Can't agree with Pixel being the top based on their current "Best Android Phone" article

[LeoRex]

Re: Can't agree with Pixel being the top based on their current "Best Android Phone" article

Unless you are comparing max brightness in, say, sunlight, holding two phones side by side to compare brightness is a poor data point for comparison. Every phone calibrates their displays differently for certain lux levels and Google likes to be conservative. My wife has an S7E and that sucker always cranks the brightness, even in a dark room. At full brightness in a dark room the S7E can be pretty harsh where the 6P better adjusts. Sure, the S7E is brighter in the Sun, but to be honest, I am inside or in a dark environment far more than I am out there in the direct sun....

 

[EMGSM]

Re: AC recommends....

Well said. Let me say this again, and I have consistently said this through the forums here at AC: There isn't one phone that's right for everyone and that's a good thing. If it wasn't for misinformation from the local Verizon rep, I would have owned the Note7 and been very happy with it for a few days before all of the stories about the battery catching fire. Still, I recognize that many people LOVED that phone, and I'm fine with that. I was extremely impressed with it when I played with it at the local Best Buy. However, I really don't care about the bells and whistles that people like to call features. I would trade almost all of those features for a device that is fast, buttery smooth, and is a joy to use. That's what I was hoping for when I pre-ordered the XL, and I'm happy to say, that's exactly what I got. As others have pointed out, there are things it doesn't have. I would prefer a removable battery. An SD card would be nice, but I would rather have 128 GB of internal storage which is plenty for me. I would have never used the s-pen but other people would and do. I don't care about water resistance, but if I worked on a dock as one member said, that would be a must have feature. So, again, it comes down to which phone is the best fit for you. The Pixel is a great fit for me but I'm fine if it's not for others.

I am also considering the 128 version because althought you get unlimited storage for photos and videos, i do A LOT of journaling (with photo). This ends up taking a lot of space because of the inserted photos. So I need all the space I can get on hand. The price is just about the only thing keeping me from pulling the trigger.

 

[1213 1213]

Re: Can't agree with Pixel being the top based on their current "Best Android Phone" article

I know. My main thing is -- if the phone gets bright enough where I can read w/o strain or anything of that nature (like on other phones.. specifically LCD ones) then how is that bad? Just because it doesn't hit that exact brightness it isn't worth it? I am just trying to gauge the "meter" we're going by. For me it is -- can I read it in sunlight with ease.

Of course, that's why I said it might even be the sort of thing you'd only notice in charts and not real life. I haven't seen the pixel display but other than the lower ppi on the smaller one, it is basically the same as the s7, probably.

Same with camera and performance, I don't expect the pixel to do noticeably better or worse than the s7 (exynos at least). But looking at the reviews the battery seems to be worse (again, exynos), and there is a lack of hardware features. And an uninspired design (maybe not a big deal for people)

With the trade-off being slightly more reliable software updates (Samsung isn't doing too bad, other than delay on os updates). Actual software experience is obviously debatable so I don't think that is worth mentioning. But some of the stuff on pixel actually seem pretty cool, like the daily brief thing.

Thinking about it, I kind of understand where AC is coming from especially with the last point I mentioned. I still think AC was too deterministic about it and biased towards the pixel though. IMO, if you ignore the price, at most the pixel just matches the s7. But what do I know, I'm biased towards the s7.

 

[Aquila]

Re: Can't agree with Pixel being the top based on their current "Best Android Phone" article

Can't agree with Pixel being the top based on their current "Best Android Phone" article.

For a "best" you have to include all aspects.

Specs
Features
Camera
Battery life
Price
Design
UI

For the price Samsung s7/edge must surely win? And I don't own one btw.

The price of the Pixel, is absurd considering the features missing, or waterproofing, no SD support, untested battery life, copycat design.

The only major feature(s) are the UI, and maybe the camera.

Then you have the oneplus 3. Which is effectively the Pixel without nougat. But more than half the price.

I really feel ACs reviews and recommendations for the Pixel are somewhat forced by their business model and advertising needs.

If this was an independent site (not android specific) then the Pixel would not be top.

Can you put up the numbers behind your rating of the S7 EDGE? I am seeing it winning only on price compared to the most expensive Pixel XL and losing across the board thereafter except on IP rating.

 

[mightyfacundo]

Re: AC recommends....

