I hope this is not considered a low-effort post, but I wanted to ask if using stock Android without signing in to your Google account/ using Play Store is worth it. It should be more private, right? I’m planning on buying the cheapest Samsung phone there is (probably the A14). I currently have a stock Android Oneplus phone. I bought it before I had my “privacy epiphany”. I knew that you shouldn’t use Huawei phones as those “definitely” were spying on you; I read that Oneplus phones are safe because they use Western hardware, but they can still gather your data via the software, right? But I digress.

The reason I’m planning on buying a cheap (Samsung) phone is because I realized I don’t need a fancy phone (for me “fancy” is a 400 local currency mid-ranger). I considered getting a dumb phone as they are definitely private, but the utter lack of features is depressing. The main reason is I can’t give up the camera. So I’m willing to go with the cheapest smartphone, because it’s still miles better than the best dumb phone.

As I understand it, most cheap phones are not supported by GrapheneOS and besides I’m worried I might brick the phone. I’m willing to use APKs (from official sources and I only need a few apps). To return to my question, is stock Android without a Google account/ Play Store better than using an account/ Play Store?

EDIT: Thanks all for the useful replies. I’m still not sure what I’ll end up doing or what my current financial situation will allow me to do, but I’m pretty sure I’ll be moving away from Google anyway. Thanks again!

  • BarqsHasBite@lemmy.ca
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    1 year ago

    Would putting LineageOS or GrapheneOS on a Samsung phone eliminate the Samsung stuff and give you privacy?

    • MagneticFusion@lemm.ee
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      1 year ago

      Unfortunately because of how locked down Samsung is, you can’t even unlock the bootloader to install a custom ROM. GrapheneOS and CalyxOS do not even make their software for any phone that is not a Pixel, and LineageOS is only available for much older,end of life Samsungs from 2017 and 2018. Samsung is just a major one to avoid if you want privacy and security.

    • MagneticFusion@lemm.ee
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      1 year ago

      Also, if you live in the US and have access to Pixels, the Pixel 6a is on a massive discount right now costing only $200. I just can’t see how you could pass up on that offer as a Pixel with GrapheneOS will be the best compromise between security and usability.