I currently have an iPhone X. I like it, but it’s gradually dying. It’s also a bit too big. Perfect size would be the iPhone 7 or similar. I’ve had different brand phones before this, so while I’ve been on Apple for a while, I’ve had Samsung, Motorola, Sony, Nokia etc. all the way back to the Nokia 3210.

I’m becoming a bit fed up of big brands and so want to de-Apple myself, but also not go Google. I would love a dumb phone, but I do have some regular apps: MS Auth for work; Lemmy; Philips Hue; Sensibo; WhatsApp.

I was looking at alternative OS options such as Graphene OS, that in theory allow you to run Android apps without Google. But how well do they work?

This would be my primary (only) phone.

So given size considerations (iPhone 7), ability to not be Apple or Google OS, but also be able to run my key apps, what do my options look like?

I’d go into a store and ask, but say ‘not apple and not google’ and you get a vacant stare in response.

  • HipPriest@kbin.social
    0·
    1 year ago

    This is pretty much true in terms of using Google play services all it may do is change what ads or recommendations you get on the play store.

    The devious stuff comes from almost entirely Chrome and Google search. I’m not some kind of Google defender by any means but using a normal Android OS isn’t generally going to be making Google any money. They’re just hoping you’ll use the apps that come pre installed with it.