Phones Google Pixel 8/8 Pro

[AJB1971]

I have been purchasing Pixel phones since the 4a and I love them. However I don't buy Pixel phones for the hardware, it's what the phone does with the software and their core apps. Google has a massive lead in the AI space and there still is NO direct competitor to Google's call screener.

Software was the reason I wanted to try a Pixel. Hardware was a factor in deciding which Pixel to get. It also helped me decide against an iPhone, e.g., Pixel 6a/7a or iPhone SE. My usage means that I can’t justify spending a lot on a smartphone.

I do agree that user experience is one of the main reasons to buy a Pixel. Benchmarks aren't a concern. AI, some features aren't available in my country. We will see what the March feature drop brings.

 

[Dave245]

Software was the reason I wanted to try a Pixel. Hardware was a factor in deciding which Pixel to get. It also helped me decide against an iPhone, e.g., Pixel 6a/7a or iPhone SE. My usage means that I can’t justify spending a lot on a smartphone.

I do agree that user experience is one of the main reasons to buy a Pixel. Benchmarks aren't a concern. AI, some features aren't available in my country. We will see what the March feature drop brings.

My biggest concern is battery life, I’m use to great battery on my iPhone and on the S23 Ultra that I had.

 

[AJB1971]

My biggest concern is battery life, I’m use to great battery on my iPhone and on the S23 Ultra that I had.

I'm a very light user, so not representative. Also, I always tweak the settings to maximise battery life, as long as they have no impact on my usage. I’m surprised more people don’t do that.

All I can do is compare the Pixel 8 against other phones I’ve owned, and it’s one of the best.

There are guides and videos online on how to maximise battery life.

 

[Dave245]

I'm a very light user, so not representative. Also, I always tweak the settings to maximise battery life, as long as they have no impact on my usage. I’m surprised more people don’t do that.

All I can do is compare the Pixel 8 against other phones I’ve owned, and it’s one of the best.

There are guides and videos online on how to maximise battery life.

Ahh ok, I'm a heavy user (I think), I use my phone most of the day. Most the time I'm in business conversations in WhatsApp chats, emailing, listening to music in the background, taking pictures at the weekend and when I go away, making notes. My phone is my most used device (along with my AirPods and MacBook Air).

 

[Heat_Fan89]

Samsung now offers the same since they teamed up with Google and seem to be using their Ai.

My #1 sticking point with Samsung is their insistence with including redundant apps. Samsung either needs to develop their own OS and put their apps on that or just use Google's core apps. Their app store isn't worth my interest. Besides that, they have much better hardware than their Pixel counterpart.

 

[robvalentine]

My #1 sticking point with Samsung is their insistence with including redundant apps. Samsung either needs to develop their own OS and put their apps on that or just use Google's core apps. Their app store isn't worth my interest. Besides that, they have much better hardware than their Pixel counterpart.

Pixel software and camera on Samsung hardware and that would be my perfect phone. As it is I'm back on iPhone atm as pixel battery life isn't great.

 

[jamezr]

My #1 sticking point with Samsung is their insistence with including redundant apps. Samsung either needs to develop their own OS and put their apps on that or just use Google's core apps. Their app store isn't worth my interest. Besides that, they have much better hardware than their Pixel counterpart.

Besides the Gallery app, what others are redundant?

 

[Ludatyk]

My #1 sticking point with Samsung is their insistence with including redundant apps. Samsung either needs to develop their own OS and put their apps on that or just use Google's core apps. Their app store isn't worth my interest.

Samsung provides the ability to uninstall or disable those apps and addition to that… we have the option to hide apps as well.

This argument that Samsung has bloat and we can’t remove is such an old debate that has been sorted out… And their Galaxy Store provides users themes and customization options that helps get the most out of OneUI.

 

[jamezr]

Samsung provides the ability to uninstall or disable those apps and addition to that… we have the option to hide apps as well.

This argument that Samsung has bloat and we can’t remove is such an old spat that has been sorted out… And their Galaxy Store provides users themes and customization options that helps get the most out of OneUI.

yeah I have heard that argument from so many people and it just doesn't make sense anymore to me. I mean i know the gallery app is there and so is Bixeby. But i don't use Bixby and it has never popped up when I use Google Assistant.
So for me something like Bixby is invisible. It doesn't ever get used and gets put to sleep by the background OS optimization. It doesn't take up resources or slow down the phone so to speak.

