Recommend an Android phone to replace Pixel 8

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timmmay

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#319412 23-Apr-2025 09:35

My Pixel 8 has a fault, it's started showing a vertical purple line on the screen quite regularly. It's a known fault and Google will repair / replace. However I'm a bit tired of the phone, and it's going to cost probably $100 - $150 to ship back to Australia to repair and the same to get back to me in NZ. I might get the replacement phone and have a friend in Australia sell it for me.

I'm interested in recommendations for phones to replace this one:

Android based
Not too large - ideally 6.3" or less
Good update policy
Good fingerprint unlock and face unlock
Ideally Snapdragon CPU - they seem to run cooler and have a better modem. Doesn't have to be the absolute newest CPU, some NPU / AI support might be handy in future. I'm sure on-device AI is critical, but I do use Gen AI a lot online.
Good support for voice typing. I think the Pixel range gets extra features from Google Keyboard.
Reasonably clean Android / GUI version, though I use Nova Launcher so I'm not sure how important this is
NZ supply / support / repairs (which means not a Pixel)
Ideally wide / standard / telephoto lenses
Doesn't have to be flagship, but has to be at least close - e.g. unlikely to get a Samsung A series
Available now

Default is the S25, which Perplexity tells me has the Snapdragon Elite 8, but I'm interested in other options. OnePlus has a range of phones that look interesting, for example, but they have lots of models and I haven't looked at them in detail yet.

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#3366694 23-Apr-2025 10:44

Definitely look at the OnePlus 13 range, I moved from S24U to OnePlus 13, for the huge battery and fast charging, very slick UI, not regretted the decision.

PB stocks the OnePlus 13 and 13R with 2 year warranty - https://www.pbtech.co.nz/brand/oneplus

Their upcoming 13T might be a better fit for you with a slightly smaller screen size ~ 6.3" according to rumor mill but still has SD 8 Elite and an even bigger battery than the 13.

gcorgnet

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#3366698 23-Apr-2025 10:50

Pixel 9 sounds like an obvious one for me.. Although you didn't share why you were tired of the Pixel 8 so it might not be suitable..

timmmay

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#3366703 23-Apr-2025 10:58

gcorgnet:

Pixel 9 sounds like an obvious one for me.. Although you didn't share why you were tired of the Pixel 8 so it might not be suitable..

I put a couple of details in my post. It developed a fault, and I want my next phone to have local sales / support. Though having said that, it took about two months to have Samsung NZ replace a faulty Samsung Watch 6 recently, it had an intermittent fault.

timmmay

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#3366705 23-Apr-2025 11:07

mrgsm021:

Definitely look at the OnePlus 13 range, I moved from S24U to OnePlus 13, for the huge battery and fast charging, very slick UI, not regretted the decision.

PB stocks the OnePlus 13 and 13R with 2 year warranty - https://www.pbtech.co.nz/brand/oneplus

Their upcoming 13T might be a better fit for you with a slightly smaller screen size ~ 6.3" according to rumor mill but still has SD 8 Elite and an even bigger battery than the 13.

Interesting option, thanks. The 13 and 13R are probably too large for me - I might go have a look though. The 13T could be a good option, but info I can find suggests won't be available for two months. I can wait as I have the Pixel 4a with the newly reduced battery size, but I'd rather look at what's available now or very soon.

S25 is still looking like a better option, with the high specs and compact size, but I appreciate the suggestion 🙂

Asteros

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#3366720 23-Apr-2025 11:51

anything in the s25 range. If history repeats, Samsung NZ will have a massive discount + trade in boost within the next 2-3 months. I would wait and trade in your broken Pixel.

nztim

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#3366724 23-Apr-2025 12:06

mrgsm021:

PB stocks the OnePlus 13 and 13R with 2 year warranty - https://www.pbtech.co.nz/brand/oneplus

PB Tech Parallel Import some phones would make sure that it supports all NZ VoLTE profiles prior to purchase

Any views expressed on these forums are my own and don't necessarily reflect those of my employer.

timmmay

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#3366729 23-Apr-2025 12:28

Asteros:

anything in the s25 range. If history repeats, Samsung NZ will have a massive discount + trade in boost within the next 2-3 months. I would wait and trade in your broken Pixel.

