Google Pixel smartphone

[stevoknevo]

TameRacingDriver said:

Corso Marche said:

I'm still using my 2XL, nothing since has tempted me to upgrade. But now that it doesn't receive security patches or OS upgrades/updates I'm thinking long and hard about what might replace it.

As I was looking to replace a couch surfing device and had loyalty bonuses to use I picked up a Galaxy Tab A recently to evaluate how I'd feel using a Samsung as my primary device - their tablets effectively being Samsung phones in tablet bodies. It's on the January 2021 build of android 10, running One UI 2.1.
What I can say is that despite Samsung having improved vastly in software and the UI over the years, there are still a few things which grate for me when compared to the Pixel user experience. They're things which won't affect every user, and won't even be noticed by others, but it's definitely enough to have me hoping the 2021 Pixel range delivers in as many areas as it can.

Having gone from a Pixel 5 to an S21 Ultra, I have no regrets. I wasn't expecting to like the Samsung software as much, but I actually prefer it now. It's a lot more configurable, it has a lot of touches missing in Pixel phones, and although it DOES have some bloatware, it's easily removed, certainly easier than adding the missing features back onto a Pixel in many cases.

Now that Samsung are giving 4 years worth of updates, so called stock Android has few, if any advantages now. I really thought I would be longing for the Pixel software by now, but nope, I don't even think about it anymore. In fact, having looked at what's in store for Android 12, it would appear to me like they're actually copying off Samsung in certain respects!

I also agree with other posters saying the 2XL should still be getting updates. It's just blatant planned obsolescence IMO.

Edited by TameRacingDriver on Saturday 13th March 15:11

From what I've read previously, it relates to Qualcomm only providing three years of updates for the SoC - although the OG Pixel got Android 10 when it originally wasn't supposed too despite being a QC SD821 SoC? Probably what's behind the rumours that Google are following Apple and having their own silicon that's not reliant on chip manufacturers - I've no doubt my 2xl would run 12 comfortably, if the charge port wasn't on the way out despite me being uber careful with it as it was a known weak point

[Corso Marche]

Have you tried any other cables in the charge port?

[AJB88]

Bit annoyed at the changeover process, because DPD came to collect my old phone in the morning and dropped my new one off later in the evening I couldn't do the usual cable to cable changeover or even NFC.

In the past within about 20 mins all my settings etc have been on the new phone and away you go.

Backed up my Google account etc before resetting the old one, on turning the new one on and logging into Google "no backup can be found" so I've had to completely set it up again.

[TameRacingDriver]

Look on the bright side at least you'll have a fresh install. When I got my pixel 5 I did cable to cable and had issues so ended up resetting anyway.

I'm old school though, so I would always avoid in place upgrades from my days in IT (still true today imo).

[Corso Marche]

AJB88 said:

Backed up my Google account etc before resetting the old one, on turning the new one on and logging into Google "no backup can be found" so I've had to completely set it up again.

Account backup is different to Device backup.
You need to enable the Device backup, and if moving to a new phone do a device backup on the old one just before you power on the new one.

System>>>Backup>>>Pixel 'xyz' Backup

where 'xyz' is the model of your phone.

[AJB88]

Corso Marche said:

Account backup is different to Device backup.
You need to enable the Device backup, and if moving to a new phone do a device backup on the old one just before you power on the new one.

System>>>Backup>>>Pixel 'xyz' Backup

where 'xyz' is the model of your phone.

Thats what I did

I've just backed it up now again, gone into Google Driven hidden folder called Backups and it says "your device isn't backed up, press settings" if I go into there it says it was backed up 5 mins ago. same Google account.

[Corso Marche]

It's normal not to see the hidden backup files. With a device backup only the device backup utility is allowed access to it. It's not a file which the user can do anything with. The only option the user has is to disable/enable the backup option.

Doesn't explain your backup issue from yesterday though...

[AJB88]

I can see one now, its appeared, its the one I did about an hour ago

[AJB88]

So more saga to my Pixel 4 XL story.

The refurbished A1 phone I got from laptopsdirect.co.uk, it turned up and got to say looked unused at all. Anyway its started randomly restarting and then yesterday started turning off but wouldn't turn back on unless I plugged it in. So I've been onto them today and they wanted me to send it back to them for testing which could take 2 weeks, so I've asked for a refund so they are coming to collect it on Tuesday.

