Privacy

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Is there still any hope for privacy phones? 2025 and beyond (lemmy.ml)

submitted 3 days ago by ComradePedro@lemmy.ml to c/privacy@lemmy.ml

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Google has been trying to make Android proprietary for a few years now, and that's not news, as many AOSP default apps have been abandoned over time in favor of proprietary Google ones. This was never a huge problem for me, as you can still use those apps without network access or use open source alternatives like Fossify on a custom ROM.

However, the situation is quickly getting worse, now that Google is actively trying to prevent the development of custom ROMs and taking a page from Apple's book by forcing developers to beg them for permission to release apps on the Android platform, even outside of the Play Store - giving Google full control.

Is there still any hope left for privacy respecting Android ROMs? What do you think will happen next? And what would be your suggestions for those looking for a phone in 2025?

If you have a different perspective on the situation, also please comment below!

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[–] DupaCycki@lemmy.world 35 points 2 days ago (1 children)

As of right now, it's looking like GrapheneOS will be unaffected, and Google has yet to lock down the bootloader. So this should remain a valid option for at least 2 years.

Other than that:

Any smartphones with an unlocked bootloader + any ROMs without gapps
Chinese smartphones with non-Google Android builds
Linux smartphones
Bonus: Huawei is about to release their own non-Android OS, but I wouldn't expect it to be privacy-friendly

Honestly there probably isn't any good, long-term solution. Personally I'm somewhat shocked we've gone this many years with reasonably open smartphones. Next step is probably closing bootloaders in new laptops, as part of the switch to ARM (which is already undergoing).

[–] StarMerchant938@lemmy.world 5 points 2 days ago (1 children)

I'm pretty seriously considering the pinephone. I think it's super neat there's a LoRa module backplate you can buy with it, although my understanding is nobody has made it work with meshtastic yet.

[–] DupaCycki@lemmy.world 3 points 2 days ago (1 children)

I'm a huge fan of Pine64, but I wouldn't expect the PinePhone to be a great replacement for an Android smartphone. Personally I have quite extensive experience with PineBook Pro, PineTime and PineBuds Pro. I haven't had the chance to try the PinePhone, but I'd definitely go for the Pro.

Even then, prepare for a junky experience and forget about lixuries such as good camera, nice screen, smooth UI/UX. Their devices are great, and the ideas behind them more so. But unfortunately they rarely work well, perhaps with the exception of PineBuds Pro.

[–] deprecateddino@lemmy.world 2 points 1 day ago (1 children)

FYI, the Pro has been discontinued: https://pine64.org/2025/08/14/august_2025_short_update/

[–] DupaCycki@lemmy.world 1 points 16 hours ago (1 children)

Hey everyone! As many have noticed, the PinePhone Pro is currently out ot stock on the Pine Store. Unfortunately we have to deliver you the following news: the PinePhone Pro is officially discontinued. We were told it didn’t sell well enough to keep production going. But the good news for current owners are that spare parts will still be made for up to two years, depending on demand. Meanwhile, the trusty PinePhone (A64) is still alive and kicking, and Pine Store plans to keep it rolling for about two more years.

Well, that sucks. So I guess the better move here would be to wait for something new? I don't think the regular PinePhone is at all viable as a daily driver.

[–] ILikePigeons@lemmy.ml 2 points 5 hours ago* (last edited 5 hours ago)

Depends, if it is used as a dumbphone (calls, SMS, being in sleep most of the time), it is okayish. However, going outside dumphone sphere, it becomes cumbersome to use.