I never minded iPhone overall. But my recent phone has been a lemon. Also since the iOS 16 update, the phone has been nearly unusable. Thankfully, people actually seem to be speaking speaking out about it. Usually people will never criticize Apple.
I could go on about all my issues with iPhone, but are there actually better options? I had Android about 10 years ago. It was fine, I didn’t really have any issues. Feels like you just get fed up with one platform and move to another one that’s better in some ways but still not great.
I’ve noticed Google products have fallen off a cliff in recent years, too. For smartphones being one of the most talked about ‘triumphs of capitalism’ (bs), capitalism doesn’t seem to make good phones. Actually, they have gotten way worse in recent years.
I would say buy a used Samsung. You don’t have to depend on Google services as much with their products, and you get the most updates of any Android brand. The cameras are also better than a lot of other Android phones if you care about that. I would highly suggest against getting a Pixel, they are so buggy and get poor support.
Samsung is dogshit as far as spyware goes. Like the spyware is so deep inside the system, good luck removing it without breaking UI or some functionality. Avoid Samsung atleast as much as a junkware preloaded Xiaomi (you can debloat Xiaomi quite easily compared to Samsung).
I also recommend Xiaomi over samsungs, having had several of both. Samsung is overpriced, buggy, and bloated next to xiaomi.
https://teddit.net/r/privatelife/comments/rohq46/100_foss_smartphone_hardening_nonroot_guide_40/ or https://lemmy.ml/post/128747
I have a pretty famous guide out there :D