Recently I’ve been looking for a phone that will allow me to install an google-free OS. I’ve never installed a different OS on a phone before. I’ve been looking online but haven’t really found a clearly best option.

Problem with standard recommendation

From what I’ve read GrapheneOS seems the best alternative OS. Unfortunately they only support the Pixel devices. I want to have local, offline access to my files (e.g. music files, documents) and don’t want to be dependent on cloud services. The Pixel with the most storage comes with only 256GB and no slot for an SD card.

Possible options

There are some other routes that may be feasible that I’ve listed here.

Fairphone 6

  • No USB 3
  • Pricey for what you get, both in terms of hardware and in terms of fairness, at least according to this post).
  • It has an SD card slot
  • You can order it with e/os installed, very convenient
  • No GrapheneOS

Fairphone 5

  • According to this post, the FP6 is a lot snappier
  • Not significantly cheaper than the FP6
  • It does come with USB 3
  • It has an SD card slot
  • Can also order this with e/os.
  • No GrapheneOS

Sony

According to the Bootloader Unlock Wall of Shame Sony isn’t the worst of the bunch.

Pixel

Get a refurbished Pixel anyways and get a separate dumb MP3 player for music.

  • Might be an option but 256GB is still cutting it tight with what I want to have available offline.
  • The 256GB option is a lot more expensive than the 128GB option compared to the cost of a 128GB SD card
  • Extra costs from buying the extra MP3 player
  • Have to install the OS yourself
  • Can install GrapheneOS

DumbPhone:

Get a dumbphone for calls, texting, banking, govt stuff, 2FA app, and music listening. Have a separate linux phone for all the other stuff.

  • Not sure how privacy friendly the dumbphones are, might still be using Google Play services?
  • Two devices instead of one to carry around
  • Extra costs for two devices
  • Tinkering with a linux phone could be a fun project

Bonus option: don’t get the linux phone

  • Less screen time
  • Only 1 device to buy/carry
  • Can’t go on the internet while traveling

Questions

  • What would be your recommendation that allows plenty of storage on the phone?
  • Do you have good/bad experiences with any of these phones/operation systems?
  • Are there any good options I’ve missed?
  • monovergent 🛠️@lemmy.ml
    14·
    3 days ago

    Pixel + GOS just works, even has proper sandboxed Play Services if the need arises. Never had a Fairphone myself, but I really do fancy a SD card slot and removable battery.

    Words of caution on dumbphones though, especially if you live somewhere with 4G as the minimum:

    • The overlap between 4G+VoLTE support and true dumbphones is very small
    • Watch out for KaiOS “dumbphones”, which will come bundled with Google’s goodies and telemetry
    • Voice calls and SMS are already unencrypted and monitored, so I don’t see any undue risks from a dumbphone, as long as you don’t store any more data on it than you need and use a true dumbphone rather than one with KaiOS or even Android.
    • hansolo@lemmy.today
      8·
      3 days ago

      Additional dumb phone warning:

      SIM swapping attacks take all of 10 minutes to accomplish, and will give an attacker access to your phone number for them to use SMS 2FA codes to lock you out of your email and accounts. You will have zero access or recourse until you physically go into a carrier location and get your phone number fixed. Then you begin a lengthy process of reclaiming accounts to see how bad the damage is.

      • lavendertea@lemmy.dbzer0.comOP
        4·
        2 days ago

        Thanks for the warning about the SIM swapping attacks. Do I understand correctly that this is an issue on the dumbphones because you can’t install a 2FA app on it but have to rely on SMS? I thought there were also some ‘dumbphones’ where you can install apps, just not browsers or social media apps. But maybe those are the ones @[email protected] was warning about.

        • hansolo@lemmy.today
          4·
          2 days ago

          Correct. 2FA apps are the safest option.

          2FA codes sent by SMS are barely better than just a password, but if your password leaks and your phone number is public info on a data broker site, it’s simply a matter of when the attacker makes it to you on a list. It’s especially bad for people who flaunt crypto or stock wins online and make themselves a target worth trying a SIM swap on.

          • monovergent 🛠️@lemmy.ml
            2·
            2 days ago

            Indeed. One of my pet peeves are services, especially from financial institutions, that force you to use SMS for 2FA with no option for more secure options.

            • hansolo@lemmy.today
              2·
              2 days ago

              Seriously. I’ve almost left my bank over their shit security. But they’re nearly all bad!

    • lavendertea@lemmy.dbzer0.comOPEnglish
      2·
      2 days ago

      Yes, I wish GOS would support the fairphone, then it would be a no-brainer.

      Thanks for the warning re: dumphones, I had no idea. Is there one that you think is suitable for privacy and 4G+VoLTE support?