Shopping around, seems like every option is doubling down on anti-user garbage… I don’t trust myself to do a root or anything like that - my tech skills are juuust good enough to be painfully aware of my own dumbassery, but I’m doubting an out-of-the-box smartphone that isn’t loaded with shit even exists.
Previously I’ve used Pixel and Galaxy, but those are both chief offenders.
Google Pixel Phone with GrapheneOS. You’ll have to flash a custom ROM, but GrapheneOS provides more security and privacy (even if you do install Google Play Services, they’re limited to only the permissions you give the app). And no built in AI or telemetry (I think). It’s free and open source. Added note: GrapheneOS will not have the restrictions on Android sideloading that are supposed to be coming this year. https://grapheneos.org/
i 16nd this suggestion for graphene