The following has been a question in my mind for a while, but its so trivial I havent posted.
I previously was running an Oreo ROM, and had a large host file, explicitly in the system/etc folder, not via magisk systemless host. It was very large, and the smart money all said i should expect it would slow down my phone; but I can't say i noticed it. And it was not a strong device by today's standards.
I have recently upgraded to a Pixel 4a, and for the first week I didn't root it in case I chose to return it; I didn't want any hassles with the returns/warranty. So, I went the rootless VPN mode. I have stayed in VPN / rootless mode even thoough the phone is now rooted. I again have bulked up my host sources, and now have >500k blocked hosts. I do like not having to reboot to have the hosts updated.
I again, perceive no slowing down of my phone (the 4a is much more powerful than the previous one). I understand that using the VPN and the extra large hosts files WILL be slowing my phone down, but I don't feel it. Is there any specific test I can try to highlight the effects on my device?
My biggest "problem" (to me its really proof that the hosts are working) is that in the app Google news, some links direct you through tracking websites, which then re-direct you to the actual story, and so, those that go through tracking sites, fail.

I previously was running an Oreo ROM, and had a large host file, explicitly in the system/etc folder, not via magisk systemless host. It was very large, and the smart money all said i should expect it would slow down my phone; but I can't say i noticed it. And it was not a strong device by today's standards.
I have recently upgraded to a Pixel 4a, and for the first week I didn't root it in case I chose to return it; I didn't want any hassles with the returns/warranty. So, I went the rootless VPN mode. I have stayed in VPN / rootless mode even thoough the phone is now rooted. I again have bulked up my host sources, and now have >500k blocked hosts. I do like not having to reboot to have the hosts updated.
I again, perceive no slowing down of my phone (the 4a is much more powerful than the previous one). I understand that using the VPN and the extra large hosts files WILL be slowing my phone down, but I don't feel it. Is there any specific test I can try to highlight the effects on my device?
My biggest "problem" (to me its really proof that the hosts are working) is that in the app Google news, some links direct you through tracking websites, which then re-direct you to the actual story, and so, those that go through tracking sites, fail.