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I Do Not Recommend Google Hardware

16 points by ingve

by microtonal

0 subcomment

If you’re a tech power-user, however, maybe consider Linux on mobile as a more radical alternative. I’ve been eyeing postmarketOS on the Fairphone 6 for a while, as it appears to be making meaningful progress, but it is not yet a daily-driver experience and probably won’t be for another year or two.
Hmmm, if you do not want to use Pixel for hardware issues, Fairphone is probably not going to be your best replacement. The Fairphone 6 has suffered from an issue where they die during charging, even on brand-new devices. People also encountered issues like the volume buttons breaking after just a few weeks/months (for which they don't sell replacements). Replacement of a FP6 under warranty often takes 1-2 months. And you cannot repair it yourself if they don't sell the parts that most commonly break (logic board and volume buttons).
I wish Samsung made an S-variant (or A5x) that passed all the GrapheneOS requirements. It's really stellar hardware (if conservative). I know it will never happen, but one can dream I guess.

by rfarley04

2 subcomments

I'm writing this on a Pixel 8 and it's the worst phone I have ever used. The wireless chip is basically dead. And the battery can't make it to 3pm. Annoys the hell out of me that so many reviewers I thought I could trust speak so highly of this phone.

by 3stacks

1 subcomments

I think the Nexus 4 is still my favourite phone I've ever owned. Maybe it represents a period of techno-optimism I had, and how my relationship with phones have changed over the years. Now I despise my phone but am required to own it for my digital ID to pay taxes, receive work messages, etc.
Sounds like I've been very lucky with my Pixel 4 and 7 that I haven't had any hardware issues while running GrapheneOS.

by nja

1 subcomments

Another reason I'm so incensed that Google bought Fitbit. Every Fitbit I had prior to the Google acquisition worked extremely well and had battery life in the 5-7-day range. My favorite was the Sense which was basically a full (but svelte) smartwatch + full fitness tracker.
Now: just overpriced crappy Google hardware that lasts 12 hours because of AI and who knows what else they shoved on there.
And nobody else makes anything close to what Fitbit made...