The big Pixel 10 dilemma...

DeletedUser345

Hey everyone. So I'm still using Pixel 7 with GrapheneOS installed and planning to purchase another phone in the upcoming year or so.
Pixel 10 seems like the obvious choice at first glance. However, the GrapheneOS team was forced to face difficulties during the OS development due to Google's whims.

At the same time, there is a discussion that GrapheneOS team is currently negotiating with some OEM for the official GoS support. I'm pretty sure that this OEM is actually Nothing - they are one of the few with 5-7 years of Android update cylce, easily unlockable bootloader and they are somewhat known brand (Samsung, while technicalle maybe possible, are almost certianly not as interested in GoS). Although, I'm not exactly sure if builin Qualqomm SoC security/lack of separate security chip is acceptable for GoS team.

Anyway, which choice would be the most logical and reasonable — to buy the Pixel 10 right away or wait for the "branded" GoS phone? Is there any chance that Google will tighten the screws even tighter - to the point that even Pixel 10 will have issues installing/updating GoS?

At the same time, is there a higher chance that these OEM discussions will actually be abandoned - not to mention the prospects of such a phone being released in the next two years (rather than one year)?

Probably9857

DeletedUser345

The future is always uncertain. I would advise to base your decision on what is actually available at the time. Since you say you have a year or so, your best move right now is probably just to wait.

We don't actually know for sure if the Pixel 10 will meet GrapheneOS hardware requirements. But if it does, it will almost certainly be supported until EOL.
The OEM partnership is not guaranteed to happen at all, much less for any specific timeframe, although it does sound promising.

Probably9857

DeletedUser345

Another thing we don't know yet is how long it will take for GrapheneOS to support the Pixel 10. The project has said it will be more work than before, but I'm not aware of any more specific statements.

cleanbowtie

DeletedUser345 I agree that it is likely that Nothing is the OEM in question. I would certainly advise that you hold off from purchasing a Pixel 10 at the moment. We really haven't got a clue what's going to happen, and if you have a perfectly functional phone I think it is wise to just keep it until we know what's happening.

If anything, by not purchasing a new device, you are not financially rewarding Google for what they are doing regarding AOSP.

Sigismund

DeletedUser345 Do you need the phone now, or would need in a year, or you just want a newer hardware?

No one can (nor will) tell you for certain that X or Z will happen, because there are things outside of ones control that you may or may not accounted for when making this post.

If you need and/or will need new phone soon, look into pixel 9 preferably XL pro.

DeletedUser345

Sigismund

I have an urge for newer hardware, although my current Pixel 7 is perfectly fine and I can wait for another year or so, of course.

Pixel 10 should bring marginal improvements - higher PWM rate and significantly imprived battery life (in theory), probably better modem as well - so any Pixel 9 model currently is hardly a deal for me.

Probably9857

DeletedUser345

If hardware features are important to you, you should also be aware that the GrapheneOS project has stated that a device from an OEM partnership might (would likely?) have (some) lower quality hardware components compared to Pixels.

It would still have to meet the project's minimum requirements, obviously. The point is that it might not be an obvious choice. There will likely be tradeoffs, and you will have to decide which features you prioritize.

freezet

DeletedUser345 if you plan it for the upcoming year there are more options , PXL10/a or even the non Pixel phone, take a cup of tea and wait their turns. I know its hard to resist after these release events but its not like they are reinventing smartphones each year.

longshots

There in no dilemma.
Wait until Pixel 10 is released and then wait until GrapheneOS is supported.
When Graphene is supported then see when - or if - the fantasy OEM will be available.
And as already been mentioned - what quality of hardware will be available in this new unit.

I am also currently using a Pixel 7 [a model] and have been waiting for the Pixel 10 release.
And if I wait for the "a" model then there's an extra 6 months.
So, I also plan to "purchase another phone in the upcoming year or so."
Meanwhile, life goes on - and we wait for the options that present themselves.

cutiepatootie

Wait for end of support of your pixel 7 and see what the landscape looks like then.

nandohyphen1

I'm on a Pixel 6a still. I'm just waiting until the EOL to upgrade my phone. No point in getting a new phone when mine's still good for 2 years.

Exhort14

I think the expression is "A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush." While a GOS device may even be likely, it is still theoretical at this point. Get the 10 and assess later.

Judgeadam

I just got a great deal on a unlocked 9 pro. With the 10 out imminently there are going to be great deals and the power of the 9 pro will last you for a long time.

Might even be with skipping the 10 generation and grabbing a 9 since we know so much about it vis a vis Graphene OS. Plus with possible no physical Sim except the fold, I don't love that.

traveller

I suppose there won't be any GrapheneOS news regarding the possibility of supporting Pixel 10 (Pro, Pro Fold) until they actually start selling in October (9th?)?

starglider

traveller Shouldn't be that long; only the Fold is delayed into October. The others start shipping next week.

de0u

traveller I suppose there won't be any GrapheneOS news regarding the possibility of supporting Pixel 10 (Pro, Pro Fold) until they actually start selling in October (9th?)?

https://discuss.grapheneos.org/d/25081-the-google-pixel-10-is-now-available-for-purchase/2

wildworld23

I am using a pixel 7 and it's been working for 2 years with no hiccups. My next big upgrade will be a pixel 9 pro xl and hopefully I'll have that phone for the next 7 or so years

USS-Privacy

Definitely wait. No clue what the future is and no need to waste the money.

Blastoidea

If it was Samsung, they would have to leave off all the redundant, bloaty crap they put on their stock phones., that you can’t get rid of.

BeepBeep

If it ends up being hardware from Nothing, I'm hopeful for full compatibility with Cape cellular:

TMSI switching is supposed to be available for regular customers who aren't on Obscura (i.e. nonmilitary users on regular hardware, with GOS already being compatible) later this year, but that tactic seems of limited use when it isn't paired with the IMEI spoofing enabled by the Obscura phone. Changing the IMEI requires an API call which is custom baked into Cape's Obscura phone hardware. Since Nothing already knows how to do this, they could that feature to a GOS handset. [Take my money 3x!]