[Samsung Galaxy A3, A5, A7 (2017) ROMs, Kernels, Re] funkoot:
I've been running Astkro's N20 port for a few months and have to say it's been the best android 10 port for the Samsung Galaxy A3. However, I thought I'd give the HROM A7 PORT V6 a try for comparasion purposes.

Installation was easy following Astkaro's instructions. As I was already coming from a treble ROM (N20) I didn't need to run the repartition script.I did a clean install using Orangefox recovery (ROM would not install under TWRP, giving Error 7). As has been mentioned the first reboot takes up to 10 minutes. If you want root you must use magisk canary for both Magisk manager and magisk. I made the mistake of using normal magisk manager and magisk canary which does not work, so pay attention when installing (unlike me).

After reboot setup was very straightforward. However there was no option to reinstall my apps and settings via Google drive, but I think that is a google issue. Another issue I found was that the Android 10 file explorer wouldn't fully recognise the SD card.This is also a google issue and is easily fixed by installing the Google files app from the playstore.

I've tested most of the functionality of the A7 V6 ROM here's my findings. Bluetooth working fine, bluetooth speaker automatically connects after initial pairing. Bluetooth pairing with car for music and calls working fine. Whatsapp video calling not working as the person calling cannot see you, just a blacked out box where your face should be. Whatsapp business in working with no issues so download and use that instead.

I have tried the Signal messaging app and video calling does not work as camera can't be found.However signal works with no issues on the N20 Rom.

The biggest difference between the A7 and N20 ROM in day to day use is battery management.With the A7 ROM the battery lasts longer. For comparasion, leaving the phone (N20 ROM) overnight, in airplane mode, with always on display off, results in battery level dropping from 100% down to about 90%. Repeating with the A7 ROM there is no drop in battery level overnight. The A7 ROM also seems to charge more quickly. I'm not sure but on the A7 ROM the battery seems to last longer as well.

Camera functionality and quality is very good on both ROMs, however as stated selecting the 19.5.9 (7.9MP) resolution results in "camera fail" with the A7 ROM. All other camera resolutions work fine.

Fingerprint sensor works the same on both ROMS. This means it is great for unlocking your phone but does not work with any banking apps or Paypal app. Interesting it does unlock other (non banking) apps such as MYGiffGaff without issue.

After installing the ROM and downloading my usual number of apps (google stuff, poweramp, etc - 72 apps installed) the phone has about 4.2GB free memory. However this is before installing Whatsapp (business) which downloads 1.7GB of backup files to my phone. So really free memory is about 2.5GB unless I delete some Whatsapp stuff. Of course this depends on how big your whatsapp backup is or if you even use whatsapp.

The Radio app on the A7 Rom is not working but I tend to use the Simple Radio app from the Play store anyway.

So in summary the A7 ROM offers better battery life over the N20 ROM. Fingerprint reader functionality is the same for both ROMs, however you do get a choice of storing 4 fingerprints on the N20 versus 3 on the A7. You also get the Edge screen features with the N20 but not the A7. As far as overall performance is concerned, both ROMS are very smooth and responsive.Both ROMS are very stable with absolutely no hangs of random reboots during months of use. In terms of updates, the N20 has the August 2020 security update with the A7 having the more recent November 2020 one.

As for which ROM to keep, I'm sticking with the A7 V6 as it just seems to work better with the phone. I'm also biased as my preferred ROM for android Pie was also the A7 variant which also had the best functionality.

Hope this helps. If anyone has any other comments to share it would be appreciated.

Regards

Dave