I’m currently on the market for a new phone and I see stores selling a Pixel 8 for $500.
It’s on the higher end of what I want to pay, but I see it has extended support over the Pixel 7.
I also see the Pixel 8a is $400, which is a nicer price for me, but since my plan is to use the phone long term, I figure the mainline model has sturdier build quality. There is also the upcoming Pixel 9a for $500, if I’m willing to wait and get the cheaper model branch but with the most modern features.

Can someone with experience using these phones help me pick something? I’ve never owned a pixel and looking online it seems like they each have their own issues to contend with. But I like the custom rom support I see for these phones that would give it a far extended lifetime over most other brands out there.

EDIT (Dec24):
Thank you everyone for your opinions. I saw the support for the Pixel 7 and decided to buy one on swappa over the Pixel 8. And since support for the pixel 7 ends in less than 3 years, I’ll probably install GrapheneOS right off the bat. I also did research on Sub-6 vs mmWave as I saw both models were offered and decided on Sub-6 as the more practical technology. Looking forward to this.

  • CrayonRosary@lemmy.worldEnglish
    3·
    1 day ago

    If you don’t mind looking at photos and putting a little trust in sellers, man, you can find some deals on swappa.com. I bought a brand new, sealed-in-box Pixel 7 Pro the month it came out for $650. Google offers trade-in deals, people take advantage of it, then flip the phone on Swappa. You can also buy used phones. A Pixel 7 Pro in good condition is like $260 now.

  • xonigo@lemm.eeEnglish
    3·
    2 days ago

    I’m holding out for the pixel 9a. Supposedly it has a larger battery and no camera bump

  • COASTER1921@lemmy.mlEnglish
    7·
    2 days ago

    The fingerprint sensor on the 8 series is really bad and battery quite mediocre. In my opinion pixels are rarely worth their asking prices relative to Samsung’s offerings. I have had an 8, 8 pro, and now 9 Pro XL and the 9 series really feels significantly more complete than the others despite relatively small difference on paper.

    Relative to other Android phones the biggest difference with pixels is the lack of customization. The cameras are amazing but the rest of the experience feels pretty hampered in my opinion.

  • m-p{3}@lemmy.caEnglish
    12·
    2 days ago

    Pixel 7 is going end-of-life in 2028 while Pixel 8 will reach it in 2030. It’s up to you to see if you think you’ll make either last until that time and if the extra $100 is worth the two years of security updates or not.

    • GenderNeutralBro@lemmy.sdf.orgEnglish
      5·
      2 days ago

      The upgrade is minimal and I’m sure by the time 2028 rolls around there will be better deals on better phones. Even the 9 would only be a marginal upgrade.

  • Bell@lemmy.worldEnglish
    6·
    2 days ago

    I went from the 5 to the 8a and my two biggest complaints are 1) the 8a is seriously heavier, and 2) the fingerprint sensor is garbage - like fails every 4th try or so

  • zipzoopaboop@lemmynsfw.comEnglish
    8·
    2 days ago

    I just got a 9, all the AI shit is useless. Probably should have just gone for the 8. Only upgraded because my 5 was literally falling apart.

    • VivianRixia@piefed.socialOPEnglish
      5·
      2 days ago

      oh, I hate AI nonsense, that’s not even on the list of features I’m interested in. I heard the Pixel 9 had much better battery life and didn’t have overheating issues like the 8 did. Though the full pixel 9 is pricier than I am willing to spend at this time.

      • zipzoopaboop@lemmynsfw.comEnglish
        4·
        2 days ago

        My battery does usually last 2 days so I’d say it’s pretty good. It does sometimes get hot sometimes and once refused to charge due to overheating. Had it less than a month

  • rescue_toaster@lemm.eeEnglish
    51·
    2 days ago

    I still have my 4a. It still runs fine. I keep looking at upgrading but don’t want a bigger phone or to lose my 3mm jack.

  • catloaf@lemm.eeEnglish
    4·
    2 days ago

    I just upgraded from a 6 to an 8 and honestly I don’t really notice a difference. Some apps use a higher framerate, some videos play at full brightness even when the rest of the screen is dimmed (maybe this is their idea of HDR?), and the camera is better at close-up photography. But it’s also slightly narrower, so it’s harder for my human-sized fingers to use.

    The Pixel 7 will receive updates until Oct 2027, and it’ll probably be supported by third-party forks past that date. https://support.google.com/nexus/answer/4457705

  • sbv@sh.itjust.worksEnglish
    21·
    2 days ago

    I’ve had an 8Pro for a while. It’s great. Killer battery life (for me). It’s getting updates, so things occasionally get nicer (like the new notification placement). The camera is good. The fingerprint sensor is lousy, but face unlock is good enough for me.

    I’d get one, if I were you.