Yes, that's unfortunate. But it is "easily" patchable (and a world of difference from actually running google play services with root privileges on your phone).

That can be easily patched. If you want a full "de-google" experience, GOS is the only perfect option

Funny how the fully "de-googled" experience starts with buying a Google device.

That is going to change soon enough. GOS is working towards having their own device. It's going to take a few years at least

To a normie non-tech person, buying a several hundred dollar Google phone, only to delete Google from it sounds stupid, like you've set your money on fire.

Yes, I have a Pixel with GrapheneOS.