I think they realized in time that rheyr planned obsolescence was gone to be too fucking obvious and chose to give out free money instead.
Damn. Never knew batteries catch on fire when angry.
I got an extra 30% battery life after switching to GrapheneOS. I’m guessing whatever is saving my battery, would also bring down the load on the system.
I did notice my phone heats up much less after switching to GrapheneOS.
plan to buy a pixel just to put Graphene on. Which one do you have and any problems?
I’ve got a 7 and works great
I have no recommendations for versions. Depends in your case.
Although I’ll mention that some people don’t like that Pixel by default doesn’t include the bottom menu on the screen, and uses other swiping features on the screen to do the same thing.
However in your system settings you can change the UI to gave the navigation menu at the bottom of the screen similar to Samsung.
Strong recommend for learning the swipe motions. It takes a few min to learn but it’s free real-estate after that. And it’s faster. At least for me.
I’m happy that you’re happy, but over here I miss the 4 button navigation bar that was standard in ye olde android.
I’ve been runnnng GrapheneOS with charge capped at 80%. Phone has not emulated thermite.
I haven’t found any discussion about the battery issues at GrapheneOS yet.
I have kinda bad battery issues on graphene and have been having it even on my old pixel 5 (currently on pixel 8a).
Could it be because I use google play services? Maybe I’ll get a huge decrease in battery consumption if I cut this off. But I do need it for maps and stuff
Meaning you charge till 80% full, or at 80% max charging speed? just curious.
80% full. It drastically helps extend battery life
Yep. It’s the capacity.
Anyone can cap the charging speed by using a garbage $2 700mA charger from 2008.
Is this done manually , or there’s a system thing for it ?
In GrapheneOS, Settings -> Battery -> Charging Optimization.
Many phones support it. My old mid range Samsung galaxy phone from 2020 had it, as does my Pixel 9a.
Just here to confirm this comment from personal experience.
These updates are fire!
I have one of these phones. Google has reached out and I applied for the $$ to get a tradein, but google has yet to give me the $$ or contact me further. Its been a while too. Honestly, I got the 6a because it was going to be supported for a long time compared to other phones. This rubs me the wrong way.
Considering it is a Google phone their long term support is still crap compared to things like Fairphone or even iPhone.
But it sucks that this happens and I hope they contact you for a trade in. Rules are also changing so all phones need to have a minimum lifespan of 5 years or so
Considering it is a Google phone their long term support is still crap compared to things like Fairphone or even iPhone.
At least it beats Samsung, I’m not buying any product from them ever again
I have had terrible luck with Samsung phones as well
Already received it here, did you follow the procedure on payoneer ? That took me about a week to get my money. Got a fairphone now instead 😎
I just want a comeback of phones with swappable batteries.
As far as I know, this will be the case in the EU in 2027.
That’s for “easily replaceable” batteries, not necessarily swappable, as in pop off the cover and insert new battery.
The new Fairphone 6, for example, requires a screw driver to open up the phone, and that would meet the legal requirements of the EU law.
For the purposes of disposing of a janky battery before it goes off bang and replacing it with a fresh one, that is probably quite sufficient.
I don’t think even power users these days are going to be strutting around hot swapping batteries from the little holster of them they’ve got on their belts like us turbo-nerds were doing in the PDA era. It would be rad to be able to do so, sure, but I think that will wind up just being a side effect models of the next wave of user-replaceable battery phones on some models.
Yeah, even though batteries have gotten smaller, and I’d prefer a larger one, mine still trivially lasts a day. I’ve got an inductive charger at my desk too, so it’s rarely drops below like 80% even. They easily last long enough that carrying extras to hot swap is not required and just a hassle. I guess if you’re going camping or something, it might be nice, but that’s about the only situation I could see being useful.
I miss my Galaxy S5. I could change the battery while jumping on a trampoline if I wanted to.
I still have two of them in a desk drawer. Both still boot, although the batteries are definitely toast. I have no idea if you can find a new-old-stock battery for one of these that is not likewise also knackered. But fun fact, an S5 will power on and run indefinitely with no battery in it at all if it’s connected to a sufficiently powerful USB power source.
Why pine for the past when you can have one again right now!
What? No takers for a phone that’s stuck on Android Marshmallow?
I put LineageOS on a S4 and I use it as a desk clock. All it needed was an app that shows the time.
fairphone does that.
600 euro, not so helpful. Thanks though.
I can relate to the feeling, but considering that their hardware and software support can get the phone going for twice as long (for me) as other mainstream ones, I feel tempted.
