Database Info

Touchwiz ruins the Galaxy S4 for me

Disclaimer!!
This thread ain't intended to start a flame war or to bash me because you can download new diallers, contacts etc just my opinion on touchwiz after seeing various youtube video's and to see if I am not the only one who feels this way.
First of all I am a fanatic bordering on OCD when it comes to the look and feel of the OS as well as the apps which run on top of it and my biggest gripe back when I had my first android phone was that applications varied wildly in the quality of design and aesthetics and Google had a lot of work ahead of it to tidy up the UI to get it up to the standard of iOS for a uniform feel and to get developers to have a similar feel across the board for their apps.
Android is and always was a superior OS just to clear that up I am not an iOS fanboy!
Fast forward to today and Android has changed so much it blew me away all the apps now look and feel like they follow the guidelines set out by Google with the holo theme (I had a Google Nexus 720p and sold it purely because all the apps looked well out of place) and everything is very smooth with next to no lag or stutter so consider me impressed.
However this is what bugs me now, when I first got a Galaxy S II touchwiz looked good and it added some nice little touches and over all and made a very nice change to Sense which was bloated and slow now fast forward to the Galaxy S IV announcement and touchwiz now looks very dated and from what I can gather it does not follow the holo guidelines whatsoever and the enhancements are a slightly more toned down look (still cartoony like in appearance) and whites in the menu's.
So here is a breakdown of my gripes/concerns about Touchwiz on this flagship phone.
The dialler looks absolutely awful and seriously dated by todays standards
The contact list and/or contacts follows the same lines as the dialler and looks very dated
The camera icons have a fake metal look and stick out a mile
Basically Touchwiz looks way too cartoony, garish and lacks the polish and finish of the Nexus range and even the HTC One.
And last things last I appreciate that you can customise the hell out of Android with new diallers, new themes, tweaks and what not but this post is purely about the stock experience.
Aside from that Touchwiz does have some nice touches just Samsung need to bring it out of the gingerbread days and screaming and kicking into the holo days.
One last note I own a windows phone purely because of the aesthetics and all applications follow the same guidelines but there is such a lack of support I am coming back to Android at some point in the very near future.

Samsung always had a bunch of awful designers. They desperately need to hire better designers.

Re: Touchwiz ruins the Galaxy S4
All those complaints can be changed with simple fixes right here on XDA...

NightHawkUndead said:
All those complaints can be changed with simple fixes right here on XDA...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Definitely agree not denying that whatsoever and my complaints are purely about the design and look of Touchwiz not how to fix it

Some like it, some don't. Touchwiz UI never looks great to me, and its features (s voice, s beam, palm swipe screen capture etc) are nothing but bloats for me. However if you're gonna buy a S4 you'll have to find a way to like Touchwiz. Don't think you'll be able to flash CM or AOSP on an S4 and everything's gonna work well and great. With the lack of support and Samsung's attitude towards devs, open source development on this device is gonna be a pain.

Or you use a different launcher.

I'm riding the same boat as you mate, currently a Lumia 920 owner, came from S2 and Nexuses aren't sold in the country I live in. Samsung's totally effed it up, it looks so gingerbread :x

BoneXDA said:
Or you use a different launcher.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Touchwiz is not just the launcher. It's the whole experience.

Livebyte said:
Touchwiz is not just the launcher. It's the whole experience.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Couldn't of said it better myself and also nice signature, typing on a Macbook Pro Retina as we speak

Re: Touchwiz ruins the Galaxy S4
Livebyte said:
Touchwiz is not just the launcher. It's the whole experience.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Exactly correct which is why when u change the launcher it's different because the experience changes
And you can still flash a rom anyway
PHONE SLOW CLICK ME?
1 days 2 s4​

Totally agree with you.
Amoled display on Touchwiz added insult to injury. Its oversaturated/ unrealistic colors made it look more awful.
I'm not against samsung or its nature UX, I've seen the S4 personally and its display is really gorgeous. its just that just like you, i'm not into the outdated user experience with added features from the gingerbread days.

Re: Touchwiz ruins the Galaxy S4
Have to disagree. Love the touchwiz. And absolutely love most of the things u guys call 'bloat'.
Sent from my GT-I9300 using xda app-developers app

NightHawkUndead said:
All those complaints can be changed with simple fixes right here on XDA...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
+1
Samsung has no use for OCD types....They will never be satisfied and are too infinitesimal in the millions and millions of sold product. I don;t like TW. I use Nova Problem solved.

