Pixel 11 doesn't yet meet the GrapheneOS security standards and may be skipped
7 hours ago
- GrapheneOS partially ported to Pixel 11 but cannot complete due to lack of ARM hardware memory tagging (MTE) support, likely cut by Google to save costs.
- MTE is crucial for GrapheneOS’s security, protecting against nearly all remote and many local exploits, and is used across the entire base OS.
- Pixel 8 launched with MTE in 2023, but Android and Pixel OS only enable it in limited modes, while Apple’s MIE on iPhone 17 uses MTE more broadly in the kernel.
- GrapheneOS enables MTE for more apps automatically and offers user opt-in for all apps, unlike iOS or Android which discourage developer opt-in.
- Pixel 11 offers some security upgrades (post-quantum verified boot, Titan M3) but losing MTE is a major drawback; it’s overpriced with incremental CPU/GPU improvements.
- Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 offers higher performance, better GPU, and includes MTE, making it a better choice for future GrapheneOS devices like Motorola.
- GrapheneOS recommends against buying Pixel 11; Pixel 8, 9, and 10 have better security with MTE, and they may shift focus to Motorola devices.