I just did a crazy

[susandennis]

I have a Pixel 4 phone (which has now been retrieved from the car). It's not even a year old yet. But I just bought its replacement. A Pixel 4a. Yes, the cheaper version of the one I already have. When it gets here, week after next, I'll sell the one I have to cover the cost.

The cheaper one is plastic so not as heavy. Yeah! It has a fingerprint reader. The new 'improved' version has a face reader which worked OK until March and now is pretty useless when you are standing in a store trying to pay and your phone won't unlock because you have on a freakin' mask. I need a fingerprint reader. The cheaper phone also has a headphone jack. I don't miss the headphone jack as much as I thought I might but it would be nice to have it back. And the cheaper phone has twice the storage.

The camera is not as good. But, plenty good enough for my purposes. The cheaper phone does not have wireless charging. I can live with that. Plus, if I can't, there are work arounds.

I have, for the past few years, bought a new phone every year - whatever Google announced in October was what I bought. But I think it's time for that to end. None of the rumors about the Pixel 5 impress me enough to even wait for the announcement.

So... it's crazy but I'm at peace with my decision.

Comments

[carriea31.livejournal.com]

Pixel. I've never heard of this. Googling now. My phone recently fell off the couch (perhaps with the help of a tiny human girl) and the screen cracked. So, I'm in the market!

[likelydisaster.livejournal.com]

I have a Pixel 3a and it's seriously the best phone I've ever owned!

[bill-schubert.livejournal.com]

Hah, I still have three payments ($115) on my Pixel 3!! So tempting to pay it off but it is zero interest so no reason and no reason to replace it at all.

I still like wireless charging and, yeah, the days of the face recognition password were short and gone. Welcome back, fingerprint.

[susandennis]

Yeah, you are in good shape. 4a has no Big MF version and you already have the fingerprint reader.

[richaarde.livejournal.com]

I’ve only gotten a new phone when my old phone either stopped working or was no longer supported. I’m an Apple guy, so I went from the 4S to the 6S (4 years) to the XS (3 years).

[likelydisaster.livejournal.com]

Ugh, I am so tempted by the 4a. I have the 3a now, but I dropped it a few months ago and the screen is cracked. I don't NEED a new phone, especially because my first 3a fell into a puddle and was ruined, so I've already paid full price for a phone, buuuuut....

[amw.livejournal.com]

I'll be keen to hear your review. I wanted to get one of these before leaving China, but they hadn't been released (or even officially announced) yet so i went with the 3a.

The 3a is a fine phone - not too big, which is the number one factor for me - but i am still trying to figure out how to make its camera take clear photos.

[msconduct.livejournal.com]

Yay for plastic! I always buy a Samsung Galaxy, and when I started with the S2 it was lovely light plastic. Now thanks to people moaning about how plastic looks cheap I have a paperweight. So annoying.

[interes2012.livejournal.com]

Do not worry. You will soon have a chip inserted and you will be programmed.
(https://ic.pics.livejournal.com/interes2012/25717847/1157121/1157121_original.jpg)