My feelings are if you are paying for a top end flagship device then everything should ooze quality and Touchwiz is firmly stuck in the days of gingerbread and it's getting totally left behind.
Launchers can only do so much imho.

tbong777 said:
+1
Samsung has no use for OCD types....They will never be satisfied and are too infinitesimal in the millions and millions of sold product. I don;t like TW. I use Nova Problem solved.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Nova launcher is slick.

deleted

daleski75 said:
My feelings are if you are paying for a top end flagship device then everything should ooze quality and Touchwiz is firmly stuck in the days of gingerbread and it's getting totally left behind.
Launchers can only do so much imho.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Launchers can and do COMPLETELY change the experience. They do a lot. and then even more... In fact the problem people are having with TW can be completely eradicated with a very large choice of proven launchers.
REAL Flagship devices don't become antiquated in 6 months. I think the word "flagship" in this world of Mobile devices is over used. carries to high of expectations, and is over exaggerated for a $600 all in one device. The Note 3 will be the flagship device in a few months...Then what?
For MOST the S4 WILL "ooze quality" I know a few non rooting users who cannot wait to get their upgrades and have been completely satissfied with their S3s. WE in XDA are very very tiny consumer base for Samsung. They throw a few bones to developers for their own benefit so we can beta test their new stock firmwares. But tey are not building these devices for hackers who will run Cyanogen on them or care about slightly blue tints or plastic cases and screens (which are likely to be covered with the latest Otter box and ZAGG crap)
OCD/Anal users usually don't run their devices out of the box bare as designed, like I do. So does the plastic body and slick glass really matter?

Touchwiz came a long way since gingerbread. It's only downfall is that it's still choppy in very few areas (like widgets tab). Other than that, I'd rather have it then Sense (which comes with features you can't disable, at Touchwiz gives you the option to disable features you don't want) or stock android which is bare-boned and lacks features.

Just wait for custom roms.
They will bring new life to the s4.
TingTingin said:
Exactly correct which is why when u change the launcher it's different because the experience changes
And you can still flash a rom anyway
PHONE SLOW CLICK ME?
1 days 2 s4​
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
​

So RUN AOSP in it, or run a Touchwiz run de-touchiwzed.

Where are the ROMs?

Sorry if this has been asked and answered, but why are there not any ROMs for the SM-P9000, I mean this tablet has been out for several months and there is still nothing? Not complaining, just curious...

acejavelin said:
Sorry if this has been asked and answered, but why are there not any ROMs for the SM-P9000, I mean this tablet has been out for several months and there is still nothing? Not complaining, just curious...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It costs too much and has a very small user base.
Sent from my SM-P900 using XDA Premium HD app

Hmm... Makes sense. Thanks for the answer.

acejavelin said:
Hmm... Makes sense. Thanks for the answer.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The price is dropping-slowly. Maybe once the prices drop to a more reasonable rate, folks will buy it and more interest will grow in building Roms. I bought mine the second day it arrived on Verizon, just glad that the Verizon version finally got rooted and I was able to install my Root-Only apps and Xposed.

I agree, after root you remove/freeze bloatware, add all the apps to multi-window and pen window, use xposed modules, it's as good as a custom ROM.

ddavtian said:
I agree, after root you remove/freeze bloatware, add all the apps to multi-window and pen window, use xposed modules, it's as good as a custom ROM.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yup! Can't wait until we either get Safestrap or break the Bootloader so we can have Custom Kernels....but for right now-I'm ok with it. It runs so much better since I've removed all the bloatware.

Also, there is a few really great market apps that supplement the multi window and add most other apps too.
Sent from my SM-P900 using Tapatalk

Yeah the only thing I wish I could do is customize the look of the notification and quick settings shade. Wanam is only partially helpful with this (increased the number of quick tiles thats about it).
I primarily use the tablet in landscape mode and it irks the crap out of me that the entire screen isn't utilized. Having the screen underneath visible on the left and right quarters of the screen is meaningless to me when they're forcing me to scroll vertically through notifications due to lack of width so I'd like to either reduce the font sizes in the shade (system wide LCD density screws up stock keyboard) or have more flexibility on the layout.

muzzy996 said:
...system wide LCD density screws up stock keyboard...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Have you tried app settings module in xposed? You could change system DPI and then use this module to change any app DPI back to default if they don't behave.

Yeah if memory serves this fixed full sized landscape keyboard layout but there were other issues with the other modes of the keyboard. It's been a while though, are you using it that way?
Sent from my SM-P900 using Tapatalk

I use that module to lower DPI for some apps. Many system apps don't look good at custom resolution.

ddavtian said:
I agree, after root you remove/freeze bloatware, add all the apps to multi-window and pen window, use xposed modules, it's as good as a custom ROM.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Except that Touchwiz is still annoying to deal with and bogs down the system. Even with a pretty high clock dual-quad-core processor, I still experience some stutters and "slow" app launches, etc.
Custom ROMs or a stock ROM for this tablet while keeping pressure sensitivity for the S Pen in tact would be amazing. Not to mention that this tablet doesn't get horrible battery life, but it would far better running a more stock experience with something like Franco Kernel.
It's pretty disappointing that this tablet is basically zero dev support, but it's not surprising since it's such a niche tablet. Most consumers don't want a huge tablet, plus the price tag is pretty high. With a screen this large, it also makes sense to have an actual keyboard, which adds even more to the cost.
This tablet would be even more amazing with dev support, but don't hold your breath because it likely will never get any love. We'd be lucky to get a single stable custom ROM project before this becomes a piece of "outdated" kit.