I am also considering the 128 version because althought you get unlimited storage for photos and videos, i do A LOT of journaling (with photo). This ends up taking a lot of space because of the inserted photos. So I need all the space I can get on hand. The price is just about the only thing keeping me from pulling the trigger.

I completely understand that. I think the price was high, but personally, I can't spend money on old tech. I will keep this phone for two years unless it has serious problems, so it was easier for me to convince myself that the price is worth it. But obviously I would have loved to have spent less...

 

[SteelGator]

Re: Can't agree with Pixel being the top based on their current "Best Android Phone" article

Of course, that's why I said it might even be the sort of thing you'd only notice in charts and not real life. I haven't seen the pixel display but other than the lower ppi on the smaller one, it is basically the same as the s7, probably.

Same with camera and performance, I don't expect the pixel to do noticeably better or worse than the s7 (exynos at least). But looking at the reviews the battery seems to be worse (again, exynos), and there is a lack of hardware features. And an uninspired design (maybe not a big deal for people)

With the trade-off being slightly more reliable software updates (Samsung isn't doing too bad, other than delay on os updates). Actual software experience is obviously debatable so I don't think that is worth mentioning. But some of the stuff on pixel actually seem pretty cool, like the daily brief thing.

Thinking about it, I kind of understand where AC is coming from especially with the last point I mentioned. I still think AC was too deterministic about it and biased towards the pixel though. IMO, if you ignore the price, at most the pixel just matches the s7. But what do I know, I'm biased towards the s7.

You've mentioned the battery thing a few times. My impression from most reviews is that they are about the same, with Doze 2.0 giving the Pixel XL a potential advantage. I have not owned an S7 (two small) and I have only limited use of the S7E -- the curved display was too curved, so design wise, it is reasonable to see where some would give the nod to the Pixel. That said, I still think the curved displays are striking.

 

[raqball]

Re: Can't agree with Pixel being the top based on their current "Best Android Phone" article

I don't have many complaints at all with the Pixel.. It's the best phone I have owned, hands down!

I have brightness maxed with adaptive turned off. I am getting between 4 1/2 to 5 hours of screen on time from the 5" Pixel.. it's readable in direct sunlight so no complaints there either from me..

 

[monkeypimp]

Re: Can't agree with Pixel being the top based on their current "Best Android Phone" article

Having had the Note 7, I am going to miss:
1. S-pen and it's exclusive features(glance, smart select, etc)
2. Samsung Pay

But I won't miss:
1. Having 2 apps for everything ...2 app stores, 2 calendars, 2 voice assistants, 2mail apps, etc.
2. The carrier bloat
3. Figuring out what bloat and apps I can Disable without causing issues.
3. Being stuck to a particular carrier. Once my whole family is out of contract and everyone has an unlocked phone I will be moving to Project Fi.
4. Lag! Having to adjust animations, turn this on and this off to get the phone to work somewhat smooth. I never really understood lag and until yesterday when I got my an iphone 7 for my work phone.
5. Updates that are 6-12 months behind.
6. Glass backed phone, silly decision by Samsung
7. Fear of breaking the glass on the sides.

I am looking forward to a much cleaner, smoother experience with the Pixel.

It is funny because when I would read the Note 7 forum there was so much talk about all the crap the carriers put on the phones People said Samsung should stand up to the carriers and stop putting crap on the phone that made it lag, drained the battery and ate up memory space. Google has done exactly that. There is no bloat on the phone, it is an unlocked device and gets updates direct from Google. Sure the phone is pricey but I am willing to pay more to get a phone that has eliminated the carriers from touching and controlling my phone!

 

[jd78]

Re: Can't agree with Pixel being the top based on their current "Best Android Phone" article

Having had the Note 7, I am going to miss:
3. Being stuck to a particular carrier. Once my whole family is out of contract and everyone has an unlocked phone I will be moving to Project Fi.

Fi is great, but lets be real... Fi is pretty much a carrier and the most restrictive one at that. You get one plan and a very limited amount of phones. You can use Fi as a pro, but "being stuck" is not a good example since you'll be "stuck" to one type of phone.

