Where to buy a non-Apple, non-Google smartphone
The Register's article, published May 16, 2026, provides a practical guide for consumers seeking smartphones outside the Apple-Google duopoly. It lists several options: Fairphone 5 (€699, modular, 5-year warranty), PinePhone (€199, Linux-based, community-driven), Librem 5 (€1,299, privacy-focused, PureOS), and others like the Murena One (€499, /e/OS preinstalled). The piece notes that these devices often lack mainstream app support, require manual setup, or have weaker hardware. A key takeaway is that while alternatives exist, they cater to niche users prioritizing privacy and repairability over convenience. The article also mentions the shift toward post-market OS options like GrapheneOS for existing Android devices.
Developers can target open-source mobile platforms for privacy-focused apps.