Pixel 4a owners, what new phone are you buying?

As of last month, the Pixel 4a is no longer getting software updates, and will be missing out on Android 14.

It was a really great phone, mine still runs very well. It has a smooth, stock Android install, a headphone jack, and a perfectly positioned fingerprint scanner. My battery is still at 2/3 capacity compared to when I bought it 3 years ago.

Really wanted to try a custom ROM like Lineage, but it seems that Google Apps are a must for me. So, what should I replace my 4a with?

Currently leaning towards the Pixel 8 or 7a, especially with the rumor that Pixel 8 will have 7 years of software updates. Still, I will miss my headphone jack. But at least I’ll have quick software updates and call screening.

Edit: Pixel 4a did NOT receive the September 2023 security update, so it seems updates are definitely over.

Edit: I specifically need Google Pay since my university uses it instead of physical ID cards. Unfortunately, it has spotty support on custom ROMs, Id rather just get a new phone.

applejacks,
@applejacks@lemmy.world avatar

I had a 3a XL, but I just had a zenfone 10 arrive.

fantastic device and it’s so refreshing to be able to use it with one hand.

CaptainStrider,

My bootloader is locked out so I can’t load any custom roms unfortunately. Probably gonna get a Pixel 7 straight from google and load grapheneos onto it.

MTK,

None! Using calyxos and getting updates for now. Next phone would ne either a second-hand pixel Xa or a fairphone

Lime66,

Those aren’t proper updates though, it’s better than the stick rom rn, but you should replace it as soon as possible

greavous,

4a 5g here. No idea. I want a mid level phone with a headphone jack that isn’t filled with bloatware. Apparently that’s hard to find these days

HidingCat,

Since it sounds like you like the Pixels, probably wait for the 8 or 8a. The 4A should still be good till then, unless there's a really serious security hole that is discovered in the next few months.

HidingCat,

Since it sounds like you like the Pixels, probably wait for the 8 or 8a. The 4A will last for a while yet, unless there's a really serious security hole that is discovered in the next few months.

forbiddenlake,
@forbiddenlake@lemmy.world avatar

The recent webp vulnerability is a bit concerning.

I might get the 8 next week. It’s supposed to be a little smaller.

macallik,

My 4a 5G screen cracked beyond usage three weeks ago. I thought about it & ended up buying a used 4a 5G for $100 on swappa. I get too much usage via the earphone jack and don't see any new features that warrant an upgrade.

Gonna keep it until the first update skips me and then root & flash it w/ Pixel Experience

pete,

I’m running a 7a, would have liked to go to an 8a (or something with a headphone jack) but my company will drop me from email/work apps after end of security updates.

I went with 7a because it runs grapheneeOS without issue and allows my to sandbox play services a little which I need for work but don’t want to just let them run wild.

So far so good.

bulwark,

Out of curiosity how does graphene allow you to sand box apps? Is it just disallowing permissions or closer to a vm?

random65837,

All apps in Android are sandboxed, Graphene’s is just stricter about it.

pete,

Well, no, in android, all non google apps sandboxed. In graphine all Google apps are also sandboxed as well.

random65837,

They’re sandboxed either way in either setting, the difference is the Play Services has privileged access normally, that doesn’t negate the sandboxing that’s happening either way. Even with GrapheneOS apps can be allowed to communicate out, all depends on their permissions. Also, Play Services aside, Google’s apps are typically userland only apps, without any special privilege. Apps have multiple ways to communicate with each other.

pete,

No, normal google apps don’t ask for permissions, they just get access to whatever they want.

random65837,

False…

https://lemmy.world/pictrs/image/b3944c80-7993-460d-b897-88d7fa6a338b.png

https://lemmy.world/pictrs/image/7fd134b2-da73-4fa0-91e7-507289f0b175.png

iturnedintoanewt,

Full independent user profiles. You can set as many as needed, for different sets of apps. But the “work profile” functionality doesn’t always work (it fails to set up in my case).

ikidd,
@ikidd@lemmy.world avatar

Have you tried setting it up with Insular?

iturnedintoanewt,

Not the same level of insulation. Also, only one single shadow profile is available. And also, if you try to use a work profile, it will either destroy your island or fail to install. Graphene is miles ahead on this with simultaneous multi user.

ikidd,
@ikidd@lemmy.world avatar

Actually, it’s graphene I’m using Insular on. Seems to do the job.

Polar,

Wait, your company will drop you when security updates end, but they are okay with you installing a custom ROM? Seems weird.

pete,

I work for a security company so they have strong opinions in the various custom ROMs. Most of the security so they make an exception for it as long as its not rooted.

h4wk3y3,

I wanna check out the 8 or wait for the 8a. For me the size of the 4a is perfect. I want the replacement to be as handy.

taigaman,
taigaman avatar

Dude, it was the perfect size. I went from it to a 7a. I have large hands and this thing is too big.

tpyo,

Same. When I have to use the 4a, it feels SO TINY now in comparison

sbv,

P4XL here. It’s still running well, but the battery is degrading noticeably.

I’m waiting to see the reviews of the Pixel 8 Pro, but I’m also iPhone-curious. Realistically I’ll probably wait until the P9, but it depends on the reviews and prices.

AlmightySnoo,
@AlmightySnoo@lemmy.world avatar

If you can hold off until around May, I’d say go for a Pixel 8a. You’d benefit from the new 7 years of software updates (instead of 5 if you buy a 7a this year). Or maybe go for a Pixel 7a when it gets a sufficiently good discount, you could try your luck during Black Friday.

nottheengineer,

You can use custom ROMs with google apps, they just generally ship without any. It’s just an extra zip that you need to flash after the ROM.

Zak,
@Zak@lemmy.world avatar

My Pixel 4A is fine and I will use it until it requires excessively annoying or expensive repairs. I’ve been using ACC to go limit battery charge, so I could get quite a while longer out of it.

Really wanted to try a custom ROM like Lineage, but it seems that Google Apps are a must for me

You can install them on LineageOS.

corship,

None. Custom roms will save your ass.

whileloop,
@whileloop@lemmy.world avatar

Wish I could, but my college’s NFC id cards need Google Pay, which doesn’t run perfectly on custom ROMs, not to mention several other apps.

meliante,

That depends on the rom. I have a custom ROM installed and Google pay works flawlessly.

AlmightySnoo,
@AlmightySnoo@lemmy.world avatar

If they do require NFC through Google Pay then yeah custom ROMs will give you a hard time.

corship,

Never had a problem tbh.

I even got Google pay to work with the right patches

meullier,

Maybe try rooting and and hide root with zygisk then spoof device as some other device?

01189998819991197253,
@01189998819991197253@infosec.pub avatar

Install GrapheneOS. It has a sandboxed google play services. But, also, are you sure microG won’t work?

puppy,

Won’t you have security updates for a while even OS updates have been stopped? If your current phone works fine, why not hold onto it a little longer?

whileloop,
@whileloop@lemmy.world avatar

Nope, missed out on the September 2023 security update, no phone older than the 4a 5G got it.

01189998819991197253,
@01189998819991197253@infosec.pub avatar

Are you sure? I have 4XL and the security update just came through today. Google released the security update late again, but they did release it. Or is the 4XL newer than the 4a5G?

random65837,

The 4a’s EOL’d 2 yrs ago, extended support for them ended last month.

01189998819991197253,
@01189998819991197253@infosec.pub avatar

Well, shoot. Maybe a custom ROM with OSS component updates, that supports the play services (if that’s still a requirement). At least until you can find another phone you like.

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