This is great news. While I still think we should make a push towards Linux phones being mainstream so that we don’t keep this duopoly on OSes, it’s nice to know that at least one manufacturer is currently defying googles obvious goal of suppressing third party ROMs and marketplaces.
Motorola confirms GrapheneOS support for a future phone, bringing over features
Submitted 3 weeks ago by baatliwala@lemmy.world to technology@lemmy.world
Comments
Luminous5481@anarchist.nexus 3 weeks ago
Eximius@lemmy.world 3 weeks ago
Volla phone (has choice between ubuntu touch and android rom) seems pretty cool.
njordomir@lemmy.world 3 weeks ago
Thanks for the reality check. While this a good development, I share your concern and we should not stop,or even slow, developing any fully free as in freedom OS. I tried PostmarketOS on an old Oneplus 6T recently and I estimate we have one or two more phone replacement cycles until I think it’ll be ready for me to switch.
punkibas@lemmy.zip 3 weeks ago
I have a 6T and was thinking about getting postmarketos on it, what didn’t work for you? Which “desktop” did you choose for it? there’s like 5 options for that and I really have no idea what to do.
chicocheco@lemmy.world 3 weeks ago
They spotted an opportunity
LincolnsDogFido@lemmy.zip 3 weeks ago
Good. Now if only they could make the Edge+ with the same relative spec sheet and ditch the curved glass in 2027. I’d buy it in a heartbeat for Graphene. My next phone WAS going to be a Pixel for the broader case/screen protector support, but that would make me reconsider cause I would really miss the chop chop flashlight.
Mwa@thelemmy.club 3 weeks ago
maybe just maybe my next phone will be a Motorola!
Adderbox76@lemmy.ca 3 weeks ago
My last few phones have been Motorolas and I’ve been very very happy with them.
My only issue was that back then, I wasn’t really paying attention to alternative OSs like Graphene, Lineage or e/os and was therefore not really too concerned with ROM support/chip set. When I switched over to e/os, two of my Motorola’s (including the one I WANT to use with it) has no ROM support because it’s running a Mediatek chipset. So I’m using my second to last one while my nice new one collects dust.
Moving forward I’ll be paying more attention to Qualcomm vs Mediatek.
Mwa@thelemmy.club 3 weeks ago
yeah i might focus on Android phones that have Good ROM/ support
i think their graphene OS powered phone will have bootloader unlocking.i hope Google does not take away Sideloading. (but i think graphene returns it)
Scrollone@feddit.it 3 weeks ago
Me too. I’ve always bought Google Pixels but I don’t want to give Google my money anymore.
So I’ll probably buy a Motorola if this deal gets through.
Mwa@thelemmy.club 2 weeks ago
Me too. I’ve always bought Google Pixels but I don’t want to give Google my money anymore.
what about used?
texture@lemmy.world 3 weeks ago
i bought a mororolla 3 years ago and it still lasts 2 days on a charge. id say go for it.
Mwa@thelemmy.club 3 weeks ago
i gotta see first if Motorola/Lenovo will actually ship graphene OS and other factors.
they dont sound like bad phones and even better with this collab
user224@lemmy.sdf.org 3 weeks ago
If I can get GrapheneOS + headphone jack + SD card slot, I am in.
fakeman_pretendname@feddit.uk 3 weeks ago
I’d add “less than 15cm tall” too. I’ve had enough of stupid giant phones that don’t fit in pockets and where you can’t even reach the top or other side with your thumb.
morto@piefed.social 3 weeks ago
That would be like a dream come true. I’m about to become excluded from mobile technology as my phone seems to be starting to present hardware failures, and I can’t stand to use large ones.
bitwolf@sh.itjust.works 3 weeks ago
I’d really like a removable battery as well.
LunaChocken@programming.dev 3 weeks ago
SD slot would be great. Fuck every major company getting rid of it, so you have to use their cloud provider.
fakeman_pretendname@feddit.uk 3 weeks ago
I didn’t even realise “no SD card” was an option.
observantTrapezium@lemmy.ca 3 weeks ago
+1 for the headphone jack
angelmountain@lemy.nl 3 weeks ago
But how are they going to include useless “uninstallable” apps and advertisements?
