Experience in switching from Iphone to Google Pixel

[ClaraStahlbaum]

Just making another thread that is more focused specifically for people who have switched from an iPhone to a Google Pixel at some point.

Even though I have switched from a 16e to a 17e I don't rule out the idea of looking into a Google Pixel at some point in the future. This is not a thread about me specifically being interested in switching in the future, I am just curious as to general perspectives and opinions from those who have actually done so. I'd be interested in what they have to say about it. I am sure there are people around here who switched from iPhone to Google Pixel and never went back to an iPhone.

I am also very curious about people's real world experiences with the Google Pixel, and what they think of that experience compared to an iPhone.

 

[eyoungren]

I switched from my iPhone 6s+ to a Google Pixel 3a XL in May 2020. I specifically chose the Pixel so it would be pure Android and I wouldn't have to deal with any bloatware. I wanted my Android experience to not be influenced by anything that wasn't strictly from Google.

At the time, Apple had a transfer app in the Play store. I used that to transfer everything. I can only imagine that the app has gotten better. I did not lose anything. On the other hand, I don't tend to store all my eggs in one basket and most of my services were Google anyway.

This was a test for me to see how good Android was. Although it had gotten much better the last time I'd taken a look at it, my issues came down to consistency and an overabundance of choice. People may see the last bit as a positive, but for me, having more than one choice to arrive at a destination within the OS made it difficult for me to navigate. More than one way to get something done means not remembering how to do it for me.

As far as consistency, this was with Android/Google and icons in general. Google will introduce a set of gestures with one version of Android and then in the next version they completely change those gestures to something else. It makes it difficult to remember which gesture does what. Then icons. Due to the abundance of older apps allowed to remain in the app store, the appearance of icons on your screen can vary widely. I like to set things up on my phone and I appreciate that icons generally tend to follow a consistent look in iOS.

iOS just appears to me to be more polished, even though Android is getting better. So, I went back to iPhone in February 2021 with my iPhone 11 Pro Max. Transfer from the Pixel was just fine as well. Again, having Google services allows for easy transfer between Android and iOS.

I still have my Pixel and the neat thing about it is that even though its stuck on Android 12, all the apps on the phone are current. There are still things I can do with it that I cannot do on iOS. Being able to control my Android phone from my Mac via screensharing is one thing you can't do the same way with an iPhone.

I think Android is still good. It's just not for me.

 

[fzJNotIBOxgnbqejSeVCvJScL]

I like Pixel phones but I will never buy them. Two reasons:

1) The Tensor chip, it's an inferior product compared to the competition. Tensor is also Samsung Exynos' cousin.

2) Google stubbornly refuses to allow users to hide/minimize the Google search bar on the home screen. For the so-called 'Pixel experience'. No we do not want to install a launcher or skin.

In many of the camera comparisons between the flagship iPhone, Samsung Galaxy and Google Pixel, Google Pixel often comes in last. The Pixel camera does some things very well, most other things are a toss-up between Apple and Samsung for the first place.

 

[robvalentine]

I like Pixel phones but I will never buy them. Two reasons:

1) The Tensor chip, it's an inferior product compared to the competition. Tensor is also Samsung Exynos' cousin.

2) Google stubbornly refuses to allow users to hide/minimize the Google search bar on the home screen. For the so-called 'Pixel experience'. No we do not want to install a launcher or skin.

In many of the camera comparisons between the flagship iPhone, Samsung Galaxy and Google Pixel, Google Pixel often comes in last. The Pixel camera does some things very well, most other things are a toss-up between Apple and Samsung for the first place.

Just to answer your first point, the Tensor G5 and onwards are made by TSMC not Samsung. They use ARM architecture like snapdragon, and Apple. they aren't as fast as Snapdragon processors sure, but they are fast enough for day to day mobile phone use.

I use the search bar daily, so I'd be keeping it there anyway.

Photos are subjectove, but I mostly take pics of my dogs, and if I was to rank my pixel 10 pro xl, S26U and iPhone 17 pro max, it would be pixel, with a slight edge to the iphone for 2nd place. Video is miles better on iPhone and Samsungs tbf.

Having said all that I use my Samsung, and really should sell the others.

 

[HouseLannister]

No we do not want to install a launcher or skin.

Yes, we do. A lot of Niagra folks on this subforum.

 

[Bkdodger]

Pixel 10 Pro XL here with no issues. The chip allows the phone to run smoothly at all tasks I throw at it. I don't play any games on my phone so I can't speak on that part though. And 100%. We do like using a third-party launcher with Niagara. A great option IMO. I have not switched from an iPhone to a Pixel since I run both daily side by side but there is nothing that my Pixel can't do compared to my iPhone 15 Pro Max

 

[jamezr]

Pixel 10 Pro XL here with no issues. The chip allows the phone to run smoothly at all tasks I throw at it. I don't play any games on my phone so I can't speak on that part though. And 100%. We do like using a third-party launcher with Niagara. A great option IMO. I have not switched from an iPhone to a Pixel since I run both daily side by side but there is nothing that my Pixel can't do compared to my iPhone 15 Pro Max

That is my experience as well. I have the 17PM and Pixel 10XL......I don't see a performance difference between them when using them. There is nothing my 17PM can do that my P10 XL can't do and use them daily.

Then the beautiful thing about the Pixel and Android in general is....if you don't like the search bar.......use a different launcher and customize it just the way you want it to look.

 

[Bkdodger]

That is my experience as well. I have the 17PM and Pixel 10XL......I don't see a performance difference between them when using them. There is nothing my 17PM can do that my P10 XL can't do and use them daily.

Then the beautiful thing about the Pixel and Android in general is....if you don't like the search bar.......use a different launcher and customize it just the way you want it to look.

Exactly 100% my friend. The performance is not an issue whatsoever. And why not run a third party launcher? There are no hiccups with one. My Niagara launcher runs smoothly. No delays, quick access to everything, and plenty of customization. If you do want to keep the Pixel launcher, then I agree they should allow for more customization, but it's not like you have no options at all.

 

[eyoungren]

I like Pixel phones but I will never buy them. Two reasons:

2) Google stubbornly refuses to allow users to hide/minimize the Google search bar on the home screen. For the so-called 'Pixel experience'. No we do not want to install a launcher or skin.

I use the Nova launcher for my Pixel 3a XL. Android 12. Perhaps that is why none of my homescreens force me to keep the Google search bar?

Once I found out there were launchers better than Google's, then yes. I wanted to install a launcher.

 

[scott craft]

The tensor chip is obviously not as powerful as a snapdragon but contrary to what the Internet says in day to day usage you won't notice it. My Pixel is very fast and responsive. And the camera is very good, no complaints there either.