Privacy

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What phone should I buy for privacy? (sh.itjust.works)

submitted 2 days ago* (last edited 1 day ago) by someacnt@sh.itjust.works to c/privacy@lemmy.ml

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My current phone is 7 years old, does not support recent android versions, and battery life is becoming atrocious. This feels like right time to change my phone.

Currently, I know of & am considering 3 options:

Google Pixel
iPhone
Samsung Galaxy

I heard that Pixel is the best choice for privacy, despite it being Google^TM. Should I go with it, and install Graphene OS or similar options? The very fact that the name "Google" is attached makes me nervous. Also, I don't think I can trust android, so I would have to install Graphene OS or the like. In the case, app support would be lacking, though.

I am considering iPhone as well, since it has "reputation" of being secure. Of course, Apple can access my data, but that might be a good enough compromise? Honestly, I don't know. It's the best supported option as well - lots of apps support iPhone.

Galaxy is just the one that I am the most familiar with (my current one is Galaxy S8). I don't trust it, though. Do they even make good hardware nowadays?

EDIT: Turns out, Pixel phones are poorly supported by local telecomm companies. It is relatively cheap though. Still worth it?

EDIT2: I heard that data & message is fine, but the call quality is impacted by lack of VoLTE compatibility.

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[–] someacnt@sh.itjust.works 12 points 1 day ago* (last edited 1 day ago) (3 children)

Oh my, that sounds difficult. What does "permanently locked bootloader" mean? I was just going to buy at local phone shop..

EDIT: Turns out, local phone shop does not sell Google Pixel. Gotta buy from official google store..

[–] N0t_5ure@lemmy.world 15 points 1 day ago

Actually, if you buy a Pixel, you need to get the "google edition" version, which google sells directly. If you're buying used, specifically search for the "google edition" version. I have a Pixel 6 Pro running Graphine OS and I love it. It's not difficult to install.

[–] catloaf@lemm.ee 6 points 1 day ago (1 children)

I usually just buy them used.

[–] floofloof@lemmy.ca 7 points 1 day ago (1 children)

You have to look for the unlocked version though. They usually sell for a little bit more but it's worth paying the extra.

[–] Dequei@sopuli.xyz 1 points 1 day ago (1 children)

Where can the seller check if it is the unlocked one?

[–] throwawayacc0430@sh.itjust.works 1 points 1 day ago

Setting --> About Phone --> Software information --> Tap Build Number 7 times, type pin if prompted. --> Back to Main Settings menu --> Developer Options --> Look for a "Allow Bootloader to be Unlocked" or similar wording. If you can check the box, it should be bootloader unlockable. (I've never tried it myself, I just dig around settings a lot through curiosity)

[–] YarrMatey@lemmy.dbzer0.com 5 points 1 day ago

"Permanently locked bootloader" means you can't unlock the bootloader so you can flash a different OS. If you can't unlock the bootloader, you can't flash. A lot of phones are like this, like Samsung's galaxy series. I got really fucked by Samsung with the S10 because of this. You need to buy a specific type of phone and security patch if you want to flash. I went with the Pixel bought unlocked from Google so I could use GrapheneOS. It was very easy to unlock the bootloader and then relock it back. I noticed you said the pixel does not have good reception in your country, I would look more into this before going with it if this is the case.