Update I have come to a decision. Thank you to all who contributed suggestions. Please feel free to keep the discussion going to help others.
Well if the support ends, GrapheneOS support ends too. That’s why more years of support is important here.
What relevance does that have to what I said? If the physical phone isn’t going to last that long then I’d argue it is of little importance.
Well if you recommend getting an older phone because it’s cheaper, GrapheneOS support may be a concern. Also I think a phone usually can last for 7 years with 1 battery replacement, good ambient temperature and careful use.
I mean, the 6a still has 3 years of support left so whilst it is older it is hardly at the end of its supported life.
Not everyone can change a battery in a phone, I can but I would still rather not do it on a phone that isn’t really anything special and whilst yes they could feasibly last that long I think in practical everyday use application by the time you are getting to three years of daily use it will be beaten up and physically not in great shape any more for your average user.
Whatever idea you have to phones, you‘re wrong. They can easily make 5 plus years if you treat them right. The more problematic part is daily use and battery degradation/repair.
But google sucks anyway so I‘ll stay with postmarketOS on my oneplus6 and wait for my camera to come to life some day (hopefully).