Should I buy a Pixel or a Samsung?
If I buy the best that either company has to offer (Pixel 8 pro or S23 Ultra)
Which one, in your opinion, would be the best Android experience and why? Would love to know your thoughts.
Pixel 8. No bloatware (except the Google bloat of course, but you can get rid of this easily), plus Google has now promised 7 years of updates - which is more than the iPhone. This would increase the resale value of the phone, and even if you don't want to sell it, you could always give it to a family member or something after say 3-4 years of use, and they'd still get many years of official updates remaining. This is great for reducing e-waste whilst still maintaining a good security posture.
And if you're privacy conscious, you could ditch the Google ecosystem completely and load GrapheneOS on it, and GrapheneOS is simple amazing in terms of privacy and security, and arguably has better battery life too (thanks to no Google bloatware running on it).
Everything this person said. - Sent from a GrapheneOS device
I've also enjoyed CalyxOS on my pixel
I would also suggest looking into GrapheneOS if you're looking for something new. I've been running it for 6 months on my pixel 6, and I have really enjoyed it. Apps just work, you can still use Google Play services in a sandbox, it's smooth and gets good battery life. The only downside that I have run across is the lack of Android auto support, but everything else just works
Yeah Pixel for similar reasons. Even when I paid for an expensive Samsung phone all the unremovable crap they'd loaded on made it feel like I was the product rather than the customer.
Get a Pixel, install GrapheneOS.
Do apps requiring locked phones (Netflix, baking etc.) work?
Most do work, only apps that have stupid arbitrary Google SafetyNet requirements might have problems. It's entirely the fault of Google though.
I like Samsung hardware a LOT, they are usually pretty cutting edge. I'm decidedly less a fan of their software. They run a custom launcher which is very meh.
Contrasted with Google, their hardware leaves a lot to be desired especially at the flagship price. The software (stock Android) is solid though. You are also guaranteed updates, I believe now the Pixel 8 is for 7 years. I don't know of any other Android devices that will get updates for that long.
Google support is also pretty lackluster. I haven't had to deal with Samsung so cannot comment there. I hear it's better.
Really, you can't go wrong with either one.
I don't know of any other Android devices that will get updates for that long.
Fairphone has support for 8 years (5 years OS + 3 years security updates) starting this year.
they lied Quallcomm will discountinue support for the socs used five years before fairphone says updates will finish they also use public keys for verified boot, meaning that verified boot basically does nothing control+f and search for fairphone in this page for more info: (https://www.privacyguides.org/en/os/android-overview/)
Flagship price? You get a Pixel 8 pro and a pixel watch 2 for $900. If you sell the smartwatch for $300 (MSRP is $400) you come out at $600. The S23 Ultra and iPhone 15 Pro is at $1300.
I love your "you can't pick a wrong one" view.
But really, aside from gaming, the Samsung lineup is nothing but bloatware-filled trash.
Samsung has a bunch of proprietary crap I always hated. Most especially the Knox protection that prevents rooting or custom ROM installation easily.
My sister has the newest Pixel and it's practically stock Android. It's Google's flagship phone, too. Unfortunately I don't have my own hands on experience with it to offer more details, but I'd choose the Pixel over a Samsung.
If it weren't for Samsung crap like pre-installed Facebook and other bloat, unremovable Samsung apps etc. I'd go for one because I really like Dex, the fact that they put latest hardware available in their flagship etc. But considering things as they are, I'd choose the Pixel.
You can uninstall everything with this easily: https://github.com/0x192/universal-android-debloater
Not all Samsungs come with Facebook
There are options for debloating (like uninstalling via adb) but the thing I read about camera no longer working after flashing a custom rom made this piece of crap I am writing from my first and last Samsung. Good luck with your Pixel
pixel for grapheneos
If you care about privacy, Pixel. Install on it GrapheneOS.
If not, I'd say I still prefer the cleaner UI and overall feel of the Pixel.
If you want the best Android experience you're not going to do better than a Pixel. It's a Google OS, on Google hardware. I myself am looking forward to the Pixel 8 Pro.
Hardware wise, Samsung may meet or maybe even exceed Google's line, but not significantly enough to make a difference in my opinion. Especially with the newer Pixels, it's a pretty mature product at this point.
Never buy Samsung, full of proprietary trash bloat, and they crack down on people trying to get root access. Absolute no-go.
