Develop Bugs

Jump from S8 to Google Pixel - worth it?

I've never used a Google Nexus/Pixel before, because there are no samples in my region that I can have a run.
Is it true that the Pixel will remain buttery smooth throughout its entire lifespan (say 3 years) and is better than its competitors like Samsung in preventing rogue apps from mysteriously draining the battery over time?
I've been using Samsung all along and frankly quite tired of doing mods just to keep it fast, smooth, low-battery sucking, just like iPhone.
The only reason I've not jumped over to the Apple camp is because of the drag and drop functionality that Apple lacks.
Will the Pixel be very comparable to the iPhone in all aspects?
What will I lose (other than obvious things like the screen) by jumping from S8 to Pixel?
Lastly, when will Pixel 2 be out? Should I hold my breath for it? More interested in camera improvements.

dylansmith said:
I've never used a Google Nexus/Pixel before, because there are no samples in my region that I can have a run.
Is it true that the Pixel will remain buttery smooth throughout its entire lifespan (say 3 years) and is better than its competitors like Samsung in preventing rogue apps from mysteriously draining the battery over time?
I've been using Samsung all along and frankly quite tired of doing mods just to keep it fast, smooth, low-battery sucking, just like iPhone.
The only reason I've not jumped over to the Apple camp is because of the drag and drop functionality that Apple lacks.
Will the Pixel be very comparable to the iPhone in all aspects?
What will I lose (other than obvious things like the screen) by jumping from S8 to Pixel?
Lastly, when will Pixel 2 be out? Should I hold my breath for it? More interested in camera improvements.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
1 - even after its EOL it will remain smooth, since we'll still have some dev working on it.
2 - mods other than visual customization are not needed on the Pixel XL. At least not to save battery.
3 - Hopefully the Pixel XL (although looking a little bit similar to the iPhone) will never be comparable with an iPhone.
4 - I don't own a S8 as I don't like Samsung devices, so i can't answer, sorry...
5 - Pixel XL 2 will most likely be released this autumn. Camera is already very nice in my opinion. If you have some money, go ahead. Otherwise wait six more months. It's up to you...
Cheers...

As someone who mainly used Samsung phones in past, I will not even consider S8 as anything. Why? Because of two reasons. First one is a personal requirement. I simply need a phone with smoothly working and consistent UI, which will lag the least, which will be reliable and not throw plenty FC and stuffs. And second one is a FACT. You wanna use an Android phone for real? Then use an android phone for real. Pixel IS Android. Samsung phones are Android in name. If you compare features of the two then Pixel will feel really dull, lacking in features.
Out of Pixel vs S8, I don't even see any point why in God's name would one choose the S8 over Pixel. Only one thing better is less bezels causing a huge and better display. Otherwise that glossy back panel, that fingerprint sensor positioning, a hardware second voice assistant button, jeez! And I am not even saying anything about their new Grace UI.
Pixel 2 will come out same time like Pixel 1 came out, around October.
After using Pixel for three months I have to say the phone simply rocked in most parts, incredible software experience, though still no iOS, that's why I sold it, incredible camera, that I can't forget from my mind, tremendous call quality, clean loud speaker etc., if someone really wanna buy an Android then there is no better phone, or nothing comes even close at this point.

I heard the software for the camera is lacking though. There are limited camera controls and the shutter speed can't go up to 30 seconds (not even with 3rd party Android apps). Is that true?
in addition, I noticed Samsung's weakness in GPS accuracy (this holds true from S2 days even to S8!). iPhone always gets the GPS position right the very first time and in quick time. Does the Pixel match up in this case?

dylansmith said:
I heard the software for the camera is lacking though. There are limited camera controls and the shutter speed can't go up to 30 seconds (not even with 3rd party Android apps). Is that true?
in addition, I noticed Samsung's weakness in GPS accuracy (this holds true from S2 days even to S8!). iPhone always gets the GPS position right the very first time and in quick time. Does the Pixel match up in this case?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hey,
Can't speak for the camera as for advanced sbot I'd use a DSLR. :good:
My GPS works well, no issue...
Your right, my SII gps.conf had to be tweaked to work properly.
Cheers...

dylansmith said:
I heard the software for the camera is lacking though. There are limited camera controls and the shutter speed can't go up to 30 seconds (not even with 3rd party Android apps). Is that true?
in addition, I noticed Samsung's weakness in GPS accuracy (this holds true from S2 days even to S8!). iPhone always gets the GPS position right the very first time and in quick time. Does the Pixel match up in this case?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No manual controls. Only you can increase or decrease exposure that's it. Lowest shutter speed will be 1/4 with HDR+ I think, no less than that. And no, third party camera apps don't do **** here, all are basically meaningless.
But HDR+ as a whole is leagues ahead than other phones. I have never seen any phone capturing this much details in low light. The camera is brilliant in any way you at it. Just there are two problems, sometimes in low light it keeps focusing on the subject, and there is a blown out effect around light sources in a photo, which looks pretty bad when zoomed in.
GPS accuracy of the phone was awesome. Can't speak for iPhone but most accurate Android, fastest too, I have ever used.

I have a question too, since we are on the topic of switching. I'm thinking about switching from the s7 edge to a pixel/xl, and I was wondering are all the bootloaders for the pixel and xl unlock-able or do I have to look for a certain type?

loeffler23 said:
I have a question too, since we are on the topic of switching. I'm thinking about switching from the s7 edge to a pixel/xl, and I was wondering are all the bootloaders for the pixel and xl unlock-able or do I have to look for a certain type?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hello,
All models directly bought from Google can be unlocked.
Verizon, EE, maybe others, not sure. You can find more infos by reading this forum, it's here if you search... Those can be unlocked if the Android version is 7.1 with an exploit called dePixel8: http://theroot.ninja/depixel8.html
On newer version, the exploit has been patched. If i was you, I'd rather look for a Google version if you want an unlockable bootloader...
Cheers...

loeffler23 said:
I have a question too, since we are on the topic of switching. I'm thinking about switching from the s7 edge to a pixel/xl, and I was wondering are all the bootloaders for the pixel and xl unlock-able or do I have to look for a certain type?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I went from S7 to Pixel XL and love it, but I'll go ahead and warn you; if you want the unlockable bootloader, don't buy it from Verizon, order it from the Google Store. The Verizon model (includes getting it at Best Buy) has an permanently locked (can't be unlocked) bootloader on current firmware, but the Google Store source Pixel should always be unlockable no matter what firmware it's updated to. Hope that's accurate, I think it is, unless someone comes up with an exploit to allow unlocking the Verizon bootloader.

Although the device works well in some aspects such as the camera and speed, it is the worst I've had in terms of a "phone". The amount of dropped and missed calls is just not acceptable. Do a search on google's pixel support forum and you'll see I'm not the only one. There's also other connectivity problems like bt and wifi that just shouldn't be. Also Google is shoving more and more ads and money makers for them into everything they do. Example: maps now has a Pacman game built in. They're also making it harder and harder on developers to modify their tracking devices. So, after being an Android fanboy for the last 6 yrs, I'll be looking elsewhere when this one dies the normal death (battery already not lasting through the day like when I bought it).

Droid1019 said:
Although the device works well in some aspects such as the camera and speed, it is the worst I've had in terms of a "phone". The amount of dropped and missed calls is just not acceptable. Do a search on google's pixel support forum and you'll see I'm not the only one. There's also other connectivity problems like bt and wifi that just shouldn't be. Also Google is shoving more and more ads and money makers for them into everything they do. Example: maps now has a Pacman game built in. They're also making it harder and harder on developers to modify their tracking devices. So, after being an Android fanboy for the last 6 yrs, I'll be looking elsewhere when this one dies the normal death (battery already not lasting through the day like when I bought it).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hello... If you experience one or more of the issues you describe, why not simply RMA your device? :good:
Cheers...

5.1 said:
Hello... If you experience one or more of the issues you describe, why not simply RMA your device? :good:
Cheers...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Because I got it from Verizon while I could still unlock the bootloader. If I get another from them I won't be able to. Also if you read some of the support forums on VZW or Google you'll see getting another phone is not the answer as some have been through 3-5. The problem lies in the way the new technology in the chip interacts with the towers. So it depends more on where where you are and if the towers have been updated which will be a long time coming in the rural areas that I work in.

