Ironically the Pixels are the easiest to de-Google.

Apple wants your data as well

iPhone has the better reputation for privacy/security, however it is proprietary software and so no one can really tell for sure what kind of data that Apple might collect on you.

Graphene OS > iOS > Stock Android

I tend to lean toward Android simply because it gives me more control/options instead of completely relying on Apple's promise that they care

E.g. I like that I can use NeoStore for FOSS apps instead of the google Play store

grapheneos might add more to this comment time permitting

If it's Stock vs iOS, do you really care about privacy? Google is a data mining ad company, that's why their stuff is free. "If you're no paying for the product, you are the product". So Apple right? LOL no. Paying is no protection against being sold too. It's closed, you're never know, so they might as well make more money from you.

The only way is having any confidence in things is open source.

So I don't think iOS vs Stock matters. Android is more open, but all those root level closed Google services completely compromise the phone. They owned the phone.

You can make stock Android much more private. Universal debloat tool + Invisible Pro - remove unnecessary apps, restrict internet access to only the apps you want to have internet access, add a tracker blocker list.

I chose Apple on that matter. Not that it’s the perfect choice, but it’s for now a "good" compromise. At least they "seem" to be concerned about their customers’ data (encrypted messages, data not sold to advertisers…)

Personally for me, I don't want to store my personal files in anybody else's cloud besides mine. I don't want Google to have them, I don't want Apple to have them. I use Syncthing to sync files between my devices. My understanding is it is a much better implementation on Android than Apple (basically non existent due to rules for apps on iOS is my understanding)

I use and strongly recommend iodé OS

It is a degoogled android version with a built in ad blocker and microG. All my apps including banking and such work like a charm.

Since tha latest update it's been great.

Stick with Android, you have much more control over the phone even when running stock compared to iOS Besides using Adguard you can also disable the apps you don't want (some of which are used purely for tracking) using universal Android debloater and also turn of all kinds of tracking in the system

iOS is fully proprietary, so while some might argue that it is more private, it is almost impossible to know. What we do know is that it isn't private, and apple has a track record against privacy.

I think comparing the two platforms from a privacy perspective is pointless. You're not going to be private either way. Might as well focus on other factors.

Banking apps are fine on GrapheneOS and o think smart watches are too but can't personally confirm.

My banking app works just fine on GrapheneOS, and it's required no tinkering to get it working the way I want. I can't speak for smart watches unfortunately, but I'd still recommend a Pixel with GrapheneOS if you really care about privacy. If you really don't want to go with GrapheneOS, I'd still recommend Android. Apple may be marketing towards privacy friendly, but Android still has better FOSS options, which is better than blindly trusting Apple.

Stock IOS is probably more privacy friendly than android. Googles entire business is to make money off your data. Stock android uses google play services that have access to pretty much everything on your phone. Apple will bend to politicians on scanning your files and shit, but at least they (probably) aren't selling your data. As much as google at the very least.

But like many comments here, if you actually care about privacy, stock anything isn't the way to go. I use calyxos and find it to be a good balance between privacy and usability. No android auto, but banking apps work and from what I've read you can use garmin smartwatches or other similar watches that use their own app and smart watches that have been added to gadgetbridge https://f-droid.org/packages/nodomain.freeyourgadget.gadgetbridge/

Some people don't like microg, but I believe you can use calyxos without it. (Not sure if that will break banking apps though).

I use /e/OS and it suits all my needs. I use mostly F-droid apps but I have access to Playstore apps through the AppLounge and it works like a charm. I don't have to do any tinkering so far and I've been using it for a year or so.

AdGuard (DNS) is available on any platform, you can even set up your router to use AdGuard.

You can use Shelter and to have there all the closed-source apps.

Banking apps work on a different user (Shelter's/Android's reg. secondary user) on GrapheneOS.

If you're not comfortable with tinkering with your phone, that's a different story. But know that you *can* have your cake and eat it.

For purely just privacy I would say custom rom android > iphone > stock android > samsung android.

To your point about tinkering, GrapheneOS has an excellent web installer. CalyxOS has a fairly decent install procedure but is maybe slightly more involved.

If you want to make a move in favour of privacy you might want to ditch the smart watch you currently use if it's a proprietary system that also leverages Google play services, as your health and biometric data is also very valuable to these companies.

Regarding root, I feel as if root access has been more or less phased out in custom ROMs today, likely for attestation purposes but I suppose also to prevent end users from causing irreparable system damage.

If you like a Smartwatch-like experience, just try out the PineTime. Been using it now for 5Months and it's been great so far.