The Pixel is the far superior product as far as I am concerned: Faster, more stable, no bloatware and the best camera around.
But, and this might be a big but for some, if you need repairs or service outside of insurance you are SOL. There's not a lot of companies doing Pixel repairs and if they do the parts are insanely expensive. I needed a screen replace and it cost almost as much as the phone itself in parts and labour. And the end result is a screen that gets dirtier and a non-functioning fingerprint sensor. Not optimal.
Awesome phone, but pray you do not need service.
I've had so many problems with pixels it's not even funny. Never had an issue with Samsung. I think Google makes poor quality devices.
Ah, also as a professional photographer I can promise you the cameras are better on Samsung devices.
Ah, also as a professional photographer I can promise you the cameras are better on Samsung devices.
Thanks your your feedback, that is interesting.
The one thing pixel is better at in my expeirence is the digital zoom, I can get insane detail at 20+ zoom levels that I could never even approximate with a Samsung.
Also, battery life on the 7 series is pretty bad. My old 3a had awesome battery life, but since then Google started making their own SoC. They still use some third-party chips which they don't control, and it's affecting power efficiency. I've heard rumors that they're expected to have better control of power consumption around the 9 series.
All that being said, I love my Pixel 7a, but I frequently have to top it off to last me a full day. I can handle that, but if you don't have access to a charger during the day I'd consider other options.
I've had my Pixel 4a for 3 years and it's still top notch. I'm quite satisfied with it.
Same, it will be a sad day when it dies.
I had the Pixel 3XL for years and loved it, but it was time to upgrade this year. I tried the latest Pixel and I hated the redesign and I had to return it. I made the switch to the Samsung Galaxy 23 Ultra and I love it. Sadly the Pixel design is no longer as good as it once was. Hang onto that 4a as long as you can.
If you care about your privacy, and you should, get a pixel and install GrapheneOS.
Any idea how long it will take (estimated) until you can install GrapheneOS on the upcoming devices after they're released?
Or get a pine phone and save $1000+
Pixels aren't that expensive. And there are very good reasons why GrapheneOS only supports Pixel devices. Pixels are the only devices that have the proper hardware security features.
Idk what Pixel phone you're buying that you'd save +1000$. You can get a pixel 6 pro for like 550$.
I can't stand iOS, but I'd rather use an iPhone than a Samsung phone. Not kidding. Get a pixel.
Absolutely agree with you
As an owner of the Pixel 7 Pro, I'd say the S23 Ultra. Better in every possible way except duplicate Google/Samsung apps, mostly-subjective camera differences, and subjective UI skin.
I had a pixel 6 pro and was going to upgrade to the 8 pro when it came out, but the leaks seemed to indicate that they were gonna have the same modem/connectivity issues which was my biggest complaint about the 6 pro. My carrier (Google Fi) was running a crazy deal on Galaxy phones so I decided fuck it and got the 23 plus (I don't care for a stylus). Holy shit it's night and day, the amount of stuff that just genuinely works is such a breath of fresh air. My wireless android auto "just works" my galaxy watch "just works", setting everything up worked the first try. My fingerprint reader is way better. Apps crash less, samsung health is pretty cool (no extra subscription). I was a little leery of all the Samsung "bloatware" (I've been hearing all bad stuff since the TouchWiz days), but honestly almost everything is better than the Google version. The noteable exception is the keyboard, for whatever reason my autocorrect on Gboard seems to be way better. I was nervous I'd miss the pixel call blocking stuff, but apparently Bixby also does it so I haven't noticed any spam calls since switching.
TL;DR: galaxy S23 is super dope, if you can get it on a deal I'd highly recommend it.
I have the same experience. I find somehow the call blocking is more robust on Samsung. I had no idea that they even had that feature parity.
The perception of Samsung being full of bloat is a misnomer. Can't get rid of lots of Google apps on the pixel and can't change the photo gallery app or the camera app.
I have my own Cloud and don't want to use Google's, and Samsungs software was much more receptive in me de-googling the phone the way I wanted to with my own self hosted photo backup software.
Also I don't have a hand warmer for a phone now.
With Pixels you can install different ROMs or root your device to remove anything you want. Samsung doesn't give you that choice. Also, Samsung software has gotten so buggy over the years to the point I don't even use my Samsung anymore. Graphene OS is so light weight and stable compared to my S21+ with disabled bloatware and heavy battery optimization. Not to mention how hot Samsung phones get when using the camera.
