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Motorola Signature 27 to Become First Non-Pixel Phone Supporting GrapheneOS

GrapheneOS will support the new Motorola Signature 27, the first non-Pixel handset for the privacy-focused Android-based system, with pre-installed versions also planned.

GrapheneOS is built on top of the Android Open Source Project and had until now been limited to Google's Pixel phones, a constraint that sat awkwardly with an operating system aimed at users who want to limit how much data reaches Google. TechRadar reported that versions of the Signature 27 shipping with GrapheneOS pre-installed in place of Android are also planned, though no timing was given.

The Signature 27 is a high-end handset powered by Qualcomm's new Snapdragon 8 Elite Extreme Gen 6 chipset, which the report describes as more powerful than the silicon used in Samsung's Galaxy S26 series. It has a 6.8-inch screen and four rear cameras, placing it against the top tier of Android phones.

Motorola's US website indicates the phone is expected at some point in November. Pricing has not been announced. According to TechRadar, the GrapheneOS team has also discussed bringing the operating system to future Motorola phones, potentially including lower-end models.

The team has previously set out why the newest chipset matters for that expansion, telling Android Police that "it's mostly due to how Qualcomm handles it. The latest Snapdragon flagships have the best security features. We'll also need Motorola to start paying them for longer updates below flagships." TechRadar reported that the combination of the new chipset and longer-term software support explains why the operating system is arriving on the Signature 27 first.

Users who install GrapheneOS can still opt in to the Google Play Store, but the system's main draw is its handling of data shared with Google and with individual apps. TechRadar described it as an alternative for privacy-conscious users rather than a likely mainstream rival to Android and iOS.

Editor's Summary GrapheneOS, previously limited to Pixel devices, will support Motorola's Signature 27, the first non-Pixel phone to run it, with pre-installed versions planned and a US launch expected in November. The move widens access to a privacy-focused Android alternative and may extend to other Motorola models, depending on Qualcomm chipset security features and longer software support commitments.