Galaxy S3 Mini is still running on the Android version that it brought up out of the box, Android 4.1.2 Jelly Bean. The device is in que to receive any further Android updates, but the best you can do for now is to have some nice stock based custom ROM or a complete custom ROM to enhance the functionality of your Mini S3. We’ve found something similar today, it’s a stock based custom ROM named as VIRGINITY and is currently it’s V9 is available. Thanks to XDA senior member joelalmeidaptg for developing this great ROM and giving an enhanced life to the Galaxy S3 Mini.
As we move forward, we’ll go through the ROM features, installation pre-requisites and installation instructions. What you should keep in mind is this is a stock based custom ROM as said above, and is based on the i8190XXANA2 stock firmware. The ROM packs up smoothness, is responsive, battery life is amazing and also packs up some nice apps ported from S4. Installation is AROMA installer supported and is fully customizable. Although it is a proper, stable and smooth custom ROM but we still recommend that you should only flash this ROM if you’re familiar with custom ROMs and you actually know that what are you going to do. Let’s go through VIRGINITY ROM V9’s features now.
Features:
- Based on stock i8190XXANA2 firmware
- Fully deodexed and zipaligned
- Debloated from every single Samsung bloatware and Google Play install-able apps
- Pre-rooted with Chainfire’s SuperSU
- Pre-installed busybox
- Every single app was updated to its latest version to spare memory from updates
- Init.d support
- Initial host file ad-blocking
- GPS fast lock
- Zipalign on boot
- Amazing battery life
- Buttery smoothness
- MOD: Advanced reboot menu
- MOD: Volume keys skip tracks when screen is off
- Custom wallpapers (launcher and lockscreen) at first boot
- Scroll cache disabled for faster scrooling
- S4 icons on apps
- Latest Google bootanimation
- Back-light notifications support (needs Virginity kernel or other that supports it)
- Samsung Galaxy S4 lockscreen + sounds from Koulis2000
- Lots of S4 apps from amitnv
- AC!D Audio Engine featuring Sony ClearAudio+, Beats Audio Engine, Dolby Digital Plus and Sony xLoud from Rizal Lovins for a perfect audio
- AROMA Installer with the following options:
- Kernels: Stock ANA2 Kernel with init.d support, Stock AMJ3 Kernel with init.d support, Virginity Kernel V4
- Apps:
- S4 Music Player
- Video Player
- Voice Recorder
- FM Radio
- Calculators:
- Stock calculador
- S4 Calculator Light
- S4 Calculator Dark
- S4/S3 Widgets
- Browser
- S Planner
- AccuWeather
- S4 Yahoo News
- S4 Yahoo Finance
- S4 S Health
- S4 MyFiles
- S4 S voice
- S4 TripAdvisor
- Samsung Fonts:
- Choco cooky
- Cool jazz
- Helvetica S
- Rosemary
- Samsung Sans (S4)
- S4 Memo
- Stock Email & Exchange
- SIM card menu
- Adaway
- Galaxy Lockscreen
- Boot animations:
- Google Nexus 5
- Stock Samsung
- Keyboards:
- Xperia Honami Keyboard
- Galaxy S4 Keyboard
- Stock keyboard
- Mods:
- AC!D Engine
- Crossbreeder
- Zipalign on boot
- Fly On Mod
Here are some important pre-requisites and installation instructions:
- This ROM works for all the variants of the Galaxy S3 Mini i8190 or i8190L. Do not try this on any other device. Check your device’s model under settings > About device > Model.
- Your device must be charged over at least 60%. This is highly recommended in order to prevent any mishap during the installation process.
- It is highly recommended that you make a nandroid backup of your device using a custom recovery. This is handy in case something goes wrong and you want to get your older system back immediately.
- Use the OEM data cable to establish connection between your PC and Phone.
- Backup each and everything on your Android phone as you may have to go through data wipes during installation process. Here are the backup procedures.
- Backup all your important contacts, find the full guide here.
- Backup all your important sms messages, find the full guide here.
- Backup all your important call logs, find the full guide here.
- Backup all your important media content manually. (Copy to your PC.)
- Backup all your apps / data. If you’ve rooted your device, use Titanium Backup to do so. Follow the full guide here.
- Your device must have a CWM or TWRP Recovery installed. Follow the full guide here to install one.
- Make sure that you read all the important instructions carefully. Once done, you may go ahead.
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How to Install VIRGINITY V9 Custom ROM on Galaxy S III Mini:
- Download VIRGINITY V9 Custom ROM.zip file and place it on your phone’s sd card.
- Boot into CWM recovery. To do so turn off your device completely, now turn it on by pressing and holding Volume Up + Home Button + Power Key.
- Once in CWM, wipe factory data reset. This will wipe your device for ROM installation.
- Now in CWM recovery, select “Install Zip>Choose Zip form SD / ext SD card>Select the VIRGINITY V9” and then select Yes to proceed.
- This will start Aroma Installer now.
- The installer is self explanatory, proceed with the ROM installation.
- Make the selections you want.
- Finish the installation.
- Reboot!
- Phewww! You’re done installing VIRGINITY V9 ROM on your phone.
Here are some screenshots from this ROM:
What would you change to v8? Who came to the pictures I see no difference, another question, I deleted all the downloaded and installed apps? such as install gangstar rio I delete that app? I await your prompt response
@aleelaserino:disqus it is based on new build with some enhancements here and there. Rest of the things you may check upon installing. The newer version is always greater.