Your smartphone should be your tool for communicating, browsing the web, taking pictures, and whatever else you want to use it for. It should not be a surveillance tool to be used by government agencies, hackers, and nosy corporations to spy on you.
 
CalyxOS is an Operating System based on the Open Source version of Android. It is desigend with privacy and security baked in from the ground up. As the CalyxOS website states, "CalyxOS is an Android mobile operating system that puts privacy and security into the hands of everyday users. Plus, proactive security recommendations and automatic updates take the guesswork out of keeping your personal data personal."
 
The Pixel 7a is an upper-mid-range Android smartphone and performs perfectly with CalyxOS. Together, the Pixel 7a and CalyxOS provide a functional smartphone with modern features, a good camera, long battery life, and privacy and security ballanced with usability. 
 
The Pixel 7a has the following specs:
 
Processor 
Google Tensor G2 processor
 
Display
6.1" FHD+ display - up to 90Hz 
 
Camera   
64 MP Wide - 13 MP Ultrawide - 13 MP Front (Super Res Zoom up to 8x - Real Tone)
 
Memory and storage
8 GB RAM 128 GB storage
 
Battery 
24-hour battery - Wireless charging
 
CalyxOS includes everything you would expect in a modern mobile Operating System — In fact, it looks and feels like stock Android and the user experience is almost exactly the same. What it does not include is any Google bits or anything else that can be used to diminish your privacy and security. In fact, CalyxOS comes with several features and apps that increase both privacy and security. As the CalyxOS website explains, CalyxOS includes the follwing features and apps:
 
Secure Networking
Datura Firewall gives you fine-grained control over network access for all of your apps.
Tethered network devices (USB or Wi-Fi) can use the phone's VPN or Tor.
Free and trusted VPNs from The Calyx Institute and Riseup.
Cloudflare DNS is available as a Private DNS provider.
 
Limitless Functionality
microG replaces some functions of Google Play Services while maintaining much more anonymity and privacy. Completely Optional.
Mozilla Location Services (and Dejavu) available as default location services.
Nominatim available as default geocoding service.
 
Device Security
Automatic monthly over-the-air security updates. 
Ability to turn-off Wi-Fi and Bluetooth when not being used.
Verified Boot ensures that the operating system has not been modified.
Block unknown USB devices.
 
Trusted Agent
Privacy settings lets you see what apps are requesting which permissions
Panic button functionality lets a user uninstall apps and more.
Sensitive Numbers privacy. Calls to numbers for help lines such as domestic violence, child abuse, suicide hotlines are not recorded in the call log.
Access these numbers in the Helplines Dialer entry.
 
Secure Backup
Automatic backups (once configured) of your apps.
Backup your files to a USB drive or Nextcloud.
Client-side encryption protects all of your backed-up data.
 
Private Dialer
Directly make an encrypted call using Signal or WhatsApp from the Dialer.
Learn about the privacy impacts of different channels of communication.
 
Speak Freely
Speak freely with Signal video, calling, and texting.
eSIM and dual-sim support, where supported by the hardware.
K-9 Email client.
 
Browse without Censorship
Chromium based onBromite is the default web browser and search engine, which blocks ads and trackers.
Use Tor Browser to browse the internet without being tracked.
 
Your Favorite Apps
Get free and open source apps from F-Droid.
Use Aurora Store to install from the Google Play catalog anonymously.
 
Strong Authentication
Scramble lockscreen PIN.
 
With the Pixel 7a and CalyxOS, you can have everything you want in a, upper-mid-range smartphone and none of the stuff you don't want. Privacy and security with the convenience you are used to is at your finger tips with this device.
 
Domestic shipping within the United States is included in the price of the Pixel 7a.