Expandable Storage

DarkKing202

Just wondering if it's coincidental that the list of supported devices does not support/have expandable storage?
Or is there a security/privacy reason behind it?
Quick search didn't list any results about this. But did read that the pixel line has never supported SD cards.

de0u

DarkKing202 Just wondering if it's coincidental that the list of supported devices does not support/have expandable storage?

Yes.

The criteria are here: https://grapheneos.org/faq#future-devices

The GrapheneOS project does not control whether device manufacturers make devices with strong hardware security, nor whether devices with strong hardware security have removable storage.

Dumdum

As GOS are not Google, there can be no answer to that besides "its coincidental". Personally I see very little need for most people to have more than 256GB on their phone, but if more space is needed for one reason or another, then that is not really Graphene's fault. GrapheneOS uses the Pixel phones for their strong security. Storage space and whether space can be expanded is not a significant factor in device support for GOS.

DarkKing202

Dumdum Dumdum Thank you for the reply. I agree on the storage maximums to a fair extent. My interest for expandable storage is in preference for downloaded audio as opposed to streaming.
While I may not near FLAC audio file sizes for inability to utilize them via Bluetooth (detest additional wear on charging port from adapter utilization), I do still reach a sizable music library.
And while end usage may not be enough, being able to isolate extensive write operations to a replaceable memory element provides me a little peace of mind.
Currently I'm using 50GB on internal storage and 40GB on SD card. Music files only comprise _20GB on the SD card; near all using AAC encoding which uses _1MB/min of audio. FLAC varies some but averages 6.7MB/min.

Just disappointing to see the continual tread of minimizing versatility in smartphones.

GrapheneOS

Dumdum The Pixel 8 Pro has 128GB, 256GB, 512GB and 1TB options. It only maxes out at 256GB for the Pixel 8 or Pixel 8a.

DarkKing202

de0u Thank you for the list. I did see it but couldn't find anything related to removable storage.
I do understand that GOS is a software project and that they don't have control over features in a phone.
I was merely curious if the lack of removable storage in the currently supported models was due to security/privacy or just the limitations of the smartphone market.

[deleted]

DarkKing202 my question is, do you need your entire library with you on the move? I have noticed this tendency in people to try and cram their entire life on one device because they think they might at some unexpected moment need a fragment of it.

de0u

DarkKing202 I was merely curious if the lack of removable storage in the currently supported models was due to security/privacy or just the limitations of the smartphone market.

I would be surprised if the GrapheneOS developers had decided to reject phones supporting removable storage, since GrapheneOS phones all support removable storage via the USB-C port. And I suspect that if they had a rule against internal removable storage then the list of criteria would mention that.

Skyway

This is a wide spread trend unfortunately.
I do see some pros to having removable storage .
Makes it east to switch devices or access data in all profiles . but it wouldn't be encrypted.

Eagle_Owl

GrapheneOS
Unfortunately the P8 Pro models with max storage are not for the world market, but US only. :-(
And as an European you must look for the nice colour “Obsidian” to get the maximum of 512 GB storage (not always and everywhere available!)…

Last year and before it was even worse, you got a maximum of 256 GB of memory outside America. This is not future-proof and the less of this memory you have, the sooner it will age rapidly by heavy use.

Maybe the next generation (P9 – probably only the Pro models again) get 2TB for the US market, then the rest of the world gets 1TB, finally? – But again only available in one colour and for a short time … :-(
That is very discriminating – but of course I grant all Americans the terabyte versions! ;-)

doublefree

The expandable storage of Pixel phones is called (Google) Cloud. SCNR.

Besides this, GOS has a very minimal system size compare to other Android systems since it does not includes all this bloat.

[deleted]

doublefree The expandable storage of Pixel phones is called (Google) Cloud.

I fail to see the logic of using GOS and giving Google tons of information.

phone-company

Because of security i never would use more than 128gb.... If i need music i use my mp3 Player