Agreed. I bought a Redmi Note 8 nearly 5 years ago and after 3 months put a custom ROM on it with Android 10 as I was so hacked off with the telemetry. Persevered with various banking hacks (for a Thai bank) for a few years before conceding and buying a separate phone to use pretty much exclusively for that. I could upgrade it but why.........
The "old" phone is still my daily driver. No Google or Meta and AF Wall+ stops most outgoing telemetry from the phone. Punching in the dark - probably, but makes me feel better......