I need to change phones. It seems the holy grail of privacy on phones is GrapheneOS, but it only works on pixels, which are huge compared to my already awkward iPhone 13 mini (5.2 x 2.5 in / 132 x 64 mm).
Is there any phone out there that is fast, small, and easily supports a privacy OS?
Thanks!
Yo. I was in the same position as you were a month ago. I had a smallish (5.7in) phone from 2019, which I loved for the compact size and the headphone jack. I was planning on keeping it forever, but the company ended software updates for it around 2 years back and it does not allow for bootloader unlock. I was really planning to continue to use it, but eventually my value of privacy overcame my value for compact phones with headphone jacks, so I bought a used Pixel. The truth is, you get used to the large screen pretty quick. Wish I could have kept the old phone, but sometimes you just gotta make a tradeoff.
i was in the same predicament with my asus Zenfone. they quietly removed the unlock tool from their website while i owned the phone :/
I’m currently on a Sony Xperia with unlocked bootloader and I’m shopping around for an osMuch appreciated.
Nope.
Sure looks like it.
Your best bet is pixel 8 or 9 base model. Supports grapheneos.
I got the smallest I found, supposedly the bootloader is unlockable, the problem is that no alternative OS builds for it… Asus zenphone has been good quality so far. Although I heard that more recent version had things locked… Not sure.
I have no idea about any smaller phones.
Is the phone size a problem because it is hard to hold? If so, maybe try one of those things that you stick on the back of your phone as a handle (pop-socket?)
Pixel 7a is the absolute biggest I can semi-comfortably type one-handed on. I can’t imagine why bigger ones are more popular - don’t people ever use their phone while on a bus and holding onto a handle?? I guess you could use a “one-handed mode” on the keyboard, but I never use it because it makes the keys waaay too small.
I do agree that smartphone have gotten too large to be reasonably comfortable.
It’s ergonomics, yes. I like to use the phone one handed. With a big screen you have to adjust (scoot up and down) all the time, leading to falls (of the phone) and fatigue on the hand.
I’m concerned the pop socket would make it harder to stick my phone in my jeans. I know it’s retractable, maybe I could give it a go if I didn’t find a small phone.
Pixel a series phones are not smaller and have inferior build quality compared to other Pixels I suggest buy a pixel 9 base model
It’s not that the a models have “inferior build quality,” but they’re made with less expensive materials to bring down the cost of the device…
a) Pixel 9’s are still new and completely unaffordable; b) I personally got an “a” because it has a plastic back instead of glass.
Good point plastic back break easily but a series are inferior specially the screen and they literally have the same price maybe 50 bucks cheaper. If pixel 9 are expensive then get pixel 8 base
Plastic scratches more easily, glass breaks more easily.
The 8a’s are literally $200 cheaper than the 8 and $300 cheaper than 9. The CPU and memory are the same, the screen is the same with a different glass. The cameras are better. It’s ok if it’s not the phone for you, but saying it’s clearly inferior is patently false.
When I was buying mine, 9s weren’t out yet - even now, the 8s are around $400 where I bought, while 7s are at an already crazy $300.
I didn’t get the impression that the plastic was easily breakable - seems relatively soft. While the base and pro have glass.
