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So I have been giving a lot of thought to this subject ever since reading a few articles a couple of weeks back about the CEO of Google Eric Schmidt saying that they have no plans on making a "Nexus Two." Not only this, but Google stating that they will no longer sell the Nexus One direct and unlocked from the www.google.com/phone store. My question is, does this threaten the Android platform in the future. I personally think it won't because Android will continue to live on, but the open Android that we have come to know and love today will be jeopardized. This is why I decided to start this thread to see how others feel about this subject and ask some important questions about the fate of Android.
To start off we really have to see what Google's Nexus One brought to the world of Android to be able to see what we will be missing if there is no "Google phone" in the future. On January 5, 2010 Google threw a press conference where it called it's new baby the Nexus One a "superphone" and ever since then the i has been in the news having every flaw dissected and blown out of proportion by tech blogs all around the web. Yes, the Nexus One had some big flaws like the multitouch screen, early T-Mobile 3G problems, No multitouch pinch to zoom (now changed), and even the pentile arrangement of pixels on the AMOLED screen, but it also was the first in the smartphone world (unless you count the HD2, but we are talking about Android not WM in this discussion) to have a lot of huge features that now started this Android revolution. It had a powerful Snapdragon 1 Ghz processor (up to this point the biggest we had was the Droid with an Arm Cortex A8 550 mhz processor), 3.7 inch AMOLED screen (WVGA 800x480 pixels) , 512 mb of RAM (most had 256mb RAM), 5mp camera (with LED flash and 720x480 video capture), and one of the lightest (130 grams with battery), sleekest 119mm heidth by 59.8mm depth), and thinnest (11.5mm) phones on the market. The Droid paved the road and the Nexus One showed OEM's what the top of the line Android phone must have to compete in specs. The Nexus One launched with Eclair 2.1 and was the first to bring it to the world. A couple months after launch Google gave pinch to zoom multitouch to the Nexus One and this allowed other phones like the Droid and now most of the Android phones available to get this much desired feature. Perhaps one of the best features of the phone was that it launched with an unlocked bootloader and introduced the world to the adb command "fastboot oem unlock." I know that are beloved developers have been unlocking the full potential of phones since the Windows Mobile days, but Android has brought that even further. Since then the Nexus One has quickly become the dev phone of the Android world. If you don't like a feature simply change it or flash a different ROM. This wonderful world that the great developers in the Android community work so hard to bring to us is really the "killer feature" of the Android OS and this is being threatened by not having anymore "Google phones." Lately we are seeing companies like Motorola and Verizon using eFuse to lock down their phones and keeping people that spend their hard earned money from flashing ROM's. I am sure the whole eFuse thing has been blown out of proportion and I am sure the next Android superstar (or one of the many we already have here on XDA) will unlock the Droid X to it's full potential, but the mere fact that these companies are locking down phones using the FREE Android OS is very disheartening. We don't want the same cat and mouse game that Apple and their iPhone customers have to play to unlock and use their phones and this is one of the many reasons people flock to the open Android OS.
Not only do we risk "locking down" the platform, but by not having any further Nexus phones we will more than likely never see another Vanilla Android phone. Instead we are seeing what the OEMs and wireless providers want us to see and this is evident in the losing of WiFi tethering in the latest build of Android 2.2, or known as Froyo. If a wireless provider doesn't want a feature (like tethering) the OEM's are then pressured into leaving it out to make them happy. This is not a good thing in my opinion as it again puts the power and fate of Android in the wireless providers like Verizon and AT&T where we are quickly losing the openness of Android and the ability to even side load applications. This is exactly why we need a phone like the Nexus One. A phone that will push the boundaries of innovation and keep the wireless companies honest by simple competition. They won't leave an important feature out if the Google phone already has a version of it out and available unlocked. Without Google making a phone we are left with whatever skin the OEMs have minus the features the wireless companies don't want included. If the Nexus One would not of been released we would be stuck with minimal upgrades and even worse what would make the OEMs and providers hurry with the newest release (Froyo in this case and soon to be Gingerbread)? If Google wouldn't of pushed Android 2.2 to the Nexus One then would all the companies like HTC, Samsung, and Motorola even be racing to get Froyo out? In my opinion the Nexus One is the only reason that these companies are trying to get 2.2 out in a timely basis. I mean I may be wrong as I am not a developer, but what would really make the OEMs and providers want to hurry with their releases if they didn't have the competition? I think it would be the opposite and these companies would make us buy their newest and top of the line Android phone just to get the newest and best Android release. This has been proven in the past and if it wasn't for the iPhone and Google's Android the smartphone world would be a very different place filled with Bada OSs, Windows Mobile phones, no app stores, and worse of all mediocre upgrades. This is the real reason we need Google to release a phone so they can take the fate of Android (and the power, in my opinion) away from greedy wireless companies and OEM's that only look to sell us a phone multiple times a year.
