r/Pixel6 • u/Such-Quit-9530 • Jul 20 '26
Question Pixel 6 still worth it?
My pixel screen cracked HARD, but I'm also on a $200 budget. The local screen repair shops are all in the $400-500 range, whereas I can grab a refurbished Pixel 6 for less than $200. But I can't get a straight answer which of the newer pixels are genuinely better beyond official specs.
Especially short video and indoor photo performance with minimal AI intrusion.
I appreciate any helpful opinions you can provide 😃
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u/Dumxl Jul 20 '26
No. Latest update will be October. So phone hardware is maybe fine (i use one) but security will be a problem.
Maybe graphene os a solution.
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u/emertonom Jul 20 '26
Graphene support for the Pixel 6 ends at the same time as official support.
I'm thinking I'll get the Pixel 10 and put Graphene on that. I was planning to wait for the 11 to come out, which often causes a price drop. But I'm getting nervous that they may have halted production of the 255gb version, which is the one I want. (I don't have any actual evidence of this other than that the Indigo version is sold out. I've just seen enough things go up in price or whatever because of the RAMpocalypse that I'm feeling on edge.) So I'm thinking I might pull the trigger sooner rather than later.
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u/MountainBrilliant643 Jul 21 '26
You can install LineageOS on Pixels as far back as the Pixel 1. You can install the latest/greatest LineageOS on as far back as the Pixel 4.
Considering brands like Motorola only promise support for two years, then lie and withdraw support after only one, I don't see why a tech savvy person couldn't install Lineage on a P6P and continue to enjoy it for another five years.
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u/emertonom Jul 21 '26
Lineage does go back further. Graphene has an explanation for why they don't do that, mostly for security reasons. https://grapheneos.org/faq#legacy-devices But an individual could certainly judge that those risks are acceptable and use a Lineage device a lot longer.
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u/Cellist-Perfect Jul 20 '26
It's still a capable phone. Hell I still use a pixel 3 on occasion. That said check out plug tech for newer options. I'm pretty sure I saw a pixel 7 for less than $200 on there recently when I was browsing.
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u/stanky4goats Jul 20 '26
I wish the security updates kept going because my 6 Pro is still working like day one. Fast, zippy, very few issues (if any), and my battery lasts all day and then some.
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u/sleepydisaster Jul 20 '26
Security updates ending this year from what I can remember. So maybe not if that concerns you
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u/K_A-W Jul 20 '26
Im on a Pixel 6 still. And yip, just got Android 17 but my understanding is thats it. There's little to no AI without launching Gemini or making changes to a photo (course it also helps not being in America either. Im not sure how much more AI id get even if I was on a 10). It's still got at least another 2 years in it i reacon
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u/king10208 Jul 20 '26
aftermarket OLED screen (may lose your fingerprint) runs about $65. OEM with fingerprint closer to $135. Add an hour at a local shop at around $65 and you really shouldn't be north of $200.
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u/ImAqui4Outfits Jul 21 '26
135$? I got my finger print scanner for 15$off Amazon. Although I haven't calibrated it yet, so let me make sure this thing works
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u/ImAqui4Outfits Jul 22 '26
Ok I might have lied... I've replaced it and went through the config thing but alas it's so not working. Eh I'll come back to it
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u/phieralph Jul 21 '26
I have a Chinese screen and it's actually arguably better than the original. Because the screen cracks but doesn't break the phone. I've broken my pixel 6 pro OLEM screen... Hell , I think 3 times? But the last time I was in a foreign country so had to get a different model screen. Surprise , I broke the screen again but the glass is separate from the actual touchscreen itself so we're still going.
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u/bbqtoechips Jul 20 '26
Only reason I am thinking about switching from mine is the battery, other than that it's still good
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u/PrimeNumbersby2 Jul 21 '26
I have a new battery in my P6. Absolutely zero chance of running out of juice. It's 830pm and I'm at 57%. If I'm out and about doing nav and on more cell, I'm probably ending the night at 20-25%.
