I didn't know in some countries people had to show an ID to buy a phone and I am quite astonished by this. Until now i only knew this for alcohol. New or old I always bought a smartphone the same way I would buy a computer, I just give the money and I get it, never shown an ID.

nymatix

GrapheneOS explains [here](https://twitter.com/GrapheneOS/status/1529300752195371009) about the Pixel phone choice. TLDR: all the other Android OEMs cut security functionality when another OS is installed or are missing features GrapheneOS needs.

As for buying a Pixel I typically buy mine from a phone retailer, tell them I want "Handset only with no cellular data plan" or from a supermarket - never been asked for ID to just buy a phone before, maybe it's a country difference?

You could also buy secondhand or refurbished if you want, or get someone to purchase by proxy I guess