Droid1019 said:
Because I got it from Verizon while I could still unlock the bootloader. If I get another from them I won't be able to. Also if you read some of the support forums on VZW or Google you'll see getting another phone is not the answer as some have been through 3-5. The problem lies in the way the new technology in the chip interacts with the towers. So it depends more on where where you are and if the towers have been updated which will be a long time coming in the rural areas that I work in.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hey,
Ah... I understand you. Yeah the Verizon policy is really annoying for those wanting an unlockable bootloader.
Also, what makes other manufacturers better as they should pack the same technology in their new chips as well, no?
Cheers...

Hell-to-the-nah-naaaah

Without Xposed, I won't even consider an S8.
Actually, I wouldn't even if they got LOS or AOSP ROM's.
Even back when Galaxy phones did get that type of ROM support, they were always buggy A.F.
Wasn't till I got a Motorola X Pure and Google phone till I found out what a "stable" custom ROM was.
I was rooting & ROM'ing Galaxy Skyrocket, S3, S4, Note 3, Note 4... never had such stability as since the Pure and Pixel.
Sucks too, because I want those new slim bezels, 1000 nit screen, extra water resistance and glove mode if they still have it.

dylansmith said:
Is it true that the Pixel will remain buttery smooth throughout its entire lifespan (say 3 years)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No, it is not true. Pixel XL uses Snapdragon 821 cpu, which is already obsolete today. The most current and fastest cpu in USA is Snapdragon 835, which is about 30% faster than 821 used in Pixel. In 3 years, this phone will be a complete hog, giving you maybe less that 15 frames per second... If Google keeps updating the OS. If it doesn't, it will stay the same speed. Ironic...
dylansmith said:
Is it true that it is better than its competitors like Samsung in preventing rogue apps from mysteriously draining the battery over time?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No, it is not true. Pixel XL is one of the worst battery draining flagship phones on the market today. Its use of Google Assistant constantly in the background is the major source of battery drain, unless you disable it. But when you disable it, you lose a lot of functionality like the weather widget on main screen, or any other functionality associated with it. Even Galaxy S7/8, with always on display technology, drains less battery than Pixel XL. It's a battery hog. On the other hand, it's active usage battery drain is compatible with other flagship phones. But when you turn off the screen, prepare for a beating.
dylansmith said:
I've been using Samsung all along and frankly quite tired of doing mods just to keep it fast, smooth, low-battery sucking, just like iPhone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No, it's not true. You don't actually need to do mods to keep a 1-2 year old Samsung flagship phone running fast, smooth, and low-battery sucking. Perhaps your problems are with Google Services settings and Google's inability to fix bugs in their software. Avoid that software, use Samsung's instead.
dylansmith said:
Will the Pixel be very comparable to the iPhone in all aspects?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, that is true. Google Pixel XL will be a very basic phone with limited capabilities.
dylansmith said:
What will I lose (other than obvious things like the screen) by jumping from S8 to Pixel?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, it is true. You will lose quite a bit. Here's a list in no particular order:
1) Infinity Display / Curved edges / sense of style / 84% screen to body ratio.
2) Best brightness and best brightness in sunlight ratings.
3) HDR screen certification.
4) IP68 water and dust proofing.
5) Gorilla Glass 5 durability.
6) Wireless charging and Fast Wireless Charging.
7) Micro SD card expansion.
8) Best in class low light camera performance. Best in class camera sharpness performance. Best in class selfie camera.
9) Bluetooth 5.0
10) Always On Display.
11) LTE-4CA, twice faster LTE.
12) Samsung Pay, which works everywhere, even without NFC terminals. Works with magnetic stripe readers, which is unique, because no other pay systems can do that.
13) Iris scanner security.
14) SpO2 meter, heart rate sensor.
15) Desktop dock option with optimized desktop OS.
16) Bixby - **** Bixby. Minus 10 points here.
So, you see? You would be losing A LOT!

nabbed said:
No, it is not true. Pixel XL uses Snapdragon 821 cpu, which is already obsolete today. The most current and fastest cpu in USA is Snapdragon 835, which is about 30% faster than 821 used in Pixel. In 3 years, this phone will be a complete hog, giving you maybe less that 15 frames per second... If Google keeps updating the OS. If it doesn't, it will stay the same speed. Ironic...
No, it is not true. Pixel XL is one of the worst battery draining flagship phones on the market today. Its use of Google Assistant constantly in the background is the major source of battery drain, unless you disable it. But when you disable it, you lose a lot of functionality like the weather widget on main screen, or any other functionality associated with it. Even Galaxy S7/8, with always on display technology, drains less battery than Pixel XL. It's a battery hog. On the other hand, it's active usage battery drain is compatible with other flagship phones. But when you turn off the screen, prepare for a beating.
...
So, you see? You would be losing A LOT!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
2 things
1 - The Pixel XL gives me 7 to 8 hours SOT, location and assistant all on normally. On standby, drain is less than 1%. I call that impressive.
2 - 821 may be the "not the best" but it is still the second best. I have both the iPhone 6 (not S), and the OnePlus One (running a Snapdragon 801) and they're both still rocking it and are smooth as butter. They are both 3 years old. Nothing gets slowed down or becomes heavy and stuttering unless you're installing a crapload of useless things on it. Pixel being a Pixel will get Android O and even Android P, which will surely optimize it even further.

dylansmith said:
Is it true that the Pixel will remain buttery smooth throughout its entire lifespan (say 3 years)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I get little pauses at times when some of my Tasker routines run, so realistically I doubt if I would describe the phone that way after three years.
I've been using Samsung all along and frankly quite tired of doing mods just to keep it fast, smooth, low-battery sucking, just like iPhone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I had an iPhone 7 before getting the regular Pixel. The iPhone clearly had better battery life for my usage patterns out of the box. I've made a bunch of changes to the Pixel so that it's comparable to the iPhone and my previous phone, but out of the box I would tend to expect Apple to have the edge.
Lastly, when will Pixel 2 be out?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It will probably release during the same time of the year as the last two phones. The wiki has the announcement and first availability dates.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pixel_(smartphone)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nexus_6P

alluringreality said:
I get little pauses at times when some of my Tasker routines run, so realistically I doubt if I would describe the phone that way after three years.
I had an iPhone 7 before getting the regular Pixel. The iPhone clearly had better battery life for my usage patterns out of the box. I've made a bunch of changes to the Pixel so that it's comparable to the iPhone and my previous phone, but out of the box I would tend to expect Apple to have the edge.
It will probably release during the same time of the year as the last two phones. The wiki has the announcement and first availability dates.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pixel_(smartphone)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nexus_6P
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just curious, what changes have you made?
Rooting aside - as for the first time I do not feel a need to root a device.

A lot of my setup relies on Tasker to automatically make setting changes, so it requires root or something like AutoTools Secure Settings on an unrooted phone. My impression was that typically turning off adaptive brightness when indoors may be one of the bigger battery savers from the list. I also had issues with my phone burning through lots of battery when I left wifi on, so automatically shutting off wifi when not in use was another big battery saver, although I hadn't tried changing "Keep Wi-Fi on during sleep" before installing Tasker. I doubt if the average person would benefit much by things like turning off Google Assistant, but I was trying to get the best standby battery life that I could for the times when I just use the Pixel as nothing more than a phone for talking and texting.
https://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=71146945&postcount=301

Screen Gestures

So I just picked up 2 Note10+5Gs from T-Mobile which are on Android 10.
Coming from a OnePlus6T running A10 I had A10 gesture on any Launcher, but on the Note I loose gestures as soon as I switch launchers and set it to default, it will keep gestures as long as is not set to default. The moment I use recents the phone switch back to TouchWiz or whatever is called now.
So here comes the Q.
Is there any way to keep native gestures on a non-stock Launcher? I'm not afraid of adb but not an expert in any way.
To the People who might ask "why did you get a Samsung if you don't like the skin?" Or "if you wanted a pixel why didn't you get one?" I have to say that the hardware is always awesome and cutting edge, their skin is Meh at best. Icons are super girly in my opinion and the themes suck, again, in my opinion.
Any help will be appreciated.

