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[Q] Which Android phone for largest XDA dev commmunity

This is not a question about "what is the best rom?" or "which is the best phone?" b/c those questions, as we know, are mostly personal to the user. My question: Which Android phone has the biggest/best XDA development community? I have owned about everything HTC and recently bought a Samsung Fascinate. The Fascinate community appears poised to develop when the smart guys figure out the kernel or froyo is released. But, compared to my Droid Incredible, I don't see the same level of interest from developers. Any thoughts? (Oh yeah, I am limited now to anything working on Verizon).

Probably the Nexus One since it is the official dev phone, however, most HTC phones have huge dev communities (especially the EVO). The Droid line of phones also has a large following, since they're the best you can get on Verizon.

Yes, Nexus One is probably correct and I think they used to make them for Verizon. I am surprised there is not somewhere on the XDA site to go to check number of posts, number of active posters, etc. in each dev site by device. Or, maybe, not many people have this curiosity?

sgreenwood99 said:
Yes, Nexus One is probably correct and I think they used to make them for Verizon. I am surprised there is not somewhere on the XDA site to go to check number of posts, number of active posters, etc. in each dev site by device. Or, maybe, not many people have this curiosity?
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The N1 was originally planned for Sprint and Verizon, but it was never made due to the launch of the Incredible and EVO. You CAN check the number of posts in each forum just by looking at the "stats" column.

The desire forum is also very active. The oldest thread on the first page tends to be about 1hr since last post (at the most).

Revisiting after 7 yrs from the day of post creation.. Let me re ask the question.. Which of the top 5 smartphones today have the largest development community at xda?

[email protected] said:
Revisiting after 7 yrs from the day of post creation.. Let me re ask the question.. Which of the top 5 smartphones today have the largest development community at xda?
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Same question I have a Note 5 and it sucks, I'm about to upgrade and want to know what's the easiest to root, right now if I want to get free stuff in apps I have to get on bluestacks then back to my phone.

For reducing the amount of unnecessary duplicate threads this thread needed to get closed. Please post any "what phone should I buy" questions in the dedicated thread.

The Phone For You

First of all, there's been a hell of a lot of threads being made for a while now asking 'What phone to get' or 'S3 vs One X' for example and now there's more and more being made daily and there's just too many now.
That's where the idea for this threads comes into place. Any questions you wanna ask about comparing phones before you buy them, ask them in here.
There's 2 main good points about this -
1. Someone else in here could've already asked about phones that you wanted to compare. If so, you can read the answer and that way you've found out exactly what you wanted without typing a single thing or having to wait for a reply. And...
2. It will stop what will inevitably be more posts all regarding the same thing, from littering the forum. And any that are posted outside of this thread can be directed straight to here where their answer could already be awaiting them.
Simple as that!
Sent from my GT-I9100 using xda premium

Agreed, But really, Popular and repetitive comparisons like the S3 vs ONE X is easily googleable now, If not websites, Other android forums might have discussed that before.
But yeah, Both the popular and unpopular phone comparisons need only one thread, Even the tablet ones, They are multiplying now.
Also, In that way, Someone with a similar phone comparison (popular or not) as yours will be easier to find and you will be able to choose carefully without turning the general forums into a "What phone to buy" forums.
Oh and BTW, Can you make one for the "My phone is bricked/laggy/(insert problem here)" threads?

I just used the S3 vs One X as an example really, but yeah I totally agree that google has it covered and youtube is full of videos for the high end phones against each other.
The aim is to make this easier for people anyway so hopefully it works. I PMd orb3000 just after I made this to see if he'd consider making it a sticky. Not sure if he will or not, but that'll then make it even easier to be honest.
And I already think there's a thread for that. I could be wrong but I think I saw one a while back. I'll have a look around and then if not, I'll make one either later today or tomorrow. It all depends on how busy I am
Sent from my GT-I9100 using xda premium

HTC One (M7) vs Nexus 5?

Well I am going to buy a new phone soon, and I can't decide between these 2. HTC One have the better look, but specs seem a bit worse than Nexus 5 and I don't know if it will recieve the newest updates like Nexus 5... I want the phone to be kind of future proof - getting the latest Android updates for some time, and I want it to be fast, stable and have good camera. Could anyone make a comparison, or post experience with either of the phones? Which one would you choose?
P.S I created a thread in "hardware hacking" with same name, I've seen only hardware so I've thought it is the forum about hardware, a good place to compare phones... here is the link, so mods delete it please http://forum.xda-developers.com/hardware-hacking/hardware/htc-one-m7-vs-nexus-5-t2828636

