I am currently using an S9 with /e/OS, and I’m thinking about upgrading next year, since the battery is starting to act up.

Are there any phones released in the past few years that are a decent upgrade and that support a privacy-oriented ROM?

I can go up to 500USD, but I live in a 3rd world country, so Fairphones, Pixels, and some other phones aren’t available here.

Thank you in advance!

  • ElPussyKangaroo@lemdro.idEnglish
    1·
    2 months ago

    I use a Poco F4. F5 or F6 should be good enough too! Most Xiaomi devices have massive custom ROM support. Plus openly available firmware updates.

  • ser@lemm.eeEnglish
    1·
    2 months ago

    Redmi phones that have Qualcomm processors. Check out XDA forum for which models are supported.

    • Rudee@lemmy.mlOPEnglish
      1·
      2 months ago

      I’ve heard that unlocking the bootloader is a bit of a mission. Have you got any experience with that?

      • ser@lemm.eeEnglish
        1·
        2 months ago

        I have had several Redmi phones. Yes, the current unlock process is a convoluted - You need a Xiaomi account. Then you need to toggle “unlock” in Developer settings. Then go to fastboot. Then while connected to your PC, you need the Xiaomi Unlock app to unlock the phone which you need to wait 2 weeks to happen. After 2 weeks, you go back to fastboot and the Xiaomi app, click Unlock and it is done.

        (phew!)

        It is tedious but not horrible. Once this is done, your bootloader is unlocked. You can then install your own custom recovery, custom rom, etc.