I'm using Nova launcher on my Note 10+ and didn't lose any of the gestures. Not sure what you're observing. Also, if you want to have the same behaviour as Android 10, download "One Hand Operation +" from the Galaxy App Store (part of the Good Lock power tools for Galaxy devices). You can then configure edge swipes to do what you want. I have it configured as back, recent apps and previous app switching depending on the length and direction of swipe. In fact, it's more powerful than Android native gestures so it's best of both worlds.

So, to kinda add to what has been posted here, there's a way to make any Launcher work with Native Samsung Gestures in A10 but involves adb.
This works:
https://www.theandroidsoul.com/how-...ova-launcher-and-other-third-party-launchers/
Edit: only works until a reboot

dhorgas said:
I'm using Nova launcher on my Note 10+ and didn't lose any of the gestures. Not sure what you're observing. Also, if you want to have the same behaviour as Android 10, download "One Hand Operation +" from the Galaxy App Store (part of the Good Lock power tools for Galaxy devices). You can then configure edge swipes to do what you want. I have it configured as back, recent apps and previous app switching depending on the length and direction of swipe. In fact, it's more powerful than Android native gestures so it's best of both worlds.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is what I mean:
So first on the top left to the last one.
1. Have One UI selected as default
2, 3, 4. Switch to A10/Samsung Screen Gestures
5. Select my new Launcher.
6. Get a message that nav was changed.
7. Then the option to get gestures is not available, more like a gesture-like nav bar.

I've read some more and apparently it's not even possible but I had up until this morning A10 on my OnePlus6T running a Pixel Launcher (modded) with A10 gestures which were exactly the same as the Samsung Gestures. So, I've had this phone for 3 days and already had several BT disconnections while standing literally 2 feet (61 cm) away from the other device and now this Launcher crap. I absolutely hate Bixby and the fact that you can't disable any Samsung apps.

Very interesting. Is this an official release of Android 10 because I don't think Android 10 is out for the Note 10+ devices. If you're running a beta you really ought to go back to official. Feels silly to say this but you can't harp on a device if you're running unreleased software.

dhorgas said:
Very interesting. Is this an official release of Android 10 because I don't think Android 10 is out for the Note 10+ devices. If you're running a beta you really ought to go back to official. Feels silly to say this but you can't harp on a device if you're running unreleased software.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No man, T-Mobile Note10+5G shipped with Official A10.

See attached

Well would you look at that https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.an...-5g-t-mobile-will-ship-android-10-out-box?amp
I would not dismiss my point though still. With no official One UI 2.0 for any other Note 10 series devices, you may be dealing with some early adopter woes. Android Pie certainly does not have any limitations on the Note 10+, as I have already pointed out. I would be patient and wait until Android 10 rolls out to other Note 10 series devices before judging things. As it stands right now unfortunately, few folks will be able to help you. Basically nobody has Android 10 on their Note 10 series devices.

FCORivers said:
So I just picked up 2 Note10+5Gs from T-Mobile which are on Android 10.
Coming from a OnePlus6T running A10 I had A10 gesture on any Launcher, but on the Note I loose gestures as soon as I switch launchers and set it to default, it will keep gestures as long as is not set to default. The moment I use recents the phone switch back to TouchWiz or whatever is called now.
So here comes the Q.
Is there any way to keep native gestures on a non-stock Launcher? I'm not afraid of adb but not an expert in any way.
To the People who might ask "why did you get a Samsung if you don't like the skin?" Or "if you wanted a pixel why didn't you get one?" I have to say that the hardware is always awesome and cutting edge, their skin is Meh at best. Icons are super girly in my opinion and the themes suck, again, in my opinion.
Any help will be appreciated.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
One of the things I've found within the first couple days of using this phone is that gestures are locked to Samsung's launcher, particularly the recent apps gesture. I do not want to use the Samsung launcher but is forced to because it has to keep running in the background in order to have this gesture (is a waste of resources to have 2 launchers running at the same time).
I read somewhere that Google will take this away from them in the next OS update.
About bixby, you will have to use an app blocker if you don't use it or don't want I running in the background. I use package disabler pro (bought from their website not from the app store), you can also use ccswe. But package disabler pro can disable all and every app, ccswe cannot do this in order for them to stay in the play store.
I've been a devoted Note user since the Note 2, upgrade pretty much day 1 on every release but I've found. I've noticed that Samsung has been slowly taking away some feature while locking others. They've lied about screen size/real-estate, battery, removing and locking the ability to track battery usage. I honestly feeling this will be my last Note device until Samsung start doing the right things again.

It's funny to see how different folks react to things in a different way. In my opinion, the Note 10+ is not only the best Note device Samsung produced to date, but the best device Samsung produced to date, period. I have had prior Note devices as well, either because I've owned them or had an opportunity to use them and the Note 10+ to me feels and functions as well as the Note 7 did for its time. We all know what happened to the 7 unfortunately and what followed the next two years was absolute crap. Samsung was conservative because they were scared. Note 10+ returned to what made the Note series great - huge screen, big battery life, beefy specs. I have the S10+ and the Note 10+ is a far better, and significantly better performing device. This despite the fact that they are built on the same basic platform. I am yet to find a flaw on it, but I see plenty on the S10+. Not sure if something is different about the 5G device or whether the software is just really that immature to lead to the dissatisfaction you are describing.

dhorgas said:
It's funny to see how different folks react to things in a different way. In my opinion, the Note 10+ is not only the best Note device Samsung produced to date, but the best device Samsung produced to date, period. I have had prior Note devices as well, either because I've owned them or had an opportunity to use them and the Note 10+ to me feels and functions as well as the Note 7 did for its time. We all know what happened to the 7 unfortunately and what followed the next two years was absolute crap. Samsung was conservative because they were scared. Note 10+ returned to what made the Note series great - huge screen, big battery life, beefy specs. I have the S10+ and the Note 10+ is a far better, and significantly better performing device. This despite the fact that they are built on the same basic platform. I am yet to find a flaw on it, but I see plenty on the S10+. Not sure if something is different about the 5G device or whether the software is just really that immature to lead to the dissatisfaction you are describing.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Me exact thoughts! I've had almost every note made as well as the S10 e, S10 plus. The note 10 plus I have is way better than the S10 plus period.

I guess there's no discussion about how good Note10+ is over every other Note before it, is good to clear that out.
Now, here's the deal, I'm not a fan of any brand of any product, I'm almost picky about the food I buy and clothing, sure. I had a Galaxy S2, then S5. And then a Nexus 6, the best phone by far including every other phone after it, which I used for 2 years. Then a LG G6. Then an S9 (which I kinda loved/hated the same way I do this one) that I gave to my daughter and got me a OnePlus6T, the closest to rank next to Shamu.
So as you can read it's not like I hate the brand or anything like that, I hate how Samsung adds so much makeup to Android that it doesn't feel like Android. The Screen Gestures, as I mentioned before, is a Android 10 problem that I didn't seem to have on my 6T, but all that Bixby crap and the way the icons look and how their themes suck so bad, it's like a bunch of Korean 12 year olds put them together. It's just the way Samsung makes what should be a great experience as I had with the 6T on A10 feel like bloated and opaque.
My wife and daughter loves it thought so I guess I got that going for me. I'm getting money back for both my S9s which I'll use to pay for the phone and sell it as fast as I can.
For example, My Nexus 6 had most of the amenities or features that this phone has, obviously the camera technology and fingerprint scanning had advanced greatly, and no stylus but wireless charging, face unlock, you name it, it had it plus Google security patches monthly for 3 years and a still ongoing Dev community... I mean, it even use the same microsim.
So you see, it might be faster and everything but the Samsung skin is pretty awful in my opinion and I had just forgotten how much I hated the Bixby crap, I was very happy with the lack of a dedicated Bixby button thinking stuff might be better but is worst.

