this post was submitted on 24 Oct 2024
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privacy
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Pixel and GrapheneOS, or any device compatible with CalyxOS.
To be quite honest, after Google screwed me over with their Pixelbook (firmware broke touchscreen, and they basically told me to buy a new one), I will not give Google money for their hardware.
I also generally dislike Pixel phones for a number of reasons. This sucks :(
You could also get a second hand device on the DivestOS compatibility list.
I didn't give them money for my Pixel. I used AdNauseam, cost them over $2,000 in advertising losses, and then bought one.
Trollface.
Getting it secondhand also doesn't give them any money.
If you don't mind old hardware, get it refurbished from Amazon. You can get pixel 7 for 400 CAD, sometimes less. Amazon quality control is better than ebay, so was the support.
My biggest problem is with the camera of all mobiles, the photo looks good because there is a lot of processing in the background, and it becomes very apparent how the hardware is bad when you take pictures with an aftermarket OS.
You can sideload the google camera app and restrict any online access to it on graphene.
I tend to buy flagships because I know they'll last me many years without worrying about the hardware being too outdated.
But then updates stop, and the batteries need to be replaced... that's kind of where I'm at now. Seeing that OEMs now offer at least 5 years of major Android OS updates, I'd at least be covered there.
But man, are they all pushing hard for these AI features. Like I said, I'd be totally fine if these were all on-device AI features, but I really don't want Google getting their filthy hands on my data through Gemini.
Then look for a phone that supports CalyxOS, DivestOS, iodéOS... unlike GrapheneOS they support more models than just Pixels.
Just had a quick look. It seems like none support newer phones. The non-pixel phones listed are things like Fairphone (not available in Canada) or Oneplus 6 (literally 7 generations old).
I used to only flash custom ROMs back in the day, but even then, top-tier Samsung phones could handle them easily.
but you'd have to unlock bootloader, first.
Yup. Read/watch the process for whatever phones you're considering before buying.
I flashed GrapheneOS on a Pixel 8, and it was super easy.
I mean, its gotta be easier than flashing lineage and all the google crap, then spoofing the play integrity. that's what I have now and its starting to become kind of unsustainable with google messing with it every week.
What's easier?
And you can nearly completely avoid Google Play if you install through Aurora. Most of my apps come from F-Droid, with a handful from Aurora, and I have a separate profile for apps that require Google Play. It's surprisingly usable.
that's pretty cool