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Thinking about going from iPhone 6+ to Pixel XL

mrcultureshock

mrcultureshock

macrumors member
Original poster
May 21, 2009
62
10
North Georgia Mountains, USA
Hi all,

I've been using an iPhone since the days of the 3Gs but after multiple demos with the iPhone 7+, I'm just not convinced that I need to invest another $900 to get an experience that's almost the same as my iPhone 6+.

Therefore I've started to take a serious look at Pixel XL. Here's my question:

If you switched from an iPhone to the Pixel, what do you think of the Google phone compared to your old iPhone?

Many thanks and cheers!
 
If I could find one I would be happy to tell you how it is as I want one as well. You can find plenty of tiny 32gb phones but no 128gb models. Anyone know where to find one yet?
 
I can chime in on this. I haven't gone cold turkey which I think it may have been better if I did. I have an iPhone 7 and a regular size pixel both currently activated and have been using them side by side. The iPhone is on my primary and the pixel is on a spare line I have. Back story: I have been primarily an iPhone user since the 3G with brief stints with different androids over the years; most of which were returned within the return window.

Initially I was still leaning heavily on my iPhone because it is familiar and I know it's going to get me through my day. The more time goes on, the more I'm reaching for the Pixel to accomplish tasks. I am at the point today that I am heavily considering shutting off imessage and moving the Pixel to my primary line and leaving my iPhone at home in the drawer tomorrow to see how it goes. The phone is blazing fast; android app quality is finally on par in most cases; the android operating system, I feel like while you sacrifice a little privacy, allows you to accomplish tasks in less steps in most cases due to the ability apps have to share things. The ability to download files and have a file system has been awesome for work. The split screen in nougat is really cool and lag free. The notifications are a breath of fresh air. Scrolling in web browsing, emails, etc. is incredibly fast (I know the iPhone could be faster and they purposely slow it down, it drives me nuts). The battery has been equal to or greater than my iPhone, again remember I'm talking the smaller screened models on both phones the larger screens may vary.

As you can tell, overall I am incredibly impressed with this phone. I can tell you this, I do not know which one will be active on my primary by the end of the day, but I will def. be keeping this phone regardless of where it is. If you have any other questions let me know. This phone will do everything you ask of it, it will really just boil down to how invested you are in the Apple Ecosystem and if you can let that go.
 
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theinstructor said:
If I could find one I would be happy to tell you how it is as I want one as well. You can find plenty of tiny 32gb phones but no 128gb models. Anyone know where to find one yet?
Click to expand...
I'm in same boat boat. In the waiting list on the Google Store. If I try to buy through Verizon, even their store is backed up til December on the 128GB Pixel XL. :(
 
mrcultureshock said:
Hi all,

I've been using an iPhone since the days of the 3Gs but after multiple demos with the iPhone 7+, I'm just not convinced that I need to invest another $900 to get an experience that's almost the same as my iPhone 6+.

Therefore I've started to take a serious look at Pixel XL. Here's my question:

If you switched from an iPhone to the Pixel, what do you think of the Google phone compared to your old iPhone?

Many thanks and cheers!
Click to expand...

I'm using a Pixel XL now after moving from an iPhone 6s+ (and some time with a Nexus 6P inbetween). Additional background...I've been a longtime iPhone and Apple hardware user dating back to 2008, but have been using Android to some degree (periods as full time phone, a bunch of tablets) so I'm quite familiar with both OS's.

I've only been using it for about a day and a half so take what you will from that. First impressions---the phone is rock solid, best Android phone I've presonally used (my history...Galaxy Nexus, Nexus 4, Note 2, HTC One M7, Nexus 6P). It sounds cliche but it really is Google's iPhone. The build is rock solid, great fit and finish, feels terrific in hand (slightly smaller than the iPhone 6/6s/7+ models). The display is crisp and bright, as good as my 6s+ and far better than the 6P. Only limited time with the camera but it's really fast (problem with all past Nexus phones) and initial results are quite good. In a vacuum, considering nothing but the phones themselves, I find the Pixel XL to be every bit the equal, if not better than my 6s+. I won't presume to claim it's better than the 7+ as I haven't used one for more than a few minutes but didn't find the changes signficant enough in the 7+ to make it a worthwhile upgrade from my 6s+.

