Hello all! I want to learn about GrapheneOS so I thought I should buy a device to get started. Ideally I should be getting a new model so it will be supported for longer, so 8a seems like the goto. However, I realized that there isn’t a 8a tag on the forum yet. Do you think it would be OK if a normie like me bought 8a and tried to install Graphene? Would I brick it?
I’m ok putting more time into it (currently also in software engineering etc. Knows how to do basic server administration. Plans to use command line installation)
Thanks!
Is Pixel 8a Safe to Buy?
Yes. The Pixel 8a is a safe choice.
Been running the Pixel 8a since they released the capability through staging; rock solid (except for memory tagging on ALL apps, but that's not their fault).
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I use the 8a too and it's a great phone. It is running realy good with graphene
The question is which one to get: 8, 8a or waiting for the 9?
8 is around 560€ and 8a is 470€. Is the camera the only real difference? How good is the camera of each?
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TheGodfather
Depends.
If you can wait until/afford the 9, then its best to get that one.
If you can't, then you'll have to decide between the 8a (for its cheaper price and/or its support until May 2031) or the 8 (for its specs).
8a is safe to buy.
If you new to GrapheneOS, I should wait for the 9/ 9 pro a 3+ months and buy now a second/ third hand 6-serie to practise at home before replace stock Android or iOS. But at the end, only yourself (Godfather) can give the right answer wich to get, if there was only one answer, there should be only one Pixel?
If you wait for the 9 series, it will go on sale during the holidays. Or just wait for the Pixel 10, or 11, or 12. I'm sure the Pixel 13 will perform better than the 12. If not, buy the 14.
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Found it to 280 dollars new (below 2000 dkk) in November '24), looking forward to move on from 6a, bought a 7a a week ago, but it seemed to be locked, so I'll sell (Usually phones are unlocked in Denmark, but maybe it was bought abroad). Learned a lot from the month with the 6a, so it'll be a lot easier to go to the 8a
8a is best price/value option. I took mine two weeks ago for 380€, new.
8 is more expensive and has nothing significantly better than 8a.
As i wrote before 8a is absolutely perfect. You can buy it for almost 300€ now. I will sell mine when the pixel 9a is comming :)