I currently have an iPhone X. I like it, but it’s gradually dying. It’s also a bit too big. Perfect size would be the iPhone 7 or similar. I’ve had different brand phones before this, so while I’ve been on Apple for a while, I’ve had Samsung, Motorola, Sony, Nokia etc. all the way back to the Nokia 3210.
I’m becoming a bit fed up of big brands and so want to de-Apple myself, but also not go Google. I would love a dumb phone, but I do have some regular apps: MS Auth for work; Lemmy; Philips Hue; Sensibo; WhatsApp.
I was looking at alternative OS options such as Graphene OS, that in theory allow you to run Android apps without Google. But how well do they work?
This would be my primary (only) phone.
So given size considerations (iPhone 7), ability to not be Apple or Google OS, but also be able to run my key apps, what do my options look like?
I’d go into a store and ask, but say ‘not apple and not google’ and you get a vacant stare in response.
Due to the size constraints, there’s not much to recommend (I am currently typing this on an iphone 7 lols). Since you mentioned GrapheneOS, which can only be installed on Pixel devices, I’d recommend the Pixel 7a. It’s definitely bigger than an iPhone 7, but it is the newest Pixel device. To get a phone that’s smaller that supports Graphene, I’d have to recommend a Pixel 5a instead. It’s older but closer to the size you wish for. Pick your poison.