Importing a Google Pixel to South Africa

Daniel Puchert

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I imported a Google Pixel smartphone to South Africa — and it's been awesome

I imported a Google Pixel 7 Pro to South Africa and have thoroughly enjoyed the smartphone over the first two weeks of ownership.

While Google makes the operating system that powers the vast majority of the world's smartphones, many South Africans might not be aware that the search giant is no newcomer to smartphone design.
 
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Did you load an e sim ? Can you use 2 sims at once ?

Does the lack of VoLTE or VoWiFi bother you ? [1]

[1]: https://mybroadband.co.za/news/smartphones/565324-smartphone-import-warning-in-south-africa.html
eSIM with Melon Mobile working. Can use second physical SIM at the same time but not sure if two eSIMs are supported.

Lack of VoLTE and VoWiFi not an issue for me as I mostly use WhatsApp calling. Have noticed some bad call quality due to lack of VoLTE, but not deal-breaking.
 
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eSIM with Melon Mobile working. Can use second physical SIM at the same time but not sure if two eSIMs are supported.

Lack of VoLTE and VoWiFi not an issue for me as I mostly use WhatsApp calling. Have noticed some bad call quality due to lack of VoLTE, but not deal-breaking.

You forgot the link to your article
 
Pixel 8 Pro user for since release and will pretty much stick to a Pixel phone now until maybe Huawei gets Google Play services.

Had a S21 Ultra before the upgrade and was never happy with the Samsung.
 
Well done, certainly one of the better articles I've read.

Now I want back on the Pixel train again.


Pixel 8 Pro user for since release and will pretty much stick to a Pixel phone now until maybe Huawei gets Google Play services.

Had a S21 Ultra before the upgrade and was never happy with the Samsung.
I have an S23 FE and I pretty much said this to one of my friends yesterday. I'm not happy with this phone, not since the day I bought it.
 
I bought the Pixel 8 (standard) for about the same price quite a while back. (Slightly less)

Wanted the 7 years of software updates and improved hardware security (memory tagging) that came with it.

"8th/9th generation Pixels also bring support for the incredibly powerful hardware memory tagging security feature as part of moving to new ARMv9 CPU cores. GrapheneOS uses hardware memory tagging by default to protect the base OS and known compatible user installed apps against exploitation, with the option to use it for all apps and opt-out on a case-by-case basis for the few incompatible with it."

The Pixel 9 doesn't have any hardware security benefits over the 8, so for those looking for the most secure phone at the best price you can probably find the 8 on a big discount in the near future.
 
I might consider moving back to a Google phone - I had a google nexus 5.

But that fact that you have to make some compromises just doesnt sit right with me, will look into a move in 2026. By then hopefully google will sell there devices in SA. If not, that these compromises no longer need to be made.
 
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YIp, had a P7P since release in 2022.
Updated to Android 15 shortly after it was released.
I get up to 130Mbps on LTE, so full VoLTE isnt a problem.
eSims work 100% too.
Mega phone for the money.
 
I imported the Pixel 2 XL and was really happy with it. Since moving to a Galaxy S23 Ultra, my wife has been using the Pixel phone and it is still working flawlessly.

However, I also imported the Nexus 6P before that, and it was a disaster after the battery debacle. I was left with a brick and although there was a class action suit in the USA, we are excluded from that. I even sourced a replacement battery for it, but that did not work either. So my advice is if you want to import a Pixel etc, maybe do that 6 months or so after their release in case any serious issues come to light.
 
Lol R10k for a phone that will stop getting Android updates next year. Just buy an iPhone SE 2022 or Samsung Galaxy A55 and you'll get 4 years of updates still.
Should still receive Android 16 and then security updates until Oct 2027.
Newer Android doesnt offer that many new features that are show stoppers, or you need a newer device to support them anyway.(pixel 8/9)
Still a good buy for the ZAR
 
Should still receive Android 16 and then security updates until Oct 2027.
Newer Android doesnt offer that many new features that are show stoppers, or you need a newer device to support them anyway.(pixel 8/9)
Still a good buy for the ZAR
BS there are always optimizations and under the hood stuff you'll miss out on.
 
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