Basic open-source Android apps have felt outdated for years, and the GrapheneOS team is finally stepping in to fix the problem. The developers are shifting resources to completely replace clunky default software with modern tools built from the ground up.
I think Calyx OS would strike that balance
As a Calyx user, only kinda. A lot of the hardening done in GOS is missing from Calyx. Likewise, a lot of features in COS (firewall rules per connection type per app for instance) are missing from GOS.