€ 799.00, more than a month salary for many people that I know.

Multiple month salaries in many 2nd and 3rd tier countries around the world.

Security as a privilege only for the rich people is not a solution.

You're right. The Nexus phones that Google used to sell were relatively affordable and secure (like the Nexus 5X). Too bad that's no longer an option.

>and you can flash your own images if you'd like

Just an FYI for anyone interested in getting it. You can do this only if you buy directly from Google, not from Verizon. Only Google's version has an unlockable bootloader. Google sold out pretty hard to Verizon in order to get some sales. One of the nice things about the Nexus line (at least all the later ones) was that you get a good no-bullshit phone no matter where you buy it from. Now, with Pixel, you get the shitty one if you buy from Verizon. The major downside to this is the used market. No way to reliably buy a good phone on ebay etc. The model numbers are the same. Some respite is swappa, which lists them accurately.

> The major downside to this is the used market.

Yeah Google I believe unintentionally really messed up the used market for people that want to flash. You can tell the difference by installing an app or going under developer options from what I have gathered https://android.stackexchange.com/questions/163706#181321

I ended up buying used HP Elite x3 (Win10 Mobile) because of that. Even though MS dropped feature updates for Win10 Mobile, they promised security updates until 2020 if I'm not mistaken.

HP will update their phones into 2019. But yeah, the direct-from-Microsoft security updates basically make an Elite x3 a no-brainer for someone who wants a secure phone at this point. Apps are limited, but apps are usually a risk anyways, the ones you actually need are all there.

I'm slightly bummed by the lack of YouTube (hello again, Google), and Lyft.

FWIW, I consider being shoved away from Google products a bonus of the Windows Mobile platform at this juncture. ;) It encouraged me to finish transitioning away from their services.

YouTube is "good enough" in the browser, but I prefer to not watch videos on a phone anyways, and usually save them for later.

And after 3 years?

(I'm using a Nexus 4)