I can't believe I'm saying this but...

[TabGuy]

First, let me say that I'm as loyal a Note person as ever. I've had every Note since the Note 2, even two Note 7s in that disastrous return and replace debacle. My wife is also a Note fan having had a Note 2, 5 and a 9.

But two of my daughters and a son-in-law have Pixels. I've been tempted to try a pixel but I'm always drawn back to the Note because of the ear phone jack, stylus and SD card. However, Samsung is removing the ear phone jack and I now see that with a lot of internal storage I find I don't use the SD card at all. The only thing keeping me is the stylus.

But the Note 4's technology including non-touching gestures is pretty compelling. Also, getting new releases, and even beta releases, of Android is also compelling. If Google comes out with a 256gb or larger Pixel 4 then I think I'll have to dip my toe in the water. So, for that reason this will be the first time in 7 years that I won't buy a Note via pre-order. I'm going to wait and see what the Pixel 4 looks like.

Anyone else feel the same?

 

[SpookDroid]

Funny how when Samsung did it in the Note 2 or 3 (can't remember which) and S4 it was a 'gimmick' (probably why they ended up removing it from their phones) but now it's 'amazing'... Same for Night Mode, seems to be all the rage now when years ago it was 'the devil' and Material claimed that white and pastels were celestial.

Aaaaanywho, that being said, they're different beasts. I've also wanted to try a Pixel (and would have if TMobile had been selling them for Jump!) but while the phones, performance and camera wise, have been amazing, the things I'm used to in a Samsung phone would probably keep me coming back. Flow and Samsung Pay (mostly the latter) are two features that I rely on heavily. Wateproofing (fine, resistance for the purists) is another one: can't fathom being by the pool now without my phone streaming my music (yes, I have waterproof BT headphones for when I'm swimming). The S-Pen, while neat, I find I didn't really use it much on the Note phone but use it plenty on the tablet. That being said, it will be likely the 'Air Mouse' feature from the Tab S6 will make its way into the Note 10, so you'll also have 'non-touching gestures' that are now, again, compelling...

In my case I'm on Jump! On Demand, so most likely will be getting the Note on release, and if the Pixel comes out on T-Mo and sounds like an interesting device, then I might jump to that (aesthetically I already don't like it... need my sexy curves and bezel-less screen...and the Pixel has that huge asymmetric forehead, so...). Worst case I don't like it and Jump to a Note again.

And my unpopular (not really, because there's a reason this one is going away) opinion, good riddance with the audio jack. Haven't used it in years, don't see myself using it at all. Just another port to collect dust in, so I'm glad they're doing away with it.

 

[hasasimo]

Can't say I'm in the same boat, but I do get why some are drawn to the pixel. For me, hardware quality and aesthetics are just way too important. I know, many don't care about the aesthetics in particular. They put a case on their phone, etc. But until the Pixel line can match Samsung (and even other Android OEMs) with hardware quality, looks, and even many of the software and hardware features, they'll continue to be an afterthought for me personally. Samsung was once in that boat for me as well... the S and Note lines were both cheapy, plasticy looking devices that were too inelegant to pull me away from Nokia Lumias. Android was also still a little clunky and immature at the time. Now, Samsungs just offer the most complete package from hardware, to software, to aesthetics, etc. for me to be too drawn by other offerings.

 

[Amb312]

I was caught up in the Note 7 debacle and went to the Pixel then. I figured I would give something else a try while Samsung got their stuff together. I still use that OG Pixel. It still works beautifully. The only reason I want a new phone is that the cameras are so much better now. I can't decide if I want to move back to the note or stick with Pixel.

 

[kj11]

Didn't use the non touching gestures that the note 3 had years ago, can't see needing or wanting to use them now. Also I use the sPen daily and don't think I could use a phone without one ever again.

 

[Golurk]

Can’t say I have not ever considered getting a Pixel phone instead of a Samsung...but I’m always put off by their old designs/mediocre specs. And to top it all off, I prefer Samsung’s UI to stock (much to many of my friends’ horror)

 

[jejb]

Wife has a Pixel 2 XL. She really likes it, I'm not a big fan. I had the last Google phone before the Pixel came out (Nexus 6P), so I've been in that world. Nothing wrong with those phones, but there is a dark side to being the first to get the Android/Google updates. Some apps will not work correctly until their developers tweak them for the new OS changes. I used to grumble about the slower updates with a carrier phone, but not anymore. I prefer stable over sooner, personally.

I use the SPen a lot, so until there is another high end phone with that feature, I'm a Note person.

 

[mgbosshogg]

I have grown out of my phone having to have instant updates and beta releases.

( although my Note 9 has had 12 updates Inc 1 OS update in the 11 months - what more do you need)

I WANT to like the Pixel and have owned the 2XL and 3XL briefly. BUT they simply can't hold a candle to the daily driver note 9, or 10 when it comes.

Especially here in the real world where the 3XL was more expensive than my pre order note 9. ( although at this price point its purely a personal choice and not driven by the cost). That said the Pixel is in no way a premium device justifying its cost. Mediocre devices with amazing camera software covers it.

Anyway, I will pre order the note 10+ and may pick a 4XL up of they have seriously changed its USP.

 

[Mike_Luchia]

Definately the Note 10, the thing is gorgeous. That being said I won't be getting it anytime soon, I just have too much owning on my Note 9 under contract to Bell to make financial sense to have to pay that all off just to get in to a 10, as much as I'd love to.

 

[Rukbat]

After nothing but Samsungs since the beginning of smartphones, I went with a Pixel 2. I still don't like the lack of an SD card (they're good for more than just storage - like restarting a hard-bricked phone), and until I found a pack of 3 styluses for $5 I missed the stylus, but I'm too used to not only monthly updates, but flashing the whole stock ROM without losing anything (and not having to look on XDA for someone who's modified a .tar file), that even without Night Sight, I'd probably stick with Pixels for a few more go-arounds. (And I'm likely to keep the 2 until at least the 5, maybe the 6. The 4 doesn't give me anything over a 2 with Camera 3.)

 

[Kmann400]

I'm already leaning towards purchasing (pre-ordering) the Pixel 4 XL although I don't even know the full specs.

I was a true note fan until I was frustrated after the note 7 debacle and had to choose another phone and why not choose the new Google Pixel and I've been happy with the Pixel line ever since. I do love how the note offers you so much tech, however I've grown to dislike how Samsung throws so much in a phone that they fail to focus on its true implementation & longevity (beyond the pen). I find the Pixel simple yet more enjoyable somehow as it offers exactly what I need and does it well. No hiccups, slow downs and the point & shoot camera is beyond awesome. Unfortunately as much as I like the note pen I didn't use it much yet I use Google assistant all the time (grocery list, calendar, maps, etc). I actually use the squeeze feature way more than I thought also and I realized how I was so worried about an SD card slot yet I never needed it. I still have love for the notes though and I've never fully ruled them out as I am only loyal to what is better at the moment for my current needs.

 

[Golfdriver97]

I got a Note 5 on my carrier to see what it was like. That and I hadn't had a Samsung in a while so, I wanted to refresh my memory on what the UI was like. I didn't get into the SPen at all. I get why people might like it, but my handwriting is so poor that it's easier and cleaner for me to type, negating most of the Pen effects. Since then, I haven't looked at a Samsung. I guess the thing to do is give it a try, and return it if you don't care for it.

 

[GrooveRite]

I would need at least 500gb's of internal storage to give up the SD card slot. I just simply love the option of carrying vast amounts of personal files! AND even then....its much easier taking the card out of an old device than retrieving it directly from the device to put in the new device. It just more convenient for my use.