I'm most likely switching to using a pinephone. I need some advice.

I am getting exceedingly creeped out by the actions apple and google are taking with their respective phone platforms and have decided to move to PinePhone as an open source alternative. I am fine putting up with a moderate level of jank, as I have a couple years experience with linux, but I need SMS and calls to reliably work at a minimum. I currently use Verizon as my carrier.

Also, I currently use signal as a "secure" messaging app as it at least provides some encryption and it is easy to get my family to use. Is there a good alternative, or can Signal run well on PinePhone?

Anybody have any advice, concerns, or things to consider before I pull the trigger?