Next Phone be a Pixel for GrapheneOS or Samsung Ecosystem?

IR76

So I currently have a Pixel 7A running GrapheneOS and I have enjoyed it for a while now.

When I eventually decide to get a new phone which I am unsure whether it will be soon or later like the S27 I have been torn for a while now about whether I want extra privacy with Graphene or the insane ecosystem and features Samsung offers.

I understand it is ultimately down to my threat model what I want private or not but I would still like to hear your thoughts about Samsung phones and devices vs using Grapheneos?

I still utilise various reputable end to end encrypted and open source software but if I were to jump ship from Graphene to Samsung would it be really bad?

n3t_admin

Depends on the features you want from an ecosystem. If you are into tinkering, there's quite a bit you can build yourself with a self hosted setup. If you want to jump ship from GOS, the next best choice would be Apple (and they undoubtedly offer the best ecosystem anyway), so consider that. Samsung devices have a pretty bad track record when it comes to privacy and only offer security as a marketing ploy. They are not the worst, but downright awful if you come from GOS or iOS.

dhhdjbd

Yes i agree,
i think if not grapheneOs, apple is the next best option. The device is secure, the software quality is fine and they dont sell your data for apps and stuff (only nsa might spy one you, noone knows)

While idk samsung is no different from google i think, they collect all the data aswell

So idk, maybe list what is important to you, for better answes please? as in what you are looking for

n3t_admin

dhhdjbd no different from google i think, they collect all the data aswell

worse, due to their collaborations with Meta, Microslop, Spotify, etc. Haven't checked their privacy policy in a while, but I doubt it has gotten better than it was a few years ago. For Google it's just... Google. They don't have any of that preinstalled bloat. With Samsung it's Google PLUS everything else they can get their hands on.
You also have to understand the mentality: in Korea, the word "privacy" doesn't really exist. They think it's just perfectly normal doing that, because it's ingrained in the culture.

IR76

I see thank you for your thoughts.
One of you said to list whats important to me for a better answer but unfortunately I'm still figuring that out.

Samsung from what I can see has superior hardware but data collection I need to look into but by the sounds of it, its awful.

I think I do value Security and Privacy over features so I guess my next phone will probably be a Pixel as it supposedly it is better In hardware security with their chips, and obviously GrapheneOS.

I think I need to look into the pros and cons of going GrapheneOS vs Samsung to figure out what I value more.

mmobder

IR76 if you try to debloat/restrict Samsung, you will loose as it will require constant efforts to verify no updates be it system or Google services have not reset your modifications.

IR76

mmobder I see thank you

gristle-cause

Stick with GOS, absolutely no hesitation

These are scary times. Billionaires and governments are building an Orwellian surveillance state. Resist.

2026 is not the time to voluntarily forfeit your privacy & digital sovereignty. The "convenience" of the Samsung ecosystem is not worth the cost. Not even close

Thanks for coming to my TedTalk

IR76

gristle-cause Yeah I think what I'm missing out on is no where near the cost of what I would lose if I were to jump ship.