Hi all! I’d like to replace my old S10e, which was my ideal phone format, with a middle range (inexpensive) phone, in that size if possible. Extra points for a decent fingerprint reader (I’d like to avoid in-screen ones if possible), and perhaps unlockable bootloader.

I’m currently on a Pixel fold 9, for the GrapheneOS part, and I’ve been keeping the s10e as my trusty work phone, keeping the work profile. Sadly the lack of android updates is now being noticed by the security team and they suggested i should move on soon. Since I already have a massive personal phone, I’d like to keep it small for the work one.

Any ideas?

  • Trey A@lemmy.worldEnglish
    8·
    3 days ago

    There really aren’t a ton of truly “small” phones these days… a Samsung S-series base model is about as compact as these phones are at this point unless you’re in more Eastern markets, in which case there might be a few more options. You likely won’t get the same level of Android software updates though, that being another reason I’d been looking at Samsung again.

    • BEYOUBlåhaj@lemmy.worldEnglish
      3·
      3 days ago

      Heard Samsung phones shipping with their OneUI 8 and onwards will not have an option to unlock the bootloader. Not a dealbreaker for many if you dont dvelve into rooting or installing other operating systems on your phone tho.

      • Trey A@lemmy.worldEnglish
        1·
        3 days ago

        A sad thing to be sure, though installing custom operating systems is reducing in popularity. I’m all for options, but as newer versions of Android get programs and functions that were previously only available via rooting and custom ROMs, hopefully it won’t be too bad…? I am sad about the potential loss of sideloading though, especially as even iOS now supports it to an extent in certain regions.

        • BEYOUBlåhaj@lemmy.worldEnglish
          1·
          3 days ago

          Android at its current best is neat, but often vendors will have their tweaked rom which hide or break many of androids functions. For example, the stock MiUI/HyperOS (or whatever xiaomi calls it now) on my Redmi 13C doesnt have the option to view saved wifi networks in its borked settings app.

          I hope this, together with custom ROMs seemingly keeping sideloading possible in the future, only helps with their popularity. Alternatively it would be really cool to see the mobile Linux community bloom.