Google is the only one implementing the full spec for bootloader relocking with custom keys, so as far as I’m concerned they’re the only viable manufacturer now (RIP OnePlus, you used to be good).
The default UX on most phones just plain outright sucks. I keep hearing Samsung is better, IMO modern OneUI sucks just as much as TouchWiz sucked. Everyone tries to differentiate themselves by how much bloatware they load up on the phone so customers go wow it’s got so many features! Lately they’re all in on the AI fad as well, and subscriptions, and their own store.
Been a custom ROM user forever, and I have no intention of letting go of that. My phone is almost 5 years old now, and it still runs better than the out of the box experience of any phones on display at the stores. Raw hardware performance is utterly useless if the stock OS immediately wastes it all and some more.
So I’m not excited about the Pixels but they’re also the only viable option.
Do wallet/banking apps still work on a custom rom?
Do you lose out on anything?
Wallet no. For banking apps it depends on the app. For me about 80 percent work
Pixel is the only game in town for anyone who wants a secure and privacy friendly smartphone as they’re the only ones that run GrapheneOS.
I do like the look of the 9, especially finally being able to get a smaller Pro model but the prices are getting silly and my 7 Pro is still working fine. Maybe the 10 or 11.
I’m also keeping an eye on Fairphone but they need to add all the hardware GrapheneOS needs to support them for me to be interested. And it’d help if they weren’t launching with last gen specs. Fairphone 5 came out after my P7P but is inferior in most ways, I just can’t justify paying for a downgrade as much as I support the mission.
And it’d help if they weren’t launching with last gen specs. Fairphone 5 came out after my P7P but is inferior in most ways, I just can’t justify paying for a downgrade as much as I support the mission
Right? I like the idea of Fair phone and Linux phones as well, but they always seem to slap in mediocre hardware at best.
Even the latest Fairphone 5, like you said, comes with a Qualcomm QCM6490 from late 2021. It wasn’t designed for phones and can’t even compete against the Tensor G2, a processor already widely regarded as crap
Personally, I gave up on google as a whole
Same. I have come to trust Apple’s commitment and attitude towards user privacy substantially more than Google. I actually know a person that works in a fairly high middle management position in a technical department at the fruit company, and he told me that even their internal handling of user data is incredibly restrictive, even when it makes their jobs harder. I don’t think Apple is perfect, but better than the alternative.
Apple’s commitment to privacy is just marketing:
https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2022/sep/23/apple-user-data-law-enforcement-falling-short
https://www.cyberghostvpn.com/privacyhub/apple-privacy-violations/
Not saying Google is any better, but Apple is much worse than they paint in adverts
I’m well aware of the risks inherent to not running calyx or graphene, but my threat model doesn’t justify sacrificing a lot of the functionality that I enjoy on an iPhone. If my threat model required it, I’d have an unactivated burner and a pixel device running calyx in addition to my iPhone. I’m happy settling for “better than google” based on my needs. I also have a couple PCs running Linux, with steps I can take to ensure some level of privacy if needed.
Thanks for posting some good reading though, it’s all shit I’m generally aware of.
Apple is a locked in ecosystem what is based entirely on proprietary software. I’m not sure how that is good for privacy. They can and are collecting your data. You also can’t get apps outside of the App store which limits your options.
AOSP based Android Like Lineage OS is the only way.
yes I’m surprised at the lack of FOSS apps on IOS.
I’m not
The App store is very restrictive and the OS is locked down
Yeah we should start our own FOSS app store for iOS.
Oh wait, you can’t…
Pixels are the best degoogle phone thanks to GrapheneOS…
ok?
Apparently this has upset the google bois
What a dumbass edit. It’s probably because “ok?” Adds literally nothing and you could’ve just said nothing instead. But noooo must be fanboys down voting you right? 🙄
They run GrapheneOS Wonderfully…