I hear you for sure. Unfortunately I also don't have much to add to the discussion. I currently don't have Android 10 and won't get access to it for another month or so probably. I expect a January release for Android 10 for the Note 10+ broadly. Maybe when one of the fellow members rocking the 5G version get theirs they might be able to help more. Sorry I couldn't help beyond providing some info earlier in the thread.

dhorgas said:
I hear you for sure. Unfortunately I also don't have much to add to the discussion. I currently don't have Android 10 and won't get access to it for another month or so probably. I expect a January release for Android 10 for the Note 10+ broadly. Maybe when one of the fellow members rocking the 5G version get theirs they might be able to help more. Sorry I couldn't help beyond providing some info earlier in the thread.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's all good. No need to say that, you did offer an option which I appreciate.

Look in your accessibility settings. There is something enabled that is causing your issue.
Sent from my SM-N975U1 using Tapatalk

skinnytoo2 said:
Look in your accessibility settings. There is something enabled that is causing your issue.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Nah, there's nothing active there bc I don't use none of that plus is also not something brought in from migrating to this phone since I started fresh on this phone.
As I wrote before, I read it is tied to A10 not allowing gestures on 3rd party launchers but it worked fine on my OnePlus6T.

dhorgas said:
It's funny to see how different folks react to things in a different way. In my opinion, the Note 10+ is not only the best Note device Samsung produced to date, but the best device Samsung produced to date, period. I have had prior Note devices as well, either because I've owned them or had an opportunity to use them and the Note 10+ to me feels and functions as well as the Note 7 did for its time. We all know what happened to the 7 unfortunately and what followed the next two years was absolute crap. Samsung was conservative because they were scared. Note 10+ returned to what made the Note series great - huge screen, big battery life, beefy specs. I have the S10+ and the Note 10+ is a far better, and significantly better performing device. This despite the fact that they are built on the same basic platform. I am yet to find a flaw on it, but I see plenty on the S10+. Not sure if something is different about the 5G device or whether the software is just really that immature to lead to the dissatisfaction you are describing.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's great @dhorgas, not trying to knock what you've said or how you feel about your device in any way but I guess it's a subjective thing. I know what I paid for, I know what they told me about the device and I know what I got. You are clearly contented with what you got and that's OK.
The build quality on the N10 is exceptional, I don't think anyone can say otherwise but saying the N10 is significantly better performing than the S10 is nothing more than your bias showing in the face of all the comparison speed tests widely available. Significant? No. Exaggeration? Very much so. By the way just letting you know colors are better on the S10 screen than the Note 10 but that's neither here nor there. Performance is not a Samsung thing, it's Qualcomm. You shouldn't be giving Samsung credit for things they didn't do.
My few gripes with the phone might not be significant to you in any way. By themselves they're pretty small but together they're hard to overlook in in my day to day usage.
1) Screen size, they lied but didn't lie. Screen is correct 6.8" but actual screen real-estate is 6.5", almost the same as on my N9 which is 6.4" in immersive mode. There is no immersive mode on the N10. They artificially blocked it by having a semi-static banner there. Not a hardware problem, just a conscious decision made by Samsung as if they know how best I should use my phone. I was duped into thinking I would have a bigger screen to use.
2) The screen color are horrible, their choice of pixel color was a bad choice in my book. Now the screen has an even more reddish tint than even the N9.
3a) Battery size. They plain lied about this one. Some people might be fine with this, others might think they know all about how batteries work and will proceed to defend the company's actions.
I remember when they use to show mAh usage for all apps, they removed that. Now they have battery size mAh disclaimers? I'm getting the feeling it was a conscious decision to F us on the battery.
3b) battery tracking is petty much locked. when they removed mAh view they locked full tracking, why? Because they were getting ready to F us on the battery, that's why.
4) Gesture lock. What they did is lock the recent app gesture into their crappy launcher. You'd have to have it constantly running with full access to the device in the background in order to have full gesture while using a different launcher. Just like they use to lock gallery with a different app so if you should disable it then gallery wouldn't work.
With Android 10 we should at least have control of gestures which is a good thing for consumers like myself. But the road I see Samsung going down is a road I don't feel I should be investing my money, not like my money will be of any significance to them in any way shape or form but at least I want to feel comfortable when spending my money.

lennie said:
4) Gesture lock. What they did is lock the recent app gesture into their crappy launcher. You'd have to have it constantly running with full access to the device in the background in order to have full gesture while using a different launcher. Just like they use to lock gallery with a different app so if you should disable it then gallery wouldn't work.
With Android 10 we should at least have control of gestures which is a good thing for consumers like myself. But the road I see Samsung going down is a road I don't feel I should be investing my money, not like my money will be of any significance to them in any way shape or form but at least I want to feel comfortable when spending my money.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The gesture issue isn't a Samsung move. The same issue exists in other Android 10 devices in regards to third party launchers.
https://ww.9to5google.com/2019/11/12/android-10-gestures-launchers/
The problem is with Google's code, not to say Samsung couldn't fix it and flow the changes back into the base but that could take longer to get approved than to just let Google fix it and flow it up.

pcriz said:
The gesture issue isn't a Samsung move. The same issue exists in other Android 10 devices in regards to third party launchers.
https://ww.9to5google.com/2019/11/12/android-10-gestures-launchers/
The problem is with Google's code, not to say Samsung couldn't fix it and flow the changes back into the base but that could take longer to get approved than to just let Google fix it and flow it up.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No, no that's a separate issue. What I'm talking about is on Android 9 running on Note 10, not Android 10 beta. If you fully disable Samsung's One UI launcher then you will lose the recent app gesture. No error no warning. If I should use a different launcher then I would have to keep the Samsung launcher also running using up resources even though I'm not using it.
I usually go full immersive, no status bar, until I need it, no navigation bar. Full gesture. And now Samsung is artificially preventing people who wants to use their phones that from doing so.

Question Replace a Galaxy S21 Ultra with a Pixel 6 Pro?

Hey everybody!
Quick question: would you replace your Galaxy S21 Ultra with a Pixel 6 Pro?
I'm asking it because I'm a S21 owner but I've never been completely in love with the Samsung design (those squircle icons...) nor all the Samsung apps I don't use and can't remove. I'm into Google apps and services and I'm attracted by the simple and minimal design of the Pixel 6. On the other hand, I like Samsung for the plethora of options and features they add to the Android system, most of which are not in the Pixel.
I've been reading around a lot and it seems that in terms of performance and battery the two phones are basically the same - and the S21 is one year old almost. The S21 could have a slightly better camera, whereas the Pixel can count on the Tensor chip and specific features.
So, what's your thought?

_JuSteR_ said:
Hey everybody!
Quick question: would you replace your Galaxy S21 Ultra with a Pixel 6 Pro?
I'm asking it because I'm a S21 owner but I've never been completely in love with the Samsung design (those squircle icons...) nor all the Samsung apps I don't use and can't remove. I'm into Google apps and services and I'm attracted by the simple and minimal design of the Pixel 6. On the other hand, I like Samsung for the plethora of options and features they add to the Android system, most of which are not in the Pixel.
I've been reading around a lot and it seems that in terms of performance and battery the two phones are basically the same - and the S21 is one year old almost. The S21 could have a slightly better camera, whereas the Pixel can count on the Tensor chip and specific features.
So, what's your thought?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You're probably not going to be happy with a Pixel. The UX is polar opposite of Sammy's and a few cool features aren't probably going to be enough for you to unlike what you liked about Sammys in the first place.

Icons? There are hundreds of free icon packs, themes and more at the Samsung Galaxy store.
You can use a package disabler to block apps you don't want.
Personally I rejected the S21U because of no SD card slot or spen.
The Pixel is a bare bones UI, just the opposite of Samsung. I've seen the homepage screen shots for the Pixels and they're damn weak.
You can really trick out stock Samsung's... Good
Lock family of apps, etc.
My two N10+'s look and behave like I want them to...
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"lightbox_stop_slideshow": "Stop slideshow",
"lightbox_full_screen": "Full screen",
"lightbox_thumbnails": "Thumbnails",
"lightbox_download": "Download",
"lightbox_share": "Share",
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I personally just made the exact switch you're thinking of doing. It doesn't have all of the "custom" additions that the S21U does but I feel like because of that the Pixel feels better.
The biggest reason I switched was for the performance. The S21U felt laggy and slow even compared to my previous phone (OnePlus 8 Pro). The Pixel feels way smoother of an experience.
Camera is subjective but I've always been a fan of the "Google" processing so I've installed a GCam mod on every phone I can, S21 included.
I'm much happier now on the Pixel 6 pro than the S21U so if you're okay with a more minimalistic phone without all of the Samsung goodies, then this might be worth the switch.

