These are the things i care the most: I want a smartphone i can repair on my own (battery and screen are the essential parts), with a bootloader easily unlockable, even better with verified boot / supporting a custom OS with re-lockable bootloader.
I don’t care if it’s supported by an official foundation or by custom ROMs foundations, i want something that will most likely get the longest term updates and security patches.
Does a device like this even exists?
I know that probably one of the few alternatives here is the fairphone, however it’s really expensive and i’ve read many negative reviews of it (pieces staying out of stock for months or stuff like that), and i can’t see the meaning of having a repairable smartphone if i have to spend the same money that i would spend buying 3 smartphones with the same specs that would last me the same time. That said, i know the market isn’t favouring these kind of businesses and these devices NEED to be expensive in order to keep existing, but i would like to know some other possible alternatives that satisfy these requirements, if they even exist.
Honestly i’ve come to a point i would probably prefer spend my money on a guitar instead that on a smartphone and just give up, the industry is terrible 😅
Other than the FairPhone, which you already mentioned, nothing really matches all criteria.
I’d give a nod to the Pixel line, though. Google already offers 5 years of software updates, and the next line is rumoured to get 7. Plus Google allows Custom ROM support, which makes it a fan favourite in the privacy community. Granted it’s not as repairable as the FairPhone, and it’s not as eco-friendly, but it’s decent enough.
Also, Google has a habit of pulling out rugs for the slightest reasons with no regard to who’s standing on it… 7 years is a really long commitment when you look at the Google Graveyard.
This is 100% true but there also aren’t really any reliable alternatives for long-term firmware support. It’s either private companies offering 2-4 years or a somewhat open alternative whose longevity as a company and support capabilities (dev support) are unproven.
I’d say it mostly comes down to whether you want a phone you can tinker with and that supports a slightly better approach or something with the benefits of mainstream adoption and support from ROMs like GrapheneOS.
Yeah, but community support will keep going for a while even after Google drops it.
This is actually something i wanna get more informed on, for example i see that e/os is still supporting the first google pixel (from 2016), it’s already 7 years of updates. However i think that applies just to the OS update, not the security patches, am i right?
I don’t think you get the frequent security updates from Google, but you do get them rolled into the slightly-less-frequent regular updates from the e team.
Not to forget that Google also supplies iFixit with official parts which I think is pretty cool
The great thing about Google Pixel phones is indeed the ability to install GrapheneOS. More than just an alternative ROM only with GrapheneOS and a Pixel phone you can get a secure OS in terms of disk encryption and bootloader protection. Other brands and custom ROMs don’t allow the that level of security that is comparable to stock Android by Google or what Apple does on their devices.
Are banking apps likely to function?
https://grapheneos.org/usage#banking-apps
Here is a list of known working banking Apps:
https://privsec.dev/posts/android/banking-applications-compatibility-with-grapheneos/
The 7 gets 3 years of android software updates and 5 years of security updates, which considering Google develops android, isn’t enough. If apple can support their phones for 5+ years of software updates, Google can too.
Google also offers official parts through iFixit, which is better than most other manufacturers. I recently replaced the battery in my Pixel 6 Pro myself.
Okay then, i think i’m buying a new guitar
You are correct the nothing phone does match the fair phone
It’s really the Fairphone, you don’t have many options.
This is not an Android phone, but I plan to get a PinePhone Pro and then maybe a flip phone for calls. I want to be able to tinker with Linux on my phone and have better access to Linux applications and utilities. It’s not the most secure option, but for me, I don’t need much from a phone, though it would be nice to have more freedom and capabilities with my device. Plus the physical keyboard accessory looks super nice. This may or may not help you, but I figured to share my thoughts just in case. I don’t know how knowledgeable you are with Linux, but you will need to be an intermediate Linux user (or willing and able to dedicate the time and effort to learn) and be willing to accept the limitations of the device, especially since it is not really meant for normal users yet. It’s meant for people that like to tinker and can contribute improvements and testing for the device. PINE64 makes a lot of cool tech, including the PineTime, Pinecil, PineNote, etc., and they are very focused on repairability as they sell individual parts for each of their devices and provide long-term support: https://www.pine64.org/
I have had a OnePlus 6T that I have installed LineageOS on and have replaced the battery even though it is “non-removable”.
Battery Replacement Prerequisites/Tips
You need a heat gun to heat the adhesive to open the phone case. Then you need some spludgers/opening picks and a suction cup to open the case, as well as a precision screwdriver kit (essentially, get an iFixit kit for the opening tools). You will need some adhesive tape or some B-7000 or T-8000 to reattach the back cover. Be careful with the back cover as it is made of glass; I cracked mine by bending it too much and still have to get around to replacing it with the transparent cover I bought (which will look ugly with the replacement battery, but I figured it would be very functional as it will help me keep an eye on the battery before it expands too much and breaks the phone like my previous LG G5).
I recommend this video to follow along for the battery replacement: https://yewtu.be/watch?v=KDJJ9FOQEXk
I have had this phone for about 4-5 years now. If I need Android for any reason, I plan to use this device for those purposes.
I also use a Unicorn Beetle belt holster case with the OnePlus 6T, and it’s survived so many falls because of it. It’s only around $10-20 on eBay (try getting an Otter for that price). You can still find a 256 GB model of the phone for less than $200 on eBay as well. I recommend any OnePlus phone up to the OnePlus 7T Pro. Their newer devices now have an encrypted battery, and the company itself sucks, but their older phones are good for rooting and custom ROMs and are pretty high powered and inexpensive for their flagship models, which is why I picked them when I was looking for a phone.
Fairphone
You may want to take a look at this repairability thread from a month ago: https://lemmy.world/post/3213947.
A Fairphone is obviously the best candidate here, as you can replace pretty much everything on it. The Pixel starting from the 8 series is also surprisingly becoming interesting in this category thanks to the 7 years of software updates.
I think the only option you have is a Fairphone
Repairability: Nokia G42 (mid-range) and G22 (low-end)
Rooting, custom ROMs: Google Pixel (high-end), Xiaomi / Poco / Redmi phones (low to high-end)
Both: FairPhone (high-end), PinePhone (low-end)
Thanks to everyone who mentioned Eternity! Was an Infinity fan, so this is dope.
Just Fair phone
I have a SHIFT6mq and am quite content with it. Owned a FairPhone 3 before that and I much prefer the build quality of the SHIFTphone.
Still expensive as all balls, though.
