Importing a Google Pixel to South Africa

Bernoldus Niemand said:
BS there are always optimizations and under the hood stuff you'll miss out on.
Click to expand...

The Pixel 7 Pro is slated to receive Android updates up until late 2025, and it could very well still be receiving Android 16, and then it will be supported up to two more years with security updates. Not bad given its age.

It is not a guarantee that there will be an annual Android update within that support window. The S23 FE might receive Android 18, but it is an unknown. The A55 will receive Android 18.

Honor devices are in a bad spot, and they do cater more to the Chinese market than the other markets come to support. They could push out extended updates in China, but not elsewhere. Now that Samsung have made a 'guarantee', some other vendors might also adopt such policies without losing share to the competition. I do expect brands like Honor to extend their commitments and there are signs in the beta programs. As long as the hardware support it, it shouldn't be a real issue.

The thing is, all these companies want to sell new devices. Giving older devices longer support would mean that they will change tactics, so I totally expect improved trade-in programs to re-sell older devices within their main channel.
 
Since some of you guys have a hard-on for updates get a TCL device, those supposedly have the “best” ie. worst updates of any kind.
 
I'm rocking a Pixel 7, VoLTE and VoWiFi working great using Shizuku and Pixel IMS, no root required.
 
Perfect phone to flash and install a safer option.

itsfoss.com

5 De-Googled Android-based Operating Systems

Concerned about your privacy or want to give another life to your smartphone? You could consider these Android distributions and custom ROMs.
itsfoss.com itsfoss.com

grapheneos.org

GrapheneOS features overview

Overview of GrapheneOS features differentiating it from the Android Open Source Project (AOSP).
grapheneos.org grapheneos.org
 
Just to make you gallah: Traded in my Pixel 7 Pro for the 9 Fold in black. It's now on 'droid 15 but I generally close down, disable and block most of the Googley spyware stuff. I just love the beeg 8" fold-out display.

Two criticisms so far:
- though amazingly thin, the device is still quite heavy.
- I can't use it on the magsafe mount in the car - the magnet causes the front display to flicker. A real irritation, but not yet enough to forego the pleasant display.

I use a US eSIM and also a Telkom SIM, without issue.
 
Solarion said:
Perfect phone to flash and install a safer option.

itsfoss.com

5 De-Googled Android-based Operating Systems

Concerned about your privacy or want to give another life to your smartphone? You could consider these Android distributions and custom ROMs.
itsfoss.com itsfoss.com

grapheneos.org

GrapheneOS features overview

Overview of GrapheneOS features differentiating it from the Android Open Source Project (AOSP).
grapheneos.org grapheneos.org
Click to expand...
Alternative ROMs are a great option but often come with their own problems. On my Xiaomi, I run XIAOMIUI.EU, which is awesome but when shooting 4k60 video, it drops a frame everyone there is significant change in lighting, and Google Pay often refuses to work and a patch has to be installed.
 
Hanno Labuschagne said:
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.
Click to expand...
Can enable volte/vowifi with this method (no rooting required): https://github.com/kyujin-cho/pixel-volte-patch/blob/main/README.en.md
Install the following apps and follow instructions in link:
Shizuku
Pixel IMS (no longer on playstore)
 
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