Axolotl_cpp@feddit.it 3 weeks ago
Probably they will not support it for budget phones
yardratianSoma@lemmy.ca 3 weeks ago
which is fine, I mean, you’d want decent specs + a secure OS in this day and age
Gigasser@lemmy.world 3 weeks ago
Supposedly the article says that Motorola will be implementing “some” of the features from GrapheneOS in some of their other phones. So whilst not GrapheneOS proper, you still might see some graphenOS like/lite type stuff on budget phones.
XLE@piefed.social 3 weeks ago
Graphene might be marketed towards enterprises first. Look at that leaked slide again: it mentions “bloatware-free interface with Business Edition.”
The bigger leak is Motorola acknowledging they ship bloatware, IMO
mereo@piefed.ca 3 weeks ago
Easy. By not making it a budget phone.
homes@piefed.world 3 weeks ago
Motorola doesn’t have to sell apps. They sell themselves.
kingofthezyx@lemmy.zip 3 weeks ago
I mean, they could still include those on the base model of the phone, but just officially support flashing Graphene for those who want to do it. I am reasonably certain the target markets for pre-installed apps/ads and people who would be interested in flashing Graphene are completely separate groups. Kind of like how a stock Pixel is basically Google/Gemini Spyware, but Thayer doesn’t matter to someone who buys one to install Graphene.
arcine@jlai.lu 3 weeks ago
Well, fuck. I really hoped they would pick FairPhone. Motorola is… Okay. I guess they made the Nexus 5 ; which was one of the best phones ever.
I hope they make a SMALL one, I am so tired of this GIGANTIC pixel 9.
PalmTreeIsBestTree@lemmy.world 3 weeks ago
Fairphone isn’t available everywhere while Motorola is. It’s pretty easy to understand why they chose them.
Octagon9561@lemmy.ml 3 weeks ago
That’s not the reason, the real reason is Fairphone doesn’t take security seriously. The GrapheneOS devs have called them out numerous times on that.
7101334@lemmy.world 3 weeks ago
Motorola gets a little bit of love from me because they were (maybe still are?) the only ones who allowed me to shout “COMRADE MOTO!” to wake my phone up
I will not say “Hey Google” in a million years. I refuse.
InfiniteStruggle@sh.itjust.works 3 weeks ago
SOVIET ANTHEM PLAYS IN THE BACKGROUND
Sturgist@lemmy.ca 3 weeks ago
That’s definitely worth a fair few points. Always rubbed me the wrong way that you couldn’t change it to whatever you wanted.
Switchy85@sh.itjust.works 3 weeks ago
I think LG made the Nexus 5, though.
jj4211@lemmy.world 2 weeks ago
Actually LG made the Nexus 5, Moto did the Nexus 6, developed while Google owned Motorola and released a few weeks after Lenovo bought them.
Depending on your definition of ‘small’, your only hope might be if they did Razr and you used it folded up. That’s credibly small, though I don’t know if Graphene would be game for bothering to do that sort of multiple display work.
Infernal_pizza@lemmy.dbzer0.com 3 weeks ago
Let’s see if it gets released before GrapheneOS and unlockable bootloader get outlawed
kalpol@lemmy.ca 3 weeks ago
OEM, they can lock the bootloader. So at least there’s that
fodor@lemmy.zip 3 weeks ago
That’s the point, right? Google is trying to lock down Android even more, and third party vendors can see the increasing risk. If they fork now, they can maybe undercut the increasing monopoly efforts.
Newsteinleo@infosec.pub 3 weeks ago
I am sure they are also seeing a growing demand for more privacy, the only reason own a pixel is because of GrapheneOS. If I could buy a phone with the OS pre installed I would, don’t know if they are going to do that. Also, by patterning with GrapheneOS they don’t has the development cost and they can trade on Graphenes name
technocrit@lemmy.dbzer0.com 3 weeks ago
Android seems intent on creating a huge market for this. Chef’s kiss!
gandalf_der_12te@discuss.tchncs.de 3 weeks ago
I actually bought a new Motorola phone 2 months ago precisely because i wanted a phone with an unlockable bootloader, and motorola delivered that.
