Pixel 8 release soon

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97 posts

Master Geek

#3251074 20-Jun-2024 10:07

My 8a from Mighty Ape arrives today. I'll be installing Graphene OS on it. I had to return the one I bought in USA as both UPS and USPS denied shipment of the cell phone due to battery.

timmmay

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#3251082 20-Jun-2024 10:18

MyUS shipped me a Kindle Fire using DHL recently, with a larger battery than a phone. Shipping wasn't particularly expensive.

TeaLeaf

6325 posts

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#3251202 20-Jun-2024 13:17

Abusername:

I bought mine from parallel imported as my previous phone also broke long before my trip to Aus. When I saw In Aus however would only have saved 100-200 after converting.

I hear ya, its frustrating just as you are about to retire a phone it dies before you can get a new one. :-)

You would save a lot now though, with the Google Pixel store FEOY sales, $300 off the Pro plus other goodies. I think the 8 gets a substantial store voucher plus youtube plus/pro subscription etc

Interesting the 9s, there will be a 9, a 9pro and 9pro XL, starting at 6.24", all lose the camera hump and have v flat back.

On another note the new Pixel cam software for Pros only enable manual and better HDR and it can be upgraded on prior Pro versions too.

lchiu7

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#3251265 20-Jun-2024 19:47

I bought a Pixel 8 when it was released from the Google store in the US. There was a $200 rebate and $80 Google Store credit which I used to buy a solar panel charger for my Next outdoort camera.

On an overseas trip when I used the camera extensively I noticed it would be hard to focus and when taking videos after a few seconds it would go out of focus, especially when an object passed the field of view. I spent time with Google on diagnostics including factory resets etc but nothing fixed it.

Their option was a warranty replacement which was a bit difficult so I put up with the issue until a friend was going to the US. I then initiated a warranty return. Google sent me a prepaid Fedex label and I packed up the phone and gave it my my friend. Google then sent a new phone to my friend's address and put a $799 hold on my CC until they received my one. When my friend was in the US he just dropped the phone off at a Fedex depot and it got back to Google in a couple of days and the credit hold was released.

I now have the new phone but now am debating if I use it or sell it and just keep using my Oneplus 9 Pro which works fine. I can then wait to see what the P9 is like. I am not sure how much to ask for the phone as while it's new and has about 6 months warranty on it but only if returned to Google. I guess that is just the same as if a phone were bought from Amazon US.

moonscoot

3 posts

Wannabe Geek

#3251606 21-Jun-2024 13:15

Abusername: I'd be keen to hear of any NZ bank app that works on Graphene

And how to get NZ number ported to VoIP numbers and how to use privacy.com CC's in nz.

Thinking about degoogling the pixel 8 pro

The ASB app appears to be fully functional (at least for how I use it). There's a banking app compatibility list maintained at privsec dot dev (although ASB is the only one listed as tested so far).

moonscoot

3 posts

Wannabe Geek

#3251607 21-Jun-2024 13:20

I have a Pixel 8 running GrapheneOS, WiFi calling and SMS-over-WiFi both recently started working for me (perhaps with the June update) on Rocket Mobile (formerly MyRepublic). IMS status is registered and VoLTE and Wi-Fi calling both show as provisioned in *#*#4636#*#*. They never did before.

TeaLeaf

6325 posts

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#3251739 21-Jun-2024 18:45

moonscoot:

I have a Pixel 8 running GrapheneOS

How are you finding it? Its a shame it only supports Pixel products. Oddly its Faq recommends the 8 due to the 7 year security support etc, but my thoughts are if its an alternative OS, surely it shouldnt matter as Security is one of its selling points?

The P7 Pro does seem good value aside from Pixels prior very average support. The camera and screen etc are clearly a step up from the 8a which is about $800.

I guess there is always Lineage as well. But the problem there is, any playstore apps have no security assurance.

Good to see Samsung up its midrange devices to 4 years updates, 5 years support. Thats good for a $500 device. But you cant beat the Pixel 7 years for mid-upper tier devices of 7 years. Plenty of devices with strong SoCs for $800 like the OP12r, but 3 years support. My point being hopefully Pixel has an impact from above with $1k devices and Samsung at $500 to pus $800 devices to up their game too on support. Its just absurd paying $800-$1k for a device that has a 3yr lifespan at best (with many already well into that support period already).

