Pixel 7 questions

Hi! I just bought a pixel 7 and I am very intrigued about GrapheneOS. I just have some concerns before I make the switch.

Is battery life better? I know Google does a lot of battery optimization so this is important to me.

Is battery share available? One feature I really enjoy is that I can turn my pixel into a wireless charger for other phones. Is this option available in graphene?

How far does customization go? I love the pixel giving me the option to choose themes (change app color, menu buttons and windows to a scheme). Right now mine is green and I really like the look of it. Can I do this in graphene?
Can I customize the keyboard to be as good as Google's?
Is the volume slider as useful and niche?
Can I make graphene OS smoother and more aesthetic?
I prefer aesthetics and would like to know what I sacrifice and gain by switching.
Please elaborate.

Is the 90hz refresh rate still available and adaptive?
Is the camera (video hdr) just as good when I reinstall Google camera?
Is 10 bit hdr still available and supported within apps like Snapchat and TikTok that the pixel gained support for?

Does wifi calling, dual sim and esim all work? This is crucial for me.

Are there any features, optimizations, etc. that I should know when switching to graphene OS?
Can I switch back if I don't like it? Does this void warranty?

I appreciate any replies!

    veloscipula Is battery life better? I know Google does a lot of battery optimization so this is important to me.

    I think so. I've read that others agree.

    veloscipula Is battery share available?

    I've tried it once using GrapheneOS and it worked.

    veloscipula How far does customization go? I love the pixel giving me the option to choose themes (change app color, menu buttons and windows to a scheme). Right now mine is green and I really like the look of it. Can I do this in graphene?

    I think that you're talking about the material you color scheming? Like your wallpaper colors change some apps' color schemes?

    veloscipula Can I customize the keyboard to be as good as Google's?

    You can use any keyboard you'd like, including Google's GBoard.

    veloscipula Is the volume slider as useful and niche?

    I don't know what you mean, but I haven't noticed any differences between stock and GrapheneOS's volume sliders.

    veloscipula Can I make graphene OS smoother and more aesthetic?

    Other than the material you thing I mentioned earlier, there's not much that I know of that does this. I personally don't care how smooth or aesthetically pleasing my UI is. I'd say GrapheneOS is a little less visually pleasing than stock, but I personally think it's worth it considering how much safer and private GrapheneOS is.

    veloscipula Is the 90hz refresh rate still available and adaptive?

    Available? Yes. Adaptive? I haven't paid attention. Probably.

    veloscipula Is the camera (video hdr) just as good when I reinstall Google camera?

    Google Camera works the same on GrapheneOS in my experience. You can read this section: https://grapheneos.org/usage#google-camera

    veloscipula Does wifi calling, dual sim and esim all work? This is crucial for me.

    For wifi calling: https://grapheneos.org/usage#carrier-functionality

    esim works

    veloscipula Are there any features

    https://grapheneos.org/features

    veloscipula Can I switch back if I don't like it? Does this void warranty?

    Yes, you can go back to stock https://grapheneos.org/install/web#replacing-grapheneos-with-the-stock-os

    Flashing GrapheneOS doesn't void the warranty.

    veloscipula Is battery life better? I know Google does a lot of battery optimization so this is important to me.

    Google destroys the battery life, GrapheneOS makes it WAY better.

    Is battery share available? One feature I really enjoy is that I can turn my pixel into a wireless charger for other phones. Is this option available in graphene?

    Yes

    How far does customization go? I love the pixel giving me the option to choose themes (change app color, menu buttons and windows to a scheme). Right now mine is green and I really like the look of it. Can I do this in graphene?

    I think its the same, but I consider that kind of thing to be superfluous and irrelevant so can't confirm.

    Can I customize the keyboard to be as good as Google's?

    You can install different keyboards as needed, including gooble's.

    Is the volume slider as useful and niche?

    It is identical.

    Can I make graphene OS smoother and more aesthetic?

    Huh? Its smooth.

    I prefer aesthetics and would like to know what I sacrifice and gain by switching.
    Please elaborate.

    Security.

    Is the 90hz refresh rate still available and adaptive?
    Is the camera (video hdr) just as good when I reinstall Google camera?
    Is 10 bit hdr still available and supported within apps like Snapchat and TikTok that the pixel gained support for?

    Yes, yes, yes, and please don't use tiktok since its definitely nothing but PRC spyware.

    Does wifi calling, dual sim and esim all work? This is crucial for me.

    Yes, however setting up esim requires proprietary software.

    Are there any features, optimizations, etc. that I should know when switching to graphene OS?

    Maybe or maybe not. Depends on your needs. If you have a more specific question, ask it.

    Can I switch back if I don't like it?

    Yes

    Does this void warranty?

    It voids the software warranty if you screw it up, but the hardware warranty remains intact.

      abcZ What proprietary software do I need to install for esims? Does wifi calling also need it if so what would I have to install? I will need an esim along with my old sim so this is my biggest decision when switching.

        veloscipula you need sandboxed Play Services installed to enable eSIM and manage them, however you don't need to keep them installed to use one.

        You can if you so wish install the eSIM prior to flashing GrapheneOS as they survive flsshing.

        WiFi calling and VoLTE are carrier dependent features and while they can work regardless it usually helps if the carrier you use supports the Pixel device you are using to ensure your specific carrier settings are available in the OS as opposed to using generic ones.

        The state of your VoWiFi and VoLTE provisioning can be seen by dialling *#*#4636#*#* and selecting phone info.

        A lot of carriers can hold onto a bad signal over moving to VoWiFi so to ensure it is used in a bad coverage area enable Airplane Mode and then re-enable WiFi to make/receive a call.

        Let me know if I have missed anything specific you need to know further.

          MetropleX Right now on stock I am able to wifi call. So I assume this would stay consistent with switching? The only concern I have left is customization because I like stock is aesthetics. They can call me an idiot lol. Could I try graphene first without installing and wiping everything? Is there a way to do a temporary boot? That would be awesome if so. I appreciate your help!

            veloscipula Wi-Fi calling should work if it does on Stock OS.

            It's not possible to do a "live boot" of GrapheneOS, as it were. That said, if you flash GrapheneOS and change your mind, you can always go back.

            When it comes to aesthetics, GrapheneOS takes a simple and minimal approach, so if you're looking for fancy frills, you're unlike to get that out of the box. You are however welcome to install an alternative launcher etc. if you wish.

              matchboxbananasynergy Awesome! In terms of Snapchat, Instagram and dating apps, I find them very useful (even though they suck for your mental, I choose to utilize them without being used by them). Is there anyway to micromanage them in the sense that they don't data hog or eat battery? Are they even compatible with graphene in the first place?

                veloscipula Throw them in a separate profile so you can keep them shut down when not in use.

                veloscipula As far as customizing the look/aesthetics of your phone, you may want to take a look at this video by Side Of Burritos:

                https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cwLRiadmfaQ

                If you have concerns about apps tracking you as a specific user, the less bespoke elements you have to be tracked by, the better. This video shows how customizing your phone's background allows you to be tracked. Just an FYI, I get that you may still want to tweak things to your liking, just be aware of the implications of doing so. I applaud GrapheneOS for using the plain black background as the default.