FWIW Xiaomi and Huawei phones still run android and come with google services installed by default. You have to install a custom OS to avoid that IIRC.
If you want to avoid Google then Huawei is the way to go. Xiaomis generally are Google app compatible out of the box, you just have to go one extra step and install them.
Huaweis, on the other hand, you have to go through all sorts of steps just to get Google play store installed and working, which I think says a lot about how devoid of google shit they are.
They have a sandboxed google play apps through GBox, though many of the apps one would want is on their own app store, App Gallery. Which is open to anyone to use (I have it on a xiaomi for example).
Not completely true. I imported a Xiaomi phone and it did not have Google Play enabled. I changed the region and the option was available for "basic google services". I did it to have access to banking apps (rather than using online banking, since 2FA is available on the app).
FWIW Xiaomi and Huawei phones still run android and come with google services installed by default. You have to install a custom OS to avoid that IIRC.
If you want to avoid Google then Huawei is the way to go. Xiaomis generally are Google app compatible out of the box, you just have to go one extra step and install them.
Huaweis, on the other hand, you have to go through all sorts of steps just to get Google play store installed and working, which I think says a lot about how devoid of google shit they are.
Some Huawei's have harmony OS (based on android though), but I thought Huawei lost access to Google play services years ago?
You're probably right. I know a friend's phone had it but now that I'm thinking about it that's probably 3-4 years old now.
They have a sandboxed google play apps through GBox, though many of the apps one would want is on their own app store, App Gallery. Which is open to anyone to use (I have it on a xiaomi for example).
Not completely true. I imported a Xiaomi phone and it did not have Google Play enabled. I changed the region and the option was available for "basic google services". I did it to have access to banking apps (rather than using online banking, since 2FA is available on the app).