Its 900$ where im at. I can get 3 phones for the same price. Terracube 2 apparently does too, but last time I had a Terracube, it failed pretty bad. Literally fell apart and no software updates at all.
Didn’t HMD make a couple of those too? Obv not the same country of origin but from what I’ve seen they’re considerably cheaper
Didn’t HMD make a couple of those too?
Yes, the HMD Skyline has an easily removable backplate and battery.
Typing this on an samsung xcover 6 pro right now. Costs less than 200 used, has a removable battery, up to 1tb micro SD card support, and a headphone jack.
Does it run lineage, because that is the only way I’ll touch Samsung’s abysmal OS ever again
It does not, but I don’t sign into any Samsung/Google things and replace every system app with one from F-Droid including the launcher. The experience is fairly similar to my old pixel with grapheneos like this. I am sure it is far cry from as secure, but I am realistic about my threat model and am willing to make trades to be more sustainable and convenient. The only other difference is the system ui skin, which does its job just fine IMO
Hi, I was considering samsung as an option. Could you please tell me why you dont like samsung? I’m looking for cons but review sites only want to sing praises.
Samsung locks the bootloader, even for carrier unlocked versions traight from samsung’s website. (At least for those sold in the US, not sure about other places)
If you don’t intend to use a custom RON like Lineage OS, you wouldn’t notice a difference. But if you do, then it might be a dealbreaker. As for the Xcover series in particularx the specs are worse for the amount you’re paying. Camera is worse, SoC is slower, assuming if you are conparing the price of a brand new mainstream S or A series phones to a brand new Xcover series. But if you don’t care about worse specs for the swappable battery, then sure, go ahead. I personally wouldn’t get the Xcover series, doesn’t seem like a good deal, the screen is LCD and I’m way too used to OLED/AMOLED of the more mainstream phones.
Seems like it has a 778G SoC too which would be pretty solid for emulation as well. That’s an interesting option!
I have owned 3 pixels.
5a - bricked randomly 8 - screen failed within 6 months 6a - stuck in a bootloop, gave up on fixing it just before the battery issue made headlines
I gave them a fair shake. Never again.
I had the 3a for three years, passed it on to my son who used it three more years. Bought a 6 after the 3a, used it for three years and passed it on to my son. I am typing this on my 9a. Never had any issues on any of those phones. Either I have been very lucky or you got two rotten apples.
The 8 had known screen issues, and they were fixed even out of warranty. After six months it would have been within warranty, so you definitely should have been able to get that fixed. I know, I had to have mine replaced too.
I’ve had a 4, 6, and 8. No issues. But I know that if I do have hardware issues, Google will address them like these screen and battery issues.
During which time I have no phone.
Not acceptable. Bought something else.
I went to the nearest Google store. The time without a phone, I spent going and having a coffee.
I went to the nearest Google stor
A “Google Store” doesn’t even exist in my country lol
Cool. I’m not going to do that another three times when I can spend less money on phones that don’t break.
Not to mention Google doesn’t do stores where I live.
Before the pixel existed I owned a Google Nexus
54 which was manufactured by LG and to date that was the worst phone I’ve ever owned. I guess my point is it doesn’t matter who is manufacturing the hardware; if Google is involved it’s gonna be junk.Edit: it was a 4 not a 5 but either way it was such an awful experience I’ve never bought another piece of Google hardware since
I had a Nexus 5 (also LG) and it was the best I’d had for years. Ran lineageOS on it (maybe it was CyanogenMod still I can’t remember) but that thing was the shit.
I left it on top of my car once and ended up destroying it. Swapped the modem into an EU model (the modem and GPS module survived, all other components failed) and had basically a brand new phone afterwards.
The Nexus 4 was a great phone in my opinion.
Had it rooted and everything for about 6 years.
Really? The Nexus 4 was my favorite device to date. I pushed mine to its limits, it was great. Even took a trip through the washing machine and still kept ticking.
Wow. A quick dip in the toilet killed my 3a (but there might have been poop involved).
I don’t agree. Many of the cheaper phones are pretty shit and barebones. I’ve had Samsung flagship phones for years, and they have never disappointed me. Friends and family have had the cheaper Samsung phones, and they have been pretty hit and miss. You just kinda get what you pay for. Wanna pay €200 for a phone? You get something that can barely turn on, that’s it.
I think you replied to the wrong comment
I didn’t? My point was that you get what you pay for, Google or not.
They’re going after GrapheneOS users!
My battery is lasting about 30% + longer with GrapheneOS. Plus my phone heats up less.
I find that it heats up quite easily, maybe it’s just that the pixel isn’t super good. I’m on a 7a though
People in this thread mentions setting the phone to only charge to 80%, it will hell extend battery life.
