I’m planning on buying a used pixel 6/7 to test GrapheneOS to save a few bucks before committing to the 9 XL in the fall, and didn’t know which phone is obviously better to get depending on the used price (between the 6/a/7) and if the grapheneOS experience is different between them. I have a 14 Pro Max I adore but I’m tired of security/privacy concerns & issues and have always wanted to modify my phones OS anyway.
Any input is appreciated as I don’t have much money for one in the first place.

    ThunderProject2 I’m tired of security/privacy concerns

    Can you please elaborate on your concerns as an iPhone user so we can understand better the reasons that make you consider switching to supposedly better alternative?

    If you seriously consider 9 Pro XL which I am more than happy with a trial with 6a which I had prior to it sounds like a best bang for a buck.

        ThunderProject2 didn’t know which phone is obviously better to get

        The following quotes from the GrapheneOS FAQ may provide answers to some of your queries:

        Which devices are recommended?

        We strongly recommend only purchasing one of the following devices for GrapheneOS due to better security and a long minimum support guarantee from launch for full security updates and other improvements:

        • Pixel 9 Pro Fold — minimum 7 years support and hardware memory tagging support
        • Pixel 9 Pro XL — minimum 7 years support and hardware memory tagging support
        • Pixel 9 Pro — minimum 7 years support and hardware memory tagging support
        • Pixel 9 — minimum 7 years support and hardware memory tagging support
        • Pixel 8a — minimum 7 years support and hardware memory tagging support
        • Pixel 8 Pro — minimum 7 years support and hardware memory tagging support
        • Pixel 8 — minimum 7 years support and hardware memory tagging support
        • Pixel Fold
        • Pixel Tablet
        • Pixel 7a
        • Pixel 7 Pro
        • Pixel 7

        Both 7th and 6th generation Pixels have a minimum guarantee of 5 years from launch. 7th generation Pixels are a year newer so they have an extra year of their guarantee remaining.

        The Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro are all around improvements over the Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro with a significantly better GPU and cellular radio along with an incremental CPU upgrade. The 7th generation Pixels are far more similar to the previous generation than any prior Pixels.

        Pixel 7a is nearly the same as the Pixel 7 other than having slow wireless charging and weaker dust/water protection. Pixel 7a offers the best value when buying a new device.

          DeletedUser127 trial with 6a which I had prior to it sounds like a best bang for a buck

          While economically 6a is more than feasible, device performance may be also a factor here. OP comes from 14 Pro Max which is a high end device. We don't know how many and which apps the OP uses. I remember mysejf playing with 6a and 7 Pro and the difference in terms of performance was tremendous. 6a may spoil the experience and should be considered carefully.

            The 6a is an excellent device to use GrapheneOS, I use it every day and have no intention of upgrading until it becomes EOL etc. The fact it is not new is meaningless. Emperors new clothes, comes to mind.. My phone has 12gb of ram yours only has 8gb, mine is better...blah

            • thmf replied to this.

              area51 Not sure to whom this message was intended, but I'll reply.

              area51 The 6a is an excellent device to use GrapheneOS

              Never stated otherwise. I have a few of them and totally agree.

              area51 The fact it is not new is meaningless

              Not sure where this fact comes from. Can't find any mention of this in the thread.

              area51 My phone has 12gb of ram yours only has 8gb, mine is better...blah

              What?

              To reiterate, all I'm saying is that OP comes from a high end device and asks about GOS experience, so my point regarding performance stands. Performance doesn't mean RAM. It means experience the OP will get from all the software and hardware, including CPU, camera, SSD speed, baseband and so on. Once again, the OP, and I quote, "adores" their high end 14 Pro Max for a reason.

                        thmf I'm not sure they were responding to you... They may just be sharing their opinion in response to OP about the 6a?

                        ThunderProject2 You can see that the 6s aren't included on the website here https://grapheneos.org/faq#recommended-devices, so I wouldn't "recommend" getting one of those models. But if you want to test a phone and plan on getting a new phone in the fall, one of the Pixel 6 models would probably be fine.

                        I'm not familiar with the 7s, but the 6s had some annoying problems for some people, like weak signal for some people, and the fingerprint sensor is slower and fails more often, the display is not as good, so keep in mind that the Pixel 9s don't have those problems.

                            ThunderProject2 I've been there as well, meaning that I couldn't afford new Pixel straight away. So I purchased second hand Pixel 8 pro 256gb of Ebay in mint condition for around £305/$380 (Mint condition & support until 2030). I sold my S23U for more than that so absolute bargain! If I were you and wanted GOS experience asap, I'd sell iPhone and flip that money for second hand 8 or 8 Pro in good condition. Just my opinion that may perhaps help you to switch to GOS fast.