Ironically Google made the Pixel very easy to unlock and flash with other firmwares, so from a practical point of view, a refurbished pixel phone flashed with CalyxOS or GrapheneOS might be an accessible and not too expensive way to get out from under their thumb yourself.

I also have an android device intended for the Chinese domestic market and its Android firmware does not come with Google Play Services or Play Store installed and you don't need to use either to use the device just fine. I don't know but I assume this is common with other major manufacturers but mine is made by Lenovo.

The clock is still ticking because nothing gets security patches and support forever. I know there are people making alternative phones I just don't know if they're any good or how many made it to market etc. Hopefully Motorola and Graphene's partnership isn't just for big contract vendor stuff and that we'll see a retail market Graphene phone in the next year or two.

European governments are starting to realise The Problem with US tech, so hopefully it'll buy Graphene a bit more good will than its been getting in recent years and drive some of the demand for genuinely secure phones. Probably a pipe dream tho.