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submitted 9 months ago by Cameri@lemmy.world to c/android@lemmy.world

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.

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[-] d3Xt3r@lemmy.nz 80 points 9 months ago

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).

[-] hiramfromthechi@lemmy.world 28 points 9 months ago

Everything this person said. - Sent from a GrapheneOS device

[-] UnPassive@lemmy.world 10 points 9 months ago

I've also enjoyed CalyxOS on my pixel

[-] bigdog_00@lemmy.world 7 points 9 months ago

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

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[-] phx@lemmy.ca 9 points 9 months ago

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.

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[-] netchami@sh.itjust.works 39 points 9 months ago

Get a Pixel, install GrapheneOS.

[-] mihies@kbin.social 11 points 9 months ago

Do apps requiring locked phones (Netflix, baking etc.) work?

[-] random65837@lemmy.world 13 points 9 months ago

Yes, because Graphene is a real OS and maintains secure boot. Your bootloader remains locked.

[-] Zikeji@programming.dev 12 points 9 months ago

Netflix you just can't get from Google Play, but people report having no problem installing from Aurora (basically a Google Play store frontend).

I'm not sure how it works on Graphene as I personally just rooted my phone but didn't take the plunge to Graphene, but there is a list of compatible banking apps here: https://privsec.dev/banking

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[-] 0110010001100010@lemmy.world 30 points 9 months ago

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.

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[-] Kolanaki@yiffit.net 28 points 9 months ago

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.

[-] puppy@lemmy.world 22 points 9 months ago

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.

[-] iturnedintoanewt@lemm.ee 15 points 9 months ago

Even their keyboard wants to connect online and access to your contacts. Kinda creepy. If you get Samsung there's a ton of stuff you need to disable privacy-wise. But yeah their hardware is amazing.

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[-] darcy@sh.itjust.works 22 points 9 months ago

pixel for grapheneos

[-] eruchitanda@lemmy.world 19 points 9 months ago

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.

[-] random65837@lemmy.world 17 points 9 months ago

For the best ANDROID experience, that would be Pixel hands down. Samsung's are not an android experience, they're a Samsung experience. They're the further thing from what Android was supposed to be. That much isnt opinion, theres literally nothing they haven't changed. Plus Theyre more locked down and you have no options with them. Maybe you become privacy or security aware, lots of options with a Pixel, zero with a Samsung.

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[-] roboticide@lemmy.world 14 points 9 months ago

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.

[-] viking@infosec.pub 14 points 9 months ago* (last edited 9 months ago)

Never buy Samsung, full of proprietary trash bloat, and they crack down on people trying to get root access. Absolute no-go.

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[-] JdW@lemmy.world 13 points 9 months ago

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.

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[-] ilinamorato@lemmy.world 13 points 9 months ago* (last edited 9 months ago)

I can't stand iOS, but I'd rather use an iPhone than a Samsung phone. Not kidding. Get a pixel.

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[-] Trollivier@sh.itjust.works 12 points 9 months ago

I've had my Pixel 4a for 3 years and it's still top notch. I'm quite satisfied with it.

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[-] space@lemmy.dbzer0.com 12 points 9 months ago

If you care about your privacy, and you should, get a pixel and install GrapheneOS.

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[-] OscarRobin@lemmy.world 11 points 9 months ago

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.

[-] Pulptastic@midwest.social 11 points 9 months ago

I have a pixel 6 personal phone and a Samsung s21fe work phone and the software on the Samsung is garbage. Bloatware you can't uninstall, weird default settings, "features" nobody wanted that I can't disable, and more bloatware.

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[-] azurefirefly@lemmy.basedcount.com 10 points 9 months ago* (last edited 9 months ago)

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

[-] Keeslinp@programming.dev 10 points 9 months ago

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.

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[-] ichbinjasokreativ@lemmy.world 9 points 9 months ago

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.

[-] drmoose@lemmy.world 9 points 9 months ago

I think it entirely depends where you are. Samsung has amazing support worldwide while Google outside of US basically leaves you on your own.

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[-] nostradiel@lemmy.world 9 points 9 months ago* (last edited 9 months ago)

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.

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[-] its_the_new_style@sh.itjust.works 9 points 9 months ago

The thing I love the most about my pixel is the automated call screener. I would honestly buy it again just for that alone.

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[-] Cyberjin@lemmy.world 8 points 9 months ago

Pixel = stock Android, latest firmware, able flash to more privacy oriented rom.

Samsung = Long support and feature rich, but can also be bloated.

[-] ExpiredSalad@lemmy.world 8 points 9 months ago

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.

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[-] MedicPigBabySaver@lemmy.world 8 points 9 months ago

Pixel. Period.

[-] nelov@feddit.de 7 points 9 months ago

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.

[-] PM_ME_FEET_PICS@sh.itjust.works 7 points 9 months ago

The Samsung interface is much better than the standard Android interface offered by Google.

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[-] bustrpoindextr@lemmy.world 6 points 9 months ago

That's interesting, I've had the exact opposite experience. Google pixels have always been much less buggy than the galaxies I've had

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[-] Redderthanmisty@lemmygrad.ml 7 points 9 months ago

Get a Pixel, Install GrapheneOS.

[-] Someology@lemmy.world 6 points 9 months ago* (last edited 9 months ago)

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.

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[-] andthenthreemore@startrek.website 6 points 9 months ago

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.

[-] MangoPenguin@lemmy.blahaj.zone 6 points 9 months ago

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.

[-] phillaholic@lemm.ee 7 points 9 months ago

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.

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[-] Viket@lemm.ee 5 points 9 months ago

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. 😂

[-] mosthated@feddit.nl 5 points 9 months ago

I have a samsung phone and I don't like all their bloated crap they force on you. 100% would NOT buy again.

[-] 13617@lemmy.world 5 points 9 months ago* (last edited 9 months ago)

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)

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this post was submitted on 28 Sep 2023
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