THAT sounds like a great idea, if it happens. It'd be much easier to trade in rather than have to send back to Australia and sell it. Is this a regular thing most / every year or was it just last year? Do they usually accept Pixel phones in NZ as trade-in, given they're not sold in NZ?

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Asteros

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#3366742 23-Apr-2025 13:09

It seems that Samsung has these sales/offers all year round every year.

I would go to cheapies.nz and search for anything to do with Samsung s24 or s23 to find out how others got on in previous years. Some of the reported deals are ridiculously good value. People were trading in broken phones and still getting good deals (obviously not as good as trading in the previous year's flagship).

I had a look and the Pixel 8 appears in the Trade in list currently:

https://www.samsung.com/nz/galaxytradein/

I am thinking of getting an S25 ultra to try out and apparently the next period to watch is Mother's Day.

timmmay

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#3366791 23-Apr-2025 15:44

Interesting, thanks @Asteros. Samsung do a trade-in of up to $400 on the Pixel 8, that's comparable to the value of a reconditioned one. Combine that with a decent discount and it would be worthwhile waiting for.

Is there a way to get emails or RSS notifications of S25 deals on cheapies?

I'm still interested in other options, but the S25 is a pretty good option. My wife's S22 is still going strong. It also doesn't get so hot as my Pixel 8 when charging - I actually purchased a small fan that I sit my Pixel 8 in front of to keep it cool while it charges. Fat lot of good that did, given the other fault.

gzt

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#3366844 23-Apr-2025 16:12

There were some extremely good google store tradeins for au and usa recently on Pixel 9. Maybe they are still active. As far as I'm aware they don't advertise acceptance for faulty devices although my guess is there is some path where they will offer an upgrade instead of a repair. Personally I'd probably hang in for the P10 launch if I could be bothered with the au shipping arrangements etc and the chance of higher trump prices.

Randomly just noticed this site claims to do reasonable aud cash for Pixels -

https://mobilemonster.com.au/sell-your-phone/google/mobiles/pixel-8-series/pixel-8-256gb

Imo Samsung has a better physical feel than Pixel. There is talk recently about Samsung being even slower than Samsung usually are with flagship o/s updates. That can be a good thing and also very annoying if you like new os features.

gzt

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#3366850 23-Apr-2025 16:21

timmmay: I'm still interested in other options, but the S25 is a pretty good option. My wife's S22 is still going strong. It also doesn't get so hot as my Pixel 8 when charging - I actually purchased a small fan that I sit my Pixel 8 in front of to keep it cool while it charges. Fat lot of good that did, given the other fault.

My p8 I have the impression it charges a lot cooler on USB compared to wireless.

If I had the choice I'd slow charge or pulse charge on wireless. Not available.

You're probably aware the P9 has a smaller battery and even then gets better battery life than the P8. P10 is expected to improve again but who knows.

timmmay

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#3366860 23-Apr-2025 16:43

There's no way I'm buying another pixel until they are sold and officially supported in New Zealand. I've had good luck with the pixel 4 and so far with a pixel 8 but it's a bunch of hassle.

I purchased the pixel 8 from JB Hi-Fi in Australia. They have told me I can take it to a New Zealand store to get it assessed and repaired, which should make things much simpler.

gzt

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#3366954 24-Apr-2025 00:13

timmmay: I purchased the pixel 8 from JB Hi-Fi in Australia. They have told me I can take it to a New Zealand store to get it assessed and repaired, which should make things much simpler.

Wow! That changes the game (fingers crossed)

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#3366962 24-Apr-2025 07:16

I'd get that confirmed by JB Hifi NZ. Whilst ultimately owned by same parent group the Aus & NZ stores are separate companies.

timmmay

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#3366965 24-Apr-2025 07:31

Yeah maybe they won't be able to help, but it's worth a shot. It's fairly easy to take it into a JB store next time I'm near one. Otherwise it's probably $100 - $150 to ship it to Australia myself.

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