I have really given a lot of thought to this because ever since I purchased my Nexus One back in March (without AT&Ts permission, I should add) I had planned on buying a "Google phone" every year. I was aware that Google would work closely with different OEMs and we would get a great dev phone every year with the latest and greatest Vanilla Android, free from the clutches of wireless contracts, and most of all "OPEN." This was a great idea and I can see why Google's idea of selling a phone didn't catch on here in the states, but they accomplished a lot more than selling millions of devices like Apple does. They accomplished (along with the Droid, which I might add Google had a big hand in creating and bringing to life, and also was free of a locked bootloader) bringing Android to the masses and making the statement to companies that a top of the line Android phone needs to have these specs to compete in the Android world.
I just went out and bought me a Samsung Captivate and to be honest the first thing I thought I would get rid of was TouchWiz, but it has kind of grown on me. I think HTC Sense is nice as well, but I will always be a Vanilla Android fan and there is something about the Nexus One that always brings me back. This will be a phone that I will not ever get rid of and is still the best phone I have ever owned. I am sure many others feel the same way and the Nexus One will continue to be a niche kind of product, but I think I have made the argument that Google needs a phone to further Android and keep the fate of it's Android in it's hands. This could get out of control quick and it could turn bad. We are just nearing the top and Android is here to stay and will be the OS that everyone else attempts to mimic. Come on Google I know I am not the only one that feels this way and this is why I started this thread to get the feel of others in the Android community as I am sure there are others that are worried as well. The open Android that we know and love today is in jeopardy if Google doesn't maintain a little control over their Android OS. The OEM's and wireless companies are going to ruin the openness of Android if they don't have a constant pressure keeping them honest. One of the main reasons that Android has grown so rapidly is that a company like Google has created it to be free, open, and common to many phones so we don't have to worry about dozens of companies with mediocre platforms. Weigh in and let me know how you feel and maybe just maybe we can get someones attention. Feel free to copy this on other forums as I feel we need to save the idea of an open Android. One without the boundaries of no side loading of apps, eFuses, locked bootloaders, and most of all innovation and the advancement of the Android platform.
Google's own line of phones phone has zero influence on the android os.
JCopernicus said:
Google's own line of phones phone has zero influence on the android os.
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Yes, you are right, but without a Google phone what will Android be like? We won't see another Vanilla Android phone that is for sure.
Not being able to see into the future makes this a hard statement to take as fact.
There were vanilla phones before nexus one and there will continue to be more
Sent from my Nexus One using XDA App
If you want a true vanilla android phone grabe one of HTC's china phones, not even google apps are on it. =D
I agree with the basic premise that the Nexus One did provide leverage to potentially (and I think that is a key qualifier) keep the competition honest, but it isn't clear that it would do so without significantly more marketing. And, to market the Nexus One more could have annoyed some of the vendors that Google wants to keep happy - lots of happy vendors means lots of seats for Android means lots of seats off of which Google makes a lot of money. In particular, if every Android phone is locked, then Google still makes a mint, though they stand to make more of a mint if the platform is more widely adopted. And, an open phone does have an impact on platform adoption, but I don't think it is that critical since the public is used to buying fixed feature-set phones and upgrading for new features so this isn't an issue of taking away something that they demand as it is failing to give them something that they would come to know and love (as we already do).
