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Comment by giancarlostoro | Hacker News Reader

I'm considering the Essential Phone for my next phone and just putting Lineage OS or something on it. Not sure of another phone that I can get for that price range (under $500) that is unlocked and not bloatware filled. Definitely going to be reading a number of articles like these. Though I might try not installing the Google* apps on it period.

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Nokia brand smartphones are unlocked, come with latest vanilla Android without bloatware, and they get regular fast updates (updates guaranteed for at least 2 years).

I have Nokia 3 and it's perfectly OK. No thrill, just works and stays updated. Nokia 6 is $230 in the US.

No. Bootloader unlocking not possible. From the Chief Product Officer Nokia -> https://twitter.com/sarvikas/status/910421837661790208

SIM unlock is carrier dependent if you are from the US.

Oh I am totally going to check that out. I appreciate that tip. Definitely getting one for half the cost of Essential. I also considered the Moto phones but not all of them have USB C charging.

Edit: Sadly it will not work with Sprint so I can't get it.

I think the OP meant SIM unlocked. Sadly Nokia android phones bootloader locked. Nokia's CTO statement: they would not be offering an official bootloader unlock method “due to security.” The only OEM consistently provides open code and unlocking easily is Motorola - Still some Google's DNA.

https://www.xda-developers.com/no-official-bootloader-unlock...

But at least not shoved with uninstallable and pre-installed apps. Yes I know I can "disable" some apps but I find it ridiculous that phones come with Facebook, Instagram etc preinstalled. Just no thanks.

Moto G6 and moto X have USB C

Essential died, I'd look at Android One devices like the Nokia 6 or Xiaomi Mi A1.

They're not dead yet. Sure, they stopped working on their next phone and are searching for a buyer, but they also just pushed out a new Android P beta for the PH-1.

The regular security patches on Mi A1 is such a joy to see, especially for a phone in that price range.

They offer an official bootloader unlock too.

Android One is the future of Android.

What about OnePlus devices? Absolutely no bloatware, very easy unlocking and ususally around $500.

If you strip away all the hype and marketing, they offer pretty solid phones.

Backdoored

I have the Essential Phone and love it.

Here are some notes on building and installing Lineage OS on the Essential PH-1:

https://headthirst.com/building-and-installing-lineageos.htm...

And some notes about setting up a phone without Google Play Services:

https://headthirst.com/life-without-google-apps.html

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