Broke down and got my Pixel 5

[gmermel]

Been Nexus/Pixel exclusive for years. Skipped the 4 because I wasn't impressed by anything about it. Not enamored of the 5 and was shopping hard for an alternative. Maybe would have been a One+ but the camera quality held me back.

Settled on the S20FE. Seemed to have it all from 5G to the 865 chip to the 120refresh screen. Pulled the trigger on that for Black Friday because of a $700 promo ($400 for my wife's Pixel 2XL and a $300 loyalty credit for upgrading from an old plan).

That lasted 2 days. Display was fantastic. Performance excellent.

But I didn't like the ergonomics of the on-screen fingerprint sensor, really missed being able to open the notifications using the fingerprint sensor and remapping the Bixby Button to Google Assistant was unreliable (a setting native to Samsung OS). Found a bunch of button re-mapper apps that professed to address all of these deficiencies and tested about 10 of them. Drove me nuts. None of them offered all 3 features, and all of them were unreliable.

After hours of struggling with that I got a call. And I couldn't screen the damn thing.

That was it. I got VZW to approve an exchange for the 5 under the same promo.

Arriving in 2 days. That S20 FE experience has cured me of any desire to go elsewhere since aside from the software deficiencies they'd cost more. Looking forward to remaining part of the family.......

 

[eric002]

Been Nexus/Pixel exclusive for years. Skipped the 4 because I wasn't impressed by anything about it. Not enamored of the 5 and was shopping hard for an alternative. Maybe would have been a One+ but the camera quality held me back.

Settled on the S20FE. Seemed to have it all from 5G to the 865 chip to the 120refresh screen. Pulled the trigger on that for Black Friday because of a $700 promo ($400 for my wife's Pixel 2XL and a $300 loyalty credit for upgrading from an old plan).

That lasted 2 days. Display was fantastic. Performance excellent.

But I didn't like the ergonomics of the on-screen fingerprint sensor, really missed being able to open the notifications using the fingerprint sensor and remapping the Bixby Button to Google Assistant was unreliable (a setting native to Samsung OS). Found a bunch of button re-mapper apps that professed to address all of these deficiencies and tested about 10 of them. Drove me nuts. None of them offered all 3 features, and all of them were unreliable.

After hours of struggling with that I got a call. And I couldn't screen the damn thing.

That was it. I got VZW to approve an exchange for the 5 under the same promo.

Arriving in 2 days. That S20 FE experience has cured me of any desire to go elsewhere since aside from the software deficiencies they'd cost more. Looking forward to remaining part of the family.......

Honestly, you might not have any enamored with the five at first, but it's a great phone. I upgraded for my 3 XL to a five. And it's wonderful! I'm a Nexus/Pixel user myself googler and it's a great great phone! It's lighter, smaller, the battery is a beast, more memory and it's feature proof with 5G so you can't go wrong either way! Like I said with Pixel, you get the software updates versus Samsung Galaxy S20FE of course.

 

[gebco]

Congrats on your new phone. I looked at the Samsung as well but like you, too much of the Pixel experience holds me back. For now.

 

[mustang7757]

Congrats

 

[RobertHodgson]

I picked up a Pixel 5 last week when my provider had a promo I could not refuse $20 per month for 24 months (No Interest) and I got a $175 gift card so I basically got the phone for $300 CDN

So far Im impressed with the phone’s quality and for the first time I actually like the android OS Been in the Iphone camp since the second generation I am really thinking about making it my daily phone.

 

[Daveya]

I didn't like the S20 FE, too heavy, too much Samsung bloat , battery not great a.d just too big . I'm done with big heavy phones, the Pixel 5 is a throwback to when handling a phone without a case was and is a joy

 

[eric002]

I picked up a Pixel 5 last week when my provider had a promo I could not refuse $20 per month for 24 months (No Interest) and I got a $175 gift card so I basically got the phone for $300 CDN

So far Im impressed with the phone’s quality and for the first time I actually like the android OS Been in the Iphone camp since the second generation I am really thinking about making it my daily phone.

