 256gb storage and 6gb ram PLUS a true edge screen is almost too much to resist, root or not, plus there's always samsung pay while it's still 0x0...i see myself getting it, only question is when and will i also spent flagship money on a second device (OP3? nexus? Htc?- pretty much all are sd820...) until a good root method or unlocked bootloader becomes a reality....
Sent from my SM-N920T using Tapatalk

Rx8Driver said:
I was just thinking this same thing...i own my note 5 outright so i may just trade it in if there's a good deal...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is what will break me, some awesome deal with two phones, VR, and what not.
Probably gonna go with that blue if i do buy.
Sent from my SM-N920T using Tapatalk

I'm always with 2 phones, 1 is usually a nexus device, the note series have been my go to though. I'll likely get the N7 and do what I can do to it with in the confines of no super user. Nexus devices are so cheap, you can always pick up one for around $200, excluding the 6p. The devs here on XDA are top notch, so I'm always confident they'll come up with something.
Sent from my phone...

jaxenroth said:
I'm always with 2 phones, 1 is usually a nexus device, the note series have been my go to though. I'll likely get the N7 and do what I can do to it with in the confines of no super user. Nexus devices are so cheap, you can always pick up one for around $200, excluding the 6p. The devs here on XDA are top notch, so I'm always confident they'll come up with something.
Sent from my phone...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well a locked bootloader is a locked bootloader in most cases. The s7 exploit is really just a Samsung repair kernel that was leaked that's really not fit for prime time, unfortunately...
And even that is still limited in no custom recovery or roms, just stock debloat, xposed, viper/etc...
Sent from my SM-N920T using Tapatalk

it's even worse now lol
http://www.androidpolice.com/2016/0...oid-7-0-wont-let-phone-boot-software-corrupt/
i will no longer buying any samsung phones. my note 5 has been on the top for 2 months now
no good roms to try
---------- Post added at 05:31 PM ---------- Previous post was at 05:28 PM ----------
Misterjunky said:
All the future samsung usa phones which are branded tmobile, at&t, sprint and verizon will have locked bootloaders
If you want a rooted samsung phone in the future you will all need to buy the international models.
Thats why I purchased the S7 EDGE G935F international model a few weeks ago. All the international samsung phones are very easily rooted and none of them have locked bootloaders.
And to top it off all the samsung international phone models come sim unlocked .
Good luck.
Sent from my SM-G935F using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
sadly, you can't have aosp because of xynos therefore useless to me

TheUndertaker21 said:
it's even worse now lol
http://www.androidpolice.com/2016/0...oid-7-0-wont-let-phone-boot-software-corrupt/
i will no longer buying any samsung phones. my note 5 has been on the top for 2 months now
no good roms to try
---------- Post added at 05:31 PM ---------- Previous post was at 05:28 PM ----------
sadly, you can't have aosp because of xynos therefore useless to me
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I wouldn't say can't, it can in fact happen and has. It just isn't easy. There are snapdragon devices that never got stable CM builds. Just in the case with the exynos, the odds aren't in their favor.

If I do get the Note 7, which I probably will, it will be with the knowledge that if most likely will never be unlocked. I have been running pure stock and not even rooted for a couple weeks now to see how unrooted life is. I have been rooted and running a custom rom for several years now. Like I said before, there are some cool features in custom roms but the need for them just isn't what it used to be. The only thing I am truly missing is Viper. So for me it comes down to the simple question of which is more important. What is more important, all of the new features of the new phone or the ability to use Viper.
I swore I wouldn't buy a locked phone and would move to the Nexus line but based on the rumors of the next Nexus phones, I am not thrilled with them. I just don't see anything that I would rather move to over the Note 7 based on what we know so far. That along with the fact that I am on the original Jump program so without needing to buy the phone outright, I need to pick from T-Mobiles selections.
A lot of the reasons to have root can be accomplished with apps so life without root isn't a huge deal for me anymore. I just wish there was a Viper alternative that can be used without root. Anyone know of one?