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 Hey Jameson, what about a pixel 7a refurbished from a site like backmarket.com? 

Is there any security difference between new and refurbished? Assuming both are unlocked and will be wiped and flashed with GOS? 
 Could work, just make sure there's a good return policy in case it turns out the bootloader is locked.

Can never really be sure whether or not hardware has been tampered with. 
 I’m thinking that’s better to buy at Best Buy new unlocked. And not risk the hardware being tampered with. 

Is Best Buy a good place to get a new one unlocked? Cash? 
 What do you recommend when it comes to sim/esims? Specifically for a pixel running gos 
 Cloaked wireless works quite well 
 What do you think of some people recommending not having the eSIM inside the actual phone due to IMEI sharing and potential honeypot risk?

Specially with esims like silentlink 
 I dunno why I'd care if I purchase both my phones and esims anonymously.

At the end of the day, phones are surveillance devices. If you want complete privacy then you shouldn't carry a phone. 
 that makes a lot of sense. thanks for the help boss 
 if you were to choose for use abroad, would it be silentlink? if you didn't need a US # 
 Yeah, seems promising. Haven't tested it myself. 
 thanks boss 
 What’s your favorite private browser?