beaverman20
I've been using Graphene OS for about 8 months now on a Google Pixel 7a.
There are a few anomalies in my experience, but honestly, I don't know if they are related to Graphene OS or to the apps. Notifications are the first thing that comes to mind as it's the only really outstanding UX issue. But I cannot say the root cause, whether it's something in the OS or a problem with the absence of Google libraries.
Otherwise, I've been very happy with Graphene so far. I am running Proton VPN (it's always on). I typically have my Wi-Fi on at home, but always turn it off when I go out. Likewise, location is always off. I have tried it once or twice when using Waze for navigation, but I've found Waze to be a piece of garbage.
My Google Pixel 7a's battery charge lasts about 36 hours, not great, but this could be a problem with the battery itself, not related to excessive power usage by Graphene or any given app. The Pixel phones are no where near as good hardware as a 'higher end' phone. But hey, for $250 bucks, I can upgrade 4 times for less than the price of an iPhone or Samsung S series phone...!
I use K-9 email which serves multiple email accounts (the throw-away accounts). I use Proton Mail app, Proton Calendar, and Proton Pass. They all work fine.
I use several messaging apps: Signal, Olvid, Zangi which all work fine.
All these apps have issues with notifications which is why I suspect the notification problem is related to Graphene OS. But I find that the notifications arrive when I open the apps, so it just means that I remember to get into the app to see if there are messages.
The only compatibility issues I've experienced are with a few apps such as my T-Mobile apps. I suspect that they do not have a version that is free of the Google spy libraries. But this is a non issue for me. I don't really need those apps.
YouTube stops video play in the Vanadium browser after about a minute. But only once did I get lazy and click a video link that someone sent me to watch a YouTube video; it stopped after about a minute with a message to "download the app." Screw Gurgle; I use nothing from Gurgle.
In sum, I think it's well worth your investment to get Graphene OS. Personally, I don't really see the need to have my banking apps, travel apps, whatever, on my phone. I can do it all from my desktop as needed and when needed.
And I don't even need the US State Department global entry apps. Now, when I return to the US, I go straight to the Global Entry line in customs; they already know that I have Global Entry so I don't have to show an ID card or a status screen in the app on my phone.
I say go for it....
I used this video to guide me in installing Graphene OS the first time.
https://youtu.be/ZAZlmYKrwfk?si=G9uTl7U6MiB1Ro_3