Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

Android KitKat VS CalyxOS

Compare Android KitKat VS CalyxOS and see what are their differences

Android KitKat logo Android KitKat

Android KitKat is an operating system for mobile devices released to the public on September 3, 2013.

CalyxOS logo CalyxOS

Privacy-focused operating system for smartphones based on Android and microG
  • Android KitKat Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-01-13
  • CalyxOS Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-05-01

Android KitKat features and specs

  • Improved Performance
    Android KitKat is optimized for devices with as little as 512MB of RAM, providing faster multitasking and smoother operation on lower-end hardware.
  • Enhanced User Interface
    KitKat introduced a more polished UI with a new 'immersive mode' that lets content use the full screen, hiding the system UI for a more engaging experience with apps and games.
  • Google Now Integration
    Google Now became more accessible directly from the lock screen and included the new 'OK Google' voice command feature from the home screen.
  • Improved Connectivity
    KitKat added support for new connectivity options like IR Blasters, improved NFC capabilities, and Bluetooth MAP, enhancing interaction with various devices and accessories.
  • New Hangouts App
    Hangouts consolidated SMS, MMS, and Hangouts messages into one app, simplifying communication with friends and family.

Possible disadvantages of Android KitKat

  • Limited Hardware Support
    While it improved performance for low-memory devices, KitKat required manufacturers to update their hardware drivers, leading to limited availability on older devices.
  • Security Concerns
    As a version released prior to more modern security developments, KitKat lacks many security enhancements found in later Android updates, making it more susceptible to vulnerabilities.
  • Fragmentation Issues
    Despite its optimizations, KitKat contributed to the ongoing fragmentation in the Android ecosystem, with some devices not receiving an update and others delayed.
  • Google-centric Features
    Some users and regions where Google's services are restricted might not fully benefit from features like Google Now and the revamped Hangouts app, limiting their utility.
  • Lack of Some Modern Features
    Being an older Android version, KitKat does not support newer features introduced in later releases such as biometric security options and enhanced privacy controls.

CalyxOS features and specs

  • Privacy-Focused
    CalyxOS emphasizes user privacy by minimizing data collection and incorporating features like encrypted communications and privacy-respecting apps.
  • Security Enhancements
    Built on top of Android, CalyxOS includes additional security features such as verified boot and regular security patches to protect against vulnerabilities.
  • De-Googled Experience
    CalyxOS removes most proprietary Google software, providing a de-Googled experience for users who prefer not to have their data collected by Google services.
  • Compatibility with Android Apps
    CalyxOS supports F-Droid and Aurora Store, allowing users to install a wide range of open-source and Android apps while maintaining user privacy.
  • Regular Updates
    The OS receives regular updates to ensure that the latest security patches and features are available to users, helping to keep devices secure.
  • User Control
    CalyxOS provides users with a high level of control over their device's settings and permissions, enabling them to fine-tune their privacy and security.

Possible disadvantages of CalyxOS

  • Limited Device Support
    CalyxOS is only available for a relatively small number of devices, which limits its accessibility for users with different hardware.
  • Learning Curve
    Users who are accustomed to the traditional Android experience may face a learning curve when adapting to CalyxOS's different features and settings.
  • App Compatibility
    Some mainstream apps that rely heavily on Google services may not function as intended or may require additional configuration to work properly on CalyxOS.
  • Limited Official Support
    The level of official support and resources for troubleshooting might be limited compared to mainstream operating systems, potentially making it harder for some users to resolve issues.
  • Fewer Pre-Installed Apps
    While this is a benefit for those seeking a minimalist experience, some users might miss the convenience of having commonly used apps pre-installed.

Analysis of CalyxOS

Overall verdict

  • CalyxOS is considered a good choice for users who prioritize privacy and security on their Android devices. It delivers a balanced experience by offering necessary features with a strong emphasis on user control and minimal personal data collection.

Why this product is good

  • CalyxOS is designed with a strong focus on security and privacy. It offers an open-source operating system for Android devices that removes bloatware and implements privacy-preserving features such as better app permissions management, encrypted messaging through apps like Signal, and a hardened Linux kernel. Additionally, it includes microG, a free and open-source implementation of Googleโ€™s proprietary Android user-space apps and libraries. This allows users to have Google services if needed, but without compromising their privacy.

