Is it too late to buy a new pixel device for Graphene?

Psci

Ready to make the jump from iPhone to Graphene for obvious reasons. I almost picked up a pixel 9a…..then I saw Google’s new updates to AOSP. So I’ve been waiting it out. Should I go for the Pixel or is this the beginning of the end of Pixel support for Graphene?

Xtreix

Psci Hi, current Google Pixel devices are still supported, and GrapheneOS is collaborating with a major OEM/ODM manufacturer. The situation you read about on social media and in articles is exaggerated. There have been difficulties and frustrations, but the GrapheneOS project is fine. The Google Pixel 9a is a solid device which benefits from 7 years of full security updates from its launch date on April 10, 2025, you can buy the Pixel 9a and flash GrapheneOS without concern.

grayway2

Psci it's not but don't wait.

We don't know if Pixels 10 series will be shipped with an unlockable bootloader and Google can lock the bootloader of every supported pixel at anytime during an update (you must be on stockOS)

Probably9857

Xtreix current Google Pixel devices are still supported

And the project has stated that they will continue to be supported until the device is EOL.

wuseman I do believe we are getting GrapheneOS on the Pixel 10

The latest I've heard is that this is likely, but by no means certain. If you have better info, please share.

wuseman

Too early to tell I do believe we are getting GrapheneOS on the Pixel 10 in which case I’ll be buying it.

If I were you I’d wait 1-2 months and see how it goes.

LGgos

I just bought an 8pro (for a steal IMO, but not literally, the IMEI is clear!)

Does everything I could want a phone to do and good for another 5 years yet. Who knows what'll happen in that time, good or bad. Live for the present.

wuseman

grayway2
Why would they do that?

starglider

For what it’s worth, I think waiting until the 10 is announced makes the most sense. If Google locks the bootloader (IMO unlikely) then you just get a 9 at a much cheaper price. If they don’t, then you get your choice between a newer device and an extra year of support or an older but cheaper device.

Yes in theory Google could push an update that irrevocably locks existing bootloaders, but that’d be really aggressive, and they’re under enough DOJ pressure as it is. It’s a risk, but IMO a small one.

n3t_admin

wuseman

Why would they do that?

That's up for debate. Some could argue, that since Google decided to stop promoting the Pixel phones as reference hardware, there would be no need for it to have an unlockable bootloader.
Another point is, that Google might be pressured by law enforcement, to prevent the use of custom OS'es that can't be unlocked with off-the-shelf forensic tools like Cellebrite. Even exploiting the OS is proving to be difficult with GrapheneOS's exploit protections features. You can imagine that law enforcement is not happy about that and I wouldn't be surprised if that was at least a partial reason for the decline of custom Android forks.

All in all, the market for phones with unlockable bootloaders is extremely small, globally. It doesn't hurt Google to lock down their hardware; after all - it's their right to do, what they want. When you look at other manufacturers (Samsung, Huawei, Xiaomi), you will see the exact same patterns emerging. So I guess Google will go that route some day.