There are also a tons of aspects of Android, if you're not familiar with the OS, that simply outshine iOS--nearly infinite customization, ability to choose default applications, superior virtual assistant, far less sharing restrictions, better notification system. It has some flaw as well--messaging, app quality can lag behind iOS, inconsistent experience across hardware, to name a few. You'll have to just dive in to decide what appeals to you more.

All that being said, I don't use my phones in a vacuum and sadly, most of my reservations about switching back full time to Android are starting to rear their ugly head with the Pixel too--and they're nearly all ecosystem related. I use Macs, iPads (as do my family) and own an Apple Watch. I prefer Safari on my iPad and mobile phone and the Continuity/Handoff and more importantly, the content blocking benefits it affords when used across all my hardware. Chrome is garbage on tablets and while I've warmed to it on Android phones, it still find the UI a step down from Safari and not having content blocking is becoming quite irritating. Also miss having immediate access to all my iMessages and SMS/MMS across all my devices--AirDroid and MightyText are OK but not as seamless. Sharing content via iMessage or AirDrop far easier than what I have to do when on Android. Clearing my notifications on my Pixel doesn't sync across my other devices (though it isn't alway successful when on an iPhone either, but still better).

The thing I miss most though is my Apple Watch. The Android Wear experience is simply inferior to watchOS is nearly all regards. The latest version of Android Wear was initially supposed to be released by now so I was hoping for an improved user experience but sadly, it's been delayed until sometime next year. My Huawei Watch is aesthetically nicer (IMO), having an alway on display option and the greater ability to customize your watchface are advantages the Apple Watch doesn't have, but that where they stop. So while the user experience of Pixel XL = iPhone 6S+, Pixel XL/Huawei Watch << iPhone 6s+/Apple Watch.

I'm going to keep using the Pixel XL for at least 2 weeks and probably will keep it, even in spite of the lesser overall (re: ecosystem) experience because I'm quite unhappy with Apple's direction/progress over the last few years and the only way to voice my displeasure is with my wallet. However, If I ultimately decide to do so imposes too many compromises, I'll just be switching back to my 6s+ and not upgrading to the 7+. Apple won't be getting any significant amount of $ from me until I see some signficant changes in their direction.
 
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I have an iPhone 7 and a Pixel. Apple's direction is annoying me, but I'm returning the Pixel because:

-I love much Watch and couldn't find a suitable alternative

-I want to be able to receive texts across devices.

Basically, ecosystem. They got me.
 
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mrcultureshock said:
Hi all,

I've been using an iPhone since the days of the 3Gs but after multiple demos with the iPhone 7+, I'm just not convinced that I need to invest another $900 to get an experience that's almost the same as my iPhone 6+.

Therefore I've started to take a serious look at Pixel XL. Here's my question:

If you switched from an iPhone to the Pixel, what do you think of the Google phone compared to your old iPhone?

Many thanks and cheers!
Click to expand...

It will just come down to preference & as the 2 responses above note with having other ios devices within the eco system. There are some basic responses here for iphone to Pixel & obviously all you would need to know in the overall Pixel forum linked.
http://forums.androidcentral.com/google-pixel-pixel-xl/739383-anyone-using-pixel-coming-iphone.html
 
If you want an Android experience akin to iOS, then the Pixel is the best option. If price is a concern, I would go Nexus 6P. Can't go wrong with a Google device.
 
JakeT85 said:
I can chime in on this. I haven't gone cold turkey which I think it may have been better if I did. I have an iPhone 7 and a regular size pixel both currently activated and have been using them side by side. The iPhone is on my primary and the pixel is on a spare line I have. Back story: I have been primarily an iPhone user since the 3G with brief stints with different androids over the years; most of which were returned within the return window.

Initially I was still leaning heavily on my iPhone because it is familiar and I know it's going to get me through my day. The more time goes on, the more I'm reaching for the Pixel to accomplish tasks. I am at the point today that I am heavily considering shutting off imessage and moving the Pixel to my primary line and leaving my iPhone at home in the drawer tomorrow to see how it goes. The phone is blazing fast; android app quality is finally on par in most cases; the android operating system, I feel like while you sacrifice a little privacy, allows you to accomplish tasks in less steps in most cases due to the ability apps have to share things. The ability to download files and have a file system has been awesome for work. The split screen in nougat is really cool and lag free. The notifications are a breath of fresh air. Scrolling in web browsing, emails, etc. is incredibly fast (I know the iPhone could be faster and they purposely slow it down, it drives me nuts). The battery has been equal to or greater than my iPhone, again remember I'm talking the smaller screened models on both phones the larger screens may vary.