Recommended for

  • Privacy-conscious users who want to minimize their data exposure.
  • Users who want to de-google their phone without losing the ability to use essential apps reliant on Google's services.
  • Tech-savvy individuals who prefer using open-source software and enjoy customizing their devices.

Android KitKat videos

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CalyxOS videos

CalyxOS Review: The Private & Secure Android ROM For Everyone!

More videos:

  • Review - GrapheneOS vs CalyxOS ULTIMATE COMPARISON (Battery & Speed Ft. Stock Android & iPhone)

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to Android KitKat and CalyxOS)
Mobile OS
7 7%
93% 93
OS & Utilities
100 100%
0% 0
Mobile SDK
5 5%
95% 95
Roms
0 0%
100% 100

User comments

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Reviews

These are some of the external sources and on-site user reviews we've used to compare Android KitKat and CalyxOS

Android KitKat Reviews

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CalyxOS Reviews

Android Alternative: Top 12 Mobile Operating Systems
It ships with Signal for encrypted messaging; Tor browser to access the web without any tracking; a free and trusted VPN from the Calyx Institute; the open-source Aurora Store, a Play Store alternative, and more. There are no Google services included in CalyxOS but if you want, you can sideload microG to get some of the Google services without sacrificing your anonymity. To...
Source: beebom.com

Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, CalyxOS seems to be more popular. It has been mentiond 191 times since March 2021. We are tracking product recommendations and mentions on various public social media platforms and blogs. They can help you identify which product is more popular and what people think of it.

Android KitKat mentions (0)

We have not tracked any mentions of Android KitKat yet. Tracking of Android KitKat recommendations started around Jul 2021.

CalyxOS mentions (191)

  • Google Pixel 4a old firmware is gone, trapping users on the buggy battery update
    I use pixel 3 with https://calyxos.org/ as a home phone to play music, record videos, pictures etc. Calyxos is still providing extended support for 4a, but microG doesn't work as well compared to sandboxed google play services on grapheneos (which is use on my 7a). So if google services are not too important go ahead with calyxos. - Source: Hacker News / 8 months ago
  • Debloat non-rooted Android devices
    For example https://androidauthority.com/grapheneos-3287030/ > "Even if you stomach the Pixel-only requirement" I have not and will not stomach that at all, nope! https://grapheneos.org/faq#supported-devices Nope! I wasn't paying attention, but if I remember, Alphabet/Google was funded to deploy/release Android operating system, and they also were financed to deploy some hardware phones before disappearing to let... - Source: Hacker News / over 1 year ago
  • Apple Confirms Governments Using Push Notifications to Surveil Users
    I'm sure you did your research. I'm writing for other readers who are interested. There are a few alternatives, more can be found but this is a selection of the most prominent offerings. /e/OS: https://e.foundation/e-os/ GrapheneOS: https://grapheneos.org/ LineageOS: https://lineageos.org/ CalyxOS: https://calyxos.org/ PostmarketOS (based on Alpine Linux rather than Android): https://postmarketos.org/ (for some... - Source: Hacker News / almost 2 years ago
  • us What's a good (under $500, preferably lower than $200 though) android for geeks?
    Ironically, Pixels are the best for de-Googling. GrapheneOS requires a Pixel, as does CalyxOS for the most part. If you don't want your money going to Google, a used/refurb Pixel gets around that in my opinion. Source: about 2 years ago
  • Youtube Premium via VPN
    Oh I see makes sense, one closed system needs another ๐Ÿ˜… but if you look at Android, look at https://grapheneos.org/ and https://calyxos.org/. Source: over 2 years ago
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What are some alternatives?

When comparing Android KitKat and CalyxOS, you can also consider the following products

LineageOS - Operating system for smartphones and tablet computers, based on the Android

GrapheneOS - GrapheneOS is an open source privacy and security focused mobile OS with Android app compatibility.

CopperheadOS - Secure Android built for encrypted and secure phones by a privacy focused company. Available as security-centric and privacy focused Google-free Android for the latest devices. Fully integrated with the latest IDS and MDM enterprise technologies.

Android - Android is an open source mobile operating system initially released by Google in 2008 and has since become of the most widely used operating systems on any platform.

Ubuntu Touch - Read more about Ubuntu Touch. Our free and open source mobile OS is made and maintained by UBports! We care about your freedom and privacy.

e.foundation /e/ - /e/ is a fork of LineageOS that aims to be completely free of everything Google.