The best 😁

Sounds like Punkt MP02 which has its own Signal client, but I’ve never seen any real feedback on it

The main difference is that GrapheneOS focuses on hardened security (sandboxed Google Play Services, their own browser Vanadium, etc.) and only runs on Pixels, CalyxOS stays closer to stock AOSP, prioritizes privacy with things like microG as a Google services replacement and supports more devices like the Fairphone and some Motorolas

I’m in the same boat. They suggest Seedvault, which I haven’t tried yet. I’ll do the factory reset when I don’t crucially need my phone, I’ll take it as an opportunity to declutter a bit. I don’t need much for a functional setup. The painful part will be manually re-entering the config for my WebDAV server. Definitely not ideal, though.

To be fair I’ve used both and I get the complaints aimed at each philosophy. At some point, I’m just grateful these projects exist at all and for free. Personally I still think microG is nice to have, flaws and all. My Motorola lasts four days on one charge and I have a gut feeling that not having Play Services constantly running is part of why. Either way you’re better off than stock