Comparisons aren't allowed and how would most of us know what the m7 is like? Please read reviews and make up your own mind. You're going to get biased answers here..
"which one would you choose?"
Haven't we already chosen???
Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk

Here is my scientific and in depth opinion....
Get the N5. ?

rootSU said:
Comparisons aren't allowed and how would most of us know what the m7 is like? Please read reviews and make up your own mind. You're going to get biased answers here..
"which one would you choose?"
Haven't we already chosen???
Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk
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I asked here because, I've already seen a thread in Nexus 5 forum where people talked about these 2 phones, but that was before Nexus 5 was even released...

kirov37 said:
I asked here because, I've already seen a thread in Nexus 5 forum where people talked about these 2 phones, but that was before Nexus 5 was even released...
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Well everyone here chose the nexus 5 so 99.5 % of us will tell you thats the one to get. It isn't helpful to you. You just have to make your mind up yourself. No one here can tell you which phone is best for you. We can only tell you what's best for us but because you posted in the nexus 5 forum, you already know what's best for us - so it renders your thread pretty useless.
I'm hoping it gets locked soon. There are too many threads from people asking this same question. Nexus 5 versus phone x. Its ALWAYS the same answer so what's the point?
Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk

kirov37 said:
I asked here because, I've already seen a thread in Nexus 5 forum where people talked about these 2 phones, but that was before Nexus 5 was even released...
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Ask in the Nexus 5 forum = "buy the Nexus 5"
Ask in the HTC One (M7) forum = "buy the M7"

As mentioned we do not allow comparison threads on XDA be it ROMs, Kernels or devices the question is subjective and as mentioned above depending on where you ask the question you are going to get different answers.
Thread closed

for those buying the S6

What made you choose this phone over the better 901F?
options
1 - What is the 901F never heard of it? (blame XDA for not adding section and media for not reporting it)
2 - I only buy the marketed phones.
3 - I am a developer and want to make money from donations so only buy the marketed phones.
4 - I just get what my carrier offers me.
5 - I prefer the S6 spec.
6 - 901F not possible to get where I live, otherwise would get it.
7 - other

I'm just curious... by what metric precisely is it that you're claiming the 901F is "better?"

what's the point of this thread?

I don't find the 901F 'better'.

The point is OP trying to convince himself his phone is better than the s6. Most likely he bought it not too long ago and is frustrated he can't get the s6, hence trying to convince people here that his phone is super awesome and that it deserves a subforum because it's too great to belong to the s5 sub.
PS : XDA people usually don't buy based only on marketing. But nice try.

xdafann said:
The point is OP trying to convince himself his phone is better than the s6. Most likely he bought it not too long ago and is frustrated he can't get the s6, hence trying to convince people here that his phone is super awesome and that it deserves a subforum because it's too great to belong to the s5 sub.
PS : XDA people usually don't buy based only on marketing. But nice try.
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Not so much frustrated about the S6 but rather lack of recognition by XDA.
But after the announcement of the S6 I am laughing, now I am glad I got this whilst it was the flagship of EE, as in my view the S6 is definitely an inferior phone.
The reason it needs a sub forum is that none of the S5 roms/kernels work on it, thats a clear indicator it shouldnt be lumped in the same section.
By the way you took the time to reply without answering the question? Its as if you think the answer is obvious or something.

chrcol said:
Not so much frustrated about the S6 but rather lack of recognition by XDA.
But after the announcement of the S6 I am laughing, now I am glad I got this whilst it was the flagship of EE, as in my view the S6 is definitely an inferior phone.
The reason it needs a sub forum is that none of the S5 roms/kernels work on it, thats a clear indicator it shouldnt be lumped in the same section.
By the way you took the time to reply without answering the question? Its as if you think the answer is obvious or something.
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If I may ask, why did you make this post? If you want a subforum for your S5, you should post in the S5 forums or contact a moderator. I really don't think this subjective "poll" to verify your phone's superiority was necessary...

If you want to talk about s5, please, go to the s5 forum

If that phone is so great then just keep it bud.

That's the thing

akitten007 said:
If I may ask, why did you make this post? If you want a subforum for your S5, you should post in the S5 forums or contact a moderator. I really don't think this subjective "poll" to verify your phone's superiority was necessary...
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I made the post as I am curious what the mindset is of xda user's what makes them decide what phone to buy. As some phones get real popular, and others people barely buy.

chrcol said:
Not so much frustrated about the S6 but rather lack of recognition by XDA.
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Not sure if you've noticed this but XDA is a site for developers. We add devices based on developer interest, likely development (in upcoming flagships) or actual development (in lesser known devices).
That should answer your question.
Thread closed as the only point of this thread seemed to be to have a good moan (though that's what we British are known for so I guess I shouldn't be surprised)

Should the Pixel and Pixel XL forms combine?

