Pixel 9a Timeline for GOS?

jrdamien

How long does it typically take for Graphene to release a version of the OS for a new phone? The 9a comes out next week. How long might it be before there's a compatible GOS for it?

de0u

jrdamien The 9a comes out next week. How long might it be before there's a compatible GOS for it?

It could be a day or a few days or it could be longer.

If you have a special need to be certain of support for the 9a before making a purchase, it is possible to delay the purchase until support is available.

de0u

jrdamien tevyecat A recent update:
We're working on completing GrapheneOS support for the Pixel 9a. If you have a Pixel 9a and are interested in testing experimental GrapheneOS builds later today, please join our testing chat room on either Discord or Matrix which are bridged together.

nei

Pixel 9 got support on August 24, 2024. It was released on August 22, 2024.

I'm also curious about the Pixel 9a but have concerns about the modem, which is the old one with all kinds of issues reported. I saw a Pixel 8 (same modem) with poor reception on the same carrier at the same spot as a different phone with great reception.

Pixel 9 has a newer modem, so also looking at that. Would prefer if it was made elsewhere.

djl1fthd0

nei

You're not alone,
https://www.androidpolice.com/google-pixel-9a-uses-older-exynos-modem-i-wont-be-buying-one/

The switchoff between 4G and 5G is so bad that I've disabled 5G on my Pixels.

Duckduck

The GOS are so fast at supporting new devices. But from all the leaks, the 9a is not a better deal than the 8 (not a). Unless you need the newer Tensor.
The 9a looks to be big, bigger bezels and a lot of cut corners but without a fairer, lower price. Really like the trimmed down camera though. On the 8, its almost as thick ss the phone itself.

jrdamien

Duckduck I am just trying to avoid the 8's modem. Do you own the 8?

nei

The elimination of the camera bar is a bonus. Never liked the bulk/look.

Duckduck

jrdamien yes

user

jrdamien

I wouldn't bet on that

https://9to5google.com/2025/03/17/google-pixel-9a-early-unboxing-review-videos-modem-details/

tevyecat

I’m also wondering when graphene will be available for the 9a. Hoping to take advantage of the google store offer in the next couple weeks.

de0u

tevyecat I’m also wondering when graphene will be available for the 9a.

I'm sure many people are wondering!

But there is literally no way for the GrapheneOS development team to make a promise. Google is within their rights to keep the open-source parts of the code base private until they actually ship the 9a, and they are within their rights to keep the proprietary parts private as long as they want. If Google wanted to help other Android variants quickly support their new hardware, they could, by publishing pre-release versions of the code.

Historically the GrapheneOS team has been very quick at supporting new devices, and I'm sure they want to be quick. But they also want to be careful, and meanwhile Google holds the cards.

No matter how many people ask, no matter how many people wonder, no matter how many people express interest... the key factors are when Google releases the code and how complicated the porting job is. Neither one is in the slightest under the control of the GrapheneOS developers.

Please note that I do not speak for the GrapheneOS project.

matchboxbananasynergy

tevyecat https://grapheneos.social/@GrapheneOS/114320149441258698

Keeping up with our socials is a good way to stay up-to-date on matters like this.

I expect we'll have experimental support soon unless something goes wrong. I can't imagine it taking more than "next couple of weeks", so you should be fine.

de0u

As opposed to posting inquiries, which genuinely can't move the process forward, something that interested parties can do is make donations.

phone-company

I would say buy the pixel 9 instead.... It's almost the same price

tevyecat

phone-company it’s $300 more?

phone-company

tevyecat there are very good offers sometimes around 500€

fulerene

The 9 lineup have a way better fingerprint scanner and better design (imo) though. New fingerprint is a good improvement, previous ones (at least in my experience) fail a lot and are noticeably slower than the new ones.

drtweakllc

Not trying to hijack this thread, but it's related. Pixel 9a vs 7Pro? T-Mobile is offering free upgrade, should I do it? Worth it? Thanks

matchboxbananasynergy

drtweakllc Worse camera, smaller screen.

On the plus side, 9a has MTE, which is a big security boost.

9a has a much longer lifespan, however. 7 Pro launched with 5 years of updates and is already a couple of years old.

9a is launching with 7 years of updates.