I have a Pixel 6 Pro with GrapheneOS. I installed GrapheneOS for privacy reasons. My threat model is to avoid big tech, especially Google. I bought it about 1 year after release, and it still works perfectly fine. Unfortunately, the GrapheneOS support ends in October 2026.
What are my best options in October?
Keep using the phone with GrapheneOS until it is time to upgrade the phone
Google support ends in October indeed but are you sure GrapheneOS will drop it at the same time?
Usually the will provide legacy extended support just for security patches for a year or so.
I would buy a 9a now. I’m not very up to date with the RAM price increase issue but it doesn’t seem far-fetched to me that it could affect phone prices. It’s also possible that in the following models they might cut back on specifications.
Sound logic. Though I am also inclined to believe a big company like Google can get their parts at similar prices from suppliers as before to provide the expected price to customers. Eh - will have to wait and see.
I would wait until later this year, after the Pixel 10a is released. The later is rumored to be just a refreshed 9a. Nonetheless, it could drop the price of the 9a.
Keep an eye out for any holidays until then, you never know when there may be a deal on any so you may want to buy accordingly if you can save a little more somehow.
You will have the weight your options.
On one hand you will throw away a working piece of technology, but you gain way more security
On the other hand you will help the environment and keep it, but you will lose much security against upcoming exploits and bugs.
What I can say is, that if google ends the support for the device, any ROM you will put on this device only tries “damage reduction”, since they can’t replace updates from the manufacture.
Other than that, maybe try to get a refurbished phone.
The nature of some tech is that even if supported for years on end, there is indeed an expiration.
Is it really working though? A case can be made that when such a piece of tech loses its security, it is no longer working.
Considering how long Pixels are supported with GOS, ethically trying to getting it recycled for its materials is the best you can do and I can live with that.
It feels wrong to only upgrade to a new phone because the support of the current one has ended. I don’t think I will notice much difference between a 9a and a 6 pro. So I am basically paying 300$ for an extended 6 year support
There will be differences. I assure you. Even digital minimalists will notice a difference and however you want to look at it, it does cost to update or upgrade every 5-6 or so years. I think for all that the smartphone is in your life and does, expense every 5-6 years is well worth it.
The upgraded hardware is always nice to have to a superior experience no matter what you do on or with it. Of course, this is a personal opinion.
You could go back to stock once support ends and consider to follow the KISS android guide to keep Goople play services updates at least the most critical vulnerabilities. This could extend the device life for non critical use, avoid a perfectly working device going to waste and give you some time to evaluate upgrade options.
I’m in the same situation as you and I’ll almost certainly buy a Pixel 9 or a Pixel 10 in October. Maybe like you, a 9a or a 10a, we’ll see!
By the way, I didn’t want to throw mine away but pass it on to my son, who should use it without GSM network and anyway “under my control,” and I had a similar doubt: should I leave it with GrapheneOS without updates or install iodé on it?
