My current phone is 7 years old, does not support recent android versions, and battery life is becoming atrocious. This feels like right time to change my phone.

Currently, I know of & am considering 3 options:

  • Google Pixel
  • iPhone
  • Samsung Galaxy

I heard that Pixel is the best choice for privacy, despite it being Google^TM. Should I go with it, and install Graphene OS or similar options? The very fact that the name “Google” is attached makes me nervous. Also, I don’t think I can trust android, so I would have to install Graphene OS or the like. In the case, app support would be lacking, though.

I am considering iPhone as well, since it has “reputation” of being secure. Of course, Apple can access my data, but that might be a good enough compromise? Honestly, I don’t know. It’s the best supported option as well - lots of apps support iPhone.

Galaxy is just the one that I am the most familiar with (my current one is Galaxy S8). I don’t trust it, though. Do they even make good hardware nowadays?

EDIT: Turns out, Pixel phones are poorly supported by local telecomm companies. It is relatively cheap though. Still worth it?

EDIT2: I heard that data & message is fine, but the call quality is impacted by lack of VoLTE compatibility.

    • kratoz29@lemm.eeEnglish
      0·
      2 months ago
      1. Pixel, and immediately install GrapheneOS.

      I am surprised Google still allows to open the bootloader, with all the bitching they have been doing towards sideloading apps, play integrity BS and making android more similar to iOS in general terms…

      • toastmeister@lemmy.ca
        0·
        2 months ago

        Googles devices have always been able to have custom ROMs, I even had a Nexus 2 long ago and that was moddable.

        • kratoz29@lemm.eeEnglish
          1·
          2 months ago

          Yeah, but you need to concede that their efforts to block “unofficial” users have strengthened as of lately… That’s why I think they might do a Xiaomi move sooner or later.

    • Giddy@aussie.zoneEnglish
      0·
      2 months ago

      Does GrapheneOS support inTune Company Portal and work profiles? I would love to switch but my work requires these to install teams and outlook

      • Holler Pixie@lemm.eeEnglish
        1·
        2 months ago

        Idk if it’s company dependent but mine would not. Ended up getting a second work phone because of it.

      • anamethatisnt@sopuli.xyz
        0·
        2 months ago

        The best solution in that situation is to have a work phone and a personal phone. If your own private phone cannot install the work apps then it’s up to your employer to ensure you have the tools you need for your work.
        From an IT Security perspective that is what your employer should want too as that allows them to confiscate the phone if letting you go.

        • AtariDump@lemmy.world
          01·
          2 months ago

          If your own private phone cannot install the work apps then it’s up to your employer to ensure you have the tools you need for your work.

          Tell me you don’t work in a non-union job in the USA without telling me you don’t work in a non-union job in the USA.

  • St3alth@lemmy.mlEnglish
    0·
    2 months ago

    In my opinion, the Google Pixel with GrapheneOS is considered the gold standard in terms of security and privacy. While I am not fully knowledgeable about its capabilities, it offers a comprehensive suite of security features.

    The iPhone is also a viable option. You can easily swap between iCloud to a more secure encrypted provider for both cloud storage and photo backups. Additionally, any notes application can be replaced with a more secure alternative.

    Samsung phones can support a range of operating system images that can be flashed, including LineageOS. However, I am not fully aware of all the available options.

  • mazzilius_marsti@lemmy.world
    0·
    2 months ago

    I owned 4 Samsungs: S8, S10e, S22 and S24 Ultra. Their products got worse. An example is the recent One Ui 7 update, it is just terrible: My notification area that works perfectly fine before, is now changed; my battery life got worse…etc.

    Even if I ignore the update, Samsung products are just not great anymore. Remember when a Galaxy can take really great photos? Those days are gone. My S24 Ultra takes the worst pictures in comparison to a Xiaomi or Huawei. Heck, even the controversial Asus Zenfone 10 takes better picture. Sure the Galaxy has better Megapixels, but the AI bullshit makes it so the colors are all wrong.

    With that said, you want to go for Pixel + GrapheneOS. Anything that is close to stock Android should be ok. Oh, and stay away from anything with a lot of AI.

      • moonpiedumplings@programming.devEnglish
        0·
        2 months ago

        On a Samsung Galaxy? I have one and am also similarly frustrated with the changes, but it seems like the support for custom roms is poor.

        • domoel@feddit.org
          1·
          2 months ago

          Yes. Support is poor. However there are two good ones with only minor issues. The Pixel on and the Voltage OS Rom. Both can be found at XDA.

    • CCAirWater@lemm.ee
      0·
      2 months ago

      If you swipe down on the notifs twice, you can edit them to be similar to the previous style.

      On topic of your post, fuuuuck everything about their forcing AI, but my biggest gripe is how they moved the audio display (from, like, Spotify or audiobook readers/podcast apps) to the bottom of the lock screen as a tiny bar on the bottom instead of showing me all the info as it did before. It’s super annoying when I swipe to unlock and pause what I’m listening to.

      • mazzilius_marsti@lemmy.world
        1·
        2 months ago

        yeh the other day I accidentally swiped down and touched the Media section. It automatically played my music, eventhough the music app was off lol. Luckily it didnt play any “videos”…