I've been using it for years and I think it's great. Currently on a 6 Pro. It's true that some apps don't work without Google Play services, but GrapheneOS has the option to install the google stuff in a sandbox, so you shouldn't run into any issues if you do that. Personally, I don't use Play services unless I need to, and use Aurora store for any apps that aren't on F-Droid.

In any case, you can always revert to stock or try another OS

Edit: as faede has pointed out, it appears that Google Wallet has issues. Also, the usage docs mention issues with banking apps in general, so that's something to consider

In order of question:

• just gPay contactless payments (that I've found)
• me too, no issues
• should play just fine with gPlay
• updates are ota just like stock android (once gos is initially installed); they have a restore method that afaik uses the google restore website, I haven't used it in a while but it does work and is pretty straightforward

(used many, many roms over the years, currently gos for 3.5y)

Apps that don't work:

• Google Pay

As far that I know, that's it.

Almost all apps work. Some may require you to disable a security feature (native code debugging), specifically banking apps. Others may require you to install the sandboxed google services but you can do that in a separate dedicated profile.

Android Auto is the big one for me that does not work on graphene. If they can find a way to get that to work I'd switch immediately.

I've successfully used stuff like Google Maps and even Uber, with sandboxed Play Services.

There is some niche functionality that doesn't work. For example I use the Sam's Club app to scan and purchase stuff in the club and that all works fine, but when attempting to use the app to pay for gasoline at their pumps, it gives a connection error.

plexus by techlore tries to crowd source if apps work on degoogled phones. However like others said GrapheneOS has the option to use sandboxes google services. I only had one app that didn't work at all and it was very niche.

I installed it on a pixel 7a recently, and it was pretty idiot proof. I did manage to slightly bork the install but it was easily unborked. I know there are apps with issues but I haven't found any. Sandboxed google play allows running google play apps easily, though you must use an account (to my knowledge). If you don't end up liking it, there is an official Google Android image that you can go back to. I would definitely recommend giving it a try.

The only issue I've had is with games from kakao, they crash after a few minutes of starting. I think the last time I tried it said something abiut modification to the OS. But that's the only developer I've had problems with, the rest of the games I have play without issue.

Also the only downside I see is the tap to pay not working at all, but that's not graphenOS' problem, google won't certificate them.

We were considering switching to graphene but apparently there are lots of drama regarding the lead Dev which scared us from the idea

One app I know does not work without Google Play Services is Lyft. It will just crash.

The APP from my local kebab Restaurant it uses googleplay services and i refuse to install even if it is sandboxed