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Google Pixel phones - news, updates

So,
What are we all using our free Gemini subscriptions for?

I haven't tried it out yet but the weekend looms, so I will.
 
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Supposedly the deal ended quickly because Google had never intended for the 30% discount and the enhanced trade-in to stack.
It does seem ridiculous that the trade-in value for my 2 year old, banged up phone was £15 shy of what I paid for it in the first place, and then a 30% discount on top.
But hey-ho. Joined up thinking has never been a Google forte.
 
I just upgraded from a Pixel 4a to an 8a, as GiffGaff were doing them for £350.

So far the only noticeable differences are that it's bigger and heavier, and has some AI stuff that I'm unlikely to use.
 
You're a bit stuck on phone size. The 8a is the smallest Android that's not a steaming pile of crap, and the iPhone 16 is only very slightly smaller.

Sony used to do a small phone built premium, but no-one bought it and they stopped. I think they expect people who want a small phone to stump up for the foldables.
 
My Pixel 9 Pro XL has just arrived, much earlier than expected. I'm trying to be very disciplined and not open it until I get the trade in kit and check they really are going to give me that much for an old P30 :D

Chz said:
Supposedly the deal ended quickly because Google had never intended for the 30% discount and the enhanced trade-in to stack.
It does seem ridiculous that the trade-in value for my 2 year old, banged up phone was £15 shy of what I paid for it in the first place, and then a 30% discount on top.
But hey-ho. Joined up thinking has never been a Google forte.
Click to expand...

This makes sense. Did seem too good to be true. As I've said, I wasn't going to upgrade for a good while, but this seemed to go a deal to pass up, even if I was very indulgent and got an XL.
 
I think that I've had my Pixel 6 for 3 years now. In the past I would be itching to upgrade. But I still revel in what a good phone this is. The camera is certainly good enough for my purposes, and the battery is currently still lasting an entire day.

I think what prompted me to get the Pixel 6 was it was my first phone with 5G. I'm not aware of any new developments of such significance that would prompt me to upgrade recently.

Don't get me wrong, I'm a sucker for new, shiny gadgets. But this is costing me £8 a month at the moment.
 
I usually change Pixel every 3 generations so I've had Nexus 5X, Pixel 3 and now my current 6.

The recent deal was very tempting but like BassJunkie my 6 is doing everything it needs to and I can forgive the slightly flakey finger print reader and occasional random restart whilst I'm sleeping.
 
BassJunkie said:
I think what prompted me to get the Pixel 6 was it was my first phone with 5G. I'm not aware of any new developments of such significance that would prompt me to upgrade recently.
Click to expand...
The latest phones can at least use 5G without it being harsh on battery life. It's not much, but I always had it disabled on my Pixel 7 for the drain. I've left it on for the Pixel 9 and it still has better battery life than the 7.
 
Chz said:
The latest phones can at least use 5G without it being harsh on battery life. It's not much, but I always had it disabled on my Pixel 7 for the drain. I've left it on for the Pixel 9 and it still has better battery life than the 7.
Click to expand...
I'm must confess that hasn't occurred to me.

When I am trying to save battery the first thing I switch off is Bluetooth.

Then wonder why my headphones have stopped working. :facepalm:
 
Recent convert here (8 Pro) after swearing by Samsung since forever.

A couple of months in and so far very happy - does everything a phone should + that camera.
 
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I've just ordered a Pixel 9. Got it for £522 from Voxi (no trade in or contract required).

Still going for a few days if anyone is interested: Buy Google Pixel 9 Smartphone | Pay Monthly Phone | VOXI Mobile

Voxi also do really good SIM only deals. I've been using them for a few years. Aimed at teens but perfect for me. Unlimited social media and a high enough data allowance that it might as well be unlimited to me, for £10/month, cancel at any time.

I realise this sounds like an ad but I promise I don't work for them :facepalm: :D
 
Fez909 said:
I've just ordered a Pixel 9. Got it for £522 from Voxi (no trade in or contract required).