Samsung fucks up their version of android, most notably killing background apps no matter what setting you change, but OneUI is by far the best UI I've ever used in a phone. Very confused on whether it's open source or not, I see open source licenses and a a community driven GitHub page for it but it's also samsung. Still the UI is awesome
Get a pixel and install GrapheneOS (they make it super easy with their web-based installer). You can even reinstall google play services and then harshly restrict their system access, massively boosting your privacy without sacrificing usability. It also has a very little footprint and you can use aurora store to get google play store apps or fdroid for even better privacy.
The thing I love the most about my pixel is the automated call screener. I would honestly buy it again just for that alone.
This right here. I can't believe all of the spam calls I'm missing out on right now - used to be so infuriating to get a daily interruption or two, but now the assistant helpfully answers and doesn't even inform me unless someone speaks intelligently to it.
It's matter of preference. If you like clean android go google if you like to customize go Samsung. If you like best power go Samsung if you don't want top end hardware go google. If you want complete privacy and security go google and install graphene os. I love customizability with decent privacy while having small device so I'm rooted on S23.
Google android is far from clean. I had to install a new launcher because it wouldn't let me disable the stupid google bar on the mainscreen. Searching for a way to disable it I stumpled on way too many google kiddies asking "WhY WoULd wAnT To DisaBLe tHiS FeaTUre?"
I agree. But I meant the "clean" mainstream vision of Android from Google.
Separate topic, but what are the benefits of Graphene. Assumption like ROMs of old. Not modded my phone in years since Pixel 2, currently Pixel 7 hence not seen the need. When I did root my phone, it was always cat and mouse patching and repatching to allow Android Pay (as it was called) and all my banking apps.
I've been rooting my phones since 2011 and never had issues with banking apps. Also I don't use Android pay cause I always strip my phone as much as possible of Google's surveillance. I honestly cannot use phone without root cause it would fly out of window before evening.
If you want to take it a leap further and become autonomous of Google and others, you will use Graphene OS. But for you it would be cruel torture cause you seem to be deeply into Google's ecosystem. I'm not deeply in it and it will be hard for me. But I'm prepared with my next update.
It's up to the fact if you value your privacy and data over convenience. And that's what they count on..
The only reason I ever rooted my devices was because the stock rom lacked features I desired. With one or two exceptions, the stock rom now has all the features baked in. I don't think I've rooted and installed a custom rom since 2016 or 2017.
I think it entirely depends where you are. Samsung has amazing support worldwide while Google outside of US basically leaves you on your own.
I can see a reason to get either a pixel or Samsung, can't really go wrong with either. Personally I use a Samsung for the customization of OneUI and better processors but occasionally I do envy the camera on a pixel phone and the stock android layout. Main advice if you were to get either is to try to buy it used instead of new.
Honest question what customization does OneUI have that you can't do on a Pixel?
Samsung has a set of tools called good lock, where you can customise OneUI with such ease. The only thing I miss about my pixel is the weather and which song is playing on the AOD screen. Now samsung allows widgets on AOD buts it not the same thing.
Just a few examples I use on my S23:
Get a Pixel, Install GrapheneOS.
All the nerds like to recommend the Pixel since it's "pure" and a device for tinkering. But ignore the fact that all google products are unfinished, and this is true for the pixel line. If you are OK with beta testing for google and doing workarounds for bugs, then this is fine. But not everyone has time and nerves for that.
Yeah, samsung has bloat(most can be removed, disabled etc.) but I've never had OS bugs like when I had a Nexus or a Pixel.
The Samsung interface is much better than the standard Android interface offered by Google.
Oof, hard disagree there. It's a subjective preference, of course, but you are objectively wrong and I will die on this hill.
That's interesting, I've had the exact opposite experience. Google pixels have always been much less buggy than the galaxies I've had
I have been with the Galaxy lineup since the original S model. Switched to the Pixel 7 Pro this year and I'm not looking back. What a phenomenal experience it's been. Samsung has been increasing their bloat over the years and I am just done with it.
I agree with you, I've had 2 Pixels and they just work. I had a Galaxy and it was always crashing and doing weird things if you used a different launcher.
Controversial. I've owned many of the Nexus line and I own the pixel 6 pro. I also rocked an s7 for a while. Samsung definitely does a great job with their UI but I also would like to point out that these issues with pixel are not as common as news points them out to be. I know several people with pixel phones that experienced none of these issues.