 

[Aneres11]

Samsung provides the ability to uninstall or disable those apps and addition to that… we have the option to hide apps as well.

This argument that Samsung has bloat and we can’t remove is such an old debate that has been sorted out… And their Galaxy Store provides users themes and customization options that helps get the most out of OneUI.

It hasn’t though. They still force their gallery and App Store on users. Both of which I found to be useless.
It’s only pure Samsung users who want the Samsung App Store because you get good lock from there but I just found that to be an annoyance personally. It’s also an awful App Store but because Samsung throw in free credit for it people probably feel inclined to have to use it.

They also force Samsung pay on their devices and make you have to Google how to disable that as it lurks at the bottom of the screen to be swiped up. All these things, plus the Samsung free app and the global goals app that are just there and need removing are annoying. Or they were to me as I just wanted to disable them. Fair enough if you use all these things and like them, but the instances I’ve had Samsung phones I have had to remove all that cr*p as it’s just bloat to me.

 

[Ludatyk]

It hasn’t though. They still force their gallery and App Store on users. Both of which I found to be useless.
It’s only pure Samsung users who want the Samsung App Store because you get good lock from there but I just found that to be an annoyance personally. It’s also an awful App Store but because Samsung throw in free credit for it people probably feel inclined to have to use it.

Wait a min…. Good Lock is an annoyance? How you come to that conclusion? There’s One Hand Operation+, Sound Assistant, Home Up, Quick Star…. to name a few.

It helps to tweak the Galaxy Experience, but then again… I know you are more of a pure Android user. And prefer to leave it as is… so I get it.

They also force Samsung pay on their devices and make you have to Google how to disable that as it lurks at the bottom of the screen to be swiped up.

Force? I think you are using the wrong choice here… because users do not to have to use it (would be different if there is no way it can be removed). if a user accidentally swipe up, it’s within the Samsung Pay screen to disable that option.

I didn’t even have to google it.

All these things, plus the Samsung free app and the global goals app that are just there and need removing are annoying. Or they were to me as I just wanted to disable them. Fair enough if you use all these things and like them, but the instances I’ve had Samsung phones I have had to remove all that cr*p as it’s just bloat to me.

Well, yeah.. you are free to disable those apps. But Samsung wants to have a selection of apps to enrich the Galaxy Experience… similar to how Apple attempt to build up their ecosystem.

But god forbid… if Samsung does the same.

 

[jamezr]

It hasn’t though. They still force their gallery and App Store on users. Both of which I found to be useless.
It’s only pure Samsung users who want the Samsung App Store because you get good lock from there but I just found that to be an annoyance personally. It’s also an awful App Store but because Samsung throw in free credit for it people probably feel inclined to have to use it.

They also force Samsung pay on their devices and make you have to Google how to disable that as it lurks at the bottom of the screen to be swiped up. All these things, plus the Samsung free app and the global goals app that are just there and need removing are annoying. Or they were to me as I just wanted to disable them. Fair enough if you use all these things and like them, but the instances I’ve had Samsung phones I have had to remove all that cr*p as it’s just bloat to me.

That like saying Apple forces you to use Apple pay...oh wait 🙂. I use GPay on my s24U without issue and didn't have to search to find out how to do it.
The Samsung app store isn't by any means supposed to compete with Google Playstore. it is just a collection of apps themes to add some extra customization that is not available elsewhere. Most are free of charge. personally i don't use 99% of what is in the Samsung app store. I just don't have a need. but at the same time it doesn't affect how I use my Samsung phones as well. Then I don't understand the need to delete or uninstall apps as people have mentioned. i just don't use them. Maybe in the past some apps would slow down phones. but I don't see that on todays smartphones.
The only time i have had to go through and delete a bunch of apps was with carrier Android phones here in the US. They also come with a ton of games preloaded on the phone. those i delete because I don't play games on my phones.

Anyway i guess we all have our separate preferences.

