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Anyone gone from a Samsung Galaxy S series phone to the Pixel series?
If so how are you finding the switch?
I'm very tempted by a Pixel 9 Pro but worried I'll miss some things from my current S23 like the the Galaxy Labs customisation apps such as Good Lock, Keys Cafe, One Handed Operation Plus+, Theme Park etc. I'm a bit OCD about how I have my phones set up.
Without rooting, how easy is to customise the Pixel UI? I'd probably continue using Nova Launcher for a minimalist home screen, custom icon packs and the ability to hide apps I don't use but can't uninstall, but there are some thing Nova can't change (which is where Galaxy Labs was handy).
Also, how does the screen compare?
The other option would be to stick with Samsung and get the S25 but I'm keen to try a Pixel for the camera and do quite fancy a change from Samsung as I've been using them since the Galaxy S2 bar one or two random phones like the Nexus 5 and Huawei P20 Pro.
Cheers
I can't answer any of your questions, but the Pixel is the best handset I've ever had. I've had... three Samsungs I think and they've all been garbage.
If the UI works properly in the first place, you shouldn't need a ton of shovelware apps to fix it.
Watching.......My Galaxy 22 Ultra feels like the battery is about to give up, and the screen has a crack, so wondering the same thing. Pixel seems good value, but doesn't have the stylus.
Also thinking leftfield and wondering about a Nothing phone 3a......
I can't answer any of your questions, but the Pixel is the best handset I've ever had. I've had... three Samsungs I think and they've all been garbage.
If the UI works properly in the first place, you shouldn't need a ton of shovelware apps to fix it.
Yeah Samsung phones do contain a lot of bloat (although much less than they used to), but most of it can be uninstalled or disabled. That's what's great about Nova Launcher, it's lightweight and you can hide anything you can't uninstall, then Android will deep-sleep any apps you don't use often so they're not hogging resources in the background.
I just like to tinker with things, and modern Samsungs are great for that.
Good to know you're a fan of the Pixel though. Is it the 9 series you have?
Watching.......My Galaxy 22 Ultra feels like the battery is about to give up, and the screen has a crack, so wondering the same thing. Pixel seems good value, but doesn't have the stylus.
Also thinking leftfield and wondering about a Nothing phone 3a......
The Nothing 3a was also a consideration as it's super cheap (comparatively) but from what I've read the camera is a bit of let down (on both the 3a and 3a Pro). Looks great otherwise.
That's what's great about Nova Launcher,
I think I used that back in like Android 2 days. If it's what I'm thinking of, it's a mature product which fixed a lot of issues at the time. Today though...?
I have a mate with the same phone as me who uses a custom launcher because it irritated him that you couldn't remove the clock from the initial 'desktop' screen.
then Android will deep-sleep any apps you don't use often so they're not hogging resources in the background.
Android memory management does this anyway (or is that what you meant?).
Good to know you're a fan of the Pixel though. Is it the 9 series you have?
Pixel 7a. I chose it over the 7 because the specs were near-identical, the camera was (bizarrely) better and it was cheaper. When it dies - and I envisage that will be sooner rather than later because I don't like phone cases and hoist by my own petard I've dropped it once too often - it would take a very compelling argument indeed for me not to just start comparison-checking models across the Pixel 7/8/9 series.
All other things aside, you're first out of the gate with OS updates - other manufacturers need to port updates from Google releases for their own handsets - and Google promises to provide updates for seven years for newer phones (though I think Samsung is something similar now?).
I went from a Samsung to a pixel 4 and found it a major improvement.
My pixel 4 died just shy of 2 years in and Google warrantied it the replacement pixel 4 lasted 3 years and I'm now on a pixel 8pro. And wouldn't go back ..
I think I used that back in like Android 2 days. If it's what I'm thinking of, it's a mature product which fixed a lot of issues at the time. Today though...?I have a mate with the same phone as me who uses a custom launcher because it irritated him that you couldn't remove the clock from the initial 'desktop' screen.
Probably a different one as I don't think Nova was available back in Android 2 days. I think it release when I had a Galaxy S2, which would have been Android 4 or 5. It was probably for a similar reason to your friend, to remove a forced search bar or some other annoyance.
There's no need if you're happy with the stock look, but if you like to customise things then it's great. Makes it easy to use custom icon packs, resize icons, change the grid layout (ie add more or less icons on screen or in the app drawer), remove the icon text, remove the homescreen dock or make it scrollable, add transparency effects, change menu animations etc. It also had gesture control before it was baked into most phone's software.
