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,

    • Grippler@feddit.dk
      272·
      6 months ago

      To be more helpful than the joke comments you’ve received so far, it’s graphene OS that’s causing a lot of controversy.

            • FutileRecipe@lemmy.world
              5·
              6 months ago

              Do they all really? I know GrapheneOS does, and I think DivestOS even says “use my OS to stay as up to date as possible, but if you have a current/supported Pixel, use GrapheneOS instead for superior security.” But I don’t recall other OSes really going “we’re more secure than GrapheneOS and here’s why.”

            • lemmyvore@feddit.nlEnglish
              51·
              6 months ago

              Hence the controversy! 🙂

              Also, Graphene tend to act superior about it and it pisses people off.

                • jet@hackertalks.comEnglish
                  2·
                  6 months ago

                  https://www.privacyguides.org/en/android/

                  There is no controversy. There’s a lot of people memeing. I haven’t seen a single security analysis, or survey of options, that didn’t put GOS at the very top. Look at privacy guides, they say graphene is great, but if you can’t use that divest is okay.

                  People may not like the leader, and the developers are very opinionated which turns other people off, but I don’t think there’s any questioning the pedigree and the level of security provided

        • Grippler@feddit.dk
          51·
          6 months ago

          I’m honestly not quite sure, I just know people are getting riled up when it’s mentioned.

          • fossphi@lemm.eeEnglish
            51·
            6 months ago

            It gets people going, (Daniel) 'Mkay?

            I stole this from another lemmy comment, please don’t come after me

              • fossphi@lemm.eeEnglish
                2·
                6 months ago

                Can’t really remember right now. I think it was a thread on which phone to buy and people were talking about graphene os on pixels.

                Someone commented something along the lines of “m’lady” but with Daniel Micay’s name as a pun

    • GolfNovemberUniform@lemmy.ml
      74·
      6 months ago

      The open-source one that’s so powerful it summons an online fight with at least 50 members if mentioned. It’s kinda anomalous so it is recommended not to mention it online until further research.

      • mnmalst@lemmy.zip
        9·
        6 months ago

        FYI: “Extended support” from a custom rom means the OS level software gets updated, not the device firmware. So you still end up with a not fully up to date phone.

        Written from my Pxiel 4a. :)

    • StormWalker@lemmy.zip
      11·
      6 months ago

      Because GrapheneOS is a debatable triggering subject for some people. Basically the OS itself is amazing and very good. But the project leader is apparently arrogant and offensive. And offended a load of big known online personalities. Apparently he says his OS is the best and better then everyone else etc etc. So the question is: do you use and support a project where the product itself is amazing and just what the world needs, but where the project leader is offensive? Some say yes, some say no. = Controversial subject.

      Personally I use GrapheneOS because I need a good camera and I like having a flagship modern phone. Currently I’m using a Pixel 7 Pro. I also like the privacy and security features that graphene offer. I don’t see another project out there that can offer me the same. The product is good.

        • StormWalker@lemmy.zip
          21·
          6 months ago

          Well yes exactly. It’s all just big personalities online that say that these things happened. Who knows really what the guy is like. A few big names online say these things about him, but I personally have never had any Interaction with him. So it could all be true, or partly true, or not at all. I guess no smoke without fire… but there is always 2 sides to every story.

  • foremanguy@lemmy.ml
    13·
    6 months ago

    I think it’s a bit too old, if you want to stay in the pixel ecosystem maybe try to grab a 6, 6a or 6 pro. They are around $250, and they are great!

  • Maxe@feddit.de
    11·
    6 months ago

    I’m using a 4a right now which I bought last year, refurbished. It’s a great phone and has a headphone jack. If you’re concerend about updates, install an alternative OS. If you want to degoogle that should be the path anyway.

  • ben_dover@lemmy.ml
    9·
    6 months ago

    4a is end of life already, so no firmware updates from Google. GrapheneOS has legacy builds available for it but doesn’t recommend using them, and they might go away anytime soon

    get a used device which is still properly supported, don’t buy brand new e-waste

    • Possibly linux@lemmy.zipEnglish
      4·
      6 months ago

      You could just jot use Graphene OS. They create ewaste just as much as Android. Lineage OS will run on 8 year old phones.

