it's better than default but the problem is even non-Google apps require Google Play Services to function (SafetyNet won't pass either). Most banking apps won't work, paid apps from Google Play store will have to be downloaded from other sources (you can use Aurora Store for non paid apps), push notifications on many apps use Google Play Services too.
There is microG (open source Google Play Services) which may fix certain apps but even that will send data to Google if you enable certain settings.
My recommendation would be to go with pico version of GAPPS. This just includes just Google Play Services and nothing extra.
that depends on rom android version of rom you are downloading.
upto android 11 you can use pico opengapps https://opengapps.org/
for android 12 use nikgapps core https://sourceforge.net/projects/nikgapps/files/Releases/NikGapps-S/21-Apr-2022/
also one more thing, while Pixel 2 has a 5 inch screen it also has big bezels (being an older phone) which make the phone bigger
if you check the dimensions itself you can see this:
Pixel 2 XL: 157.9 x 76.7 x 7.9 mm
Pixel 5a: 154.9 x 73.7 x 7.6 mm
Zenfone 8: 148 x 68.5 x 8.9 mm
If you have the money go with Zenfone 8, it has way bigger battery and CPU.
P.S you don't have to use Lineage, in some cases other similar ROMs like crDroid have better stability and more frequent updates.
yea sadly, but it looks like the lineage version is "Official" meaning you can update from phone once installed without reflashing everything.
https://forum.xda-developers.com/f/asus-zenfone-8.12291/
Is a reflash is when you update your phone by hooking up to a computer? I prefer never having to do that.
Yes