But, I also want to counter some of the supporting arguments you present.
First, the current wave of smartphones was headed here one way or another. Google didn't create the wave, they simply reacted and targeted Android at the capabilities that were coming down the pike. To do that most effectively they needed a new developer phone and the Nexus One was going to be released in January one way or another as the ADP3 until they had this idea to sell direct. It was simply them needing to get out a testbed for the new Android capabilities that were targeted at the new baseline smartphone hardware and they chose to do it in an experimental new way this time. If they hadn't released the Nexus One direct to consumers then you would have seen the same phones come out and you would have seen the same OS releases, you just wouldn't have had a large installed base of end users previewing it on a non-developer handset.
Second, I think the main factor spurring the vendors to get 2.2 out quickly is that it offers so much, not that they have to keep up with the Nexus One. It is, in my opinion, the biggest release so far (and I've been with Android since 1.0) primarily because of the JIT. Also, all the manufacturers came out with what would become the new standard amount of RAM (512MB) and the existing release available for them to ship on did not support it, so they need to get on 2.2 in order to simply unlock the hardware they originally designed. In some sense, these phones were really designed for 2.2 - 2.1 was simply a stepping stone to get them shipped on their hardware schedule until 2.2 was ready on its software schedule. So, there are really 2 factors that would encourage them to get 2.2 out on their 2010-class phones that have nothing to do with the Nexus One being here.
As far as vanilla phones... The G1 was vanilla. The original Droid was vanilla (is it still vanilla with the latest releases?). The Nexus One was vanilla. But, where there any others? I love my vanilla phones (first G1 then N1), but I don't mind value added by the vendors, I just wish they would make it easier to customize things away and that they would learn to design their add-ons so that they can be easily dropped on to a new Android release with little fuss...
Short answer: No. It does not.
Simply put, there will always be a phone that will have Vanilla Android. If for nothing more than using that as a sale point. Especially with Andy 3.0 in the horizon which focus is on the UI. No worries.
Of course it doesn't.
Simple answer, no. There have always been vanilla Android phones, the developer phones at least, and there will always be developer phones. In fact, the Nexus is still for sale now as the latest developer phone.
Eventually there will be another vanilla Android phone that Google is behind, unless they get their own hardware built by someone and don't sell it publicly... but that wouldn't make much sense, just like it wouldn't make any sense for them to not ever have another phone.
Soon enough, the 2ghz and dual-core phones will be out, and eventually mobile devices will catch up to computers in terms of power. They're gonna have to.
I'm sure they will come out with a different dev phone in the future.
I agree with the op, up to a point. While it may be true that there'll always be a phone Google gets behind -a 'dev' phone, if you will- I think it still limits choice for people who want the vanilla experience. Is it really ok to just have one phone that's vanilla?
To the op: "If the Nexus One would not of been released...."
I think you mean "had not been released..."
and: "If Google wouldn't of pushed Android 2.2 to the Nexus One then...."
It's "If Google hadn't pushed Android..."
Sorry for the pedantry. Bad grammar just spoilt a good, well-thought out post.
Consumer are what they are a android is one of the greatest os I have experience.all those problems was soft ware issue and minor only something a child would complain about.i have a nexus almost went with a nokia n900 glad I didn't .proud of google.
Sent from my Nexus One using XDA App
Need help to get a petition signed. Basically Huawei are not providing any Android updates or patches regarding them for UK unlocked phones. (This issue may be wider than expected but I can only comment on my experience with UK unlocked models)
Here in the UK unlocked P9 devices are still on Android 6 and haven't been patched since Sep 2016.
We are missing updates for both official monthly security updates and operating system updates (Nougat at the very least)
This makes phones vulnerable to security threats which in turn puts users data at risk (especially important when using banking / finance / MFA / 2FA apps
Huawei support have absolutely no idea if / when any updates would be made available but they 'think' they are being rolled out very slowly
Their advice so far hasn't helped (clear app cache, use HiSuite, USB etc) as I believe the updates are just not available
For a flagship phone (which was their first to reach 10 million sales and now well over 12 million) this is completely unacceptable.