That will be £380 back in my pocket, but I needed a replacement, cant wait till October for the Pixel 6 so have purchased a new Pixel 5 from Google. Fully aware the 5 is technically a downgrade but oh well. Brakes my cycle of getting all the even numbered phones Pixel 2,4,6.

Did think about just getting something cheap till October, but my phone is my main device so decided against it.

[TameRacingDriver]

To be honest my experience of Google phones is lacklustre quality control. 3x Pixel 2XLs and the Pixel 5 which worked but had some pretty irritating bugs for me. You just need to browse Reddit to see tale after tale of woe when it comes to pixel phones.

I've always been a nexus / pixel fanboy but must admit having defected to Samsung now I don't see myself going back especially as they seem to be concentrating on the budget and mid range markets now.

Hope you get sorted anyway.

[Funk]

I'm seriously thinking about going Samsung next time, especially if the 6 is another 'mid-ranger'. I don't buy many expensive toys but the phone's one I like to splurge a bit on and at the moment Samsung have the 'premium' thing nailed...

[Corso Marche]

I'm in the same boat. I know my P2XL will be due replacement, and have been considering what options there might be from other manufacturers.

I'm currently 3.5 weeks into a new Samsung Tab A which I knew would give me a sufficient impression of Samsung's OS and software UI as their tablets are effectively phones in tablet bodies. I'll write up more comprehensive reasons after 1 or 2 further weeks of using it, but suffice to say I know now that I'm scratching Samsung off the list of possibilities to replace the Pixel. It's all stupid little frustrations and decisions, but they all add up at the end of the day.
Incidentally, I was chatting with my dad tonight, and he was considering moving from a Huawei P20 to the Samsung S21. But he's not anymore -- he uses a Pivo cam for recordings of horses being trained and schooled, and he's learned from user groups that the S21 doesn't work correctly with the Pivo. Just about every damn phone on the planet works with it, but for some reason the S21 doesn't so he's knocked the S21 on the head.

Edited by Corso Marche on Wednesday 31st March 19:17

[AJB88]

I would go Samsung but I just hate all the rubbish that comes with them, when I had Samsungs I had to run clean ROM's on them and cant do that these days due to apps like Barclays and SkyGO not working.

Did consider OnePlus.

[Funk]

It's a tough call. I hate the Samsung bloat as well.

Re. OnePlus I won't bang on about them again as I've made my point previously in this thread as to how I feel about them...!

[AJB88]

I really wanted Ubuntu Touch to work out well, I have a Nexus with UBPorts on it (latest version of Ubuntu Touch) but there hasn't been much app development over the years. I use that for work calls/texts.

As much as I hate to admit it I'm so stuck in the Google Ecosystem its hard to get out (got all the home devices), I'd also miss the quick updates if I went Samsung.

[Funk]

I'm the same (3x Google Home Max, Nest Protect, Thermostat and Sony TV running Android) so moving over to Apple isn't really an option. I hated iOS in the past when I had to use it on work devices although I do like what they're doing around privacy.

Fingers crossed the Pixel 6 is a decent, premium-ish phone...

[TameRacingDriver]

AJB88 said:

I would go Samsung but I just hate all the rubbish that comes with them, when I had Samsungs I had to run clean ROM's on them and cant do that these days due to apps like Barclays and SkyGO not working.

Did consider OnePlus.

The problem is overblown. I'm not denying there are duplicate apps and other bloaty things on there but just spend a little while disabling stuff and it's fine, I rarely encounter any major irritations. The experience is fine as far as I'm concerned and yet I've always been in agreement with your general opinion of operating systems.

I too used to run custom ROMs on Samsung's but it just isn't necessary nowadays.

[Gman20]

does anyone have any experience of dual sim on the pixels ?
I'm no ee so can get an esim and then get a pay as you go sim with another network as a backup for when i have no signal on EE
has anyone done this? I wonder how seamless it is and what impact it has on battery

[knk]

Have just ordered the pixel 5. Amazon have it with the same discount as direct from google, but next day delivery with prime.
Am happy with my pixel 4 apart from battery life and prefer the fingerprint scanner than the face radar.

I am on eSim and travel a lot so keen to see how the dual sim works.

[AJB88]

knk said:

Have just ordered the pixel 5. Amazon have it with the same discount as direct from google, but next day delivery with prime.
Am happy with my pixel 4 apart from battery life and prefer the fingerprint scanner than the face radar.

I am on eSim and travel a lot so keen to see how the dual sim works.

Google is next day delivery as well, ordered mine yesterday its arrived today. I prefer dealing with Google CS direct they are good.