As I usually unlock bootloader, I just buy cheap Chinese phones from around 100 bucks, right now I'm using a FreeYond M5 5G. Debloated and rooted. Working like a charm.
Edit: I prefer Motorola over Nokia.
this post was submitted on 23 Mar 2024
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Privacy
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My assus zenphone is quite good in a compact package and minimal changes to android.
No idea about customisation though.
Be warned that the latest models ASUS removed the ability to unlock the devices
I've asked a similar question not long ago and the consensus was pixel, even though I had already ruled them out in my question.
I still haven't changed phones but I'm leaning on a nothing 2a, since it's reasonably priced for the storage that I want.
However, I've been looking at phones based on the specs I want and check XDA forums and see how active they are, in the hopes I get a phone popular enough that has long term community support
If you like, you can try my non root smartphone guide which works with any Android phone from the last 5 years, and even upto phones as old as Android 7 Nougat. (NOTE: Please do not use phones that old for daily driver, they have security risks.)
You can do 99% of the stuff fancy custom Android builds claim to provide without needing to root or unlock bootloader (this one prevents lots of risks alone), as far as privacy or security goes. Sure you may not be able to change your boot screen or use some fancy Xposed mod, but that is the cost of extra security. You can use Wavelet or RootlessJamesDSP without root instead of Viper4Android for sound improvements.
I do have a ranking of phone brands in there that is a bit old, but free of political biases, and still relevant. Your options for a LineageOS compatible phone might be low. Xiaomi and Motorola are good options. Avoid OnePlus if you want to use full 48/64 MP camera resolution, they lock it to their own app intentionally. https://www.celsoazevedo.com/files/android/google-camera/f/post-05/
Not sure what else I could tell, depends on whatever roadblocks you encounter upon research.
If you want a great cameraphone with bootloader unlocking, maybe buy a second hand Xiaomi 14 Ultra in few months?
I'm using a SHIFT6mq with LineageOS. It's similar to the Fairphone (expensive, but repairable, sustainable, good Custom ROM support), but it's got a few different design decisions and much higher build quality compared to the FP3 I had before.
HTC (Wildfire, Desire Z, [rip!]), Samsung (they are/were easy to flash; S3, S5, S7, A5 2017).
I once had Nexus 5 (by LG [rip!]) - I was disappointed, poor quality.
Nowadays, you should have control of a baseband firmware too!
So, looks like the Pixels are the best option.