Hands-On With Google's New Pixel 7, Pixel 7 Pro and Pixel Watch

[daveathall]

I have found one set of fanboys has only ever used their widget, and the other set of fanboys have actually used both.

I wouldn't class myself a "fanboy" of any, I am a fan of Apple, Google, Samsung and LG all of which I have had their superb phones. I do prefer the tablets and lap tops from Apple, atm I am split between an Ultra and Garmin Fenix 7, which I have had for nearly a year and is fabulous.

 

[nemofish]

This forum section is indeed childish, when it's something that is not made by Apple. Mocking because of the so called bezels while the people who have seen the watch, all are saying how good it looks in person. Also they didn't complain on how thick the Apple Watch was, before generation 7.

It's really dumb when iPhones have traditionally had bigger bezels than Androids too.

Don't know how anyone can be so fanatic and loyal about consumer electronics.

 

[killhippie]

So the bezel of a Breitling etc makes them out of date? I think not. Google probably tried to create a normal looking watch with the bezel area, maybe it helps it not get accidentally touched so easily as if it had micro bezels your damn sleeve on a wet day might be scrolling the screen possibly since its curved at the edges, I'm sure circular watches might have more issues with unwanted touch sensitivity than a rectangular watch maybe, especially considering how you change straps on this watch, but its just a bezel and it does not bother me personally, but then again I don' wear smart watches, so I'm just an observer. I think It's good to see a circular watch, and Android has changed a lot too, its just a personal choice, now I like iOS but it seems everyone's having a go at Android while forgetting that there are so many posts doing the rounds about how buggy iOS 16 is because everyone works from home and how quickly people forgot Apple let their new flagship phones slip out the door with a vibrating camera sensor issue, just saying this thread feels a little hypocritical unless the new Pixel snaps in two when you take a picture of course.

 

[ApostolisApo]

WHY U GOOLGE. HERE APPLE

 

[Abazigal]

There is still that elephant in the room - that people aren't really buying so much a smartphone these days as they are buying into an ecosystem. You may be able to still point out minor areas where the pixel phone edges out the iPhone. But compare the iPhone + apple watch (especially the new Ultra) against pixel phone + watch and suddenly, the tradeoffs become even more stark. Throw in AirPods, AirTags, Apple One, iOS-only apps, airdrop in tandem with M1 Macs...

 

[nemofish]

There is still that elephant in the room - that people aren't really buying so much a smartphone these days as they are buying into an ecosystem. You may be able to still point out minor areas where the pixel phone edges out the iPhone. But compare the iPhone + apple watch (especially the new Ultra) against pixel phone + watch and suddenly, the tradeoffs become even more stark. Throw in AirPods, AirTags, Apple One, iOS-only apps, airdrop in tandem with M1 Macs...

Only Apple users buy into 'eco systems' - which to most outside feels like being locked into a platform purposefully making it harder to leave.

I use a Pixel from Google, with my Apple M1 Mini just fine, also with an iPad and some Nothing 1 earphones. Our home is split between various devices from various manufacturers and they all work fine.

My emails sync between devices as do my images thanks to Google 1.

Whatever I am missing isn't worth the freedom to switch between multiple devices depending on my needs and what any one manufacturer releases AND the extra cost of Apple-only products.

 

[Abazigal]

Only Apple users buy into 'eco systems' - which to most outside feels like being locked into a platform purposefully making it harder to leave.

I will say this is because it feels like only Apple has an ecosystem worth buying into. For one, I do spend a pretty penny on apps, and it’s nice being able to share purchases between both my iPhone and iPad.

 

[nemofish]

I will say this is because it feels like only Apple has an ecosystem worth buying into. For one, I do spend a pretty penny on apps, and it’s nice being able to share purchases between both my iPhone and iPad.

You can share apps between android devices too

 

[Abazigal]

You can share apps between android devices too

Until staples like pdf expert, notability, Apollo, fantastical, halide, overcast, Tweetbot and LumaFusion come to android, it’s hard to share what simply isn’t available on the android platform.

 

[nemofish]

Until staples like pdf expert, notability, Apollo, fantastical, halide, overcast, Tweetbot and LumaFusion come to android, it’s hard to share what simply isn’t available on the android platform.

As with hardware, there are other options. But you're locked in; I get it.

 

[Abazigal]

As with hardware, there are other options. But you're locked in; I get it.

