Everything I'm seeing says that Verizon Pixels can't install Graphene, since Verizon doesn't let you unlock the bootloader. [1]
Galaxy Buds come with 3 Bluetooth codecs: SBC, AAC, and Samsung's proprietary codec. SBC and AAC are low-quality, low bandwidth codecs. Samsung's proprietary codec supports high bit rates, but only Samsung phones support their codec.
Competing non-Samsung & non-Apple earbuds will typically also support other codecs, like aptx-HD, aptx-Adaptive, and LDAC. These are all high-quality codecs, that are supported on every new Android phone except for Samsungs.
The Galaxy Watch situation has improved. I think all that's currently missing is a couple of health features like the ECG when not using a Samsung phone. Last time I checked, there was a modded apk out there that you could install to get the full functionality.
tl;dr galaxy buds will have subpar audio quality when connected to a non-Samsung phone, galaxy watch requires sideloaded apk for certain health features.
[1] https://discuss.grapheneos.org/d/18422-google-pixel-9-is-car...
And with your first paragraph, 100% correct. Verizon Pixels cannot be oem unlocked which means they cannot have the bootloader unlocked, which means GOS cannot be installed.
I think there's a typo in my response which you rightly corrected.
The claim I was responding to:
> You can't OEM unlock Snapdragons/North American models
The response was supposed to mean that you can unlock North American Pixels, except for these from Verizon.