I still love my Pixel 6 and I am thinking of grabbing a used Pixel 8 to run GrapheneOS.
I am not one to chase the latest benchmarks. Any phone made in the past five years or so is perfectly capable once you take the bloat out.
Still rocking my Pixel 4 and it still works perfectly and I have no intention of replacing it. I love that it’s a compact size in an age where I’m expected to put laptop-sized phones in my pocket. Really not looking forward to shoving a zip code in my pants if there aren’t any compact size phones being sold when the time comes.
the thing about pixels is that putting lineage/graphene/whatever on them basically turns it into a completely different phone, all the complaints about AI and whatnot largely dissapear and they become what i’d call about the best experience you can have on a smartphone. Easy to install lineage (dunno about others, presume it’s equally easy), just works, no bullshit.
Jep. Just that.
I recently had a good laugh when my best friend asked me if I didn’t want to charge my Pixel 6a (3+ years old now) with around 25% Batterie and I just replied “why? That’s still good for over a day”.
The look on his face.
I just wish my banking apps would work on graphene.
Did you try enabling exploit compatibility mode for those apps?
I’m not sure, maybe. I remember doing a web search and trying different things. I’ll have to try it again.
Neither of Barclay’s two apps work for me. Luckily I only have a credit card with them I opened for credit transfer, because they’ve gone all in on being app first with missing functionality on the website.
GrapheneOS is literally the easiest OS install ive ever done. Easy step by step guide, and directly from the browser.
I havent used lineage, but i remember putting CyanogenMod on my galaxy S3 was quite the hassle. Whats the process like for lineage?
Funny story, I still have a S3 with cm-14.1. Use it to watch movies.
Oh god I’d memory holed cyanogenmod… The stress
Here’s the install guide, basically identical for all pixels afaik: https://wiki.lineageos.org/devices/shiba/install/
It’s come a long way from the cyanogenmod days.
Google being a trash company would be the major reason not to buy a Pixel.
That’s why I buy my Pixels used.
Precisely why I will buy a used Pixel and put GrapheneOS on it.
Y’all think GrapheneOS will ditch Pixels?
And if they do… where would dev focus move to?
GO team already announced a partnership with Motorola earlier this year, idk if it’s more of a collaboration to bring GrapheneOS security to Motorola devices or what. Excited to see how that turns out
Oh I forgot about that. Yeah, that’s promising.
I would bet the GrapheneOS devs see the writing on the wall with Google.
I had the original Pixel, and now the 5, not sure if I will get one next time but this one is still good.
It’s kind of like my car - I have a 6 speed 2014 Honda, it does everything I want & nothing I don’t want. Newer ones are better in some ways, but not in ways I want.
I don’t want a fancier phone or car, I want a more reliable one that does the things I want it to do. Not stuffed with “features”.
I drive the current BMW X1 (company car) and I miss my 2011 Mitsubishi Colt more often than I want to admit.
Yes the X1 is the better overall car but all the CaaS bullshit ruins it for me. More software bugs than miles driven… More beeps, scrrens and popups than possibly healthy; a constant distraction.
Haha, same boat. Pixel 8 and a 2012 manual Kia Soul. I’m going to drive that thing until it can no longer be driven.
There are dozens of us!
Yeah only one of my kids learned to drive the manual but I love it. Lately I take an electric bike everywhere so hopefully the car lasts. The only one I’d trade it for is the Civic SI but those are $$$ and as long as my car will go I will keep it - they can last, especially the stick shift ones.
Used Pixels with GOS have been great. Also, manual transmission Subaru - last of the dinosaurs I call it. They don’t make them anymore.
I don’t trust Google to not put hardware back door in their hardware. It’s an ad company after all.
social contract around Android has always been Google provides the Android as an operating system that’s open source while everyone else just manufactures actual devices I don’t want my Android phone to be built by Google on hardware level.
Tbh not even on software level either … beyond core aosp - I don’t need any other Google services they force down our throatsI don’t trust really Google anymore but I think GrapheneOS without Google services should take care of any risk.
If GrapheneOS was available for other devices I might switch but that is not the case. Maybe this Motorola deal will produce something but that’s still a ways out if it ever happens.
I’m on GrapheneOS too, but I think hardware backdoors are a genuine concern. There’s not much an OS can do to fight a hardware backdoor. So I don’t entirely trust it but it’s better than not trying for privacy. In any case, the risk of hardware backdoors is present on pretty much every device we compute on. There’s not a lot of fully open hardware out there, especially for phones.