The phone is around 1.5 years old and has a high enough specification to take updates and operating system upgrades.
Huawei are not only putting critical user data at risk (in not patching) but also are quietly obsoleting these phones by not providing timely system upgrades.
Please sign the form to get some pressure put on Huawei
https://www.change.org/p/mobile-uk-mail01-huawei-com-huawei-p9-android-security-and-upgrades-for-unlocked-phones?recruiter=819290437&utm_source=share_petition&utm_medium=copylink&utm_campaign=share_petition
gsc2000z said:
Need help to get a petition signed. Basically Huawei are not providing any Android updates or patches regarding them for UK unlocked phones. (This issue may be wider than expected but I can only comment on my experience with UK unlocked models)
Here in the UK unlocked P9 devices are still on Android 6 and haven't been patched since Sep 2016.
We are missing updates for both official monthly security updates and operating system updates (Nougat at the very least)
This makes phones vulnerable to security threats which in turn puts users data at risk (especially important when using banking / finance / MFA / 2FA apps
Huawei support have absolutely no idea if / when any updates would be made available but they 'think' they are being rolled out very slowly
Their advice so far hasn't helped (clear app cache, use HiSuite, USB etc) as I believe the updates are just not available
For a flagship phone (which was their first to reach 10 million sales and now well over 12 million) this is completely unacceptable.
The phone is around 1.5 years old and has a high enough specification to take updates and operating system upgrades.
Huawei are not only putting critical user data at risk (in not patching) but also are quietly obsoleting these phones by not providing timely system upgrades.
Please sign the form to get some pressure put on Huawei
https://www.change.org/p/mobile-uk-...m_medium=copylink&utm_campaign=share_petition
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Why not follow the various guides on here and update manually - far quicker than trying to get Huawei to do anything via a petition.
retsilred said:
Why not follow the various guides on here and update manually - far quicker than trying to get Huawei to do anything via a petition.
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Understand that is an option, I use my phone for business use and don't fancy the risk. If enough people do sign it I believe it will name/shame Huawei into taking some action. I'm not expecting miracles. Just want to start somewhere than accept the current position as acceptable.
gsc2000z said:
Understand that is an option, I use my phone for business use and don't fancy the risk. If enough people do sign it I believe it will name/shame Huawei into taking some action. I'm not expecting miracles. Just want to start somewhere than accept the current position as acceptable.
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The critical mass required to force Huawei to act would far exceed the exposure this forum could give.
Having de-branded from Vodafone UK and updated to the latest firmware in less than two hours, I'd say the risk is minimal in terms of downtime.
retsilred said:
The critical mass required to force Huawei to act would far exceed the exposure this forum could give.
Having de-branded from Vodafone UK and updated to the latest firmware in less than two hours, I'd say the risk is minimal in terms of downtime.
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Have posted the petition onto quite a few forums and will continue doing so on others.
If it doesn't work at at least I know I've tried. Will re-visit those firmware updates.
This will have no effect whatsoever.
I was a bit apprehensive about manually updating my phone too but if you follow the instructions you really can't do any damage. I'm now on the latest software version with what was previously an EE branded phone.
If you are already unbranded (i.e. software version number includes C432) then you are laughing as it's even easier.
Guess they at least give something but not what we want
Updates
leo72793 said:
Guess they at least give something but not what we want
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I wouldn't expect anything more than that from Huawei and considering their history with updates we "might" get Pie sometime in the next year or so (or maybe about the time Google has released Android "R")..... Don't hold your breath waiting ??
Unless you own an iPhone, Google Pixel, Essential, or perhaps the Oppo OnePlus phone, getting updates for now is pretty much non existent. Going forward, if manufacturers subscribe to the clause in the project Treble idea, ANY phone that from the start, RELEASES with Oreo or higher, will get faster updates directly from Google, leaving the bloat/UI to the manufacturers.
Wrong
p51d007 said:
Unless you own an iPhone, Google Pixel, Essential, or perhaps the Oppo OnePlus phone, getting updates for now is pretty much non existent. Going forward, if manufacturers subscribe to the clause in the project Treble idea, ANY phone that from the start, RELEASES with Oreo or higher, will get faster updates directly from Google, leaving the bloat/UI to the manufacturers.
