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submitted 1 day ago* (last edited 1 day ago) by rotten@lemmy.today to c/askandroid@lemdro.id

Hi,

Which decent phone that will last me for some time and wont break easily is the best to buy that lets you fully unlock the bootloader so I can flash custom ROM on it and root it if I wanted to by for example using Magisk by flashing patched boot.img and (optionally if specific model allows) installing custom recovery?

I have a Samsung that I could unlock bootloader on, however Samsung decided to block the option to unlock OEM starting in One UI 8.0 on all regions, and I was unlucky enough to update my phone (because I didnt know) so I cant root/flash custom ROM on it.

My guess would be some Google Pixel model,? but which one should I buy that has support for most ROMs and TWRP?

Google is also soon introducing mandatory ID verification for developers that want to publish their apps on Play Store on all Andro id verified devices, whch is another reason I want a phone that I can flash custom ROM on and root.

Also where should I buy new phone from? I think I should avoid buying from carrier and instead buying it online or from local electronics store?

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[-] rotten@lemmy.today 1 points 8 hours ago

Does it matter where will I buy my Pixel phone from? Where did you buy yours? If I will buy any Google Pixel model, I want to be sure its bootloader can be unlocked and I won't get any "surprise" after the purchase.

I'm thinking about buying Google Pixel 5 or Google Pixel 7 Pro (or maybe better ones), because these models from what I've seen have the support for highest amount of custom ROMs and Google Pixel 5 supports TWRP.

this post was submitted on 15 Aug 2026
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