My phone’s just bitten the dust and now I need to look for a new one again.
Thought I’d test the waters and see what kinds of phones people on here are using nowadays and what for, what features set them apart if any etc
Bonus points if anyone’s managed to get mainline linux running on them either via KVM or bare metal
Edit: Thanks for everyone who talked about their choices of phone, I am now writing this on a fairphone 4 and am quite happy with it so far.
Pixel 8 Pro/CalyxOS. Originally considered PinePhone/FairPhone, but mobile Linux just doesn’t cut it for me quite yet. Originally considered installing GrapheneOS, but learned that the developer is yikes.
There are a handful of issues, but it’s working pretty well overall. I don’t miss iOS, except for Spotlight.
Pixel owner here.
Do you feel like you’ve given up on any major flagship Pixel technology by putting another OS on it?
Anything Pixel specific? No. However, stuff like Android Auto isn’t here. The Pixel features are either too gimmicky for me to care about, have suitable alternatives, or just still work.
It’s mostly the camera performance I’d be willing to take zero compromises
The default camera app on CalyxOS is quite limited. You can still download any apps from Google Play through the Aurora Store, Pixel Camera included. You won’t get your AI object removal, but, eh.
GrapheneOS now supports android auto. Then one thing missing for me is google pay (paying with the phone through nfc) as google does not allow it “because of security”.
Not even with magisk?
I don’t use magisk so I am not sure, but I imagine not.
Magisk actually hides the fact you phone is rooted so Google wallet would work
My phone isn’t rooted, but maybe it could also hide the custom ROM? Idk, I got used to paying with a card and at least google does not get my spending habbits
Don’t think so. There are three levels of google play integrity. With some magisk modules you can pass the basic level, and with more work you can get the mid level by manually finding fingerprints from other verified devices. But google pay requires the highest level, which can’t be bypassed.