I broke my phone a few months ago and I hadn’t use a phone since I didn’t need it until now. I’m willing to buy one that’s around under 500$. I’m thinking of getting google pixel maybe, any recommendations?

  • ugh... lo!@lemmy.ml
    87·
    3 years ago

    The GrapheneOS is the only good security solution on phones right now, so check their website for supported models.

    Some time ago I bought Pixel 3XL (used, not new) for pretty good price, so I suppose your budget is OK for that

    • Cuppingmustard@lemmy.ml
      2·
      3 years ago

      For what its worth, been using graphene for two months now on a pixel 5 and I’m still amazed by how well it works. Can only second this path as someone who is really focused on privacy and security. There are a few inconveniences (updates, app availability, gpush services etc) but those are all very worth it for me to sacrifice in order to be secure and private. I don’t think you’ll regret. Tons of second hand (new) phones on the market where I come from so should be easy to get going

      • ugh... lo!@lemmy.ml
        53·
        3 years ago

        Privacy can be controlled on application level, but there are a lot of system stuff that user can’t change and the best solution for system is GrapheneOS in terms of security, as I said in first comment.

        Google is evil, no question about that, but Google is just a brand / label on the phone. Ironically, but most secure and privacy-friendly phone is Google Pixel without Google

        As for privacy, any phone capable of running lineageos is fine, but lacks security

          • ugh... lo!@lemmy.ml
            22·
            3 years ago

            OK, has any xiaomi phone audited by anybody?

            What about proprietary hardware of all other vendors?

            I’m not trying to say that pixel is perfect or something, I think whole mobile market is a proprietary shit, tbh. But you need phone anyway, so IMT just trying to tell that pixel smells less that xiaomi, Asus or anything else

              • ugh... lo!@lemmy.ml
                3·
                3 years ago

                I’m not from USA and “cultism” is not for me, I’m enthusiast of open source and don’t trust proprietary software and hardware. Sadly, but there is no 100% hardware ready for end-users, so I’m just trying to find a balance.

                Btw, any device has proprietary “security” components, so it’s all about “smells less”, not " trusted one".

                My own opinion - GrapheneOS is good one, using it on Pixel devices is a trade-off.

                Anyway, that thread comes to holywar and I don’t want to take part in it, my arguments and thoughts you can find in comments above, if you disagree with them - OK, I’m fine with it. Just shared my thoughts

    • Gwynne@lemmy.mlOP
      1·
      3 years ago

      security? well, do you know if there is any spyware or such like that in that phone? I don’t use gapps

            • Gwynne@lemmy.mlOP
              1·
              3 years ago

              I think I’ll buy a pixel then, I’m a bit too cautious so can I ask which model pixel do you own?

              • linkert@lemmy.ml
                3·
                3 years ago

                I run GrapheneOS on a Google Pixel 3 (secondhand). It’s a nice phone - made sure to extract the GCamera app in order to keep the camera app that actually works to the cameras full potential.

                Other than that I just want to express my red hot hatred for all established mobile OSes. Its all crapware.

      • Jama@lemmy.ml
        2·
        3 years ago

        It’s not an easy solution. GrapheneOS is really good, but you need to be sure you will not need Google service and NEITHER MicroG, because those aren’t supported by GrapheneOS

        • Gwynne@lemmy.mlOP
          2·
          3 years ago

          Do you reaaally need google apps? It’s good that I don’t even have to option to use crapware like whatsapp. forcing people to talk to me through matrix

          • Jama@lemmy.ml
            2·
            3 years ago

            I don’t need any Google apps, and luckily I don’t need WhatsApp either, but some apps I use (like my goddamn bank) need Google services, and for this I rely on MicroG