Originally Posted by Richard_T:
“With most android devices to get the best from them you often need a custom rom, especialy if you want to keep it up to date with the latest software/android version after the device manufacturer has dropped the ( android ) device from its update schedule as they are on to the next big thing, or its too much work to add their skin/customisations to the device. and example of this would be the Samsung Galaxy S3, perfectly capable of running the latest android version, but once you add on samsungs own customisations it wont work, so as far as Samsung are concerned that device is staying on jelly bean.”
Or you could just buy a Nexus device, then you don't have to worry about all that.
I used to be big into rooting and custom ROMs but after a while, I had a think about why I did this, and it would generally be because I couldn't stand the additions the manufacturers make.
Then when the likes of the Nexus 4 and 5 came along with their flagship rivalling specs at half the price, but no manufacturer overlays, I realised that in fact in many cases, I would be paying double the price for software that I didn't want, so why would I?
Stock Android is FAR better than any of the skinned versions, which almost always look crap and impact performance. It's surprising when you use a Nexus just how fluid it feels and how fast it is compared with almost any other flagship phone, even the latest stuff. In fact I'd even go so far as to say its even more fluid than the latest iPhones which is something you could never say about Android in years gone by. It really is a ferociously fast device and that is down to the lack of bloat.