My advice is to just prioritize what you want out of your phone. The fact I will always get android updates first and probably the longest os support compared to Samsung and the ease in which I can flash custom ROMs of I wanted to is why I stick with pixel. Samsung definitely had extras I wish Google would bake into stock android though.
Pixel. Period.
If you like lots of customization options out of the box, then Samsung. If you like using a pen to write (or convert handwriting to text) or draw, then Samsung. If you want barebones Google and don't want extra features or customizations, then Pixel. It depends what you like.
You should try both in person before deciding.
You're mostly right, but I'm told that Pixels have features that no other Android phones have. So, in a way, Pixels also have "extra features."
Plus for some people, "barebones" here is actually a good thing.
Pixels historically have a lot of weird hardware issues, like the modem underperforming, bad antennas, poor fingerprint sensor, overheating, and so on.
I don't know if the Pixel 8 lineup has them too, but I would search around pretty heavily on that and see first.
The Pixel is like any other Google product, half-assed and supported only when they feel like it. My Pixel 6 was vulnerable to an attack needing no user input because Google waited a week past the disclosure deadline to put a patch out from a vulnerability their own security group originally found. The phone also maybe couldn’t have called 911 for a few weeks. The phone looking dated and having a slow as hell finger print sensor are on me, but the former are Google being shitty.
I love my Pixel and would always choose it over Samsung, but yuuuup. Lot's of wierd Software issues too.
Can't forget the time when they shipped a PIN recovery mode that allows you to enter the PUK for whatever SIM card is inserted ... while also allowing you to hot swap sim cards. 😂
I went from pixel 5 to Samsung s23.
The hardware of Samsung feels really solid. It's definitely more customisable. The pixel though just has everything already built in. It was a joy to use. Plus the camera is just so reliable. Far better than the base s23.
The Samsung isn't quite bad enough that I want to sell it and get another pixel when it comes out, but I'm definitely not sticking with Samsung in however many years time when I do replace it.
I have an S23 Ultra and it is a nice phone but I wouldn't recommend Samsung to anyone because my last several Samsungs "mysteriously" got issues right before the 2 year plan ended. I won't be getting another Samsung after this one. I really wanted the pen and it is great but I'm starting to care more about longevity.
I'm using the S10e which is 4.5 years old. Still strong. Too bad there is no small phones like it...
Maybe Asus Zenfone 10 is the way to go.
Pixel.
I have a samsung phone and I don't like all their bloated crap they force on you. 100% would NOT buy again.
Samsung only for Samsung dex
For real. When one of my friends dropped his phone and cracked the screen ,we saved it by checking and backing up his stuff through samsung dex. Smart Switch doesn't work through dex though, so we still had to guess where the buttons were on an all white screen to work it through the phone.
I didn't realize til shopping around recently that most flagship phones' type C ports are only usb 2 instead of USB 3 like the Samsung S series phones. I reeeally wanted HDMI out in case I needed it in a pinch, too.
I don't have a great answer for you as I haven't used the Pixel 8 Pro yet.
I have owned a Pixel 7 Pro alongside my Motorola Razr+ and my S23 Ultra and, personally, found the S23 Ultra to be leagues better in software features and hardware performance (I know I'm going to get voted down to hell for saying it). I ended up selling it to a friend.
BUT...based on the current P8P information, it may finally change my mind. I definitely plan to pick one up and use it as my DD for awhile and see. I'm legitimately hopeful.
Yeah, I think it depends heavily on your recent experience. The Pixel 7 experience is much improved over my previous 2020 Xiaomi phone, but the SoC is only marginally better. Software optimizations and ditching MIUI seem like just as big of a factor in the improvement, if not the main factor. If I'd had another flagship in-between those devices maybe I'd find Pixel 7 performance lacking too, it's simply the most performant smartphone I've used.
Pixel has the smoothest experience in terms of animations, but they also have the shittiest hardware. Samsung is okay, and the snapdragon versions have usable battery and modems. Pixel's SOC is hot garbage (though time will tell for pixel 8)
Just keep in mind Samsung has a shit os and hides things under bad UI ux.
I don't find it that bad on my Tab S7, DEX is really nice to have too.
https://flash.android.com/welcome
Nothing like is available for other OEMs.
Oh, almost forgot, for those interested in giving buying advice, please check out our very own buying guide that we are making in the sticky post and contribute your input. Thanks.
