How to set up new phone for maximized privacy?

I'm new to this forum and am so happy to see forums like these still exist! I won't use Facebook due to the data collection they do.

I purchased an actual new Samsung Galaxy S10e in Jan 2026 that I want to set up in the securest way to keep my data private. I know more than most on how to handle Windows privacy and security but I know nothing about phones.

I have not activated the phone yet until I learn more about how I should proceed. I don't want ANY Google services on it and through wifi downloaded APKPure to use instead of the Google PlayStore.

Is there a way for me to install an Android OS on the phone that does not have Google built into it all over the place?

I use a VPN based in Sweden but my network, Verizon, can still capture what ever I'm looking for before my request makes it to my VPN if I understand correctly (which I may not).

Any advice would be appreciated. Our data in the US is basically wide open for collection by any big company that can pay for it so I'd like to take my data out of that picture. Thanks!

GOOGLE owns Android.... so separating them isn't going to happen.

There are so many options/settings, you should just Google-> privacy settings on android phone

That's what I was afraid of. I've been looking into installing a different OS that is compatible with my phone. I installed ADB with Fastboot and learned how to reboot my phone into "Download Mode" but I am nervous about bricking it. How does a person figure out which sources they can trust for the alternate software and kernal updates, etc? I know videos exist with a lot of
that worked great!" comments are out there just to make people brick their phones. How do I find an alternate OS I can trust?

Is Samsung as bad as Google for data collection?

Thanks for the help!

I don't pay a lot of attention nor worry about getting hacked.

Samsung phones are pretty much all I've ever owned.... I been through most of the options/settings within the phone...

I do the same with Chrome and Facebook settings etc. Do all of those settings and be careful with incoming Emails.