I have unlocked Note and I simply uninstalled all apps that I dont need or want (even Bixby). I dont think there was many doubles, maybe a few. If I prefer to download and use Google app, I uninstall Samsung double, that's it. Some apps made by Samsung are alot better then what Google has, so I kept those. (Calendar, calc, clock, some other maybe)
I think Google phones force you to lots of apps too. I dont use Music, books, movies, games, daydreams, bunch of accessibility apps, etc. Not even sure you can uninstall some on Pixel, maybe just disable. On Samsung you can disable or uninstall anything you want
And speaking of Google apps....there are so many bugs with this dark mode crap, its nuts (Keep app and News app in particular). Google widgets are either broken or just look ugly, and you cant choose if you want dark widget or not. Samsung done this the proper way, I wish I could replace more apps with Samsung ones