I've been wondering lately which models are more active in the custom ROM scene. Long-term support, bootloader unlockability, and the strength of the developer community seem to be the key factors here. Which series or models do you think have an advantage in these areas? I'd love to hear about your experiences and thoughts on this.
Which model stands out among those with custom ROM support?
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A few months ago, after a long search, I finally settled on the OnePlus 8T, having read many reviews in the scene. The main reason was the relatively simple bootloader unlock process—with OnePlus, a simple code in the terminal is all it takes, whereas other manufacturers often have annoying waiting periods or hardware restrictions in the way. Plus, the community around the 8 series really stepped up: TWRP versions, LineageOS nightlies, and even Paranoid Android were available quickly after major Android updates. I went with LineageOS myself and after three months of update cycles, I'm still happy because everything runs smoothly, and the battery even performs better than with the stock ROM.
Of the other models often recommended, I think Xiaomi’s Poco family (e.g., Poco X3 NFC or Poco F2 Pro) stands out. Since Xiaomi has relaxed its bootloader locks and the price-to-performance ratio is unbeatable, there’s plenty of community engagement here too. However, with Poco, you have to be careful because not every model is equally well-supported—with the X3 NFC, for example, there were initial issues with the camera on custom ROMs. So if you're looking for maximum freedom, OnePlus or Pixel devices are the way to go, but if you're on a budget, Xiaomi’s offshoots often offer a good compromise. A friend of mine tried out a Pixel 4a and swears by its update guarantees, but the small storage on that model was a dealbreaker for him.