Lineage OS 20 review: EXTEND your device lifespan!

Summary

This video explores the benefits of installing Lineage OS 20, a custom ROM for Android 13, on older smartphones. It extends device longevity with regular security updates, a clean Pixel-like interface, and enhanced customizability. The narrator discusses the user interface, default apps, privacy features, and performance, concluding that Lineage OS is an excellent choice for those seeking an extended life for their devices or a 'de-Googled' experience.

Takeaways

• 📱 Smartphone prices are rising, making it worthwhile to extend the life of your current device with custom ROMs like Lineage OS.
• 🔄 Lineage OS 20 is a popular custom ROM that offers extended support beyond what manufacturers typically provide.
• 🛡️ Lineage OS includes regular security patches to protect against exploits and threats, enhancing the device's security.
• 🏎️ It provides a clean, Pixel-like experience with added functionality and customizability, appealing to those who value a clean Android experience.
• 🤖 Google apps are not included by default, requiring users to flash a GApps package for access to the Play Store and Google services.
• 📸 The ROM comes with tweaked AOSP apps, including a new camera application named Aperture, offering basic controls and video options.
• 🎵 Lineage OS 20 includes a basic music player and recorder, but for a superior experience, users might prefer to use alternative apps.
• 🔧 The ROM offers extensive customization options, including status bar icons, volume control panel, and live display settings.
• 🔒 It is particularly appealing to privacy-conscious users with its truss controls for centralized security and privacy settings.
• 📲 Lineage OS 20 might not be fully optimized for all hardware, but it generally provides a good performance and stability on supported devices.

Q & A

Why might someone consider flashing a custom ROM like Lineage OS on their smartphone?

Flashing a custom ROM like Lineage OS can extend the life of a smartphone by providing software support beyond what the manufacturer offers, along with regular security patches, a clean Android experience, and added functionality without sacrificing performance.

What is the main advantage of Lineage OS 20 over other custom ROMs?

Lineage OS 20 offers a clean, Pixel-like experience with added functionality and customizability, regular security patches, and support for an extended lifespan of the device, which is not commonly found in other custom ROMs.

Does Lineage OS 20 come with Google Apps pre-installed?

No, Google Apps do not come pre-installed with Lineage OS 20. Users need to flash the GApps package separately to access the Play Store and Google Mobile Services.

What are some of the default apps included in Lineage OS 20?

Lineage OS 20 includes default apps like a new camera application named Aperture, a basic OS browser, a simple recorder, and a music player. It also features tweaked AOSP apps instead of Google's own options.

How does Lineage OS 20 enhance the user interface and customizability?

Lineage OS 20 enhances the user interface by mimicking Google's Pixel series, offering a familiar yet unique Android 13 experience. It provides increased customizability through options like status bar customization, live display adjustments, and theming for icons within the settings menus.

What accessibility options are available in Lineage OS 20?

Lineage OS 20 offers accessibility options such as granular rotation modes, color screen calibration, and picture adjustment tools, allowing users to customize the screen's color within the RGB color space or manage intensity effects for those with vision impairments.

Can you control the volume and other settings using the hardware keys on Lineage OS 20?

Yes, Lineage OS 20 allows the use of hardware volume keys for various functions like answering calls, controlling music playback, and even controlling a cursor when a keyboard is connected.

How does Lineage OS 20 handle privacy and security?

Lineage OS 20 includes a Trust section in the settings menu for centralized security and privacy controls, allowing users to disable or restrict USB access and limit an app's ability to send SMS messages, among other privacy features.

What is the performance of Lineage OS 20 like on older hardware?

While performance can vary depending on the device, Lineage OS 20 has been reported to provide a positive experience on older hardware, sometimes offering a faster and more fluid experience compared to the stock Android build.

Is it possible to use wireless payment services on Lineage OS 20?

Wireless payment services may not work out of the box on all devices running Lineage OS 20 due to the bootloader being unlocked during the flashing process. However, services like Magisk can be used to enable payment options.