inexpensive GrapheneOS daily driver: Pixel 6a or Pixel 7

2 years ago by ThorrJo to c/android

So, like it says on the tin: I want to try GrapheneOS on my next new-to-me phone, which practically limits me to the Pixel series. And my price point will likely limit me further.

Anybody got thoughts on the Pixel 6a vs Pixel 7, those exact models (e.g. not Pixel 7 Pro etc)?

I currently have an old phone with Snapdragon 845 and 6GB of RAM which still performs well enough under LineageOS with microG to keep me happy.

Fears: that I'll miss the microSD slot; that the 6a's battery life might suck even on GrapheneOS; that the battery on a Pixel might be hard to replace.

Nice-to-haves: a camera that works well in low light.

Thoughts?

d3lta19 8 points 2 years ago

I haven't used either of those, but the pixel 7a is in the same price area. I've been using it for a few years now and can recommend it. It is still very solid and I don't plan on upgrading for a few more years

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jo3shmoo 7 points 2 years ago

Between those two, the 7. The 6a has the same horrendous modem as the 6/6Pro. It's the only phone series I've ever felt the need to upgrade from at the 1 year mark. Multiple family members and I had so many situations where the thing just would abruptly drop all data service until it was rebooted or toggled airplane mode. Would not recommend any of the 6 series unless you're primarily on WiFi.

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JoMiran 6 points 2 years ago

Pixel 7 is more energy efficient.

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marauding_gibberish142 4 points 2 years ago

Support for those phones will be nonexistent soon. I suggest you look at the Pixel 8 line

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floofloof 8 points 2 years ago

The Pixel 7 will receive OS updates from Google until October 2027, and the Pixel 6a until July 2027. So they both have more than two years of support left. I think the period of Graphene OS support matches Google support.

https://support.google.com/...

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Typotyper 8 points 2 years ago

Here is graphene’s page. Pixel 7 has 5 years of support

https://grapheneos.org/faq#supported-devices

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Mossheart 2 points 2 years ago

Re graphene are you able to have your phone exist with access to banking apps? A lot of banking/finance Apps refuse to work on graphene.

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