I am looking for a new Android smartphone (currently on iOS).
Obviously I read about GrapheneOS as the „Gold Standard“ of alternative OS. But the downside is that it only runs on Pixels. Which is kinda weird to buy a device from a company you want to „boycott“ (de-Google).
On the other hand I kinda like the approach of Fairphone: most parts are easy repairable, parts are available and cheap compared to Google and Apple. But the downside here is that it isn’t supported by GrapheneOS, doesn’t have the most capable hardware for the price and probably won’t get 7 years of updates like the Pixel 8a in comparison.
So that leaves me with a „analysis paralysis“: I have to choose a device and a CustomROM.
/e/OS does seem interesting but I read some comments that it isn’t that secure like GrapheneOS. I don’t need that high-level of security but it should be significantly more than stock Android to be worth all the hassle by installing/using a CustomROM. On the other hand I don’t want to sacrifice every comfort for the sake of the last bit of (theoretical) security.
Did someone go down this path as well recently and can share some experiences? Maybe there is even some better alternative.
If you buy a new Pixel and then run an alt rom like graphene or lineage, you’re most likeley costing Google money. I believe they manufacture the Pixel at a small loss because they expect to make their money back harvesting and selling your personal data. Denying them that should mean you get decent hardware at a fair price, without really “supporting” Google as much as you fear. I could be wrong, but I’ve definitely seen that mentioned before.
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I recently bought a Pixel 5 for less than $200.
I despise paying even that much for a phone.
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I don’t recommend others follow suit as the Pixel 5 has stopped receiving security updates. Obviously could use a ROM that has them them but no guarantee or obligation to do so in a timely manner. Pixel 6 however will receive updates until 2026.
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Hopefully the next Fairphone closes that spec gap. I could easily live with 2022 specs for a long time, giving plateauing performance gains, as long as the phone is supported with updates.
Of course, I would also kill for a headphone jack and a 5.4-5.8" iphone mini-sized screen. It’s so frustrating that I want to buy a fairphone but the compromises are too much.
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Just go with GrapheneOS. Nothing else is even remotely close tbh.
Except anything with MicroG
That’s one tiny part. The pixel platform and graphene have tons of important features.
https://grapheneos.org/features
Microg tacked on to something doesn’t give these.
But can it still be installed? I want to install MicroG in a sandbox. Last time I checked you were stuck with GSF
Just get a pixel. Use the enemy’s weapon against them.
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I wouldn’t go e/os because it uses a much outdated Android version. Be careful of this when looking at other operating systems as lots are like this. On the other hand GrapheneOS is always up to date
Next best thing to GOS would be Calyx OS. Seems only pixels are getting full updates unfortunataly… https://calyxos.org/install/ The hardware on the pixels security wise is unfortunately hard to beat. Get a used one?
E/OS seems like a good choice if you don’t want to use a pixel.
I like stock Lineage OS
Do you plan on using any proprietary apps?
Also Graphene has a very vocal fan base. It isn’t the gold standard for some.
I like lineage, too. But there’s a long list of security and privacy features that it doesn’t get you. Not to mention that the chipset EOL is going to end firmware updates, usually quickly. And the model support is impressive, but still spotty.
Meanwhile https://grapheneos.org/features
The model support is of course miserable. Which is kind of understandable when only one line of hardware has the needed hardware features.
Most of the features on that page are in AOSP
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I have a “old” OnePlus 6t with LineageOS. I try /e/OS and i don’t like me. if I had to buy a smartphone to install a rom in, I would look for a OnePlus 7-8…
I have the One Plus 8 with Lineage OS and I’m really happy with it. I only miss a SD Card slot…
google pixels sadly are the best device for any custom ROM. if you really don’t want to use google and your willing to sacrifice some performance and quality of life I’d recommended the fair phone 5 with /e/os. it is easily repairable and has I think 7 years of support. ofcorse it sacrifices a few qol things of most modern phones like the top end displays or the best photo quality and it costs the same as a google pixel 8 but its all ethically sourced and is a extremely good project and product. I’d reccomend watching reviews first “not Linux tech tips” the software updates fixed most of their issues anyways.
it even comes with a removable battery, Sim card slot, and SD card slot
Anyone know a good CustomROM if you have a Motorola?
LineageOS supports some Moto models.
Thanks, friend.
Lineage OS + F-droid
Already use F-Droid and Obtainium a lot, so seems like it wouldn’t be a big leap. Thanks.
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I read that as “avoid like the plague/CCP”.
Would be nice to have a pmos or other Linux phone, though. Just for the programming APIs that don’t need android studio or xcode or other bs.
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