First Non-Pixel GrapheneOS Phone Could Hit Market by 2026

GrapheneOS, the Android fork that focuses on privacy, is going to be unchained from its reliance on Google's Pixel phones. The open-source project, which has been very popular for its very secure and private features, has announced that it is going to take it one step further and have a collaboration with a large Android device manufacturer which would lead to GrapheneOS officially being supported on devices other than Google.

As of now, GrapheneOS has only been available for the Pixel line, and thus users have been relying on Google’s devices. This limitation has created a situation of mixed feelings among the respective users and tech-savvy people who love the OS for its privacy features but have to make do with the limited hardware choices available. The partnership with an OEM of high stature implies that the trend of making the Android user access more privacy solutions might be reversed.

There is not much information coming from the development team but they have indicated that the device being developed will use a Snapdragon processor, probably the flagship Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5, which is suitable for GrapheneOS' high security standards. This choice could mean that performance will be better than the Tensor G5 chip used for the Google’s Pixel 10 series, which currently runs most devices with GrapheneOS.

The main option that GrapheneOS has built around itself is by isolating Google Play Services and there is no challenge to the system-level access based on the user without sacrificing the usability. It is a different case with other privacy-themed Android variants, as the user experience is completely lost. One can still use all apps, including accessing the Play Store, banking apps, and all other essentials, while data collection is limited. Per-app network toggles, storage scopes, sensor control, and optional duress PINs are some of the features that give users very detailed control over their permissions and security.

Today, for those potential consumers who are thinking of purchasing a Google Pixel, the Pixel 10 series is surely a friendly option. The OS installation process is simple, and the official GrapheneOS support will run through the entire Google's security update cycle, which is expected to last until 2032. At the same time, the new GrapheneOS-compatible OEM phone is not expected to arrive before late 2026 or early 2027, thereby making current users dependent on Pixels for their immediate privacy needs.