larkhillv said:
Except that Touchwiz is still annoying to deal with and bogs down the system. Even with a pretty high clock dual-quad-core processor, I still experience some stutters and "slow" app launches, etc.
Custom ROMs or a stock ROM for this tablet while keeping pressure sensitivity for the S Pen in tact would be amazing. Not to mention that this tablet doesn't get horrible battery life, but it would far better running a more stock experience with something like Franco Kernel.
It's pretty disappointing that this tablet is basically zero dev support, but it's not surprising since it's such a niche tablet. Most consumers don't want a huge tablet, plus the price tag is pretty high. With a screen this large, it also makes sense to have an actual keyboard, which adds even more to the cost.
This tablet would be even more amazing with dev support, but don't hold your breath because it likely will never get any love. We'd be lucky to get a single stable custom ROM project before this becomes a piece of "outdated" kit.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I hope we get cyanogenmod at least. hate touchqiz.

kirbymaster101 said:
I hope we get cyanogenmod at least. hate touchqiz.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have owned the Note 8.0, the Note 10.1 2014, and now the Note Pro 12.2. I do not understand why some one spends the extra money for a device with the S Pen and then wants a rom that will make the S Pen utterly useless. Besides that, The Note 8.0 did get Cyanogenmod but the Note 10.1 2014 has not as yet gotten anything but customized Touchwiz roms.

ddavtian said:
I agree, after root you remove/freeze bloatware, add all the apps to multi-window and pen window, use xposed modules, it's as good as a custom ROM.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
nrage23 said:
I have owned the Note 8.0, the Note 10.1 2014, and now the Note Pro 12.2. I do not understand why some one spends the extra money for a device with the S Pen and then wants a rom that will make the S Pen utterly useless. Besides that, The Note 8.0 did get Cyanogenmod but the Note 10.1 2014 has not as yet gotten anything but customized Touchwiz roms.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I agree 100%. Whenever, people ask me for my opinion as to what tablet to get (or rather should they get what i have - either the note 8.0 or the note pro) I actually tend to steer them away from the note series. I explain to them that if they are not going to use the S-Pen extensively then they should get another tablet with better specs (one that is more optimized for gaming or watching video). As far as I'm concerned the S-Pen is the selling point of the Note series tablets - so why render it useless or even limit the capabilities of it with a Rom that would do that?
P.S. In regards to getting a tablet optimized for gaming or watching video I just picked up a Galaxy Tab S 8.4 (for my wife) from Best Buy. I wasn't really in the market for another tablet but they have a deal where you can trade in your working tablet (that's in their database) and get $50 off (or even more if the value of it is worth more) plus another $50 off toward the purchase of a Galaxy Tab S tablet. They will allow up to two tablets to trade in. Since my wife and I both had HTC Flyers lying around collecting dust we decided to trade them in. Combined with other Best Buy discounts I got a total of $171 off . Because of this it made me just purchase it (did I say it was for my wife:laugh The display is stunning.

I haven't owned a Note device prior to this one, but I doubt that devs are incapable of rummaging through Samsung's code and finding the bits that pertain to S Pen functionality. The sensors are built into the device--the rest is software. With all the crazy stuff that devs can do on Nexus devices, I'd think that a clever dev could maintain the S Pen functions while offering a more stock experience.
It's pretty sad that Samsung forces such an annoying, heavy UI on its consumers when other OEMs are moving closer to a stock experience. I wouldn't even have the desire for a custom ROM on this tablet if it were closer to stock Android. But there are just annoying bits like the headhphone volume warning every time I want to turn up the volume. Does Sammy really think its consumers are so idiotic that they can't handle their own volume controls without going deaf?

larkhillv said:
I haven't owned a Note device prior to this one, but I doubt that devs are incapable of rummaging through Samsung's code and finding the bits that pertain to S Pen functionality. The sensors are built into the device--the rest is software. With all the crazy stuff that devs can do on Nexus devices, I'd think that a clever dev could maintain the S Pen functions while offering a more stock experience.
It's pretty sad that Samsung forces such an annoying, heavy UI on its consumers when other OEMs are moving closer to a stock experience. I wouldn't even have the desire for a custom ROM on this tablet if it were closer to stock Android. But there are just annoying bits like the headhphone volume warning every time I want to turn up the volume. Does Sammy really think its consumers are so idiotic that they can't handle their own volume controls without going deaf?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yea, there are a lot of stupid little annoyances with Touchwiz (not to mention the excessive bloatware). But in my experience with the Note devices it is much better to have a Touchwiz base custom Rom rather than removing it altogether. Even though the devs do a remarkable job, once you remove Touchwiz there are just too many issues to deal with in getting the same functionality out of the S-Pen that you have actually paid more for.It just doesn't seem to be integrated enough once you remove Touchwiz. To me it seems as if it becomes just a regular tablet that you can use a stylus on with apps that call for it. And if that is the case I would just buy, say a Tab Pro and a stylus. Also in regards to those little annoyances (and the bloatware) there are plenty of modules that can be used to minimize them. This tablet would be perfect if CivZ was able to make a custom rom and kernel like he has done for the Note 8.0:good:

nrage23 said:
It costs too much and has a very small user base.
Sent from my SM-P900 using XDA Premium HD app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Price shouldn't be an issue anymore. Price on refurbs is pretty low. I just picked up the Note Pro 12.2 for $429 - 13% ebay bucks = $375

Permissive kernel would be great
Sent from my SM-P900 using Tapatalk

Guys,
Just freeze all stuff you find to be non sense, heavy, resource intensive or you just don't like, install Xposed Framework, Nova Launcher or other of your taste and voila, you get a totally customized rom without loosing any of the native features of the Samsung original rom. You don't need to have a miscellany of custom roms to be happy. I totally agree about having a very expensive device and not using its native features. Nonsense. It's not only the hardware, but the software implementation that it's also awesome. I believe samsung was the first to implement multi window in an android device and IMHO it's better then Halo (I believe this is the name).
My first tablet was a xoom and I still have it. Old hardware, slow, but its construction quality reminds me the iPad. With OmniRom it performs just well. After it I only had Samsung Note tablets and phones. All disposable, peace of junk if you compare to the quality of the iPad, or even with the xoom, but the project is absolutely great. Hardware and software working in perfect tune. Disposable, but while it's working it's just great. And of course, if you take good care of it, it will last some years (don't drop it please). So, keep it original, that's the great thing on the Note line of tablets (and phones), customize it with the tools available around and you'll see how good these tablets can be. Having good customized and optimized TW roms is always good, but similar results can be achieved without flashing a single zip.
Root is a must!
Sent from my SM-P905M using XDA Premium HD app

Galaxy Note 4 ROM on Note 3

The Note 4 introduces many innovations in software that could easily be ported to Note 3, such as improvements with S-Pen software, general UI changes, and overall a fresh, new software.
We have the Galaxy S5 ROM (with ported s-pen features from n3 rom) that runs perfectly fine, camera and browser and all. It would seem feasible that the Note 4 ROM can easily be ported to the Note 3, keeping intact many features once unique to the Note 4.
Do you think we'll see a note 4 ROM on note 3?
What features unique to the Note 4 would you like to see ported, specifically?

Mouse pen features, copy and select

On S5 Port ROM thread developer said, that he will port ASAP Note 4 ROM for Note 3.
But firtst must be Note 4 ROM available for download.

I don't think it will take too long before someone does it.
Sent from my SM-N9005 using Tapatalk

with out a doubt... it will be here... just need to wait the firmware to be release...

Btw, despite the Mouse SPen features, what else are you guys looking for, from the Note 4?

Anything that we see in the note 4 would be great such as the multi window features, smart select in the air command, it's snote and the wide selfie mode in camera.

yep fahadali2315 will deliver, great dev and a gentleman who tries hard to accommodate most. Just begun to feed him coffee to keep him up for extra work here. http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2771454&page=237

Looking forward to that... Where can I find the ported s5 ROM? I like new touchwiz better than old tw
--------------------------------------------
My house phone's better than your iPhone.

Can't wait so see fully working ROM for Note 3 based on the Note 4 ROM...
The newer UI, new features to S-Pen ...

dodgebizkit said:
Looking forward to that... Where can I find the ported s5 ROM? I like new touchwiz better than old tw
--------------------------------------------
My house phone's better than your iPhone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i'm using S5 SYSTEMUI THEME Via Xposed installer check it out it's just like a Galaxy S5 no need to flash roms

dodgebizkit said:
Looking forward to that... Where can I find the ported s5 ROM? I like new touchwiz better than old tw
--------------------------------------------
My house phone's better than your iPhone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
also if want to flash a ROM in order to have S5's TW you can try Hyperdrive ROM. It does a pretty good job.

the recent apps menu imo looks way better on Note 4 and it's worth porting.

Nice, that does look great!
And thanks guys got the xposed s5 ui
--------------------------------------------
My house phone's better than your iPhone.

hazgalevom said:
the recent apps menu imo looks way better on Note 4 and it's worth porting.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's the Recent apps off Android L, I believe it's a sign that they're getting ready for that MASSIVE update. :victory:

Because there will be a note 4 port is the main reason I'm sticking with my note 3 and not getting the note 4. I still consider the 3 to be a beast! And with note 4 software, I just can't justify the upgrade.
Sent from my SM-N9005 using XDA mobile app

All I want is the ultra power saving mode to be ported and id be happy

To be fair even the note 2 is a powerful player - note 3 is not that much behind note 4... Add note 4 firmware and debloat a little as standard and you got a phone that has literally no difference except that you miss a little bit of camera quality... But then paying £600 to bump up 3mp isn't really justified... And the n3 camera rocks anyway
--------------------------------------------
My house phone's better than your iPhone.

