[Xperia Z General] E90 Commie:
Using a custom ROM like PAC with tablet mode and then add those stock apps that I regard is interesting (Album and Walkman) is a perfectly good idea. The reason is obvious to thinking people: the enhanced features and customization options paired with the best apps from the stock ROM.

Even if Sony Album and Walkman is nice apps - being stuck with a stock ROM just because of them is very limiting. That is why it is great to be able to use a superior ROM as PAC and still put the best Sony things in.

It is also silly to complain about the look of AOSP/CM ROMs - they offer superior customization options and the theme engine in CM is absolutely great. It is also perfect that a ROM like PAC enables a lot of options direct from settings rather than the stock ROM way where mods has to be made specially for a particular ROM. Then we have the whole odex vs deodex thing where the latter is preferred.

The ability to use tablet mode is an important reason why I use PAC.

Another reason to unlock the bootloader and flash custom kernels - especially those with undervolting and overclocking. My Xperia Z runs much cooler with UV applied compared to stock voltages. I would not accept it with a stock kernel since it heats up too much.

Skipping LTE is also perfectly logical: as long as it requires a carrier branded device - it is of no interest to me. Higher data speeds means nothing when there is a locked bootloader and branding involved. Buying a US carrier branded device just to get LTE is a bad idea when there is a lot of drawbacks involved with the branding itself. It is also ugly to have carrier logos on the device itself, delayed updates etc.

LTE is interesting when there are standard devices with it that can be used - unlocked and unbranded. The Xperia Z Ultra seems to be first device with a true global LTE radio that offers this flexibility and therefore enable the use of this technology without compromises on the device side.

The argument "good enough for 99%" is just stupid. Argumentum ad populum is a bad idea in general. I don't care what Joe 6 Pack is doing with their device - the interesting thing here is to get it optimized. Undervolting and overclocking paired with tablet mode are strong reasons to unlock the bootloader and also a reason to avoid carrier branded devices with locked BL.

Applying some Sony apps and a Sony theme doesn't make a custom ROM worthless - on the other hand - it is great way of keeping the Sony look while adding a lot of features and get a better running device.

It is also evident that there is a lack of good arguments for the stock ROM and locked bootloader when the argument used is about "99%" after posting FUD trying to scare away users from custom ROMs by attempting to show how "ugly" the vanilla style is compared to Sony.

In order to be truthful - it is therefore necessary to point out that the Sony style can be retained even in a ROM like PAC and that the argument "I prefer the Sony look" is completely invalid as a reason to stick to the stock ROM.

It is also silly to believe that Sony Album, Walkman, Movies, Notes and Sketch is a reason to keep a stock ROM with a locked bootloader because "it is stupid to flash a custom ROM and put them in". No, they are nice apps that is great even if everything else is used in tablet mode for example.

---------- Post added at 03:07 PM ---------- Previous post was at 03:01 PM ----------

I have no problems watching pictures without the Bravia Engine. It just can't compensate for the severe drawbacks of a stock kernel where the heat on stock voltage is an important aspect. Everytime I use stock voltage, my device runs much hotter than with my UV configuration and I certainly dislike to let it generate more heat than needed.

The problem with Bravia Engine is that it requires the Sony apps. Even if I use Movies sometimes, I am mostly using BsPlayer and MoboPlayer for my video needs and also VLC for some vids. For pictures, I often prefer QuickPic even if Album is nice.

But the ability to undervolt and also overclock is the most important reasons why I unlocked my bootloader early on. I just couldn't accept the heat but after going for the DoomLord kernel, everything runs cool and nice.

The Sony camera is really good but there are options like Camera FV-5 that I like for its powerful UI. Then here's other options like the LgCamera etc.