Well first of all congratulations! Second of all, you're going to love Android and the pixel experience overall! I've been a long time Nexus / pixel user and I absolutely love the phone. There's no blowware, everything's simple easy to use intuitive straight software upgrades from Google! Have fun with your phone!

 

[gmermel]

Well, the phone came a day early and gotta say I'm glad I got it. In global terms, holy cripes does our OS kill Samsung.
And I"m speaking to "under the hood", not just the bloat. No stupid Bixby to get in the way of launching Assistant, no fussing around to get general stuff to work and work reliably.

As for the phone itself, it's enough quicker than my 3XL that it's an obvious upgrade. Wasn't too happy with the size until I used it for a little while. I think I could be sold. Comfortable in the hand and pocket and when I grab the 3XL I'm frankly surprised at just how big it is. Also, in practical terms I'm only losing screen width. I've used Notch Remover to blacken the upper band on the 3 turning the notch into a large bezel. The 5's punch camera is unnoticeable so there's no reason to use the app. With that real estate in play the useable screen height is indistinguishable from the 3's.

One thing though, scrolling smoothness is about halfway between the 3XL and the FE (funny thing too, just like 90 is right between 60 and 120). I'm a bit disappointed that it isn't better. I have forced full time 90. Anything else that might smooth things out a bit?

 

[eric002]

Well, the phone came a day early and gotta say I'm glad I got it. In global terms, holy cripes does our OS kill Samsung.
And I"m speaking to "under the hood", not just the bloat. No stupid Bixby to get in the way of launching Assistant, no fussing around to get general stuff to work and work reliably.

As for the phone itself, it's enough quicker than my 3XL that it's an obvious upgrade. Wasn't too happy with the size until I used it for a little while. I think I could be sold. Comfortable in the hand and pocket and when I grab the 3XL I'm frankly surprised at just how big it is. Also, in practical terms I'm only losing screen width. I've used Notch Remover to blacken the upper band on the 3 turning the notch into a large bezel. The 5's punch camera is unnoticeable so there's no reason to use the app. With that real estate in play the useable screen height is indistinguishable from the 3's.

One thing though, scrolling smoothness is about halfway between the 3XL and the FE (funny thing too, just like 90 is right between 60 and 120). I'm a bit disappointed that it isn't better. I have forced full time 90. Anything else that might smooth things out a bit?

haha, yes, I couldn't agree with you more so! No blowware, no extra bells and whistles that you probably wouldn't even use. Just straight Google software! That's what's so wonderful about it! I'm glad to hear that you love your phone and enjoy it for yourself!

 

[Emperor]

Been Nexus/Pixel exclusive for years. Skipped the 4 because I wasn't impressed by anything about it. Not enamored of the 5 and was shopping hard for an alternative. Maybe would have been a One+ but the camera quality held me back.

Settled on the S20FE. Seemed to have it all from 5G to the 865 chip to the 120refresh screen. Pulled the trigger on that for Black Friday because of a $700 promo ($400 for my wife's Pixel 2XL and a $300 loyalty credit for upgrading from an old plan).

That lasted 2 days. Display was fantastic. Performance excellent.

But I didn't like the ergonomics of the on-screen fingerprint sensor, really missed being able to open the notifications using the fingerprint sensor and remapping the Bixby Button to Google Assistant was unreliable (a setting native to Samsung OS). Found a bunch of button re-mapper apps that professed to address all of these deficiencies and tested about 10 of them. Drove me nuts. None of them offered all 3 features, and all of them were unreliable.

After hours of struggling with that I got a call. And I couldn't screen the damn thing.

That was it. I got VZW to approve an exchange for the 5 under the same promo.

