Pixel to Samsung, or suggest others? (Alternatives to Pixel?)

[840quadra]

Greetings!

Looking into options to move on from my (beloved) Pixel 8 Pro, into an Android phone that has FAR more processing power than the Tensor chip of this era. My concerns with the switch are the UI (Not a Fan of Samsung flavor of Android), and perhaps others that use the Apple matching Qualcomm processors. Since the pixel 8, NOTHING has been compelling for me to swap away from this device, but I am a bit Android curious from other vendors.

For those that have made the switch from Pixel devices (or run both in parallel), what have you liked or disliked about other options on the market?

 

[tbayrgs]

Greetings!

Looking into options to move on from my (beloved) Pixel 8 Pro, into an Android phone that has FAR more processing power than the Tensor chip of this era. My concerns with the switch are the UI (Not a Fan of Samsung flavor of Android), and perhaps others that use the Apple matching Qualcomm processors. Since the pixel 8, NOTHING has been compelling for me to swap away from this device, but I am a bit Android curious from other vendors.

For those that have made the switch from Pixel devices (or run both in parallel), what have you liked or disliked about other options on the market?

The only real ‘limitation’ of Samsung phones is really a personal preference regarding their software and camera processing. Their hardware is top notch. My preference is similar to yours—I don’t like Samsung’s UI so even with exceptional hardware, it’s not enough to lure me over.

I really like my Pixel 10 Pro Fold and the 10 Pro models are beasts. Yes, there is criticism of the latest versions of the Tensor chips but that seems to really only come into play for gaming and I don’t do heavy gaming on my phone. Battery life seems to have improved across the board—my P10PF is definitely better than my P9PF was.

The new OnePlus 15 looks like a beast unless camera performance is a top priority for you.

Knowing your affection for Pixel phones, I think you’d be very happy with one of the new Pixel 10s.

 

[Boppi]

I switched from the Pixel 8 Pro to the Samsung Galaxy S24+ almost 2 years ago. I skipped the 25 as the 24 is still stupid fast. I'll probably skip the 26 too due for release in a couple months, sans some unknown compelling reason.

It'll take a bunch of benchmarks and a ton of positive reviews to get me back in the Pixel fold, and I've been buying them since the (pre-Pixel) Nexus days, mostly for the clean Android software and the ability to load custom roms and use it as I desire.

Regarding the Samsung software, referred to as One UI, the overlay has come a long way. The Samsung apps and Store are there if you want to engage but nothing is pushed. I've never awakened or used Bixby. None of it is in your face unless you want it.

 

[Heat_Fan89]

I've also moved on from the Pixels. There really aren't many choices for US flagship phones besides Google, Samsung and OnePlus. The OnePlus is a monster but the camera is not what you require. It's not on the level of the Pixel and followed by the Samsung.

I've gotten used to OneUI but yes it's not as clean as the Pixel Launcher and too many redundant apps.

 

[HouseLannister]

Since the pixel 8, NOTHING has been compelling for me to swap away from this device

I don't get your logic there. You think Tensor isn't performant enough for your needs, so you want a Nothing phone? I don't mean to bash the company, but their "flagship" phone is already 2 generations behind on its processor, right (8s Gen 4)? I don't know if I could even tell the difference in performance between your Pixel 8 and a Nothing Phone 3.

What is it you need the performance for? What are the demanding tasks you want to do on the go?

I use my phone primarily as a phone and a web browser, so performance doesn't mean much to me. I love the Pixel exclusive features and the day 1 updates, so I will always have a Pixel (even if it is a spare phone in a drawer). My current Pixel 10 Pro performs superbly for everything I throw at it and gets great battery life.

But I am not a gamer -- if I was, I would get a RedMagic Pro 11 (though it lacks T-Mobile's 5G bands, so not that great as an actual mobile phone). OnePlus 15 and the upcoming Samsung S26 Ultra should also handle games outstandingly well, but the thermals won't be as good, so it will throttle more on long gaming sessions.

Samsung is probably the best choice outside of Google for long software support and you know you can get it repaired or replaced a lot easier than a brand like Nothing.

