I hope they make it possible to install GrapheneOS on their budget phones as well.
Not within Graphene’s intent, alas.
Still, from the fact that this deal worked (so far…) I now expect other Custom ROMs such as lineage to reach deals with manufacturers to release the bootloader relock keys for near-EOL (or even EOL) devices that are already on the market. The way I see it, it’s a win-win: the segment of people who are privacy or environmentally conscious were not going to buy a new phone from them or the competition anyway, so securing that they continue your brand gives you the option of data input to tailor next models to them, prevents ewaste from going into the environment, and keeps phones of the brand circulating in need for repairs or replacement parts which means the brand can license parts and operations.
Not within Graphene’s intent, alas.
Still, from the fact that this deal worked (so far…) I now expect other Custom ROMs such as lineage to reach deals with manufacturers to release the bootloader relock keys for near-EOL (or even EOL) devices that are already on the market. The way I see it, it’s a win-win: the segment of people who are privacy or environmentally conscious were not going to buy a new phone from them or the competition anyway, so securing that they continue your brand gives you the option of data input to tailor next models to them, prevents ewaste from going into the environment, and keeps phones of the brand circulating in need for repairs or replacement parts which means the brand can license parts and operations.