[Galaxy S III General] $@k$h@m:
So, I have been using an S3 {yeah S3 , i know old, but duh i just love it } for over 3 years now . I started out as a complete noob, still am, and S3 was the first phone that i started working on. Over the years i have tried many custom ROM's , Kernel's and MOD's and i have tried here to create a List of Best Performing Custom Items over the course of 1 year, with special care for people like me who have just started out in the world of android, So here goes. {in 4 steps} :-

<1> Best "FAIL-SAFE" Method of Rooting/Installing a custom ROM - I know most of the people are afraid of bricking their device's, the first time they root. I have been in that situation and had my phone soft bricked many times while trying out different thing's. So the Most FAIL-SAFE Method that i have come up with is this:-

Many people suggest rooting the devices first and then installing a custom ROM. I have tried to do things a little differently so that the first timers can get comfortable.

A. First thing to do is install CyanogenMod on your specific devices. [without rooting] , The developers at cyanogen have made an application to directly install Cyanogen to your devices from your PC like a regular Software Install. The Link and the Instructions can be found on the official Website - http://get.cm. The process is very simple and easy to do and after the install your device gets automatic root access. The xda thread - http://http://xdaforums.com/android/apps-games/app-cm-app-installer-t2959922 - {you get CM - 11 from this download }

B. Now that your device is has CyanogenMod, you get a rooted device and a custom ROM. But the problem with Cyanogen is that the Custom recovery which it provides has very limited options available. So the next step is to go to Google Play Store and download "TWRP Manager" or "ROM Manager" [i personally use TWRP]. This application will help you to Install the TWRP or CWM recoveries on your Phone. The process is fairly simple, After Installing the App, Choose your Device Model and Version and Let the app do the rest of the work. PS the apps require ROOT access which your phone can provide now.

C. By now if all the steps are performed correctly [very less chance of something going wrong because most of the tings are done automatically] your respective device should have a custom Recovery installed. Next and Most important step is to Create a NANDROID BACKUP [basically an ultimate backup to restore everything]. Go to recovery mode [Home+Volume up + Power button] and select backup, and make a complete backup on your SD card. It's really important to create a Backup before doing anything. This step must not be skipped in any case.

D. Now it's time to let your imagination run wild xD, Download custom ROM's, Kernel's MOD's etc and just copy the zip's to the SD card and install them using the recovery. In case anything goes wrong Just restore from the Backup you made earlier.

[PS: Update your backup's regularly]

<2> Now's the list of My Personal Favorite's which Have Improve the overall Performance of My Phone Greatly. All the ROM's, Kernel's etc have been personally tested by me for over 3 month's for Issues related to Stability, Performance and Bug's . I have tried to put forward the Best package for optimal performance

.

1. Recovery [doesn't affect much] - -

TWRP Recovery

: Personally "Team Win Recovery Project (TWRP)" is my favorite because of it's easy to use touch control's , it's efficiency and Design. I like the cool blue texture theme of TWRP and the speed with which it create's backup and install's new things. The performance of the Phone does no depend upon the Recovery though and you may choose whichever recovery you are comfortable with.

2. ROM -

BlissPOP v4.0.3 (CM 12.1 base)

: Yes i have chosen this ROM out of the many other i tried. The reasons are very simple, This ROM provides outstanding stability and Performance to the device. There is no bloatware in the ROM and there are simply hundred's of features available for customization. It's compatible with generally all the Kernel's and Mods available for your device and the regular Nightlie's are an added bonus. It's the only ROM based on Lollipop(5.1.1) in which i haven't found any Bug's or stability issues.

Many people told me to try Paranoid ROM but personally i find Paranoid a little buggy, and i found that the PI controls and Halo, due to which the ROM is popular are not of any important use to people like us. They only add a touch of appearance to the device [strictly my view and i mean no offence to any other person ].

3. Kernel -

Archie kernel for Galaxy S3

- http://xdaforums.com/galaxy-s3/development/kernel-archikernel-v1-0-power-hands-t2785337

4. MOD's -

A. Audio Engine -

Ac!d Audio

- http://http://xdaforums.com/galaxy-s3/development/mod-acid-audio-engine-v5-0-samsung-t2002197

Viper4Android -http://xdaforums.com/showthread.php?t=2191223

6. Root Applications -

A. Titanium Backup:

You can backup, restore, freeze (with Pro) your apps + data + Market links. This includes all protected apps & system apps, plus external data on your SD card. You can do 0-click batch & scheduled backups. Backups will operate without closing any apps (with Pro). You can move any app (or app data) to/from the SD card. Available on Google Play

B. AdAway for Android [built-in app in BlissPop ROM]:

to block ads on your Android device this app is not avalibale on the playstore but you can still install it from this link

C. Greenify:

Is a good application to make your Android device more faster, by hibernating the background apps that you don't use. this application is completely free. Available on Google Play

These are the only Apps which i find useful in the long run as i have to use them constantly. Rest application's are used from time to time but not regularly. So this is My List, i'd be glad if anyone want's to add to it ^.^ :)

