If the 9a is anything like the 8a - utterly pointless.
Pricing was all wrong, features were all wrong... You were better still buying the Pixel 8 over the 8a...
Google Pixel 9 Series (9/9a/9 Pro/9 Pro XL/9 Pro Fold & Pixel Watch 3)
- Thread starter BMox81
- Start date
Pricing was all wrong, features were all wrong... You were better still buying the Pixel 8 over the 8a...
that wasn't my experience I actually chose the 8a over everything else and it's been amazing.
I will be a day one purchaser of the 9a.
The Google Pixel phones are infamous for being picky about what wireless charger is used, and my custom one in the car doesn't play ball if the phone moves even slightly, so I figured I'd explore replacing the charging coil only with something more powerful.
Found this on Amazon with no actual reviews other than one guy who doesn't know what he's talking about:
Neat thing about it is that the charging controller is in the in-line wedge bit you can see next to it away from the coils, so less heat is generated at the coils so the phone heats up less which is exactly what I found compared to the other desktop charger pad I have where everything is sandwiched together in one area.
My 9 Pro XL has space in that bed to move around, so perfect for testing my theory and seeing if the claimed power of these coils lives up to the task. Happy to report it does, fast wireless charging no matter how many times I poke or move the phone when it's on there:
I can now DIY it into my existing centre console mod:
Found this on Amazon with no actual reviews other than one guy who doesn't know what he's talking about:
Neat thing about it is that the charging controller is in the in-line wedge bit you can see next to it away from the coils, so less heat is generated at the coils so the phone heats up less which is exactly what I found compared to the other desktop charger pad I have where everything is sandwiched together in one area.
My 9 Pro XL has space in that bed to move around, so perfect for testing my theory and seeing if the claimed power of these coils lives up to the task. Happy to report it does, fast wireless charging no matter how many times I poke or move the phone when it's on there:
I can now DIY it into my existing centre console mod:
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Associate
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Is anybody using a magnetic wireless charging stand they can recommend?
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My Partner got a £280 trade against the 8a was a bargain.
The 8a only cost £210.
The pixel 8 was still £700.
The Pixel 8a is a fantastic phone for £210
Why will you be a day 1 purchaser if the 8a was so amazing for you?
Just curious as why you would want to upgrade a year after getting a phone if the 8a suits all your needs? Wouldn't it have been better value to pay a little more to get something that lasts you longer?
@jrwagh333 I use esims, I use both of the main security authenticators for personal and work use.
I need a second phone to act as a standby backup if the first gets lost or damaged, people can arrest to the pain caused when switching phones when they are side by side never mind a theft or loss.
As for the 9 series, I am one of the few people that actually 'needs' a fold for travel (tablet doesn't really work for people like me who have to sit in the emergency exits frequently).
But it's too bulky and brittle for everyday use, and its not worth the price Google charge for it. I have to wait a bit longer for a deep price cut.
That leaves the remainder of the 9 series. The only real upgrade over a 8a is the XL Pro.
The problem is that in general use the Pixel 9 XL Pro isn't any better than a 8a, yes the screen isn't borderless but, apart from the lack of a true S24 ultra grade anti glare, the screen size and quality of the 8a screen is perfect.
I can stare at the 8a screen for four hours and not yet a hint of eye fatigue and I have big sensitivity to strobing and other nasties that even the mighty iPad Pro can cause.
The CPU on the 8a is very fast and cool in general use, I've never wanted for more grunt.
The XL Pro is also noticeably heavier and, critically for me, the back of the phone can shatter when dropped.
That's right, the one feature where the 8a beats every single premium Google 9 series phone, it's because it's lighter and it's lighter due to it's cheaper materials which are more durable.
lightness, rubber case and a non-glass back, two features that the 9a can be loud and proud about without sounding non-premium.
I need a second phone to act as a standby backup if the first gets lost or damaged, people can arrest to the pain caused when switching phones when they are side by side never mind a theft or loss.
As for the 9 series, I am one of the few people that actually 'needs' a fold for travel (tablet doesn't really work for people like me who have to sit in the emergency exits frequently).
But it's too bulky and brittle for everyday use, and its not worth the price Google charge for it. I have to wait a bit longer for a deep price cut.
That leaves the remainder of the 9 series. The only real upgrade over a 8a is the XL Pro.
The problem is that in general use the Pixel 9 XL Pro isn't any better than a 8a, yes the screen isn't borderless but, apart from the lack of a true S24 ultra grade anti glare, the screen size and quality of the 8a screen is perfect.
I can stare at the 8a screen for four hours and not yet a hint of eye fatigue and I have big sensitivity to strobing and other nasties that even the mighty iPad Pro can cause.
The CPU on the 8a is very fast and cool in general use, I've never wanted for more grunt.
The XL Pro is also noticeably heavier and, critically for me, the back of the phone can shatter when dropped.
