I did the Google-free Android thing (until yesterday in fact!) with MicroG and while the functionality was fine, the updates never worked properly and I'd have to format each time and reload everything. I enjoyed CopperheadOS until that imploded, and updating was seamless so I know it's not impossible to get right (manual usage of TWRP for an update is one of the funnier jokes of a modern Android variant I think) but I grew weary and moved to Apple. I don't care for them particularly, but I'm happy to (hopefully) not have to wade through Android nonsense every few months and any data I can keep from Google, I'm all for!