As of last month, the Pixel 4a is no longer getting software updates, and will be missing out on Android 14.
It was a really great phone, mine still runs very well. It has a smooth, stock Android install, a headphone jack, and a perfectly positioned fingerprint scanner. My battery is still at 2/3 capacity compared to when I bought it 3 years ago.
Really wanted to try a custom ROM like Lineage, but it seems that Google Apps are a must for me. So, what should I replace my 4a with?
Currently leaning towards the Pixel 8 or 7a, especially with the rumor that Pixel 8 will have 7 years of software updates. Still, I will miss my headphone jack. But at least I’ll have quick software updates and call screening.
Edit: Pixel 4a did NOT receive the September 2023 security update, so it seems updates are definitely over.
Edit: I specifically need Google Pay since my university uses it instead of physical ID cards. Unfortunately, it has spotty support on custom ROMs, Id rather just get a new phone.
Won’t you have security updates for a while even OS updates have been stopped? If your current phone works fine, why not hold onto it a little longer?
Nope, missed out on the September 2023 security update, no phone older than the 4a 5G got it.
Are you sure? I have 4XL and the security update just came through today. Google released the security update late again, but they did release it. Or is the 4XL newer than the 4a5G?
None. Custom roms will save your ass.
Wish I could, but my college’s NFC id cards need Google Pay, which doesn’t run perfectly on custom ROMs, not to mention several other apps.
Never had a problem tbh.
I even got Google pay to work with the right patches
My Pixel 4A is fine and I will use it until it requires excessively annoying or expensive repairs. I’ve been using ACC to go limit battery charge, so I could get quite a while longer out of it.
Really wanted to try a custom ROM like Lineage, but it seems that Google Apps are a must for me
You can install them on LineageOS.
You can use custom ROMs with google apps, they just generally ship without any. It’s just an extra zip that you need to flash after the ROM.
If you can hold off until around May, I’d say go for a Pixel 8a. You’d benefit from the new 7 years of software updates (instead of 5 if you buy a 7a this year). Or maybe go for a Pixel 7a when it gets a sufficiently good discount, you could try your luck during Black Friday.
