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I looked it up at a local refurbished phone dealer. A pixel 9a with 256GB storage in “excellent” condition (the second best condition) is 500€.
Who in their right mind pays that for a phone? New or not, that’s just insane. My current android has twice the storage, 50% more memory, waaay better display, and a larger battery that can charge faster, and it was just 200€ with no contract. only downside is that I can’t get a different ROM for it.
I bought a used 9 XL Pro with 512 for approximately $400 USD. I sold my 8 Pro right afterward for $350.
I’m not sure if I was in my “right mind,” but I don’t expect to replace this for a long time. I only replaced the 8 Pro because after a screen replacement, the thumbprint sensor would not work again. Known issue with screen-based sensors.
In any case, I run at the trailing edge of tech on these devices. It’s worth it to me to have better privacy.
I’m with you on this. As much as I care about privacy, buying a phone for that price that isn’t even very good is not worthwhile. Google hardware exclusivity pretty much rules out Graphene for me.
I’m commenting from a pixel 6 I picked up for nothing to learn on. Check out Swappa, I’ve had nothing but good luck with them. You can pickup a Pixel 8 or 9 for a good price
As well as postmarketOS, but unfortunately neither of them are in a usable state for the average person. I’d definitely suggest donating to Mobile Linux projects if possible to get them polished up and viable, as Android is clearly going to make the life of Graphene and LineageOS more and more difficult over time.
Only if you have Google hardware…
Buy it used. The hardware by itself doesn’t call home.
I looked it up at a local refurbished phone dealer. A pixel 9a with 256GB storage in “excellent” condition (the second best condition) is 500€.
Who in their right mind pays that for a phone? New or not, that’s just insane. My current android has twice the storage, 50% more memory, waaay better display, and a larger battery that can charge faster, and it was just 200€ with no contract. only downside is that I can’t get a different ROM for it.
I bought a used 9 XL Pro with 512 for approximately $400 USD. I sold my 8 Pro right afterward for $350.
I’m not sure if I was in my “right mind,” but I don’t expect to replace this for a long time. I only replaced the 8 Pro because after a screen replacement, the thumbprint sensor would not work again. Known issue with screen-based sensors.
In any case, I run at the trailing edge of tech on these devices. It’s worth it to me to have better privacy.
I’m with you on this. As much as I care about privacy, buying a phone for that price that isn’t even very good is not worthwhile. Google hardware exclusivity pretty much rules out Graphene for me.
I’m commenting from a pixel 6 I picked up for nothing to learn on. Check out Swappa, I’ve had nothing but good luck with them. You can pickup a Pixel 8 or 9 for a good price
GrapheneOS is partenered with a major OEM to release compatible devices in 2027. The OEM will publicly announce this partnership in March 2026.
https://grapheneos.social/@GrapheneOS/116092580774968482
lineage is similar and works on many more phones
been using it for almost 10 years
Ubuntu touch seems like a more viable option at this point
As well as postmarketOS, but unfortunately neither of them are in a usable state for the average person. I’d definitely suggest donating to Mobile Linux projects if possible to get them polished up and viable, as Android is clearly going to make the life of Graphene and LineageOS more and more difficult over time.
They have partnered with a (secret for now) hardware vendor so we should have other options in the future.