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Your whole premise that it's only those four phones getting updates is inherently flawed. First off the iPhone should not even be is the equation as it is a closed source system that only gets periodic updates as Apple sees fit. The essential phone is outdated and shouldn't be considered either. The only phone in your list that gets all updates is the Pixel. While there are a lot of phones now that have shipped with Oreo and treble NO phones with the exception of Pixel gets updates from Google. While a generic system images using treble will boot and for the most part function on most devices, because of differences between devices some things (cameras for example) don't work properly. Google "could" probably push security updates however even that would be a logistical nightmare
Bought this on Android 11 in Early 2021.
Currently on Android 12.
What version of Android will we be going up to?
Where does Samsung post the future/intended updates schedule?
Is it going to be Android 14 as the last version?
Android 12 - Late 2021
Android 13 - Late 2022
Android 14 - Late 2023 --> Last update?
Samsung promised 3 major Android updates and 4 years of security updates. Usually, as time passes and device becomes older, it slips down in priority for os updates. So while we got the A12 update (half cooked or not) at the top of Samsung's list, older phones eligible for the same are going to recieve it a little later, depending on how old they are. So A13 may come in early 2023 instead of Dec 2022 (when the S22U starts getting it) and A14 may come a little later in 2024. By that time the S23U will be in front of the line for A14.
I must admit that Samsung has really stepped up its game when it comes to pushing updates (I'm talking quantity here, quality is another matter) to its devices, both new and old. And they may actually improve the update situation for older devices if things go really well. Only time will tell.
But im fairly sure we'll get timely security updates till the end of 2024.
enigmaamit said:
Samsung promised 3 major Android updates and 4 years of security updates. Usually, as time passes and device becomes older, it slips down in priority for os updates. So while we got the A12 update (half cooked or not) at the top of Samsung's list, older phones eligible for the same are going to recieve it a little later, depending on how old they are. So A13 may come in early 2023 instead of Dec 2022 (when the S22U starts getting it) and A14 may come a little later in 2024. By that time the S23U will be in front of the line for A14.
I must admit that Samsung has really stepped up its game when it comes to pushing updates (I'm talking quantity here, quality is another matter) to its devices, both new and old. And they may actually improve the update situation for older devices if things go really well. Only time will tell.
But im fairly sure we'll get timely security updates till the end of 2024.
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Meanwhile, the iPhone 6S and 6S Plus arrived in September 2015 running iOS 9.
It is currently on iOS 15.3!
That's 7 years!
IMO, this phone deserves to go up to Android 15! But, alas, 'tis only scheduled for going up to 14!
nixnixnixnix4 said:
Meanwhile, the iPhone 6S and 6S Plus arrived in September 2015 running iOS 9.
It is currently on iOS 15.3!
That's 7 years!
IMO, this phone deserves to go up to Android 15! But, alas, 'tis only scheduled for going up to 14!
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I tend to agree that this would be very nice.
My feeling is that this is due to the pretty closed Apple ecosystem. They have everything in their own hand (hardware and software), thus its much easier for them to maintain compatability between both for longer time.
For Android the OS is evolving separately and is then spread out to all the hardware platforms out there - this is much more prone to create incompatabilities over time. Thus the shorter period of maintenance here.....
s3axel said:
I tend to agree that this would be very nice.
My feeling is that this is due to the pretty closed Apple ecosystem. They have everything in their own hand (hardware and software), thus its much easier for them to maintain compatability between both for longer time.
For Android the OS is evolving separately and is then spread out to all the hardware platforms out there - this is much more prone to create incompatabilities over time. Thus the shorter period of maintenance here.....
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They better lower their prices significantly then AND give 5 years of updates.
At this rate. the iPhone 10 will be supported beyond 2027, despite being released in 2017.
nixnixnixnix4 said:
They better lower their prices significantly then AND give 5 years of updates.
At this rate. the iPhone 10 will be supported beyond 2027, despite being released in 2017.
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True enough !