As you can tell, overall I am incredibly impressed with this phone. I can tell you this, I do not know which one will be active on my primary by the end of the day, but I will def. be keeping this phone regardless of where it is. If you have any other questions let me know. This phone will do everything you ask of it, it will really just boil down to how invested you are in the Apple Ecosystem and if you can let that go.
Click to expand...
Is the Pixel a lot bigger (harder to pocket) than the iPhone 7? I've read the differences in their dimensions but am having a hard time visualizing the difference. I'm waiting for my Pixel to shipment regardless, but was just wondering.

As far as messaging goes, I'm using WhatsApp now on my SE and my Samsung S7Edge. My husband and I created a group chat that can hit all of our phones so it does not matter if I'm on the SE or the Samsung, I'm going to see his texts and he will see mine regardless of whether he's on his S7Edge or 6SPlus. But that solution likely would not work if you all are chatting with a lot of people on a regular basis.

I'm not likely to be going with the iPhone 7 because of the lack of the headphone jack and the sound on videos is really poor. Apple is supposedly building this premium product that now has stereo speakers but they stick a murky sounding single mic on it that takes me back to my days with my 1976 Radio Shack cassette recorder using cheap Certron tapes.
 
GrumpyMom said:
Is the Pixel a lot bigger (harder to pocket) than the iPhone 7? I've read the differences in their dimensions but am having a hard time visualizing the difference. I'm waiting for my Pixel to shipment regardless, but was just wondering.

As far as messaging goes, I'm using WhatsApp now on my SE and my Samsung S7Edge. My husband and I created a group chat that can hit all of our phones so it does not matter if I'm on the SE or the Samsung, I'm going to see his texts and he will see mine regardless of whether he's on his S7Edge or 6SPlus. But that solution likely would not work if you all are chatting with a lot of people on a regular basis.

I'm not likely to be going with the iPhone 7 because of the lack of the headphone jack and the sound on videos is really poor. Apple is supposedly building this premium product that now has stereo speakers but they stick a murky sounding single mic on it that takes me back to my days with my 1976 Radio Shack cassette recorder using cheap Certron tapes.
Click to expand...

I haven't noticed any difference at all in the phone being in the pocket. I haven't looked at the dimensions in a while but the Pixel feels like it weighs less while in the hand. Could be the weight is just distributed over a slightly larger footprint though.
 
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JakeT85 said:
I haven't noticed any difference at all in the phone being in the pocket. I haven't looked at the dimensions in a while but the Pixel feels like it weighs less while in the hand. Could be the weight is just distributed over a slightly larger footprint though.
Click to expand...
Thanks! That tells me all I need to know. I think it will work out fine for me.
 
If the fact that you don't want to spend so much on an iPhone is the reason you want to switch to a Google phone, you picked a bad year to do so.

The Pixels are just as expensive as iPhones. The Nexus 6p would have been a great phone to get you into using Android and not nearly as expensive.

That being said, the Pixel is still a great phone. I'm just not sure it's worth the premium over the 6p.
 
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DMVillain said:
I have an iPhone 7 and a Pixel. Apple's direction is annoying me, but I'm returning the Pixel because:

-I love much Watch and couldn't find a suitable alternative

-I want to be able to receive texts across devices.

Basically, ecosystem. They got me.
Click to expand...

In terms of syncing Android with iTunes and iphotos (photos app), what's the best app or tweak to use?

I used to have a Nexus 5 - by far and away a superior phone and OS to iPhone 6 and IOS - but the problems with syncing iTunes and iPhotos is what sent me back to an iPhone.
 
scouser75 said:
In terms of syncing Android with iTunes and iphotos (photos app), what's the best app or tweak to use?

I used to have a Nexus 5 - by far and away a superior phone and OS to iPhone 6 and IOS - but the problems with syncing iTunes and iPhotos is what sent me back to an iPhone.
Click to expand...

What are you trying to sync from iTunes? Check out iSyncr handle this. For music, I just uploaded my entire library to Google Play Music--it's free and you can upload up to 50,000 songs. This allows me to stream from any device. Google also has a Music Manager app you load on your computer, point it at your music library and it'll automatically upload any new music you add. And if you're worried about data usage for streaming, you can download any part of your library in GPM locally on your phone for offline listening.

