What is Best deGoogled Phone to use with Graphene OS?
Well…you know that’s not an easy answer, since there are so many personal preference variables to consider: size, wireless charging, reverse wireless, budget, ram (memory), storage size, etc. But one thing is set in stone…
1st: Know that Graphene OS only works on the Google Pixels.
and then…
2nd: For those who like SMALLER PHONES, the Pixel 8 at 5.93in high, is an excellent choice, but obviously the Pixel 7’s and 6a are much friendlier to the wallet. Here is a comparison of sizes among the Pixel 7, 8, and 9.
The smallest Pixel phones Pixel 4 and Pixel 4a, which are also non-5G capable, no longer receive support. So a different OS like DivestOS, CalyxOS, e/OS needs to be installed instead.
3rd: The below recommendations are from Graphene OS website:
“We recommend only purchasing one of the following devices for GrapheneOS due to better security and a minimum 5 year guarantee from launch for full security updates and other improvements:
- Pixel 9 Pro Fold — minimum 7 years support and hardware memory tagging support
- Pixel 9 Pro XL — minimum 7 years support and hardware memory tagging support
- Pixel 9 Pro — minimum 7 years support and hardware memory tagging support
- Pixel 9 — minimum 7 years support and hardware memory tagging support
- Pixel 8 Pro — minimum 7 years support and hardware memory tagging support
- Pixel 8 — minimum 7 years support and hardware memory tagging support
- Pixel Fold
- Pixel Tablet
- Pixel 7a
- Pixel 7 Pro
- Pixel 7
- Pixel 6a
- Pixel 6 Pro
- Pixel 6
“8th/9th generation Pixels provide a minimum guarantee of 7 years of support from launch instead of the previous 5 year minimum guarantee. 8th/9th generation Pixels also bring support for the incredibly powerful hardware memory tagging security feature as part of moving to new ARMv9 CPU cores. GrapheneOS uses hardware memory tagging by default to protect the base OS and known compatible user installed apps against exploitation, with the option to use it for all apps and opt-out on a case-by-case basis for the few incompatible with it.
Both 7th and 6th generation Pixels have a minimum guarantee of 5 years from launch. 7th generation Pixels are a year newer so they have an extra year of their guarantee remaining.
The Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro are all around improvements over the Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro with a significantly better GPU and cellular radio along with an incremental CPU upgrade. The 7th generation Pixels are far more similar to the previous generation than any prior Pixels.
Pixel 7a is nearly the same as the Pixel 7 other than having slow wireless charging and weaker dust/water protection. Pixel 7a offers the best value when buying a new device.
The Pixel Tablet is a tablet variant of the 7th generation devices and the Pixel Fold is a hybrid phone/tablet. These share the same SoC and are nearly the same as the other 7th generation devices under the hood.
Pixel 6a can still be worth buying if you can get a good deal due to the long support time. It still has just under 3 years of the minimum support guarantee remaining.”
GrapheneOS still has official production support for the Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro as well.
So there you have it, short, sweet, and to the point. Hope this helps!
If you want to know more about the different Operating Systems, then check out this blog: https://getprivacyfreedom.me/degoogled-phone-operating-systems/
See all of our DeGoogled Pixel Phones HERE.
God Bless
