Ironically, the best devices for degoogling are Pixels. You can unlock the bootloader very easily and then flash something like GrapheneOS or CalyxOS, and finally even relock the bootloader afterwards for security. Graphene can run google services in a sandboxed mode and Calyx has microG by default iirc.

The best option would be a Pixel running GrapheneOS. If you don't want a Pixel, a well supported device with DivestOS (look for a recent one with a relockable bootloader) would be your best option. Debloating a stock OS isn't recommended since those apps will come back anyway should the system update. Leaving your bootloader unlocked and rooting your phone as well is detrimental to Android security. Please don't do that. See a third party OS comparison Also see:

• DivestOS golden devices page
• DivesrOS FAQ
• DivestOS explanation on patch levels

If pixel/GrapheneOS is not an option I would recommend DivestOS which supports a very wide range of devices

https://divestos.org/pages/devices

I am dismayed at the current scenario of basically nothing but the pixels being supported for rooting (not the fault of the community). Also a bit saddened by how easily everyone has accepted it.

If I don't go the pixel route, I will probably purchase a cheap OnePlus mobile next year with at least kernel version 5.10. By next year, KernelSU should be more mature, and if you know about KernelSU, you know that passing SafetyNet is not a problem. I'd run microG in the work profile and put my apps there, and also debloat the pathetic excuse of ColourOS (or whatever Oppo uses). Fuckwads couldn't even keep the damn tool open to unbrick devices (which is why development stopped). By next year I just need to figure out how to install patches with a modded kernel.

Sorry that doesn't answer your question since you need a mobile now. I'm just quite annoyed at the state we are in. I really hope linux mobiles take off in the near future and I don't have to deal with such nonsense.

Here you can filter the search for Custom ROMs by release year. A few current models are already available: https://www.sustaphones.com/ beside Pixels i.e. Xiaomi, 2023, redwood X5 Pro 5G, Teracube 2e, 2022, emerald, Motorola g32, g42, g52, ...

Google Pixel with GrapheneOS. Nothing matches it.

Fairphone is the bomb diggity

Buying a pixel isn't the end of the world, but it is still feeding the enshittification beast

If you have the money and you care about not buying or owning a Google product, and / or you care about repairability, get a FairPhone: you can install ~~GrapheneOS or~~ CalyxOS on them and they too support relocking the bootloader. It's not just Pixel phones.

Bonus: they have a SD card slot, unlike Pixel phones.

They're not the speediest or sleekest devices, but that's not where the interest lies with Fairphone cellphones: they're mostly designed for long life and easy maintenance, and they're made by a cool company I want to support personally. And they're not made by Google, so buying one won't support Google or the Pixel ecosystem in any way.

Murena (the company behind /e/ os) also sell smartphones with /e/ os installed. They've also partnered with Fairphone if you're looking for a more sustainable model. I bought the Fairphone with /e/ os a couple of months ago because I was looking for a phone with replaceable parts and it works well. They also sell some refurbished models I believe.

I recommend you purchase a Google Pixel 6a or above (minimum security support ends July 2027) and flash GrapheneOS. (Pixel 8/pro preferred)

Aurora Store doesn't avoid Google since a lot of the apps from the play store include Google's SDK and libraries. microG also doesn't avoid Google as it is still running proprietary Google code and has more privacy/security weaknesses

Sandboxed Google Mobile Services is a much better implementation which is featured in GrapheneOS. The services are not privileged and is treated like any other app. They don't downgrade privacy or security unlike the other alternatives.

There are much more privacy and security benefits using GOS. Here is a 3rd party comparison between different mobile OS.

Iirc, there are unofficial ports of LineageOS for newer devices. Also, I've been using another system, ArrowOS, in its vanilla form, on a Redmi Note 10 Pro phone I have, and it's working fine so far, so maybe an alternative for your case if you don't find a decent phone compatible with LineageOS?

I'm in pretty much the same boat as OP.

I'm seeing that buying a Pixel and then degoogle-ing it with Graphene OS is the way to go. Before I pull the trigger on that, can anyone point me to a good guide on how and when to load Graphene OS? Do I load it after activation with a carrier? Ok to do this before carrier activation?

And what functionality do I have with Graphene OS? Only Fdroid as a store? Can I sideload apps?

I'd really like to hear from some people that have actually done this about what to do and what their experience is with grapheneos. I'm leery of spending hundreds of dollars on a phone that may or may not work as I want.

I am seriously considering doing this but I'll buy an iphone if I can't really understand the pixel/graphene path well enough before dropping the $$.

Any YT vids about someone doing this?

Thanks to anyone for the great answers! I finally decided to buy a pixel 6 (or 6 pro if I find a good deal) and install a custom ROM on it! GrapheneOS will support it for "only" 3 more years, while other roms like lineageos or divestos will have longer support. What do you suggest? Graphene OS and when support ends switch to another one? O directly use the other one?

Regarding your edit and GrapheneOS support - they will definitely support the pixel for as long as Google are providing official support, though they have then continued support in the form of security patches for much longer than that for older devices. No guarantees of exactly what will happen in the future but you're probably best of using GrapheneOS for now and then in three years time seeing what the state of things are. Things change quickly in technology, maybe you won't need to move anything, maybe you'll want a completely new phone by then!