Hi All!
I will have to buy a new phone in the near future and I’ve been lamenting about this question for a long time now. I originally wanted a Pixel for Graphene, but taking into account the recent changes to Android I am a bit worried:
my biggest worry is in regards to Google’s app verification requirement - F-droid already warned us that they might just die if this is actually implemented. I am currently using a Samsung with open-source apps from F-droid (and Obtainium). Do you think open-source apps will die or will the developers keep them updated, even though there won’t be a central place to get them from (and non custom ROM users won’t have access to them, since I suppose most of the developers won’t verify themselves with Google)
Other concerns:
Google is making it harder and harder for custom ROMs to build their operating systems - will Graphene be able to keep afloat?
If Android becomes a closed operating system with no open-source apps available I might as well switch over to iOS.
I like the granular privacy controls they give over the apps present on the system
I trust Apple more than I trust Google
Regarding my threat model - I am planning to use my phone for my business, so I want to keep the data on my phone as private and secure as possible (for the safety of my clients and my own), but I am not really in the danger of any targeted attacks etc.
I was going to type a longer response to answer what I thought of the other points and concerns you have but seeing this, I recommend iPhone.
GrapheneOS I feel is primarily best suited for personal use and a personal device for your personal data. If you have small issues, you deal with it as and when they occur (if they continue to which they should not once you set it up well as you want). GOS is also a lot more DIY so you don’t want to risk any potential issues especially with your business data/info.
iPhone/iOS is still rock solid and with the new chipset on iPhone 17 & onward and lockdown mode, you’ll be even safer and secure on iOS than ever before. But because you’re using this for business, I do not recommend risking anything with issues with how you work and manage all data associated with that activity (since app management can be and is going to be more fragmented on Graphene and it has its pros but also has its cons).
In other words: For business, I recommend iPhone. For personal use, I recommend Graphene. I don’t recommend you only use one device for both. Compartmentalization is important. I hope you come to the same conclusion after your due diligence.
F-Droid and FOSS app availability, etc. concern is valid but that is also a developing situation. Like most things, the real answer is that it depends. It’s hard to say conclusively what is going to happen today. I do believe open source apps will still be made. I think some devs will verify themselves and some won’t. And for those who won’t, I think it would still be possible to use their apps on GrapheneOS (I don’t remember the answer for how exactly but I do remember reading that GOS and side loading and all the accompanying freedom will still be possible).
Yes. Again, I don’t recall all the details for how but they will, as I understand it today.
Perhaps someone else can give you a more detailed answer with specificity for these. I am not an Android expert since I have only recently moved to Graphene and have not religiously followed everything they say about their recent difficulties. You can follow their X or Mastodon accounts for more. They are very transparent with it all.
Compartmentalisation is essential and not just on your mobile device, on all your devices. All you need to do then is make sure you are using the safest and most secure device for whatever it is you need/want to do. No one device (ios or gos), is ever going to fulfill all your expectations.
Bold claim. But it only depends on what your needs are in the first place. Many devices, apps, tools, software, etc. meets many people’s expectations for their own use cases and needs.
, with three phones a tablet two desktops and a laptop. 