Hey folks, looking at getting a new phone. My current one is a Pixel 3a XL. Love the phone but it's starting to show its age and most importantly, has not had a security update for a long time.
My priorities:
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Long software support. I want to get as long as possible out of this next one.
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Decent cameras. Mainly for landscape shots when hiking or whatever. The astrophotography mode on my pixel is also pretty neat and is like to have that option.
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Price. Ideally I don't want to spend much over $600 US. I'm fine getting a return or even used in hood condition phone off eBay, but I can't stomach paying over $1000 for a phone.
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I'm interested in running a custom ROM. Graphene, Lineage, /e/is, anything. Not a deal breaker if I can't.
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Finally, probably the hardest one to find with am of the above; a headphone jack. I greatly value the ability to plug into any car, speaker system, etc without dongles or bluetooth (ew).
My candidates so far:
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Asus Zenfone 11: Meets most of my desires except Asus software support is reportedly awful, and of promise feature updates for 2 years and security updates for 4. Being a year old already that greatly reduces an already short window. Also probably has a locked bootloader and limited support with ROMs. Has a headphone jack and a decent set of cameras, and I've seen refurbs on eBay for $600.
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Pixel 9(pro?) Has everything I want (updates, cameras, grapheneos, price is ok) except no headphone jack. Might be able to DIY a case with an adapter built in so I can charge and use the jack at the same time? If anyone has experience with that I'm super interested in hearing about it. Have a 3d printer.
I know some of the budget Samsung phones have jacks, and the Moto G power, but I'm leery of getting something too budget when I want to use it for years to come.
I've seen Sony phones mentioned. Very expensive. How's the software on those? Cameras good?
Anyways, thanks for you're time if you read this. Going to be doing more reading. Really wish Asus had better software policies, otherwise that would be an easy pick.
Edit: Thanks for the thoughts, folks! I'm leaning heavily towards getting a newer pixel, either the 9a or 9 pro XL (refurbished). Probably will wait until after this year's is announced for any price drops or whatever.
For what you want to do and where you're coming from, i would stay on the pixel.
I'm just a little confused, you're considering the pixel 9 pro, but want to stay under 600?
Also, there's no pixel 3a XL. I guess you're on the pixel 3a, or?
Personally, i would go for the pixel 7, maybe even pixel 7a.
P9P price could drop with the new range being unveiled soon. Maybe not that low though.
Thanks for the reply! The more I read about Asus being scummy the less I want to get the zenfone.
Re: Pixel 9 pro, I figured I should aim for the latest one so I can get the longest time out of it. I see a few different refurbs on ebay for $460-$560 USD. Unlocked ones are ~$570. Generally a pretty cheap way to get decent phones.
Pixel 3a XL. It's served me well but is a few years outside of updates now.
I'm thinking that a pixel is probably the best bet. Looking into the best way to mod a headphone jack onto it lol.
i have a 7, it's very nice. 8 or 9 should be even better, but if shopping used the 7 is very affordable.
TIL color me surprised about the pixel 3a XL.
I got the nothing ear (a) a few weeks ago and it's the first time i have a good Bluetooth headphone experience.