Google Pixel 5a

I got one in September 2023. Bought it second-hand refurbished from [[Backmarket]].

Deets

Release date : [[2021]]

Purchasing decision

Mostly researched on [[sustaphones]] and some review sites.

I got it because:

• Excellent support for custom ROMs (https://www.sustaphones.com/#barbet).
• 6/10 repairability from iFixit (https://www.ifixit.com/Device/Google_Pixel_5a).
• Battery replacement is ‘moderate’ difficulty. Meh. At least it’s not ‘hard’ (https://www.ifixit.com/Guide/Google+Pixel+5a+Battery+Replacement/148930).
• Screen replacement is ‘moderate’ difficulty too. Meh. Often the case. (https://www.ifixit.com/Guide/Google+Pixel+5a+Screen+Replacement/148892)
• Spare parts provided by [[iFixit]] (https://www.ifixit.com/Parts/Google_Phone)
• It has a headphone jack.
• Reasonable-ish price: £170. I’ve always tried to go sub-£100 before

Initial thoughts

• I don’t like the form factor. Stupidly long and thin, hard to use with one-hand (unless you turn on the stupid one-hand mode).
• Nice screen.
• Sooooooooooo. Muuuuuuuuuuch. Fasssssster than my old phone.
• Battery life is fantastic so far, compared to previous phone.
• Camera: a lot better.

Alternatives

I would have like a Teracube 2e or a Fairphone, but both a bit pricey, and seems hard to find them second-hand.