• @daq
    -3•4 months ago

    Pixel is garbage hardware though. I’m on pixel 7 pro now and it is the worst phone I’ve ever had. Shit battery life, shit reception, shit processor that lags constantly, absolute shit Bluetooth chip that randomly disconnects in crucial moments when I’m on important calls or REALLY need android auto. This phone is only good at taking pictures and the fact that I get exclusive spam filtering features. We badly need another alternative.

    Also fuck Google.

    • @sugar_in_your_tea@sh.itjust.works
      1•4 months ago

      Really? What are you comparing it to?

      The problem is that options are very limited for privacy-respecting ROMs. I honestly don’t care about the camera, but I very much want to avoid both Google and Apple software nonsense, and Bluetooth is also pretty important to me.

      My current phone (Moto G Power) is a piece of crap, but it’s reasonably consistent in most regards. I’m interested in the Google Pixel 8a (assuming they release one), and I only want it to get GrapheneOS and a few years of security updates. I don’t expect a ton from my phone (I don’t play games, or use any intense apps), but Bluetooth, battery life, and privacy are very important. Unfortunately, Linux phones aren’t reliable at all, otherwise I’d just go that route.

      • @sloppy_diffuser@sh.itjust.worksEnglish
        1•4 months ago

        I’m running GrapheneOS on a 7 pro. Battery isn’t great, but I’ve not had any major issues… At 44% with about 2 hours screen time and 16 hours since last charge. Downloaded a bunch of updates including a system update / reboot / optimize. Listened to a few hours of music over Bluetooth. Also forgot to shutoff location services after using the GPS last night. Bluetooth connected Garmin watch. Dual e-sim (Fi and JMP).

        I normally end the day around 60%.

        You might checkout DivestOS. Last I heard they had e-sim support without needing to install any of Google’s software. GrapheneOS didn’t have this feature when I got this phone. If its not on GrapheneOS when I upgrade next I plan to try and get the e-sim on with it before installing GrapheneOS.

      • @daq
        0•4 months ago

        My previous phone was OnePlus 8 pro and 5t before that. Both still work more reliably than this pixel.

        I did hear that Pixel 8 pro is a better phone but I don’t think Tensor will ever be as good as Qualcomm’s offerings.

        I’m not one of the people willing to sacrifice convenience for privacy. I really like Android auto and Google pay so imnho Android phone is useless without Google services, but I agree that there are simply no good alternatives at the moment, so I’ll probably get another pixel when I smash this one against the wall from frustration.

        • @LoveSausage@lemmy.ml
          2•4 months ago

          Your issues is about stock OS not hardware. And yea shit works without that or gapps.

          Android auto works on GOS with sandboxed playservice.

          So your “convenience” is just laziness to actually look it up.

          For those who don’t want the huge inconvenience of no gpay and have to use their cards. Any ROM like lineage for example with gapps on it.

          • @daq
            1•4 months ago

            I do love how you dismissed my “inconvenience” and then immediately said that one of the two things I listed is a

            huge inconvenience of no gpay and have to use their cards

            Looks like AA is a fairly recent addition to apps that work on GrapheneOS and GPay will never work.

            I wonder if I set up GPay on my watch and then switch to GrapheneOS if it’ll still work?

            • @LoveSausage@lemmy.ml
              1•4 months ago

              Yea AA works as I said. For GPay “huge inconvenience /s” Just get a case with room for your cards , issue resolved. I said it was lazy ,pointing out one small thing like that is just trying to find something to blame, imho.

              But if you really want Gpay, get a ROM and flash gapps on it . Mileage may vary so check your phone and roms.

              Never used watches but yea I assume it might work. Seems so, https://support.google.com/wearos/thread/215767/can-i-use-google-pay-on-a-wear-os-watch-if-my-phone-is-not-nearby?hl=en

              I never used stock OS on pixels but of what I read it is a world of difference with something better on them.

              I never had any issues on GOS , basically everything works even without sandboxed Google. For the few things that don’t I keep it in a separate profile. (Which really is separate in contrast to stock)