That's right, the one feature where the 8a beats every single premium Google 9 series phone, it's because it's lighter and it's lighter due to it's cheaper materials which are more durable.
lightness, rubber case and a non-glass back, two features that the 9a can be loud and proud about without sounding non-premium.
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Previous page of this thread asked about the GPS as well with a couple of replies, but generally yes, it does seem worse than previous generations. I do use my Fold for driving but not with Android Auto, and it seems mostly fine. Apparently AA should use the GPS on the car?
Thanks, I'm actually not sure how it works. I've tried with both the cars internal AA and the wireless box I have and the same result.
Additionally the Fold will not communicate dual communicate with my both my car and AA wireless head unit which my S23 Ultra is fine with, it connects and disconnects, then connects then disconnects etc etc.... It will also not connect to my cars in-built wireless AA capability which again the S23 is fine with.
I use a seperate AA unit because the Sensus system in my Volvo only covers half the portrait screen and I've recently had 2x Samsungs and 1x Honor and they all worked flawlessly, not sure what Google is doing with their Bluetooth config but it seems like its miles behind the competition.
Additionally the Fold will not communicate dual communicate with my both my car and AA wireless head unit which my S23 Ultra is fine with, it connects and disconnects, then connects then disconnects etc etc.... It will also not connect to my cars in-built wireless AA capability which again the S23 is fine with.
I use a seperate AA unit because the Sensus system in my Volvo only covers half the portrait screen and I've recently had 2x Samsungs and 1x Honor and they all worked flawlessly, not sure what Google is doing with their Bluetooth config but it seems like its miles behind the competition.
Still there under export for me, either gif/video/still photo.
Soldato
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So I've had the Pixel Pro 9 for 2 weeks now and I think I'm a little smitten, pictures are sharp and crisp. Coiming from an Apple echo system I thought it would be a total pain but thd transition was seamless.
So anyone doubting trade in deals from Carphonewharehouse - don't! Thus was on I.D mobile
My pixel deal was as follows and would have been identical for tge 9pro and 9 Pro XL
PRO 9 128GB @ £26.99 a month for 2 years £19.99 single up front payment. = £667.75
£100 curry's voucher
Free YouTube prem 3 months
Free Gemeni Advance for a year , that's normally £19 a month- had so much fun with mine
Free fitbit premium 6 months
Enhanced £200 trade in .
Now my near 4 year old I phone 13 Pro Max 128Gb has had some use but was in an ok condition , they said on line it was worth £270 as a trade in plus my £200 enhanced trade in offer made £470 ! Yea I'll belive it when I see it!
OK here we go see it , I'm gob smacked 0
little traverse bay humane society
So anyone doubting trade in deals from Carphonewharehouse - don't! Thus was on I.D mobile
My pixel deal was as follows and would have been identical for tge 9pro and 9 Pro XL
PRO 9 128GB @ £26.99 a month for 2 years £19.99 single up front payment. = £667.75
£100 curry's voucher
Free YouTube prem 3 months
Free Gemeni Advance for a year , that's normally £19 a month- had so much fun with mine
Free fitbit premium 6 months
Enhanced £200 trade in .
Now my near 4 year old I phone 13 Pro Max 128Gb has had some use but was in an ok condition , they said on line it was worth £270 as a trade in plus my £200 enhanced trade in offer made £470 ! Yea I'll belive it when I see it!
OK here we go see it , I'm gob smacked 0
little traverse bay humane society
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Associate
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As I don't really use the GPS/compass (and it's wonky anyway, lol), I ordered a Pitaka aramid case with magsafe and a phone grip from their US site to replace the Spigen Liquid Air I was using on the P9PXL. It arrived yesterday. There's not a ton of protection and when using a glass screen protector it will touch the desk if placed face down, but I rarely drop my phones and the case is nice and slim and the phone fits my hand a lot better. It's kinda surprising what a difference a couple of mm makes.
Also grabbed one of the car charging pads shown above to put next to my bed. The the pad works well even with the Pitaka case on, (thanks @mrk). I only have an old samsung phone charger which according to Accubattery is feeding somewhere around 8-10W which is more than enough for an overnight charge to 80%.
Also grabbed one of the car charging pads shown above to put next to my bed. The the pad works well even with the Pitaka case on, (thanks @mrk). I only have an old samsung phone charger which according to Accubattery is feeding somewhere around 8-10W which is more than enough for an overnight charge to 80%.
On the Fold there's an option (App info -> Advanced -> Aspect Ratio), offers App default, Full-screen, 3:2 and Half-screen, but it only affects the larger inner screen. That said I haven't seen any games with black bars for the outer normal screen.
Strange. Not there for me :/
That's good to hear. I'm expecting a 9 Pro XL today after having iphone for more years than I care to remember. Anything in particular to be aware of?
Soldato
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I have been using the 9 Pro with waze. And the GPS seems fine.