It's matter of preference. If you like clean android go google if you like to customize go Samsung. If you like best power go Samsung if you don't want top end hardware go google. If you want complete privacy and security go google and install graphene os. I love customizability with decent privacy while having small device so I'm rooted on S23.
Google android is far from clean. I had to install a new launcher because it wouldn't let me disable the stupid google bar on the mainscreen. Searching for a way to disable it I stumpled on way too many google kiddies asking "WhY WoULd wAnT To DisaBLe tHiS FeaTUre?"
Separate topic, but what are the benefits of Graphene. Assumption like ROMs of old. Not modded my phone in years since Pixel 2, currently Pixel 7 hence not seen the need.
When I did root my phone, it was always cat and mouse patching and repatching to allow Android Pay (as it was called) and all my banking apps.
I've been rooting my phones since 2011 and never had issues with banking apps. Also I don't use Android pay cause I always strip my phone as much as possible of Google's surveillance. I honestly cannot use phone without root cause it would fly out of window before evening.
If you want to take it a leap further and become autonomous of Google and others, you will use Graphene OS. But for you it would be cruel torture cause you seem to be deeply into Google's ecosystem. I'm not deeply in it and it will be hard for me. But I'm prepared with my next update.
It's up to the fact if you value your privacy and data over convenience. And that's what they count on..
Okay thank you.
I use Firefox and duckduckgo for browsing with a VPN, so I do not get any targeted intrusive ads through cookies.
But yes, subscriber to YouTube Premium/drive, use Gmail, Photos, Maps etc. Have Google hubs, all connected to my smart plugs, lights etc. So yeah, no point for me 👍
The only reason I ever rooted my devices was because the stock rom lacked features I desired. With one or two exceptions, the stock rom now has all the features baked in. I don't think I've rooted and installed a custom rom since 2016 or 2017.