New phone: Graphene or Calyx \ stacker news ~tech

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693 sats \ 23 comments \ @Scoresby 2 Aug tech

I've been running Calyx on my phone for the last four years. Now my device is nearing end of life and I'm going to get a new one. Is it time to switch to Grapheme or keep using Calyx?

Graphene84.6%

Calyx15.4%

26 votes \ poll ended

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303 sats \ 0 replies \ @nichro 2 Aug

GrapheneOS is the way to go imo. Calyx is a good alternative if you don't have a Pixel (especially when compared to other privacy OS or so called "privacy phones" - avoid those), but a few searches comparing the two should yield the reasoning.

Some GrapheneOS staff are a bit intense in defending the OS against myths and when measured up against CalyxOS. Might turn off some people, but putting that aside, they aren't necessarily wrong.

202 sats \ 2 replies \ @siggy47 2 Aug

I love graphene, but I'm biased. @final might know more about both systems than anyone. I hope he chimes in. I think he might have compared the two on SN in the past.

514 sats \ 1 reply \ @final 3 Aug

OP should be aware CalyxOS development is officially halted and they no longer officially provide any instructions for new installs.

https://calyxos.org/news/2025/08/01/a-letter-to-our-community/

If they want a comparison, they can check out:

https://eylenburg.github.io/android_comparison.htm

20 sats \ 0 replies \ @Scoresby OP 3 Aug

Thanks for the heads up. I suppose that decides it.

102 sats \ 0 replies \ @LAXITIVA 3 Aug

I always ask Reddit everything

102 sats \ 2 replies \ @DarthCoin 3 Aug

Also you didn't mention LineageOS, that I find it quite good for a non-pixel phone.

21 sats \ 1 reply \ @Scoresby OP 3 Aug

Good to know. I'm probably going to get a pixel, though. So it seems that I may give Graphene a try.

102 sats \ 0 replies \ @DarthCoin 3 Aug

I used them all with multiple devices. Indeed Graphene is the most robust and I like also the easy updates that come with it. And you don't need to have the latest pixel model if your budget for a new device is not large.

Here some other tips to count on when you go on this path https://darth-coin.github.io/beginner/bitcoiners-mobile-device-en.html

102 sats \ 0 replies \ @d680ecaa8e 3 Aug

i opt for calyx because if you are familiar with a technology there is no need for new one

191 sats \ 1 reply \ @k00b 2 Aug

We haven't received many posts on Calyx, and tons on Graphene, so I've assumed the move is to use Graphene.

60 sats \ 0 replies \ @Scoresby OP 2 Aug

I wonder why. I've been pretty happy with calyx.

152 sats \ 2 replies \ @optimism 2 Aug

Graphene. But they're in trouble (and technically so is Calyx). Calyx is not a replacement for Graphene: it's like saying i replace my safe with a stitched pocket.

Graphene is security first, and they have really high standards. But they're a security oriented distro, so you have to have user discipline to make the privacy part work. Calyx is more of a privacy but not so much security build, so you don't get actual security in favor of de-googling.

Ultimately it's what you value most. If you feel like you need real-life security, then GrapheneOS is the way to go. If you just want goog to not know you, but dont care about borders, governments and police, then calyx may do your job for you as long as you realize you are vulnerable when taking a flight or when the govt turns against you.

202 sats \ 1 reply \ @final 5 Aug

GrapheneOS is focused on privacy, the security benefit isn't mutually exclusive. There's a lot of privacy features for per-app privacy like Storage and Contact scopes, sensors and network permission toggle for apps and other features like per-connection WiFi MAC randomization for the OS. Unlike CalyxOS we also are not connecting to Google services by default, which they do for their connectivity check, DNS check, network time, hardware and DRM attestation services. Their MicroG service also runs with privileged access and isn't sandboxed.

Posted a link to a comparison table at: #1065801 that explains things, but there's a lot more to it.

100 sats \ 0 replies \ @Scoresby OP 5 Aug

I ended up giving Graphene a whirl. Web installer worked like a charm. Thanks for the info!

102 sats \ 2 replies \ @OT 2 Aug

Is that a Pixel 4?

I'm also running Calyx but I think I'll switch to Graphene sometime next year. It seems to be better recommended than Calyx and I'm interested to see what differences they have.

100 sats \ 1 reply \ @Scoresby OP 3 Aug

Exactly my feelings. Have you been dissatisfied with Calyx at all or just curious about Graphene?

102 sats \ 0 replies \ @OT 3 Aug

A few things I've had issues with. One is that the internal time goes out and I have to manually reset. This caused some problems with LN payments.

The other main one is that Organic Maps just sux.... It could be the same with Graphene but it just doesn't work for me. I need to do it the old fashioned way of looking at the destination and remembering the way to go.

102 sats \ 5 replies \ @jbschirtzinger 2 Aug

My vote goes for Calyx. The web installer makes this way, way easier to deal with.

0 sats \ 4 replies \ @optimism 2 Aug

Graphene has a web installer too.

100 sats \ 3 replies \ @jbschirtzinger 2 Aug

Is it a smooth experience? Calyx, so long as the bootloader is unlocked, is almost fire and forget.

102 sats \ 0 replies \ @optimism 2 Aug

Yes. Same thing with graphene w/ a new phone.

100 sats \ 1 reply \ @final 5 Aug

The web installer used by CalyxOS is a fork of GrapheneOS work.

0 sats \ 0 replies \ @jbschirtzinger 5 Aug

Well, that's cool, but a fork doesn't always mean the experience is the same. I haven't used the Graphene OS web installer, and am unlikely to anytime soon.