Yes, I would replace any Samsung with the P6P. My wife and I were happy with the first Pixel, which we used until they stopped updating it almost two years ago. I was waiting for Google to come out with a 512 GB model, and since they hadn't yet we got the Samsung Note 10+ 512 GB.
When the P6P 512 GB model was revealed, I knew it was time to buy, and sell our Samsungs, which I did on Swappa without wasting much time. The only thing we slightly miss is the included stylus.
I could go on and reiterate a list of things I didn't like about Samsung's version of Android (the hardware was great). One major thing I couldn't stand about the software was the erratic, unreliable notifications of my GMail, Hangouts, and Google Chat.
I don't have a work phone because I don't want to use iOS, and I count on prompt notifications when I'm busy multitasking on my work PC. Sometimes I wouldn't get notifications for two hours after the email was sent. My work uses Google for everything. Sometimes I would get a notification of an email hours after I had already seen it on the PC and had deleted it.
I tried everything I could to try to fix it with no luck. My brother's family has their very first smartphone in the last several years when they bought the Samsung Galaxy S9+. When I told him about my notification issue, he said he assumed that's just the way Android is (no, it's not).
As I said, I could detail a long list but I've been over it before so it gets tiring.
Good luck, whatever you choose.

blackhawk said:
Icons? There are hundreds of free icon packs, themes and more at the Samsung Galaxy store.
You can use a package disabler to block apps you don't want.
Personally I rejected the S21U because of no SD card slot or spen.
The Pixel is a bare bones UI, just the opposite of Samsung. I've seen the homepage screen shots for the Pixels and they're damn weak.
You can really trick out stock Samsung's... Good
Lock family of apps, etc.
My two N10+'s look and behave like I want them to...
View attachment 5469201
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
you can trick out any android phone. Not hard to put a different launcher and icons on it. The homescreen you attached there looks no better than any of the other homescreens on any other phone.

i have both devices, ehm three(s21, s21u, p6pro) and i will say, P6pro is better, same performance, a lot better battery, comparing camera(what i miss so much is better zoom with S21U). p6pro is battery friendly, same usage and you get 10h SOT, with S21U only 5-7(but with profiles - data, bt off, in night Flicght mode...)

Same here. I still have my s21u and currently using the p6p. As of now, I'm content with the 6 pro. Battery can be better. This phone is fairly new and there will be lots of updates.

I'd stick with the S21 Ultra. If you want a better UI, download Nova Launcher and a Pixel icon pack. Also #Hex Installer allows you to completely redesign the UI with Pixel style icons and less rounded elements throughout. I'm not sure if it's working with Android 12 yet though. If you hate the bloat, there are ways to disable the majority of it using ADB.
I like the Pixel 6 Pro a lot, but I'm not gonna lie, there are A LOT of things that Samsung phones do better. Samsung has GoodLock for endless customization, Always on Display Customization, the 5G modem works better, and charging seems to be faster and more reliable.

I'm already using Nova and tried so many times with #Hex but I've never achieved a complete and consistent customisation - unfortunately I have a thing for design done well.
What's really holding me is that:
- the P6P modem is actually worse than the S21U
- charging time is the same if not worse than S21U, in contrast to what Google initially promised
- battery life is basically the same
- the P6P display is less brighter (least worst)
And I also consider that the S21U is one year older than the P6P. So I'm wondering if it's worth the hassle. On the other hand I know the P6P is new, so it's expected to receive fixes and updates - but improving the modem or battery sounds like a miracle

skimminstones said:
you can trick out any android phone. Not hard to put a different launcher and icons on it. The homescreen you attached there looks no better than any of the other homescreens on any other phone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You don't get it. No 3rd party launcher needed as the icons packs, theme etc plug directly in. One UI is fast and uses far less resources and battery than Nova.
My homescreen is purposely devoid of display degrading, lame top bar icons and battery eating crap. I could junk it to the max if so inclined
Smooth completely user controlled pull down notifications, none of the Pixel snap stuff. Animations can be completely disabled (yes they are disabled) without unwanted side effects unlike Pixel.
Pull down notifications... any colors or shade my evil heart desires.

Nope

blackhawk said:
You don't get it. No 3rd party launcher needed as the icons packs, theme etc plug directly in. One UI is fast and uses far less resources and battery than Nova.
My homescreen is purposely devoid of display degrading, lame top bar icons and battery eating crap. I could junk it to the max if so inclined
Smooth completely user controlled pull down notifications, none of the Pixel snap stuff. Animations can be completely disabled (yes they are disabled) without unwanted side effects unlike Pixel.
Pull down notifications... any colors or shade my evil heart desires.
View attachment 5469237
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
but youre missing the point yourself. Samsung is just another launcher on top of android letting you customise it. No different to buying any phone and choosing which launcher you want to put on.

skimminstones said:
but youre missing the point yourself. Samsung is just another launcher on top of android letting you customise it. No different to buying any phone and choosing which launcher you want to put on.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Big difference.
One UI is integrated into the device. It's extremely stable, fast, and efficient. Currently it's using 83mb of ram. Current total ram usage 5.1 of the 12gb with 2 browsers open.
Many of the customizations are built into the base load of the N10+. Keep what you like, disable the rest.

blackhawk said:
Big difference.
One UI is integrated into the device. It's extremely stable, fast, and efficient. Currently it's using 83mb of ram. Current total ram usage 5.1 of the 12gb with 2 browsers open.
Many of the customizations are built into the base load of the N10+. Keep what you like, disable the rest.
View attachment 5469245
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
For fairness’s sake, every UI has its quirks and bugs. Neither Googles Launcher, nor Samsung are perfect.
Samsung users claimed a heckload of bugs when the One UI versions came, for anecdotal purposes
One UI 2
Samsung One UI 2 problems we know so far
It’s been a couple of months since Google’s grand Android 10 unveiling. Apart from Google’s Pixel lineup, a few other companies, such as OnePlus, Xiaomi, Essential Phone, and Noki…
nerdschalk.com
One UI 3
Many (!!!) bugs in OneUI 3.0 full release
I installed OneUI 3.0 when it released for my S10 (Germany, no SIM-lock) a couple of days ago (no beta!). So far, I found several bugs, at least one is a CRITICAL SECURITY FLAW, missing features and removals of options for no good reason. These problems must get fixed immediately! When someone...
eu.community.samsung.com
One UI 4
Samsung One UI 4 Beta review: Phenomenal cosmic bugs, itty bitty feature set
The stable release of Android 12 hasn't happened yet, but Samsung has decided to go ahead and give us our first taste of its new One UI 4 update. In some ways, this beta is even better ...
www.androidcentral.com
Et cetera. And we all know Googles bugs, even though it's sometimes hard to differentiate between general Android version bugs and specific Google Launcher bugs.
In the end, it's a question of personal taste.
Most people in a Google Pixel forum will tell you "Go Google Pixel".
Most people in a Samsung Galaxy forum will tell you "Go Samsung Galaxy".
Why? Because people freakin paid money for a product they want to like. Nobody wants to buy sh*t. Nobody wants to get ripped off. Nobody wants to feel like the id*ot that bought a broken product.
It's normal for people to say "my product is awesome, buy it!!!" - it's not always a rational decision, or a good one, but it's a human one.
(You have to mind the trolls though, meaning people that never owned a device, but trying to tell people what to think about it. Or people trying to go on a personal level because they lack arguments, often or not found here at XDA).
In the end, what matters is that manufacturers fix their stuff, and both Google and Samsung tend to do that, so I'd give both a recommendation. The S21 Ultra has the better screen and battery life and a slightly better processor, Google has the better camera, connectivity (in terms of notifications that are not delayed, not modem) and unique software features (now playing, live translate, automatic call screening, whatever - since all Samsung features can be easily ported over to a (rooted) Pixel, but not vice versa - and no, Shazam cannot replace now playing, it's not nearly as convenient and efficient). So it's up to you to decide whats more important.
Even though there were certain Samsung that tended to explode in your pants, you know the whole recall with specialized explosion safe packaging story, that was a bummer of the magnitude 8.
Personally, I can't Samsung. But not because their products are ****. No, Samsung just behaves like an a**. They want to forcefeed you huge mountainsized ADS on your 9000 Dollars expensive television and that's just unacceptable on the magnitude 10. They will not get a single dime from me in the future. That kind of behaviour cannot be tolerated. If I pay thousands of dollars for a product, I have earned the right to never again have to bother with ads - if that company disagrees, f*ck them.

