Google Pixel 3a XL: what 7 Hacker News owners think

NeutralOwned 2 years

The security upgrades situation on Google is intolerable. I finally have a phone (3axl) that didn't die in a couple years from accidents / abuse / going to the gym in my pocket, and Google is eol-ing it because they've cut off security upgrades. My next phone will be an iphone.

Doesn’t like it

> modern, rootable ARM64 phone which one would people suggest? I got two already, both locked. Google Pixel 3a XL 64GB. Cannot root it, Sinlock. Not possible to install postmarktOS. Xiaomi Redmi Note 8T 64GB. Same thing, some lock, need a SIM card, some proprietary BS.. not possible to root easily.. I really wanted to build a cluster of mobiles, but its hard to find cheap and good mobiles for such experiment... and if i have to pay 500 buckets, i can do better with some Mini PC... My goal is to reproduce the following experiment https://research.google/blog/a-low-carbon-computing-platform...

Neutral

I run LineageOS on both a Pixel 3a XL and a OnePlus 5. Yes, these both run Snapdragons. The option to install the subsystem is present on both, but I have not attempted it. I have loaded it onto a Pixel 6a running Graphene.

Likes it

I've loaded Cyanogenmod on the HTC Incredible 1 & 2, and the BN Nook color. I've loaded Lineage on the Nexus 6, Oneplus 3a & 5 & Nord N200, the original Pixel, and the Pixel 3a XL. Pixels are the most forgiving, and the hardest to brick. They are also the best for VoLTE. I also have an N100, which is not supported by Lineage.

Likes it

I run Lineage on a Pixel 3a xl (no google), and a OnePlus 5 (mind the gapps). I have found both to be completely stable. My first Cyanogen phone was an HTC Incredible, and I don't remember any stability problems.

Likes it

> . I'm in a low signal area and it seems to be unable to receive calls sometimes. I've had people tell me they called and my phone just didn't ring (it's not do not disturb). My 5G/LTE performance definitely seems much worst than the Pixel 3a XL I had previously.

Neutral

Pixel 3a XL running Lineage 19-20220917, Android 12. /proc/version says 4.9.327. Assuming not impacted, hopefully the November patch will address any remnants.

Likes it

still enjoying my pixel 3a xl. no stupid punch hole or notch. apple and Google designers must be blind or stupid, can't decide which.

Likes it

love my pixel 3a xl. big screen, cheap, no stupid notch/hole punch, and runs great. I never understood what people have trouble with on Android. all my banking, chatting, food, and travel apps work fine. also, has a headphone jack and uses usb-c! my biggest complaint with smartphones these days is front facing camera makes no sense. put mini screen on back with back camera for selfies. if people want face unlock, a low quality, underscreen front facing camera should be suffient but to me, finger unlock on back is superior experience.

Doesn’t like it

Why not hold off the announcement until actual launch day? Big bang, lots of publicity, lots of sales. I've got a Pixel 3a XL with a cracked screen. I'm coping with it cracked, but if I'd seen this announcement and was able to order, I probably would have ordered right now. As it is I just see "coming soon", and will probably forget about it by the time it's actually live.

Doesn’t like it

My 3a XL has been completely and totally bug-ridden since upgrading to Android 12. I have used Android for the last 12+ years across inumerable phones, and this is the worst Android experience I have ever had. - Sometimes I'll unlock my phone and the stupid new fade in effect gets stuck half way and my phone screen will just be dark until I sleep/unsleep. - Sometimes the buttons in my top menu decided to just not render, like yesterday when I was under my car trying to activate the flashlight. Requires a full restart. - The Google Assistant crashes every single time I try to use it, and I'm a big fan/user of Google Assistant. I just can't use Google Assistant. She goes to reply and it just dies mid reply. Every. Single. Time. - So much more little crap. My phone has become completely unreliable. When I got the OTA upgrade 6-ish months ago I was certain "oh, Google will fix these problems in no time." My phone is very quickly reaching EOL and I suspect Google is not going to fix any of this. I am, for the first time, contemplating switching to iOS.

Doesn’t like it

My Pixel 3aXL called 911 on me last week out of nowhere while I was browsing the web. I have no explanation, it just started doing weird, random, frustrating p things after I upgraded to Android 12. I hung up immediately, but they called back. I apologized profusely and explained my phone had done it, the guy sounded skeptical but let me go. Sigh.

Google Pixel 3a XL

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