Best Buy Right Now for GrapheneOS?

EnteWurzelVonKuh

Hi everyone,

I'm planning to install GrapheneOS for the first time and need to choose a supported Pixel device soon. I’m currently deciding between the Pixel 8 Pro and Pixel 9, both in the 128GB version. The Pixel 9a just came out recently, so it's on my radar, but i really dislike the bezels...

What matters to me is reliable hardware and long-term usability since I plan to keep the phone for several years. I’ll be running GrapheneOS, I don’t care about stock Android features; performance, build quality, and support matter more . Camera performance is a plus, although I’m not a heavy user, but if better hardware (also with a noticeable improvement in terms of photo quality) comes at a reasonable price, I’m willing to pay.
I have at least average sized or slightly above sized hands and currently use a 6.3" phone comfortably, but I’ve tried the 8 Pro and found it bulky, especially in pockets or while sitting which is a concern.
Availability-wise, all Pixel 9 models are easy to get locally, but the 8 Pro isn’t sold in stores here anymore — I’d have to order it online if I go that route.

Here’s where I’m at:
Pixel 8 Pro: Best camera system (including telephoto), overall good hardware. But it’s big, not the most comfortable to carry around, and there have been reports of thermal/modem issues with the G3 chip ...

Pixel 9: Newer G4 chip (shared with the 9a), better thermals expected, still 12GB RAM, and a more compact and refined design, its just missing the 3rd camera as far as I can tell but got one extra year of software support.
Any feedback would be appreciated — especially if you’ve used either of these devices.

Thanks!

matthewu1201

EnteWurzelVonKuh

Unless money is an issue, I would recommend Pixel 9 pro. I can't stand phablets (like the XL phones) but I wanted the better camera and the better finger print scanner. GrapheneOS does not allow you to use the face scanner at all because they don't consider it secure enough. I started out with a pixel 8 thinking it would be several months before the 9 was released, then for the first time in many generations, they released the series 9 early. The pixel 8 uses a optical fingerprint scanner and besides the super bright flash in the middle of your screen, it's doesn't read as well as the pixel 9 ultrasonic finger print scanner. Also as far as support, both get 7 years, but pixel 8's support started a year before, so Oct 2030 vs Aug 2031 for the P9.

If I was you though I would not wait for the series 10 because Google is switching CPU to there own Custom solution, and no one knows if it's going to be any good or super buggy since it's the first generation.

If money is an issue, maybe try to find a used/refurbished pixel 9. Best buy is known for giving decent discounts on returned phones. They will also buy your old phone, if you wanted to do that. Amazon also has used and refurbished phones. Before I got my Pixel 8, I bought a used pixel 5 on Amazon to try out GrapheneOS to see how I liked Android (never used Android in my life). The only problem with used phones is battery life. That pixel 5 I got only had like 60-70% of the original battery capacity.

If you are looking for a new cheaper phone service, and your in the USA, US Mobile has a pixel 9 deal for $400 but you have to port your number over to US Mobile and purchase phone service with them.

New2MeOS

EnteWurzelVonKuh

"Pixel 8 Pro: Best camera system (including telephoto), overall good hardware. But it’s big, not the most comfortable to carry around, and there have been reports of thermal/modem issues with the G3 chip ..."

After coming from the Samsung Galaxy 22 Ultra, I was less than impressed by the camera on the Pixel 8 I am using with GrapheneOS. I'm not sure if it's much different on the Pixel 8 Pro, but when taking pictures of a recent full moon, the camera of the Pixel 8 could not hold a candle to the telephoto capabilities of my three year old Galaxy.
I heard it matters which camera app you use but I tried three different ones and while there was some improvement the camera itself probably just can't keep up. YMMV

rustybird

New2MeOS After coming from the Samsung Galaxy 22 Ultra, I was less than impressed by the camera on the Pixel 8 I am using with GrapheneOS. I'm not sure if it's much different on the Pixel 8 Pro, but when taking pictures of a recent full moon, the camera of the Pixel 8 could not hold a candle to the telephoto capabilities of my three year old Galaxy.

Isn't that just Samsung's "Scene Optimizer" AI slopping out preexisting moon imagery?

https://www.theverge.com/2023/3/15/23641069/samsung-fake-moon-controversy-english-language-blog-post

natoal

rustybird

That reveal is still hilarious years later

TrustExecutor

rustybird Haha, busted!

New2MeOS

rustybird I don't think so, if that's some kind of AI feature (or scam) I don't have that activated on this phone - might be too old for it anyway. Regardless of minute details, the Pixel couldn't zoom anywhere close to what I could do with the S22 Ultra. Physically I'm not sure it has the same lenses or I would expect a blurry closeup from both phones.

Open_Source_Enjoyer

I recommend the Pixel 9 over the Pixel 8 Pro.
The Pixel 9 has a better fingerprint reader, better battery and is newer, also the camera of the Pixel 8 generation is overly colorless/bleached for some reason.

natoal

New2MeOS

That was posted in 2023

fph

Does the G4 chip in the Pixel 9 have any new important hardware features, like memory tagging in the Pixel 8?