I have given thought recently to getting a Pixel 5 in a few months and putting Graphene OS on it. I have a Pinephone CE that I am waiting for things to mature and use a Teracube 2E that has /E/ OS on it. I already only use open source, non Google, apps. Would it be a waste of resources to go for the Pixel 5 being that it has no removable battery unlike my other phones and would instantly be on a limited life span ? I’m already off Android so my privacy and security are already in a pretty good state although it can always be better but it seems I have to succumb to buying a new device every few years to get that which I detest being forced to do. Just looking for opinions to supplement my own.
They’re putting GrapheneOS on it so this doesn’t matter.
What do you mean? GrapheneOS can’t updates closed source components like the firmware, the bootloader etc. That’s why OEM’s support it’s so important.
So what you’re suggesting is OP buy the phone, put GrapheneOS on it (like they plan to), and periodically wipe/reinstall Android 12 to do firmware upgrades? Just want to make sure I’m understanding this right.
From my experience with platform-tools you can’t flash firmware without doing an Android 12 install.
It’s not what I meant. Smartphones have proprietary components like the firmware, the modem firmware, the bootleader and other vendor code which need to be updated. GrapheneOS can’t get security updates for proprietary services, that’s up to vendors. That’s why vendor’s support it’s important. Also, these security updates come with security bulletins. Therefore, you don’t have to wipe your phone or something like that.