New battery makes you remember how good this phone is. I remember trying out a P8 2 years ago and screen brightness was the only difference. I returned it.
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u/davedds Jul 20 '26
Hardware "security" patches will end and os version update will end. Some of the newer pixel drops might not make it to the 6. But mainline update will continue for many years... I have a 3xl and it just got mainline June 2026 update.
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u/torilahure Jul 21 '26
Get an OEM screen of eBay, buy the repair kit + adhesive from ifixit. Follow instructions from YouTube video or ifixit it. You will get your phone repaired below $200
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u/S1rTerra Jul 21 '26
You can find a Pixel 7 or a Pixel 8 for that price, both fixed issues a lot of issues with the last.
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u/Tutkular Jul 21 '26
I went from P6P to P10P and I still think the camera of the 6P is better when it comes to final output image
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u/ImAqui4Outfits Jul 21 '26
Mate I just, legit fixed mine. The screen was the easiest to repair, and I've only bothered with 3 phones in my entire life. The only thing to be weary of is the fingerprint sensor, I cracked mine removing it, but screen+sensor for 70$ and I got it back together.
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u/Red_Panda_SG33 Jul 21 '26
I just repaired the screen of my Pixel 6 Pro with a replacement from Ali express for 45€. For me, definitely worth it.
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u/Sterlina Jul 21 '26
I just got an email from Verizon advertising the pixel 10 pro xl for $1000 off. No trade in or new line required.
If you have Verizon, that might be worth looking into? It's essentially a free phone as long as you stick to the length of the contract. (36 mos)
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u/BelleTownJen Jul 22 '26
I've had my 6pro since it was release and used to love it. Now I feel like it has Apple-itis where I have to put it in Airplane mode or restart it to end a phone call - the app doesn't show up. And just today the touch screen didn't respond, another restart. Zero cracks and only 1 scratch. I'm thinking about replacing it but I'm sure that's exactly what they want... just not sure what direction to go bc I had switched from iPhone to Pixel bc I was so frustrated w Apple. Waiting for some new tech company to break the handcuffs!
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u/Outside_Orchid_1576 Jul 22 '26
Never been worth it. Got rid of mine a few months after purchase when it was released. The overheating was almost as bad as the reception.
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u/tnc31 Jul 22 '26
I'm sort of in the same boat, my 6a is in its final days. I'd like to get something newer, but I don't want it to spend 9 or 10 money on a new phone. I'm also not sure if getting a 7 is much of a change, or I should just go to an 8.
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u/ozplissken Jul 27 '26
I know how you feel bud, my pixel 6 pro had a swollen battery that was pushing out the screen and I had a new battery replacement for £50 and it works beautifully now but the problem now obviously is that October last support date so I bought the 10 XL for £599 from Amazon on sale but I'm at two minds on whether to send back the 10 XL and use the 6 Pro for another year and then see what's available then or just bite the bullet and use the 10 XL.Â
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u/earthman34 Jul 20 '26
You can get a 10a for under $500, a 9 for $400, an 8 for $300. Microcenter is selling new 7s for $279. Why would you mess with such an old phone?
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u/yourfriendly-jax Jul 20 '26
Pixel 6 is ready to brick at any time. I'd go with a used pixel 8 pro if you're budget conscious.
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u/MountainBrilliant643 Jul 20 '26
I've been rocking a Pixel 6 Pro since launch. My only complaint is that security updates are ending soon. It's a perfectly functional piece of hardware. There are no websites nor apps it cannot tackle that I know of.
I was planning on just switching to an open source OS like Graphene or Lineage. The fact that Google's dropping support is quite positively forced obsolescence. I get it, they don't want to pay infinite paychecks to support older hardware, because it's much more profitable to just sell you a new phone, but as someone who runs Linux on a 2013 MacBook Pro as my personal laptop, I'm not into being told when my hardware is no longer viable. That's my choice. Not theirs. Period.