Morgrain said:
For fairness’s sake, every UI has its quirks and bugs. Neither Googles Launcher, nor Samsung are perfect.
Samsung users claimed a heckload of bugs when the One UI versions came, for anecdotal purposes
One UI 2
Samsung One UI 2 problems we know so far
It’s been a couple of months since Google’s grand Android 10 unveiling. Apart from Google’s Pixel lineup, a few other companies, such as OnePlus, Xiaomi, Essential Phone, and Noki…
nerdschalk.com
One UI 3
Many (!!!) bugs in OneUI 3.0 full release
I installed OneUI 3.0 when it released for my S10 (Germany, no SIM-lock) a couple of days ago (no beta!). So far, I found several bugs, at least one is a CRITICAL SECURITY FLAW, missing features and removals of options for no good reason. These problems must get fixed immediately! When someone...
eu.community.samsung.com
One UI 4
Samsung One UI 4 Beta review: Phenomenal cosmic bugs, itty bitty feature set
The stable release of Android 12 hasn't happened yet, but Samsung has decided to go ahead and give us our first taste of its new One UI 4 update. In some ways, this beta is even better ...
www.androidcentral.com
Et cetera. And we all know Googles bugs, even though it's sometimes hard to differentiate between general Android version bugs and specific Google Launcher bugs.
In the end, it's a question of personal taste.
Most people in a Google Pixel forum will tell you "Go Google Pixel".
Most people in a Samsung Galaxy forum will tell you "Go Samsung Galaxy".
Why? Because people freakin paid money for a product they want to like. Nobody wants to buy sh*t. Nobody wants to get ripped off. Nobody wants to feel like the id*ot that bought a broken product.
It's normal for people to say "my product is awesome, buy it!!!" - it's not always a rational decision, or a good one, but it's a human one.
(You have to mind the trolls though, meaning people that never owned a device, but trying to tell people what to think about it. Or people trying to go on a personal level because they lack arguments, often or not found here at XDA).
In the end, what matters is that manufacturers fix their stuff, and both Google and Samsung tend to do that, so I'd give both a recommendation. The S21 Ultra has the better screen and battery life and a slightly better processor, Google has the better camera and unique software features (now playing, live translate, automatic call screening, whatever - since all Samsung features can be easily ported over to a (rooted) Pixel, but not vice versa). So it's up to you to decide whats more important.
Even though there were certain Samsung that tended to explode in your pants, you know the whole recall with specialized explosion safe packaging story, that was a bummer of the magnitude 8.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think both of those devices suck; hardware and firmware. I wouldn't touch either... to be fair.

blackhawk said:
I think both of those devices suck; hardware and firmware. I wouldn't touch either... to be fair.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well, if you want a good camera and don't want a chinese spy phone, there is not much to go around a Pixel. It's the old dilemma. If Apple had made jailbreaking and updating easier, plus had the decency to actually pay for codec licences (the **** do they not support aptx/ldac?! Music from Iphones (if you are used to custom tailored v4a with custom ddcs/convolvers) sound like sh*t - I would have probably made the switch, but iPhone is still a joke in terms of customization.
Besides, I don't think that neither Samsungs or Pixels suck, they both serve specific needs and make some compromises, as does Apple. Sadly, there is no perfect phone. In theory, it should be easy to achieve, but as of now, no manufacturer ever tried hard enough.
For my personal need, the pixel 6 pro comes in as almost perfect. There are a couple minor things (why not all camera modi in 60fps Mode? Improve battery life, improve VRR, fix Android 12, give us modern camera sensors, improve post processing, more efficient panel, more efficient processor...) and some major ones (Modem, heat, I want Faceunlock AND ultrasonic, plus give me back improved Soli and edge sense and make battery replacement easy) that bother me. Once that's fixed/such a kind of device gets released, I'm going to keep that device until it breaks down and probably buy a spare phone to replace my own, since I know that manufacturers will f*ck it up again.

I have the had the s21 ultra since it came out. Nothing wrong with it but I travel and there's no s21 ultra model that has all the 5G bands in all locations... But the pixel (and iphone!) does. So I gave it a try and it's incredibly similar to the ultra especially in a leather case. In fact, using Nova I mimicked it almost completely!
Pixel charges slower, and I felt battery was slightly worse (but it needs time to settle in) but sound is good. Camera is good on both. Each has its benefits. Screen is slightly dimmer and less saturated and I felt that immediately, sort of like an LG device, felt a year or two behind the Samsung, but not a deal killer. They are about as fast as each other.
The difference is in the software. Whereas Samsung is well rounded, with years of maturity, Pixel is stock. Now that's not necessarily a bad thing, just different. The only issue for me is lack of a decent email (and calendar to a lesser extent) on the pixel. I don't like Gmail and I have yet to find a comfortable 3rd party email package that meets my needs. The Samsung on the other hand has fantastic email and calendar software. That's a deal breaker for me.
One thing I would note is that, aside from radio bands, there's no area that I felt the pixel was actually better than the ultra (which is incredible considering that the ultra is nearly a year old). As good as, in most cases, but never a step up. And therefore I didn't think it made sense to switch as the software experience ultimately is more important to me than I originally realized.
Hope that helps.
As a side note, when I compared the pixel 6P on T-Mobile's 5G UC Network to an iPhone 13 pro at the same time, the iPhone 13 pro was nearly twice as fast (400mbs v 230). No idea why that was. I tested it many times in different places and it was almost always slower than the iphone on 5G. Not sure what to make of that!

Morgrain said:
Well, if you want a good camera and don't want a chinese spy phone, there is not much to go around a Pixel. It's the old dilemma. If Apple had made jailbreaking and updating easier, plus had the decency to actually pay for codec licences (the **** do they not support aptx/ldac?! Music from Iphones (if you are used to custom tailored v4a with custom ddcs/convolvers) sound like sh*t - I would have probably made the switch, but iPhone is still a joke in terms of customization.
Besides, I don't think that neither Samsungs or Pixels suck, they both serve specific needs and make some compromises, as does Apple. Sadly, there is no perfect phone. In theory, it should be easy to achieve, but as of now, no manufacturer ever tried hard enough.
For my personal need, the pixel 6 pro comes in as almost perfect. There are a couple minor things (why not all camera modi in 60fps Mode? Improve battery life, improve VRR, fix Android 12, give us modern camera sensors, improve post processing, more efficient panel, more efficient processor...) and some major ones (Modem, heat, I want Faceunlock AND ultrasonic, plus give me back improved Soli and edge sense and make battery replacement easy) that bother me. Once that's fixed/such a kind of device gets released, I'm going to keep that device until it breaks down and probably buy a spare phone to replace my own, since I know that manufacturers will f*ck it up again.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What I mean is both hardware and firmware wise across the board 2021 has been a bust year for Android. Android 11 and 12 are a mess.
At least 2 years until scope storage is straighten out.
Issues with displays are common and 5G is still not mature. Slight improvements in cams but that technology was fairly mature 2 years ago so no big surprises there.
Any hardware improvements are being offset by cpu hogging scoped storage and forced encryption. Even the heavily modified Samsung UI can't clean up that mess.
You might think that Apple must be bribing Google to belly flop... but no, Google is really is this inept. No end in sight, Android is in a full self induced high G flat spin... maybe full afterburner will help

vlubosh said:
i have both devices, ehm three(s21, s21u, p6pro) and i will say, P6pro is better, same performance, a lot better battery, comparing camera(what i miss so much is better zoom with S21U). p6pro is battery friendly, same usage and you get 10h SOT, with S21U only 5-7(but with profiles - data, bt off, in night Flicght mode...)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What p6 pro are you using lol?

