Google has to allow other app stores in Google Play Store in 2026, if Google likes it or not is not relevant.
And yes, the question remains if you can download from F-droid after installing through PlayStore, i agree with you there (because of the verification thing). It depents on what the court thinks 'sideloading' is, since we already know what Google think it means...
Well, if i can download a F-droid app via Playstore... then i'm basically not "sideloading" anything. This could be interesting!
But the whole (paid) 'verification' thing still is troubling tho. And we know Google; they are good at breaking things one way or another.
App and OS developers need to go hand in hand here, i believe. So, also support app(store) developers, because without them, any good deGoogled OS / Linux will still be worthless.
I think the best way to invest for the long run is to start using any OS without any Google API on it (so, completely Google free, not even use spoofservices such as MicroG) and use alternatives for the stuff you use now. Then, when you find software you like, simply start donating / supporting them.
Honestly, i'm not sure. But it seems that (some) Sony phones supported that natively in the past, so it could be.
I would check some Sony related communities if i were you. If i see something regarding this, i will let you know!
I think Sony allows the bootloader to be unlocked, so i would go for the new Xperia 10 vii and just put a beefy case on it to be honest. Not only does it have the 3,5mm jack, but also SD card slot, no stupid punchhole/camera cutout, has a good battery, is a 'normal' size (6.1"). If i didn't went with the Fairphone 6, i'd go for that one.
Those rugged phones are falling short in many ways, and most of them are pricey too. And Motorola isn't what they used to be, sadly.
For now... Google is developing AOSP more and more behind closed doors, which is more troubling for other Android based OS's. So even if e/OS is not (much) effected by this 'sideloading' thing, other choices Google makes will destroy something at some point.
If Google is going to build this "sideload protection" in the core of Android, this is going to be very bad, even for e/OS.
Fuck Google.
Is the software buggy? I did not like the Fairphone 5 mainly because of how buggy the Google Android version was... I had random reboots and freezes, framerate issues, UI elements that glitched or didn't fit the screen properly. Hope they were able to fix that by now.
I too have the Gen 6, but i choose the e/OS version. Great phone so far.
That must be Xiaomi's fault... Android does not do such thing. Check the running processes in Developer Settings to see what's running that could cause this. After located, disable/uninstall them, with ADB if needed.
Live wallpapers are often a form of ads. Like Motorola have Live Lockscreen, made and owned by Taboola... This is why you should skip bloated Android devices, unless you use a custom rom or don't mind the extreme debloating.
https://m.gsmarena.com/the_samsung_galaxy_s25_edge_is_not_selling_well_insiders_say-news-68346.php
I think it didn't work out well for Samsung... so i guess, not a big market? Phones are already super thin... why not make a (slightly) thicker one and put a massive battery, better cooling system, headphone jack and whatnot in it?
For me using a VPN sometimes causes these kind of things. Otherwise, no idea