Those using Samsung, how do you get around the bloatware and redundant apps? I agree that Samsung typically has better hardware. Before they locked their bootloader I used them exclusively with custom roms to get a clean android experience. The Pixel line tends to only include the Google apps with no extra third party apps. Getting access to the latest Android versions on releases is also a big plus for me.
Universal Android Debloater works pretty well for this.
Disable them and hide them using a custom launcher. For what it's worth, I like Samsung's changes over stock Android (especially post-Material 3) to use a Pixel. It also helps that I'm using a Fold and Samsung has the best software features of any foldable.
I switch from a Pixel 3 to a S23 and it's really nice. The new Snapdragon 8 gen 2 is solid, with great battery life and doesn't heat up even when doing intensive task. I also change almost all the stock app to Google's so it's basically just like using a Pixel now, abet with some restriction (no google recorder app because that's pixel exclusive lol).
I was worried about "Samsung bloat" too but I have to say the new OneUI is rather nice.
What intensive tasks are you performing on your phone?
I wouldn't buy a Samsung in my right mind
Pixel.
The only advantage that i could think of in a Samsung phone is gaming performance.
And that's it, everything else is sh*te.
The Pixel experience being stock Android without any bloatware appeals to me.
I've also always rooted all of my Android devices, and the Pixel has been one of the easiest to do so, though this advantage would only be relevant to a small minority of users.
I've been on one plus phones for years and then switched to pixel 4a 5g, then pixel 6a.
I just switched to a samsung galaxy s23 ultra and I am loving this device.
I uninstalled a bunch of the Google and samsung bloatware.
Pixel 7 works perfectly for me. I like nearly all aspects of it. The camera is extremely good (I've recently made a comparison with iPhone 14 Pro Max and iPhone was far worse) and reliable. The battery life and performance is good. The phone feels smooth, without a lot of bugs. I don't have a recent experience with Samsung, but I will stick with Pixel going forward.
Haven't had a samsung phone since the note 3, but I remember having issues with unlocking the bootloader, I think you had to use some 3rd party tool because samsung provided no guide in their manual. With nexus and pixel phones it's really easy so them I can definately recommend.
Samsung is using by far the worst OEM Rom, Pixel has by far the best. Go for the Pixel
Pixel has by far the best.
And GrapheneOS is even better
Can't speak on the Pixel (I've heard great things), but I have an S23+ and it works pretty great for me. I don't play a lot of games or anything if that's what you're looking for though
There should be an inherent time frame people think about, phones from 8 or 9 years ago are not relevant in any aspect to todays talking points for both sides of the aisle.
I've just recently switched from a Galaxy S10 to a Pixel 7 as I wanted to see the "vanilla" experience, as well as be closer to upstream for software updates. My S10 still works great, though the battery needs replacement (at the time, it had already broken the glue on the back glass and was still expanding -- didn't realize until I took it out of the case for cleaning)...
With my S10, I had to really fight to get it to let me use Google's apps over the Samsung ones; which whole annoying is doable. So far, the only things I really miss from Samsung (and notably the UX):
Overall, I'm happy with the experience so far; though I dunno if the "Pro" model of anything is really worth it.
Am not really sure what you mean by "had to really fight to get it to let me use Google's apps"? I've been a Samsung user for years and I have never even once ran into situation where wrong application would start. Not only that, I started using Samsung's Email application last year because GMail stopped downloading attachments, a known issue they never fixed.
Part of the difficulty may have also been because it was my first foray into Android... at the moment I don't have a specific example, but I seem to remember setting defaults was straight-forward; but either they were not always respected by certain interaction prompts, or some similar behavior.
As for GMail, I'm also no longer using the app and instead have opted for Spark (personal mailboxes) & Outlook (exchange, work)...
I just made this exact comment on another thread: My first smartphone was a Samsung, it was also my last Samsung device. I hate the bloatware, just want as close to stock android as possible. After the Samsung I had a couple of Nexus device by Motorola (pre-pixel I guess? Google designed built by Motorola IIRC) then went to OnePlus
The last time I tried a Samsung phone I returned it the same day I got it. The competing OS elements from Samsung's ROM and the standard Android UI were really really off-putting to me. I can get an app having a unique style, but this was different OS elements looking and working differently.
Samsung hardware is a lot higher quality, but the Pixel is cheaper. I've had to return a pixel to Google 5 times before so I don't buy those any longer for myself.