I mean, you can get a refurbished unlocked pixel 8 straight from google for $380 and put grapheme on it... Even less if you buy a used phone or third party refurb.

Buy a second hand or refurb pixel. That's what I did. Google already got paid, sure, but you don't give them anything more. It's not perfect, but it's an economical solution that doesn't break the bank and still gets you security. At this point, if you don't want big tech, may I suggest two tin cans and a string? if you do that, at least Del Monte doesn't get the recycling deposit back on their empty green bean receptacles.

I can’t achieve what I want unless I get rich.

Welcome to life.

You can try other opensource system depend on your phone