Settings -> Battery -> Charging Optimization
Already done! But it’s a bit annoying that it can’t be set to higher values if we want to
Interesting. I find keeping my screen on, keeping it plugged in, and not putting battery saver can heat up my phone some.
Battery saver is probably the most important step
But I’m surprised that the phone doesn’t have a powerful processor/chip
I just got rid of my Pixel 6a because it had one of the bad batteries. Tip to anyone taking advantage of the trade in rebate, DO NOT get the $150 Google Store credit and be like me thinking you can use it on the Google Fi Store to purchase a new Pixel. The $150 store credit is only towards the purchase of a Pixel phone via the Google Store. Take the $100 cash rebate option instead because it tells you once you choose either option, you cannot change it.
My hope was to get the Pixel 9a on my account for $249 (activation discount) on my account and then use the $150 store credit… nope.
My coworker has been fighting Google for months to get their cash rebate. So you’re fucked regardless which option you take.
Reminds me of the pettiness during the aftermath of the class action because of the Nexus 6P battery problems. Google/Fi suddenly lost all records of my support tickets, my having purchased the phone at all, the warranty replacement they’d done, etc.
Fortunately, I keep meticulous records and still had a phone that powered down at 60% battery, so recorded a video of it as evidence and got my payout. Severely tainted my impression of Google/Fi though. Neither the faulty hardware nor the shady practices are surprising at this point.
Good to know, thanks. Now I’m not as annoyed as I was, lol.
Meanwhile they’re getting full cash back in Australia from a recall, mine didn’t even qualify for the battery rebate so I’m sitting here in uncertainty with a degraded battery. Never again.
Have you tried not purchasing a Google phone? I heard this works extremely well.
It’s all well and good being oh so principled like you’re making yourself out to be, but phones are expensive, and the above user is being completely rational for wanting to settle on a Pixel 9a for $250, especially when the other OEMs have plenty of their own problems.
Get off your moral high horse.
Google is a horrible company. Stop buying their phones and using their services.
What other hardware supports open source like Graphene?
I want a fairphone 4 with either e/OS or Ubuntu touch. It’s still a little out of my price range though.
I would love to run grapheneOS on my phone, but I’m not willing to pay Google to not use Android.
Ok this is gonna blow your mind, you can buy used or refurbished Pixels
You can also buy used or refurbished Fairphones too
I suppose, but Fairphones are a security and thus a privacy nightmare. As soon as you cross a border or police get your phone, e/OS and CalyxOS are virtually useless
I’d interested in learning about this, if you have any links at hand
I know, but I’d rather leave them to people who really want them, and support the people working hard to make open source products.
You can donate to GrapheneOS and I highly doubt that the hardware of the Fairphone is open
e/OS is a joke btw
And then you indirectly pay google as you fund the people who buy google phones every time a new one comes out.
Yes it is the best way to buy a google phone, but you are still supporting google in most cases.
Arguably, 2nd hand private sellers would have bought it anyway and you are just saving e-waste at that point
Eh, the 2nd hand sellers also wouldn’t be buying if they couldn’t sell them.
I would think that private buyers buy a phone they are gonna use and then sell it once they don’t use it anymore 🧠
I never thought to flash a Fairphone with GNU-Linux. Glad to know Ubuntu has a working smartphone OS
Check out /e/ and iode. If you’re looking for a phone with at least 5 years of support the only options are Pixel or Fairphone. Fairphone costs about 2x as much as Pixel for a phone with worst specs.
supported device list in front of your face when you go to the calyx site
I’m enjoying Graphene quite a bit and I really like the cameras on the Pixels. Also I’m restricted because only certain phones are compatible with my Dexcom glucose monitor and Omnipod insulin pump. I really wish I had more options, lots of other great phones out there.
Yo, from one type 1 to another, get yourself some xdrip to replace the dexcom app, its miles ahead and more configurable.
https://github.com/NightscoutFoundation/xDrip
And depending on which omnipod you got, and how technical you are, check out AndroidAPS if you want an open source closed-loop solution.
https://androidaps.readthedocs.io/en/latest/
If you got the omnipod dash you can use it directly with AndroidAPS via Bluetooth.
I use both of these with dexcom G6 and an accu-chek Bluetooth insulin pump, and its amazing vs the commercial solutions.
Sometimes in the darkness of the internet where all our worst sides come out and I get trampled by the evil of governments, corporations, and people in general…a small beam of light shines through illuminating the beauty of this world.
Today, your comment is that beam of light. You didn’t mean it to be, but sometimes little things have bigger impacts. Thank you. Have a great day.