Vote with your wallet.
Guilvareux@feddit.uk 3 weeks ago
Just wanted to echo the vote with your wallet sentiment. It’s the only power we have!
AnUnusualRelic@lemmy.world 3 weeks ago
I once bought a Motorola one phone because it would have quick and lengthy updates. Motorola certainly didn’t provide that.
Other than that it was a decent phone.Lucelu2@lemmy.zip 3 weeks ago
I have used Motorola for the last 5 years or so. They had superior battery life compared to the others and were inexpensive. I bought my last one for like 40 bucks on clearance. I won’t spend more than 100 bucks plus tax on a phone anymore. I use minimal apps, don’t take lots of pictures with it, mostly text and make phone calls on it. I don’t keep social media apps on it nor restaurant apps. I mostly use the Maps, the Notes, and the browser applications. I don’t like the android/google calendar interface but will use reminders/tasks. I also use book/reading/podcast apps (Librivox, Podbean, Kindle, and another one…). I had overly invested in Kindle years ago unfortunately. I don’t really watch video on the phone as it is too small, but have YT music on it. I could use advice for alternatives that are better.
trewq@lemmy.world 3 weeks ago
I’ll buy if decent specs and price good
Squizzy@lemmy.world 3 weeks ago
I solely need camera, contactless payments and projection for cars. If it is capable of these I am pre ordering.
ExcessShiv@lemmy.dbzer0.com 3 weeks ago
Contactless payment will not happen under grapheneOS, it relies on google play services and integrity check. Graphene does have sandboxed play services, but it doesn’t pass integrity check.
fernandofig@reddthat.com 3 weeks ago
Does GrapheneOS support Google Pay?
jeena@piefed.jeena.net 3 weeks ago
Something like that is what I’ve been waiting for a long time for. Really looking forward to it.
Crozekiel@lemmy.zip 3 weeks ago
My biggest concern is the life cycle of the device. I almost went with Motorola for my last phone, but saw that you were lucky to get 3 years of OS updates. Is that likely to be better on GrapheneOS? If so, that is a huge win imo. If not, it still isn’t ideal because I don’t want to have to buy a new phone every 2 years…
huggingstars@programming.dev 3 weeks ago
GrapheneOS was claiming 5-year support IIRC. Apple level support is infeasible with their team size. Qualcomm probably charges super premium for longer firmware support.
Willdrick@lemmy.world 3 weeks ago
Thats the trick, when a company supports romming, you can extend the support for however long you want!
0x0@lemmy.zip 2 weeks ago
But gos dropped support for pre-6 Pixels so mot quite.
ExLisper@lemmy.curiana.net 2 weeks ago
I think most people here don’t really understand what’s going on here. Graphene OS is an Android mod with some extra security features designed to run on a hardened hardware. The main goal of Graphene OS is to protect users from some very specific attacks like some devices police uses to unlock phones or some targeted hacks by state actors. Unless you’re worried you may be targeted by such an attack and have some date you need to protect from them you don’t really need Graphene OS. You can run any of the other deGoogles Android mods on any hardware that supports it. You can already buy phones with pre-installed /e/ of iode ROMs. Many other phones support Lineage OS. Also, let’s keep in mind that GrapheneOS only supports Pixel because they don’t want to allow people to run their OS on hardware they don’t think is secure enough. It’s their choice not to support other phones.
Also, Google still controls AOSP so this does not solve any of the bigger Android issues. Motorola forking AOSP and providing the resourced needed to keep the development going would be amazing news. This is just one phone maker promising to fulfill the security requirements of Graphene OS. It’s basically like Dell offering Ubuntu laptops. Good news but it will not have a big impact on the ecosystem.
brokenwing@discuss.tchncs.de 3 weeks ago
Fucking finally. Please be a Qualcomm chip.