I'd Like to Thanks the Amazing People who have Made the above Programs to make our Phone More performance and Appearance efficient. ------> CyanogenMod community, BlissPOP community, xda developers, Jeeko, JustArchie, amarullz, the Ac!d Audio Engine Team,zhuhang(Viper Mod), TWRP team. :)

Give a Thanks if u were helped by the post :)

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Intense Testing Period -> Over 8 months [tried the new Lollipop ROMS's , over 20 kernels, Latest Android M ROM's , some personal opinions

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Firstly sorry, for the delayed updates, i have been a little busy trying to develop my own ROM (surprise! surprise!, not for S3 unfortunately thought as i can never come close to the current ROM wiz's :P ), now in the second edition , I have tried to utilize my knowledge over 8 months to put up a new more enhanced guide and have also put up common and uncommon bugs which I experienced along the way and have provider the working solutions for them. Also I am extremely sorry for all those broken links and not working Mods, i'll try to keep my list precise, sharp and accurate this time.

1. Alternate method to Root (super easy, risk free, takes at maximum 5 minutes) - {for windows running PC, stock ROM or any other custom ROM can be used}

So, I would still recommend using my method 1 in order to initially root your device, install a custom ROM and a Recovery as i know the fear and anxiety or every new user trying to root his phone for the first time.

Now for a little more experienced users (quickie guide) [for I9300 version] who do not want to spend a lifetime to just get their devices rooted -

(a) Download the Chainfire's AutoRoot file here and place this file on your PC.

(b) Download Odin (latest version) on your PC here and unzip the file and start odin.

(c) Power down the device, then reboot in Download Mode [ press Power button + Home Button + Volume Down Key] and press volume up key at the caution screen. (little Hint: mostly the device reboots itself when you do not press the 3 buttons at the same time, to counter this press the volume up button and the home button first and hold them and then press the power button until you see the Galaxy S3 logo)

(d) Now connect your device to your PC using a sturdy USB cable. After doing this 2 outcomes are possible:-

~1. Your device is identified by Odin and a faint blue colour is shown on one of the top tabs indicating the port through which your device is connected. In this case proceed to step (e).

~2. If your device is not recognized by odin ie no blue colour, then the drivers of your device might not be installed on your PC. To tackle this download the Driver Suite from Samsung here and run the program. If done correctly when you next connect your device the drivers should get installed and odin should recognize your device.

(e) Click the "AP" button on odin and select the "Chainfire's v-xxx .mad5.tar " file which you downloaded above, odin will then take some time to check the file and when it's ready press start. CAUTION - do not change Odin's settings and assure that Reset Runtime and Auto Reboot are selected, never select re-partition on the odin interface.

(f) After the installation is complete your device should reboot automatically and you should have SuperSU installed (indiacting 99.99% times that your device rooted successfully ).

(g) If you want you can then install a custom recovery using the method indicated in my "method 1" [above].

-feel free to message me for any doubts-

Here are some of my new recommendations based on personal experiences:-

2. ROM's - I will try to divide this section based on firstly Android System and then further based on Stability, Features, Performance. Further i will be adding 2 ROM's for Android M . [i will not be naming ROMS which have a touchWiz interface]

(A) Android Lollipop and Below

Stability - Official CyanogenMOD 11.x [kitkat 4.1.1] - Zero Doubt, this one is the most stable thing out there for S3, old, yes but well you can do anything you want with this ROM and it will not seriously bug out on you when you need it. If someone does not mind going for an older version of android and needs epic stability, just go for it.

Features - BlissPop v3.0.x [CM 12.1 base][ Lollipop 5.1.1] - This ROM is filled with features, you name it, this ROM has it, PI controls, Built-in apps including AdAway, Kernel Modifier, Greenify, SuperSU etc, seamlessly integrated into the build environment. Each and every feature of this ROM is customizable, every font, colour and animation. Simply put, for someone who needs features and customizations go for this one. On the other hand, this ROM is less stable (crashes quite often ) and provides a slightly laggy gaming experience. No bloatwares in this ROM.

Performance - ArchiDroid [CM12.1 base][Lollipop 5.1.1] - Performance, Performance and more performance, all the technical aspects of your device will be enhanced and although the customization features are minimal but this ROM turns your device into a Performance Beast. All the gamers and performance lovers, what are you waiting for :)

Android 6.x.y Marshmallow

1. RESSURRECTION REMIX M - Fast, Durable, Amazing performance. Fell in love with this one when i used it, and this is my current ROM, no bugs so far and have been using it for over 1 month. Immensely Customizable, no lag during gaming, an amazing upgrade from Lollipop.

2. NamelessROM 3.0 - Feature Loaded, Minimal, good Looks and customization features and of course the ever caring support team of Nameless makes this a go to ROM.

>>> A bit more studying will be required before i finally divide the Android M ROMS's based on their features, performance and stability. Will be posting the results as soon as i am finished.

3. Kernels - AGNi pureCM and Boeffla-Kernel (26-03-2016) , tied, tested and proved that they are the best on very benchmark or performance test, although battery usage is better balanced on AGNi whereas Boeffla is more inclined towards performance.

You can find the Links to all the above ROM's and Kernels and many more in this thread - here

PS - Please Post your bugs in the thread and i will do my best to try and solve them out with an easy and sure solution :)

Cheers!