Perhaps. It’s hard to leave, and maybe I just have no desire to leave. I have used Apple products for a little over a decade now for both work and leisure, and they work great for me.

I do also handle windows laptops at work, as well as android phones for my dad and domestic helper, and an android tablet which I subsequently exchanged for a 9th gen iPad because it was hard to find bubble shooter games for her that wasn’t infested with ads (conversely, I easily found one on iOS that I readily removed with an IAP). So I do have a little bit of experience with other platforms, and I see their shortcomings and limitations as well.

Suffice to say, it’s going to take a lot more than a better camera to get people to abandon their iPhones and I feel that’s really the overall takeaway here. Just like how nobody really compares windows laptops with M1 MacBooks anymore because the former stands no chance when it comes to battery life and sustained performance, nobody really talks about the sticky nature of the Apple ecosystem and the uphill task in converting existing iPhone users because they know it will kill off any attempted comparisons before they can even begin.

 

[daveathall]

Only Apple users buy into 'eco systems' - which to most outside feels like being locked into a platform purposefully making it harder to leave.

I use a Pixel from Google, with my Apple M1 Mini just fine, also with an iPad and some Nothing 1 earphones. Our home is split between various devices from various manufacturers and they all work fine.

My emails sync between devices as do my images thanks to Google 1.

Whatever I am missing isn't worth the freedom to switch between multiple devices depending on my needs and what any one manufacturer releases AND the extra cost of Apple-only products.

I agree with this. Although, at the moment, the majority, if not all of my tech is Apple, it hasn't always been that way and I used to find that my Google/Samsung products synced seamlessly with my Apple products.

 

[BigSmurf]

I am a watch fan... mainly of mechanical watches though, nerd that I am, I wear the Apple Watch on the right wrist at the same time. The Google watch looks quite neat actually, though functionally not really better than Apple, just different.

 

[nemofish]

Perhaps. It’s hard to leave, and maybe I just have no desire to leave. I have used Apple products for a little over a decade now for both work and leisure, and they work great for me.

I do also handle windows laptops at work, as well as android phones for my dad and domestic helper, and an android tablet which I subsequently exchanged for a 9th gen iPad because it was hard to find bubble shooter games for her that wasn’t infested with ads (conversely, I easily found one on iOS that I readily removed with an IAP). So I do have a little bit of experience with other platforms, and I see their shortcomings and limitations as well.

Suffice to say, it’s going to take a lot more than a better camera to get people to abandon their iPhones and I feel that’s really the overall takeaway here. Just like how nobody really compares windows laptops with M1 MacBooks anymore because the former stands no chance when it comes to battery life and sustained performance, nobody really talks about the sticky nature of the Apple ecosystem and the uphill task in converting existing iPhone users because they know it will kill off any attempted comparisons before they can even begin.

I think you really exaggerate the average consumer. Most people will flip carelessly between phones depending on a variety of factors. Cost, reliability, features.

I saw someone switch from an iPhone 12 to a Pixel this week due to the Pixel 6a's camera; 2 women on holiday, one with an iPhone 11 and one with a cheap Pixel 6a - the iPhone lady saw the photos on shared group chats and thought the photos were much nicer and went out and brought one, and give the iPhone to her daughter. Absolutely no roadblocks or thoughts in terms of eco systems. Literally just wants better pics.

It's only fanboys who talk about eco-system or see getting a new phone to be some kind of uphill struggle.

Ordinary people really don't care. They use their phone for messages, web browsing and taking pictures. That's it. None of which is impacted by a manufacturer switch.

This is in Europe at least - and in Europe iPhone use has been steadily declining since 2010 which confirms how people don't mind switching; iOS has about 32% market share vs 67% Android...

In America it's a bit different because they are locked thanks to Apple's 1990's style messaging platform. That's admittedly a bigger chain for the average user to break free from; which is exactly why Apple have refuse to adopt RCS, it would cost them billions with regular people quickly moving to alternative suppliers for their handsets.

In America they call this an Eco-System, in Europe they call it being held hostage to one manufacturer :/

 

[Bodhitree]

I think thats not far off the truth, @nemofish. Although some people do rely on specific apps, like my dad, who took three days to set up his iPhone SE when he switched over from a cheap Samsung Android.

 

[GuruZac]

I have found one set of fanboys has only ever used their widget, and the other set of fanboys have actually used both.

