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Why Google's $400 Pixel 3a convinced me to never again buy a $1000 smartphone

businessinsider.com

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Re: Why Google's $400 Pixel 3a convinced me to never again buy a $1000 smartphone

#21

Post by nostalgiac »

fourmii wrote: post #9

I've had various iPhones and Androids over the years, most recently iPhone 6s+, 7+ and XR. I just yesterday bought a Oneplus 6T and am very happy with it. I've had the Xr for a few months now and it's been my least favorite iPhone. For me, it's a little heavy compared to even the older pluses. And the display isn't all that much chop for a premium phone. I'm glad it's a work phone, because I don't think I would ever…

To be fair, if you've only had the phone for a single day it's a little too early to tell how well it's going to pay off :)

Re: Why Google's $400 Pixel 3a convinced me to never again buy a $1000 smartphone

#22

Post by Eridrus »

j_m_b wrote: post #3

What's the encryption story with Pixel 3a? I know when I lock my old iPhone 6 that not even the Federal Government can get into it. Can the same be said for the Pixel?

The Pixel 2+ have an equivalent to the iPhone's Secure Enclave: https://www.blog.google/products/pixel/titan-m-makes-pixel-3...

But honestly, the government will either shoulder-surf your PIN code or make you unlock it with your finger, or just snatch the phone from you while its unlocked.

They bought an exploit to unlock the San Bernardino phone, but they only really needed to do that because the owner was dead and Apple stopped their routine cooperation.

If the federal government is in your threat model, this is the wrong place to be protecting.

Re: Why Google's $400 Pixel 3a convinced me to never again buy a $1000 smartphone

#23

Post by Buttons840 »

foobarian wrote: post #13
YeahSureWhyNot wrote: post #4

after being an iphone user for years i switched to Android when apple released iphone 7. up to iphone 6s the innovation was worth upgrading but since then 'flagship' devices have been adding just gimmicks while charging 4 digit amounts. I got my OnePlus 5T for 499 and two years later it works like it did on its first day. Unlike iphones that would slow down after exactly 1 year when a new iphone was released. right n…

I'm tired of even $400-500 every 2 years, for seemingly the same thing over and over. I'm going to do battery replacements as long as the device survives. (I'm 2 battery replacements into my Nexus 6P).

I had a Galaxy 5 and when the time came I couldn't find a quality battery replacement for it. I bought a "new" official battery, but it had been on the shelf so long it didn't hold a charge either. I tried an aftermarket battery, but it started buldging.

Re: Why Google's $400 Pixel 3a convinced me to never again buy a $1000 smartphone

#24

Post by RaceWon »

slenk wrote: post #11
power78 wrote: post #8

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I thought the federal government was able to from the whole San Bernardino shooting suspect's phone?

They did get into his phone

> They did get into his phone

I'm not a hacker, But I am a skeptic; wouldn't it behoove the Gov't to just pretend they had to pay a private hacker a boatload of greenbacks to crack an Iphone? I mean, that's the smart play, no?

Re: Why Google's $400 Pixel 3a convinced me to never again buy a $1000 smartphone

#25

Post by mycall »

acconrad wrote: post #6

My Nexus 6P died in the fall of 2018 and I had to upgrade so I got the Pixel 3. If i knew they were going to make a $400 Pixel 3a I would have waited. Really pissed about this release cycle and I feel like I wasted money I didn't want to spend.

You just read my bio.

Re: Why Google's $400 Pixel 3a convinced me to never again buy a $1000 smartphone

#28

Post by YeahSureWhyNot »

bozoUser wrote: post #20
YeahSureWhyNot wrote: post #4

after being an iphone user for years i switched to Android when apple released iphone 7. up to iphone 6s the innovation was worth upgrading but since then 'flagship' devices have been adding just gimmicks while charging 4 digit amounts. I got my OnePlus 5T for 499 and two years later it works like it did on its first day. Unlike iphones that would slow down after exactly 1 year when a new iphone was released. right n…

I am a IPhone 6 user and my contacts and other data on the apps has kept me glued to the iOS ecosystem. How do you port the iOS data to an android system ?

you can export contacts into Google contacts but you will lose all your imessages

Re: Why Google's $400 Pixel 3a convinced me to never again buy a $1000 smartphone

#29

Post by axaxs »

dvhh wrote: post #2

Heaphone jack is a great bonus in my book, but then again I am described as a neckbeard by some of my non-imaginary friends.

I feel like one has Stockholm Syndrome when they are excited to be given a 'headphone jack.' On a serious note, vote with your wallet! There's at least two of us.

Re: Why Google's $400 Pixel 3a convinced me to never again buy a $1000 smartphone

#30

Post by tracker1 »

dvhh wrote: post #2

Heaphone jack is a great bonus in my book, but then again I am described as a neckbeard by some of my non-imaginary friends.

Been on a Pixel 2 XL, ordered pre-release (my 6p died around that time) and I viscerally hate that it doesn't just have a headphone jack. Keep thinking of moving to a 3a XL, just can't bring myself to, not worth it... hoping the next release keeps up the trend though.

Also glad to see a return to mid-range class phones. It's what the Google line (Nexus) had always been. One Plus has been pretty close too. I just don't think it's worth more than $500-600 for a phone. I honestly don't like paying more than $300, but there's nothing close to that of decent quality it seems.

Holding onto my current phone for at least another year. At least the battery tech seems to have finally matured.

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