I was using clean LineageOS for over 2 years, recently switching to LineageOS+microG. I'm using APKPure and F-Droid for apps, Chrome for browsing (as in Firefox, last time I checked, one tap separates you from losing all open tabs). Some apps refuse to work or break (e.g. Bitwarden does not sync), some have degraded functionality (e.g. WhatsApp sometimes does not ring when someone is calling you), many are just spamming "This program will not run without Google Play Services" (but there is Xposed module called something like "This program will run" that gets rid of these). In case of Google Maps, I'm using old version (9.69.1), and for Youtube, I'm using NewPipe.
Overall I liked the experience, battery life (especially with greenify) was amazing.
In my experience, Firefox with the Bitwarden addon installed syncs well without requiring you to install any Google services. The obvious downside being that you need to open Firefox to copy your password, but that can probably be worked around by adding a shortcut to the Bitwarden addon page to the home screen.
I don't know what you mean with "one tap away from losing all your tabs" though, perhaps you have an issue I haven't encountered yet. I personally never lose any Firefox tabs, even if I manage to make it crash somehow; I suppose what I'm trying to say is you might want to try Firefox again to see if the situation has improved.
As for maps and navigation, you might try Maps [0] or Here Maps [1] (if that runs without play services, I assume so with Microsoft behind it). Of course, an old copy of GMaps works fine, but Maps [0] is open source, which one might likely favour on a Google-less phone.
I forgot to mention that I keep Firefox just for Bitwarden extension. Though I usually just copy the password on my PC, and KDE Connect syncs the clipboard. I also try to be logged into as few services as possible on my phone, in case someone steals it while the phone is unlocked. Since the phone is rooted, determined thief would have many opportunities.
By "one tap", I meant the "Close all tabs" options next to "New incognito tab". If you tap "Close all tabs" in Chrome, you get an "Undo" button for few seconds. If you do the same in Firefox, you don't. There are "Recently closed tabs", but I learned the hard way that it only holds few tabs.
Maybe it's because I'm using Firefox on Linux, but I couldn't find a Close all tabs button or menu entry. There is even an extension for that [1]. Closing all tabs wouldn't be the same as closing the window they belong to?
microG still sends data to Google though, I believe, even though the local code is open. Without Google involved at all, Android is barely usable as a daily driver. I tried for a while.
It keeps connection to Google, but at least does not send your location and does not help Google with personalizing ads. I'm also not logged into Google account.
When all I needed of my phone was web browser + YouTube playlists + FB Messenger, lack of Play Services did not seem to be big deal.
Basically it still uses Google backends and infrastructure for push notification delivery without contributing anything to the costs of the infrastructure. It does that by spoofing the library ids and accessing the APIs with fake authorization.
I don't think that's a sustainable plan going forward.
Tangent, but can I ask what made you choose 9.69.1? I spent hours trying out a bunch of versions and ended up choosing 9.42.3 as it started up fast and was the last version that didn't have the "explore the city" nonsense taking up half the screen on startup. Curious what sweet spot you found in 9.69.1!
When I updated Maps and found out the latest version requires Play Services to start, I just went to apkmirror and grabbed random old version. Or maybe I grabbed one I had in Titanium Backup backups - I don't remember precisely.
I actually didn't know what you were talking about until I opened the app few seconds ago. I was just tapping the search bar as soon as the app started every time, and did not even notice something was appearing on my screen. But I agree, now that I looked at this panel, it does seem useless.
Oh I see. Yeah I recommend going back to that version if you don't have a particular reason to stick with the later one. Or maybe to 9.50.1 if you want the ability to add Favorites and Want To Go (as opposed to just Starred Locations). The later versions have way too much crap in them -- over fifty (!) notifications (and redundant ones at that, I'm guessing because people kept turning off the old ones) as of the latest version I tried, with the screen constantly trying to get you to look at it and tap stuff. They're trying to get your attention all the time like they're Facebook or something. They can't just show you a darn map and navigate you anymore. (Though even these versions aren't great, but they're usable.) They made the changes rather gradually though (sometimes even the same version behaves differently depending on whether you upgraded or not) so I'm guessing that's why you didn't notice.
> Chrome for browsing (as in Firefox, last time I checked, one tap separates you from losing all open tabs).
I've been using Firefox on Android for a couple of years now and have literally never had that happen, so I'm intrigued now. Are you referring to "Close All Tabs" being next to "Private Browsing" in the dropdown? I can see how that could be fat-fingered but I've always used the icon instead of the dropdown.
It does complain about them on the first launch (when the setup screen tries to sign you in for synchronization), but works perfectly after that. I was a bit surprised too. Now, my Chrome installation has been moved between 5 devices (via Titanium Backup) and still works.
The only big inconvenience is getting bookmarks to PC. There is XML file in /data/data/com.android.chrome called Bookmarks (by the way, Chrome seems to be the only Google app in com.android namespace). I just use regex to select the lines with URLs.
Galaxy S4 Black Edition (with leather back), previously Galaxy J7 16, Nextbit Robin, Galaxy S3 LTE and S3. I downgraded as I find notification LED priceless and 5' screen perfect. I'm mostly sitting on HN and Reddit, so it's okay performance-wise (though your Nexus is faster), though I keep my eyes open on new devices.
There are still new S4 batteries manufactured by Samsung for Korean market, got mine in Poland for $25. I'm getting 5h+ SOT.
I'm not a performance-demanding smartphone user, but if I were, I would consider jailbreaking an iPhone. Android & Linux (Purism, Pinephone) keep disappointing me.
EDIT: maybe "disappointing" is not the right word. It's just that for good step, a step backwards seems to be taken somewhere else. Choosing a phone is all about trade-offs now, which is kinda sad. I'm using phone manufactured 6 years ago. Why can't I find any device that is a clearly improved version of it?
Overall I liked the experience, battery life (especially with greenify) was amazing.