Any other chance than choosing Apple or Android if you have to rely on APPS?

[Tuffy!]

If you had to pick a smartphone that needs to work with official apps - what options could you think of except choosing between a Apple or Google branded OS?

And if you had to pick between those two, which company would you trust more?



Graphene OS seems to have a lot of issues with some of the most popular apps out there.

[BlazingCobaltX]

It's quite hard because a lot of custom ROMs build on AOSP. I also know something called e/OS/. There are models of the Fairphone that are shipped with this OS. I have no experience yet with this OS but at the very least a lot of banking apps seem to work on it.

I've also heard of something called Jellyfish Sailfish OS? Afaik it's a Finnish project but it's still in development. Same with Linux-based phones actually.

EDIT: Sailfish OS is a Linux-based OS.

[John]

I'm using a de-googled fairphone with e/OS/. I'm a dumb user and most things are working fine and intuitively for me; e/OS/ is android-based and I was using a Samsung Android phone before. I'm guessing if you pack any technical know-how you might be able to get even more out of e/OS/, but for me, I just open the 'App Lounge' and most Apps I need—messengers, business email manager, banking, etc.—are there. The touch screen is a bit dodgy, is my biggest criticism. Ocasionally not recognising my input, but that may be related to my sreen protector. I really like the privacy aspect. It automatcally blocks all trackers and keeps you updated about which apps tried to leak your data. And I like the modularity and repairability of the hardware as a concept. Not that I'd be skilled enough to modify anything beyond the back plating. : P

[BlazingCobaltX]

I saw a post on another forum about this initiative to build an alternative to Google Play Integrity. As of now, apps that use Google Play Integrity are often blocked on custom ROMs, which doesn't do much for safety as much as it enforces a stock ROM monopoly. This alternative protocol could actually open up routes for more official apps to work on OSes other than Android/Apple. Seems to be work-in-progress though.

[lakes]

There's a couple of options:

• GrapheneOS: the most secure Android ROM or an OS based on Android. So far, they only run on Google Pixels, but they are partnering with Motorola to make a phone that meets their security standards and isn't owned by Google.
• LinegeOS: another Android ROM
• /e/OS: I don't know much about this one other than some Fairphones ship with it.
• Linux Phones:
• SailfishOS or a Jolla phone: the Linux phone known for letting you install both Linux & Android apps without having to install Waydroid. Doesn't need to be manually installed, since they have their own hardware.
• Post Market OS: A Linux phone, you can install Waydroid if you need Android apps. It also has its own app store & apps. But like a lot of Linux phones, it can be buggy and sometimes your provider might not support it.
• Ubuntu Touch: same as Post Market OS, also can come as a Pinephone or Volla phone if you don't wanna install manually

[biala]

As a mobile developer with 20+ years on my bag, I'll suggest to stick to an old Android phone running Android 8 max and never update the OS nor use the Playstore app(this will update goggle play services and ruin your apps). Such phone will give access to most of the system as the stupid restrictions were not yet implemented. Older versions of all official apps can be installed as apk files.
  You still have to keep in mind that all phones are outside controlled and connected devices that can (and probably are) tracked. SIM card is also micro controller.

If you need latest versions of apps you can go with what ever you want as your efforts to go away from monopolies are doomed. You will be subject to forced updates and all issues coming with them.
The best way is to start thinking of a laptop or PC    as your main working machine and the phone just like an optional connection device.


PS: Every old Android phone can be unlocked and downgraded to older Android version.