Um. WHAT?! I’ll definitely check those out. I’m actually pretty frustrated with the Dexcom app and I kinda lied before, the Omnipod 5 app is compatible with the Pixel 6 pro but not if its running Graphene so I’ve been carrying around the Omnipod receiver. Thanks for the info!
I can confirm the xdrip app works on grapheneOS, currently use it on a pixel 8a
Look, Google, I know you’re trying to compete with Samsung but this is a little too hot.
Note 7 lurking in the distance
I was going to opt for a battery replacement, but I called the local store that does the replacement, and they told me that it’s common for the screen to break during the battery swap process. And if they break the screen, I would be on the hook for the cost to replace it, around $160. I don’t know how that is even legal in the first place, but it certainly turned me off from wanting to let them change my battery. And mailing the phone in for a battery swap would leave me without a phone for weeks…
At least they were upfront about that issue.
I too don’t understand why you would be responsible for THEM breaking the screen.
Imagine your mechanic breaks a part while changing your oil then says you’re responsible for the cost of it.
You’ve got a better mechanic than me I guess. If you bring in an old shitty car for repairs you can expect more than one thing is in bad shape.
If it’s already fucked and it breaks during work then you pay. The screen is not already fucked.
The shop has experience. They know it’s very probable it will break. They didn’t pay for the lesson, but you will pay for their experience. Get mad at the engineer of the phone not the repair technician.
If the carmaker has a recall on the airbags, and the dealer breaks the instrument cluster in the process of replacing the airbag assembly, you’re goddamn right I’m not paying for the instrument cluster. I don’t care if the car is ten years old. It’s a recall, which means it’s bad design and always was. That is 100% on the mechanic, the manufacturer, and the engineer that designed the instrument cluster to break if the airbag is replaced.
They can fuck right off with that shit
This is apples and oranges.
How, exactly?
Even if you mail it to Google, they will make you pay for the screen before they will do the swap. That’s what happened with my 4a. I had them ship it back instead and took the cash.
What do you mean? Did your phone already have damage to the screen, or they were making you preemptively pay in case the screen broke?
I mailed in my 4a which had a fully intact screen, they claimed it was damaged and would have to replace it to do the battery. I think they were just telling that to everyone because they knew they’d probably break it.
Put my IMEI into the link and it says I’m not eligible. Does this mean I’m in the clear? Should I still do something about my battery? I’d really rather not get another phone right now…
Your battery is not one of the defective ones, then.
Nice. That’s all I needed to hear.
I put my IMEI in and it said I was eligible. But then it gets stuck in an infinite loop of support links with no option out (at least when I selected to get a replacement battery). Edit: I got free of the loop, but the nearest place to take my phone into to get the battery replaced is 100 miles away!
I think I’m just going to get a new phone and move on. Not a Pixel though. Fuck this noise. My wife had a Pixel 5a and the motherboard fried itself after a couple of years. Google sent her a Pixel 6a replacement about 2 months later (long after we’d found her a non-Pixel replacement). So I upgraded to that replacement for in a 4a. But now this battery/fire bullshit? I’m done with their shitty products and their shitty support!
Just a reminder if you have a 6a you can get ~100$ or battery replacement. Its a bit of a hassle but not to hard to fill our claim. I for my 100$ ordered a 7 and installed Graphene OS.
In Australia, one option is a cash refund for more than what I paid for the phone when new.
Thanks for the tip, I thought it was $100 USD but just checked and I’m eligible for $452 USD for a 6a that was free when I purchased a 7pro… Insane
Oh, was it $452? They didn’t email a confirmation and I forgot to screenshot it.
Can someone screenshot it? That would be great.
I submitted for $100 dollars, but haven’t gotten any instructions on what to do. I read you’re supposed to register for some payment system, but the Google instructions don’t tell me how and what to do after.
After checking you qualify it should have a link telling you to create an account ( payoneer, I’m in the US not sure about others). Filling out the forum for payoneer was a pain need bank info. I had to use chrome as Firefox would not load their forums properly. Also takes about a day for payoneer to confirm my account then if you filled our googles stuff payoneer just kinda knew and dropped the money in my account.
Uh, big oof, that’s my phone model.
You might want to check if they’ve recalled it, I believe I saw an article today that said Google was recalling the pixel 6a because of this.
Yeah, the other day, I left it charging in the car while I was doing chores. I came out and the phone was scalding hot. I chalked it up at the time to it being hot in the car, and the fact probably shouldn’t have been charging at that temp. Now I’m tripping on if this thing is a time bomb.
