Welcome! I’ve been on it for a month or so and I’m still so thrilled
Comment on Custom ROMs have had just about enough of being Android's second-class citizens
lupec@lemm.ee 3 months ago
Wow, I legit just ordered a used pixel yesterday to give graphene a try lol. Uncanny timing!
Anyhow, that’s great news! I can really see the EU sinking its teeth into this if nothing else.
Wildly_Utilize@infosec.pub 3 months ago
newproph@sh.itjust.works 3 months ago
I’ve been using graphene for years at this point and it’s the best operating system I’ve ever had on a phone. Before this my favorite phone was a jail broken iPhone 5c. I even got a pixel tablet to take notes on for college recently and put graphene on it as well.
Only thing Google has right atm is leaving the bootloader on their phones unlocked.
queasy@lemmy.world 3 months ago
I plan on doing the same thing, any tips on finding cheap recent-ish Pixels?
Andromxda@lemmy.dbzer0.com 3 months ago
The Pixel 6a is really cheap on the used market, and it still gets updates for at least 3 years.
The 7a isn’t that expensive either. I recommend staying away from Fairphones, Murena or /e/OS as these are highly insecure, and the companies behind them have repeatedly proven that they don’t give even the slightest fuck about the security of their users. They don’t publish important Android security patches on time, and Fairphone even managed to fully break Android Verified Boot, by signing their ROM with the publicly available (!!!) AOSP test signing keys. It should have been impossible to pass verification, but the vendor conducting the verification seems to be just as incompetent.
A used Pixel with GrapheneOS is your best option, while still being affordable.
Burn_The_Right@lemmy.world 3 months ago
A brand new Murena Fairphone 4 (North America) is about $600 brand new, IIRC. I’ve been on one for the last 6 months and it’s excellent.
TheLastOfHisName@lemmy.world 3 months ago
I’m planning on flashing my One Plus 9 Pro with Murena’s ROM. I’m working on getting de-googlefied.
Andromxda@lemmy.dbzer0.com 3 months ago
Stay away from both Fairphone and /e/OS/Murena. Fairphone fails hardware security in the most miserable way, and fundamentally breaks Android Verified Boot, while /e/OS is based on the highly insecure LineageOS, and it further rolls back security, while also repeatedly missing important security patches.
Also, 600 dollars is absolutely not cheap for a smartphone, and it’s especially not with it considering that both the hardware and software are highly insecure.
A Pixel can be purchased for much less, while being superior in every way.
lupec@lemm.ee 3 months ago
I’m in an unsupported region so I’m afraid I can’t help much :(
In my case I just looked around a local eBay-like site and went with a reputable enough seller, fairly standards stuff.
EngineerGaming@feddit.nl 3 months ago
Where I am, Pixels are not sold officially either. I got a 7a for around $300. I picked a store with a physical office and made an order not through the site, but through said office. And at least could inspect the phone before buying.
newproph@sh.itjust.works 3 months ago
I would recommend buying a used phone from the most recent generation. I had my pixel 5 die on me about 7 months after I got it used due to a major Android update. Phone crashed hard and bricked, so don’t get a 5 (even though it was my favorite design of the pixels). I have an 8 right now I bought it refurbished on Amazon. It works great and I know it will last a while being the most recent model. Also check FB marketplace if you have a Facebook account. People in my area are selling phones often.
marcuslee@pawb.social 3 months ago
I would totally buy a Pixel too but apparently most Pixels here are black market and the IMEIs are banned so I don’t wanna risk getting one that can’t connect to cell networks
lupec@lemm.ee 3 months ago
Oof that’s scary. Good thing I have a decent enough return window to at least make sure stuff like that isn’t the case, at least.
communism@lemmy.ml 3 months ago
Enjoy! For future reference I’d recommend just getting the latest Pixel as you’ll get the longest software support. E.g. a Pixel 8a is supported till May 2031, which is plenty of time to get a lot of usage out of your phone.
lupec@lemm.ee 3 months ago
Right, I’d love to spring up for a 8th gen pixel but I live in an unsupported region and my currency is worth fuck all so I’ll have to make do with a secondhand 7 pro lol. Still fantastic longevity all things considered.
FutileRecipe@lemmy.world 3 months ago
I’ll have to make do with a secondhand 7 pro
Ouch, that hits me right in the 7Pro feels lol. Make do, indeed, lolol.
lupec@lemm.ee 3 months ago
Honestly, I don’t really need my phone for much so as long as the battery hasn’t degraded too much I’ll be more than happy!
JCreazy@midwest.social 3 months ago
At the price of the Pixel 8a, I would suggest getting the Pixel 8 instead.
communism@lemmy.ml 3 months ago
Personally I’m fine with 8as’ specs and don’t need any of the extra features of the Pixel 8 so I’d prefer to save the money and get an 8a. Plus 8as are supported for longer. Nothing wrong with getting an 8 instead if that’s what you want though
EngineerGaming@feddit.nl 3 months ago
All of the 8th are VERY expensive now. Only the 7th Pixels are approaching sane prices.
I got a 7a even though 7 was only a little bit pricier, because it is smaller - already on the edge of what I can use with one hand, 7 would probably cross that invisible boundary. And, just as importantly - has a plastic back instead of glass.
marcuslee@pawb.social 3 months ago
I would totally buy a Pixel too but apparently most Pixels here are black market and the IMEIs are banned so I don’t wanna risk getting one that can’t connect to cell networks.
Andromxda@lemmy.dbzer0.com 3 months ago
Thankfully there are FOSS alternatives for apps like Authy. I recommend Aegis
For your banking app, you can use this list to check if it’s compatible: privsec.dev/…/banking-applications-compatibility-…
Using the web app might also be an option.