But I get not liking the look of OneUI. That said, every UI looks a little out of place if you use a lot of Google apps, because they all have a very definite Material 3 Expressive look that matches that Pixel aesthetic. I would recommend getting very into Good Lock modules so you can alter OneUI to suit your needs. But if that is not enough then invest in a good launcher like Niagra or Smart Launcher and go wild.

 

[skriefal]

There really aren't many choices for US flagship phones besides Google, Samsung and OnePlus.

Are there any others, other than perhaps the Moto Razr Ultra?

 

[Heat_Fan89]

Are there any others, other than perhaps the Moto Razr Ultra?

Spec wise it might be okay but like Sony's Xperia phones, they are small players. I should have quantified flagship as phones with premium specs, support and sales. Pixel phones still fall way behind in sales to Samsung though the brand is growing and Pixel phones can be argued, are borderline flagship because they don't have the best hardware specs. Whereas Samsung and OnePlus phones, do.

I can't speak for the Moto Razr Ultra or the Sony Xperia line but Google and Samsung now offer 7 years support and OnePlus 4 years support.

 

[MarkX]

I don't get your logic there. You think Tensor isn't performant enough for your needs, so you want a Nothing phone? I don't mean to bash the company, but their "flagship" phone is already 2 generations behind on its processor, right (8s Gen 4)? I don't know if I could even tell the difference in performance between your Pixel 8 and a Nothing Phone 3.

What is it you need the performance for? What are the demanding tasks you want to do on the go?

I use my phone primarily as a phone and a web browser, so performance doesn't mean much to me. I love the Pixel exclusive features and the day 1 updates, so I will always have a Pixel (even if it is a spare phone in a drawer). My current Pixel 10 Pro performs superbly for everything I throw at it and gets great battery life.

But I am not a gamer -- if I was, I would get a RedMagic Pro 11 (though it lacks T-Mobile's 5G bands, so not that great as an actual mobile phone). OnePlus 15 and the upcoming Samsung S26 Ultra should also handle games outstandingly well, but the thermals won't be as good, so it will throttle more on long gaming sessions.

Samsung is probably the best choice outside of Google for long software support and you know you can get it repaired or replaced a lot easier than a brand like Nothing.

But I get not liking the look of OneUI. That said, every UI looks a little out of place if you use a lot of Google apps, because they all have a very definite Material 3 Expressive look that matches that Pixel aesthetic. I would recommend getting very into Good Lock modules so you can alter OneUI to suit your needs. But if that is not enough then invest in a good launcher like Niagra or Smart Launcher and go wild.

The Nothing Phone 3 with its 8s gen 4(which is considerably better than the Tensor 3)would be more than enough for the OPs needs even though it's not current gen. Not many if any need the 8 elite, we're at a stage now where chips and there performance is superfluous.

 

[HouseLannister]

The Nothing Phone 3 with its 8s gen 4(which is considerably better than the Tensor 3)would be more than enough for the OPs needs

But he didn't say what his needs are. Just that he wanted "FAR more processing power." I guess I just don't find Tensor slow, but my needs are very modest. I view Tensor like a hybrid car. It's not the best, but they get better every generation and are enough for most people. A 2014 Prius might feel slow nowadays, but a 2025 Honda Civic Hybrid is a damn nice car. That said, if you told me your needs are a twin turbo v6, I'm not recommending a hybrid.

 

[Bkdodger]

I'm one that enjoys OneUI especially with a foldable. I think OnePlus will be a nice move from a Pixel since I think there is stuff it does better for Android and has plenty of options and runs so fluid. As mentioned the camera will be individual preference when coming from Pixel. If you are with a carrier that can use the Oppo X9 Pro I'm getting nothing but glowing reviews with better camera set up than OnePlus 15.

 

[tbayrgs]

But he didn't say what his needs are. Just that he wanted "FAR more processing power." I guess I just don't find Tensor slow, but my needs are very modest. I view Tensor like a hybrid car. It's not the best, but they get better every generation and are enough for most people. A 2014 Prius might feel slow nowadays, but a 2025 Honda Civic Hybrid is a damn nice car. That said, if you told me your needs are a twin turbo v6, I'm not recommending a hybrid.

