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Best KitKat ROMS for the Galaxy S3: our top 5

android 4 4 kitkat logo
© Google/nextpit

The rumors about whether or not KitKat would make it to the full of bugs like the Galaxy S4 firmware. But why wait? Check out the best KitKat ROMS for the Galaxy S3 below.

android 4 4 kitkat logo
Why wait for Samsung to send you KitKat? Get it right now with a custom ROM! / © Google/AndroidPIT

1. CyanogenMod 11

CzanogenMod
© Cyanogen

Of course we'll start proceedings with the most popular custom ROM cooked especially for the World's Most Popular Android. The latest version of this ROM, CM 11, is based on the stock Android 4.4 firmware. Among the advantages of this ROM, in addition to the numerous and timely updates, are improved battery notification, profiles and themes, and the ability to overclock (modify the rate at which processor cores work).

2. OmniROM

ic launcher
© OmniROM

CyanogenMod isn't perfect – there have been some camera app issues reported – so many users looking for an alternative turn to former Cyanogen developers, and despite being recently launched is already achieving great success. Among the novelty of this ROM is the possibility to optimize battery life by creating profiles. Check the latest nightlies available for the Galaxy S3 on the OmniROM website.

3. SlimKat Stable 3.0

slimrom
 © SlimROM

SlimROM's team launched a cooked ROM based on Android 4.4.2 KitKat which is interesting because it is supposed to be lighter, hence the name. SlimKat aims to set your device's memory free in order to offer your Galaxy S3 more freedom to use dynamic applications. The latest version, RC3, was launched few weeks ago and has been performing well. Those who have installed RC3 say it is smooth and offers interesting options for customization. We tend to agree.

4. Resurrection Remix ROM

rrdesignred
© ResurrectionRemix

The Resurrection Remix ROM is based on the latest draft AOSP (Android Open Source Project), and comes from the point of view of open source everything: so you'll find features taken from AOKP, CyanogenMod, Paranoid Android, and manufacturer stock ROMs. The great advantage of this ROM is that it offers the best of each of the most popular custom ROMs. There's a lot going on though, so you'd want to be right into your ROMs to make the most out of this one.

5. NeatROM

NEATROM Logo
NeatROM is like a tricked out SlimKat ROM.! / © NeatROM

NeatROM is another Android 4.4.2-based AOSP ROM that comes from the hand of a recognized developer called Sale from XDA Developers. It is available for both the Galaxy S3 and Galaxy S2. NeatROM is like a tricked out SlimKat with tons of customizations and characteristics such as those found in NOVA Launcher as well as some typical features such as the KitKat camera widget on the lock screen and the classic transparent notifications bar.

Has anyone tried these ROMs on your S3? If so, please let us know your favorites and why!  

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Alejandro Alonso Nieto

Alejandro Alonso Nieto
Forum Moderator and Editor

Alejandro Alonso Nieto is editor of the blog and forum moderator. He studied Audiovisual Communication in Madrid and Germany. From the first time he was given a Nintendo, has been passionate about video games and technology, hobby he shares with movies or music. He has worked as content editor for newspapers and television before incorporating to AndroidPIT.

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  • 6
    Roshni Sharma Feb 14, 2015 Link to comment

    Thanks for your list! I've gone through all the Roms and liked them as well and I've found this list over here: androidcure.com/best-custom-roms-for-samsung-galaxy-s3 Updated Roms and all offers good features and stability.!


  • 1
    Matt Greaves Jan 25, 2015 Link to comment

    Anyone else get bluetooth issue with KitKat custom roms?


  • 2
    Andrew C Jun 19, 2014 Link to comment

    I think c-rom definitely deserves a mention here. Jammed packed full of features and works better than any stock Rom from samsung. I used there d2lte version for over a month with nearly no issue. Love it.
    CM seems to have connectivity issues with mobile networks. Just my experience anyway.

    Kris Carlon


    • Kris Carlon 35
      Kris Carlon Jun 19, 2014 Link to comment

      Thanks for the feedback. I've never tried C-ROM, might have to give it a try.


  • 1
    Raj Thampi Apr 6, 2014 Link to comment

    I've tried both CyanogenMod 11 & OmniROM 4.4.2 in my Galaxy S3 (Using TWRP which is a MUST for OmniROM to push updates, unless manually flashed)

    OmniROM "was" near perfect.., gesture typing not yet working "at all".
    The lock screen has only option to unlock and the DSP manager icon looks bit strange and apparently no file manager which forced me to go with ES file explorer

    CyanogenMod 11 (CM11) had issues with Camera app throughout the NIGHTLY builds, today updated to SNAPSHOT M5 and seems the issue (Once the storage changed to external SD Card, the app freezes and forces a restart, again freezes when the app is accessed)

    "trebuchet launcher" used to stop while exiting certain apps with NIGHTLY builds, which is yet to happen after the SNAPSHOT M5

    "Nimbuzz" & "Subway Surfers", while exiting the apps used to show messages like "Stopped..." with NIGHTLY builds, yet to observe over SNAPSHOT M5

    It looks like the camera related issues are resolved with the latest SNAPSHOT M5 and I am pretty glad to see that almost everything works fine as expected.

    It was my first experience with #Android, rooting and flashing and this far, from a layman's prospective, CyanogenMod 11 appeals me with better done stuffs compared to #OmniROM


    • Kris Carlon 35
      Kris Carlon Apr 9, 2014 Link to comment

      Yeah I had lots of issues with the camera app on CM 11 too. Haven't flashed M5 yet but downloaded it this morning.


  • 14
    Sean Stockemer Mar 23, 2014 Link to comment

    I flashed Omega Omni, twice, with much difficulty. The first time lasted 48 hours then it swan dove into a bootloop. I had to repartition (by flashing a pit file thru Odin) to get my phone back online. After that, I eventually flashed back to Omega Omni (first stock, then CF-root, then CWM, then OO) and the efs file was dead. I flashed a new modem to get my imei back, and reinstalled. They were both clean installs (full wipes). So, then my phone app lost sound. Nothing coming from the headset when I made calls. I decided then to reflash the latest 4.3 Omega and live with 4.3 until a stable stock is dropped. I don't have 3 hours every day to repair my work phone...it sucks tho, I really got to like the per app settings on Omni KitKat. Oh well, good things come to those who wait.

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