If you own a Google Pixel 8 or 8 Pro device and want to explore the world of custom ROMs, you’ve come to the right place. In this guide, we will walk you through the best custom ROM options available for your Pixel 8 and 8 Pro, allowing you to customize and enhance your Android experience. Before we dive into the list of custom ROMs, let’s first take a closer look at the Google Pixel 8 series and understand the difference between stock ROM and custom ROM.
Google Pixel 8 Overview
The Google Pixel 8, released in October 2023, boasts a sleek and modern design with dimensions of 150.5 x 70.8 x 8.9 mm and a weight of 187 g. It features a glass front and back protected by Corning Gorilla Glass Victus and an aluminum frame, providing both elegance and durability. The device supports Nano-SIM and eSIM and offers IP68 dust/water resistance.
With a 6.2-inch OLED display sporting a 120Hz refresh rate and HDR10+, the Pixel 8 delivers a vibrant and immersive visual experience. The resolution of 1080 x 2400 pixels ensures sharpness and clarity, while the Always-on display feature adds convenience to your daily usage.
Powered by the Google Tensor G3 chipset (4 nm), the Pixel 8 runs on Android 14 and offers a nona-core CPU configuration, including Cortex-X3, Cortex-A715, and Cortex-A510 cores. The graphics are handled by the Immortalis-G715s MC10 GPU. You can choose between models with 128GB of internal storage and 8GB of RAM or 256GB of internal storage and 8GB of RAM, both utilizing UFS 3.1 technology.
The Pixel 8’s camera system is impressive, featuring a dual configuration. The main camera includes a 50 MP wide lens with advanced features like dual pixel PDAF, Laser AF, OIS, and Pixel Shift. Additionally, a 12 MP ultrawide lens with AF is present. The camera system supports 4K video recording at various frame rates, gyro-EIS, OIS, and 10-bit HDR. For selfies, the device offers a 10.5 MP ultrawide lens capable of recording 4K videos.
To keep you powered throughout the day, the Pixel 8 is equipped with a robust Li-Ion 4575 mAh non-removable battery. It supports 27W wired charging with PD3.0 and PPS, allowing you to reach 50% charge in just 30 minutes. Additionally, the device supports 18W wireless charging and reverse wireless charging for added convenience.
Now that we have a better understanding of the Google Pixel 8 series, let’s delve into the concept of stock ROM and custom ROM.
What Is Android Stock ROM?
When you purchase a brand new Android device, it comes pre-installed with a “Stock ROM” or “Stock Firmware.” The stock ROM is the original operating system provided by the device manufacturer. It offers limited functionalities that are defined by the manufacturer. However, if you want to add extra features and customization options to your device, you’ll need to explore custom ROMs.
To learn more about the difference between stock ROM and custom ROM, check out our detailed article here.
What is Custom ROM?
Android is an open-source platform that allows developers to take the source code from Google and build their own operating system images for Android phones and tablets. These custom ROMs, also known as home-built apps, replace the stock ROM on your device, offering a fully standalone OS. Developers in the Android community customize the Android OS by removing unnecessary apps and providing a pure Android experience without carrier-installed or OEM apps.
Custom ROMs are regularly updated by the community and developers to address bugs and provide the latest Android OS experience, even if it’s not officially available for your smartphone.
Best Custom ROMs for Google Pixel 8 and 8 Pro
Now that you understand the basics of custom ROMs, let’s explore the best options available for your Google Pixel 8 and 8 Pro. To install any custom ROM on your device, you’ll need to have TWRP Recovery installed. Once you have TWRP, you can easily flash custom ROMs and mods onto your Pixel 8 and 8 Pro.
Without further ado, here are some of the best custom ROMs for your Pixel 8 and 8 Pro:
Lineage OS
Lineage OS is a popular custom ROM that carries on the legacy of the old CyanogenMod. After CyanogenMod was discontinued, Lineage OS emerged as a reliable alternative. It offers a wide range of features, including a customizable status bar, theme options, resizable navigation bar, and quick toggle functionality. Lineage OS provides a stable and smooth Android experience for Pixel 8 and 8 Pro users.
Coming Soon…
CrDroid OS
CrDroid OS is a relatively new custom ROM based on AOSP/Lineage OS. It combines customization options from various ROMs, including AOSPA, Lineage, SlimROM, and crDroid OS, to offer a pure Android experience with added customization features. CrDroid OS is known for its smooth performance and extensive customization options, making it a great choice for Pixel 8 and 8 Pro users.
You can download the CrDroid OS ROM for Pixel 8 here and for Pixel 8 Pro here.
RedBirdROM
RedBirdROM is an Android ROM based on DerpFest, with additional features and enhancements. It offers a stable and smooth experience, along with customization options to tailor your device to your preferences. RedBirdROM is highly regarded for its reliability and performance, making it a great choice for Pixel 8 and 8 Pro users.
You can download the RedBirdROM for Pixel 8 here and for Pixel 8 Pro here.
MIUI
MIUI is a popular custom ROM developed by Xiaomi and used in many devices as a custom ROM option. It is based on the Android operating system and offers a range of features, including theme support, customization of the status bar, and a unique launcher without an app drawer. MIUI provides a distinct user interface and a variety of customization options, making it a popular choice among Android enthusiasts.
Coming Soon…
Evolution X
Evolution X is a flashable custom ROM that brings the Pixel experience to your Android device. It aims to provide a true Pixel feel with additional configuration options. Evolution X offers frequent builds with monthly security patches from the latest AOSP sources, ensuring that your device stays up to date and secure. If you’re looking for a custom ROM that closely resembles the Pixel experience, Evolution X is a great choice for your Pixel 8 or 8 Pro.
You can download the Evolution X ROM for Pixel 8 and 8 Pro here.
Conclusion
That concludes our list of the best custom ROMs for Google Pixel 8 and 8 Pro. We hope this guide has helped you find the perfect custom ROM to enhance your Android experience. If you have any questions or feedback, feel free to leave a comment below. Happy customizing!
