The only recommendation I can provide is a Google Pixel device with GrapheneOS. Graphene is only designed to work on Pixels because they are (allegedly) the most secure mobile phone hardware-wise. Once you flash Graphene, it's up to you to install any apps beyond the basic browser (Vanadium), gallery, camera, caller, SMS, PDF viewer, contacts, file manager, and security/system apps. No Google involved without your permission, though you will have to install Google services, available via a Graphene mirror and sandboxed for privacy, IF you want to install an eSIM after flashing Graphene. If you're interested in further information, please let me know. I use it, love it, and am happy to provide any information you may need to decide if it's a good fit for you or not.

Get a used pixel for $100. Factory reset on arrival, and install Graphene OS. Do not install gapps.

+1 for pixel. I just ordered a 7a for grapheneos.

Google Pixel with GrapheneOS

Another vote for fairphone here, but for reasons others failed to mention: replaceable battery, so even after 2 years, it can feel like new and keep most of its value (to resell if wanted); 5 years of updates + warranty; support for after market roms. Then there's also the fair ethics part of it

For best privacy AND security, Pixel 8 or 8 Pro with GrapheneOS. Nothing else compares. The Pixel 8 series are also the first that support hardware memory tagging, basically making them immune against 70% of all exploits.

Google Pixel with GrapheneOS.

No bloat? Stay away from Samsung then.

Maybe a fair phone? https://shop.fairphone.com/fairphone-5

I have a Xperia 1.

It has a flagship SoC, but it also has a SD card slot, a headphone jack, no notch or cutout, front firing stereo speakers and a nice blocky look without a massive camera bump.

The downside is software support can be a bit spotty and the cameras are made for manual use, as opposed to being AI-driven point-and-shoot things. That last one could be a positive depending on your preference, though.

But overall? I'm very satisfied, and I went there specifically because I was tired of the ongoing Apple-ification of Samsung in the first place. You may want to consider coming to the dark side and incentivizing Sony to keep making a phone with a feature set, instead of copy-pasting Apple's or Samsung's playbook.

Pixel with GrapheneOS. Only one that will give you the complete control, as well as the privacy (and) security done right. Also the only one that will let you have a fully functional phone, have things like working bank apps, and let you beat the Goog out of the benefits of the play services, while at the same time not allowing them to have privileged access on your phone. They're just normal apps that you are in control of.

I'm not going to affiliate with any conglomerate like Verizon or AT&T or Sprint or T-Mobile etc, I prefer to go rogue somehow,

Yes, you will. Because that's who has the mobile networks. There is no such thing as going rogue. Going with an MVNO isn't avoiding them, that's a mind game. If you can save money going with one cool, but don't kid yourself that you're not on one of the 3 carriers, because you will be.

A Google Pixel running GrapheneOS is your best option. Graphene doesn't have any Google services by default, no bloatware at all, maximum privacy and security. It's super easy to install, you can check out this video guide or just read their official documentation.

Another video about GrapheneOS that I totally recommend: https://youtube.com/watch?v=yTeAFoQnQPo

I recommend this after the install: https://youtube.com/watch?v=BymH90zFe30

Lots of good advice here, but many might be too extreme. I find such all-or-nothing approach intimidating for people who just started to think about improving their privacy situation.

Let's see... you are angry about bloatware. It can come from two sources - mobile service carrier and phone manufacturer. How to get rid of it?

1. Buy only "unlocked" phones. Then the carrier will not be able to push anything to your phone. You will also be free to change the carrier as you wish.
2. Buy phones from manufacturers that don't install too much bloatware. Google Pixel has only Google apps, Motorola also is almost vanilla Google. Fairphone is more exotic, but an interesting option. iPhone is OK too if you want Apple ecosystem, but customization is not a thing there.

Now, we are in a privacy focused community and I saw your later comments about Google being an opposite of privacy. I would argue that vanilla Pixel is much better than bloated and locked Samsung already. I see you get recommendations to replace the OS that your new phone might run, and these are valid, but come with significant downsides. There are other ways to improve your privacy stance by changing the way how you use your phone without changing what phone or what OS you run on it.

Just a tip, you can debloat your galaxy without rooting it with adb tools. You can remove any apps you want this way fairly easily.

Not a long term solution, and all the other comments are great options for replacement. Until then, you can remove almost anything you want until you're ready to switch.

Google Pixel. I dont know I want to keep my 4a actually as its small, nice and has a headphone jack.

Personally waiting for the shiftphone 8. Fairphone 5 is also a possibility if you value ethics. These should be less bloated than most I believe. The pixel is nicer than most mainstream phones. As it just comes with the vendor who made Android and their proprietary bs instead of yet another layer. The best way to eliminate bloat is a custom rom. Pixel supports GrapheneOS and I believe all of them will be supported by CalyxOS. (They made a build for the newest released shiftphone)

Pixel w/GrapheneOS. Insane to do anything else when Privacy and Security is something you want, while also having the ability to have a fully functional phone.

Do be careful, your choices are very limited. All the carriers in the US, except TMobile today, have a whitelist of devices. Even if you make your own phone or buy an awesome phone from out of market, it won't work.

Technically, there is no reason it won't work. But the carriers block it from registering on the network unless roaming. Our non-American devices have been kicked off every network now except TMobile.

So your choice is really just the small list of devices they choose to support and 75% are the same phone. Samsung whatever with some various sized screen and various sized storage. Or Apple iWhatever.

They make your life hell with a non-standard carrier phone. And yes I've been buying out of region phones for 20 years now, even back with Windows Mobile and Palm devices with 2G text based web. Every year it gets harder and harder.

Get a Pixel