General I'm Out..Rebuffed Pixel SuperFan Status!

Finally decided to take TMO up on their $800 Trade-In Offer on my P6_Pro & Upgraded to the S22 Ultra 512 gb
(SM-S908U1).
No more seeing me 'round Pixel Town...Safe Journeys, es

Best of luck

Yeah, enjoy your new phone! Also, come back if you can ever get that thing rooted and stuff =). That (and the interface design) is primarily what is holding me back from Samsung phones - but I'm not sure if that has recently changed.

I actually traded my s22 ultra for this p6pro and it was the best decision I ever made, hands down!

kevinireland11 said:
I actually traded my s22 ultra for this p6pro and it was the best decision I ever made, hands down!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Did the difference relate to what I had mentioned in my comment above?

NippleSauce said:
Did the difference relate to what I had mentioned in my comment above?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Nipples

So, I was just thinking to myself last night that after they the introduction of the new aggressive security API that detects root and renders my Gpay useless (which is just the beginning) I am finding it less and less worthwhile to have an Android device, which I've had now for 15 years. I use a Mac for computing and I'm beginning to wonder whether I do the same for my phone. I'm so sick of Google's crappy products and customer service. I just might join you before the value of this phone nose dives.

rhetorician said:
So, I was just thinking to myself last night that after they the introduction of the new aggressive security API that detects root and renders my Gpay useless
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
*Cough* *cough* not true *cough* =)
Actually, wait, I missed the beginning sentence that you wrote and noticed it after I quoted it and posted my reply. So, it might be true. My apologies. When does that security API roll out?

It's out. I posted earlier a link to the discussion on GitHub. Oddly enough, not all users have been affected yet. Then again, that makes sense given the range of variables. I can't even use my craigslist app because I can't pass the newly imposed tests.

I decided to dump the stock rom in favor of Pixel Experience, unrooted. I now have nearly all of the features I want including face unlock and zero problems.

Good call on the switch to T-Mo. I just did the same last month and very happy I did

That's tight, I like that one!

rhetorician said:
I decided to dump the stock rom in favor of Pixel Experience, unrooted. I now have nearly all of the features I want including face unlock and zero problems.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Comments like this amaze me. The implementation of Face Unlock on these ROMs is the same as on cheap Chinese phones. It is not secure and it's a gimmick.
Also, I want a phone that works out of the box. Swapping ROMs gets old fast nowadays and unless one is a developer experimenting, it's not worth the hassle and the bugs for most.
If the camera on the S23 is as good as it promises to be, I'd be done with the P6P. Or go to the iPhone 14 and get the best battery life with everything turned on.

Can't pinpoint when but over the last couple iterations of stock Android it's felt more like changes have been made for the sake of change rather than the benefit of the end user.
This is most apparent on the stock ROM. Everything was designed to be in your face constantly and I hate it so I'm running something else as of late.
I'm still not a fan of the new QS. My Pixel hasn't changed that. It's ugly, it's inconsistent (even on the 13 beta).
The fact of the matter is custom ROMs have always been better than nearly any carrier/OEM variation of Android and it just so happened that as I went back from OnePlus to a Pixel that development for Pixels would totally go down the drain relative to prior models.
That's partially because Google trashed the UI at its core and reversing that would take extensive work that just isn't worth the time.
This is the quickest I have ever gotten kind of annoyed with a device and it's completely unrelated to the hardware. The hardware of the 6, in spite of numerous criticisms, has always been great to me but Android as software is just... Dying in my eyes.
They get away with it as it's still more flexible as a platform than iOS but honestly they can only go so far.
If things don't improve either with 14 next year or with OnePlus doing a complete turn around in software, I'm out. I'll look more into the buggy affairs of Linux smartphones.

I have the luxury of having the 6 pro and the note 20 ultra, so when I am fed up with the six pro being goofy or glitchy I can switch back to that and generally enjoy it but have always been a fan of the nexus, pixel line so no matter how which it is I find myself wanting to come back. Lately considering ditching the 6 pro myself and considering the OP9 pro on special... Flashing 13 beta kind of help. The new visuals seem really cool but definitely made Android auto even quirkier. Maybe I should just consider the rooting and romming stuff again, but haven't really messed up it since maybe my OnePlus 7 pro

MacGuy2006 said:
Comments like this amaze me. The implementation of Face Unlock on these ROMs is the same as on cheap Chinese phones. It is not secure and it's a gimmick.
Also, I want a phone that works out of the box. Swapping ROMs gets old fast nowadays and unless one is a developer experimenting, it's not worth the hassle and the bugs for most.
If the camera on the S23 is as good as it promises to be, I'd be done with the P6P. Or go to the iPhone 14 and get the best battery life with everything turned on.
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Click to collapse
I wouldn't go to an iPhone if they gave me a case of them for free.
The only issue I have with my P6P is how hot it gets when charging, the loss of audio for notifications when I connect to the BT in my work van, the poor radio for both 5G and LTE in weaker signal areas and the wretched battery life
I'm curious to see how P7P is with Android 13, which is how I'll probably go in October when it's released

As an owner of both the S22U and the P6P, I prefer the P6P.

HipKat said:
I wouldn't go to an iPhone if they gave me a case of them for free.
The only issue I have with my P6P is how hot it gets when charging, the loss of audio for notifications when I connect to the BT in my work van, the poor radio for both 5G and LTE in weaker signal areas and the wretched battery life
I'm curious to see how P7P is with Android 13, which is how I'll probably go in October when it's released
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I'm having the same issues plus I can never get a full signal even in a strong signal area where both my tablet and my other phone which is an S22 get a full signal, my previous phone on my other line was a OnePlus 10 Pro. Lost 40% battery in just a couple hours yesterday while getting our daughter moved into her dorm room and I didn't use the phone at all and it got really warm. I also have an issue with really slow data on this phone. I am not a fan of any of that. I like the but hate all the issues.

truckerdewd said:
I'm having the same issues plus I can never get a full signal even in a strong signal area where both my tablet and my other phone which is an S22 get a full signal, my previous phone on my other line was a OnePlus 10 Pro. Lost 40% battery in just a couple hours yesterday while getting our daughter moved into her dorm room and I didn't use the phone at all and it got really warm. I also have an issue with really slow data on this phone. I am not a fan of any of that. I like the but hate all the issues.
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I don’t really have issues with data speeds. But I’m usually in 5G so I’m pretty solitaire but the problem is if I’m in like one bar 5G, forget about it I can’t load a website. Same thing with one bar of LTE. And the problems I listed are you know, pretty profound. They’re not all bad but the battery life is absolutely horrifying. I’m a tech for Dish Network and if I get you a job with 100% strength and it takes 2 1/2 hours to do the job when I’m done I’m at like 70%.
At the end of the day though, I just can’t buy into Samsung and all that bloat wear. My daughter has an S 22 ultra. It’s a hell of a nice phone call man there’s just so much extra junk on there.

