Comment by stratom
5 days ago
GrapheneOS is great. But that currently means you have to buy a phone from Google to work around Google looking down Android.
5 days ago
GrapheneOS is great. But that currently means you have to buy a phone from Google to work around Google looking down Android.
True. I'm really happy that they are working with an OEM to bring an alternative in 2027. Until then:
- A refurbished Pixel works (except some weird Verizon locking that I heard about the other day).
- Pixels get really heavily discounted near the end of the cycle (e.g. 9a currently). Google probably doesn't make much on it if you are opting out of your ecosystem.
When I do this for family I buy a used pixel. Then no dollar goes directly back to Google.
By ensuring that Pixels have significant resale value, you are encouraging consumers to buy Pixel phones.
Still, you are stopping the extraction of analytics, which probably bring Google the much more revenue over the longer term, and it is not possible to disable on regular Android phones.
Remember that on every certified Google Android phone, Google Play Services runs with system-level privileges. On GrapheneOS, it is sandboxed like pretty much any other app (if you choose to install Play Services) and you can make it 'blind' by revoking most privileges.
Same for Pixel Camera, etc., I just block network access.
They say they will announce a partnership with a major OEM manufacturer in March 2026!