I’ve used Android. It’s been a while, and there are great features. The Pixel cameras have been incredibly good since the start. Now that they are doing more in the way of branding their whole lineup of products, it’s probably the best ecosystem next to Apple. Problem is, it’s Google, and I don’t want to be that locked in to Google. Google and Samsung both have great ecosystems and products, but it’s not for me. I prefer iOS and macOS. And Apple has rejuvenated my enthusiasm with the Watch Ultra. It’s my favorite Apple product I own at the moment.

 

[GuruZac]

I think you really exaggerate the average consumer. Most people will flip carelessly between phones depending on a variety of factors. Cost, reliability, features.

I saw someone switch from an iPhone 12 to a Pixel this week due to the Pixel 6a's camera; 2 women on holiday, one with an iPhone 11 and one with a cheap Pixel 6a - the iPhone lady saw the photos on shared group chats and thought the photos were much nicer and went out and brought one, and give the iPhone to her daughter. Absolutely no roadblocks or thoughts in terms of eco systems. Literally just wants better pics.

It's only fanboys who talk about eco-system or see getting a new phone to be some kind of uphill struggle.

Ordinary people really don't care. They use their phone for messages, web browsing and taking pictures. That's it. None of which is impacted by a manufacturer switch.

This is in Europe at least - and in Europe iPhone use has been steadily declining since 2010 which confirms how people don't mind switching; iOS has about 32% market share vs 67% Android...

In America it's a bit different because they are locked thanks to Apple's 1990's style messaging platform. That's admittedly a bigger chain for the average user to break free from; which is exactly why Apple have refuse to adopt RCS, it would cost them billions with regular people quickly moving to alternative suppliers for their handsets.

In America they call this an Eco-System, in Europe they call it being held hostage to one manufacturer :/

This is just not correct. Ecosystems do matter. If I bought a Pixel 7 Pro I could kiss my Ultra goodbye, no more iMessage, no more AirDrop from phone, no more remote from phone to Apple TV4K. The iPhone for me is the central hub of my Apple ecosystem.

 

[Bodhitree]

I watched a short summary of the event. They do seem to be catching up with Apple products in terms of the features, it all seems pretty similar. Google has an edge in search and AI, Apple has an edge in hardware quality and privacy.

 

[nemofish]

This is just not correct. Ecosystems do matter. If I bought a Pixel 7 Pro I could kiss my Ultra goodbye, no more iMessage, no more AirDrop from phone, no more remote from phone to Apple TV4K. The iPhone for me is the central hub of my Apple ecosystem.

That's for you. I was referencing the average consumer, the people who make up 95% of Apple's sales.

They don't care about Apple TV. They can buy a Pixel and Chromecast for less and do the same thing + more (and better).

The eco-system just instant a factor for most people, especially in Europe. If it was a factor you wouldn't see Android outsell Apple so heavily in Europe and Asia

 

[TeamMojo]

To me the best features of Google products are just to keep Apple honest and innovating.

Apple, get those periscope cameras so you can eliminate the bump! But the iPhone is already far ahead of the Pixel.

 

[GuruZac]

That's for you. I was referencing the average consumer, the people who make up 95% of Apple's sales.

They don't care about Apple TV. They can buy a Pixel and Chromecast for less and do the same thing + more (and better).

The eco-system just instant a factor for most people, especially in Europe. If it was a factor you wouldn't see Android outsell Apple so heavily in Europe and Asia

I think you underestimate grossly how many people have multiple Apple products, and you citing an example of someone you know who willynilly bought a Pixel 6a is anecdotal.

And let’s be honest, Android out sells Apple in Europe and Asia almost entirely due to the amount of cheap Android phones are available. Period. Apple is expensive everywhere.

 

[MathersMahmood]

Yeah. Being able to actually see your info because it isn't being bombarded with bezel is pretty neat.

Ironic as apple trap you in their ecosystem of products lol

 

[deckard666]

I feel bad for the people in here who try to do meaningful work on their Apple Watch as their basis to need so much screen.

Come on, lets face it who doesnt want a smaller screen ?

 

[Celf]

Strange to me that an Apple website is reviewing products other than Apple's. I can't think of another website that does that sort or thing.

They don't do it because of the review but only to create threads like these.

 

[odHbo]

How the bands attach… 🤢🤮