Pixel 6 and Android. Google lets you easily unlock the bootloader.
iOS because Apple ecosystem is much more convenient and consistent. I do not worry so much about the struggle you mentioned because the EU will fix it (see USB-C, sideoading, more to come)
Android for me, currently the Pixel 7.
I’ve used almost everything at this point. Apple iOS, Android, blackberry (both pre and post android), even Windows Mobile for a while… I enjoyed Windows Mobile for the time, since it was good for my specific application of the technology, but that was before Android, and during the early days of android… I stopped using it because they stopped making anything good that ran it.
I moved on to Android with the Motorola Milestone (aka the DROID), but also made my way through several HTC phones as well, eventually landing on pure android with the Nexus line, and eventually Pixel.
During all of this, I hopped through several blackberry phones for work, including pre-android versions, and later worked with several android-based versions of the same, a few years ago I picked up an iPhone to compare and learn more about iOS, because I do tech work and knowing a diversity of things is important for my work; so I carried around an iPhone for many years as well, as a work phone.
After all of that, Android is still my pick. Specifically the unflavored android from Google via the Pixel.
I don’t hate iPhone at all, I just don’t prefer the stock keyboard, the gesture controls, or the navigation of it compared to android. I still use the three button nav on my Pixel instead of the gesture controls. I also don’t like how many controls for apple are at the top of the screen for some reason so I’m constantly stretching my hand to hit a button. It’s all personal preference, and the navigation is competent, I just don’t like it as much as I like android.
It doesn’t hurt that I can customize my android experience more than I could with iPhone. I don’t necessarily want every app I’ve ever installed on my home screen somewhere.
That’s just what I prefer.
I saw in some other comments of yours you seemed a bit upset at tech spying on you. Since you already have a pixel, have you looked at GrapheneOS?
Not really.
I recognize that I’m being spied on, it doesn’t necessarily bother me all that much… For me it comes down to trust, whether you trust the entity that’s collecting your data to responsibly store it, properly anonymise it, and properly use it for their stated purposes.
I’m not going to say I trust Google, given most of my things are Google related (we use nest home minis around the house, and Chromecasts, etc)… But I believe they’re trying to be responsible with the data they collect, primarily that they’re using it mostly for Adsense, and their own internal algorithms to basically customize their sites for you. YouTube recommendations, search results, etc… Not just flapping your personal information in the breeze for anyone to look at… Like Facebook and company generally does if you throw enough money at them.
I have to pick my battles. Too much to do in my field. If I spend all my time considering the tinfoil hat arguments, then I’ll spend my time doing essentially only that.
Android (stock, for now) on a Pixel 6. As for why, I’m the “weirdo” in the peer group that uses Linux and Lemmy, so why wouldn’t it track that I’d be the one messing up video quality on group texts with my green bubble?
You could try using Beeper, it’s a messaging app that is basically just a bunch of matrix bridges setup for you. Or since you mentioned you use Linux maybe a mac vm with AirMessage.
Lol people still use SMS/iMessage? I mean aren’t people these days using discord for group chat?
It’s everywhere in the US. People really care about this, and this is why iPhones have 90% market share in both my high school and at my university.
Galaxy S22, iPhone is too locked down for me.
I went with the S22 because it’s decent and looks great, also one of the smallest high-end phones available.
Samsung sucks though, there is far too much bloat you have to get rid off. The Galaxy store also likes to hijack updates from a few of my apps.
I’d say there still is no perfect phone unfortunately. Maybe a Google Pixel that looks like a S22 and has a more scratch resistant screen. My screen already has two scratches just from being in my pocket. They made the glass more drop resistant, but now it still shatters if you drop it and it scratches more easily :-/
You sound exactly like me, you’ve got to try a free as in freedom android distro like GraphineOS or CalyxOS (these need a google pixel since ATM these pixel phones are the most developer friendly, they just work with AOSP and so mostly just work with free disrtos). I can’t say much for Graphine since i didn’t use it. But Calyx has been wonderful, and its set it and forget it, seamless automatic updates, no manual maintanance. As for the glass a nice screen protector will help that, and as a bonus: if you drop it hard the screen protector breaks, spearing your screen.
I did try custom OS in the past (Even overclocked my original Galaxy S), but they all had issues. Or were slow on updates and so on. Out of the box works best for me, I already tinker enough at work, I want my phone to just run :)
Not a fan of screen protectors, they all don’t have great reviews, even the expensive glass ones. I also use the phone without a case, so the protector would make the handling of it worse unfortunately.
What i like about CalyxOS is that it does just run, better than any stock OS ive ever used, updates are automatic and seemless, and its painless and east to install free as in freedom software that respects you.
On the screen protector issue, it really just sounds like you like to break so you can upgrade xD
I haven’t broken a single phone in the last 20 years :) Not even a screen crack.
My old phones all still work, including a Galaxy S, OnePlus One, OnePlus 5 and now my Galaxy S22. I have even older phones, but I can’t remember their names.
Damn Galaxy S22 scratches like hell though, making the glass softer was a mistake.
I drop shit all the time xD Thats an incredible track record! You wouldn’t happen do do incredibility precise work with your hands, like surgery, or small scale models, would you?
No, I’m clumsy as shit, I nearly broke a toe once running against a door frame.
With my older phones I always used cases, so even if I did drop it (which happened rarely) nothing happened. With the S22… I’m going without a case, so far only tiny drops (like out of my jeans when sitting down on the toilet). Knock on wood, it survived so far.
Next phone gets a case again, damn screen scratches :)
I’m using Samsung Galaxy A51 just because my grandfather repairs those and gave it to me. And default OneUI android that the phone ships with, because I’m afraid of rooting.
