My old Google Pixel has replaced half of my smart home products without costing me a penny
Many smart home displays like the Echo Show or Google Nest Hub are underpowered and ad-filled, making them less appealing despite their high cost. An old Google Pixel phone, such as a Pixel 6 or 7, can serve as a superior alternative due to its powerful Tensor chip, high-quality OLED screen, and robust sensor array. By repurposing an old device, users can create a high-performance, privacy-focused smart home hub at no additional cost.
- ▪Smart home displays such as the Echo Show and Google Nest Hub are often slow, underpowered, and filled with ads.
- ▪A used Google Pixel 6 or 7 has a Tensor chip, high-refresh-rate OLED display, and sensors that outperform most dedicated smart displays.
- ▪Old Pixel phones can be powered continuously via USB, making them ideal for use as permanent smart home control hubs.
- ▪The author replaced multiple smart home devices with an old Pixel, leveraging its hardware for a Home Assistant setup.
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Excerpt limited to ~120 words for fair-use compliance. The full article is at XDA.