100_kg_90_de_belin@feddit.it 3 weeks ago
Motorola is a major supplier of communication equipment for the IDF and produces bomb fuses used in IDF’s bombs. It also donated money to Project 2025.
GMac@feddit.org 3 weeks ago
Moto flip phone with GOS? sign me up. Should not have to choose between form factor and operating system.
MrSoup@lemmy.zip 3 weeks ago
a future smartphone to have GrapheneOS pre-installed
I’ll not trust Lenovo (Motorola is Lenovo) preinstalling stuff on my phone. They’ve already ship Windows laptop with literally malware and backdoors (even in UEFI, so persistent across format) preinstalled.
I will rather install it myself.
sefra1@lemmy.zip 2 weeks ago
That’s nice, but how much will those phones cost? Will GrapheneOS be an option on the low end devices or will they only support “some” devices, which happen cost as much as a Pixel anyway?
stebator@lemmy.world 2 weeks ago
While the Motorola/GrapheneOS news is interesting, it’s a shame that GrapheneOS’s lack of root access continues to be a significant limitation. For users who prioritize data ownership and the ability to create full, local backups (Swift Backup being a prime example), it’s simply not a viable option. Security is important, but so is control over your own data.
usernameusername@sh.itjust.works 3 weeks ago
W Moto ❤️🩹
zingo@sh.itjust.works 3 weeks ago
All my phones have been Motorola, the first one was the Moto X - OG !
Very well built and great batteries. Quality phone with close to stock UI for a snappy experience.
Only negatives were updates and cameras. Both are much better these days.
Especially now with an upcoming OS alternative!
njordomir@lemmy.world 3 weeks ago
I remember my original Moto G. It was a good phone for the time. I will follow Graphene wherever they go until a Linux phone is ready.
mrnobody@reddthat.com 3 weeks ago
Damn. Missed opportunity for OnePlus. I know their phasing out phones but I was going that was in favor of GOS. I really want an IR Blaster still (｡╯︵╰｡)
user28282912@piefed.social 3 weeks ago
wavebeam@lemmy.world 3 weeks ago
I tried to switch from iPhone to Pixel 10 Pro Fold with GrapheneOS, but I needed RCS to work. Unfortunately, even installing Google Messages and allowing it permissions wouldn’t allow RCS to work for more than 36 hours before I had to go through the whole install and allow process again. I would be willing to cut off all Google services, even banking apps and whatnot, but I need RCS to work. I’m unfortunately an American and cannot reliably expect my friends and family to use an app other than iMessage to text, so I need RCS.
Will Motorola provide some GrapheneOS compatible RCS client? If so, I am likely to switch.
drmoose@lemmy.world 3 weeks ago
This is crazy big news.
lightnsfw@reddthat.com 3 weeks ago
Will it have a headphone jack and sd slot
laranis@lemmy.zip 3 weeks ago
Take. My. Money.
Schmerzbold@feddit.org 3 weeks ago
Can it please be somewhat affordable? Privacy as a feature should be accessible to everyone.
Akasazh@lemmy.world 3 weeks ago
Any non Google phone running graphene would be epic.
Clent@lemmy.dbzer0.com 3 weeks ago
Having a vendor explicitly supporting it…epic is an understatement.
pdxfed@lemmy.world 3 weeks ago
I had completely forgotten Lenovo bought Motorola from Google some 10 years ago. Honestly haven’t seen a Motorola phone in at least that long …
imetators@lemmy.dbzer0.com 3 weeks ago
Been using motorola for a long time. I bought Moto Z in 2016 and it booted with “Motorola company” text in the end of the boot video. After Lenovo acquisition, phone updated and video now said “Motorola, a Lenovo company”.
Thankfully, Motorola haven’t entshittified over these years. Still a solid phone. Almost no bloat.
oce@jlai.lu 3 weeks ago
Motorola Mobility belongs to Chinese Lenovo but headquarters are in Chicago. Not sure if that makes it better or worse regarding privacy and surveillance compared to USA only.