Report ID: AND-CROM-SMA9-2024
Date: [Current Date]
Device Codename: a9y18qlte
SoC: Qualcomm Snapdragon 660 (SDM660)
The Samsung Galaxy A9 (2018) is a mid-range device launched with Android 8.0 (Oreo) and officially updated to Android 10 (One UI 2.1). Due to Samsung’s proprietary Knox security, Exynos-less Snapdragon variant, and lack of official Treble support in its initial release, custom ROM development has been limited but viable. This report assesses the current state of bootloader unlocking, available custom ROMs (LineageOS, crDroid, etc.), and critical challenges.
Solid Story (often styled SolidSS or SolidROM) is a custom Android ROM focused on stability, performance, and battery life. For the Samsung Galaxy A9 (2018, model SM-A920x), Solid Story builds are unofficial community ROMs based on AOSP/Lineage/CAF sources, offering a near-stock experience with selective tweaks and improved resource management. custom rom for samsung a9 2018
Yes, but limited. The A9 (2018) (codenamed a9y18qlte) has a small but dedicated community, primarily on XDA Developers Forums. Unlike flagship Galaxy S or Note series, the A9 never had a massive developer following, so don’t expect dozens of ROMs. However, several stable and usable options exist.
Tap Wipe cache/dalvik (if offered), then Reboot System. First boot takes 5–10 minutes. Do not interrupt it. Fully functional in most stable ROMs:
Fully functional in most stable ROMs:
Known issues (vary by ROM):
For developers / enthusiasts:
The Samsung A9 2018 is not dead for custom ROMs, but the Snapdragon 660 + Samsung proprietary camera stack limits it to a mid-tier custom ROM experience. Use LineageOS 20 unofficial if you prioritize latest Android and can sacrifice 2 cameras + VoLTE.
For daily users:
Stay on stock Android 10 with root + debloat unless you absolutely need AOSP. The camera degradation is significant. Known issues (vary by ROM): For developers /
Future outlook:
No official maintainer for LineageOS 21 (Android 14) as of Q4 2024. Development will likely remain unofficial, maintained by @afaneh92 or community backports from the Snapdragon 660 common tree (used by Mi A2, Nokia 7.1).