Much of what Nova can do you can now do in Samsung's One UI either natively or via Galaxy Labs, but there's still a lot of things only Nova (and I would imagine other custom launchers) can offer.
Again though, it's only for those who like to tinker. I used to be heavily into custom ROMs and rooting (starting with the HTC Hero), however it's hassle getting banking and NFC apps working these days so I just stick to changing the UI. If you just want to put your favourite apps on your homescreen and be done with it then there's it's a pointless app.
Android memory management does this anyway (or is that what you meant?).
Yes, that's what I meant. No need for task killers or anything like that as Android takes care of background apps and unused apps.
Pixel 7a. I chose it over the 7 because the specs were near-identical, the camera was (bizarrely) better and it was cheaper. When it dies - and I envisage that will be sooner rather than later because I don't like phone cases and hoist by my own petard I've dropped it once too often - it would take a very compelling argument indeed for me not to just start comparison-checking models across the Pixel 7/8/9 series.All other things aside, you're first out of the gate with OS updates - other manufacturers need to port updates from Google releases for their own handsets - and Google promises to provide updates for seven years for newer phones (though I think Samsung is something similar now?).
Yeah I notice people who have had a Pixel tend to stick with them.
My girlfriend actually has the 7 which is what planted the seed. She was using my old S20 FE previously but much prefers the Pixel, mostly due to the camera. I'd have a play around with it but she has it set up how she likes it so I don't want to meddle.
As for updates, I'm never really that bothered about getting the lastest as soon as they release as they usually break something in Galaxy Labs so I usually wait a while until I know everything else is updated.
My S23 has been bugging me about a new update for a few weeks now😆
I went from a Samsung to a pixel 4 and found it a major improvement.My pixel 4 died just shy of 2 years in and Google warrantied it the replacement pixel 4 lasted 3 years and I'm now on a pixel 8pro. And wouldn't go back ..
That's good to hear. Any issues with the 8 Pro?
Do Google have a refurb store like Apple?
A Google search says they do, but when I click on the link I don't see it on their store.
I'd be getting it via my work's technology benefits scheme anyway, so paying it up over 12 months... kinda like the Cycle2Work scheme but for electronics.
I have the Pixel 8 Pro, bought primarily for the 5x zoom camera. I previously used a Pixel 4 and Pixel 6, so I guess you'd say I was happy with the Pixel brand. I'm not a fiddler though, so don't play around much with the look and feel of the phone. In my (30+ years IT) experience the more you fiddle the more hassle it brings. Stock is what's extensively tested before each release and even then a couple of glitches get through. It's a phone, camera and communicator, not an ornament 😉
I have the Pixel 8 Pro, bought primarily for the 5x zoom camera. I previously used a Pixel 4 and Pixel 6, so I guess you'd say I was happy with the Pixel brand. I'm not a fiddler though, so don't play around much with the look and feel of the phone. In my (30+ years IT) experience the more you fiddle the more hassle it brings. Stock is what's extensively tested before each release and even then a couple of glitches get through. It's a phone, camera and communicator, not an ornament 😉
The Pixel 8 Pro seems great and from what I gather the 9 series isn't that big of an upgrade. Seems like the next big upgrade will be the 10 series when Google switch to TSMC made chips rather than Samsung. I think the weak point with Pixels has always been their Tensor chips, at least compared to the flagships from other brands.
Have you had any of the reported issues with such as poor WiFi and Bluetooth connectivity or overhearing? Other than the customisation discussed here, that's the only other thing potentially putting me off going for the 9 Pro but like anything, people who don't have issues don't go online to report it.
Tweaking the UI rarely breaks anything but the early days of custom ROMs were a bit like that, one bug would get fixed and three more would appear. However, as the modding scene developed over time the custom releases would often be more stable and have more functionality that the official releases. Features that funnily enough would then later appear in official versions further down the line. For me it peaked with the Nexus 5, which IIRC was the 2nd last device before they became Pixels. OEM software has matured a lot since then but many do still prefer the likes of CalyxOS, GrapheneOS or LineageOS for their complete bare bones install, and enhanced security/privacy features vs stock. These are often as well developed as anything you'd get from official sources with weekly and even nightly updates, and even AOSP/stock Android looks bloated compared to those. Very popular with the type of people who'd use Linux vs Windows or iOS for example.
Phones, PCs, bikes, you name it... if I can mess around with it and change it I will! Phones especially since I spend so much time using them.
Horse for courses though.
