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MRU

macrumors Penryn
Aug 23, 2005
25,370
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a better place
Do you need root to get a dark theme on vanilla android? Question is for both nougat and O. I still have a high interest in getting a XL, but man the prices are still sky high even for used ones.

Substratum themes need both custom rom and root I believe.
 

Tig Bitties

macrumors 603
Original poster
Sep 6, 2012
5,517
5,692
Do you need root to get a dark theme on vanilla android? Question is for both nougat and O. I still have a high interest in getting a XL, but man the prices are still sky high even for used ones.

Yes root is a must to run, it does not need a custom ROM, just basic root only;
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=projekt.substratum&hl=en

But if you own a Pixel, rooting is the first thing you do before the plastic is even off the phone :)

As far as pricing on used XL's I see here in the Chicago market they dropping prices, I've seen them in the $550 - $600 range for the XL. But at this point, I'd just say wait for the OnePlus 5 that will supposedly sell for $489, and have S8+ flagship type spec's, but run a stock Android like OS. Or wait for the Pixel 2 due in September
 
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spinedoc77

macrumors G4
Jun 11, 2009
11,488
5,413
Substratum themes need both custom rom and root I believe.

Yes root is a must to run, it does not need a custom ROM, just basic root only;
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=projekt.substratum&hl=en

But if you own a Pixel, rooting is the first thing you do before the plastic is even off the phone :)

As far as pricing on used XL's I see here in the Chicago market they dropping prices, I've seen them in the $550 - $600 range for the XL. But at this point, I'd just say wait for the OnePlus 5 that will supposedly sell for $489, and have S8+ flagship type spec's, but run a stock Android like OS. Or wait for the Pixel 2 due in September

That's a shame, I harp on Apple because of no dark mode but Google deserves the same. What's ironic to me is that if Apple makes smart invert a viable option for dark mode they will have leapfrogged Google.

Those prices aren't bad, the problem is that you just HAVE to get the 128gb model. I would find it impossible to survive on 32gb and no SD card. So prices for used XL's are closer to $750, maybe $700 if I get lucky.
 

LukinLedbetter

macrumors 6502
Mar 13, 2014
357
626
I've now had the XL for about two weeks and love it. By far the most consistent Android experience I've had. The camera is phenomenal and the customizable nature of the OS is a breath of fresh air. Can't wait to see what Google has in store for the Pixel 2.

Posting my iPhone 7+ 256gb Matte Black on Swappa soon if anyone's interested
 
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epicrayban

macrumors 604
Nov 7, 2014
6,517
5,353
I gotta say, both my father and my partner are experiencing software issues with their Pixel and Nexus 5X, respectively.

On the Pixel, he says random freezes/hangups and forced closed apps.

On the 5X, even worse. Random reboots, failure to launch camera sometimes or in general camera lags dramatically, keyboard lag and hangups (they do use different language keyboards if that's worth mentioning), and a few other miscellaneous issues, including rebooting while on a phone call. Incredibly frustrating.

It's particularly frustratingly for me in the sense that I've promised them this is the cream of the crop of Android software. And here I am with my S8 not having really any of these issues.

I'm just not sure why stock is so praised. I get the updates advantage, but all the claims of speed and how it's the best/only form of Android that's worthwhile, just doesn't live up to the hype. Not even in my own experience -- when I had the Pixel myself, I experienced random reboots, too. If you look back at the Nexus/Pixel thread, I spoke about it.

Of course, having said that, it's great that there are options in the Android space. Everybody can be happy.
 

LukinLedbetter

macrumors 6502
Mar 13, 2014
357
626
About 6 weeks now with the XL and have really enjoyed the experience. For my money (and I haven't tried the S8) this is the best camera I've used on a smartphone. It's fast, reliably consistent, and produces really pleasing shots. The OS has been a joy, though I have switched to Nova for a more refined setup. Battery life has been pretty solid too. I'm looking forward to Android O and some of the improvements it'll bring.
 
