There is a few phones running Android 8.0 Oreo currently and thankfully the LG G3 a 4 year old phone can now get a taste of Android 8.0 Oreo. Before you get excited, you must know this system is not provided by LG but an individual — Stayn a developer on XDA and therefore installing it on your devices is done at your own risk. It is a custom rom based on Lineage OS 15 which is based on Android 8.0 Oreo. I have spent some time to test this custom ROM on the LG G3 (D851 – T-Mobile – Do not try this system on any other variant) which is the reason I’m writing this.
- Read Also: Custom ROMs: Explained
To get a few facts clear, LG’s last system update for the LG G3 was based on Android 6.0.1 Mashmallow. We do not expect LG to provide any further updates than that for the G3. The beauty of having a custom ROM is the ability to have another option in place to run newer systems based on higher Android versions to experience the latest Android has to offer. The newer systems also provide newer and better security patches than older systems do thus delivering more security. The other advantage of custom roms is the limitless customization they bring to Android devices.
I have had the opportunity to upgrade the same LG G3 to Android 7.0, 7.1.1 to 7.1.2 Nougat using custom roms and I must say the stability on most roms in that range is outstanding. For example, I ran Resurrection Remix v5.8.5 which is based on Android 7.1.2 Nougat for months and I couldn’t complain. Probably the most stable for the G3. Everything worked as expected.
When Google announced and later released source code for the new Android version 8.0 Oreo, LineageOS team previous CyanogenMod released a list of Android devices expected to run LineageOS 15 (Keeping in mind this is a custom rom from LineageOS team). The LG G3 was among many on the list. Many phones like HTC One M8, Xperia S and more received their Android 8.0 Oreo custom roms pretty early. G3 users only had to wait until the system dropped.
The system for the G3 in this case is not directly from LineageOS team but a cleaver individual as earlier mentioned who used LineageOS files that are being used to create such systems for other phone models to quickly put together a working system for the G3 hence the system being an Unofficial version of LineageOS 15. The system is also a BETA version meaning it’s not ready to be used as a daily driver but for users to taste how far the development has gotten. Also, BETA meaning it’s not fully stable and there are a few things that are broken, but from my experience, not much is broken. It boots perfectly, no system force closes, I can make calls and use Wi-Fi. However, I noticed I can’t connect to mobile data which I rely on for the most time, and no camera app installed in this system I tried. The developer says camera doesn’t function well yet. Other than that, everything else seems to be working normal as expected.
The changes in this Android version don’t stand out a lot from previous Android version (7.1.2 Nougat). What’s visible here is the redesigned settings panel. Everything looks cleaned up while a lot rearranged so you might have to go through to get used to the new layout and functions placement. The drop-down notification toggles also look redesigned and more functionality added to notifications for example swyping left on the notification to mute it independently. The rest are just a bunch of little changes you’ll notice as you use the system. Also other added Android Oreo advantages like better battery life, improved data saving features, better app icon adaptations and more.
Conclusion:
The system is very promising and at this rate of functionality, we do expect most of the broken issues to be fixed. In a few weeks time, this system will be stable and many like it will emerge. For now, you can try it for yourself. You will need a custom recovery like TWRP installed to install this rom (Get on Forums). Again, it’s not fully stable but need an impressive move. Head over to XDA for full details from the developer. Full installation details of this rom will be available on our Forums.