I second the ultra power saving mode wanted on note 3. Really, you could do something similar with taker I suppose (someone probably already has a profile for it), but the one for the GS5 looks pretty dang slick.

I will not go for N4 also cause the lack of water proof but i needed the OIS also. Im wa8ting N5
send from my N9005 with tapatalk

Why we kill our Galaxy S4 !!!!

first , hello to all xda members even the guests
we know every android device has it's own senses and look , Nexus devices is google look only with the pure android version
HTC is HTC because it's UltraPixel Camera and the xenon flash , and it is HTC because the main launcher features and senses
Samsung is SAM because the TW and the especial smart features
but , why we always try to kill the device look by downgrading it's features (the words now about the Galaxy S4)
S4 will not be S4 without the Camera app and the Smart Features smart scroll , pause , stay , AirView , gestures ...... etc ...
but when we use any pure android version on our S4 , then , we are killing the device , whatever what I gain from the update as long as it's pure
without the smart features S4 will not be even S3 because some S3 TW roms contains the Smart Scroll , and Pause
as I said whatever I will get from the update , even if it's Android 5 Lollipop , because the update will not make my S4 camera be 16 mp , or my CPU be
2.5 instead of our 1.9 or my RAM be 3gb like the N9005 , etc ... so I will get more performance more stability as the developers say (I guess it's wrong) because whatever the developers
tried will never ever make an stable rom without any bugs like the official release , so all is useless
the developers are in war , one makes CM12 as 4.0 , and other makes 5.0.1 etc why that ??? they must focus on the TW roms because it will upgrade really the S4 to be like S5 or N4 , but any pure version only will kill the S4 and makes it like an only Nexus 1 , etc ......
I really like the TW developers , especially (Tamirda and Slim08) because they are very professional and gave us super features that make the S5 users say how come , it was bad idea when I bought S5 or upgraded my S4 to S5 especially when I let him see my PhoeniX or Imperium's Notification panel , etc ... so thanks alot for the two stars
so getting the latest android version unofficially is very bad especially when the device officially doesn't get the last android version , example : i9300 it's final android version
is 4.3 so if I use any custom rom based on 4.3 , about 90% stable , but if I get custom rom based on 4.4.2 the rom be very unstable with buge especially the bug which made the s3 users forgot all the 4.4.2 base roms and the bug is (when the phone is turned off and I connect the charger the phone always powered on) this bug is terrible and that bug is in all 4.4.2 based rom
I repeat in all the 4.4.2 roms ex:Glamour s5 v 7 , s5 sensation 7 , etc ... and S3 can use CM roms because it hase no smart features , but S4 with pure roms will be ****
S4 with TW 4.4.2 or 4.4.4 is very well because the two versions is out for S4 officially with it's official kernel , and anyway android 5 for S4 is on the way and anyway it will be very nice as we sow the Sammobile video review , and the TW developers will upgrade their roms to be as android 5 after the official release the source code
if I was wrong , somebody correct me , anyway thank you and sorry for the long

In the long run there will be no touchwiz for further development, especially considering how 5.0 is likely the final update the S4 will receive officially. After then perhaps only the Google play edition S4 will receive updates (one more than the original possibly), and by that point there will not be a touchwiz rom beyond 5.0 unless it is a port.

That made no sense and gave me a headache trying to read it

I will tell you why.
Becasuse of speed and most important - STABILITY.
I only tried stock rom for 4 hours.
Then I tried omega rom, many versions, but there always appeared some bugs. In the beggingng after installing for like one month everything okay, then lags appeared, FCs, etc.
Then tried S5port Echoe. Again, after installing, felt like new pgone - everything great. One month passed and again random reboots when rotating or just using phone - but no lags.
GPE 5.0 finally stable and no REBOOTS !!!
Also, nearly all smart functions except air view and smart notification (vibrate after picking up phone with notification) are unusable, or not needed at all.
Maybe I'am transforming into apple user, but yeah, i would never say that but for now, with AOSP 5.0 Im the happiest during my android usage.

@didoop: It's funny you mention stability. I've only had one instance (so far) where my S4 became unstable, and that's when the NV memory became corrupted at the same time the SIM card tray failed. The former was caused by my attempting to add extra LTE bands to the phone, while the latter was just dumb luck.
As for Touchwiz itself, I'm running a stock ROM where the only modifications made to it were to debloat it. It's been rock solid, though I found the Touchwiz launcher to be a pain and quickly replaced it with Google Now. Realistically, the only feature I likely would miss switching to an AOSP/AOKP/CyanogenMod ROM would be the camera software. The Google version, while it includes Photosphere, just doesn't appear to be laid out as well as the Touchwiz camera.
What I will do after the S4 stops receiving official updates I haven't decided on. There are many choices available in the development section, and it'd be pointless to make a decision now, especially with 5.0 or 5.1 coming down the pike.

