Samsung has gone hard promoting AI in their phones, and now OnePlus has also announced some heavy AI-based features in their new Android OS. Pretty much every other brand is now doing the same, so you can’t escape it.

I’ve been in the market to upgrade my nearly 6-year-old phone, but seeing all these AI features, especially when they rely on Google’s Gemini (or other cloud AI), and it feels deflating.

Will privacy ultimately have to be sacrificed “from now on”?

By not using these AI features, you pay a lot for features you won’t be using. And the usefulness of the device becomes limited as nearly all functions now have AI-based components to them.

I’m totally fine with on-device AI, but many features I’m seeing don’t seem to be on-device, and I’ve spent years trying to stop sending my data to companies like Google. I don’t want to go backwards for the sake of market trends.

What are your future plans when it comes to smartphones?

  • Showroom7561OP
    1·
    28 days ago

    Then look for a phone that supports CalyxOS, DivestOS, iodéOS

    Just had a quick look. It seems like none support newer phones. The non-pixel phones listed are things like Fairphone (not available in Canada) or Oneplus 6 (literally 7 generations old).

    I used to only flash custom ROMs back in the day, but even then, top-tier Samsung phones could handle them easily.