Oops, I did it once more.
After the Pixel 6 broke my coronary heart, I ended up going again to the Pixel 8. Feeling misplaced? Let me recap.
There I used to be, having fun with my expertise with my valuable Pixel 6, and issues had been going nice. It lived as much as my expectations; it made me joyful. Sadly, it was not an ideal relationship. Roughly two years of short-lived happiness ended abruptly, and we broke up.
The rationale why I ended up dumping the Pixel 6 was easy: it simply wasn’t usable each day anymore. The machine would cling up on me, I had a ton of community issues, and the Bluetooth would solely play good when it was within the temper. Google did not design the Pixel 6 for sustained heavy utilization, and the telephone simply could not take it anymore.
As soon as that was accomplished and dusted, my subsequent major machine was the Samsung Galaxy S22 Extremely. This was partly as a result of I used to be curious and partly as a result of I needed to reaffirm my perception within the longevity of flagship telephones. This experiment had a extra cheerful ending, main me to conclude that Samsung’s telephones age much more gracefully than Pixels.
Now, I’ve taken everybody — together with myself — abruptly and have cautiously switched again to a Google Pixel — the Pixel 8, to be extra particular. Earlier than you seize your pitchforks and torches, calm your self. No, I’m not a “hater” of both telephone, Samsung Galaxy or Google Pixel, so I’ve no problem bouncing backwards and forwards between both model and even utilizing each concurrently.
What’s finally a very powerful issue is not model loyalty. All I care about (and so do you have to) is an efficient high quality product that is value my whereas and my hard-earned cash. However there’s extra to the story than simply curiosity.
Positive, I needed to check out the most recent Pixel to see for myself whether or not it had improved over the Pixel 6. However I used to be additionally sorely lacking a few Pixel-exclusive options that no different Android telephone has.
Now Taking part in on the Pixel lock display
Now Taking part in is, for my part, probably the most underrated Pixel characteristic of all of them. This music identification characteristic is seamless, automated, and so darn good at what it is purported to do.
You now not need to ask, “Hey, what music is that?” as a result of the Pixel does it for you. It data the music with a time stamp, allows you to browse the listing and favourite tracks, and you may even share songs proper out of the Now Taking part in app.
Overlook Shazam, Now Taking part in is the last word music tracker slash audio identification app, and it’s baked into trendy Pixels. I attempted to make use of alternate options on my Samsung, however nothing got here near this. There is not a lock display widget that is nearly as good as this, both.
Yelling STOP at my telephone’s alarm to show it off
It had turn out to be considerably of a bizarre custom for everybody within the family to start out yelling “STAHPP” at my Pixel each time the alarm would ring.
In case you were not conscious, you may merely command your Pixel’s alarm to show off verbally when it goes off. This consists of easy solutions like “snooze” or “cease,” however as a result of the alarm is fairly loud, you’ll want to be a bit louder when talking to your Pixel.
Name it an idiosyncrasy, however I missed screaming at my Pixel to show off the alarm. It is dumb, it is chaotic, but it surely’s additionally enjoyable. The truth that it confuses folks hanging round you is an added bonus. It is a fantastic dialog starter if something. Each telephone ought to have this characteristic.
Pure, unadulterated inventory Android with a Pixel twist
After the Android 12 Materials You facelift, Android on a Pixel is unmatched. The UI is mouth-wateringly delish to have a look at. Android 14 has an excellent higher look, and I completely love the look of my Pixel 8 working it.
Though One UI and dynamic coloration theming in addition to themed icons, it simply does not have the soul of a Pixel. The attraction of the inventory Android telephone lies within the little issues like the form of the Fast Settings menu, the clock, the At a look widget, and the fluid animations.
It is really easy to get used to the refined software program tweaks added by Google. I nearly forgot that every one telephones haven’t got the flexibility to repeat textual content from nearly anyplace or translate textual content chosen inside an app with out taking screenshots or any additional steps. Then there’s the Magic Eraser, Magic Editor, and Audio Magic Eraser, all of which ship superior outcomes.
When you get used to Google’s spin on inventory Android, it is actually onerous to maneuver on from there. Regardless of switching over to Samsung’s better-functioning telephone, I nonetheless yearned for these little built-in choices and talents. Nobody does cool, seamless software program tweaks like Google does.
Peak Android images
This part is extraordinarily subjective, however I am the skilled right here so bear that in thoughts earlier than bullying me within the feedback part. I’ve examined tons and tons of Android telephones, and on the subject of image high quality and coloration, Google is the undisputed champ.
Between the iPhone 15, the Galaxy S24, and the Pixel 8, the Pixel wins the battle on the subject of images. Hand on my coronary heart, the Pixel 8’s digicam is superior. I discover the digicam app to be extra user-friendly, with simply findable and usable modes and simply higher images total.
I really like the colour tones and accuracy that the Pixel 8 delivers, with vibrant hues which are true to life. The extent of element is beautiful, and the movement unblur kicks Samsung and Apple’s butts. Night time mode is phenomenal, too.
I am not right here to influence you that the Pixel 8 has one of the best cameras. Image high quality is subjective to the attention of the beholder. For me, Google has the fitting formulation, but it surely may not be the identical for you. Nevertheless, this was a giant characteristic that I craved when utilizing the Samsung telephone as my major machine. And it is not simply my Pixel 8; my Pixel 6 might whoop the S22 Extremely with its palms tied behind its again. Images is Google’s forte, so in case you ever ditch a Pixel, you may miss the images expertise.
This does not make up for the poor construct high quality and longevity of Pixels typically, nor does it negate my poor expertise with the Pixel 6. Nevertheless, these options are sufficient to make me wish to give Google’s Pixel ecosystem one other shot. It makes me hope that the Pixel 8 does not stroll down the Pixel 6’s path, and although there is not any means for me to verify this proper now, solely time will inform whether or not newer Pixels are constructed to final.
