[Xiaomi Mi Max ROMs, Kernels, Recoveries, & Other D] E90 Commie:
So I did vote and based on the poll I would say this, then and kindly notice that my priorities are function rather than some kind of "I don't use Google services" (which I do).;)

1. Nano G-Apps

I think they are the best mix of being slim (for those who want that) but still with a feature set that can be expanded per user request. For those who dislike Google Now I think this is the way to go rather than doing the all-in bare bone edition (The Monastery Edition). I have been using Mini Open G-Apps but I am fine with Nano (pico is a bit too basic I'm afraid).

2. Nova Launcher

I have been using this since I went ICS in 2012 and I don't think there's any particular reason to include Trebuchet instead. It is a great decision to have Nova preinstalled.

3. V4A

Excellent decision with this. It has never failed me and just give excellent audio quality. The logical discussion here is whether the regular V4A 2.5.0.5 or ARISE/Viper4ARISE should be used. My experience with the regular is good but it seems like the ARISE sees a lot of development so it is a feeling I got that the latest "state of the art" here is that one.

Since I am coming from a "Sony background" with their devices I am a bit biased toward their apps, especially their Album and Music (formerly Walkman) apps.

If rolling in more G-Apps than Nano isn't a "good option" I would suggest looking into replacing AOSP apps with their Sony counterparts, with one major exception: forget their browser. Their calendar, email etc are fine.

You can check them out in this section:

https://xdaforums.com/crossdevice-dev/sony-themes-apps

I use PexoMod on my device, which has the nice benefit that everything is identified as "Sony" (as far as those apps are concerned) in a way that make the apps upgradeable from Play Store. The Album and Music player is excellent.

The Sony Xperia clock app is also excellent, a good replacement for the AOSP one.

There is a ROM made by Sony themselves with a setup that could be nice to have here, check this one out:

http://xperiafirmware.com/8-firmware/115-sony-android-concept

Granted - this particular ROM is based on Lollipop but I am talking about the general concept which is built on two foundations:

I. Light G-Apps installation (lets just use Nano).

II. Popular Sony apps (Album, Music - some others can be added such as their email and calendar instead of AOSP versions).

I think it could be a decent concept - i.e:

a. Nano G-Apps

b. Sony Album and Music (perhaps some other apps as well, replacing AOSP barebones)

c. Nova Launcher

d. V4A - Based on input I would suggest Viper4ARISE since it is the latest and greatest in this department

e. Look into the possibility of putting a recent CAF/SWE Browser in (preferrably something built on the newer Chromium 60.x sources since there are noticeable performance gains over the 58.x based ones)

If anyone consider such a setup to be "too extravagant" I would drop them a "Monastery Edition Without Testosteron" without anything, especially not apps that just annoy those users.;)

---------- Post added at 05:41 AM ---------- Previous post was at 05:35 AM ----------

I think you nailed the problem with Aroma. I used ROMAur (a good Sony based ROM for Xperia devices) and back in the Z days it was pretty heavy due to everything.

It is important to stay away from the "Samsung" concept - i.e. bundling this and that followed by more this and that, finally ending with "run this debloat script, you can remove 50-100 apps and services".

Having a 1.5-2GB ROM is a bit much.;)