Same here. There hasn’t been a single time of my ownership of either of my last two pixel foldable where I felt it was slow for any of my daily needs. I didn’t find any frame drops, shudders or lags, or performance slow downs. But as I mentioned, I’m also not doing any super processor intensive activities or high-level gaming (I play a bit of clash of clans and clash Royale and they run perfectly fine, both with the high frame rate setting enabled).

If I recall correctly, the OP has a focus on photography so I didn’t think the OnePlus 15 would be optimal for that based on everything I’ve read.

I also won’t talk anybody out of trying a Samsung device simply because it’s not my cup of tea. They’re clearly feature-rich and lots of people love the software experience. Maybe it’s a good time for him to try it again.

 

[robvalentine]

Same here. There hasn’t been a single time of my ownership of either of my last two pixel foldable where I felt it was slow for any of my daily needs. I didn’t find any frame drops, shudders or lags, or performance slow downs. But as I mentioned, I’m also not doing any super processor intensive activities or high-level gaming (I play a bit of clash of clans and clash Royale and they run perfectly fine, both with the high frame rate setting enabled).

If I recall correctly, the OP has a focus on photography so I didn’t think the OnePlus 15 would be optimal for that based on everything I’ve read.

I also won’t talk anybody out of trying a Samsung device simply because it’s not my cup of tea. They’re clearly feature-rich and lots of people love the software experience. Maybe it’s a good time for him to try it again.

I keep trying Samsung, but their camera processing puts me off. The S25 Ultra was decent, but my dogs look more natural on my P10P XL (and P9PXL) and my iPhone than they did on my Samsung. Samsungs get decent photos if you know what you are doing, and adjust settings to suit, but 1) I need a point and shoot, and 2) my dogs rarely are still enough to decide what settings work best. Video was better though

 

[Ctrlos]

With non-Pixel phones is the default Google apps just do not gel with the rest of their taste in OS. It messes up the visual identity of the phone. Better to get the 10 Pro than go elsewhere.

 

[skriefal]

but like Sony's Xperia phones, they are small players

Sony pulled out of USA/NA a couple years ago, iirc.

It really does seem to be Samsung, Google, OnePlus, or (maybe) Moto for us in USA/NA. Our choices are very limited.

 

[HouseLannister]

Sony pulled out of USA/NA a couple years ago, iirc.

It really does seem to be Samsung, Google, OnePlus, or (maybe) Moto for us in USA/NA. Our choices are very limited.

Sony has been gone from carrier stores and big box retail stores for over a decade, but their phones (mostly) work in the US and are sold on Amazon. The issue is that some bands are not supported, so you might not get 5G on every carrier. Same goes for Nubia with their RedMagic phones I mentioned earlier and ASUS with their Zenphone line. It's definitely a buy it and test it at your home/work/etc. for a week before you decide if you want to keep it or return it. All sold online without any import headaches, but the supported bands might be a dealbreaker for some.

Outside of Samsung/Google: Motorola, OnePlus, Nothing, and Fairphone are all good choices because they support all the 5G bands that we use in the US.

(There are also a few other brands with budget phones like BLU and TCL. You will find them in Best Buy and Walmart and such. Never really looked into them since there is never any reviews or press about them.)

 

[840quadra]

Thanks for the responses and viewpoints. This thread has given me a few things to think about.

To be clear, Nothing brand is not what I meant by using that word, I was stating that no offering from Google is compelling for me to upgrade from my 8 pro at this point.

I use my devices for quick processing of photo and video media when I am working on my freelance gigs. IO Speed to copy files off my Canon and Sony cameras, processing power to do video editing, or batch photo processing is key for me. At this point I do mostly of this on my iPhone, but like the flexibility (especially now) of Android to connect to a 4K monitor and give me a bigger workspace in a pinch.

Daily use, yes the pixel 8 pro is amazing, just doesn't have the horsepower to do some of the heavy lifting.

 

[HouseLannister]

To be clear, Nothing brand is not what I meant by using that word, I was stating that no offering from Google is compelling for me to upgrade from my 8 pro at this point.

My bad. Blame the company for what is Essentially a bad trademark. 🤣