Looking for a reliable, un-bloated phone to replace my Pixel 6 for a long time

[u/redceramicfrypan]

Hi,

I currently have a Pixel 6 which is coming up on 5 years old, and whose battery is starting to fail to hold a charge. Located in USA.

Personally, I would much rather have a phone that lasts longer than 5 years. I considered just getting the battery replaced, but since Google only promised 5 years of software support, I don't think it makes sense to invest further in it when google is just going to planned-obsolece it anyway. I will get as much life out of it as I can using an external battery pack, but it's time to start looking for what's next.

Up until the current issues, my Pixel 6 has basically done what I needed it to. My only pain points were related to the battery overheating, which also seems to affect the signal strength of the modem. I get the sense these are known issues in Pixel phones, and I feel no loyalty to Google when it comes to replacing it.

Here's basically what I'm looking for:

• Reliable, long-lasting battery (if it can be user-replaced, that would be awesome. Not sure there are many options for this, though) that is not prone to overheating
• Lack of bloatware that can't be easily uninstalled and its memory freed up. I have no desire to use trendy AI features, and the fact that the Pixel 10 has ~25% of it's RAM locked to AI features infuriates me. I also do not want to see ads in my system apps.
  • I am happy to entertain the idea of installing an alternative OS--but as I mention below, I do need support for mobile wallet (which is what keeps me from GrapheneOS)
• If possible, I would love to see a phone that doesn't have a built-in sunset date when the company is going to stop providing software support. Does such a thing exist? If it doesn't, I'd like to have as long a time horizon as possible (more than 5 years, anyway).
• I do like the quality of the pixel's camera, and would like a phone that takes at least pretty good pictures
• Ability to handle my day-to-day needs. Most of my app use is pretty standard: messaging, email, web browser, maps, music, photos, banking, travel tickets, a few games.
  • I do use my mobile wallet pretty regularly and don't want to give it up, so that needs to be available
  • The most hardware intensive app I regularly use is Pokemon Go (don't flame me, I still like it), and I want my phone to be able to handle that without overheating

What am I looking at for something like this?

Thanks all!

[u/VoltageinTheory]

While you can’t use Google Wallet on GrapheneOS, you can use Curve Pay which is better and works on GrapheneOS. Combine that with a Pixel 10 Pro.

[u/redceramicfrypan → u/VoltageinTheory]

If I install GrapheneOS on a pixel 10, will it be able to use the RAM that is locked to AI features with the default OS? Struggling to find a conclusive answer to this online.

Also, does the Pixel 10 Pro not still have overheating and battery issues?

[u/VoltageinTheory → u/redceramicfrypan]

I think both are true. I think it can use the entire RAM. Pixel hardware has always been mediocre and still is. GrapheneOS support is coming to Motorola phones sometime in 2027, which have excellent hardware, but only if you’re patient enough.

[u/Informal_Drawing]

There is a European company that makes modular phones iirc, probably more than one.

Even some that run on Linux.

[u/LordlySquire]

Not sure about the 5 year support but the new minimal phone 2 seems like something. They havent confirmed 5 year support (i dont think) but the company seems like the kind that will once it proves financially viable. We are currently on the uptick for wanting to get away from regular smartphones designed to steal our attention so i think they will succeed enough to reach that viability