GeorgeSoros regarding the cameras:
8a is regarding MP slightly better, the 8 has the better sensor.

You can look at comparison of the images taken by both devices
BUT with GOS both won't be "good as" the camera with the stock Pixel-OS. It's simply not as fine tuned*
So you can have that the sensor maybe can't use the full potential and the comparisons isn't valid anymore
Lots of (extra-)processing is nowadays done by software. Hardware isn't any more the indicator for image quality like it was 10 years ago.

(*you might recall, your see in the meta-preview, the following from the FAQ/Usage:
"Camera. GrapheneOS has the same camera capabilities and quality as the stock OS. It will match the stock OS when comparing the same app on each OS." the key word is comparing the same app - not camera. )

      • [deleted]

      • Post #8

      No technical difference. The hardware is a bit higher quality on the 8.

      ILIKETRAINS GrapheneOS has the same camera capabilities and quality as the stock OS. It will match the stock OS when comparing the same

      Thanks for insight. What are a couple good privacy and quality camera apps recommended?

          GeorgeSoros The 'a' line of Pixels are less expensive due to cheaper materials. For most GrapheneOS users, that doesn't make a huge difference but a user did complain of eye issues due to a medical condition that was provoked by, I believe either the display of the 6a or the 7a. They did not experience this with the non-'a' equivalent. I couldn't find the topic though.

          But if you're looking for an affordable option, the 8a should be fine.

            ILIKETRAINS You can look at comparison of the images taken by both devices
            BUT with GOS both won't be "good as" the camera with the stock Pixel-OS. It's simply not as fine tuned*

            What makes you say that? You can install Pixel Camera in GOS

            ILIKETRAINS Camera. GrapheneOS has the same camera capabilities and quality as the stock OS. It will match the stock OS when comparing the same app on each OS." the key word is comparing the same app - not camera.

            If you match Pixel 8a with Stock OS and Pixel Camera vs Pixel 8a with GOS and Pixel Camera, isn't it the same image quality? Same with Pixel 8 vs Pixel 8.

                  GeorgeSoros so far the GOS cam is sufficient enough for me. But every camera app of your choosing should be fine - as long you deactivate the network permission.
                  (Off topc-ish: If you want to go a step further, like me, choose a default browser with no network permission, some apps without Network permission still will use the default browser to still have access [e.g. "PassAndroid", doesn't has Network permission but still can fetch "example passes" from the internet])

                  ticklemyIP What makes you say that? You can install Pixel Camera in GOS

                  I didn't say/implement you can't. Just that it isn't installed

                  ticklemyIP If you match Pixel 8a with Stock OS and Pixel Camera vs Pixel 8a with GOS and Pixel Camera, isn't it the same image quality? Same with Pixel 8 vs Pixel 8.

                  resolution will be the same. But you might have differences in the focus, color correction etc.
                  Or even how fast (and what) is getting focused by tipping on the display.

                  It might be subjective but for me the time to focus is slower and not as easy to "pin-point" with the GOS-Stock-app
                  Night mode also seems to be slightly brighter

                          ticklemyIP I did a "quick and dirty" just for you

                          Here for comparison:
                          GOS
                          Google Pixel

                          You can clearly see how GOS has less sharpening and focus. The bokeh seems also more aggressive with GOS, details get way faster blurry when zoomed in. The cropping/framing is slightly different

                          How I did this:
                          choose object (choo choo choo!)
                          Place phone on a flat, heightened surface.
                          Place object below it
                          Take a photo with each app, both no zoom, 4:3 - DON'T move le device or object

                            GeorgeSoros oh - FYI: The pixel cam. app seems to be hard-coded to open the google "photos" app - it won't open your default gallery! Instead you get an error-message "Photos required" You can't change (as far i see)

                            This is just an inconvenience since the taken images will still be able to be viewed etc by the (set) default gallery.
                            It basically just makes the sharing and checking of the image bit slower

                                ILIKETRAINS

                                choose a default browser with no network permission, some apps without Network permission still will use the default browser to still have access

                                i thought grapheneos handled the indirect network access too when disabling internet access for an app?

                                  AtriumCompound what can I say? You can try to re-create my case from above
                                  And as hinted this is more a feel good thing than a true danger.
                                  I think.