this post was submitted on 16 Jul 2025
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Google’s Android, the world’s most widely used mobile operating system, started life as open-source software. In its quest for ever-greater profits, the tech giant has been gradually eroding Android’s open-source nature over the last decade.

Originally published on The Lever, but that one asks you to sign up.

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[–] AbidanYre@lemmy.world 41 points 2 days ago (11 children)

Up until about two weeks ago I could use wallet on my rooted pixel with lineage and play integrity fix.

Some recent change on their end and it doesn't work at all anymore. I guess they don't want to know what I'm buying.

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[–] VicksVaporBBQrub@sh.itjust.works 41 points 2 days ago (12 children)

Can I get a rundown of the few non-flagship phonemakers that are currently out there? I have heard of The Nothing Phone. Are there more companies that put together Androids to operate within the US?

[–] Ulrich@feddit.org 32 points 2 days ago* (last edited 2 days ago) (15 children)

The big problem with anything not Google or Samsung is, as it's always been, software support. You get 2 or maybe 3 years of updates and then the device is trash. So you can save a buck on the short term but it will cost you more in the long run and you'll have shitty devices all the way along anyway.

You can buy a 2 year old Pixel for $2-300 and it will last you another 4-5 years (unless Google remotely nukes your battery).

[–] Gibibit@lemmy.world 11 points 2 days ago* (last edited 2 days ago) (2 children)

Just because it doesn't have latest Android doesn't mean it's trash. And Fairphone also aims for 7 years support just like your Pixel example.

[–] hikaru755@lemmy.world 10 points 2 days ago

It doesn't need to be the latest android version per se, but I wouldn't want to use a phone that's not getting security patches anymore

[–] Ulrich@feddit.org 6 points 2 days ago

Not having security updates makes it effectively trash, as far as I'm concerned.

[–] No1@aussie.zone 2 points 2 days ago

anything not Google or Samsung is, as it’s always been, software support.

Motorola.has 5 years on most of its new phones nowadays

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[–] MysteriousSophon21@lemmy.world 17 points 2 days ago

Besides Nothing Phone, you've got Fairphone (sustainable/repairable), Sony (great cameras), Asus (gaming focused), Nokia (budget-friendly), OnePlus (speed/value), and Xiaomi (if you can import) all working to varying degreees in the US market - tho carrier compatibility can be trickly so always check bands before buying.

[–] Prox@lemmy.world 23 points 2 days ago (1 children)

Would Moto count? I've been rocking their basic-ass phones for years now. Way, way less bloatware than Samsung, etc. and only like $200 unlocked.

[–] xep@fedia.io 21 points 2 days ago (1 children)

I think Moto is actually Lenovo now?

[–] comador@lemmy.world 10 points 2 days ago (3 children)

Yup. Motorola is Chinese Lenovo now sadly. Lenovo is absolute trash devices and support.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Motorola_Mobility

[–] dcooksta26@lemmy.world 6 points 2 days ago (1 children)

I think Moto's are a pretty good budget friendly phone. Sure their update policy is lacking, but the Moto G Power or Moto G Stylus phones come decently equipped. Plus you can still get expandable storage and headphone jacks.

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[–] SeeFerns@programming.dev 25 points 2 days ago (1 children)

I really want to try a pinephone or something with Ubuntu touch. It’s likely not daily driver ready but I’m still curious at how far along it is.

[–] utopiah@lemmy.world 15 points 2 days ago (5 children)

Can't speak for Ubuntu Touch but tried PostMarketOS on PinePhone and PinePhone Pro.

The PP works well, good support for most things included SIM, camera, BT, etc but it's big and bulky, also IMHO not powerful enough for Waydroid so no Android apps, "just" Linux. Relying on the browser to avoid using app is rarely practical as it's too slow.

The PPPro being more powerful should cover the gap... but some lack of support, specifically the camera, makes it tricky as daily driver.

Both PP and PPPro don't have great battery and/or power management so you can go through a day of usage, barely, and you might get stuck in a cycling loop if you depleted it entirely. That means also as daily driver, if you are not very cautious, it's tricky.

So... we are nearly there but unless you have a very VERY minimum usage of your phone, basically a dumb phone with a bit of CLI to remote connect to your own server from time to time, it's probably not practical for now.

Maybe the Liberux NEXX thanks to its power would have closed the gap but the failed crowd funding campaign shows that price point does not have a market fit right now.

[–] Vanilla_PuddinFudge@infosec.pub 6 points 2 days ago* (last edited 2 days ago) (1 children)

So… we are nearly there but unless you have a very VERY minimum usage of your phone, basically a dumb phone with a bit of CLI to remote connect to your own server from time to time, it’s probably not practical for now.

....and, that's me.

I gave up on my phones. There's no way to remain connected to the modern world and my own without just keeping everything off of my phone and using it entirely in stock NPC mode. Trackers? Adware? Malware? Doesn't matter, I only use it for calls, banking apps and cash apps. How do I access my personal, more 1337 haxxor shit?

Laptop, although I can do a lot of work over ssh on phones and use things like syncthing and nextcloud to get around the ecosystem, still, but for the most part, I'm back in 2007, baby! We're carrying messenger bags! We don't care!

[–] utopiah@lemmy.world 3 points 2 days ago (1 children)

banking apps and cash apps

Unfortunately that's prevents from switching to Linux proper over (hopefully deGoogled) Android.

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[–] ExLisper@lemmy.curiana.net 9 points 2 days ago

Two most important open source projects right now are PostmarketOS and Servo.

[–] macaw_dean_settle@lemmy.world 6 points 2 days ago (4 children)

Still use my Windows Phones with Windows 10 Mobile as my daily drivers. Best OS to date.

[–] rozodru@lemmy.world 7 points 2 days ago

one of the best products Microsoft ever produced. I absolutely LOVED my old Lumia. great phone, the OS was perfect, just an awesome all around phone. wish I still had it.

[–] domi@lemmy.secnd.me 6 points 2 days ago

I loved my Lumia 1520, but it just doesn't hold a candle to a modern Android phone with LineageOS installed. Both in functionality and in privacy.

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[–] Valmond@lemmy.world 6 points 2 days ago

I'm on hyperos and every time I have to touch anything pure Google I feel like I'm on a windows PC.

Don't get me wrong, hyperos isn't a pinnacle of freedom, but all I do with my phone is basically using Firefox and take photos (+ signal, & SMS) and use the lichess app.

It's so infuriating, they steal our data, but just needs more. I'll try a Linux FOSS system next phone.

[–] paraphrand@lemmy.world 1 points 1 day ago

Maybe it was better when Android phones didn’t get updates. Eh? 😉

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