Having a hardware manufacturer that supports a free software operating systems is very important. Google could block alternative/non-approved operating systems from being loaded on Pixels. A monopoly on a secord-order good is a security risk.

Having an ability to disable power to the cellular radio, or to turn it off permanently, is an important feature. Real-time location surveillance and tracking, via cellular, is one of the largest privacy problems with mobile phones. Pixel devices do not have this feature.