What do you compromise these days going to something like graphene versus a stock pixel? I know the advantages obviously, just wanting clarity on trade offs. Features that become unusable, vulnerabilities, etc.
this post was submitted on 21 Feb 2026
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Privacy
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The loss of most banking apps and Google Wallet (tap and pay). For me, those are the killer features you lose. And the reason I gave up on custom ROM's on a FairPhone 3+ after many years.
I think "most banking apps" depends on your location. I never had any problems with them.
Yeah Google Wallet not working is annoying, but for me it's a good tradeoff.
pixels are unobtanium where i live. i wish there could be graphene on more phones.
They are in talks with a major android manufacturer to build graphene phone.
Ok, a few things :
- I dislike her pronunciation of GrapheneOS really emphasizing the "ene" part
- For anyone not wanting to be stuck buying a Pixel, new or used (still kind of pricey), look into LineageOS /e/, or CalyxOS (though CalyxOS is paused for an interal audit or something)
- What about other data being sent over your carrier network outside of just Google? You're better off buying a plan for a mobile hotspot so it limits data that IDs you with your IMSI and IMEI info. Carriers otherwise still monetize your data, even though Google isn't getting it.
My next phone will be whatever I want that'll run LineageOS (sure, no "Titan chip") but will run F-Droid store, and only run on a hotspot I'll have with me (for work, goes in my work bag), anywhere else can sit in my car or pocket, etc. It'll help as I use private/FOSS apps, randomized MAC for WiFi, VPN services, etc. Hushed or done 2nd phone nine for WiFi calling, etc
I also have been social media free for over a decade now. No Amazon, no streaming services, and self-host anything I can
Technically you're posting to social media right here, but I think we all got what you meant.
(though CalyxOS is paused for an interal audit or something)
More like "Nick Merrill (the guy who fought NSL letters in court and started the project) and the lead developer departed without a single word and took the project's signing keys with them". You draw your own conclusions, but for me (a long-time CalyxOS user) those were huge red flags and caused me to settle on iodéOS for my new home.
Bring on support for more devices, and I'll likely switch with my next phone.
Its not up to grapheneos devs which devices support bootloader relocking with different keys, literally only pixels allow this and without it you cant properly secure the phone.
..without it you cant properly secure the phone.
My understanding is that a locked bootloader helps protect against evil maid attacks and bootloader-level malware persistence. I find this a security risk that I would absolutely take for Google independence. "Properly secure" is subjective.
GrapheneOS do decide what phones they support. It is exactly their choice to support only Google Pixels, rather than taking a security hit for hardware independence (whether you agree with the decision or not).
(No OP, but...)
Well, unfortunately, we're at an impasse, then. :(
They're working on an alternative device with a large OEM they've not disclosed yet. They're aiming at releasing it in 2027.
The smart money is they're going to go with Motorola, honestly idc who they go with it'll likely be my next phone
Same here, i can't wait to ditch my old xiaomi 10 full of bloatwares and ads
I've got the pixel 8 with graphene on it, it's very nice but I also have a soft spot for emulation and the Tensor devices are trash for anything higher than GameCube tbh
Hey! Avoid Google by buying a phone from... GOOGLE!
Seriously. I wish the devs would work on bringing the OS to Samsung phones instead. They're just as popular, if not more than Google Pixel phones.
Buy the phone used?
Also Samsung hasn't allowed unlocked bootloader's in a fucking minute nor do they publish their device trees
Part of the issue is that the latest version of Samsung's OneUI completely removes the option to unlock the bootloader. More technical info on the (xda forum).
Aw crap. OK then.
I didn't know that.
I keep bitching about my Galaxy Tab A9+ and I will till the day I die. I fucking hate that thing for not having any Custom ROMs, and I despise the fact that it doesn't allow OEM unlocking (afaik). I mean, it was a gift, so I still appreciate it, but MAN will I never buy Samsung with my own money ever.
Anyway I wish people would stop crying for Samsung Graphene while knowing full well that Samsung is essentially the Apple of the Android world; Locked down to all hell.
It'd be nice to not have to buy Google anything, but i want security, to be able to use most pf my apps, and I don wanna buy a Chinese phone, so here we are.
I'm not due to replace my Samsung Xcover with a headphone jack and removable battery for a while yet, I got it in March 2024...
But when I do in a few years, I'd like the Jolla phone as its app support probably has matured at that point.
Pixels have better security features than Samsung and doesn't prevent you from using third party OSes.
More details here: https://grapheneos.org/faq#recommended-devices
What I don't get is that is
You can find pixels on swappa and not give Google your money.
I'm looking for a Pixel 9 Pro as an upgrade for my existing 7 Pro and it's cheaper used (obviously).
Just buy refurbished. Better for the environment too.