this post was submitted on 24 Oct 2024
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privacy

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A bit of a rant, but what to do about new smartphones? (lemmy.ca)
submitted 2 weeks ago by Showroom7561@lemmy.ca to c/privacy@lemmy.ca
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Samsung has gone hard promoting AI in their phones, and now OnePlus has also announced some heavy AI-based features in their new Android OS. Pretty much every other brand is now doing the same, so you can't escape it.

I've been in the market to upgrade my nearly 6-year-old phone, but seeing all these AI features, especially when they rely on Google's Gemini (or other cloud AI), and it feels deflating.

Will privacy ultimately have to be sacrificed "from now on"?

By not using these AI features, you pay a lot for features you won't be using. And the usefulness of the device becomes limited as nearly all functions now have AI-based components to them.

I'm totally fine with on-device AI, but many features I'm seeing don't seem to be on-device, and I've spent years trying to stop sending my data to companies like Google. I don't want to go backwards for the sake of market trends.

What are your future plans when it comes to smartphones?

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[–] HEXN3T@lemmy.blahaj.zone 38 points 2 weeks ago (2 children)

Pixel and GrapheneOS, or any device compatible with CalyxOS.

[–] Showroom7561@lemmy.ca 14 points 2 weeks ago (4 children)

To be quite honest, after Google screwed me over with their Pixelbook (firmware broke touchscreen, and they basically told me to buy a new one), I will not give Google money for their hardware.

I also generally dislike Pixel phones for a number of reasons. This sucks :(

[–] HEXN3T@lemmy.blahaj.zone 8 points 2 weeks ago (2 children)

I didn't give them money for my Pixel. I used AdNauseam, cost them over $2,000 in advertising losses, and then bought one.

Trollface.

[–] TheButtonJustSpins@infosec.pub 15 points 2 weeks ago

Getting it secondhand also doesn't give them any money.

[–] N4CHEM@lemmy.ml 2 points 2 weeks ago (1 children)

Then look for a phone that supports CalyxOS, DivestOS, iodéOS... unlike GrapheneOS they support more models than just Pixels.

[–] Showroom7561@lemmy.ca 1 points 2 weeks ago

Then look for a phone that supports CalyxOS, DivestOS, iodéOS

Just had a quick look. It seems like none support newer phones. The non-pixel phones listed are things like Fairphone (not available in Canada) or Oneplus 6 (literally 7 generations old).

I used to only flash custom ROMs back in the day, but even then, top-tier Samsung phones could handle them easily.

[–] Nils@lemmy.ca 2 points 2 weeks ago (2 children)

If you don't mind old hardware, get it refurbished from Amazon. You can get pixel 7 for 400 CAD, sometimes less. Amazon quality control is better than ebay, so was the support.

My biggest problem is with the camera of all mobiles, the photo looks good because there is a lot of processing in the background, and it becomes very apparent how the hardware is bad when you take pictures with an aftermarket OS.

[–] ProdigalFrog@slrpnk.net 5 points 2 weeks ago

You can sideload the google camera app and restrict any online access to it on graphene.

[–] Showroom7561@lemmy.ca 1 points 2 weeks ago

I tend to buy flagships because I know they'll last me many years without worrying about the hardware being too outdated.

But then updates stop, and the batteries need to be replaced... that's kind of where I'm at now. Seeing that OEMs now offer at least 5 years of major Android OS updates, I'd at least be covered there.

But man, are they all pushing hard for these AI features. Like I said, I'd be totally fine if these were all on-device AI features, but I really don't want Google getting their filthy hands on my data through Gemini.

[–] yonder@sh.itjust.works 1 points 2 weeks ago

You could also get a second hand device on the DivestOS compatibility list.

[–] ohellidk@sh.itjust.works 3 points 2 weeks ago (1 children)

but you'd have to unlock bootloader, first.

[–] sugar_in_your_tea@sh.itjust.works 3 points 2 weeks ago (1 children)

Yup. Read/watch the process for whatever phones you're considering before buying.

I flashed GrapheneOS on a Pixel 8, and it was super easy.

[–] ohellidk@sh.itjust.works 1 points 2 weeks ago (1 children)

I mean, its gotta be easier than flashing lineage and all the google crap, then spoofing the play integrity. that's what I have now and its starting to become kind of unsustainable with google messing with it every week.

[–] sugar_in_your_tea@sh.itjust.works 2 points 2 weeks ago (1 children)

What's easier?

And you can nearly completely avoid Google Play if you install through Aurora. Most of my apps come from F-Droid, with a handful from Aurora, and I have a separate profile for apps that require Google Play. It's surprisingly usable.

[–] ohellidk@sh.itjust.works 1 points 2 weeks ago

that's pretty cool