had a constant melodramatic after-school special vibe in which characters were constantly stopping in the middle of an emergency to talk about their feelings and kumbaya-cry it out

Nail on the head.

For contactless payments, try Curve: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.imaginecurve.curve.prd

I am curious how Android Auto works with Graphene. I missed Android Auto when I was using LineageOS

Battery is also an issue even on Stock Android. The 5G chips on the recent Pixels drain it like a MF.

It really is annoying, I really want a cheap phone that doesn't spy on me. I'm either stuck between an expensive and closed EcoSystem, Android which I can't trust to fart near or Custom Roms which does lack features

How long before it becomes a sexbot?