8a user here. No issues at all. Shame it's not as good as the 3a it replaced (I still use the 3a, which is about 10 years old(ish?) and still has 3 day battery life, instant fingerprint detection and just works!), but the 8a is decent. I had a hand-me-down Samsung off my son before the Pixel and the bloatware put me off. I do think my partner's Samsung (model unknown) takes better photos than the Pixel, it seems to have better colours and copes with lighting better. But if I didn't have that to compare it to I'd think the Pixel was good.
Yes, that's what I meant. No need for task killers or anything like that as Android takes care of background apps and unused apps.
Yeah. Back when third-party task killers were a fad they had the opposite effect to the one claimed. A task killer kills a task, then the OS starts it straight back up again. I put them in the same bucket as "registry cleaners" for Windows; your registry isn't dirty, leave it alone.
I'm never really that bothered about getting the lastest as soon as they release as they usually break something in Galaxy Labs
I've never had an Android update for a phone break anything, but then I've never had Galaxy Labs.
8a user here. No issues at all. Shame it's not as good as the 3a it replaced (I still use the 3a, which is about 10 years old(ish?) and still has 3 day battery life, instant fingerprint detection and just works!), but the 8a is decent. I had a hand-me-down Samsung off my son before the Pixel and the bloatware put me off. I do think my partner's Samsung (model unknown) takes better photos than the Pixel, it seems to have better colours and copes with lighting better. But if I didn't have that to compare it to I'd think the Pixel was good.
Samsung tend to boost the screen's saturation and over-process the photos, which can make them look great in phone but not always when viewed on a large screen or when printed. It can be an acquired taste, some people like it and some don't.
Pixels tend to take more natural looking photos, which again some people prefer. I think the higher level models do better low-light photos, not sure about the base model or the a versions.
Funny you should mention the fingerprint sensor. My gf has had nothing but issues with it on her 7 so has resorted back to a pin.
Yeah. Back when third-party task killers were a fad they had the opposite effect to the one claimed. A task killer kills a task, then the OS starts it straight back up again. I put them in the same bucket as "registry cleaners" for Windows; your registry isn't dirty, leave it alone.
Yes that's a very good example. CCleaner springs to mind. God-awful software.
I'm sure task killers only existed to serve ads to people.
I've never had an Android update for a phone break anything, but then I've never had Galaxy Labs.
Labs not working doesn't break the phone as such, it just returns whatever specific module that hasn't been updated back it's original functionality. So if you've tweaked the keyboard for example, it just goes back to the standard keyboard until the module gets updated, which to be fair is never too long after the OS update. Minor updates and security patches are fine, it's usually just when the Android version or OneUI main version changes that Labs needs a matching update.
Have you had any of the reported issues with such as poor WiFi and Bluetooth connectivity or overhearing?
Nope.
Yes that's a very good example. CCleaner springs to mind. God-awful software.
I hate CCleaner with a passion. People still occasionally recommend it and it makes my teeth itch. At best it does nothing of value, at worst it has the ability in untrained hands to completely hose your system.
Samsung A52S work phone and Pixel 7a personal phone here.
The A52s is solid, really solid, and refuses to die or have significant battery degradation 3 years in.
The Pixel feels plasticcy and at 18 months has less battery life than when I bought it.
BUT, the Pixel is a clean, bloatwear free, Android experience with no apps I want to block or kill. Pixel runs faster and does not share my data with Samsung or keep requesting I sign up to a Samsung account. It is easier to get it looking as I want.
I do not see the advantage of an extra launcher on top of 'pure' Android. And I used to run Nova on my previous personal phone which was a Chinesium / Xiaomi special
Also: buy one out of contract / unlocked, and then you do not get the constant Vodafone (or other network) pestering to update their account and information...
Yeah, I'm on O2 but their phones are unlocked/carrier free thankfully. If I do upgrade it will be via my work so paid monthly pre-tax with no interest. Then I'd sell the S23 for around £250-£280 or whatever pristine ones go for on eBay.
The S25 doesn't seem like a big enough upgrade though TBH, other than to stick with what I know, so I probably just need to break free from my OneUI Stockholm Syndrome and try a Pixel. If worse comes to worst and I don't like it I can always sell it and buy a OnePlus 12 or something.
I need to think on it some more😊
Have you had any of the reported issues with such as poor WiFi and Bluetooth connectivity or overhearing?
My 7a gets hot if it's a) running Google Maps over Android Auto and b) wireless charging. It hasn't yet overheated despite some long journeys.
Never had any issues with Wi-Fi or Bluetooth. My earbuds pair before I've got them into my ears.
