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Cheapest smartphone with custom Rom

Hi.
I need a second smartphone. (Actually have a Moto G which is great)
I d like to spend the less money as possible for it, but I would also like having the possibility to install a custom ROM on it (that means there s a following on XDA)
Could you help me to select some models ?
Thanks per advance
PS : I m in France , so I think I need a GSM model.
Sent from my Moto G using XDA Free mobile app

mattheoh said:
Hi.
I need a second smartphone. (Actually have a Moto G which is great)
I d like to spend the less money as possible for it, but I would also like having the possibility to install a custom ROM on it (that means there s a following on XDA)
Could you help me to select some models ?
Thanks per advance
PS : I m in France , so I think I need a GSM model.
Sent from my Moto G using XDA Free mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Buy a used Galaxy Nexus. Or Nexus 4 if you don't mind spending a bit more. Both these phones have an incredible amount of custom ROMs and kernels and other development for them.

Thanks for your answer @Planterz.
Of course that would be the best solution and I would have a phone with good capabilities. But a Galaxy Nexus even used, it s around 100 euros. And I don t want to spend so much.
My question was more in this way : are they low cost phone which are supported on xda ?
Sent from my Moto G using XDA Free mobile app

Simply put no not really and that is due to mostr budget phones not releasing the software or the kernel source for their devices. So a nexus is your best bet.
Remember you get what you pay for. If you go cheap then dont expect much for your money.
Use the old tat saying.
A good phone isnt cheap and a cheap phone is not good.

zelendel said:
A good phone isnt cheap and a cheap phone is not good.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
excellent !
Sent from my Moto G using XDA Free mobile app

mattheoh said:
Thanks for your answer @Planterz.
Of course that would be the best solution and I would have a phone with good capabilities. But a Galaxy Nexus even used, it s around 100 euros. And I don t want to spend so much.
My question was more in this way : are they low cost phone which are supported on xda ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Galaxy S2 maybe? Probably costs as much as a Galaxy Nexus though. There's the Nexus S or original Galaxy S, but they're very inferior devices in comparison, and probably not that much cheaper and/or not worth it compared to the Galaxy Nexus. Yeah, there's development for them, but it's like trying to make your Yugo go faster. The Galaxy Nexus, while aged, can still hang in there and be a useable device with most of today's software and even some more demanding games.
I'm sorry I can't be more help; I don't know what phones are easily available in France, which is why I'm suggesting Nexus device (plus there's tons of development).

Yes Galaxy Nexus seems the best deal. I m looking at some adds. Could find one around 90 euros maybe.
In France we have a low cost brand : Wiko. It s not so bad.
But the phones are made by chinese manufacturer Tinno, and they used to implement Mediatek processor which are not good.
I m continuing to investigate... Thanks again.
Sent from my Moto G using XDA Free mobile app

[Q] iphone 5s or Which phone in this Budget? Share your Views..

i am confused, i am android user, recently used S5 and sold because of lagging,
which other phone i should buy?
iphone 5s or which smartphone is high end in this budget, and have better market value?
please Share your Opinion,
thanks in advance.
Edit. I dont want to buy LG G3 because the 2k display on LCD(IPS) not mature,results Stuck pixel issue, and sony is not my favourite, they make 2 flagship phone in 1 year lol..

Mandeep148 said:
i am confused, i am android user, recently used S5 and sold because of lagging,
which other phone i should buy?
iphone 5s or which smartphone is high end in this budget, and have better market value?
please Share your Opinion,
thanks in advance.
Edit. I dont want to buy LG G3 because the 2k display on LCD(IPS) not mature,results Stuck pixel issue, and sony is not my favourite, they make 2 flagship phone in 1 year lol..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Its diffrent for all people are you more of themer guy? Get a nexus 5 as the most roms , xposed works with it.
If you just look for a good quality go for HTC One M8
If you love taking pictures go with the Note 4.
etc.....

Yes, really strange to hear the s5 was lagging for you enough to get rid of it. As for the iphone 5s, what price are you referring to? The 6's are coming out in two days so the price is very fluid right now. Are we talking $200, $400? Since Samsung and LG are out for you, how do you feel about Google, HTC?

