Pixel 7a with graphene OS. Loving it

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 went from a OP7Pro to a Pixel 7a and I'm loving it. (I was previously into the Nexus line before it was discontinued, so I suppose it was a natural switch... :))

The battery life isn't super impressive, but the camera is pretty good and quite snappy comparatively. I've found performance to be more than adequate. Not confident it'll last as long as my OP did (was still going strong at nearly 4 years old) but for the price point and feature set, it's a solid choice. No regrets here!

ETA: The size was a big selling point for me. I wanted something easier to hold in one hand.

If you can wait till the 12th, the new Nothing Phone 2 looks nice, if you want something small and with a headphone jack I suggest the ZenFone 10. You can also find the s23 for cheap

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.

Not the OnePlus 9. Touch sensitivity is crap. Fingerprint sensor is crap. I got it for community support, but am disappointed in the hardware.

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!

Still using my OnePlus 7 Pro. Once it dies I'm going Pixel for GrapheneOS

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.

If you want something you could throw a different ROM on you could always try a used pixel 6 or newer with lineage OS. What kind of carrier compatibility do you need?

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

Pixel

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

My one+ 8 died just a couple months ago too. I've got a pixel 5 now and I'm very happy with it. Got it used from Swappa.