Most Motorolas.
Pixels have been unreliable in my anecdotal experience.
this post was submitted on 04 Jun 2026
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Asklemmy
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Secondhand Pixel -> GrapheneOS if you need locked bootloader (e.g. have family/work-sensitive stuff on phone) or just look on the LineageOS device wiki and find a phone model you like. Best reason to use Android is treating your phone like a computer, reliable background syncing (or restriction), good permission management, going without bloatware saves storage, battery, bandwidth, your personal time and frustration. Termux is basically an operating system, and the stock OS will not let you fully utilize it. If you just want to game get a good Chinese phone if it's legal in your country & compatible with radios etc.
Secondhand Pixel
This brand has a horrible track record of major hardware fails.
Search 'pixel overheating' and avoid those models.
Probably 7 and up would be best area to look.
They all do, except like Xiaomi, it depends on which surveys you look at. I saw some higher early-life failures, but again I said secondhand to avoid giving Google money directly. That's the GrapheneOS option, or Motorola right. I provided several other options.
Just to give one data point, I bought a refurbished pixel 7 pro in 2023 and it is still going strong.
Would also recommend 7, battery is easier to replace than some others
Nothing phones are solid cheap and with freely unlockable bootloader without any shenanigan.
I own one l, a 3a, and I am not affiliated with Nothing.
I aim similarly. I have a CMF phone 1 by nothing.
I just want a phone that a) has minimal bloat b) long security updates 3) cheap enough that I can afford to lose it
Android One used to be a good deal while that program was running.
I got a Motorola Stylus 5g 2024 for $250. There's probably newer now, but it's a decent device with a headphone jack, large battery, SD card slot, and a stylus. It feels similarly decent to my Z fold 4, which was surprising. I thought it would be laggy.
I got the same phone for $200. Better than my edge plus . It's fast and other than the android update that made the Bluetooth button a 1 click to a 3 clicks, it's been flawless.
Not to mention esim and a physical sim.
Motorola moto G 5G 2024
Terrible name but it's dirt cheap, has good specs, and has a Lineage OS build available. You can get em at Best Buy for like $130.
Since they have a love of phones with very similar names and models, it should be the xt-2417 model.
I'd look at a used previous flaggship. An Amazon renewed Galaxy S23 would check those boxes.
I was just looking into this. I'll parrot the other commenter and say the Samsung Galaxy line of a few years ago are solid gets and you can reliably get one for around that price point. I'll add on Nothing phone's previous models, too. Get em both from a reseller, not the brand store. Pixel devices have privacy focused 3rd party OS's that are supposedly easy to use, but I haven't looked into it.
Fully Linux phones are not quite there yet for the general marker or the price point you want.
If you're outside the US or in the US and on Tmobile, you can look into Xiaomi or other Chinese devices, just double check that the radio bands actually work with your carrier. Service is better around cities, from what I saw when looking into an Oppo folding device then deciding to keep my Galaxy Note 20 Ultra. I'm not sure how they work with hotspotting.
Double check the models as some have SD card slots, some do not, if that matters to you.
get a cheap second hand phone in your area that's officially supported on lineageos. bonus points if you can cheaply obtain replacement batteries for that model.
I'm happy with my Pixel 8a, should've put grapheneOS on it before setting it up though as it's a bother to switch now. I'm probably going to switch OS before the september update that I expect will block my unsigned apps.
I've bought a new moto g84 5G at the beginning of this year for ~234 $ (with today's exchange rate) , it is supported by lineageOS . specs : Motorola Moto G84 via gmsarena.com
As I know, Pixel 8 gets 7 years of updates, and they are mid, but for what you need, it wouldn't be a bad choice.
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Different countries use different technologies and bands, so you'll need to check what works in your country.
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If you want a cheap phone with long support and just want to text, call, and be able to hot spot, your options are either getting a used (or old) flagship (better specs and build quality, fewer years of support) or getting a new entry-level phone (lower specs and build quality, but longer support).
For used flagships, I would suggest older models of Sony or OnePlus. Fairphone or Pixel would have longer support in theory, but the specs and build quality are worse so this rarely matters.
For new entry-level phones, I would suggest Xiaomi's Redmi or Poco lines. The UI is bad, but specs are good and they are less locked down than most other companies. If you want a better UI, try Nokia / HMD but be prepared for worse specs. Avoid Samsung like the plague.