Always attempt to avoid Apple, their products are expensive and overrated for their performance and their iOS system is so extremely closed-source that you can't really do much effective tweaking at all.
Just my 2¢.

xasteras said:
But I don't get how the s5 is lagging... did you try to start over?
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bentleyboy said:
Yes, really strange to hear the s5 was lagging for you enough to get rid of it. As for the iphone 5s, what price are you referring to? The 6's are coming out in two days so the price is very fluid right now. Are we talking $200, $400? Since Samsung and LG are out for you, how do you feel about Google, HTC?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
the s5 you speaking, is snapdragon version, and its even available in india, snapdragon s5 doesnt lag, i used it.. actually exynos version is fully crap, 90% apps are not optimized for crap exynos, those are using exynos(if they are not able to upgrade smartphone)then probably they will always say exynos better, but i bet you, if marquies brownlee do review on s5 exynos variant, he will say 1 good point and 90% bad points...
+ still not 4.4 and no performance improvment update,
i am not saying samsung is crap, but tradition to india is so bad,
who cars about exynos, today world of snapdragon.. even developers phone are snapdragon may be nexus 5..
samsung need to change..
CustomGames said:
Its diffrent for all people are you more of themer guy? Get a nexus 5 as the most roms , xposed works with it.
If you just look for a good quality go for HTC One M8
If you love taking pictures go with the Note 4.
etc.....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
no i dont like taking picture, i like joy in OS, without lagging, i like touchwiz but indian samsung phone with exynos not fully optimized cause lag, some people notice and some not( i am heavy user so...)
i like sense too, very smoother response..
thenookieforlife3 said:
Always attempt to avoid Apple, their products are expensive and overrated for their performance and their iOS system is so extremely closed-source that you can't really do much effective tweaking at all.
Just my 2¢.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i agree with that
the only thing i like in iphone is smoothness, never hangs or never cheat
i think m8 would be cool, how about stuck pixel in htc m8 , should i aware from it, actually i had these issues in lcd/ips displays

Mandeep148 said:
[…]
i agree with that
the only thing i like in iphone is smoothness, never hangs or never cheat
[…]
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's somewhat true, but not entirely. The worst thing about Apple devices for me is that they don't have problems too often, but when they do, they have no recovery mode or anything to fix the problem yourself. You absolutely always have to go to an Apple store to get a so-called "tech wizard" to help you out or to give you a new device.
Not so good.

thenookieforlife3 said:
That's somewhat true, but not entirely. The worst thing about Apple devices for me is that they don't have problems too often, but when they do, they have no recovery mode or anything to fix the problem yourself. You absolutely always have to go to an Apple store to get a so-called "tech wizard" to help you out or to give you a new device.
Not so good.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yea true.
hows the market resale value of htc one m8 ?

Mandeep148 said:
Yea true.
hows the market resale value of htc one m8 ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Dunno, I'll check it out.

Mandeep148 said:
Yea true.
hows the market resale value of htc one m8 ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Try nexus 5

Try sony xperia z3

jampy10 said:
Try sony xperia z3
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Click to collapse
Honestly Good phone but bad service,
I mean suppose today I buy z3 after 4 months they make new smart phone, they forget previous smartphone like they never made, just look at their Advt and social media, when they launch new then forget previous model like that is manufactured by other company,
And if we buy z3 their price in our country fall quickly and resale value is like no value.. It's good phone but there are many things company needs to do than manufacturing
Sent from my XT1033 using XDA Free mobile app

CustomGames said:
Try nexus 5
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yea it's really really good phone I used ever for 2 months(with stuck pixel).
I got cheque refund 2 times still stuck pixel, but I didn't wasted my time, I used this amazing phone for 2 months, was smoother and quick responsive like iPhone.
Sent from my XT1033 using XDA Free mobile app

A random question ..

Is it worth buying lg g4 or s6 when you are waiting for nexus 5 (2015 edition)
Or shall i go for lg g3 ?
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eefo said:
Is it worth buying lg g4 or s6 when you are waiting for nexus 5 (2015 edition)
Or shall i go for lg g3 ?
Sent from my A0001 using Tapatalk
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Click to collapse
I'd wait. You've got a OnePlus One, and I can't imagine you (or anyone) being dissatisfied with its performance and requiring something that's "more". If you just want something new/different to play with, grab an LG G2; they're unbelievably cheap now, and still one hell of a phone. Or a 2013 Moto X, for when you don't want a big ol' slab flopping around in your pocket.

