Ideally, I’m looking for an Android or LineageOS device with at least 6GB of RAM, compact enough for portability, and capable of running without Google Apps (GAPPS). I’m open to a tablet or flip phone design as well. Since my phone serves as my primary tool for browsing, mobile computing, and communication throughout the day, reserving my laptop and desktop for evening or specialized tasks, performance is key. USB-C DisplayPort Alt Mode would be a valuable bonus, though not a strict requirement.
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an Android or LineageOS device
You need to decide whether you’re okay with Android, or want to be able to also run LineageOS. The latter will reduce your options to devices that can be rooted and have their bootloader unlocked - so Xiaomi, Motorola, Nothing, Google and Fairphone - and that too only some models (the ones for which a LineageOS ROM has been developed).
at least 6GB of RAM
Any midrange and even many budget phones have 6GB RAM nowadays.
capable of running without Google Apps
Do you just want to not use Google Apps, or do you want to completely remove them from your phone? Again, the latter will need rooting and bootloader unlocking.
compact enough for portability open to a tablet
Tablets are not very portable.
performance is key
Probably avoid Google Pixels then. They use Tensor chips, which have poor performance.
USB-C DisplayPort Alt Mode
Which devices have this, and which don’t, is very arbitrary. You’ll have to check for each model.
Probably avoid Google Pixels then. They use Tensor chips, which have poor performance.
Disagree here. Maybe it’s worse than other current flagships, but the performance is nowhere near as bad as the cheap budget phones I’ve had before. When I got my Pixel the performance felt like an upgrade from my Samsung phone so I wouldn’t discount it.
Pixels are in the ‘just below flagship’ price range, so I would compare them with cheaper flagships or high-end midrangers rather than budget phones.
They also don’t have the advantages of budget phones such as headphone ports, expandable storage and FM radio.
A developer focused phone like the pixel line would probably make the most sense since they support the unique features you support, and GrapheneOS does have the option to never use the Google suite or to use it in a solid sandbox.
Personally, haven’t regretted my pixel 9 with graphene.
Modern Pixels are pushing it on portability but maybe I’m just an old man yelling at clouds. My LG G8 is too big for me to fully use one handed and the Pixel 9a that should be delivered later this week is even bigger and I can’t help but wonder if I just spent a lot of money on a downgrade. I don’t want something bigger in my pocket but that’s what I just bought. D:
Graphene on my Pixel tablet has been petty great though, I’m still a bit worried because the phone needs to be able to actually do phone things.
Fairphone is not perfect, but Fairphone.
That’s my take on it, too.
It’s far from perfect and costly for the hardware (but for understandable reasons), but hey, it’s Fairphone. Rocking my FP4 here.
I have the same one. Works great and we can het repair parts whenever.
How’s the software experience for your usage? I hear fairphone is slow with major updates and updates can be buggy.
I havent seen it. Theres an update just about every other month. Im currently sitting here downloading the newest version /e/ os 3.0 which released thismonth. I havent run into the bugs…but i usually wait a couple of weeks. Just best practice.
But if you dont want to use /e/ theres a huge selection of other OSes you can use. No need to stick with thiers.
I use a Pixel 6 Pro with GrapheneOS, if you decide to go that route I would do at least a Pixel 8 or wait for the GrapheneOS phone release.
I bought a used Pixel 8 Pro and put GrapheneOS on it.
all good except some Pixel 8s have WiFi issues with both Graphene & LineageOS (I’ve tried both on this device) - mine does.
If I roll back to Official Google Android, WiFi appears to work.
As of right now, I care more about not having Google fuck about with my phone than I do about not having WiFi.
I got a Fairphone 4 recently, little over £200 second hand because CEX only had the 256GB version in stock at the time, 128GB would have been a bit cheaper.
Pretty sure this one doesn’t do display port over USB-C though. I use comaps, OSMAnd also works but ran really slow for me on a previous device so I switched and decided may as well stay with comaps if its lighter weight even if I don’t need that as much anymore.
Lineage os is android. You just said I want a want a Toyota or a Corolla…
Anyway I suggest Nothing Phones. Unlockable bootloaders from the factory, no phoning home required. And great hardware.
Trump phone.
Currently seven persons don’t get the sarcasm
lol and it’s gold too.