 

[Aneres11]

That like saying Apple forces you to use Apple pay...oh wait 🙂. I use GPay on my s24U without issue and didn't have to search to find out how to do it.
The Samsung app store isn't by any means supposed to compete with Google Playstore. it is just a collection of apps themes to add some extra customization that is not available elsewhere. Most are free of charge. personally i don't use 99% of what is in the Samsung app store. I just don't have a need. but at the same time it doesn't affect how I use my Samsung phones as well. Then I don't understand the need to delete or uninstall apps as people have mentioned. i just don't use them. Maybe in the past some apps would slow down phones. but I don't see that on todays smartphones.
The only time i have had to go through and delete a bunch of apps was with carrier Android phones here in the US. They also come with a ton of games preloaded on the phone. those i delete because I don't play games on my phones.

Anyway i guess we all have our separate preferences.

Hmm I’m not sure Apple do force you. You can either add a card on set up, or choose to skip using it altogether. Samsung has it on by default and it needs to be disabled 🙂.

Even if I wanted to use Samsung pay (which I wouldn’t when GPay exists), I can’t use it because my bank doesn’t support it. So it would need turning off via settings if I was to use a Samsung device. That’s the difference I guess.

 

[jamezr]

Hmm I’m not sure Apple do force you. You can either add a card on set up, or choose to skip using it altogether. Samsung has it on by default and it needs to be disabled 🙂.

Even if I wanted to use Samsung pay (which I wouldn’t when GPay exists), I can’t use it because my bank doesn’t support it. So it would need turning off via settings if I was to use a Samsung device. That’s the difference I guess.

Can you use GPay on an iPhone? Or is Apple Pay on by default? Apple forces you to use Apple Pay or nothing at all.

 

[Aneres11]

Can you use GPay on an iPhone? Or is Apple Pay on by default? Apple forces you to use Apple Pay or nothing at all.

lol let’s leave it there shall we. 🙂

 

[edubfromktown]

yeah I have heard that argument from so many people and it just doesn't make sense anymore to me. I mean i know the gallery app is there and so is Bixeby. But i don't use Bixby and it has never popped up when I use Google Assistant.
So for me something like Bixby is invisible. It doesn't ever get used and gets put to sleep by the background OS optimization. It doesn't take up resources or slow down the phone so to speak.

I do not use Bixby (and did not Google Assistant (Siri or Alexa @ home either) for that matter) and a whole host of other Samsung-specific apps and services (80+ in total).

It is worth the effort to disable and eradicate Samsung bloatware compared to the watered down iPhone-esque Pixel experience in my opinion.

Other than point-and-shoot photos, Pixel just does not offer a similar set of built-in and 3rd party features and the hardware remains sub-standard compared to Samsung S-series.

 

[Technerd108]

yeah I have heard that argument from so many people and it just doesn't make sense anymore to me. I mean i know the gallery app is there and so is Bixeby. But i don't use Bixby and it has never popped up when I use Google Assistant.
So for me something like Bixby is invisible. It doesn't ever get used and gets put to sleep by the background OS optimization. It doesn't take up resources or slow down the phone so to speak.

I do not use Bixby (and did not Google Assistant (Siri or Alexa @ home either) for that matter) and a whole host of other Samsung-specific apps and services (80+ in total).

It is worth the effort to disable and eradicate Samsung bloatware compared to the watered down iPhone-esque Pixel experience in my opinion.

Other than point-and-shoot photos, Pixel just does not offer a similar set of built-in and 3rd party features and the hardware remains sub-standard compared to Samsung S-series.

I see it like this. Samsung has a ton of bloat but it is mostly things your average person might use or need. Some things like the gallery app, messages, and others are redundant with no real value. In the past with limited ram and storage this really angered me.

Now with a 512gb ufs storage I am not all that worried I am going to run out of space because of duplicate apps, ram management and lots of ram means that those extra apps won't slow me down. So the actual impact of the extra bloat in minimal.

I still hate it. It is one thing I have always hated about Samsung phones and it still bugs me. What I wish they would do is when you set up your phone just have a list of apps with a checkbox. List all 3rd party and 1st party Samsung apps and let us select if we want them to be installed or not. They could list all the Google apps and Samsung apps and then people could just choose the default they want or both. Samsung could still get money from partners by installing their apps but we would get the choice during setup if we want to use them.

However, I don't think Samsung will ever change. So at least we have several ways to help. We can disable, put to sleep or put into deep sleep if we can't uninstall.

