Calyx is not as degoogled as it claims to be (at least it wasn’t 2 years ago, see below). I know this is a bold claim, but the only ROM comparable with Graphene was DivestOS, which was a one human project and was dicontinued last year. And even Divest had the problem where updates were delayed by a few days or weeks.
Obligatory eylenburg link, and there’s this blogpost I like to link to. It’s written in German, but I’m sure it’s a good read if you put it through a translator.
The conclusion of the CalyxOS analysis in English:
“CalyxOS has reconfigured Android to avoid Google’s spyware and tracking.” However, I only see this to a limited extent. To be truly privacy-friendly, the project would need to modify more parameters/source code of the AOSP standard and provide users with more options/freedom (Captive Portal Check, Key Provisioning Server, SUPL Server) for customization. The mere omission of Google Play Services is not enough to consider a device “de-Googled”. There is still room for improvement.
Overall, CalyxOS is certainly not a bad custom ROM, but rather offers a coherent overall package that users who want to significantly reduce their dependence on Google should have a good starting point. However, one should also consider the drawbacks: the delayed provision of (security) updates and an external presentation that does not quite match the results of this analysis.
Take this with a grain of salt since it’s been two years since this blogpost was published.
Here I deleted a whole paragraph in which I sounded like a Graphene elitist haha. I would say using CalyxOS is a lot better than stock Android or Lineage. Please don’t choose your OS based on vibes. If you need any of the features Graphene offers that others don’t, please use it (edit: like the protester mentioned in the article). If you don’t, don’t.
Calyx is not as degoogled as it claims to be (at least it wasn’t 2 years ago, see below). I know this is a bold claim, but the only ROM comparable with Graphene was DivestOS, which was a one human project and was dicontinued last year. And even Divest had the problem where updates were delayed by a few days or weeks.
Obligatory eylenburg link, and there’s this blogpost I like to link to. It’s written in German, but I’m sure it’s a good read if you put it through a translator.
The conclusion of the CalyxOS analysis in English:
Take this with a grain of salt since it’s been two years since this blogpost was published.
Here I deleted a whole paragraph in which I sounded like a Graphene elitist haha. I would say using CalyxOS is a lot better than stock Android or Lineage. Please don’t choose your OS based on vibes. If you need any of the features Graphene offers that others don’t, please use it (edit: like the protester mentioned in the article). If you don’t, don’t.