Pixel owner tried to convert the Samsung and now I hate it

[onknknight]

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[Discussion] One UI 8 Bootloader Lock – Are Custom ROMs Dead?​

It looks like, thanks to new EU regulations, Samsung has decided to remove the ability to unlock the bootloader once you update to One UI 8.


For those of us who enjoy modding, flashing custom ROMs, and having control over our devices, this could be a game-changer — and not in a good way. I wanted to hear what everyone thinks about where this leaves us.

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My Situation​

I came from the Google ecosystem — my Pixel 6a is now my backup phone. I honestly never thought I’d own a Samsung device, but here I am.


I made the switch mainly because:

• I wasn’t happy with Google’s Pixel 10 battery policies, especially how performance degrades over time without giving users any control.
• I wanted a Snapdragon chip for better efficiency and overall performance.

Originally, I had my eye on the OnePlus 12 (around $1,000 CAD), but the OnePlus 13 came in at about $1,400 CAD, which was just out of reach for my budget.


So, I grabbed a used Galaxy S23 from a local shop for about $505 CAD. It came with a one-year warranty, so I figured I'd give Samsung a shot.

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My Experience So Far​

Honestly, I’m not impressed with Samsung:

• I don’t like the bloatware.
• I’m not a fan of One UI’s interface.
• And Knox… well, Knox feels like a scarlet letter. The second you unlock/root, it brands your phone permanently — there’s no going back.

My plan was simple: keep the S23, wait until Samsung drops support, and flash a custom ROM to breathe new life into the device.


But now, with One UI 8 removing bootloader unlocking entirely, that plan might be dead.

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The Bigger Problem​

If this change sticks, it’s not just about the S23 — it could affect all future Samsung devices. For anyone who loves custom ROMs, this is a major blow.


Do we stop updating at One UI 7?
Do we jump ship to other brands like OnePlus, Pixel, or Fairphone?
Or do we wait and see if devs find a workaround?

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Discussion​

What do you all think?

• Will the modding community find a way around this?
• Is it time to move on from Samsung entirely?
• Are we watching the beginning of the end for custom ROMs on Samsung?

I’d love to hear everyone’s thoughts.

 

[gray2018]

Your first mistake IMO was opting to go for the S23, the base model. Unless you specifically need a smaller phone, if you wanna do it right and get a better experience with Samsung phones, always go for either the Plus or the Ultra model IMO.

 

[onknknight]

Your first mistake IMO was opting to go for the S23, the base model. Unless you specifically need a smaller phone, if you wanna do it right and get a better experience with Samsung phones, always go for either the Plus or the Ultra model IMO.

"Look, if I wanted to spend more, I'd have just picked up a OnePlus or gone back to a Pixel. The S23 fit the budget, but let's be real: once I unlock the bootloader, Knox throws a fit and brands the phone as 'tampered' for life. And with One UI 8 locking things down even more, I'm just counting the days till I can ditch this phone and grab a OnePlus. At least they know how to treat their customers."

 

[mustang7757]

Welcome to AC!
If you want a modded experience probably a pixel or One plus is the way to go and follow XDA Forums community, the only mid range phone I would by be probably pixel or One plus like the 13r, as for Samsung one UI 8 probably best Samsung skin through the years but yes bootloader I here is being locked which I'm use to being in the US. At the end go with what fits you best.

I rock Samsung, One plus , Google and iPhones daily.

 

[Bkdodger1]

I have the OnePlus 13 it's an excellent phone I would definitely suggest that one if not then you can get the 13r or wait for the next one around the corner. I enjoy Samsung phones so my opinion is a little bit different but I'm not looking to unlock any bootloader which going in when you buy a Samsung phone you pretty much are limited if you want to mess around on that part of it. Other than that I enjoy one UI very much so.

 

[onknknight]

Welcome to AC!
If you want a modded experience probably a pixel or One plus is the way to go and follow XDA Forums community, the only mid range phone I would by be probably pixel or One plus like the 13r, as for Samsung one UI 8 probably best Samsung skin through the years but yes bootloader I here is being locked which I'm use to being in the US. At the end go with what fits you best.

I rock Samsung, One plus , Google and iPhones daily.

Hi there! I actually started off planning to go with a Pixel, but I wasn’t thrilled about the battery degradation from Google’s software after around 200 charges. So, I decided to try a Snapdragon device for the first time. I originally wanted a OnePlus, but the cost of the OnePlus 12 or 13 just wasn’t doable.


That led me to Samsung, thinking I could mod the phone. But with Knox and One UI 8 locking down the bootloader, that’s out the window. So, I’ll just run One UI 7 for now, and right before I sell it in December, I’ll put One UI 8 on it and then sell or trade it.
The phone has warranty on it from the place I bought it from until August 29th of next year
And that's transferable

 

[mustang7757]

Hi there! I actually started off planning to go with a Pixel, but I wasn’t thrilled about the battery degradation from Google’s software after around 200 charges. So, I decided to try a Snapdragon device for the first time. I originally wanted a OnePlus, but the cost of the OnePlus 12 or 13 just wasn’t doable.


That led me to Samsung, thinking I could mod the phone. But with Knox and One UI 8 locking down the bootloader, that’s out the window. So, I’ll just run One UI 7 for now, and right before I sell it in December, I’ll put One UI 8 on it and then sell or trade it.
The phone has warranty on it from the place I bought it from until August 29th of next year
And that's transferable

Ok so you have a plan in place

 

[notforhire]

Knox "throwing a fit" is not a surprise.

 

[onknknight]

Ok so you have a plan in place

Pretty much if I'm able to sell the phone beforehand I'll do it I've already backed up all my apps back to my pixel 6A but the plan right now is to sell it in December

 

[mustang7757]

Pretty much if I'm able to sell the phone beforehand I'll do it I've already backed up all my apps back to my pixel 6A but the plan right now is to sell it in December

Ok good