What's the point of this topic? If you don't like custom roms based on AOSP, don't use them... it's a matter of choice, for me and for many other people the S4's "Smart Features" are a complete useless trashy gimmick that samsung added only cause they had nothing else that was actually useful...
As i said, it's a matter of personal preference. Don't like it, don't use it, it's that simple. Now, bashing devs that try their best to bring the latest versions of Android and add their own features to improve users experience by saying their software turns our phone into crap... That's just plain ignorant and offensive.

DSA said:
That made no sense and gave me a headache trying to read it
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Indeed

-Ric- said:
What's the point of this topic? If you don't like custom roms based on AOSP, don't use them... it's a matter of choice, for me and for many other people the S4's "Smart Features" are a complete useless trashy gimmick that samsung added only cause they had nothing else that was actually useful...
As i said, it's a matter of personal preference. Don't like it, don't use it, it's that simple. Now, bashing devs that try their best to bring the latest versions of Android and add their own features to improve users experience by saying their software turns our phone into crap... That's just plain ignorant and offensive.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This was directed at the OP, right? I know I mentioned using a stock ROM, but I didn't mention it with the purpose of bashing anyone. It was hard to tell since you posted after me and didn't mention who you were talking to. In any case, this was a rant. It was done in a hurry, and the OP was either clearly frustrated or a Touchwiz fanboy. Regardless, his wall of text was difficult to read, which makes it difficult for me to take him seriously.

Strephon Alkhalikoi said:
This was directed at the OP, right? I know I mentioned using a stock ROM, but I didn't mention it with the purpose of bashing anyone. It was hard to tell since you posted after me and didn't mention who you were talking to. In any case, this was a rant. It was done in a hurry, and the OP was either clearly frustrated or a Touchwiz fanboy. Regardless, his wall of text was difficult to read, which makes it difficult for me to take him seriously.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, it was directed at the OP, i honestly still cant figure the point of this topic at all lol, if he likes touchwiz, sure, why not, but why bash AOSP devs? Nonsense lol

Well, the point was to troll for responses really. We're giving them too.

thanx really for everyone who participated in this thread
may I was wrong , because from 4 months a go I used dual roms on my i9505 using dual boot switcher , primary as TW , secondary as AOSP base
so that was very nice , and I think hat solves my problem , and if android 5 supports the dual boot . it will be very great and sorry again for my first long post
forgive me

Sorry OP, but its gotta be said, you talk a lot of ****. No offence.
According to you, if I have an s4 without those rubbish gimmicky features like smart pause, then its not as good as an s3 with touchwiz.
I don't need those gimmick features. I have an s4 instead of an s3 because it has a more powerful processor, a more powerful gfx processor, more RAM, an infinitely better screen, a better camera, 4G, and it looks nicer.
Touchwiz is the biggest lot of crap. I'll stick with stock android, or a custom ROM close to it. There's lots of good features in custom ROMs that are actually useful, instead of just 'something cool to show to your friends' (but you don't actually ever use it, or you try to but it doesn't work half the time and you could have just done it yourself faster anyway).
Oh, and I'm using a beta ROM right now that is fast as hell and has been absolutely rock stable since I flashed it.

I used to own an S4, so let me say this...
Touchwiz, aka sh*twiz, is the most bulky, counterintuitive Android UX to date. Case in point, people with NOTE 4s report lag. Have you seen the spec sheet of the note 4? It should eat anything it throws at it. My cousin owns one and it jitters from time to time.
Removing touchwiz is actually, if you want to be technical, MORE beneficial. Constantly beating on the processor, memory and ram with features that require the specs of a small computer decreases device life. Also, constantly having to charge the battery decreases the life of the battery as well (one of the causes of battery swelling). TW is only accepted because the MAJORITY of Android users are oblivious to rooting. So, you, among others, can say that a Samsung isn't a Sammy w/o touchwiz, but a true Android enthusiast is going to equally support the opposition with facts that stand behind them.
P.S. - you can get TW features without the TW ROM. Sammy could easily detouchwiz their software, much like HTC did with Sense, but they do it to be rebellious in my opinion, and the same features can be implemented without the skin in a stock ROM. Remember, touchwiz is a FORK of AOSP. The look of TW is purely by choice, and its a bad one

