You can always build your own AOSP (which is essentially Android minus Google). In case of Pixels, this is particularly easy. I use a Pixel to avoid Google, which is a bit paradoxical.
Yes, that was always the draw of the Nexus and Pixel lines. "Vanilla Android." Really hope that's still the case, though I've switched back to iPhone for a number of reasons.
I used to buy Nexus phones and jailbreak them for SU root privileges so I could deny apps (mostly by google) from using permissions without my consent on app launch.
With that being said, I'll be switching to an iPhone for privacy reasons, starting with my next phone and I've been a loyal Android user since Google started with the G1. How times have changed...
Sure, awful, but HMD Global fixed the problem which I respect.
My other choices are Google (expensive, multiple Nexus letdowns in past), Samsung/LG (awful software), Chinese phones (crapware, I don't trust), Sony (abusive relationship), a bunch of other brands with other reasons I dislike, or iPhone (costly and I don't like the UI).
True. And i totally agree with your roundup of the main alternatives. I went for a Chinese phone last time and it's probably the best one I've had in terms of quality and features. But Lord knows what stuff I'm sending back to China. I've been meaning to try lineage out.