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Help with a simple and private phone (lemm.ee)

submitted 10 months ago by loopy@lemm.ee to c/foss@beehaw.org

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Hi everyone, I’m looking to possibly simply my smartphone setup. I would really love to keep it as a utility: phone, text, camera, GPS, web browser, notes, email, music player. Im think of switching to local NextCloud backup system as well. I currently have an iPhone but used to flash ROMs on Android phones, so I would be willing to do that again for more privacy options and less unnecessary changes to the OS.

I have looked a little into it, and I’m wondering about getting a couple year old Pixel and putting GrapheneOS on it. I also searched a little and came across the Purism Librem 5 that has physical kill switches and sounds neat; a little pricy but I’d be willing to pay if it lasts a while and has good privacy options.

What are your thoughts? Are there other hardware suggestions or setups that you like? The idea of FOSS is appealing because it seems like the money aspect seems to skew the priority of smartphones.

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[–] Guenther_Amanita@feddit.de 1 points 10 months ago

GrapheneOS and a Pixel. Sounds exactly like what you want.
Alternatively, a Fairphone with CalyxOS.

Both are more secure and private than a stock Android phone.
GrapheneOS would be my recommendation.

I used Calyx for a year and recently switched over to Graphene. Calyx was great for the time being, as it focused more on usability, when GrapheneOS didn't even provide push notifications and was needlessly secure for my threat model.

But now, GrapheneOS is even more compatible and complete than Calyx, while more secure.
It's very barebones by default and Google services are optional and sandboxed + strongly restricted.

I would get a newer Pixel model in your case. I bought the Pixel 5 and somewhat regret it, since it hit end of support.

Or, you could buy a Fairphone. That would be more sustainable, since you can modify and repair it easily yourself, and it has a super long warranty and support.
GrapheneOS sadly does only support Pixels, but Calyx the Fairphone too.