cross-posted from: https://lemmy.ml/post/16868638
I was thinking about using graphene OS, but I've read some lemmy users dislike this OS due to perceived misleading advertising and the pixel 7a you're supposed to install graphene on because it's from google (an advertising company).
Another option would be lineage OS, but there is so much false information about this OS, namely compatible phones that simply don't work with this OS and no support.
what works for you? I want a phone with no google, that doesn't force me to use the manufacturer's ecosystem and that won't show the apps I don't want or need (on an asus I own you cannot neither get rid nor hide bloatware)
I'm on LineageOS since 2016, something may have changed but I usually look up their supported hardware and pick a phone based on that. You may have to look at something relatively recent or you could end up meeting the end of their official support, which then goes into some les reliable unofficial support by random people you can find mostly on XDA.
Personally I'm looking next to a second hand Pixel, mostly out of curiosity.
Edit: forgot to address the "why": to keep in touch with society without letting strangers access to my stuff.
Sony Xperia 1 II, 1III and AFAIK 1 V all do LinrageOS and are flagship phones albeit expensive out of pocket and up front.
I have mixed feels about Sony but for the Interim it's a worthy "for right now" solution with a good camera.
PinePhone was interesting for its time but underpowered and quality could be improved on.
Librem5 is pretty decent if you measure it by Phone and SMS capabilities, those apps are okayish and it has easily pullable battery and premium aluminum side casing. But don't expect to use a web browser on it and unoptimized apps will be slow but the camera is decent. 2008-2012 much better than pinephone camera by a lot, not flagship or even 2nd grade. This is also due to the software just "not being there" yet across the board.
At this point I am pretty much done with phones. Maybe I will use SXMO on Librem5 or something to do the basics.
I don't think we should have phones. We should have Communicators.
Phone and SMS can be legacy and die off I just want a 5-8" device that can do Matrix and Video call and tie into StarLink Sattelite and Cell Tower and AFAIK StarLink is deploying 4G in the near future which opens up the possibility for reusing existing tech as the 4G waveband is miles whereas the 5G waveband is only optimally like 300 ft and can't penetrate glass very well due to the wave.
In any case I think there will be significant innovation in the Linux Phone space in the next year or so for Techie Pioneers to get on board.
PostmarketOS is worth a watch too, lots of hard working people out there scratching a itch and breaking down barriers.