isn't this then ripe for a downgrade attack?

To LTE? Doesn't work there either.

There are IMSI catchers - but they all require GSM. At least on Google Pixels you can turn off 2G with a switch. The phone even shows a message about its insecurity.

In Germany I'm running 100% on LTE/5GNR-only for many months now without having a single coverage gap.

	▲	boston_clone 5 days ago \| parent [-]
		thank you for the explainer; I do need to research for a more complete understanding of this space. looks like iPhones will need to enable Lockdown Mode to disable 2G, at least for iOS 17+ per https://ssd.eff.org/module/attending-protest