The new Google Pixel 8 is down to its all-time low of $549.
not going to buy it but is there any factory unlocked phone people can buy that are:
- not crap spec wise
- can install custom rom and still retain all the function
- popular enough so when the time comes for fixing you can find parts and/or shops that can fix it.
asking cause my phone probably have about 1 year left in terms of battery shelf life, I am pretty lucky as it’s a 4 years old galaxy A70 that can still last almost 3 days without charging. (note, I am really light phone user, it’s basically my alarm clock and calendar/event reminder. and occasionally look up stuff when I am outside.)
I actually believe that the Pixel phones match all those requirements. They’re unlocked by default AFAIK (carriers do lock them and sell their own versions though) and they are one of the few phones with a bootloader that’s unlocked by default as well IIRC
I recently ordered a Pixel 6 Pro for that very reason
I had bad experience with Nexus, and then my friend’s pixel died in 2 years. (I know it’s anecdote) And with not so good warranty reputation (very spotty if you search a bit) I kinda don’t want to touch it unless I don’t have other options.
The nexus phones were for sure complete shit. My wife had one, didn’t even last 1.5 years.
We both use pixels, 4a for her, and I just upgraded my 5 to an 8Pro. I find the batteries on modern day phones are good for about 3 to maybe 5 years, then it’s just a toss up whether or not the phone is worth the replacement. My 5 is actually still mostly fine, I just wanted a new phone with a bigger battery to get me through the day, and a bit more horsepower (the 5 was meh). The wife’s 4a is still going strong. You could switch it to a custom ROM and probably get another 2-3 years out of it. So don’t necessarily cross the pixels off your list.
I tried a couple OnePlus phones, I had Lineage on my 3t. Those phones were all right, but the pixels always had better hardware.
Cool, yeah, I will keep that in mind after my current phone is dying. Cause trying to remove disable all the bloat wares are pita, I just want a clean phone and can do very basic stuff but last longer.
That’s what I like about the pixels the most. The hardware is never like the ultimate best, but it’s the OS that makes these phones the best. I mostly got that with Lineage too, but it was quite frankly a bit of work when you had to do the updates, and it wasn’t completely bug free if I’m being honest. It just isn’t quite the same experience as you get with a pixel, but it is kind of neat to completely customize what you want with a custom ROM.