I think in the end this topic may be one of the key differentiators between Android and IOS and, depending on preferences, may trigger a buying decision. This may also in the end push Android phone makers to move towards longer maintenance cycles..... On top of that I personally think its heavily advisable from an ecological standpoint !
nixnixnixnix4 said:
They better lower their prices significantly then AND give 5 years of updates.
At this rate. the iPhone 10 will be supported beyond 2027, despite being released in 2017.
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With all the talk of increasing phone prices and plateauing phone performance, iPhones seem to have a lower cost of ownership per year if you look at the duration for which they are officially supported, despite the high initial cost. 'Technically' the only thing that degrades over time is the battery, which can be replaced fairly easily - even multiple times. But reality is sometimes different. I had an iPhone 6S until a year ago. New battery, 100% health. But it wasn't as good as it was on older iOS versions. Every update added a few features but somehow killed it a little bit. Just enough to keep it functional, but a little more limpy than before.
Getting new updates for years is amazing, but whether the OS updates add to the phone ownership experience or subtract from it is the thing to see here. If new OS updates slow down the phone or degrade battery life, isn't it better to stay on the OS version that is best optimised for that particular device during its peak years? And just get security patches, without messing around with OS version?
Updates nowadays seem to be a coin toss for most major version upgrades, both on iOS as well as Android. And usually the older phones suffer most. Sometimes a new major OS update almost cripples a phone. My OnePlus 6 worked so well on A10, till A11 borked it! Fortunately i was able to revert back. Apple doesn't even allow downgrading the OS after a short period (signing). Same with Android rollback prevention. Sometimes you're stuck with a bad 'upgrade' with no way to end the nightmare, except get a new device.
However, all said and done, apple neuters it's phones a lot less when compared to most Android manufacturers.
I've become very wary of updating software on anything nowadays unless there's an issue I need fixed or a new feature that I'm willing to risk anything for.
enigmaamit said:
Samsung promised 3 major Android updates and 4 years of security updates. Usually, as time passes and device becomes older, it slips down in priority for os updates. So while we got the A12 update (half cooked or not) at the top of Samsung's list, older phones eligible for the same are going to recieve it a little later, depending on how old they are. So A13 may come in early 2023 instead of Dec 2022 (when the S22U starts getting it) and A14 may come a little later in 2024. By that time the S23U will be in front of the line for A14.
I must admit that Samsung has really stepped up its game when it comes to pushing updates (I'm talking quantity here, quality is another matter) to its devices, both new and old. And they may actually improve the update situation for older devices if things go really well. Only time will tell.
But im fairly sure we'll get timely security updates till the end of 2024.
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You are in a dream. Woke up. Most of us we stop updating our phones after first update. I learn my lesson, after every samsung update something is broken or feature taken away. When you buy a new phone, you have to rooted and fix yourself what you need, otherwise you are stuck in a loop hole with updates, fixes, waiting till next month for fix . I never update my s20 ultra and working smoothly and better than s21 ultra with stupid android 12 and other updates
mihaiccccv said:
...Most of us we stop updating our phones after first update....
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I'm not sure that's entirely accurate. What you describe isn't what 'most' people follow. It's just a minority of tech enthusiasts who can figure out how to block updates. Everyone else just follows the system prompt.
enigmaamit said:
I'm not sure that's entirely accurate. What you describe isn't what 'most' people follow. It's just a minority of tech enthusiasts who can figure out how to block updates. Everyone else just follows the system prompt.
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I know that is a minority, and I think most of the people who access XDA know what they doing or looking to learn. With all the information available here, you cannot stay androind sheep and dance how tech companies wants. I just love how android world it's define by developers " we are willing to share "
OK. So, apparently, Samsung is promising 4 OS generation updates with 5 years of security updates.
So, the S21 series will be going to Android 15.
I'll replace this phone in early 2025 then.
Hello
A bit of a beginner question.
I am looking for an option to avoid personal data leaks to corporations (paranoid version ). It makes me uncomfortable that every single word I say or text I write is being sent to the servers, being analysed by the online algorithms, etc. I believe that a phone is a personal device, and this is not acceptable.
