Pixel 3a: to Repair or Not Repair

Lelthaco on 17/12/2021 - 10:40
Last edited 17/12/2021 - 14:32

My Pixel 3a screen has cracked and died. A new screen will cost me $249 buckaroos.

Would you repair it? or Try to get a second hand phone?

Ideally I'm hoping to find a Pixel 4a or 5 for less than $500.

More background:
I'm also considering trying to jump in that Pixel6 JB offer for $399 upfront and $69 per month.
BUT I'm on circle of life plan for $38PM, so I'm not sure if the offer makes sense in the long run (the price difference is equal to ($372 per year, which would be the phone to $771.

I really like the clean UI of Pixel phones, so I'm a bit reluctant going to any other brand.

What would you do?

Edit
So I went to JB and was going to get the PXL6. But Then it seems that Telstra pulled a prank on me and has a "Do not sell" on my account. Probably because I ported out in April this year to go to circles.life.

It can take 48h for it revert… yay.

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Comments

  • djsweet on 17/12/2021 - 11:03
    +2

    New phone - well if it were me

  • WatchNerd on 17/12/2021 - 11:23
    +3

    Replacement screens on Aliexpress are around $50 to $80. The quality might not be as good as original but isn't that what the shops in Aus use anyway when you pay $249?

    This one is original used with burn shadow but has the most orders (516).

    Watch some instructional videos on youtube & do it yourself.

    • elthaco on 17/12/2021 - 11:42
      +1

      That is a good idea. If I repair and then see a good boxing day deal for a new phone I can sell the Pixel3.

      Otherwise it's going to landfill…

      • WatchNerd on 17/12/2021 - 12:33
        +1

        It's still worth something 2nd hand even with a broken screen.

      • Infoguard on 17/12/2021 - 14:18

        Plenty of places for the pixel to go to eRecycling
        fyi… my Pixel 2 is going ok with a weaker than usual battery, when WFH finishes for me I'll be going through the same decision making process that you are now.

      • aidenh37 on 18/12/2021 - 11:11

        Defs don't put phones in landfill - next time you're at the shops hand it in to a telco, Officeworks, JB Hi-Fi or there's the ewaste bin at your local tip.

        Or sell it to a refurbisher like Mazuma Mobile/some random on eBay. Always good to have devices to learn on.

  • Drakesy on 17/12/2021 - 12:29

    I wish we still had the days of $20 screen replacements for Iphone 6's.
    Got that shiz down to a 20 minute changeover.

    • elthaco on 17/12/2021 - 12:31

      Yeah I was really surprised to see that every where was charging about $250-$299 for a screen.

      • Drakesy on 17/12/2021 - 12:44

        These pesky oled screens are expenno

  • aidenh37 on 18/12/2021 - 11:09
    +1

    Yeah, for a Pixel 3a you're better off picking up something new.

    If you're happy with the performance and Android 11 (no more software updates), MobileCiti still has Pixel 2 XL available new. Otherwise there's Pixel 3 and 4, but battery life isn't great in these devices and you'll remember that the Pixel 4 doesn't have fingerprint authentication so expect to enter your PIN alot for apps that refuse to use the Android biometrics API.

    Pixel 4a, 4a 5G and 5 are your best best but they seem to be commanding a decently high price on the used market right now, possibly because they're some of the last good small phones left (except the 4a 5G) and didn't sell too many at retail before being dicontinued.

    All these devices have the same primary camera, and most are running Android 12 (the Pixel 3 is next to miss out on an update).

  • dingomango25 on 23/12/2021 - 11:15

    one thing to remember the pixel 6/6pro and onwards wont get you unlimited google photos storage.

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