Arriving in 2 days. That S20 FE experience has cured me of any desire to go elsewhere since aside from the software deficiencies they'd cost more. Looking forward to remaining part of the family.......

As i read you post, i found my self thinking ... yes. exactly, exactly, me too, exactly.

I share your thoughts and feelings. The only difference is I tried the Note 20 Ultra. I traded my Pixel 4XL when buying the Samsung. Samsung got me with the bells and whistles. I gave it a full 30 days and broke down and ordered my Pixel 5 around Thanksgiving. It's schedule to arrive tomorrow. No need for me to look anywhere else for my mobile experiences. Welcome back to the family.

 

[gmermel]

Still on the fence over the size, though. I'm not even sure if it's a matter of functionality. It just seems puny looking at it.......

 

[idiotekniques]

Still on the fence over the size, though. I'm not even sure if it's a matter of functionality. It just seems puny looking at it.......

I came from the 4XL and while the display is a bit narrower it is not that different as far as usable screen real estate goes. I did have the 4XL with me for a little bit to compare the two - like watching youtubeTV there was such a small difference it was no big deal. But using the phone one handed now? So much better. I could take a slightly larger phone than the 5, but only if it was all screen and no bezels, like the 5. The 4XL wasted too much space with bezels. I would be ok with a small notch too, but not big bezels.

 

[gmermel]

Well, I really am ambivalent. I love the phone in every way save the most important thing. My old eyes just cannot get comfortable on the "small" screen. It's going back today and I will dream about the 5 Pro that's being rumored as being my go to. Otherwise, our Pixel 2XL and 3XL's will have to hold up to make it to the 6.........

Anyone want a Fusion X case and a box of tempered glass screen protectors (including a camera cover) send me a PM. $15 and i'll cover the shipping.

Dang it. The one very valuable lesson from all of this up and back is I don't need to track One+ or Samsung for something I might give a go.

 

[mattdamiz]

Well, I really am ambivalent. I love the phone in every way save the most important thing. My old eyes just cannot get comfortable on the "small" screen. It's going back today and I will dream about the 5 Pro that's being rumored as being my go to. Otherwise, our Pixel 2XL and 3XL's will have to hold up to make it to the 6.........

Anyone want a Fusion X case and a box of tempered glass screen protectors (including a camera cover) send me a PM. $15 and i'll cover the shipping.

Dang it. The one very valuable lesson from all of this up and back is I don't need to track One+ or Samsung for something I might give a go.

Perhaps you should try the Pixel 4a 5g? Slightly larger screen... just no 90hz or wireless charging. But there is headphone jack if that's important to you.

 

[gmermel]

Naaah. If i'm gonna change I am determined to get an upgraded screen, and add to the list the lack of IP68 rating as another demerit. Thought about it, though.

Like I said, I'm waiting for the Pro/6 cause ain't no other OS that I'll ever consider again.

 

[Nodnerb]

I’d be really surprised if there wansn’t a pro coming. Probably building on the 888.

 

[sulla1965]

Still on the fence over the size, though. I'm not even sure if it's a matter of functionality. It just seems puny looking at it.......

It is a small phone by 2020 standards. One can eventually get used to anything though. I tried but 6.0 inches was just too small for my liking. I'm a 6.5 to 6.9 kinda guy.

 

[Lepa79]

I’d be really surprised if there wansn’t a pro coming. Probably building on the 888.

AMEN. Waiting and praying. Need that XL pro version please. The 5 is too small for me so holding on to 4 xl for now. Wife has 2 xl and a 5 xl pro would be her upgrade if that rumor materialized.

 

[Mike Dee]

AMEN. Waiting and praying. Need that XL pro version please. The 5 is too small for me so holding on to 4 xl for now. Wife has 2 xl and a 5 xl pro would be her upgrade if that rumor materialized.

What rumour?

 

[elvee68]

https://youtu.be/RZKFPdhXs_M

AC pretty much nipped all that in the bud.