GrapheneOS is probably the best option out there.

As you said, it's only for Pixels currently, because

1. They are more secure than most other phones. They have some kind of chip built in that makes them superior. I don't know the specifics, but other commentators might add some information if needed. Something with encryption if I remember correctly. The GrapheneOS team is a bit ...picky... when it comes to security, and most other phones don't reach their requirements for a secure device.
2. Google is one major contributor to Android, and their phones are fine tuned to work perfectly with it. Other manufacturers' phones feel less polished.
3. It's easier to maintain one line of devices that are very similar, instead of keeping hundred phones up to date and secure. Pixels are similar to iPhones, they get updated almost simultaneously and are similar. If you now add a phone from a different line, e.g. a Fairphone or Nothing Phone, things get more complicated. If you look at Calyx (more onto that later), the FP4 caused quite some headaches for the dev team.

Pixels are cheap(ish) for what you get, and I believe Google makes them so cheap because 99% of users don't care which ROM/OS is installed. Those are the advertisment-cows that will get milked. If you buy a Pixel and install a custom ROM on it, they will loose money.

My experience with GrapheneOS has been great. My Pixel 5 hit EOL a while ago and still gets maintenance updates almost weekly.
Many security additions are overkill for me, but quite some make a lot of sense.

I used CalyxOS for a year too, but now that I don't get full updates anymore, I don't feel safe anymore with it.

I think GrapheneOS is technically superior to Calyx, especially due to the sandboxing they do. MicroG has full root privileges and can do with your phone what it wants, while also breaking some apps due to missing dependencies. If you choose to enable Play Services on GrapheneOS, they are user level and heavily restricted, and only you decide how much access you want to give them.

Regarding Calyx, since they don't limit themselves as much in terms of security, they also offer a ROM for the Fairphone. Maybe check that out too.

DivestOS also seems to be a good option. AFAIK it's based on LineageOS and supports a lot of devices, while being more secure than LOS.

Regarding Linux phones, I don't have any experience with them. I tried Phosh (Mobile Gnome) on an exhibition a while ago, and it felt great and interesting, but from what I've heard, they are nowhere as good as Android.

My personal ranking:

1. GrapheneOS on a Pixel. Get an used/ refurbished device if you don't want to support Google. Best price-performance ratio, great OS, and very good hardware (battery life, camera, etc.)
2. CalyxOS on a Fairphobe. Modular device with good repairability. Nowhere near as good in terms of what you'll get for your money. Better security than 95% of other phone ROMs, oh, and you can just swap your battery in seconds if you want that :D
3. DivestOS on a random supported phone, e.g. a China device. Nowhere near as sustainable (short lived update support, no spare parts, etc.)
4. Linux phone. Only a good option for a tinkering device right now imo.

I use LineageOS because my phone is not a Pixel and it works fine for me. If you don't want to pay Google for a Pixel, buy a used one. Other than that LOS is fine. It doesn't have anonymization features like /e/OS or something like that but it doesn't force nor promote any apps or ecosystems (except for Seedvault but it's not a big deal) and it is FOSS

I'm using /e/ os for more than 3 years on different devices (with some customizations) and it works like a charm. An important aspect is that you can install e on any phone that has the bootloader unlock and supports GSIs - theoreticaly any device that runs Android > 9

/e/ has a gsi image which is neat!

I don't use nor promote any banking apps or other G**gle/proprietary dependendent apps.

Why nobody talks more about e.foundation /e/ OS?

Enlighten me please 🙂

There isn't any Foss phone. Graphene os and everything else requires proprietary software for the modem to operate at a minimum.

If you are ok with some proprietary software go with Lineage OS.

For devices that support Lineage OS go here: https://wiki.lineageos.org/devices/

I've used Lineage on multiple devices, Calyx, and Graphene. Graphene by far has the least issues (basically none), and the best compatibility in my experiences. Being able to relock the boot loader is perfect for a mobile device too.

I use Calyx on a Fairphone 4. It's not totally degooglified, since it comes with MicroG which is used to connect to Google services. I use Aurora Store and a couple of original Google Apps like Gboard too (none of my Google apps can access the internet, since they're behind the built-in firewall). It works well except call functionality which can be wonky and there's the issue that a lot of apps from Play don't work well with MicroG. I only use a small selection of Play apps though, so it doesn't bother me too much.

I've read some lemmy users dislike this OS due to perceived misleading advertising and the pixel 7a you're supposed to install graphene on because it's from google

There is no misleading advertisement. Go with Graphene if you own a Pixel (from Pixel 5 up) or you can find a cheap second-hand one.

there is so much false information about this OS, namely compatible phones that simply don't work

Care to share which devices are you talking about? If a device is officially supported by the latest LineageOS version, it works.

