Hello all,
My Galaxy S8 is starting to feel its age. After now close to 7 years of service, it’s starting to show its limits. The usual problems: Battery getting weaker and weaker, generally slow (My once/month visit of instagram for example is… a stutter) and, mot simportantly, no more security update.
I’m tempted to switch it to GrapheneOS and continue but I’m really afraid some “official” apps won’t work anymore (mostly banking apps).
In October last year I started my quest for a new Android phone with the S8 form factor, or as close as possible for pocket-fit.
Contenders were:
- Fairphone 5, which philosophy was extremely tempting, especially the “fair” aspect and the self-repairing capabilities. However, its form factor and what I heard about extremely slow patch/updates were the last nail in its coffin-size (161.6* 75.83*9.6 mm).
- Cosmic Dolphin (Link) was also extremely tempting (secure OS, mechanical switch for GPS/Camera/Mice…) but a new company means possible bancrupcy and no more security update, plus the form factor (159.773.37.8 mm) meant it was also a no.
- Xperias 5V and other in the lineup seemed interesting, especially the SD card slot. But no info regarding software updates and way to expensive.
So I’m left with two possible phones: Galaxy S23 Positives:
- 146.370.97.6 mm
- Updates for at least 3 years
- 128 / 256 Gb Storage
- Cheaper now that the S24 should arrive soon. Negatives:
- Proc is a big less efficient (meaning less time for the same battery size)…
Pixel 8
Positives:
- 150.570.88.9 mm
- 7 year of updates
- 128 / 256 Gb Storage
- I heard their Proc were more efficient than S23’s
- Compatible with GrapheneOS (if test on my old S8 shows the important app I have still work there).
Negatives:
- Google… Data leach amon leeches.
- This insuferable camera bar on the back… Not really handy and will probably ruin a lot of pant’s pocket.
I’m split between these two. Would you have any advices regarding one or the other? Points I haven’t mentionned here?
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My pixel 5 is officially unsupported. I believe graphene is still shipping some stuff for us for a while but I’m planning on upgrading to the pixel 8A when it comes out. I want to get the full 7 years of updates. I also hear it will have 90fps refresh so that’s a game changer for a budget phone, even beating the expensive iphones.
A vast majority of banking apps work on GrapheneOS and there is a website that shows all the compatible banking apps. The only things that won’t really work are NFC payments. They even added Android Auto support recently which no other custom OS has to my knowledge
Are you going to link the website?
Ah, good to know I’ll check for my specific banking app. Thanks!
FYI, the Pixel 8’s processor is certainly less efficient than the S23’s. If it is reportedly getting better battery life, that’s likely software related.
Ah I might have confused the two phones. I had read it on a comment on this community a while back.
Is there an unofficial Graphene OS ROM for S23? Because if there isn’t and you want to try it, the Pixel remains your only choice. Have you had a look at Zenfone (8/9/10)? When my S9 comes to its EOL, one of those will most likely be my choice. (I won’t lie, I prefer to have the 3.5mm jack on my phone!)
I don’t know much about GrapheneOS, but if there is a S23 compatible version, I think I’ll tend toward this phone.
I’m eyeing up a Zenfone when my 6T dies - nice compact flagship spec with minimal “extras” added to the OS
From what I’ve noted down, the main problem I had with the zenfone was a short update coverage (up to 2025 for the Zenfone 10 I think?)
You should seriously consider a flip phone if pocket size is your main concern. They’ve become really good by now.
Have you considered replacing the battery? I have a oneplus 3, haven’t had security updates in a very long time, but no issues so far. Battery has become shit now after 7 years, but still works OK.
The S23 has the best battery life I’ve ever had in a phone, with two actual full days of medium usage or one entire day of really demanding usage.
The Exynos S10 was the worst I’ve ever had, lasting a whopping two hours of usage. The Snapdragon 888 (tested on a Realme GT 5G) was also a portable stove, lasting around 3.5 hours of usage and heating up like a furnace.
The S23 doesn’t heat up with normal apps, only with gaming.
The S23 is what the S22 should’ve been. The Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 is a beast!
