[umbra07]

You can't OEM unlock Snapdragons/North American models.

I just have a hard time believing that Samsung is working to improve GrapheneOS compatability with their devices when they don't even allow you to unlock the bootloader in certain regions, and they're chasing a very Apple-like ecosystem approach where many device features require you to go all in on Samsung products (ex. their earbuds and watches are both hamstrung if you don't use them with a Samsung phone).

[subscribed]

Verizon pixels also can't be OEM unlocked. That doesn't make them unsuitable for GOS.

(I've seen both watch an buds used with Motorola phones just fine, not sure what are the issues? Genuinely curious, one of the users is eyeing phone upgrade, I might steer them the galaxy way if that improves their experience)

(oh, and I know their trackers work really good only with Samsung phones, but that's the consequences of Samsung making good choices and Google making bad choices)

[umbra07]

> Verizon pixels also can't be OEM unlocked. That doesn't make them unsuitable for GOS

Everything I'm seeing says that Verizon Pixels can't install Graphene, since Verizon doesn't let you unlock the bootloader. [1]

Galaxy Buds come with 3 Bluetooth codecs: SBC, AAC, and Samsung's proprietary codec. SBC and AAC are low-quality, low bandwidth codecs. Samsung's proprietary codec supports high bit rates, but only Samsung phones support their codec.

Competing non-Samsung & non-Apple earbuds will typically also support other codecs, like aptx-HD, aptx-Adaptive, and LDAC. These are all high-quality codecs, that are supported on every new Android phone except for Samsungs.

The Galaxy Watch situation has improved. I think all that's currently missing is a couple of health features like the ECG when not using a Samsung phone. Last time I checked, there was a modded apk out there that you could install to get the full functionality.

tl;dr galaxy buds will have subpar audio quality when connected to a non-Samsung phone, galaxy watch requires sideloaded apk for certain health features.

[1] https://discuss.grapheneos.org/d/18422-google-pixel-9-is-car...

[subscribed]

Thank you so much for your responses, this is extremely useful (especially the ECG part since my olderly relative is considering getting the latest Galaxy Watch for ECG)

And with your first paragraph, 100% correct. Verizon Pixels cannot be oem unlocked which means they cannot have the bootloader unlocked, which means GOS cannot be installed.

I think there's a typo in my response which you rightly corrected.

The claim I was responding to:

> You can't OEM unlock Snapdragons/North American models

The response was supposed to mean that you can unlock North American Pixels, except for these from Verizon.