andre

Can anyone recommend a mobile phone with the following features?
* no Google services (e.g. by running an alternative rom)
* not too expensive (it's for children)
* not too bulky
* gets updates
* runs Signal
* at least 4G
* not produced by Google => no Pixel devices

EDIT: * no iPhone

I still own a Samsung A3 2017 which would fit those requirements. Unfortunately, I did not manage to flash it with an alternative rom.

#PurchaseRecommendation

Nov 14, 2022 at 1:25pmWeb
Show threadPhilip KaufmannNov 14, 2022
@a32 I'd say Fairphone 2, only problem LineageOS-wise it's stuck at LOS18.1 currently (and it seems to be a hard barrier).
Show threadAlex the Emperor PenguinNov 14, 2022
@PhKaufmannMR @a32 pinephone for a hardcore linux child.
Show threadfanf42Nov 14, 2022
@PhKaufmannMR @a32 why à pb to be stuck in 18.1? It should give you a couple year ahead no? (on the other hand, I didn't followed how lineageOS version support evolved since several years...)
Show threadVerwechslungsgefährteNov 14, 2022

@a32 I installed /e/ on a Gigaset smartphone for my dad (he requested it.) Was really easy.

Further Android alternatives here:
https://alternativeto.net/software/android/

Show threadjonossa seuraavaNov 14, 2022
@a32 maybe used fairphone or OnePlus device
Show thread*M*Nov 14, 2022
@a32 I really liked this flip phone for my daughter when she was younger. No apps or anything, but it was super durable, inexpensive and small enough for my kid to carry easily.
Show threadLPSNov 14, 2022

@a32 You might want to consider a murena phone

https://murena.com/

#murena #android #foss

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Show threadJuan LuisNov 14, 2022

@a32 A refurbished @Fairphone 3 with @murena / @e_mydata (essentially a fork of @LineageOS IIUC) sounds like a great choice.

I'm a happy user of #Fairphone 4 with @e_mydata, completely de-googled if you want it.

Show threadGareth KitchenNov 14, 2022

@a32 Checkout It would be worth checking out LineageOS if you haven't already. https://wiki.lineageos.org/devices/

I run without Google on a FP3+ which works well but too expensive for your requirement.

Devices | LineageOS Wiki

Show threadSimon WhiteNov 14, 2022
@a32 I've managed to flash a couple Samsung phones. Need an alt playstore usually but otherwise Google can be avoided. What happened when trying to flash?
Show threadChristopher ThiebautNov 14, 2022
@a32 Probably not what you’re looking for, but used iPhone from eBay?
Show threadNiall Winters ⁂Nov 14, 2022
@a32 https://e.foundation/e-os/ is probably your best bet. Details on loading apps from Play store here: https://community.e.foundation/t/app-lounge-know-all-about-it/42331. Refurbished S9's here: https://murena.com/products/smartphones/
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Show threadNiall Winters ⁂Nov 14, 2022
@a32 See: @e_mydata
Show threadPseudo NymNov 14, 2022

@a32 serious question, if you really don't want Google hardware or software, maybe Android isn't the right choice? The whole OS is Google project.

How about an older, but still supported, Apple device?

I'm of the "no apple devices" Android-only crowd, but given your requirements, is something to consider

Show threadLoyNov 14, 2022
@a32 @hmblank your cup of tea? It's been a while since your de-googled FairPhone was in your podcast. Was a success in the end right?
Show threadSlacktoidNov 14, 2022
@a32 If you can't or don't want to do a Fairphone, you can check out Teracube. They should cover your requirements while also having a decent community.
Show threadDaniel (CactiChameleon9)Nov 14, 2022
@a32
1) Pixel devices are quite nice... Whats wrong with one?
2) What happened with the A3, can I help at all?
Show thread红烧乳鸽（LTS）Nov 14, 2022
@a32 I saw only few talk about iPhone SE (newest model). Really solid phone if you are not anti-Apple.
Show thread𝕖𝕥𝕡𝕚𝕟𝕒𝕣𝕕Nov 14, 2022
@a32 Are you ok with installing LineageOS yourself? If so, I can recommend getting a used OnePlus 6, It's their last model with a headphone jack. Plus you might get the chance to run a stable Linux distro on it one day.
Show threadSrit Mak 💀Nov 14, 2022
@a32 I used to enjoy the Huawei / Honor phones before they were blocked from using Google Services, so if you don't want Google, that could be an option.
Cheap, good quality, not too much crapware from what I remember
Show threadDivertNov 14, 2022
@a32
https://wiki.lineageos.org/devices/
@aral
Devices | LineageOS Wiki