I posted a poll on the Pixel XL forum. Please vote if you have an opinion on this.
Right now on XDA we have separate forums for the Pixel and Pixel XL. For the first time (that I can think of) we have two identical Android phones in two sizes.I don't know how popular iPhones forums are on XDA but they don't have separate forums for the regular and plus versions. There isn't iPhone forums on XDA.
It seems like both Pixel and Pixel XL forms already have topics covering both devices. What are your thoughts on combining forums?

In my opinion, it depends on if the ROM, kernel and theme development will differ between the two phones. In theory, it would seem that the development for each would be identical because the internals are identical. However, I'm not sure how the screen size/resolution will play into that.
Plus, accessories such as cases and screen protectors for the Pixel vs the Pixel XL are also going to be different. This might make the "Accessories" section more confusing if the two forums were combined.

Yes, Combine
I'd say, combine everything but the Accessories.

PSA, the Galaxy Tab Pro series has a combined xda forum, for the 8", 10", and 12" sizes

combine

Combine

Combine.

Combine
Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk

Combine

Please see moderator position on this matter:
Stephen said:
I'll bring this up with the forum moderators for this forum and see what they think. My personal view is, the Pixel XL and Pixel phones should get a lot of traffic, based on the previous phones, I think 2 forums are warranted. We could get confusion when people are asking questions in the Q&A section for example regarding which phone they ware wanting support for etc. Also we would need to find out if the ROM's have different basis as well, if they did then it would almost certainly need two forums.
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Woody said:
Agree with @Stephen ...but there are a few caveats that we need to look at first and unfortunately that can't be done until some development begins. First, are there any nuances in the architecture that differentiate the X from the XL? On the front face, only the display and battery are different, but as we all know that doesn't mean the rest is identical. Maybe there is something buried deep in the kernel or a line in one of the props that may seem miniscule, but throws everything out of wack.
Something that we can possibly look at in the future would be combination, but with some restructure. What I mean here is that we can have the Guides/News, Accessories, Themes/Apps/Mods and QA sections combined, but separate the X and XL Development sections from one another. That will make sure that if you are just asking a general question or need a guide, you can look in the combined section. But if you are looking for a specific ROM build, you will have to go into your specific arena.
Ultimately, we need to get devices in hand and a better analysis of the system dumps that we currently have. Those will tell the tale.
Oh and someone said something about the Search Bar. That made my day. I think that I have to log off now since my keyboard is soaked with my tears of laughter and I don't want to short it out and have to explain why to IT.
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Combine if...
If there is a simple way for devs to make all work compatible for both - Combine

I would like to cast another vote to have a combined subforum as well. Yes, there are some differences between the devices, but the development that has been happening so far (dePixel8, SuperSU and TWRP, to name a few examples) have either worked for both devices or the developers have published separate builds for each device. I like the idea of a "Unified" sections, much like the Samsung Galaxy S4 subforum that exists. It can be at the OP/developer's discretion to create a release in the unified section, or just for one specific device.

@Stephen, now that some time has passed and development is very similar for both devices, is it possible to combine the forums into something like the S4 has? There has been a lot of double posting between the two separate devices, in both general questions as well as development.

Well, I want to know what this is referencing.
Oh and someone said something about the Search Bar. That made my day. I think that I have to log off now since my keyboard is soaked with my tears of laughter and I don't want to short it out and have to explain why to IT.
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Yea I definitely think they should be combined. They should each have their own accessories forum obv but everything else should be joined. For the development forums there should be a requirement that when you post a ROM/Mod/whatever that you start the title with either
"Pixel"
"Pixel XL"
"BOTH"
To me it's a no brainier. Would be so much easier using this format and joining the forums

I have already combined them in my head. I treat them all the same. So yea, one would be awesome.

Please combine! Im guessing we're missing some great threads and info, and they are as well.
Sent from my Pixel using Tapatalk

Combine

I can see the validity of both sides but we are definitely missing some very good information that is present on the XL forums that hold true for the Pixel. For instance, this thread by a forum moderator https://forum.xda-developers.com/pixel-xl/how-to/guide-how-to-unlock-root-flash-pixel-xl-t3507886 which to me is a redo of the Heisenberg 5x and 6P threads that were so valuable for the past year. But perhaps they should ask the devs as they are the ones who will have to deal with differentiating the devices, or perhaps making it easier for them if it holds for both devices. Personally, I don't believe there is enough traffic in either to warrant separate forums, but that is my opinion only and I'm sure the mods have their own thoughts.

So who do we actually go to in order to see if this is something they would even consider