Google launches another smartphone you can't buy in SA

Smiggles said:
Won't be certified for 5g or even have proper app support.
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While in South Africa for a two week holiday, I used: https://github.com/kyujin-cho/pixel-volte-patch/blob/main/README.en.md to got 5G support while I was there. Note though that it's carrier dependent, and if Google patches stuff, might not work. This was on Telkom.
justplain said:
As for 5G, ok, cool....though, how many people need that? 4G/LTE is typically fast enough for the kind of user this phone would attract.
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Still nicer to have, mostly due to the latency difference, and you'll generally have a better experience if the tower is crowded.
I don't use 5G here though, don't see the point as it costs an extra R40pm.

I would heavily consider going the Samsung equivalent in South Africa instead due to warranty and stuff. Pixel just does slightly better photos, OS more bare bones than Samsung, but lots of Samsung's features are nice to have as well (examples include Pixel lacks double tap an empty spot to lock screen, you have to use TapLock, and Samsung can direct audio out per app), you just have to deal with duplicate apps. Over time OneUI has gotten a lot better.

I'll still stick to Pixel here for now as I have Pixel buds and stuff, but very curious how the market will be next year as we should maybe finally get under screen infrared cameras for facial unlock. And yeah, face unlock on Pixel if not budget range is another reason I'd pick it.

9to5google.com

Google Pixel 'Project Toscana' reportedly upgrades face unlock hardware, compares to iPhone Face ID

Biometrics are a core part of any smartphone nowadays, and Google Pixel is one of the few brands that balances...
9to5google.com 9to5google.com
 
Is anyone having a seamless, positive experience owning and using a Google Pixel in SA?

Is it true that the Pixel Drop feature updates don’t make it to SA?
 
My experience was very enjoyable and pretty seamless, apart from the 5G/VOLTE issue, which didn't actually affect daily operations at all. I certainly got all the Pixel Drops updates, but not all the features came through, either because it was an older Pixel or because some features (like call screening) aren't available in unsupported markets. I'd go back to a Pixel for sure.
 
veethree said:
My experience was very enjoyable and pretty seamless, apart from the 5G/VOLTE issue, which didn't actually affect daily operations at all. I certainly got all the Pixel Drops updates, but not all the features came through, either because it was an older Pixel or because some features (like call screening) aren't available in unsupported markets. I'd go back to a Pixel for sure.
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Thank you.

If I may ask, what are you using now and what made you switch?
 
MuKa said:
Thank you.

If I may ask, what are you using now and what made you switch?
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I'm using a Poco X7 Pro now. I switched because the battery life started to die on the Pixel and budget constraints meant I couldn't get the Pixel I wanted. I'm happy with the speed, screen and battery life on the Poco but I seriously miss the software and camera on the Pixel.
 
veethree said:
I'm using a Poco X7 Pro now. I switched because the battery life started to die on the Pixel and budget constraints meant I couldn't get the Pixel I wanted. I'm happy with the speed, screen and battery life on the Poco but I seriously miss the software and camera on the Pixel.
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That’s an awesome and fairly unique choice. Nice.
 
MuKa said:
Is anyone having a seamless, positive experience owning and using a Google Pixel in SA?

Is it true that the Pixel Drop feature updates don’t make it to SA?
Click to expand...
I have a pixel 6a (bought in 2022) from the UK. Works perfectly here except that battery is now not that good. I'm not sure what the Pixel Drop feature is so can't comment on that.
 
MuKa said:
Is anyone having a seamless, positive experience owning and using a Google Pixel in SA?

Is it true that the Pixel Drop feature updates don’t make it to SA?
Click to expand...
P7 Pro, been solid.
Some newer features may not be available in ZA. (mainly AI stuff). Else you generally get all the other updates.
If there is a specific feature then ask here and those of us with Pixel devices can let you know.
 
veethree said:
My experience was very enjoyable and pretty seamless, apart from the 5G/VOLTE issue, which didn't actually affect daily operations at all. I certainly got all the Pixel Drops updates, but not all the features came through, either because it was an older Pixel or because some features (like call screening) aren't available in unsupported markets. I'd go back to a Pixel for sure.
Click to expand...
exactly this.
The lack of 5G is not a problem at all.
 
I've been happy with 2 Pixels so far in SA, but not sure if I want to continue, because the now-mandatory "Battery Health Assistance" (i.e. throttling) starts at 200 charge cycles. I experienced this pre-emptive move on my current phone, before I replaced the battery, and it's not cool at all. I don't want to spend money on a new Pixel and face this in less than a year of use, just because Google refuses to make it optional.

Anyone else had experience with "Battery Health Assistance"?
 
YM_80 said:
I've been happy with 2 Pixels so far in SA, but not sure if I want to continue, because the now-mandatory "Battery Health Assistance" (i.e. throttling) starts at 200 charge cycles. I experienced this pre-emptive move on my current phone, before I replaced the battery, and it's not cool at all. I don't want to spend money on a new Pixel and face this in less than a year of use, just because Google refuses to make it optional.

Anyone else had experience with "Battery Health Assistance"?
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I just checked my Pixel 8a, I did not know about this feature, I have the option to turn it off.
 
veethree said:
I have heard that making calls on a Pixel will be a problem in SA if they turn off the 2G and 3G networks, as the phones use this as a fallback if they're not certified for 5G and can't do VOLTE. I had a Pixel 7, which I loved, but it didn't do VOLTE. Can anyone shed light on this?
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2G is already disabled by default on my PP7.
LTE is based on 4G.
Shouldnt be an issue for pixel phones any more than any other phone.
Guess I'l find out when Vodacom discontinue 3G....no fixed date announced for that yet.
 
My pixel 8 with GrapheneOS is doing pretty well, though unfortunately our house / area has pretty poor reception, so I often see there's 0 bars, then it jumps back to 1-2. Not just a me problem though as other folks in the area also complain.

In town, no problem.
These days most people do whatsapp calls which circumvents the problem. Specs on a phone doesn't really matter to me in comparison to security / privacy, so there's no alternative at the moment to the Pixel.

It does what it needs to well enough overall.
 
Thanks everyone for your contributions to my questions.

From the video reviews I’ve watched on YouTube, it seems that experiences with the Pixel are inconsistent. Some have good to great experiences, others have had issues - either with heating or battery life or Google Maps not working (!), etc.

Not sure what to make of it.
 
justplain said:
P7 Pro, been solid.
Some newer features may not be available in ZA. (mainly AI stuff). Else you generally get all the other updates.
If there is a specific feature then ask here and those of us with Pixel devices can let you know.
Click to expand...
Hi @justplain any issues making virtual card payments? I'm with FNB and currently use the Apple Wallet app. Does Google Wallet work in the same way?
 
I need some more advice.

I pulled the trigger on a Pixel 10 (eSIM only). Now I just need to transfer everything over from iPhone (physical SIM).

Anyone here who did the switch who has any advice for me?

I asked ChatGPT too…
 
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