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mackie8

Suspended
Nov 6, 2014
898
663
Have u experience unstable 4G signal on your pixel? Its so annoying..
I need to restart the phone before it goes back to LTE...
Im only getting H signal...
 

Fernandez21

macrumors 601
Jun 16, 2010
4,840
3,183
Ugh, I'm weak and caved. Just got a new 128gb Pixel. Gotta say, it's a lot nicer than I thought it was, just getting started but it feels great in hand.
447a434ac34782b14006c189e0ee9132.jpg
 

Fernandez21

macrumors 601
Jun 16, 2010
4,840
3,183
So far, I've been very impressed with my pixel, wish I had gone for it earlier, was turned off by no water proofing and large bezels.

What's been amazing is the performance, its the smoothest Android experience I've ever had, all my apps are performing better, even better than I had experienced with the S8, and this is after I've loaded all my apps on it (over 200). It's also really cool to actually be up to date on software updates, running Android O public beta. And stock Android has come a long way feature wise too.

Very happy so far, glad I was able to find it at pretty good price as the rumors of the smaller pixel 2 have been kind of disappointing.
 

Aneres11

macrumors 601
Oct 2, 2011
4,353
9,551
Fixed for you to include the correct technical term. :p

So far, I've been very impressed with my pixel, wish I had gone for it earlier, was turned off by no water proofing and it's bevelicious nature.

What's been amazing is the performance, its the smoothest Android experience I've ever had, all my apps are performing better, even better than I had experienced with the S8, and this is after I've loaded all my apps on it (over 200). It's also really cool to actually be up to date on software updates, running Android O public beta. And stock Android has come a long way feature wise too.

Very happy so far, glad I was able to find it at pretty good price as the rumors of the smaller pixel 2 have been kind of disappointing.

In all seriousness I love the design of the Pixel still :)
 

epicrayban

macrumors 604
Nov 7, 2014
6,517
5,353
So far, I've been very impressed with my pixel, wish I had gone for it earlier, was turned off by no water proofing and large bezels.

What's been amazing is the performance, its the smoothest Android experience I've ever had, all my apps are performing better, even better than I had experienced with the S8, and this is after I've loaded all my apps on it (over 200). It's also really cool to actually be up to date on software updates, running Android O public beta. And stock Android has come a long way feature wise too.

Very happy so far, glad I was able to find it at pretty good price as the rumors of the smaller pixel 2 have been kind of disappointing.

Don't forget you can double tap the app switcher button for an "alt-tab" move. One of the best new features of Android. I tell people who have the Pixel or s8 about that feature and they always seem to not know about it.

I've said time and time again that navigating through the OS is actually easier and faster on Android, and the alt-tab move is one of the reasons for that.

Enjoy!
 
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Fernandez21

macrumors 601
Jun 16, 2010
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Don't forget you can double tap the app switcher button for an "alt-tab" move. One of the best new features of Android. I tell people who have the Pixel or s8 about that feature and they always seem to not know about it.

I've said time and time again that navigating through the OS is actually easier and faster on Android, and the alt-tab move is one of the reasons for that.

Enjoy!
Thanks. Another tip I found out about is to go into developer settings and switch to srgb mode, makes a huge difference in the color accuracy. I love this mode.
 
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Fernandez21

macrumors 601
Jun 16, 2010
4,840
3,183
Fixed for you to include the correct technical term.



In all seriousness I love the design of the Pixel still :)
I never hated the design, but thought they could've done much better (smaller bezels, all metal back, water proofing, stereo speakers), especially at the price they're asking for. The software experience though is more than making up for it.
 

LukinLedbetter

macrumors 6502
Mar 13, 2014
357
626
Is there a consensus best for battery life kernel and/or rom for the XL over on XDA? It’s hard to sift through the posts to obtain a consensus.
 

AppleRobert

macrumors 603
Nov 12, 2012
5,729
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