Planterz said:
I'd wait. You've got a OnePlus One, and I can't imagine you (or anyone) being dissatisfied with its performance and requiring something that's "more". If you just want something new/different to play with, grab an LG G2; they're unbelievably cheap now, and still one hell of a phone. Or a 2013 Moto X, for when you don't want a big ol' slab flopping around in your pocket.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well.. Tbh the specs oneplus one have, is almost like of a dream phone..
The only issue with it is its touch screen and not a lot roms to play with ?..
Even after the update its still here..
And plus its been 8 months I'm using it so.. You know life asks for a change [emoji14]
P.s I'm still gonna keep this phone with me as a back up
And
thanks for your suggestion
Sent from my A0001 using Tapatalk

@eefo,
Please remember that there is a thread designed specifically for this type of question. If you post there, you will avoid cluttering the forums more with extra threads.
Thanks!

eefo said:
Is it worth buying lg g4 or s6 when you are waiting for nexus 5 (2015 edition)
Or shall i go for lg g3 ?
Sent from my A0001 using Tapatalk
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Click to collapse
Hello, eefo.
XDA-Developers is a good place, to get help to buy a phone, but there's a famous thread, where there's a high chance, to get help from some members.
Here's the link: http://forum.xda-developers.com/general/general/slow-motion-phones-device-how-to-imo-t2998500
EDIT: Nookie has already mentioned the thread... Sorry, haven't seen your post.
But what your phone you want, depends on your preferences.
Features
Screen Size
Design
Price
User Interface
Specifications
anything else
What are your preferences?

What device to buy?

Hi, can you help me decide what phone to buy? I'm currently using Moto G 4G (XT1039) which I really love for it's flexibility (no problem with unlocking bootloader, flashing TWRP, rooting, using custom ROMs) and clean Android, but it's kinda old and during my experiments I managed to break its 3G modem, so I'm looking for an upgrade. What I'm looking for is a phone with around 5 inch screen, good battery and good developers support, a phone that will last for another couple of years, so something with at least 2GB of ram and good SOC. It doesn't need to be brand new, some 2 years old flagships are welcome. I'm thinking about LG Nexus 5 which is affordable and has nice stats or maybe Moto X 1st edition - I don't know. I'm willing to pay no more than 200 GBP. Thanks for all advice.

minimale_ldz said:
Hi, can you help me decide what phone to buy? I'm currently using Moto G 4G (XT1039) which I really love for it's flexibility (no problem with unlocking bootloader, flashing TWRP, rooting, using custom ROMs) and clean Android, but it's kinda old and during my experiments I managed to break its 3G modem, so I'm looking for an upgrade. What I'm looking for is a phone with around 5 inch screen, good battery and good developers support, a phone that will last for another couple of years, so something with at least 2GB of ram and good SOC. It doesn't need to be brand new, some 2 years old flagships are welcome. I'm thinking about LG Nexus 5 which is affordable and has nice stats or maybe Moto X 1st edition - I don't know. I'm willing to pay no more than 200 GBP. Thanks for all advice.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
go for nexus
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Lg g3

You could find a second-hand OnePlus One under 200GBP

Coming from two LG G2, looking for a low-maintenance easy going >$100 phone

Hi guys and gals,
I'm at my second LG G2 since end 2015. Both phones let me down with their screens being jumpy and having ghost touch issues... I can't take it anymore.
Could you recommend to me a good reliable old model you loved I can buy for > $100?
I'd like something with a past and may be still active community base, coupled with having some good custom ROMs, battery life and decent speed for multitasking but no games. In OS terms, it's KitKat or Nougat. I can't stand Lollipop.
Like everyone, I dislike mostly UI lag and a temperamental brat. Open-minded and low-maintenance and easy going is definitely my type.
You saw my previous choices for the G2 despite its age so I think you'll understand where my preference goes.
I'm in France thus old models are still expensive compared to other parts of the world.
Oh and to add to the difficulty of the task, I don't have a computer anymore and can't afford to buy one for a foreseeable future, all the cooking has to be done without one obviously.
After reading this you probably think I should get a third G2...???
I hope I haven't forgotten any relevant piece of information. Thanks.

Lol, have a bricked G2 that has the same issue bud, that sh*t was annoying!!!
My advice? Nexus 5 was $99
OnePlusOne or 2 maybe,
Htc m7 or if you find an m8 that is quite a stable device in my experience ,
Hope that gives ya a few ideas to play with.

LilAnt530 said:
Lol, have a bricked G2 that has the same issue bud, that sh*t was annoying!!!
My advice? Nexus 5 was $99
OnePlusOne or 2 maybe,
Htc m7 or if you find an m8 that is quite a stable device in my experience ,
Hope that gives ya a few ideas to play with.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes. That'll teach me to think probability theory and for being stubborn.
Nexus 5. I couldn't find one at the price you mentioned. I only have access to eBay, Amazon being somewhat erratic about international shipping availability.
OnePlus One. That one had my preference however it's out of my league price wise.
HTC M7 or M8. I'll have a look. Thanks for the suggestions.

We have a dedicated thread for this here
https://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1620179
Please ask your question there
Thanks for understanding
Sawdoctor