Ideally, I’m looking for an Android or LineageOS device with at least 6GB of RAM, compact enough for portability, and capable of running without Google Apps (GAPPS). I’m open to a tablet or flip phone design as well. Since my phone serves as my primary tool for browsing, mobile computing, and communication throughout the day, reserving my laptop and desktop for evening or specialized tasks, performance is key. USB-C DisplayPort Alt Mode would be a valuable bonus, though not a strict requirement.
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Can highly recommend GrapheneOS on a Pixel 9. Everything just works, much easier to set up and keep up to date than LineageOS as well.
A developer focused phone like the pixel line would probably make the most sense since they support the unique hardware features you desire, and GrapheneOS does have the option to never use the Google suite or to use it in a solid sandbox.
Personally, haven’t regretted my pixel 9 with graphene.
Modern Pixels are pushing it on portability but maybe I’m just an old man yelling at clouds. My LG G8 is too big for me to fully use one handed and the Pixel 9a that should be delivered later this week is even bigger and I can’t help but wonder if I just spent a lot of money on a downgrade. I don’t want something bigger in my pocket but that’s what I just bought. D:
Graphene on my Pixel tablet has been petty great though, I’m still a bit worried because the phone needs to be able to actually do phone things.
That’s just the trends - people like consuming media on their phone, and more screen space helps that (so they demand it)
I use a Pixel 6 Pro with GrapheneOS, if you decide to go that route I would do at least a Pixel 8 or wait for the GrapheneOS phone release.
I got a Fairphone 4 recently, little over £200 second hand because CEX only had the 256GB version in stock at the time, 128GB would have been a bit cheaper.
Pretty sure this one doesn’t do display port over USB-C though. I use comaps, OSMAnd also works but ran really slow for me on a previous device so I switched and decided may as well stay with comaps if its lighter weight even if I don’t need that as much anymore.
an Android or LineageOS device
You need to decide whether you’re okay with Android, or want to be able to also run LineageOS. The latter will reduce your options to devices that can be rooted and have their bootloader unlocked - so Xiaomi, Motorola, Nothing, Google and Fairphone - and that too only some models (the ones for which a LineageOS ROM has been developed).
at least 6GB of RAM
Any midrange and even many budget phones have 6GB RAM nowadays.
capable of running without Google Apps
Do you just want to not use Google Apps, or do you want to completely remove them from your phone? Again, the latter will need rooting and bootloader unlocking.
compact enough for portability open to a tablet
Tablets are not very portable.
performance is key
Probably avoid Google Pixels then. They use Tensor chips, which have poor performance.
USB-C DisplayPort Alt Mode
Which devices have this, and which don’t, is very arbitrary. You’ll have to check for each model.
Probably avoid Google Pixels then. They use Tensor chips, which have poor performance.
Disagree here. Maybe it’s worse than other current flagships, but the performance is nowhere near as bad as the cheap budget phones I’ve had before. When I got my Pixel the performance felt like an upgrade from my Samsung phone so I wouldn’t discount it.
Pixels are in the ‘just below flagship’ price range, so I would compare them with cheaper flagships or high-end midrangers rather than budget phones.
They also don’t have the advantages of budget phones such as headphone ports, expandable storage and FM radio.
If I were to buy an Android device now to hold on to for a while it would be a pixel.
Relockable bootloader.
UPDATE: I’ve settled on a Moto G 5G (2024), it seems to run LineageOS with MicroG well.
Which one exactly? There are many like g34 g45 etc…
https://wiki.lineageos.org/devices/fogo/
This thing.
Trump phone.
