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Google threatened tech influencers unless they ‘preferred’ the Pixel
(www.theverge.com)
This is a most excellent place for technology news and articles.
The only reason I am buying Pixel devices is the amazing third party os / rom support (especially GrapheneOS).
Same. I don't care about the camera or AI features, the speakers could be louder, and a few other nitpicks, but it supports GrapheneOS, has a long SW support cycle, and has some great security hardware, so I bought one. I actually kind of prefer my older, crappy Moto phone in some ways, but I'm unwilling to use an insecure device, and ROMs aren't supported (well, I guess I could sign an abusive agreement).
So yeah, Pixel wins for me because of GOS and longer SW support. That's honestly it.
You could try the fairphone
I could, but I'm in the US, and only the Fairphone 4 seems to be available, and that has limited updates left. I'm also not sold on /e/OS, but it's probably fine.
~~Fairphone can run GOS just fine btw.~~ eOS is just also "approved" by fairphone themselves
EDIT: no they don't, I was wrong
Really? It's certainly not supported by GOS, and it seems to be because FairPhone is late on shipping security patches. It would be awesome if they did get support though.
I'm in the US. I bought the fairphone 5 and it works fine with Mint Mobile, T-Mobile mvno. I got it to replace my LG V20. Both have replaceable batteries.
Could give the fairphone a try
Too expensive for the hardware provided in my opinion.
You definitely pay a premium for repairability and ethics, but IMO it's worth it. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
For many, but I already know how to fix my phones and have all the equipment to do it. Plus, re0airabilith is slowly starting to leech back into the market by means of being forced into it by the government.
Personally, I just want my damned microsd card slots back. I've been a samsung note fan for ages because I like the s pen. I'm currently using the last one made with a card slot. The n 20 ultra.
HTC just came back from the android grave and released a nice mid tier phone with a headphone jack and an SD card slot for just $600, but im not ready to give up my s-pen yet. My phone will still be plenty good for the next couple of years, and I'm hoping a company like HTC makes a successful comeback with card slots. I'm more willing to give up my s pen than give up my storage slot.
The fp5 has a SD-Slot btw.
But yeah, I'm also hoping for more repairability in phones, however if you want to buy a new one in the next 2 years I seriously doubt that major manufacturers will have DIY repairable phones by then.
For me, phones have never not been diy repair outside of the ones with parts pairing, on the paired parts. But I know I'm very much the exception to the rule. I have a lot of equipment and experience doing it.
As to the fairphone 5....it's not really a US phone. You'd have to import it and have no warranty with it. Not a good deal for how much they are and what they're specd at.
FYI, as of January 1st 2025 both Oregon and Colorado have banned paired parts in smartphones from being sold there. So that shit practice should be going away. The EU has been doing the same.
True, if I had the money to spare I'd definitely consider it.