For photos, I sync my entire photos library on Apple to Google Photos (using their high quality unlimited tier) so that 1) I have a backup and 2) my entire photo library is available on all devices, Apple or not.
 
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tbayrgs said:
What are you trying to sync from iTunes? Check out iSyncr handle this. For music, I just uploaded my entire library to Google Play Music--it's free and you can upload up to 50,000 songs. This allows me to stream from any device. Google also has a Music Manager app you load on your computer, point it at your music library and it'll automatically upload any new music you add. And if you're worried about data usage for streaming, you can download any part of your library in GPM locally on your phone for offline listening.

For photos, I sync my entire photos library on Apple to Google Photos (using their high quality unlimited tier) so that 1) I have a backup and 2) my entire photo library is available on all devices, Apple or not.
Click to expand...
Google services just make my life so much easier. I love Google Photos and Play Music.
 
tbayrgs said:
What are you trying to sync from iTunes? Check out iSyncr handle this. For music, I just uploaded my entire library to Google Play Music--it's free and you can upload up to 50,000 songs. This allows me to stream from any device. Google also has a Music Manager app you load on your computer, point it at your music library and it'll automatically upload any new music you add. And if you're worried about data usage for streaming, you can download any part of your library in GPM locally on your phone for offline listening.

For photos, I sync my entire photos library on Apple to Google Photos (using their high quality unlimited tier) so that 1) I have a backup and 2) my entire photo library is available on all devices, Apple or not.
Click to expand...

Thanks guys for the replies.

I'm syncing music from iTunes and pictures from Apple Photos.

I have my entire pictures collection on iPhoto / Photos and really want to stick to it being a Mac user. I'm a film editor so a Mac is [just about these days] a must.

When I had my Nexus I used Google Photos. What a nightmare that proved to be. All my photos were duplicated, I lost all my storage space somehow on my N5 - and pretty much that was the final straw and I moved back over to an iPhone! Another issue was that a lot of photos that I exported to iPhoto were again duplicated by way of thumbnails - so what I'd have is the actual picture taken and then somewhere down the line in all my photos there would be a thumb nail of the same picture. I'd then have to scan through all the pictures and delete the thumbnails. Very frustrating!

Thing is, I do by far-and-away prefer the Android phone experience hence my asking if anything newer and better has come up over the last year to help sync android to iTunes and iPhotos / Photos App.
 
Suckfest 9001 said:
MacBook is no longer on that list. You can't even plug in your phone to the new ones without an adaptor.
Click to expand...
but you have an adapter to do so. People who carry around laptops will have all the cables needed and thats included an adapter. Hense why I keep my adapter in my tech bag at all times.

That said I have never actually needed to plug in my iphone with the macbook.

It is still on the list as it still syncs all my photos and more importantly i will still text back and forth from it so no nothing has changed. It all syncs just fine with all my devices.
 
The Game 161 said:
but you have an adapter to do so. People who carry around laptops will have all the cables needed and thats included an adapter. Hense why I keep my adapter in my tech bag at all times.

That said I have never actually needed to plug in my iphone with the macbook.

It is still on the list as it still syncs all my photos and more importantly i will still text back and forth from it so no nothing has changed. It all syncs just fine with all my devices.
Click to expand...
Lol no. Pros aren't interested in buying a hundred dongles to plug basic stuff into their computers. They're far more interested in buying a laptop that can provide all that functionality out of the box.
 
Suckfest 9001 said:
Lol no. Pros aren't interested in buying a hundred dongles to plug basic stuff into their computers. They're far more interested in buying a laptop that can provide all that functionality out of the box.
Click to expand...
Whats that got to do with what I have said? My post was clearly about everything working with all my devices and thats true. It all does.

I'm sure many people will stick with what they have laptop wise and alot will be able to cope with what it does already. I certainly won't have a need to upgrade my laptop for many years to come.

Those that need to? well if they are paying the massive prices i'm sure they won't be too fussed about spending a little more on dongles.

as always people will prove with their wallets and I'm sure even with the stupid prices people will still buy them.
 
The Game 161 said:
Yeah it's a pretty big deal.

7 plus
pro 9.7
macbook pro
watch

it all works with each other and to me thats huge.
Click to expand...
Yeah I don't think I can ever leave lol

Even when I tired to use the S7 edge alongside my 6S plus I couldn't really use it properly as it didn't fit in with all my other Apple stuff as nice as it was.
 
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