GrapheneOS is coming to Motorola soon™
I’m running LineageOS on a One+ and it’s really good. I get close to 4-5 day usage with regular use just because ask the bullshit isn’t running in the background from Screwgle
Even aosp is a risk, support postmarketOS for truly free mobile phones.
I don’t think trying to collect data on the less than 1% of users using alternative operating systems is lucrative enough to destroy your reputation and face obvious legal issues in the EU
Currently running GrapheneOS on a pixel 8. It’s the best mobile experience I’ve ever had.
I’m on a 9 and yeah I couldn’t agree more. I bought the pixel second hand (no support for new stock in NZ) but it was so worth it
No problems with banking apps refusing to work?
Pixel 9 running GOS. My bank’s app (Lloyds) won’t work, and never has for me. Additionally, I have a store card, and credit card app, both of which are offered by NewDay, neither of which work on my phone. The official UK government ID app won’t work with it either.
But honestly, I’ll take that inconvenience over letting Google have free reign over my phone.
I wish I had your willingness to deal with these problems.
I’m tired. I just want to go on with my life without all those troubles. When I was younger, I was spending days trying to make everything work on my Cyanogenmod… and before that, I was already tinkering with Linux.
But I’m tired. I wish companies weren’t pieces of shit and they just let us use an open system. :(
Some banking apps work fine. There’s a list somewhere. Fortunately my bank does work
Exploit compatibility mode fixed my banking apps.
I also use GrapheneOS on a Pixel 8 here. My banking apps don’t work. They used to work just fine, but they decided to push updates making the apps ununsable on non-Google certified OSes.
Depends on the bank. My banking app works fine.
you can get around a lot of detection with stuff like microg/kernelsu and other layers of arcane bullshit technomagic
Mine works. The app always cries about lack of play services, but the notification has an ignore-button and it hasnt created problems yet
List of potential workarounds for problematic apps: https://discuss.grapheneos.org/d/8330-app-compatibility-with-grapheneos
Also includes a link to an unofficial list of known working/not working bank apps. If the app still doesnt work there is a link to documentation for the app developers on how to implement support. It is good to include it if reaching out to your bank about this issue.
Personally, no.
Consors bank app works, but I prefer hardware TAN generators and a desktop browser.
GrapheneOS has a community maintained compatibility list. Mine was on the list and it works well, and its updated quickly if something breaks or a new provider manages to work.
my bank app refuses to run if the installation source is not Google Play Services. I make a private space with GPS for the app and that solves my issue.
Use a computer, or a web site. Or a bank.
Why would you ever carry your entire life’s worth in your pocket. Ever?
Here banks use their proprietary app for 2fa
So if you don’t have a cel phone you can’t bank at all?
Nope. It’s that way many places now.
In many countries you don’t get a choice.
I only use my computer to check my bank, but I’ll need my bank app for their proprietary 2FA.
I got a Pixel 8a more than a year ago to use GrapheneOS. Its performance is somewhat similar to my Poco X4 GT but it runs a little bit hotter specially when running a private space. Last month it died immediately while I was using it. The phone immediately turned off without any warning. The problem was found to be a hardware one and that some component (i guess it was a transistor) was shorting in the board. Luckily there was a shop near me that was able to repair it.
If it weren’t for GOS and maybe for its camera, I would not use and recommend pixels with its very mediocre performance and possible hardware problems.
I have a pixel 6a with a burned out usb c port. I would have to replace the whole board to get it working again. A shame really.
The problem with older Pixels is that Graphene will stop supporting them.
That is why I am looking at the Pixel 8. It is supported for 7 years taking it to October 2030. The Pixel 6 only had 5 years of support which ends in October of this year.
I thought they extended the support for the 6 to 7 years?
That starts with the Pixel 8. Anything older is still 5 years.
The linked article sums my position up perfectly. I’ve had a Nexus 6P, a Pixel 2XL and now a Pixel 6 Pro which, were it not for a cracked screen and (small but increasing) issues with overheating, I’d be happy to stick with.
However there’s no way I’m even considering a Pixel for my next phone - much too expensive and fuck all that AI bullshit.
Not sure what I’ll go for, and not looking forward to a phone with an OEM skin on the OS but Google has finally driven me away from the Pixel line. It’s a shame.