Which is why I am looking for a phone that would allow to clean up the bloatware and telemetry modules, by either removing them from the stock firmware, setting up restrictive firewall rules, or by installing something like LineageOS or similar.
My question is whether it is reasonable to get the new Pixel 7 (in my area it costs around $600) or would you recommend looking into other models, some chinese models, for a similar price?
I am considering Pixel, as it is known to be one of the best phones in its price range (but as I understand mostly because of the software part, which I would like to meddle with).
Thanks for your opinions!
Yes, the pixel is a great phone. Paranoid Android (privacy ROM) supports it. The pixel is very easy to work with.
thetraveller1 said:
Hello
A bit of a beginner question.
I am looking for an option to avoid personal data leaks to corporations (paranoid version ). It makes me uncomfortable that every single word I say or text I write is being sent to the servers, being analysed by the online algorithms, etc. I believe that a phone is a personal device, and this is not acceptable.
Which is why I am looking for a phone that would allow to clean up the bloatware and telemetry modules, by either removing them from the stock firmware, setting up restrictive firewall rules, or by installing something like LineageOS or similar.
My question is whether it is reasonable to get the new Pixel 7 (in my area it costs around $600) or would you recommend looking into other models, some chinese models, for a similar price?
I am considering Pixel, as it is known to be one of the best phones in its price range (but as I understand mostly because of the software part, which I would like to meddle with).
Thanks for your opinions!
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Click to collapse
The Pixel is, at it's core, developed by Google (which is primarily an advertising company, which is why they have so many great "free" apps, which you pay for with your data), as is Android itself. When you buy a new Android phone, it will come preloaded with multiple proprietary Google apps, which you can not easily uninstall. If you really want a privacy oriented phone, the Pixel with a custom ROM might work. Personally, I use Lineage OS, also for the extra privacy, as it is open-source. Lineage OS does not have any Google apps installed by default, although you can install them if you wish. If you look at Lineage OS's website and click on "GET LINEAGEOS" you can see devices that are supported. Since creating a custom ROM takes time, most of the supported devices are over three years old (yes, the Pixel 7 is not officialy supported). However, certain newer devices are supported, as is my Samsung Galaxy A52 4G (2021), which I run Lineage OS on. You could get the Pixel 7 and run this unofficial build of Lineage OS on it, but if your only getting it because the camera software is good, don't, because your going to remove that software and replace it. Another thing to keep in mind is sometimes the camera support isn't really great with custom ROMs, so do you research to make sure the phone you get has good camera support with whatever ROM you choose. Lineage OS did just develop a much better camera app for it's 20th release, though. Hope this helps, and if you have any questions let me know!
Hi, =)
if privacy is a concern for you, using a Google Pixel device may not be the best option as Google is known to collect user data for targeted advertising and other purposes. You may want to consider other options that prioritize privacy such as phones running on the Android-based LineageOS, or the privacy-focused /e/OS, or a device from a vendor known to prioritize privacy, such as Fairphone or Purism. You may also want to consider alternative operating systems such as iOS or Ubuntu Touch. Ultimately, the best option for you will depend on your specific needs and preferences, so consider your budget and requirements before making a decision.
If you want a device that protects your privacy out of the box with no modification, the Pixel series is not for you. In fact I'm not aware of any OEM Android device that is privacy oriented - Google services by nature depend largely on telemetry and user data for targeted advertising.
That being said, if you want a platform that can easily support a privacy oriented OS, the Pixel is honestly one of the best choices, due to the ease of which you can unlock the bootloader and flash a new OS such as LineageOS, CalyxOS, or others. This means you'll need to familiarize yourself with the concepts of ADB, flashing, bootloaders, etc.
ChristianMorris said:
Hi, =)
if privacy is a concern for you, using a Google Pixel device may not be the best option as Google is known to collect user data for targeted advertising and other purposes. You may want to consider other options that prioritize privacy such as phones running on the Android-based LineageOS, or the privacy-focused /e/OS, or a device from a vendor known to prioritize privacy, such as Fairphone or Purism. You may also want to consider alternative operating systems such as iOS or Ubuntu Touch. Ultimately, the best option for you will depend on your specific needs and preferences, so consider your budget and requirements before making a decision.
