I have similar criteria. Mainly looking for a small phone with decent specs (5G support for example), removable battery would be awesome. I searched a lot the past few days…
Regarding request #4: Removable battery devices are extremely rare. Fairphone has already been mentioned. There is also Shiftphone, but still huge phones.
I went through the list of /e/OS supported phones that get /e/OS U (current version as a starting point for request #2) and noted all that are shorter than 150 mm:
- Nubia Mini 5G
- Samsung Galaxy S10
- Samsung Galaxy S10e
- Xiaomi Mi 9SE
- Sony Xperia XA2
- Sony Xperia XZ2 Compact
- Essential PH-1
- Motorola Moto X4
- Xiaomi Mi 6
- Xiaomi Mi 5
- Xiaomi Redmi 3S
- Xiaomi Redmi 4A / 5A / [Note 5A / Y1 - Lite]
- Xiaomi Redmi 7A / 8 / 8A Dual
- several Google Pixel phones
I looked further into the Samsung, Sony, Motorola and Google Pixel phones. (I don’t think Nubia and Essential phones are available to me and I have a personal thing against Xiaomi phones.)
Only some of the Google Pixel phones (4a has a separate 5G version; included in model 5 and higher) and the Nubia support 5G connectivity, so I looked into Pixel phones.
- Pixel 4a (08/2020): 144 x 69.4 x 8.2 mm, 5.8" screen, no 5G support
- Pixel 4a 5G is much larger
- Pixel 5 (09/2020): 144.7 x 70.4 x 8 mm, 6.0" screen
- Pixel 6 to 8 Pro are higher than 150 mm
- Pixel 8 (10/2023): 150**.37** x 70.87 x 8.89 mm, 6.3" screen
Source for Pixel measurements
If you want to get a current phone, Pixel 8 seems to be the smallest choice. Otherwise, if you care about 5G support, Pixel 5 seems to be the smallest choice.
The Pixel 4a recently got a battery update for one of two types of batteries that were used for 4a, rendering this battery almost useless for protection against over-heating. Look for one with a HST battery or replaced recently. Article on AndroidAuthority.com
All of those Pixels I just mentioned have a fingerprint sensor and do not fulfil your request #3, but I’m with Didou here: you could just not use it. Pixel 4a and 5 have it on the back, so you could just cover it with a case. However, it is in or under the touchscreen on the Pixel 8.
Regarding request #2: Even the Google Pixel (no number) from 2016 gets /e/OS U, so I guess by getting a Pixel, we’re in for long support?
And yes, I am aware that getting a Google phone for a deGoogled OS is quite ironic, but I plan on getting a used/refurbished one at least…