[CaptainMarvel]

I don't. This is a stark realisation that I have had over the past few years. I would once staunchly recommend iPhones for their strong security, in particular app isolation, on-device AI, and physical device security.

However, over the years there have been more and more instances where Apple decides what I can do with my phone. From restricting APIs to give their first-party apps advantage, to, most recently, not having any (local) method to move voice memos off my Apple Watch.

I've realised they are orchestrating their hardware and software to build a truly solid wall from within which they can extract continuous rent from their captives.

I don't own my device because I cannot freely run the software I create on it (without paying Apple and gaining their approval, which is impossible in some cases).

I'm done with Apple... but there are no acceptable alternatives. Android is bad in other aspects.

This is not a free and fair market; it's a duopoly.

I genuinely pray weekly for a phone like the Framework Laptop, where I can run my own software (Arch Linux) and repair and replace the hardware as needed.

[Vinnl]

I assume you're aware and have some other reason that disqualifies it (e.g. you're in the US), but Fairphone does exist and comes pretty close (i.e. PostmarketOS is supposed to run, at least): https://www.fairphone.com/

[CaptainMarvel]

Thank you. I did actually come across this a few weeks ago as I semi-regularly search for new phones in my despair!

It is the closest phone to what I have been after for a while. I particularly like their long software support and their support for right-to-repair. It runs stock Android, however I'm not sure whether that means Google is still fully entrenched into all aspects of the phone by default including through Play Store APIs, notifications, etc.

(If anyone would shed some light on the software side, I would appreciate it because I'm not familiar with modern Android.)

Even if it were suitable I would not be in a position to buy it for a while, hence I am still plodding along with my iPhone but just keeping an eye out for good alternatives.

Edit: I re-noticed you said it runs postmarketOS. That's awesome and I'll need to look into it - I know very little about it. Though it seems many aspects of the hardware are not supported on even the Fairphone 4.

[jcfrei]

Yup, this is the choice: Either a walled garden run by Apple that has a price premium. Or a discounted device by Android that allows Google to snoop on all your data if you want to use a single one of their services (App Store, Gmail, Google Maps) - and correct me if I'm wrong but without play services enabled an Android is not really usable. I rather pay the premium.

[nomius10]

GrapheneOS runs the google play services as a containerized app instead of a system level app, allowing you to disable access as needed. The downside is that it's only available for pixel phones.

[alwayslikethis]

GrapheneOS is as close to a private phone as possible nowadays, though it does require paying Google a somewhat hefty premium too (not as expensive as the iPhone, still). You can definitely use Android without Google apps, though GrapheneOS does include options that would let it behave like a normal app without special privileges. You can even isolate it to a work profile so it has no access to your main.

[josephcsible]

If you go with Android, you could flash GrapheneOS, which supports sandboxing Play Services.

[mythhabit]

I depends what you want from your tool. I get around 4 years of use from the device. I upgrade every 2 years, and my son inherits my old one. I replace the battery if it's below 80%, it's usually once when I hand it over to my son.

That is a reasonable fee every month for the tool I get. I'm not tweaking every little thing and I don't need full access. I don't want it either. So far, Apple has created dependable devices that serves my purposes. I don't see the value in "upgrading" my phone. Maybe the pace will soon be slowed enough that it makes sense, but so far, the leap every 2 years has been enough for me to justify it. I know that is not what everybody want.

I used to do hardcore linux on computers as well, but now that I have other things I want to spend time on, I just need a laptop that is a tool. And maintaining and especially debugging Arch/Debian/Whatever breakage due to an upgrade is not part of the things I want to spend time on.

In principle, I do agree that we should have the ability to gain full access, one way or another. Maybe that means you cannot be part of the walled garden, but that should at least be a choice you can make.

[medstrom]

Claims they don't see the value in "upgrading". Upgrades every 2 years.

You...think there are many people in 2024 with an even higher upgrade pace?

[BlueTemplar]

A few years ago I was still considering de-Googled Android, but IMHO that's still being too tied to Google's ecosystem, constantly trying to catch up.

IMHO hackers should focus their efforts on the likes of Pinephone / Librem 5 instead...

(See also : avoiding Chromium.)

[kristjansson]

Memos from watch show up immediately in Voice Memo on the associated phone, where they can be shared via AirDrop, email, Tailscale, ...