mingolianbeef said:
I used to own an S4, so let me say this...
Touchwiz, aka sh*twiz, is the most bulky, counterintuitive Android UX to date. Case in point, people with NOTE 4s report lag. Have you seen the spec sheet of the note 4? It should eat anything it throws at it. My cousin owns one and it jitters from time to time.
Removing touchwiz is actually, if you want to be technical, MORE beneficial. Constantly beating on the processor, memory and ram with features that require the specs of a small computer decreases device life. Also, constantly having to charge the battery decreases the life of the battery as well (one of the causes of battery swelling). TW is only accepted because the MAJORITY of Android users are oblivious to rooting. So, you, among others, can say that a Samsung isn't a Sammy w/o touchwiz, but a true Android enthusiast is going to equally support the opposition with facts that stand behind them.
P.S. - you can get TW features without the TW ROM. Sammy could easily detouchwiz their software, much like HTC did with Sense, but they do it to be rebellious in my opinion, and the same features can be implemented without the skin in a stock ROM. Remember, touchwiz is a FORK of AOSP. The look of TW is purely by choice, and its a bad one
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think between you and me, we've covered the main points.

Would debloating the stock ROM and replacing the Touchwiz launcher improve the situation? Obviously it wouldn't be as good as going with AOSP but it should make a difference, shouldn't it?

You could make a difference yes, but you'd be far better just getting rid completely of that TW crap.

knuckles1978 said:
I think between you and me, we've covered the main points.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Lol I believe so [emoji2] [emoji2]
---------- Post added at 07:55 AM ---------- Previous post was at 07:51 AM ----------
Strephon Alkhalikoi said:
Would debloating the stock ROM and replacing the Touchwiz launcher improve the situation? Obviously it wouldn't be as good as going with AOSP but it should make a difference, shouldn't it?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
On the flip side (playing devils advocate) I did use stock TW ROMs where the dev did a superb job with minimizing the TW footprint to the best of their ability. However, it was never enough. TW is just too ram hungry at its core to be considered a smooth Android experience.
Does TW Lollipop use ART by default like its supposed to??

We won't know that until ROMs start appearing, which won't be for a little while yet. The S5 owners will get Lollipop first.
In regards to lag, I haven't noticed any. But my experience is probably unusual.

What's the point? If you are so allergic to custom ROMs, I doubt you are at the right place....
The point is, am TOTALLY BORED by Samsungs UI & want something more "customizable". As for your mention of the hardware, if I DO change the ROM, on the flipside, the Camera won't be downgraded to 5 Mpx, isn't it? besides it's always good to have choices
regards,
Achyut.
P.S. --> A complete "no-point-to-be-made-random-chit-chat-going-nowhere" thread.
No hard feelings.

The only thing I hate is the camera and the sound....everybody else is ok, i love this phone.
--
Believes in Christ and you and your family will be safe of the Great day of Jehovah's wrath
I9505 Powered with Phoenix Rom v9.4 - Tamirda
GoogyMax Kernel v1.1.5 - Googy_anas
Philz touch Recovery - Philz
S5's S-view Cover service - Karkasss
Jehovah's Thunder Bootanimation - Pas2001
Bootanimation sound - Me
A lot of mods and stuff - Xda community
Thanks to all of you...

[Q] Seriously considering buying GS6 but I have questions regarding UI mods & roms

[Q] Seriously considering buying GS6 but I have questions regarding UI mods & roms
First off, a huge thank you to anyone who takes the time to answer these. This might be the first non-AOSP phone i've ever bought.
I know all of the answers will be somewhat speculation since the GS6 is still new but mostly I'm just looking for what's been done in the past with the Samsung Exynos processors. And if I do get one I most likely will be getting a T-Mobile branded one as there does not seem to be a Samsung unlocked version sold in the US, if I'm wrong please correct me there.
So essentially my question is, will these changes be most likely possible.
1) Removing AM/PM from 12 hour clock.
2) Disabling capacitive button light and remapping buttons back to left, multitask to right. or
3) Getting nexus-style soft keys and disabling capacitive buttons.
4) Installing the AOSP Google Dialer and contacts.
So second part is about ROMS.
Now to my understanding the Exynos essentially means no stable 100% working AOSP roms ever. That has been my understanding and part of my reason for staying away from Galaxy S phones. Recently I've seen many places where people are saying just put CM12 on it but then in my own research CM12 or anything similar either seems to not be available or has serious bugs. So is it possible, lets say more than 50% chance that the GS6 will get a 100% stable bug free AOSP rom.
As a follow up to that, if it is possible, based on earlier phones and AOSP roms, does the camera suffer or does it retain the same quality. Sony phones for example, the camera breaks badly if you unlock the bootloader and install AOSP. It requires a locked bootloader and Sony rom to function properly. Also anyway for the fingerprint reader to still work on AOSP?
Second question regarding modded touchwiz roms. Can things like my above questions, and more AOSP like mods be done in these custom roms? Such as full AOSP theming of Samsung apps, stock google apps, and would apps like T-Mobile WiFi calling still work in modded touchwiz roms.
Once again a huge thanks in advance to anyone who helps out with these questions.

