9

Both Remix OS and Phoenix OS are free Chinese Android desktop distributions for x86_64 PC-s based on Android-x86. But how do they differ, excluding different themes?

Improve this question
2
  • You mean other than differences in GUI, are there differences at the core of them?
    – Firelord ♦
    Jan 18, 2016 at 7:19
  • 1
    @Firelord This is what I mean.
    – niutech
    Jan 20, 2016 at 13:16

5 Answers 5

Reset to default
7

This is a community wiki, you can extend it.

According to Phoenix Studio forum (translation) and other sources:

  • both are based on Android 5.1 Lollipop,
  • both support Legacy BIOS and UEFI boot methods, but sometimes Phoenix OS Legacy mode does not boot, unlike UEFI,
  • Remix OS lacks adjustable windows and some of them can only be maximized or minimized,
  • Remix OS requires USB 3.0, Phoenix OS only USB 2.0,
  • Phoenix OS boots faster,
  • Phoenix OS fluency and functionality are better than the Remix OS,
  • Phoenix OS 1.0 is 370MB, Remix OS 2.0 is 689 MB, both zipped.

Remix OS 2.0 Launcher:

Remix OS 2.0 Launcher

Phoenix OS 1.0 Launcher:

Phoenix OS 1.0 Launcher

Images source: Softpedia

Video comparison: http://youtu.be/E6BNcXRyOr4

Improve this answer
3
  • looking at their forum Phoenix OS has a lot of spam issues bbs.phoenixstudio.org/en/forumdisplay.php?fid=4
    – William
    Jan 27, 2017 at 23:17
  • @LiamWilliam How does it affect the OS itself?
    – niutech
    Jan 30, 2017 at 12:35
  • I wouldn't think it isn't supported very well considering how spam ridden the site is. They don't necessarily effect each other but I wouldn't say its irrelevant.
    – William
    Jan 30, 2017 at 13:29
5

Add to the above answer; from what I found while testing both OSes:-

  • Phoenix OS is now x86 only platform, while Remix is x86/Arm
  • Phoenix OS supports window transparency.
  • File manager in Phoenix OS makes more sense in use.
  • Settings panel of Phoenix OS is more well-organised.
  • Phoenix OS still lacks of Ethernet support. (major drawback).
  • Phoenix OS doesn't support 2nd screen output (on laptops), while Remix can mirror and allows the main screen to be turned off via laptop's function key.
  • Applications running in full-screen (most 3D games) work properly in Remix OS, while those running on Phoenix OS tend to leave space at the bottom (what likely the size of hidden status bar+title bar) and miscalculate the mouse position in Y-axis (title bar height above the actual picture on screen).

My personal verdict so far:-

  • If you just need the desktop oriented Android and play games less, choose Phoenix OS.
  • If you care more for Android 3D games, choose Remix OS.
Improve this answer
1
  • you should (maybe?) add those also in the top post, which is community wiki for that purpose ? (I won't, as I don't have first-hand experience on those 2 OSes)
    – Olivier Dulac
    Jun 12, 2017 at 14:53
1

I can add to the above:

  • In PhoenixOS clicking "X" in the top window bar doesn't kill the app; thanks to that, apps can run in background without icon being visible in the bottom taskbar (like in Remix)
  • PhoenixOS works with floating windows just fine, no matter of app window size. RemixOS fails at this quite much - works only for some apps and only in fullscreen mode
  • PhoenixOS has already built-in brightness control availible in Display options, slider on the notification area and via function keys on keyboard; RemixOS has this hidden, but it works with function keys
  • RemixOS since ver .205 lags significantly due to badly designed use of android.process.media - Media Storage (media scanner); PhoenixOS still has a media scanner, but it works just fine without overusing CPU/storage resources. Moreover, RemixOS won't respect "pm hide android.process.media" command. It won't disable the lagging app. What's interesting, in PhoenixOS this command is useless too, but in Phoenix, u can Disable any app you want in settings, in Remix you don't.
  • RemixOS has better performance in 3D like @Yoswin Chance reported, but PhoenixOS starts and runs all other apps way better then Remix; it can easily compete with Windows 8.1 on my Asus T100TA (2GB RAM, Atom Z3740)
  • RemixOS mounts all drives live with no 3rd party apps; PhoenixOS opposite - To make things clear: PhoenixOS will output video to an external monitor just fine, but it will display it only on the external device and only if you plug it in before booting

For now, I fully agree with @Yoswin Chance.

  • PhoenixOS has far better windows system, start menu and notification area making the system more friendly and intuitive; feels much more complete then the RemixOS
  • RemixOS right now is only better at games and overall feels like more like an alpha build

UPDATE: I've just tested RemixOS 32bit on my Asus T100TA (32bit UEFI) and it's super fast, but of course I had to get rid of android.process.media app in order to get the performance reliable.

Improve this answer
0

In the latest update Phoenix OS also supports ethernet connections. I have been using both OSes but Phoenix OS is faster in booting and running apps, so I prefer Phoenix OS to Remix OS.

Improve this answer
0

There is a useful and detailed comparison of Phoenix, Remix, and plain Android-x86 from August 2016 here: http://apcmag.com/371021.htm/

Improve this answer
2
  • It would help if you could edit your answer and add relevant quotes from the linked article, in case the web page goes down (a.k.a. link rot.)
    – Chahk
    Oct 20, 2016 at 18:33
  • @Chahk Here is the archived page.
    – niutech
    Nov 4, 2016 at 1:27

You must log in to answer this question.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged .