

Do note, RCS can be a bit of a bitch (might have to disconnect your old phone from your number, read the RCS forum thread if you have issues), some banking apps don’t work (really just depends), and you can no longer use Google Wallet/Tap-to-pay (but maybe that’s a privacy positive). These are the only major issues that might hold you back.
Otherwise, use GOS installer on their website (use a Chromium browser! FF breaks it) for the easiest ROM of your life.
Cool on not needing the others 👍
But RCS is a standard and recommended to use, for both QoL, but also security. SMS is less secure and means chats with family aren’t E2EE. So unless you use some sort of other communication method like the Signal app, WhatsApp (w/ E2EE enabled), Threema, Matrix, etc. your chats aren’t secure. Privacy is a whole separate question, and depends on your provider (i.e. Whatsapp is owned by Meta, which is the worst company for privacy.)
Please use RCS, or some form of E2EE