Not the OnePlus 9. Touch sensitivity is crap. Fingerprint sensor is crap. I got it for community support, but am disappointed in the hardware.
Can't beat the Pixel in that regard. Google doesn't give two hoots what you do with your phone once you buy it. You can flash custom ROMs, unlock AND relock bootloader,... you name it. Pixels are really fantastic for that reason.
Pixel
Agree - I jumped from a OnePlus 5T to a Pixel 5a 2 years ago and have no regrets. It really depends on what you're modding for, but I found that on Pixel not having (as much) bloatware, getting the latest Android updates, having real Google Camera support instead of chasing the best mod, and using Wavelet instead of Viper4Android took care of most of my rooting needs. Instead, with the unlockable bootloader I've been able to explore custom OSes like GrapheneOS which has been really great!
The last Pixel I bought was the Pixel 2 XL, which showed me Google has devolved into manufacturing very poor hardware. I returned/replaced my phone FOUR times through Google directly due to the speaker always getting a nasty rattle every single time. I'm the end, I just kept the last one, which still rattled like the others.
Currently, I'm on a Galaxy 12 ultra, and the hardware is incredible (this has always been samsung's strong suit.) This said, there are minor software issues that make me miss the Pixel experience. Nothing like how it used to be, though, and overall I'd heavily recommend these phones to people. Their cameras have always been the best, and that's coming from a long-term professional photographer.
I know this isn't open source, but you can root these easily, or install a ROM and get the most freedom possible!
with pixel phones you can degoogle using grapheneOS, calyxOS or lineageOS also their bootloader is lockable after you are done with it
ironically best phones to degoogle are google phones
The Xiaomi Poco F5 Pro, its bootloader can be unlocked and it's fairly powerful. I am sure a good rooting and modding community will come out of it.
However, the unlocking process can take a couple weeks which is not great, also MIUI by default sucks.
The Pixel line is always pretty good for custom roms and stuff
I'm in the same boat, looking to upgrade from my Oneplus 8 Pro and not interested in the new oneplus phones because there's no wireless charging. Bizarre.
Currently looking like the Pixel 7 Pro is my best bet I think.
I have a Pixel 7a and I love it. Hardware is pretty decent and you get guaranteed security updates until 2028, and since it's the platform on which Google's devs first test stock Android you can be pretty confident that you could also install something like LineageOS when official Android support runs out.
I'm on a Pixel 6 Pro, and love it. I've found the battery life more than enough for my needs (getting a day to a day and a half per charge), and while the finger print sensor isn't all that great, everything else more than makes up for it.
If everything I've heard about the P7 being the more refined P6, that would be my choice if I had to replace my phone today. Hoping that the rumours of google going to flat displays for the 8 Pro are true.
I'm trying out the Pixel 7a after my Galaxy S21 died. My only major complaint is how slippery it is. I have a case coming, but damn this thing is like the hardest phone to hold I've ever had. I never feel like I have a grip on it. But for the money, it seems like a super nice phone. Feels very premium, and after turning animation scale to .5x in dev settings, it feels very nice.
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