Since near the start of the Pixel series, I have had about every second Pixel. At the moment I have the 8 Pro XL and I hope to get the 10 Pro XL later this year. Other members of my family have the 7A and the 9A and none of us have had any issues other than my son complaining about his charging port but I think that's more from misuse than anything.
My daughter did move from Samsung to Apple but I think that was more about conforming to her peers than anything else 🙁
I went from a Samsung to a Pixel. Don't regret it at all. No more adverts all over the OS, no more duplicated apps, quick updates, automatic spam call blocking and screening etc. Have had a Pixel 8 for some time now and really rate it, and they're half the price or less of the Pixel 9 with almost identical features.
Yeah, I'm on O2 but their phones are unlocked/carrier free thankfully. If I do upgrade it will be via my work so paid monthly pre-tax with no interest.
I was on a monthly contract with O2 for, oh, over 20 years. Back in 1999 it was the cheapest way to do it, PAYG was like house rentals, you're charging the poor more money. Today though, entering into a 2-year contract with a provider is a mug's game. You can buy a Pixel direct from Google on the drip just as you would with a traditional contract and there are plenty of competitive SIM-only service providers.
I'm with Smarty (something something referral code something) who is reselling Three and I'm getting vastly more data and free EU roaming for a fraction of what I was paying to O2. They currently have an offer of 50GB/month for £8, I've just checked my account and my typical usage is under 2GB/month.
I have a pixel 9 pro XL, and I like it, it has satelite connectivity if things go fubar outside of mobile range, but mainly an upgraded modem over the 7 & 8's so it uses less power, and has better signal.
The finger print reader is now ultra sonic as opposed to optical so it's more reliable. The facial recognition also works for banking apps (still need to press the fingerprint spot to clear securituy, so now sure how useful it is really).
No issues at all. It gets warm when wireless charging in the car.
There are a few guestures I use which help. I like the fingerprint scanner. I'm far from a heavy user / fiddler of functions apart from the camera.
My pixel4 used to overheat if I left it on the windowcill in the sun while gardening but a spell in the fridge sorted that.
When I warrantied it I used their online chat. Managed to find my receipt and it was sent off for assessment and replacement. I can't remember the error I had but I can't fault Google's process.
Not sure if pixel or nothing would be able to take this on 37* zoom on my s22 ultra..... 
Digital zoom generally isn't zoom, it's just cropping. You can achieve the same effect in MS Paint.
(Yes, high-end phones now have multiple lenses.)
The S22 Ultra has a 10x Optical Zoom lens. My Pixel 8 Pro has a 5X Optical Zoom and nothing in the Pixel 9 family beats that.
Anything behind that is clever manipulation of captured images by the built-in software and how good it gets depends on the capabilities of said software.
Not sure if pixel or nothing would be able to take this on 37* zoom on my s22 ultra.....
I asked ChatGPT to sharpen it.
Having owned s24 ultra - I'm not impressed with the reliability and the CS.
Died within one month. CS said I shouldn't charge over night. Returned.
I quite like the Samsung OS - sure it's a bit busy but there some great features.
But plenty of downsides and the cameras are overrated oversharpened gash with lousy optics.
I do have a back up phone - a fold z4 though which is just about the biggest depreciating 'asset' you can buy. I think it's a fantastic tablet setup. I paid £800 after someone had owned it for about a month and took it to CEX. So was £1800 new then £800 for me and worth about £300 now..
Pixel looks great.
Pixel 9 Pro here, after a couple of iPhones. They did not like Waze, would run hot and use battery faster than the car could charge them, and I'd have to wedge them in the aircon vent. Pixel doesn't even get warm in the same situation.
Also have a Samsung S on its last legs and looking to change to something cheaper and newer. Considering pixel, but also Motorola.
- There's a Moto edge 50 neo that looks like it does most things, is fairly small - 6.4" - wireless charging that I like, and water resistant.
- Any experiences good or bad?
Change of plan for me...
My ASN toddler threw a balance board at the livingroom TV yesterday and cracked the screen so I've ordered a LG C4 OLED 55" via the work's tech scheme rather than a new phone (and now need to build a plexiglass and plywood TV enclosure to protect it!).
After humming and hawing over the phone I was considering just keeping the S23 for a bit longer anyway so will look into it again when the Pixel 10 and S26 are released next year.
Thanks to everyone who replied😉
Samsung tend to boost the screen's saturation and over-process the photos..
Pixels tend to take more natural looking photos...
Makes sense that. I've only viewed similar photos on the phones's screens to make my judgement 👍