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 treasured Pixel 6, and issues had been going nice. It lived as much as my expectations; it made me completely happy. Sadly, it was not an ideal relationship. Roughly two years of short-lived happiness ended abruptly, and we broke up.
The explanation why I ended up dumping the Pixel 6 was easy: it simply wasn’t usable day-after-day anymore. The system would dangle 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 system 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 wished 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 way more gracefully than Pixels.
Now, I’ve taken everybody — together with myself — without warning 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 forwards and backwards between both model and even utilizing each concurrently.
What’s in the end 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 wished to check out the newest 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, in my view, essentially the most underrated Pixel characteristic of all of them. This music identification characteristic is seamless, automated, and so darn good at what it is alleged to do.
You now not should ask, “Hey, what tune is that?” as a result of the Pixel does it for you. It information the tune 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.
Neglect Shazam, Now Taking part in is the final word tune tracker slash audio identification app, and it’s baked into fashionable 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 into 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’ll be able to merely command your Pixel’s alarm to show off verbally when it goes off. This contains easy solutions like “snooze” or “cease,” however as a result of the alarm is fairly loud, it is advisable 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 an excellent 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 take a look at. Android 14 has a good higher look, and I completely love the look of my Pixel 8 operating it.
Though One UI and dynamic colour theming in addition to themed icons, it simply would 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 delicate 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 further 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 arduous 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 skills. Nobody does cool, seamless software program tweaks like Google does.
Peak Android images
This part is extraordinarily subjective, however I am the professional 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 colour, 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 like the colour tones and accuracy that the Pixel 8 delivers, with vibrant hues which might be true to life. The extent of element is gorgeous, and the movement unblur kicks Samsung and Apple’s butts. Evening mode is phenomenal, too.
I am not right here to steer you that the Pixel 8 has the very best cameras. Image high quality is subjective to the attention of the beholder. For me, Google has the best formulation, but it surely won’t be the identical for you. Nevertheless, this was a giant characteristic that I craved when utilizing the Samsung telephone as my major system. And it is not simply my Pixel 8; my Pixel 6 may whoop the S22 Extremely with its arms tied behind its again. Pictures is Google’s forte, so when 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 usually, nor does it negate my poor expertise with the Pixel 6. Nevertheless, these options are sufficient to make me need to give Google’s Pixel ecosystem one other shot. It makes me hope that the Pixel 8 would not stroll down the Pixel 6’s path, and although there is no means for me to substantiate this proper now, solely time will inform whether or not newer Pixels are constructed to final.
