About Our Phones
Let’s learn more about our phones, the difference between CalyxOS and GrapheneOS and the many benefits of owning a privacy focused phone.
Balance Between Privacy & Practicality
CalyxOS
CalyxOS is a modified Android 11 operating system that focuses on providing user privacy. It is maintained by the Calyx Institute whose mission is to develop tools that anyone can use to build “privacy by design” into their internet access.
If you are taking your first steps into a privacy-orientated device, and wish to retain as much functionality regarding apps, then our recommendation is to use CalyxOS with microG. You can also setup CalyxOS without microG if you so wish.
This setup provides a good compromise between privacy and functionality because many popular apps like Google Maps and services like push notifications are supported. Find more about CalyxOS on the projects website.
Privacy By Design
Google Play Services, all Google and bloat apps (carrier apps, manufacturer apps, Facebook, Amazon etc.) have been completely removed from the phone. These type of apps and integrations are found on almost all vendor provided phones, but not on CalyxOS. In addition, CalyxOS has am advanced built in firewall and permissions manager allowing you to block an apps access to your data sharing that with Big Tech firms.
microG
CalyxOS provides the option to install microG during the setup process. This service is open source and sponsored by the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research. It mimics the useful portions of Google Play Services while at the same time preventing identifiable data from being sent to Google and other companies.
Highest Level of Security and Privacy
GrapheneOS
GrapheneOS is a modified Android 11 operating system that focuses on providing user security and privacy. It is actively maintained by a dedicated community of developers and is considered by many as the most secure consumer Android operating system available.
It substantially improves the security of the Android operating system and privacy of the apps running on it. The OS deploys technologies to mitigate whole classes of vulnerabilities and makes exploiting the most common sources of vulnerabilities much more difficult.
If you are looking for a higher level of privacy and security, and are comfortable making more compromises on the types of apps you use on your phone. Our recommendation is to use GrapheneOS. Find out more about GrapheneOS at the project’s website.
Focused on Security
GrapheneOS makes improvement to Android’s security model including device and service encryption, app sandboxing, removal of unused legacy code, hardened memory allocation, and code improvements that remove whole classes of vulnerabilities. Check out GrapheneOS’s list of Features.
Privacy Ensured
Google Play Services, all Google and bloat apps (carrier apps, manufacturer apps, Facebook, Amazon etc.) have been completely removed. These type of apps and integrations are found on almost all vendor provided phones, but not on GrapheneOS. In addition, GrapheneOS has a built in firewall, private webview, advanced permissions manager where you to block app access to all phone sensors, your data and with Big Tech companies.
Comparison of CalyxOS and GrapheneOS
| CalyxOS | GrapheneOS | |
|---|---|---|
| Android Version | 11 | 11 |
| Google Play Store | No, Aurora Store and F-Droid apps can be installed as replacements | No, Aurora Store and F-Droid apps can be installed as a replacements |
| Install same apps found on the Google Play Store | Yes, available on privacy focused Aurora Store app | Yes, available on privacy focused Aurora Store app |
| Purchasing Apps | No, neither Aurora Store or F-Droid have this functionality | No, neither Aurora Store or F-Droid have this functionality |
| Previous Google Play Store purchases work | Most apps will work if installed through the Aurora Store and you log into your Google Account | Most apps will work if installed through the Aurora Store and you log into your Google Account |
| App Subscriptions (e.g. Spotify) | No, this functionality is not in the Aurora Store or F-Droid apps | No, this functionality is not in the Aurora Store or F-Droid apps |
| Google Play Services | No, not installed | No, not installed |
| Functionality of apps and services that rely on Google Play Services | microG can be enabled and used with out without a Google account | No, microG and Google Play Services cannot be installed |
| Operating system updates | Yes, security patches until May 2022, fixes to operating system code and kernel regularly after May 2022 | Yes, security patches until May 2022, fixes to operating system code and kernel regularly after May 2022 |
| Privacy model | Improves Android privacy model, overall privacy will still depend on the apps and services installed by the user | Improves Android privacy model, overall privacy will still depend on the apps and services installed by the user |
| Security model | Maintains Android security model | Improves Android security model |
| Option to Revert to Stock Google Pixel OS? | Yes | Yes |
Factory Unlocked
Every phone we sell can be used with multiple carriers because they are network and SIM unlocked. This means that you are not tied to a contract or a particular carrier like Sprint or Bell. Check out our page on How to Check Your Carrier and Switch Your Current Phone.
