this post was submitted on 29 Aug 2026
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Privacy
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How would money be involved?
It's not like GOS is in a position to force device manufacturers to open the bootloader and have strengthened hardware, let alone make phone prices accessible. The best they can do is kindly ask a manufacturer to do so and hope that they agree (which Motorola have technology-wise).
And if it's a money issue for people, then buying the newest pixel phone is still not cheap (~1k+). And most privacy advocates recommend buying the phone used and with cash so it's not associated with your bank details.
Sure the other issue is Motorlla does not have very good software support. So how long is GOS going to support these devices? One, two years? Since even Pixels they only support for the support time of the manufacture.
GOS requirements state that its at least 5 years.
On your first part, maybe you're right.
On the second part, so many Pixel devices are available used. Including older pixels that still have some support left. A new $1500 flagship Motorola won't be and the ones that do become used soon after will still be close to that price. I'm just saying I've bought quite a few used Pixels for just a few hundred dollars and I don't see that being the case for flagship Motorolas. It's great to have device options but I don't think GOS being locked to only flagship Motorolas is a great alternative, especially once Google locks Pixels out from being flashed.
People who are security-minded for the most part just want a device to handle daily tasks, etc. Not all the bells whistles of an expensive high-end phone. If thats what people want in their phone, that's great, everyone has their need or desires for what they want in a phone but that being the only option will put GOS out of reach for many.
I'm a bit confused with your own words
Buying a used and old Pixel (as old as 7) will be an option for many years since GOS will continue to support.
My confusion is that you argue against flagship phone (and we'll have to see how true the assumption is on cost and if it will even be flagship) while also saying that people won't buy it anyways because they prefer the cheaper older used phones.
Edit: I do want to add, I'm not sure why people assume it will be only on a flagship model. Most forums mention that GOS would be applicable to 3 models: the Signature, Razr Fold and Razr Ultra models (all with varying costs and some comparable to the newest Pixel).
GOS developers already confirmed it will be the 2027 flagship models. Yes, 3 models varying in price from $1K-$2.5K.
I said that the majority of GOS users, being security-minded just want their phone to be secure and handle daily tasks, not being a high-end gaming phone. I'm not against the Motorolas, its great because it offers more options to use GOS. I'm against the fact that its only going to be the expensive flagship models and Google is making it harder to put GOS on newer Pixels and eventually we won't be able to anymore. Being able to buy used Pixels cheap is a big thing because it allowed for the average person or someone with not alot of money to easily have a secure GOS phone. That won't be likely once Pixels are done and only expensive Motorola flagship models are the only option.
I don't know man. Just checked a used Motorola RAZR from last year and it costs 600$, which is on par with the pixel price reduction. And I think the RAZR is one of the models that will have GOS
Then that wouldn't be as bad. We'll just have to wait and see. I just hope it doesn't start putting GOS out of reach for alot of people.