31
Which option would you recommend: Pixel with Graphene OS (cheapest new phone is $500) OR A Cheap Mototola Budget Phone (new at $200, sometimes on discount at $140) running Lineage OS? (sh.itjust.works)
submitted 5 days ago by DeathByBigSad@sh.itjust.works to c/privacy@lemmy.dbzer0.com
27 comments fedilink hide all child comments

cross-posted from: https://sh.itjust.works/post/45425575

I mean we all know about the sideloading restriction thing. So I wanna explore alternative OSes, just gathering info, not sure if I'll even end up buying another phone (currently have a Samsung as a main phone, and in North America they are bootloader locked).

Like I know Graphene OS is supposedly more secure, but is it worth paying so much more for a phone? And used phones are kinda sketchy btw, most originate from a carrier so unlockability is in question (I'm not playing the buy/return "lootbox" game lol, so much hassle and its never guaranteed when a seller would even accept a return).

The moto I was looking at apparantly was on CalyxOS's supported list, but they suspended development for some reason, so Lineage is the only Custom ROM left other than Graphene.

Graphene seems cool, but idk if its really that much better. Getting a pixel is directly giving Google the most money, and I don't feel so good about that after they closed sourced Pixel device tree codes (or whatever that thing was called that they closed sourced), and then they killed sideloading, feels wrong to be buying a pixel right now. So that leaves me with just Lineage. And I could get a much cheaper phone too going Lineage.

So TLDR: If you were to recommend a phone to someone, which would you recommend? Expensive phone for Graphene, or Cheap phone and just use Lineage? Or something else?

you are viewing a single comment's thread
view the rest of the comments
[-] Sophocles@infosec.pub 5 points 5 days ago

Calyx recently had some staff problems plus Google started witholding certain aspects of Android on the Pixel that complicated development, (which affected Graphene too). If you're thinking long term, Pixels are becoming another enshittification project by Google.

There are alternatives like the Fairphone, but they are overpriced and a little janky. There are also linux phones like the pine phone or the librem, but those still need polish. Mobile privacy is looking pretty bleak atm, but I'm hoping linux phones take off, and Calyx gets back in the game with CalyxOS eventually

[-] DeathByBigSad@sh.itjust.works 4 points 5 days ago

I'm more interested in the freedom aspect (freedom to install software) rather than just the privacy aspect.

I mean, I probably wouldn't be that interested in custom roms if google didnt announce the "sideloading restrictions" bs

As for pinephone, hmm idk I kinda like Android apps. I mean there'a this one Android app called "Wasted" (in Fdroid) that lets you set your phone to auto-wipe if not unlocked for X time so I thought that was really cool.

this post was submitted on 05 Sep 2025
31 points (100.0% liked)

Privacy

3749 readers
26 users here now

Welcome! This is a community for all those who are interested in protecting their privacy.

Rules

PS: Don't be a smartass and try to game the system, we'll know if you're breaking the rules when we see it!

  1. Be civil and no prejudice
  2. Don't promote big-tech software
  3. No apathy and defeatism for privacy (i.e. "They already have my data, why bother?")
  4. No reposting of news that was already posted
  5. No crypto, blockchain, NFTs
  6. No Xitter links (if absolutely necessary, use xcancel)

Related communities:

Some of these are only vaguely related, but great communities.

founded 10 months ago
MODERATORS
fxomt@lemmy.dbzer0.com
otter@lemmy.ca
shaytan@lemmy.dbzer0.com
fxomt@piefed.social