This is a great of importance question.
In my case I wanted to secure my phone and disable as much Google apps as possible.
Due latest official firmware this May 2018, I did succeed disabling entire number of Google Apps by keeping active only three.
Service Google play
Google play store
Google play service for instant apps
Disabled:
Google: Music, books, games, movies.
Google: Pictures, Chrome, Dropbox, Drive, Gmail, Maps, Google +
Flipboard, Hangouts, S Health, S voice.
After installing GPS , pictures & camera software which I trust, among few other apps then deleted Google account from the phone.
For further increased security I am using new DNS 1.1.1.1 (secondary 1.1.1.2) at Wifi connectivity.
After doing so, Default email Android app has issues to connect, but by cleaning phone cache partition, email Android app this started working again.
Right now my only connection with Google this is using it as email service for emergencies’ only.
No more stealing of my phone list by the excuse of synchronization.
No more surveillance of what sites I do visit due Google DNS spying.
No more Google Play apps update, but I do not need it, all my apps working well.
Now I have full control also about apps rights, any apps wanted to have reporting rights (keeping a log of other apps operation) I did disable them my limiting their rights.
Finally I will pass one recommendation about App called as NoRoot Data Firewall.
This is now my most favorite one and it helped me allot to discover which apps wanted internet access.
I own my phone for 2.4 years, what you throw and what you keep this is decisions you made at first six months by not doing any important work with your phone.
