GrapheneOS is the only Android OS providing full security patches

If you have a Pixel -> Graphene, if not -> Lineage.

I personally don't care about "security" all that much, my main reason for using Graphene is freedom to use my hardware in any way I wish. This means unrestricted ability to run any program on the phone from any source. Sideloading restrictions don't apply to Graphene, and it is also impossible for state actors to impose things such as client-side scanning of text messages. It's also immune to unwanted AI anti-features.

I use my own "cloud" infrastructure with my phone and I am not interested in using Google's. My Graphene device is configured to route all traffic through Wireguard tunnel and my DNS server. I also use exclusively use my own email server and "cloud" storage for all non-work related purposes. Graphene makes this easy by not leaking any information to Google.

That sounds amazing. I aspire to get a setup like yours. I am on a Pixel with the stock OS and I can't stand the way Google is pushing AI into everything on my phone.

I haven't switched it to Graphene OS yet because I read that there are issues with NFC and a few other things. I assume this new phone won't have those problems so I think that will be my catalyst to do a big overhaul.

Don't understand your statement about avoiding client-side scanning of text messages. I've always assumed it would be done by the apps themselves, e.g. WhatsApp, Telegram, etc..

I think they're saying the phone doesn't stop you from installing a version which doesn't do that.

This depends what you mean by 'issues with NFC'. My understanding is that Google require an OS that is blessed by them for contactless payments in Google Wallet to work. That restriction applies to all alternative operating systems that aren't Google certified stock Android.

The OEM partnership would not change that.

In non-NA regions there may be more options for mobile contactless payments using apps that are not Google Wallet/Pay. So it also depends where in the world you are.

I doubt contactless payments will ever work on Graphene. In any case, I don't find carrying a credit card particularly inconvenient. I prefer cash for small transactions too; it's the only means of payment that is truly anonymous.