Your phone lineup is almost a mirror to mine, and your sentiments match mine as well. I used to root phones and flash custom ROMs to get the stock android experience on the garbage phones Verizon would sell me. The point was to get less bloat, and a functional device that I could get to do what I want with it. Once there was a nexus phone compatible with my carrier, I moved to Google’s phones, and stopped tweaking the OS altogether. All Google has done over the years is remove useful features and try and shove AI down people’s throats. I’m now looking at options to degoogle my phone, and I’m not particularly fond of buying any flagship phone should this one die.
Not sure what I’ll go for, and not looking forward to a phone with an OEM skin on the OS but Google has finally driven me away from the Pixel line. It’s a shame.
If you want a clean OS, both Sony and Fairphone offer devices with relatively clean stock OS + good support for custom ROMs (and in the case of Fairphone, mobile Linux too!)
The Xperia devices have headphone jack AND microSD slots! Fairphone’s devices are super repairable, which is really nice too, but no jack (they do have microSD slots though).
You only get AI if you stick with the stock OS or don’t do anything with it.
The advantage of the Pixel is they can be factory unlocked, which permits root or flashing a different OS.
My current phones are Pixel 5 - they $100 these days, and run great with Graphene or Lineage
That is why I’m considering the used Pixel 8. GrapheneOS will support the Pixel 8 through October 2030. Maybe by then this Motorola deal will bare fruit.
this is exactly what I’ve done, and I’m very happy. used pixel 8 with GrapheneOS. works well!
Me too. It’s been a long time since I’ve really liked my phone.
Nexus 4, 5, 6 and 6p here. The 6p was a disaster. Everyone’s battery shit the bed and they screwed a lot of people over. Brutal.
I’ve heard several similar things about the pixel brand. Not sure if the battery issues were due to software or hardware. But having a reliable battery is on top of my list of phone features.
Edit: Nexus 5 was peak android device. I wish it had larger storage or a SD slot but it was still near perfect.
The only contender I see for a Pixel are the flagship Sony ones.
But they cost some serious money. :(
flagship Sony ones
Sony also offers the cheaper “10” series (yes their naming scheme is very confusing), and the Xperia 10 VII is cheaper, smaller, plastic fantastic, has good LineageOS support, headphone jack (!!), and microSD slots too (!!)
Too bad I need a great camera as I am a sucker for quality pictures and want to minimize the garbled (ai-)details on low quality enhanced pictures
Honestly, if you wanted a good camera, I would rather go for a dedicated option as those have far better image quality due to much larger sensors + lenses. There’s a lot of good small options that are relatively affordable, like many of Lumix’s M43 cameras (particularly the older ones, like the GX800/850) or some of the older Fuji bodies if you prefer something like that. Sony themselves have really solid cameras too, the A6000 series is excellent and nearly all the same (main differences are IBIS for A6500 and up and newer sensor + software UI on the A6700), a lot of people recommend the A6000 as a solid budget pick. I personally use the ZVE-10, which is basically a plastic body no EVF version of the A6400 (which has a metal body)
Sony’s E-mount, Fuji’s X-mount, and Panny and friends’ L-mount will all give you lots of good third-party lens choices. I would stick with M43 and APS-C purely because of the size difference compared to full frame. Sony and Fuji have APS-C options while Panny has M43 ones that are even smaller. The most notable size difference is definitely the lens, M43 lenses can be very tiny!
If you want some content to watch relating to fun budget cameras, I would recommend Micro Four Nerds (mostly covers Lumix and Olympus), Mark Wiemels (covers budget lenses and APS-C cameras), and Mark Bennett’s Camera Crisis (funny guy who likes a good deal, he’s a comedian who likes cameras as a hobby)
I have a canon 90D.
But that is not exactly light to have around 24/7 and the best camera you have is the one you got in your hand.
My Pixel 7 was sufficient enough to just take that on my trip to Sri Lanka but I couldnt zoom into any picture.I just need a good phone, with no (or almost) bloatware and nog annoying to keep updated with a longer update cycle than 4 years.
I just want the best camera for a reasonable price (meaning sub 1000€).
The Pixel 10 Pro is very close to overstepping it’s welcome, the Pixel 11 Pro probably is amd Sonys offerings are oof.Edit:
And Samsung is out of question. Fuck Samsung and it’s app bloatware on top of Androids.