Show threadSzymon NowickiNov 14, 2022
@a32 iPhone SE?
Show threadIzzyNov 14, 2022

@a32 Depends on how much is "too much". I've recently got my SHIFT6mq and am quite happy with it: Google-free ROM provided by manufacturer, flashing as easy as downloading on-device and triggering a "local OTA". EUR 650 might be a bit high, but they also have the SHIFT5me (EUR 350).Still stuck at Android-8, though – but rumors have it there's "light at the horizon" for the G-free variant.

They also sell refurbished, but a long wait list for that.

Show threadgdanovNov 14, 2022
@a32 I've used custom roms for years and I'd never give my kid phone with such rom because they are reliable until they are not and start eating your battery. Not to mention regular glitches.
Show threadEmon (moved to masto.top)Nov 14, 2022
@a32 no Google services means you have to give up a lot, it's not juste the playstore.
Take a look at #grapheneos (but requires a pixel phone)
Show threadTom Stoneham ⬜Nov 14, 2022

@a32
Not sure what your price range is but look here:
https://murena.com/products/smartphones/
Teracube is very good VFM if you can find one. But a refurb also good.

Interested to know why you are against the option of a secondhand Pixel with @GrapheneOS - you are not giving any money or data to Google that way but benefiting from their subsidised hardware.

Smartphones - Murena - deGoogled phones and services

Murena - deGoogled phones and services
Show threadSam  Nov 14, 2022
@a32 @aral Murena will sell you a phone pre-flashed with their de-googled ROM e/OS for USD$330 https://murena.com/shop/smartphones/brand-new/murena-teracube-2e-emerald-na/
Murena Teracube 2e - Murena - deGoogled phones and services

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Murena - deGoogled phones and services
Show threadsolilo guyNov 14, 2022
@a32 Unsere Kids haben Sony XA2's mit #SailfishOS - Signal läuft super.
Show threaddre Nov 14, 2022
@a32 Essential PH-1 with custom ROM: Lineage OS.
Show threadDeclanNov 14, 2022
@a32 an older iPhone?
Show threadDanny (he/they)Nov 14, 2022
@a32 I use a OnePlus 5 with LineageOS + microG that should fit the bill
Show threadlichensconNov 14, 2022
@a32 Ich habe mich letztes Jahr für ein gebrauchtes OnePlus 7T für ca. 220€ entschieden, da die einfach mit Custom ROMs zu flashen sind und die Kamera einigermaßen gut sein sollte.
Generell würde ich darauf achten, dass das Wunsch-Gerät einen Snapdragon-Prozessor hat, da die meistens länger Support von Custom ROMs bekommen, zudem trifft dies meist auch auf alte Flaggschiffe zu.
Show threadlichensconNov 14, 2022
@a32 Vorher hatte ich ein Xiaomi, damit war ich abgesehen von der Kamera auch sehr zufrieden, hier gibt es in der Redmi Note Reihe auch oft langen Custom ROM Support. Ich kaufe für mich und meine (Android-)Familie auch nur noch Smartphones, die eine "offizielle" Lineage-OS-Unterstützung haben, also auf der lineageos.org-Seite gelistet sind.
Show threadalex_celloNov 14, 2022
@a32 lineageOS is available for the Samsung galaxy a3 2017, I think it would fit your needs.
Show threadimaNov 14, 2022
@a32 have you looked at the PinePhone?
Show threadgledNov 15, 2022
@a32
Punkt mp02 ?

@aral
Show threadIAmDarthMoleNov 15, 2022
@a32 you could try the https://www.thelightphone.com though they don’t have a signal app yet. I have also used grapheneos in the past but as someone else already said that requires a pixel that is still supported by google (even if you aren’t getting their updates).
Show threadBBNov 15, 2022
@a32
You can disable Google services on the A3 using ADB (I can provide instructions if you like, but very easy – I am not a dev), at least sufficiently to make it "mostly" Google-free* I did this recently with an S7 and it is working fine with F-Droid & Aurora Store.
I was considering /e/OS, but wanted to keep the default camera app.
* – not totally so as still some minor background system services from Google like using their time server.