Still going for a few days if anyone is interested: Buy Google Pixel 9 Smartphone | Pay Monthly Phone | VOXI Mobile

Voxi also do really good SIM only deals. I've been using them for a few years. Aimed at teens but perfect for me. Unlimited social media and a high enough data allowance that it might as well be unlimited to me, for £10/month, cancel at any time.

I realise this sounds like an ad but I promise I don't work for them :facepalm: :D
Click to expand...

It's great what a tenner a month buys you now, means it's much easier to pick and choose.

I'm still waiting for my trade in to be confirmed before I open mine. Stupidly googled the company and saw loads of negative reviews, but of course people are less likely to post when it goes well. 🫰
 
Well there's no doubt that the 9 Pro XL is a very nice phone, but also possibly the most underwhelming upgrade yet. Mind you I wasn't unhappy with a bog standard 6. The trade in took ages, but I got a very surprising £260 for the P30 with a defective GPS, so with the discount I've basically paid £500 for it.


That said I've not really left the house much or gone anywhere nice, so I've not had a chance to test the camera. The face recognition seems a fair bit better, so I can see myself using it more. The phone generally seems a little faster, but I never thought the 6 felt slow, unlike my cheap work Samsung.


I've used Nova Launcher for years, so combined with restoring apps from the old phone, it's really like not a lot has changed. However I can't see me replacing this for a good long time.


Which is good as even just signing into all my apps and setting up authenticators has been a pain in ass. Especially you Microsoft. Miss a setting when restoring and you've got to uninstall the app. And you've still got to set up 365 push MFA again regardless.
 
Might be of interest for Pixel 8 owners, but there's a known fault with some of them. Often shows up with line or interference on the screen but also I got occasional pops and buzzing on calls which showed on their tests - repaired under warranty which they've extended for people with affected IEMIs see Extended repair programme for Pixel 8 - Pixel Phone Help

Much happier with the phone now as it seems a lot less glitchy. When I reinstalled I also turned the bottom menu buttons back on (arrow/square/circle) which makes it much more usable. The gestures for it were absolutely dreadful in practice for me - caused a lot of low level frustration!
 
Has anyone with a Google Pixel 4a been affected by the January software update which is supposed to ''stabilise the battery'', but in fact just drains the battery completely in a couple of hours? My Pixel 4a was working fine until this update, Google are offering either a battery replacement or credit against another Google phone. If you choose the new battery option you will have to take it to a selected phone shop who will then send it away for repairs, be warned this is a two week turnaround time and you will lose everything on your phone!
I instead got the battery replaced at a phone repair shop at my own expense, but this hasn't solved the problem.
 
Stoker80 said:
Has anyone with a Google Pixel 4a been affected by the January software update which is supposed to ''stabilise the battery'', but in fact just drains the battery completely in a couple of hours? My Pixel 4a was working fine until this update, Google are offering either a battery replacement or credit against another Google phone. If you choose the new battery option you will have to take it to a selected phone shop who will then send it away for repairs, be warned this is a two week turnaround time and you will lose everything on your phone!
I instead got the battery replaced at a phone repair shop at my own expense, but this hasn't solved the problem.
Click to expand...
I don't have a 4a but have read other reports of people's phones going the same way. I'd suggest getting a new phone if you can. A refurbished pixel 6 is around £100 with a 7a being £200
 
MBV said:
I don't have a 4a but have read other reports of people's phones going the same way. I'd suggest getting a new phone if you can. A refurbished pixel 6 is around £100 with a 7a being £200
Click to expand...

And they're solid phones. I recently upgraded to a 9 pro from a 6 and it's a pretty minor improvement.
 
Yeah - I've got the 7a and it's fine... of course I don't know what I'm missing. Good camera... loads of memory. Battery life is pretty decent.

ETA: at £200 its a bargain!
 
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