1.) Yes, I have done that on my S5.
2.)Once again yes, I have done that on my S5.
3.) I'm sure there's an app for that lol
4.) Idk but I've been wondering the same thing!
Check out MOAR ROM for the Sprint S5, that's what I'm running right now, just to give you an idea of all the mods possible.
From what I've heard, AOSP build will be damn near impossible on the S6, and also from what I've read, the camera does take a major hit in quality. AOSP themeing can be done once Samsung releases the theme SDK that is built into the new TouchWiz in the S6!

JoeFCaputo113 said:
1.) Yes, I have done that on my S5.
2.)Once again yes, I have done that on my S5.
3.) I'm sure there's an app for that lol
4.) Idk but I've been wondering the same thing!
Check out MOAR ROM for the Sprint S5, that's what I'm running right now, just to give you an idea of all the mods possible.
From what I've heard, AOSP build will be damn near impossible on the S6, and also from what I've read, the camera does take a major hit in quality. AOSP themeing can be done once Samsung releases the theme SDK that is built into the new TouchWiz in the S6!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That rom seems perfect for what I would want, hope the GS6 gets something on par. I love AOSP but luckily Samsung has actually done a pretty decent job with TouchWiz on lollipop and since I simply don't trust Google to make a Nexus phone with a good camera or battery anymore after the N6 I'm really considering the GS6 and I've really been enjoying playing around with it at best buy but obviously coming from 7 years of AOSP it's tough to leave.
Glad 1 and 2 are a yes. Probably my biggest annoyances. Though you mention the S5, that's on a snapdragon correct? I assume from your yes those should still be possible regardless of chipset.
I really hope 4 is possible. I've done a lot of searching but haven't found anything unfortountly. I could live with the Samsung dialer, but I would much prefer to have the Google one.
If the camera quality will degrade with AOSP than I just wouldn't even bother. Camera is probably my biggest reason for the S6 over a new Nexus.

neok44 said:
That rom seems perfect for what I would want, hope the GS6 gets something on par. I love AOSP but luckily Samsung has actually done a pretty decent job with TouchWiz on lollipop and since I simply don't trust Google to make a Nexus phone with a good camera or battery anymore after the N6 I'm really considering the GS6 and I've really been enjoying playing around with it at best buy but obviously coming from 7 years of AOSP it's tough to leave.
Glad 1 and 2 are a yes. Probably my biggest annoyances. Though you mention the S5, that's on a snapdragon correct? I assume from your yes those should still be possible regardless of chipset.
I really hope 4 is possible. I've done a lot of searching but haven't found anything unfortountly. I could live with the Samsung dialer, but I would much prefer to have the Google one.
If the camera quality will degrade with AOSP than I just wouldn't even bother. Camera is probably my biggest reason for the S6 over a new Nexus.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah man, that ROM made my S5 the amazing phone that I love haha, so much freakn customization within the ROM.
Yes the S5 is on Snapdragon, but MOAR is a TouchWiz based ROM, not AOSP.... and TouchWiz based ROMs won't be a proble, regardless of the chip that's used. And I also would love to see #4 too, but I'm guessing it would have to somehow be ported to work with the S6 & TouchWiz.

Some info on camera quality:
I've had every galaxy phone since the Note 2 / S3.
The camera is always MUCH worse on AOSP/CM roms. Worse than the difference on a Sony going from stock to AOSP.
However now with the new camera API and better 3rd party apps coming out I think it may not be an issue.
I tried the "Snap Camera" app on my Galaxy S6 today and it seemed just as good as the stock Samsung app but I'll have to do more testing.

play2lose said:
Some info on camera quality:
I've had every galaxy phone since the Note 2 / S3.
The camera is always MUCH worse on AOSP/CM roms. Worse than the difference on a Sony going from stock to AOSP.
However now with the new camera API and better 3rd party apps coming out I think it may not be an issue.
I tried the "Snap Camera" app on my Galaxy S6 today and it seemed just as good as the stock Samsung app but I'll have to do more testing.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ouch. Well no need to really worry about AOSP now though it would be nice one day. Always the hope Google actually makes a good Nexus 5 again though :laugh: . I would hope that third party apps would retain quality though the new Camera app from Samsung is excellent from my experience demoing it.

JoeFCaputo113 said:
1.) Yes, I have done that on my S5.
2.)Once again yes, I have done that on my S5.
3.) I'm sure there's an app for that lol
4.) Idk but I've been wondering the same thing!
Check out MOAR ROM for the Sprint S5, that's what I'm running right now, just to give you an idea of all the mods possible.
From what I've heard, AOSP build will be damn near impossible on the S6, and also from what I've read, the camera does take a major hit in quality. AOSP themeing can be done once Samsung releases the theme SDK that is built into the new TouchWiz in the S6!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
where have you heard aosp will be impossible?

nflwideout86 said:
where have you heard aosp will be impossible?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Exynos is not as open (or open at all?) like Qualcom is. Therefore it is REALLY dang hard to get AOSP ROMs.