Buy a new Pixel 6 or 6a

Author
Discussion

croyde

Original Poster:

23,651 posts

235 months

Wednesday 21st August
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My Pixel 3a is now 5 years old and is really starting to show it's age.

Freezes a couple of times a day, sorted with a restart, and getting very slow.

Plus needs almost constant charging.

Cost me £400 with a free Chromebook thrown in.

I dread changing as these days we are reliant on so many apps and the thought of remembering passwords, user names etc but needs must.

As I'm not interested in all singing and dancing latest tech, this Pixel is good enough to be honest, so have been looking at Pixel 6 sellers on line.

Around £220 mark. Seems pretty good if they are indeed new but would be nice if anyone can recommend a place that they have bought from, cheers.

John87

648 posts

163 months

Wednesday 21st August
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I'd be going for something newer tbh and stretching the budget to suit. The pixel 6 will have no more feature updates after October and no security updates in 2 years time. When these stop, you will find apps will begin to stop working, particularly those which need security such as banking ones.

The Pixel 8 as an alternative will receive updates until 2030 which seems more usable for someone who likes to keep phones longer term.

https://support.google.com/nexus/answer/4457705?hl...

mabosh

309 posts

191 months

Wednesday 21st August
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My wife had a 6a and the duff fingerprint sensor drove her mad. At various times it would work for a few hours, sometimes a few days and once for about six weeks.

It would then suddenly just stop recognising her fingerprint. Re-registering the prints often would take multiple attempts. I have a friend with one and I've never seen him successfully unlock it with his fingerprint. It's a well known issue.

I'd suggest finding the extra for a 7a, it has face unlock and will get longer support for os updates etc. The face unlock isn't suitable for id verification in apps etc, you need an 8a or above for that.

Anyway, traded in her 6a last year and she's got an 8 now, I have an 8 Pro. We are both very happy with them. No issues nearly a year in.

Mammasaid

4,180 posts

102 months

Wednesday 21st August
quotequote all
As above, or at the very least a refurbed 7a.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Google-5G-128GB-24-Hour-B...

croyde

Original Poster:

23,651 posts

235 months

Wednesday 21st August
quotequote all
mabosh said:
My wife had a 6a and the duff fingerprint sensor drove her mad. At various times it would work for a few hours, sometimes a few days and once for about six weeks.

It would then suddenly just stop recognising her fingerprint. Re-registering the prints often would take multiple attempts. I have a friend with one and I've never seen him successfully unlock it with his fingerprint. It's a well known issue.

I'd suggest finding the extra for a 7a, it has face unlock and will get longer support for os updates etc. The face unlock isn't suitable for id verification in apps etc, you need an 8a or above for that.

Anyway, traded in her 6a last year and she's got an 8 now, I have an 8 Pro. We are both very happy with them. No issues nearly a year in.
Shame about the fingerprint sensor, my 3a has been fine.

Good point about the updates though, I didn't think about that, although mine has stopped getting updates a while back so I wonder if that's why it's become so slow.

Some apps whilst just suddenly hang when opening and I have to do a restart.

bigandclever

13,919 posts

243 months

Wednesday 21st August
quotequote all
Plenty of 7a's on backmarket around your price point. Get an extra £1 back by trading in the 3a smile

mikef

5,141 posts

256 months

Wednesday 21st August
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I just got a new Pixel 7 off eBay for not much more than that. Will receive Android updates for a year longer than the 6 (and the 8 for much longer still, but not as cheap)

Terminator X

15,904 posts

209 months

Wednesday 21st August
quotequote all
John87 said:
I'd be going for something newer tbh and stretching the budget to suit. The pixel 6 will have no more feature updates after October and no security updates in 2 years time. When these stop, you will find apps will begin to stop working, particularly those which need security such as banking ones.

The Pixel 8 as an alternative will receive updates until 2030 which seems more usable for someone who likes to keep phones longer term.

https://support.google.com/nexus/answer/4457705?hl...
Interesting as I didn't know that!

TX.

the-norseman

13,177 posts

176 months

Wednesday 21st August
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As said above the 6 isn't guaranteed any OS updates after October. I'd be looking at least at the Pixel 7 or 7a now!

I actually have a 6, I will keep it until Android 16 comes out next year and probably get a 8 or 9 then.

stevoknevo

1,692 posts

195 months

Thursday 22nd August
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croyde said:
Shame about the fingerprint sensor, my 3a has been fine.

Good point about the updates though, I didn't think about that, although mine has stopped getting updates a while back so I wonder if that's why it's become so slow.

Some apps whilst just suddenly hang when opening and I have to do a restart.
The 6a has an under-display fingerprint sensors (as do all Pixels from the 6 on) and they're not as good as the old rear mounted ones.

There's a brand new unopened 8a with full warranty on AVForums for £280, and it's customary to make an offer on there.

dontlookdown

1,912 posts

98 months

Thursday 22nd August
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I have had a 6a for ca 2 yrs. I paid £300 plus a free pair of pixel buds, and for that money it's been good value.

I like the small size and it is fast. Battery life only adequate, fingerprint scanner not the best.

If I were buying now, would prob get an 8a, if only for the updates and support as mentioned.