The one Samsung App that pisses me off is gallery. Can't disable it, can't put it to sleep and can't use Google photos as my primary. In certain situations this can be a problem. If I could just use Google photos as my default and disable or uninstall gallery I would be better off.

 

[Dave245]

Just upgraded my Google One premium, is the 10% across all Google devices? I'm thinking that if the deals that are announced on Friday on the UK Google Store are good enough, I buy something like a Pixel 8 Pro or the Pixel Tablet, will I get the 10% back?

 

[jamezr]

I see it like this. Samsung has a ton of bloat but it is mostly things your average person might use or need. Some things like the gallery app, messages, and others are redundant with no real value. In the past with limited ram and storage this really angered me.

Its funny because unless someone points this out to me...these duplicate apps are invisible.
I don't use them and they are put to sleep by Android optimizations. I don't see them because I don't just browse through the app drawer when looking for app. I have a ton of folders and shortcuts on my home screens.
Then when I get a new phone I just restore from back up so again I never see them.
When I install a new app it auto creates a shortcut on my home screen so i can place it in whatever folder I want.

 

[Technerd108]

View attachment 2354019
Just upgraded my Google One premium, is the 10% across all Google devices? I'm thinking that if the deals that are announced on Friday on the UK Google Store are good enough, I buy something like a Pixel 8 Pro or the Pixel Tablet, will I get the 10% back?

Yes, you will get a credit in the Google store for 10% of your purchases after 90 days or so.

 

[Technerd108]

Its funny because unless someone points this out to me...these duplicate apps are invisible.
I don't use them and they are put to sleep by Android optimizations. I don't see them because I don't just browse through the app drawer when looking for app. I have a ton of folders and shortcuts on my home screens.
Then when I get a new phone I just restore from back up so again I never see them.
When I install a new app it auto creates a shortcut on my home screen so i can place it in whatever folder I want.

Key wording was in the past?

Not talking about recent OneUI devices.

You know, the legendary s4, s5, s6, and so on. The bloat would slow the phone significantly in a year. And it slowed day to day performance.

My point is now you can have all the apps you want and it doesn't slow anything down without any tweaks and with so much storage it doesn't matter as much as when you had 32gb storage. Lol.

So it is more an annoyance and matter of principle. I should after paying over $1299 or more be able to avoid any 3rd party apps I don't want and choose whether or not I want to use Samsung or Google app and be able to delete not disable either other I don't want.

That is all. But it helps Samsung subsidize some of the cost and be more competitive. So I don't mind if they include them if they have to, but I want complete control to delete any non primary duplicate app either during setup or after and preferably during.

At the end of the day, the s24 series is so fantastic I can live with the app situation. OneUI is so much better than in the past I enjoy using it. The hardware on all of these phones is fantastic.

Of course they are not perfect either. Gotta have room to give people upgrades over time.

 

[Dave245]

Yes, you will get a credit in the Google store for 10% of your purchases after 90 days or so.

something that only Google seem to be doing, it’s a great way of getting people inside their ecosystem I guess. Does 10% get added to my account so I can use it on Google play towards services like my Google One subscription, or is it only for other Pixel items and accessories?

 

[Technerd108]

something that only Google seem to be doing, it’s a great way of getting people inside their ecosystem I guess. Does 10% get added to my account so I can use it on Google play towards services like my Google One subscription, or is it only for other Pixel items and accessories?

Just for goods not services. Unfortunately but it is still a good deal. Got a nice case with the free credit on my P8P.

 

[Heat_Fan89]

Unfortunately but it is still a good deal. Got a nice case with the free credit on my P8P.

That's one of the reasons why I dumped my Pixel 6 which I loved the coral color. It was a unique color for a phone. I traded that in which was around $350 IIRC. I had to use my $200 store credit (from the previous year promo) as it was about to expire and I had a choice of either a watch or Buds Pro's towards the P8P. I went with the watch and used the $200 towards the Pixel Buds Pro. A seriously nice haul for under a $1000 after my trade.

The best time to buy is right at preorder because Google tends to offer big incentives (i.e. store credit, higher trade ins, or free stuff) to get you to buy their latest phone.

 

[Dave245]

The offer is up on Googles website, it’s 15% off for 48 hours only.