Regular Updates
Both CalyxOS and GrapheneOS receive regular over the air updates to the operating system directly from the developers servers. Apps are also regularly updated directly from F-Droid and Aurora Store if you decide to install them. Check out our setup guides for CalyxOS and GrapheneOS.
The Environment in Mind
Atsanik gives a new life to smartphones. Each are refurbished using strict protocols and are impossible to tell from brand new. All are extensively tested, fully functional, unlocked so that you can use them on most carriers.
Energy usage also is reduced because the phones do not make constant checks with Big Tech data collection and monitoring servers. These checks waste your phone battery and they consume large amount of energy associated with external cloud servers.
Determine Your Carrier Compatibility
We currently sell Google Pixel 3a and Google Pixel 3a XL model phones.
To determine if a Google Pixel 3a (Submodel G020G) or 3a XL (Submodel G020C) will work with your carrier, please use the website Will My Phone Work.
Pixel 3a and 3a XL Smartphone Specifications
| Category | Feature | Pixel 3a (G020G) | Pixel 3a XL (G020C) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Body | Dimensions | 151.3 x 70.1 x 8.2 mm (5.96 x 2.76 x 0.32 in) | 160.1 x 76.1 x 8.2 mm (6.30 x 3.00 x 0.32 in) |
| Weight | 147 g (5.19 oz) | 167 g (5.89 oz) | |
| Build | Glass front (Asahi Dragontrail), plastic back, plastic frame | Glass front (Asahi Dragontrail), plastic back, plastic frame | |
| Sim | Nano-SIM and/or eSIM | Nano-SIM and/or eSIM | |
| Display | Type | OLED | OLED |
| Size | 5.6 inches, 79.6 cm2 (~75.0% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.0 inches, 92.9 cm2 (~76.3% screen-to-body ratio) | |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2220 pixels, 18.5:9 ratio (~441 ppi density) | 1080 x 2160 pixels, 18:9 ratio (~402 ppi density) | |
| Protection | Asahi Dragontrail Glass | Asahi Dragontrail Glass | |
| Processor | Chipset | Qualcomm SDM670 Snapdragon 670 (10 nm) | Qualcomm SDM670 Snapdragon 670 (10 nm) |
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz 360 Gold & 6x1.7 GHz Kryo 360 Silver) | Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz 360 Gold & 6x1.7 GHz Kryo 360 Silver) | |
| GPU | Adreno 615 | Adreno 615 | |
| Storage | microSD Card Slot | No | No |
| Internal Storage | 64 GB | 64 GB | |
| RAM Memory | 4 GB | 4 GB | |
| Camera | Main | 12.2 MP, f/1.8, 28mm (wide), 1/2.55", 1.4µm, dual pixel PDAF, OIS | 12.2 MP, f/1.8, 28mm (wide), 1/2.55", 1.4µm, dual pixel PDAF, OIS |
| Selfie | 8 MP, f/2.0, 24mm (wide), 1/4", 1.12µm | 8 MP, f/2.0, 24mm (wide), 1/4", 1.12µm | |
| Sound | Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| Communication | WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct, hotspot | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct, hotspot |
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE, aptX HD | 5.0, A2DP, LE, aptX HD | |
| GPS | Yes, with A-GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO | Yes, with A-GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO | |
| NFC | Yes | Yes | |
| FM Radio | No | No | |
| USB Port | USB Type-C 2.0 | USB Type-C 2.0 | |
| Battery | Type | Li-Po 3000 mAh, non-removable | Li-Po 3700 mAh, non-removable |
| Network | Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE |
| 3G Bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 CDMA2000 1xEV-DO | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 CDMA2000 1xEV-DO | |
| 4G / LTE Bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 14, 17, 20, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 38, 40, 41, 66, 71 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 14, 17, 20, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 38, 40, 41, 66, 71 | |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE-A (3CA) Cat11 600/75 Mbps | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE-A (3CA) Cat11 600/75 Mbps |