just sharing...

i was torn between phoenix and DN3 for custom roms. basically, what i wanted is KitKat (4.4.2) with note 2 functions.

in the end, after some feedback and reading, decided to just go with DN3 v5+ LITE. i figured 'lite' version is all I need coz if i end up with too many Note3 and s5 'features', they end up becoming bloatware and like all things, the more you have, the more complicated it becomes... and more likely to have error, etc...

OK... i'm still testing it out. I've been using the rom for about 1 week plus now. but some observations (which I will share in XDA forum later as well) on Ditto Note 3 (DN3) rom.

Overall first impression: Kinda 'sloppy'.
Flashing was easy process but i had a panic moment coz my microSD card is confirmed faulty. I had done factory wipe on the phone, so my copy of the image on the phone was wiped. could not use my microSD. luckily, found another spare card.
Anyway, the sloppy remark... coz right after everything is setup, i click settings... and prompted to use which settings.  i suspect both Note3 and s5 settings are installed. i actually tried both and they have different look and feel. haiz... to me, this is sloppy since no one really needs TWO copies of it. plus, if really allow customised installation, then just let me choose which to install la... right?

What I like:
* one hand operation. this is nice... what you get is a smaller screen and it's really useful for those who complain about not being able to type with a single hand. you can enter/ exit this mode with a single swipe. very nice. my only complain, if it really is considered one, they should have put the background of the unused space as black. here's a screenshot to show what i mean:
[attachmentid=4007230]

* somehow, everything on the screen now seems sharper. not sure if it was the fonts (or display settings) i chose last time or just this one seems sharper. text, etc seems to look better. i really dunno why... maybe its just psychological effect or what. but i'm kinda sure if seems sharper now. maybe its some DPI tweak, new fonts or something.

* Ultra Power Saving mode. yes, this thing from S5 is here. but i realised this thing has got its limitations. you can't really run everything in black and white. only some apps seems to work. *sigh* i thought what this thing did was just turn everything black and white. seems it is not the case. but still, whatsapp and LINE works in this mode. so, still can do some messaging.

* caller notification pop-up. seems if i'm using an apps and there's an incoming call, there's a small pop-up notification. i can also answer call from there. this is nice.

* fan menu for the s-pen. but... now that i have it, i wonder if i really need it. but i'll keep an open mind and explore the features more in the next 1-2 weeks.

The not-so-nice:
* seems like when the USB cable is plugged in and charging the phone, you can't power off the phone. it will auto restart. also, i noticed that sometimes when the phone is being charged, i can't swipe to enter the One-Hand Operation mode.

* MAJOR BUG: i'm not sure if this is only on the LITE version (or maybe even my installation is buggy) but i can't get a lot of the features to work. Air gesture is not working at all. Even after i have enabled it. i wanted to see if i could do a jedi hand wave and move to the next picture in gallery. did not work. i did not even see the air gesture icon on the notification bar. there are also some other features listed but don't seem to work. another example is the customise notification panel. i had enabled to function so that when i connect earphone, some  icons will be displayed so i can have quick access. customised... then tested... my customisations did not appear. i had added some media player, file manager, etc... <-- this is the recommended apps feature.

* wallpaper bug. i can't change the lockscreen wallpaper from settings. seems like i need to go and select from gallery or something, which means no LIVE WALLPAPER for lockscreen

* s-finder takes up a space in notification panel. can't remove it. i have no use for it. what the heck...

* when a call comes in while the phone is idle (screen off), the phone rings but the screen turns on only after about 2 seconds. so, sometimes end up have to wait for the screen to appear so i can answer call. this lag needs to be fixed.

OVERALL:
I'm kinda disappointed. to be honest, first time flashing the phone. previously, been using stock rom. i thought this was supposedly quite stable for daily use. it touted Note 3 features, but i only got a few. most of the rest... don't really work. i wonder if its any different if i go with the full/ complete version. or maybe just go with phoenix rom instead. *sigh*