If you buy a refurbished or used google device, you're not giving money to that company. I'd rather have hardware that allows you to use a custom OS securely, and I don't know if any other vendors let you lock the bootloader with a custom OS on their devices.
this post was submitted on 26 Jul 2025
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Privacy
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Even with tariffs, you should be able to pick up a used Pixel for a much better price than new.
They can run Graphene (which seems to be the best for privacy) or Lineage (which isn't privacy focused like Graphene, but doesn't have Google crap baked in).
I'm in the US and can get Pixel 5's for about $150. That's way less than any new phone.
Otherwise, take a look at what Lineage currently supports, check those phones out at phonearena.com and gsmarena.com.
Just to confirm @Onomatopoeia@lemmy.cafe 's comment above, refurbished Pixel 6's start around £106 on ebay etc. Might be even cheaper on somewhere like Vinted. Just make sure you flatten it before putting Graphene on it.
Flatten it?
Wow, the 6 is the new price point. Impressive.
yes i know there are used ones being sold for cheaper but its still a no from me
So tariffs and prices aren't the reason you don't want a Pixel?
Maybe you should clarify.
You're replying to the wrong person
GrapheneOS is the most privacy-focused of them all, but since it only supports Google devices, using it would mean directing money to a massive privacy violator and using hardware that they control. So it's not necessarily the best choice for everyone, even if they can afford one.
Depending on your needs (have you thought about your threat model?) LineageOS without Google Play services installed might be good enough. Lots of devices are officially supported, and unofficial ports can often be found for other devices on XDA Forums. I do this, building from source code myself instead of trusting pre-made builds.
If you go that route, keep in mind that non-Pixel devices generally don't allow installing your own keys and re-locking the bootloader, so an adversary that gets their hands on your phone would most likely be able to install malware on it. This is not a big concern for me, because I don't leave my phone anywhere that could happen, and I would consider even a Pixel to be compromised if an invasive agency like the TSA got physical access to it.
You mean CBP. Tsa isn't searching your phone.
Check supported devices for your favourite custom ROM. Whatever is available is the best phone.
Just get a dumb phone, or a basic feature phone that gets 3G and maybe WhatsApp. They will be 20% of the price of even a cheap smartphone.
If you really want to commit to Graphine, their website lists phones they support. Maybe look on the website to see what you have access to and can afford.
Honestly, how do you expect to install the OS when you can't even search the website to look at the list of supported devices? It's not hidden info.
It only works on Pixels. They said they don't want a Pixel.
I was thinking Lineage and wrote Graphine. That's my bad, but as others have said, Lineage isn't exactly privacy focused, just not Googley.
If you are not running GrapheneOS your phone is not private
That wasn't the question being asked.