    • Misk@lemmy.world
      2·
      6 months ago

      I have a 4a running graphene and I love it but after 3+ years the battery life is shot. I really didn’t want to buy any of the new pixels because they are all too big and I hate big phones. I was thinking of just buying a new 4a and installing graphene again (because got forbid making a phone where you can just swap out the battery in this day and age) but are you saying this would be a bad idea at this point? Like even if they keep graphene up to date the phone will still be outdated (and therefore vulnerable) at the kernel/hardware level?

      • ben_dover@lemmy.ml
        4·
        6 months ago

        yes and P4a is already one major GOS/Android version behind, it’s only getting “extended legacy support” releases. i.e. security fixes are merged and backported where possible, but it’s overall not the best setup and they recommend to switch asap.

        I’m pretty sure GOS will drop Android 13 (and therefore P4a) as soon as they release Android 15, since the team won’t be maintaining three major Android versions.

        CalyxOS ported Android 14 to P4a, so you might squeeze an additional year or so out of it if you switch.

        I’d either replace the battery in the old P4a, or get a newer model with 7y software support. But buying a new 4a is probably not your best possible move

  • s38b35M5@lemmy.worldEnglish
    8·
    6 months ago

    I bought a used Pixel 5 in Feb for my daily driver. Replaced my Pixel 3 only because the power button was flaky. They both still run great. By my standards, getting two years out of a phone I paid $150 for is better than getting three years out of a $700 phone.

  • Eugenia@lemmy.mlEnglish
    91·
    6 months ago

    You can install LineageOS or e/OS on it (instead of Graphene, if that’s too controversial), and then the 4a is a good phone to use.

    • RBG
      43·
      6 months ago

      The software updates are maybe not an argument when it comes to degoogling? Then it depends if the OS they plan to use still sends updates.

      • jet@hackertalks.comEnglish
        93·
        6 months ago

        The hardware driver updates are absolutely critical if you want to have a secure phone. The phone has to be within the support window, to get any hardware driver updates. The risk surface of a phone’s hardware is huge, you’ve got the Bluetooth drivers, you’ve got the Wi-Fi drivers, you’ve got the modem drivers, and any other sensors I may have forgotten about.

  • haui@lemmy.giftedmc.com
    5·
    6 months ago

    tangential: I‘m using a oneplus 6 with postmarketOS but depending on your friend‘s it skills, it might not be ready for him yet.

    So far its very usable but I suggest someone must want to swim against the current and do things differently. One could say a „pioneer“ type would be ideal for this.

  • delirious_owl@discuss.online
    61·
    6 months ago

    I have a Pixel 3a, and I love it. I also have a Pixel 4a and love that one too

    I bought a Pixel 5a, and hated it. I think the 4a is the best phone on the market right now. Great price, great support in Lineage, and its not too big and heavy.

  • AnxiousDuck@feddit.it
    5·
    6 months ago

    Can someone explain to me under what circumstances would using an old phone be risky (under a common reasonable threat model)?

    • tty5@lemmy.world
      4·
      6 months ago

      No security fixes once the device reaches end of life. For pixel 4a end of security updates was 10 months ago. That mostly is a problem with malicious apps - there were some privilege escalation bugs in those 10 months - but sometimes you get a banger that can get exploited by simply loading a page or opening an image.

      • AnxiousDuck@feddit.it
        2·
        6 months ago

        I get it about malicious apps but what about just using mainstream apps and surfing the web with adblockers?

      • ReveredOxygen@sh.itjust.worksEnglish
        2·
        6 months ago

        Wouldn’t those be typically handled at an OS level? If you’re using an OS that actually gets updates, you’re only vulnerable to attacks at the kernel or driver level

        • tty5@lemmy.world
          21·
          6 months ago

          If you are on stock software on EOL device you are not getting os updates either.

          Also a bunch of recent vulns were in SoC specific stuff - outside os.

  • GolfNovemberUniform@lemmy.ml
    61·
    6 months ago

    It goes for like $80-120 in my country. For the price it’s an interesting deal but it’s extremely old so GrapheneOS won’t support it. I think you can still find something like LineageOS or crDroid but tbh it’s too old for a new daily driver. Lack of firmware updates will kill custom ROMs due to incompatibility with new Android versions eventually (and most likely very soon).

    Compact phones are dead now and the last ones don’t even seem to support degoogled custom ROMs. You’re out of lack with that.

  • tmpod@lemmy.ptM
    5·
    6 months ago

    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·
      6 months ago

      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.ptM
        4·
        6 months ago

        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…