Using GrapheneOS on a pixel 8 pro bought for this. Never used the stock OS. Coming from iOS it is a breeze of fresh air to feel "private". I tried lineage some times ago but it isn't as polished as graphene, and it feels like a classic android OS, I didn't feel " private".

GrapheneOS is perfect. Pixel phones are Google hardware yes, but works like a dream once GOS is installed. NO MORE GOOGLE !!! Frequent OS updates, love it

Calyxos user here. I like it so far. Half a year into it. I can live with microg instead of gms. And it also works on moto g32, 42 and 52 so you don't need Google hardware.

I've had calyxOS on this phone now for about 2 uears now. Its pretty good. It comes with microG to simulate the google apis.

Not sure why GrapheneOS is getting down voted so much here, did I miss something recent that happened?

I've been using GrapheneOS on my Pixel 6a for around 2 years and really like it.

If I couldn't use GOS though, I would probably go with DivestOS. I haven't looked deep into other alternative Android ROMs.

Calyx. It just works. I've honestly just used it like stock Android, using as many private apps as possible. It's so fun seeing all the cool little projects not on iOS! I just recently discovered Petals, which helps with measuring THC intake.

I've been using Graphene since the pixel 4a, have never considered going back. It works wonderfully.

Can you elaborate on being misled there?

As for google devices - yes, there's irony in the notion that the most de-googleable phones are theirs, sure. They're often sold at a loss around the holiday season, though.

Used pixels are surprisingly cheap for how well they hold up over time, and graphene works well.

I use GrapheneOS. Can't go back!

Not in my ideal spot but tolerating Android via LineageOS for microG on a Sony Xperia 5 III as their ROMs make microG painless & hardware-wise I get a fast-enough CPU, OLED, a headphone jack, & microSD.

PostmarketOS, pinephone, using phosh (sxmo is good too, but no support for dvorak keyboard :( :( :( ). Very jank, but I would never go back to Google/Android (or derivatives) after tasting what could be. Might try to switch to Void Linux or base Alpine since PostmarketOS is shipping systemd by default next release ("optionally, with openrc still being supported", but we all know openrc is being pushed to the side, especially since it needs recompilation to switch back). Hope to boot OpenBSD on it some day.

Ι use Murena's e/OS, I like the iphone-likeness of it. It works.

No OS is perfect, as you likely do have to use a proprietary modem and some proprietary apps, but CalyxOS works well for me on my Fairphone 4. I like the base install being as free as realistically possible on a modern Android phone, especially replacing Google apps with microG. Just don't enable SafetyNet if you don't want it to run (sandboxed) Google blobs. That API is deprecated anyways.

The experience is smooth, free and I get a repairable phone without having generative """AI""" shoved down my throat. A win on all fronts in my opinion.

I personally prefer Lineage OS

I am on a pixel 7 with graphene OS. Been great. Ive been using this phone for about a year or so now.

@merompetehla
Such question I like to answer with this link from a security specislist.
privsec.dev/posts/

Please check the category Android.
Graphene seems the best possible custom rom.
I use Lineageos because I got an old phone for free.

just so everyone is aware grapheneos only support's pixels because it is specifically designed for taking advantage of the hardware security features found in google's tensor and titan chips. and thus installing it on another phone would kinda miss the point (and vastly increase the scope of the project)

google is also basically the best company when it comes to phones for custom roms, as they provide stock images, a simple bootloader unlocking process (that doesn't void your warranty as far as i can tell), and generally the aosp and software support that comes from being the phone of the developer of android.

I like grapheneos, very close to stock android without google shit

• you got bonus settings like the sensors toggle

Lineage is kinda bad privacy and security wise, from the little I know its not fully degoogled

I run LineageOS for microG, on LOS for more than 5 years now. I am not willing to pay for Pixel phones, even the used devices are to expensive for me. I do not really care about an unlocked bootloader, so that's alright.

GrapheneOS on a Pixel 8 Pro. I've been super happy with it since I switched from iOS.

https://eylenburg.github.io/android_comparison.htm This is a nice overview

CrDroid... Use it mostly because it's stock android with a few extra options...

I'm fairly happy with LineageOS myself

but there is so much false information about this OS, namely compatible phones that simply don’t work with this OS and no support.

I think you're overreacting a bit calling it "false information". LOS is a FLOSS project that many individuals have ported to their device — and either at some point they buy a new phone and drop that development, or they realise what a massive project it is to maintain it. That's just a general bummer with open source, especially when people volunteer their free time.

I'm currently running GrapheneOS on a Pixel 8 Pro. I use the provided sandboxed google services because of some apps (banking, etc). I use F-Droid for most of my needs. I don't understand what you mean by misleading advertising.