[Sony Xperia T, TL, TX, V] peter-k:
Clearly: Entirely your own decision what to include and what not. If you would like to exchange stock apps with some that function better than the stock apps, or if you want to remain as original as possible is a basic decision only you can take. But once you start taking out original apps such as the Sony album, you might as well be consequent. IMO. I always get suspicious when masses of people all like the same thing. The Google Play Story rating and recommendation system strongly encourages all sheep running into the same direction (which is a good thing for sheep).

- SMS: EvolveSMS (slightly smaller memory footprint, customizable, notifications works with Stamina on)

- Dialer/Phonebook: ExDialer (not kept in memory at all as long as it's not opened up, better functionality, only permissions required for its own operations)

- Browser: Lucid Browser (small, easy to use, fast, harmless permissions), Sony Browser (a bit outdated by now)

- Superuser manager: Superuser by Clockworkmod (smaller memory foot-print)

- Gallery: Quickpic (1/10 of the size of the stock album, no spyfunctions)

- Media Player: VLC (no spyware, no bravia, sqwiki or other stuff needed, unfortunately very big)

- Barcode Scanner: Barcode Scanner by Zxing (small, few permissions)

- Navigation/Maps: Mapfactor Navigator + Open Street Maps (not as sleek as Google maps but gets the job done without calling home 150 times per minute, fuklly functional offline navigation)

- For basic file manager needs I like: File Explorer by Amey Sakhadeo, Inka File Manager.

- For basic screen mods I like: GXMod Extender or ReGXM EX.

- Additional: FDroid (ad-free spy-free appware but limited range)

The above collection does make least use of dubious permissions, such as maps using my phonebook, or the gallery to check my browser history, by best of my knowledge. I scrolled through all their permissions with AT, and did continuously so even after upgrades.

The phonesky you mentioned before is part of Google Play Store. Among billing functions, without it one can not obtain purchased apps licenses for certain apps. All Play store apps in the future will be changed to this system. It means a total control over all apps on your phone, and how you use them. Of course for developers it has advantages, like making sure the money comes in. In the past you could download an app, and then immediately cancel the purchase, but still use a copy of the app you quickly made.

Small apps are pointless. If I need apps which have a limited functionality, then I can download some regular smaller sized or older apps. If I want to have them one-click handy I can place a shortcut or a folder onto my screen. If I want to have resources saving apps, I ought not to download all these bloated pigs in the first place.

As for Android Tuner, I said already I think your decision not including it is right. I suggest exchanging about it's usage on basis of private communication, or we debate about it in your old Revelation Thread. BTW 2: Revelation is still the most stabil ROM I ever had, with a memory foot-print that seldom runs over 400 mB even under heavy usage. Using it taught me a lot, and so I am grateful for that suggestions of yours.

Sorry for the extremely long text.