Privacy

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Is pixel 4a too old for a new phone? (lemmy.world)

submitted 4 months ago by Dop@lemmy.world to c/privacy@lemmy.ml

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Hi,

A friend wants to degoogle his phone, so I suggested the OS I'm currently using. The one we can't talk about... He wants a small/compact phone, so I suggested pixel 4a (not buying second hand though), but I'm afraid that planned obsolescence may kill the phone rather soon. What's your opinion?

Cheers and thank you for your help,

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[–] tmpod@lemmy.pt 5 points 4 months ago (1 children)

After my 6 year old Redmi 4X's screen touch decided to die, I got an opened-not-used Pixel 4a (in perfect condition) at the end of 2022, because it was one of the few small-ish phones that had good modding support (Pixel phones are ofc known to be very good to degoogle). I love it. Feels good, works well, has a great camera (got a GCam mod too), etc. Only downside is the smaller battery (3100 vs 4100 mAh), but honestly it isn't that big of a deal, I can just carry a powerbank on my backpack or, you know, use my phone less.

Back then, it was the perfect choice for me. Now, I don't know, haven't been keeping up with current models.

[–] delirious_owl@discuss.online 3 points 4 months ago (1 children)

I love the battery. I got a well used phone and I rarely have less than 70% at the end of the day.

But I leave my phone in airplane mode 24/7 (just use WiFi, no SIM)

Its comments like this that lead Google to make newer phones have stupid big batteries. I hate those big, heavy phones :(

[–] tmpod@lemmy.pt 4 points 4 months ago (2 children)

Ah right, airplane mode makes a ton of difference. I also tend to have it enabled as much as I can, usually when I'm home (and thus reachable through VoIP services) or at work. And I (almsot) never turn it off, I just leave it in airplane mode. I limit the charge to 75/80%, with ACCA, so I get even less juice.

And I'm sorry, I also dislike big phones with huge screens and batteries, there's no real need for that. But I know that you can fit better batteries in smaller phones as well. My previous device was smaller than the Pixel 4a, but had a bigger battery, while having almost identical weight.
I wish manufacturers would make smaller phones, really. I'm very unsure what other device I will get after this one dies or gets broken...

[–] chevy9294@monero.town 2 points 4 months ago (1 children)

Hi, do you maybe know any similar apps like ACCA that do not require root?

[–] tmpod@lemmy.pt 2 points 4 months ago

Unfortunately, no. I believe you can't really get this level of control without root access.

[–] delirious_owl@discuss.online 2 points 4 months ago* (last edited 4 months ago) (1 children)

Thanks for sharing ACCA. Very neat

[–] tmpod@lemmy.pt 2 points 4 months ago

No problem, glad to have more people know about it, it's very useful!