I think Google Pixel also puts pressure on apple, with its 5yrs for substantially pricey phones with a rubbish OS. I had to laugh at some of the "amazing" things in IOS17 release, being able to move icons etc, so now its nearly as good as Pixel/One UI ;-p

lchiu7:

I now have the new phone but now am debating if I use it or sell it and just keep using my Oneplus 9 Pro which works fine. I can then wait to see what the P9 is like.

Yes Im following the P9 closely. I do wonder if there will be an October release and how soon it will devalue the P8 Pro down to the $750 the P7 Pro is hovering around. In saying that, if its something amazing it might be too compelling to pass up. Which does make the 8a a possible buy for those waiting out for the P9 and Pro. The info so far looks good. No more 9a, still 3 tiers though, starting at 6.26" for base model and at the far end it looks like the P9 Pro will retain same screen size as current.

Im interested in the Titan security and to see if it changes post the Iphone ai change. But for me the P8 titans chip sounds pretty similar in the sense all encryption of personal data is stored on phone, which "sounds" similar to apple but clearly technically a little different. Much better than some that are still just sending out encrypted data to random servers etc. I could be wrong as Im no guru, thats just my layman take on it. Would love someone more techy to explain the difference in approach of storing data on the phone?

Sharesies

Trade NZ and US shares and funds with Sharesies (affiliate link).

gzt

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#3251759 21-Jun-2024 19:07

but my thoughts are if its an alternative OS, surely it shouldnt matter as Security is one of its selling points?

New hardware in Pixel world tends to have new security features, new chipsets, other semi-soft revisions, and more. Similar hardware revisions happen in Intel and AMD desktop world, less frequently. Same for Apple with new phone hardware supporting new security features.

TeaLeaf

6325 posts

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#3251780 21-Jun-2024 21:32

gzt:
New hardware in Pixel world tends to have new security features, new chipsets, other semi-soft revisions

So true RE the semi soft revisions, the 9 looks like its going to shake things up a bit form factor wise and no doubt some functionality.

I didnt realise the Pixel 7s came with 5 years support, which means they are still relevant for another 3 years. Great 2k/QHD+ 120hz Oled hdr10 screen (8pro is brighter but 7pro is higher PPI), ip68, both use the samsung hn1 1.31" sensor which is awesome. The main down side is the Tensor G2 chip (same as 8a), you can see that increment in the performance in the G3 in the 8 Pro).

One thing I dont understand is why Pixels are such battery hogs, 5000mah batterys and the Sammys perform much better. Perhaps its some of that contant security processing on chip.

The P7 is $719, P7 Pro is about $850, Pixel 8 Pro ~$1400-1800.(128gb to 512GB)

I need a phone now, October is a long time away, I prefer the larger 6.7" ~2k screens and the slightly better camera due to sensor, plus all the new features just dropped on the Pro cameras software.

Id probably lose a little less on the 7 Pro than the 8 Pro once the 9 Pro XL drops later in the year?

gzt

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#3251783 21-Jun-2024 21:52

Pundits are guessing the 9XL launch price anywhere between USD$1000 and USD$1200.

lchiu7

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#3251824 22-Jun-2024 09:26

gzt: Pundits are guessing the 9XL launch price anywhere between USD$1000 and USD$1200.

If that is really the case then I think I will be keeping my P8. Apart from the camera issue which I didn't notice until I went on vacation, which does show how often I use the camera, I found the phone perfectly fine for my uses. And it will have 5-7 years of updates and does on board AI.

TeaLeaf

6325 posts

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#3251896 22-Jun-2024 15:09

lchiu7:

gzt: Pundits are guessing the 9XL launch price anywhere between USD$1000 and USD$1200.

If that is really the case then I think I will be keeping my P8.

aside from the obvious change in look and form factor, outside there being anything massive which at this stage looks like gradual increments just like the 7-8 etc, I dont think the loss would be worth it. although the P8 is the 9Pro, the 9Pro XL is the top model, not sure what the P8 equivalent (9Pro) will be, but less than the 9ProXL obviously. I presume gzt you mean the 9PRO XL?

What were the issues with P8 camera?

lchiu7

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#3251948 22-Jun-2024 15:27

TeaLeaf:

lchiu7:

gzt: Pundits are guessing the 9XL launch price anywhere between USD$1000 and USD$1200.

If that is really the case then I think I will be keeping my P8.

aside from the obvious change in look and form factor, outside there being anything massive which at this stage looks like gradual increments just like the 7-8 etc, I dont think the loss would be worth it. although the P8 is the 9Pro, the 9Pro XL is the top model, not sure what the P8 equivalent (9Pro) will be, but less than the 9ProXL obviously. I presume gzt you mean the 9PRO XL?

