this post was submitted on 29 Aug 2026
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Privacy
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Its because its only going to be flagship models. Kinda shitty if you ask me because this will put GOS out of reach for alot of people because alot of people cant afford $1,000-$2,000 phones. Google is probably going to make Pixels locked at some point, making them not able to have GOS flashed onto future models anymore. I love GOS but it really makes me wonder the route that GOS is starting to take, making it less accessible for the average person anymore. Pretty sure money is involved.
How would money be involved?
It's not like GOS is in a position to force device manufacturers to open the bootloader and have strengthened hardware, let alone make phone prices accessible. The best they can do is kindly ask a manufacturer to do so and hope that they agree (which Motorola have technology-wise).
And if it's a money issue for people, then buying the newest pixel phone is still not cheap (~1k+). And most privacy advocates recommend buying the phone used and with cash so it's not associated with your bank details.
On your first part, maybe you're right.
On the second part, so many Pixel devices are available used. Including older pixels that still have some support left. A new $1500 flagship Motorola won't be and the ones that do become used soon after will still be close to that price. I'm just saying I've bought quite a few used Pixels for just a few hundred dollars and I don't see that being the case for flagship Motorolas. It's great to have device options but I don't think GOS being locked to only flagship Motorolas is a great alternative, especially once Google locks Pixels out from being flashed.
People who are security-minded for the most part just want a device to handle daily tasks, etc. Not all the bells whistles of an expensive high-end phone. If thats what people want in their phone, that's great, everyone has their need or desires for what they want in a phone but that being the only option will put GOS out of reach for many.