General OnePlus 11 General Discussion

Hey everyone,
iPhone 14 Pro Max user here,
What's everybody's thoughts about this phone? Why would an iPhone user who gets top dollar for selling their phone right before/after announcement of the next want to buy this? I ordered the OP 11 for a crazy price of $500 after taxes from an open box deal and was wondering if this phone would be worth keeping.
I used to visit this site to find the latest tweaks and cool tricks you could do with your Android phone and there seems to be pretty much nothing that you couldn't do with a stock OnePlus 11. I am the type to try to not be reliant on expensive subscriptions such as cloud storage, hardware that is just overpriced, and being wrapped up deep into a single brand's ecosystem. I figured I already use Snapdrop instead of AirDrop, AirParrot instead on my Windows laptop instead of AirPlay on an Apple device, my home NAS instead of iCloud, and Windows PC's over expensive comparable Macs. However, I still use a few Apple devices in my daily life.
Don't get me wrong, I don't hate Apple nor do I feel any reason to HAVE to leave them, but I am always open to other options and I've always had a soft spot for OnePlus ever since the original 1. iPhones are becoming well-polished phones but I feel like iOS is bland sometimes.
In my opinion, OnePlus peaked with the 7 Pro. (It almost got me to switch back to Android) That phone did really everything right to me besides having pretty lackluster cameras. I really was only interested in checking this phone out because I noticed it was one of the only devices that supports Wi-Fi 7, it has incredibly fast charging, and it has USB-C! My iPhone has hardly any weaknesses, so I would really have to be won over big time by an Android phone to make me want to switch.
Do we see a future where, within the next few months to a year, this phone becomes perfectly compatible with a GCAM mod that will improve camera quality a lot and/or we receive some really neat custom ROM options / mods that really enhance the experience this hardware has to offer?
Something about these OnePlus phones and their bleeding-edge performance in certain key areas still have me wanting one every year. I just have a hard time justifying how I could force myself to use an Android phone living in the United States where all my business/family contacts use iOS for their mobile operating system. I feel like once iPhones use USB-C, they no longer have a camera cutout on their screens, and they can support faster charging speeds, Android will be dead in the US. It's a rough future ahead. For me, I used to love Android for the customization, the fun stuff that iOS would never allow, and that there were just so many choices to decide between depending on what device suited your needs most. Just my thoughts and opinions. Feel free to reply with what you think about this phone or how you navigate having to use an Android in an iOS-dominant country. I could easily switch, but I just don't see any major reason to do so anymore. And seeing the OP 11 forums kind of quiet compared to the old days of Google Nexus devices doesn't lead me to believe that people overall like this phone / are working on anything unofficially to try to improve the phone.

The forums have been relatively quiet for multiple reasons:
1. OnePlus has become developer community unfriendly, almost hostile: it's way too hard/too much work to create/install a different ROM than the official. In addition to that OnePlus has totally disabled full access to its cameras, "this phone becomes perfectly compatible with a GCAM mod that will improve camera quality" - no, very unlikely to happen.
2. OnePlus once was a flagship killer but in terms of price/features they have been lacking recently. OnePlus 11 is a breath of fresh air in terms of pricing but there are much much more affordable options such as the ZTE Nubia Z50 at $400 or something, which is almost twice as cheap as the OnePlus 11.
3. OxygenOS 13 is not the OxygenOS you may remember, it's a ColorOS facelift. OxygenOS 12 was extremely buggy and incomplete. "OxygenOS" 13 is lacking literally dozens of features present in OxygenOS 9-10-11.
4. Developers in general tinker with their Android phones a lot less nowadays than in the past. The whole development scene has been in decline.
5. Weird update policy doesn't help. I've heard (cannot confirm) that certain older OnePlus devices haven't got updates in the past 8 months.
That's my thoughts which may not necessarily represent the status quo.
To be honest I see no reason to switch from Apple to OnePlus unless you need advanced Android features such as normal file management, downloading any files from the Internet, being able to send files via BlueTooth, modding, various home screens, third party phone/SMS applications, etc. etc. etc.

You just listed pretty much most of the features Apple users don't have anyway so LoL
Unfortunately I have to use iPhone in my work so 3/4 of the day I spend on iOS. Compared to stock Oxygen OS13 (even if hated by die hard Oneplus fans) it is still much better IMO and more configurable than iOS. Apps eco system is different, iOS have generally more stylish apps but most of them if not pretty much every single one that is actually worth consideration is always paid version only.
From birdie's list, only the update policy on Android phones are worse compared to Apple.

birdie said:
The forums have been relatively quiet for multiple reasons:
1. OnePlus has become developer community unfriendly, almost hostile: it's way too hard/too much work to create/install a different ROM than the official. In addition to that OnePlus has totally disabled full access to its cameras, "this phone becomes perfectly compatible with a GCAM mod that will improve camera quality" - no, very unlikely to happen.
2. OnePlus once was a flagship killer but in terms of price/features they have been lacking recently. OnePlus 11 is a breath of fresh air in terms of pricing but there are much much more affordable options such as the ZTE Nubia Z50 at $400 or something, which is almost twice as cheap as the OnePlus 11.
3. OxygenOS 13 is not the OxygenOS you may remember, it's a ColorOS facelift. OxygenOS 12 was extremely buggy and incomplete. "OxygenOS" 13 is lacking literally dozens of features present in OxygenOS 9-10-11.
4. Developers in general tinker with their Android phones a lot less nowadays than in the past. The whole development scene has been in decline.
5. Weird update policy doesn't help. I've heard (cannot confirm) that certain older OnePlus devices haven't got updates in the past 8 months.
That's my thoughts which may not necessarily represent the status quo.
To be honest I see no reason to switch from Apple to OnePlus unless you need advanced Android features such as normal file management, downloading any files from the Internet, being able to send files via BlueTooth, modding, various home screens, third party phone/SMS applications, etc. etc. etc.
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It's sad to see! My shipment got delayed and I'm already thinking of not keeping the phone. I feel like OnePlus needs a really strong camera setup before they can finally compete. I use my cameras too much to not have the best out there. The more reviews I watch, the more people say how the S23 Ultra is pretty much a better phone in almost every area besides charging and not having Wi-Fi 7. Not only that, but it seems that the phone also have custom ROM support. Just not trying to spend iPhone money on an Android unless I was for sure going to switch over. The Samsung has me slightly more intrigued...

rmx36 said:
It's sad to see! My shipment got delayed and I'm already thinking of not keeping the phone. I feel like OnePlus needs a really strong camera setup before they can finally compete. I use my cameras too much to not have the best out there. The more reviews I watch, the more people say how the S23 Ultra is pretty much a better phone in almost every area besides charging and not having Wi-Fi 7. Not only that, but it seems that the phone also have custom ROM support. Just not trying to spend iPhone money on an Android unless I was for sure going to switch over. The Samsung has me slightly more intrigued...
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SGS23 Ultra currently has the absolute best camera setup of any smartphone on Earth. I've seen its 50MP shots, they are outstanding. OnePlus 11 pales in comparison.
I'd have bought SGS23 Ultra but it's at the very least $400 more expensive which is too much for me.

It's not the best phone out there, but it isn't the worst either. People bash a lot about the color os version of oxygen os. I'm using it and kind of got used to it. It gets the work done. Cameras are very good according to the price. Front camera is mediocre. But the rear is very strong. You can see the reviews. Also it gets better through updates. Lastly and fortunately, a developer got the phone through crowdfunding as far as I know. So development might just happen for op11. Fingers crossed.

OP if you are able why not just use both? I have both OnePlus 11 and iPhone 14 pro max that I use everyday along with my pixel 7 pro. the iPhone 14 pro max has my primary sim in it which I use paired with an apple watch. and I recently made the move to an IPhone in early 2022 full time before that I was android all the way. I still want to use android because as everyone knows it still does things IPhones cant do. so anyways i use my oneplus 11 to mainly listen to podcasts, watch sports and tv. the speakers on this thing are great. maybe the iPhone beats it but not by alot imo. the screen i feel is better than the Iphone 14 pro max. and it acutally has a damn sim card slot which is something I hate that apple got rid of and sadly i see most companies doing in the future. the camera on the oneplus isn't as good but for me i dont care about that.
the only reason besides the apple watch that keeps me on an iphone as my daily is because of a very niche app otherwise i would be on android full time and i would just use the iphone to keep in the know.

cavist said:
... Apps eco system is different, iOS have generally more stylish apps but most of them if not pretty much every single one that is actually worth consideration is always paid version only.
From birdie's list, only the update policy on Android phones are worse compared to Apple.
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This is why android users are generally categorized as being cheap people. I don't care what platform I'm using iOS, android or whatever if an app is worth it to me then I will pay for it. IMO this is why apple apps perform better than their android counterparts because developers know that people will pay for them so its worth their time.