[Google Pixel 6 Pro] roirraW "edor" ehT:
You're very welcome!

In my opinion, no, but the object of some ROMs (like GrapheneOS) are more geared towards very much increased security and avoidance of all the Google data-collecting that goes on with everything Google, although you can use some or most Google apps with GrapheneOS if you choose.

I've never actually tried GrapheneOS, though - I've only kept up with the two threads about them because I was curious about it. To me, starting with my first Pixel (I never owned a Nexus device), I liked stock Android way better for my purposes.

But just as for a lot of phone-related subjects, the answer to this question is very subjective. What's right for me isn't right for everyone. Everyone's needs are different. The only way of knowing for sure is to try it. You might try something and very quickly say "to heck with that, I'm going back", or you might say "oh, I like this loads better". I'm not a betting man unless something is a near 100% chance, so it's really a toss-up whether you would like a different ROM or not.

Also, how I handle my battery works great for me - but it wouldn't for everyone. I don't charge the phone until it gets down to 25%, and I try not to let it get any lower than 25%. I only charge the phone up to 75% when I can. I never charge overnight, and I never quick charge. That 50% range of battery still lasts me about 24 hours. My Pixel 1 battery is in great shape because of this habit. My wife's, on the other hand, since she didn't do this - her battery on her old Pixel 1 is relatively shot.

Sounds as if you already have made up your mind to me. I mean, that's how I feel, and I like using Google's services for the most part. I'm more a function over form person. While I don't want something downright fugly, I really don't care what things look like - only how they do what I want them to do. Yet again, "how they do what I want them to do" is very subjective. The Samsung Galaxy Note 10+ didn't do what my wife and I wanted it to do, but we were both spoiled on the Pixel 1 before that. We don't regret our choice to go back to Pixel via the 6 Pro. For others, the Samsung phones are what they need.

You don't want to "clear" both slots, you want to flash both slots. In answer to your question, I don't think you'll have a choice via the site (or offline flashing the full factory image). In other words, both slots are going to get flashed whether you like it or not. You would have to go to extra efforts to *not* flash both slots. Hence yet another reason why you don't have to worry about that aspect.

Google's official methods would never flash only one slot by default. That would be just plain idiotic of them.

Before you ask, the reason I recommend the site rather than offline flashing of the full factory image is:

It's more user-friendly.

It has solved problems when manually flashing the full factory image has not for some others with particular problems.

Yes, absolutely, although in some cases I've recommended going completely fresh and not even doing that, at least before testing long enough to see if you have the issue. You certainly could go without putting your Google account in, etc, but I don't feel that's warranted at this point. The only time I think you should do that, in this case, is if you do it the other way (with your Google account), and you still have the same problem right away (without installing any additional apps).

Just remember don't install any additional apps to start with, long enough to be sure that the problem isn't happening. I know it's a painful process - I've done this before on several devices for different reasons. Usually, the cause of issues becomes evident but it's possible it won't be completely obvious.

FYI, just putting your Google account in will, I believe, possibly still automatically restore your phone's most basic settings but I could be wrong about that. You could always try it without your account at first, use the phone in it's limited state for long enough to know there's no problem, and only then put your Google account in.