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.

  • KyleEnglish
    51·
    9 months ago

    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.

    • eclipse@sh.itjust.worksEnglish
      11·
      9 months ago

      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.

      • KyleEnglish
        1·
        9 months ago

        I understand one can flash a pixel. I never want to install another rom again though. I want to buy it and have it become my daily driver with android auto and communication apps within a few hours. I have found the ROM scene to be an enormous time commitment that I no longer want to fiddle with.

        • eclipse@sh.itjust.worksEnglish
          1·
          9 months ago

          I plugged in my S21+ to my Google Pixel 7 and went to the browser installer on the S21+, took maybe 5 minutes to install. Graphene OS is dead simple unlike other roms. That’s why so many people use and recommend it.

          • KyleEnglish
            1·
            9 months ago

            I’m still desperately in love with android auto. I’d still need a phone with full android permissions and functionality. So graphene is still out.

            That’s really cool they smoothed the install process like that. Might try that on my old pixel as a travel phone.

            • eclipse@sh.itjust.worksEnglish
              1·
              9 months ago

              I totally get that. I’d probably be the same way if my car was new enough to support android auto.

              • KyleEnglish
                2·
                9 months ago

                If it’s not annoying I could probably use a spare old phone exclusively for android auto. But unfortunately I’m still entrenched in Google services. Slowly dragging myself out.