Google Pixel 7a - 5G - DeGoogled with e/OS

Description

I’ve had this Pixel 7a for a couple of months now, and honestly, I’m not the kind of person who spends a lot of time on phones — I just wanted something reliable, fast, and not full of hidden tracking.

It’s a 5G model, unlocked, and I went ahead and installed e/OS — that’s the open-source version of Android — so it’s completely de-googled. No Google Play Store, no tracking, no bloatware. I’ve never used it beyond basic calls and texts, and it’s been running smoothly since.

The phone’s in charcoal, 8GB RAM, 128GB storage — standard specs. I opened it up to install the e/OS ROM, which is what makes it de-googled. It’s not like it’s been heavily used — just a few days of real-life testing. Comes with a brand new phone wallet and a cable, so it’s ready to go.

I found out how much it costs to do the same thing at a store — £150 for the de-googling service, and the phone itself is £365. So this one’s actually a bit of a bargain when you think about it.

I’ve been playing around with the idea of privacy — how much data Google collects, how it shapes what we see online, how it subtly nudges our choices through ads and search results. It’s not just about convenience; it’s about control. When you’re constantly being watched, even if you don’t notice it, it starts to feel like your choices are being guided.

With this phone, I can use it like any other Android — no learning curve — but without Google collecting anything. No background tracking, no ads, no data being sent to servers. Just clean, open-source software.

I live in Lincolnshire, England, and I’m just passing it on because I’ve decided to keep things simple. It’s not flashy, but it works — and it feels a bit more like my own device now.

If you’re thinking about taking back some control of your phone — this might be worth a look.