What were the issues with P8 camera?

I would be aiming the camera at a subject to take a photo and it would go out of focus. I would have to tap the screen several times and/or turn on/off macro mode to get it to focus again.

If I was taking a video, after about 15s or so the image would just jump out of focus and I would have to tap the screen to get it to focus back - not ideal as you can imagine. And if a subject closer than what I was filming crossed the camera path, the camera would try to focus on it, and when that passing subject then had passed from the field of view, the camera would not focus back on the original subject matter.

I hope the new camera Google sent me does not exhibit this behaviour but I don't know since I have yet to remove all the plastic and turn it on.

TeaLeaf

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#3252566 24-Jun-2024 15:09

Castlvaniafan:

I'll be installing Graphene OS on it

How are you finding Graphene to work out for you? Its as bare knuckles as it gets. at first I thought it was all just people worrying too much about an OS and its apps having access to data and location and other apps even when not in service.

But seeing it in use it has made me wonder why this is not the default position given to all users in android.

However, the only real reason I would use it, is it is as bare knuckles as possible plus potentially zero advertising. My only concern is, how long will Graphene be around for, will developers stop work on it, or even how long will it continue supporting each device...

So now I am considering a 7Pro again haha. at least until the 9pro drops and then maybe mid cycle switching to the 9Pro.

One function I wont get on the 7Pro however is a real Desktop mode similar to Dex, I do wonder if this will be useable in Graphene on the 8 etc.

Dex is still wayyy better, but I think once a few kinks are ironed out and a few features added it will be as good, either way its better than IOS Desktop imo.

If the camera on the 8a was better Id consider it, the 7Pro has the same sensori as the 8Pro and the same gcam (pro mode with lens selection etc). also the glorious 7Pro screen vs the small low res pixel 8a screen. Its a tough call which will drop the most in price when the 9 is released, 8a or 7Pro, assuming they release all 3 models in october in the US at the same time...

Cant wait for the 9 models to come, even if I wont afford one within the first 6 months.

davidgo2

46 posts

Geek

#3252581 24-Jun-2024 15:41

TeaLeaf:

Castlvaniafan:

I'll be installing Graphene OS on it

How are you finding Graphene to work out for you? Its as bare knuckles as it gets. at first I thought it was all just people worrying too much about an OS and its apps having access to data and location and other apps even when not in service.

But seeing it in use it has made me wonder why this is not the default position given to all users in android.

However, the only real reason I would use it, is it is as bare knuckles as possible.

So now I am considering a 7Pro again haha. at least until the 9pro drops and then maybe mid cycle switching to the 9Pro.

One function I wont get on the 7Pro however is a real Desktop mode similar to Dex, I do wonder if this will be useable in Graphene on the 8 etc.

Dex is still wayyy better, but I think once a few kinks are ironed out and a few features added it will be as good, either way its better than IOS Desktop imo.

If the camera on the 8a was better Id consider it, the 7Pro has the same sensori as the 8Pro and the same gcam (pro mode with lens selection etc). also the glorious 7Pro screen vs the small low res pixel 8a screen. Its a tough call which will drop the most in price when the 9 is released, 8a or 7Pro, assuming they release all 3 models in october in the US at the same time...

Cant wait for the 9 models to come, even if I wont afford one within the first 6 months.

I'm also using GrapheneOS. For the most part I am very happy with it - I just wish it would allow me to control battery charging batter. (I have hacked a workaround using a home-grown device a bit like a chargie). Graphically though, its not all that. Also, knowing how advanced Googles AI is, and throwing that all out (even though I did not have it before) sometimes makes me feel a bit of pain - I purchased this expensive device which is partly priced as it is because of the software - and I don't get to use it.

If the price is right, getting a 7th series Google device could make sense. One thing you will want to check (and why I did not go with it) is if it supports VoWIFI if you need/want that functionality.

I can't comment on the actual quality, but according to https://www.gsmarena.com/compare.php3?idPhone1=12545&idPhone2=11908 the camera sensors in the 7 Pro and 8 Pro are not the same. https://www.androidauthority.com/google-pixel-8-pro-vs-pixel-7-pro-camera-photo-comparison-3374216/ also does a comparison of the cameras, and shows they are definitely different, but conclueds that over-all similar quality.

If you use GrapheneOS I am fairly sure the camera software is a lot more basic - coming from a cheap phone its still fantastic, but I doubt anything close to the Pixel with its native software.

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