Pixels are not and have never been about speed or power. They’ve always been about security, for which they’re still the best. Also the only hardware supported by GOS (for the same reason) which is really the biggest reason to buy them, in my opinion. But I used them even before that (P4a was my first, it was $350!) for cleanliness and software features.
the #1 reason it’s what i’ve been using is just that they don’t have any locked down nonsense compared to other brands, unlocking the bootloader and flashing another OS is absolutely trivial and stuff just works.
i loved my nexus 4 T_T
also just got a pixel SPECIFICALLY to get graphene and the only thing i hate about graphene is i can’t also put it on my galaxy tab because i’d love for my tablet to have it too
It’s probably because I had four pixels and three of them died early due to hardware problems. The other one was stolen but I had been wanting to replace it due to poor performance.
I really thought I liked them, but never again.
Brands like OnePlus and Motorola have made major improvements to their camera systems as well.
OnePlus is gone from the US market.
Motorola doesn’t have any non foldables here.US android market doesnt have any options left other than Google and Samsung and that’s just terrible.
It’s all of the US own making. Ban everything Chinese including phones, EV’s, and lately routers. Than make a monopoly for the 3 manufacturers left. Meanwhile in China, I can buy whatever I want. Any brand, manufactured locally or internationally.
Hell, the iPhone is not even in the top 5 of best selling phones here. That is called competition - something the US lost track off thanks to the lobbyists.
But you keep doing you and just get left behind. https://www.wired.com/story/us-government-foreign-made-router-ban-explained/
it doesnt make it any better for me as a consumer
Motorola has the Edge and G series in the US as well.
Yeah, ive got the edge+ 2023 and it’s done me well so far. Cases are a pain and so are screen protectors because of the curved glass. Its the Achilles heel to an otherwise flawless phone in my eyes. If they can take this platform and remove the curved glass and add expandable storage for the Graphene release, they’ll find themselves back in the mix for top 2 android manufacturers.
Just use the liquid screen protectors. Served my old curved phone well for 4 years. My One+ has one as well just bc they work well and are cheap!
Either edge or G - 2026 lineup in US only goes up to 128gb ram.
Edge Plus 2022 didn’t even have the curved edge, LOL. I don’t understand the marketing but it was also great. 512GB, baby!
Yeah, ive got 512GB as well, but expendable storage is never a drawback.
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Both edge and g - 2026 model only goes up to 128gb storage.
Ok? But they do still sell them in the US and they aren’t foldable.
yeah but I dont want those. I want a flagship.
I was going to get a flagship this year but google and samsung are not sometnig I would ever consider.
Ill have to import via aliexpress now probably, which sucks.
I recently bought a Pixel 9a specifically to put GrapheneOS on it, and so far it’s been good. Especially the battery runtime was a pleasant surprise, I can get two days of moderate use out of it before having to plug it in again. The only thing that is significantly worse than my previous chinese crap spyphone from 2019 is the camera. I’m not sure if the stock camera app in Graphene is bad or if it’s the hardware, but the image quality is really poor.
Once Pixels get LOFIC sensors, that shouldn’t be such an issue.
It’s complicated, but basically modern camera apps take multiple frames at different exposures and stack them with “AI.” Basic FOSS camera apps don’t do this because it’s complex and hardware-specific.
But LOFIC camera sensors will remove the need to do this.
Right now only Xiaomi/Hisense flagships and the Leica phone have them, but I think they’re coming everywhere. So a standard camera app (like the GrapheneOS one) could take a regular, uncomplicated exposure and still get a decent shot.
Graphene camera is ass. There is an fdroid app for the pixel camera with google shit removed.
That’s because there’s a lot of proprietary Google software that makes the photos look good which is not present in graphene.
It’s like on Sony Xperia phones when you unlock the bootloader. All the confidential software that makes photos look good is locked away and encrypted until you relock it again
Absolutely. Surprised there is not a foss image processing pipeline already. They hit such niche spaces and this is such a barrier for mass adoption.
Tbh payment is sorted with curve. An image processing pipeline and some form of android auto implementation without google would make it a full replacement.
link or name?
I cannot find it, I had it favourited but it was local and I have since wiped gOS
fossify and librecamera are nice too
I use fossify for a lot but the camera was bad I thought.
You can download other camera apps and see if they do a better job. For example the stock pixel camera app can be downloaded from the play store.
PS. I’ve heard people getting crazy battery life with https://codeberg.org/s1m/savertuner and its expanded battery saver settings
Savertuner is also available on f-droid