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I happen to have the Librem 5 phone, developed by Purism. Frankly, although it is extremely security and privacy oriented, it currently has many downfalls: high price (starts at $1,999), not many apps (Linux smartphones are pretty new), and the battery lasts less than 24 hours on a full charge (due to not having a good suspend mode, I assume)
V0latyle said:
If you want a device that protects your privacy out of the box with no modification, the Pixel series is not for you. In fact I'm not aware of any OEM Android device that is privacy oriented - Google services by nature depend largely on telemetry and user data for targeted advertising.
That being said, if you want a platform that can easily support a privacy oriented OS, the Pixel is honestly one of the best choices, due to the ease of which you can unlock the bootloader and flash a new OS such as LineageOS, CalyxOS, or others. This means you'll need to familiarize yourself with the concepts of ADB, flashing, bootloaders, etc.
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Lmao remember “freedom phone” what a joke.
I wonder if even a rooted android phone will not give away all kinds of info. Some roms I presume will mitigate that somewhat, but I feel you are tracked everywhere you go in this world. How about a decent burner or 3? Use it for a week or so then destroy it. And then buy a pixel 7 for the features when you don't care who's looking. And don't forget your paid (forget free) VPN.
@thetraveller1 flash Graphene, relock the bootloader, and you'll basically have state of the art privacy and security on your Pixel 7.
GrapheneOS: the private and secure mobile OS
GrapheneOS is a security and privacy focused mobile OS with Android app compatibility.
grapheneos.org
Thanks everybody for the replies!
As I understand, Pixel remains the most widely supported device by various Custom ROMs, and getting a Chinese smartphone or Samsung would mean I would be limiting the choice of the available/pre-built ROMs as well as future support with security patches?
ethical_haquer said:
You could get the Pixel 7 and run this unofficial build of Lineage OS on it, but if your only getting it because the camera software is good, don't, because your going to remove that software and replace it
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I understand that unofficial means it wasn't built by the LineageOS team, rather by a 3rd party. And it probably means that some functionality may be missing/not working and it's not promised to be getting regular updates as new versions of Android come out (including applying official google security updates) unless I learn to make firmware builds myself?
thetraveller1 said:
Thanks everybody for the replies!
As I understand, Pixel remains the most widely supported device by various Custom ROMs, and getting a Chinese smartphone or Samsung would mean I would be limiting the choice of the available/pre-built ROMs as well as future support with security patches?
I understand that unofficial means it wasn't built by the LineageOS team, rather by a 3rd party. And it probably means that some functionality may be missing/not working and it's not promised to be getting regular updates as new versions of Android come out (including applying official google security updates) unless I learn to make firmware builds myself?
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One of the reasons people use custom ROMs is because they often support devices longer then the stock ROM. For example, a device that was only supported by the manufacture till Android 11 could be running a custom ROM on Android 13. Lineage OS official builds get weekly updates; unofficial builds typically still get updates, but not as often. In either case, it is up to the individual that developed the build to provide support, and the more popular a build is, the more likely it is that it will be supported for many years. To answer your questions: no, getting a non-google phone will not necessarily limit custom ROM options, or updates; and getting an unofficial build doesn't mean it wont get updates, but installing updates on unofficial builds requires flashing the new builds manually, which can be a hassle.
thetraveller1 said:
Thanks everybody for the replies!
As I understand, Pixel remains the most widely supported device by various Custom ROMs, and getting a Chinese smartphone or Samsung would mean I would be limiting the choice of the available/pre-built ROMs as well as future support with security patches?
I understand that unofficial means it wasn't built by the LineageOS team, rather by a 3rd party. And it probably means that some functionality may be missing/not working and it's not promised to be getting regular updates as new versions of Android come out (including applying official google security updates) unless I learn to make firmware builds myself?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Take a look at Shizuku and the apps that use it like FreezeYou!. MySudo and Insular are another couple to check. You may find a solution without having to switch ROMs.