Last time we came up the Jellybean 4.1.2 Custom ROMs series for the GSM Galaxy Nexus and today with this New Year we bring the continuation of the previous series, now listing the Best 4.2 Jellybean based Custom ROMs for the same.
Galaxy Nexus was a co-operated 4th Nexus series smartphone released during the fall of 2011. This amazing device is full of surprises and superb integration of marvelous hardware and software. The release of Jellybean 4.2 brought several minds of the XDA Developers community to bring up the best of Android via the Custom ROMs.
This list embraces the most popular Custom ROMs with respect to speed, stability, performance & battery life. I would advise you to try each of these to experience a sense of variety and finally select a one which matches your requirements. If you still haven’t rooted your Galaxy Nexus visit this post and follow the simple Instructions, follow the same guide for universal instructions on how to flash a ROM on Galaxy Nexus.
The ROMs down here are listed in a random order, so kindly do not consider them as top 5 or 10 since its a handpicked list.
1. Xylon ROM [JB 4.2.1]
Developer: DaXmax
About the ROM
Xylon is one of recently introduced Custom ROMs for Android devices. Initially, it started as a part of Fruits & Veggies (FNV) Project, which is now considered as the root of Xylon. It basically aims at distributing a fully transformed aftermarket Android firmware which shall take the device’s hardware to its extreme potential. Along with that, Xylon has some useful cherry picks from the CM & AOKP code which is improvising day by day with the continuous hard work of the Team members.
The current version available for the Galaxy Nexus is 015 Stable, released on 6 Jan, 2013.
As in the views of DroidViews, Xylon is a ROM completely capable of accompanying those who require the Vanilla taste with customize-able UI and extreme performance boost.
The users have already tagged this ROM as “Great” by its appearance and stability.
Notes
Download the Stock Gallery from below if you want Photo Sphere, but you shall have to lose the CM camera features.
Useful links
Original XDA thread | Xylon Github | Xylon Google+ Community
How to Install?
- If you want Photosphere, you might want to flash the stock Google Gallery. You’ll might miss CM Camera features..
- Once all of your Download is done, move all the zip you downloaded to your device’s storage.
- Reboot into recovery— This step is for beginners, who is already on Xylon, you just have to dirty flash, no need for a clean flash. —
- Go to Wipe, select “Factory Reset“
- press Install.
- Select “xylon_devicename_000_xx-xx-2012.zip“, “gapps-jb-2012xxxx-signed.zip” and your other packages..
- Then, swipe to install.
- Once all the processes is done, reboot.
- Wait for a couple of minutes, go n make cup of coffee for yourself.
- BAM! It’s done! Enjoy the smoothness!
2. ParanoidAndroid ROM [JB: 4.2.1]
Developer: D4rKn3sSyS
About the ROM
ParanoidAndroid, a CM code based Custom ROM initiated its path with the release of Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich, and till this day has made a lot of contributions to this open-sourced Android world. Its has always been extraordinary with PA and its services, providing features that none other Custom ROM has ever provided in the history of Android. Coming to the features, PA has gained huge popularity for its Hybrid mode and extended graphical customization settings, which are its foremost functions accompanied by several other performance related tweaks and merged codes.
The current version of the ROM available for Galaxy Nexus is 2.99 BetaNINE.9 dated 13 Jan, 2013.
As in the views of DroidViews, ParanoidAndroid is a perfect companion for those users who seek loads of Graphical Customization.
For the users, the ROM is one of the milestones that this Android world could have achieved. Really stable and fun to play with.
Useful links
Original XDA thread | Official PA website | PA Github | PA Gerrit code review
3. MiNCO ROM [JB: 4.2.1]
Developer: minooch
About the ROM
MiNCO ROM is a contributed collaboration between minooch and Francisco Franco, the famous Android Kernel developer. In fact, this is one of the very few ROMs that Franco has ever supported officially, so you might feel lucky. This ROM adds the stability and performance of FK (Franco’s Kernel) to a marvelous piece featuring customization. The ROM is based off of Android 4.2.1 featuring some very useful tweaks. Not just these, it also features some special MiNCO specific MODs created and developed by XDA member Vomer.
The current version for the Galaxy Nexus is staged version 6 dated 22 Dec, 2012
As in the views of DroidViews, MiNCO is the worthy choice for those who seek complete stability and huge performance boosts.
According to the users, this ROM is a powerful collaboration bring the best of both the sides.
Useful links
Original XDA thread | MiNCO MODs | Official MiNCO Website
How to Install?
Note: Gapps are integrated, no need to flash the Gapps package.
- Boot to Recovery
- Make a Nandroid
- Wipe
- Flash ROM
- Reboot
- Profit
How to Update?
Note: If you experience any issues, please try a fresh install ( although it shouldn’t be required )
- Boot to Recovery
- Make a Nandroid
- Wipe Cache
- Flash new version
- Reboot
- Profit
4. AOKP ROM [JB: 4.2.1]
Developer: Romanbb
About the ROM
AOKP stands for Android Open Kang Project which came into action during November 2011, with the release of Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich. Today, it honorably stands as one of best Custom ROMs that are available for Android. AOKP is based on the Google code, adding its own tweaked, modified and developed code to lure out the best phase of Android. This ROM is yet available for other devices including Nexus 4, Nexus 7, Galaxy S2/S3 and few more adds up to the list.
The current release is staged JB-MR1 Build 1 dated 13 Jan, 2013
As in the views of DroidViews, AOKP is a complete package of features, mods and customization, Stability is what follows.
According to the users the ROM is very smooth, stable and fast.
Useful links
Original XDA thread | Official AOKP website | AOKP Gerrit review | AOKP Forum |
How to Install?
- Make sure you’re on the latest CWM
- MAKE A NANDROID
- wipe data/factory reset in recovery
- flash ROM
- flash Gapps
- reboot
5. CyanogenMod 10.1 ROM [JB: 4.2.1]
Developer: CyanogenMod
About the ROM
CM or CyanogenMod originated with the Introduction of Android and is regarded as one of the very first Android aftermarket firmware distributors. It is currently tagged as 10.1, which is based on Jellybean 4.2 source code. CM brings in a lot of tweaks to your device which includes Notification toggles, Quick Settings toggles, Chronus (the CM clock app), additional camera tweaks and features, and much more. It aims at adding speed, stability and customization with theme engine, all at the same time. User satisfaction has always been the topmost priority for CyanogenMod, which has in turn made it one of the top ROM priority for an Android custom user.
As in the views of DroidViews, CyanogenMod is a package of exciting features packed with stability.
According to the users, the ROM is worth the use as a daily driver, always.
Useful links
Original XDA thread | Official CM website | Official CM Forums | CM Github | CM Gerrit Review
How to Install?
If it’s the first time flashing CyanogenMod 10.1 or coming from another ROM :
- Install ClockworkMod Recovery. Instructions here.
- Do a NANDroid backup of your current ROM from backup/restore menu.
- Wipe Data/Factory Reset & Wipe cache partition
- Flash CyanogenMod Rom .Zip file.
- Install Gapps package.
So, today we end up here with the Best 4.2.1 Custom ROM series for Samsung Galaxy Nexus I9250. Please take out a few minutes to leave a feedback.
Stay tuned! Stay viewed! With DroidViews
Which one do you think provides the best battery life?
As far as the users stated, ParanoidAndroid and AOKP are very battery friendly.
Thanks D. I had a problem after upgrading Xylon on my Gnex and had to do a Factory Reset. So, good excuse to try ParanoidAndroid. Thanks for the post and the reply!