 

[dobo84]

Re: Can't agree with Pixel being the top based on their current "Best Android Phone" article

I will say this the pixel is the first Android phone I've used that is blazing fast and stutter free. It's not with out flaws though, Bluetooth won't stay connected on my GM vehicles, and the over flare from the camera, one last minute one on the white version why the hell would they use white cloth for the ear piece. Over all decent phone

 

[raqball]

Re: Can't agree with Pixel being the top based on their current "Best Android Phone" article

Fi is great, but lets be real... Fi is pretty much a carrier and the most restrictive one at that. You get one plan and a very limited amount of phones. You can use Fi as a pro, but "being stuck" is not a good example since you'll be "stuck" to one type of phone.

Well... Sorta, maybe but not really..

Once Fi is active you can use it in just about any phone out there..

On my Nexus 5 (non X and supposedly not supported) I get T-Mobile service.

When I had my iPhone 7 for a week I plopped my Fi sim in and guess what? Yup Fi service..

You only need a Fi supported phone to activate the SIM.. After that it's fair game for just about any phone..

 

[monkeypimp]

Re: Can't agree with Pixel being the top based on their current "Best Android Phone" article

Fi is great, but lets be real... Fi is pretty much a carrier and the most restrictive one at that. You get one plan and a very limited amount of phones. You can use Fi as a pro, but "being stuck" is not a good example since you'll be "stuck" to one type of phone.

Understood, I guess I am more talking about being under contract as well as having a phone that only works on a particular carrier. In the future all my phones will be Unlocked and paid in full. That way I can go where I want, when I want.

 

[Almeuit]

Re: Can't agree with Pixel being the top based on their current "Best Android Phone" article

On lunch I was in the sun at a few points. I unlocked the phone and went to hangouts, forums, etc. and could read the screen just fine. Same as my N7 / S7 Edge.

 

[tcatnat]

Re: Can't agree with Pixel being the top based on their current "Best Android Phone" article

Why do people keep bringing up price? Isn't the S7 Edge $770 in the US for 32GB? At least that's what it shows on the Samsung website. What does that $120get you, waterproofing and SD slot and bloatware. I'll take the software experience, unlimited photo and video storage and a 128Gb Pixel for less and FTW. My phone is only ever close to water in the rain and from what I've seen on the Pixel reviews it can handle that fine. Even when I go camping and canoeing my phone always goes in a waterproof case and dry sack for double protection in the event of a tip.

Am I wrong on the pricing? Can you get it cheaper elsewhere?

 

[LeoRex]

Re: Can't agree with Pixel being the top based on their current "Best Android Phone" article

You can use Fi as a pro, but "being stuck" is not a good example since you'll be "stuck" to one type of phone.

I think his point was that the Pixel is not hard-wired (due to band support) to a particular carrier, like many of the carrier specific phone models out there. Fi is an added bonus IF you are the type to not use a ton of data every month.... (I'd be paying through the nose for service if I was on Fi)

 

[LeoRex]

Re: Can't agree with Pixel being the top based on their current "Best Android Phone" article

Why do people keep bringing up price? Isn't the S7 Edge $770 in the US for 32GB?

The Pixel XL, for instance, cost pretty much the exact same to make as the S7 Edge AND iPhone 7+... and, for the same storage options also retail at the same price. I agree, you can't factor in price as a 'con' or a 'pro' when comparing it to its competition because they are basically the same. The problem is that Google isn't looking to sell a loss leader, like it had on occasion with the Nexus lineup. So that made a lot of people a little bit aggravated.

 

[SteelGator]

Re: Can't agree with Pixel being the top based on their current "Best Android Phone" article

Why do people keep bringing up price? Isn't the S7 Edge $770 in the US for 32GB? At least that's what it shows on the Samsung website. What does that $120get you, waterproofing and SD slot and bloatware. I'll take the software experience, unlimited photo and video storage and a 128Gb Pixel for less and FTW. My phone is only ever close to water in the rain and from what I've seen on the Pixel reviews it can handle that fine. Even when I go camping and canoeing my phone always goes in a waterproof case and dry sack for double protection in the event of a tip.

Am I wrong on the pricing? Can you get it cheaper elsewhere?

The pricing I see at Verizon is

S7E 32 GB -- $792
Pixel XL 32 GB -- $769

 

[Jerry Hildenbrand]

Re: Can't agree with Pixel being the top based on their current "Best Android Phone" article

The Pixel is the only Android phone. By default this makes it the "best."

Android means seamless updates, file-level encryption, managed boot sequence, Daydream abilities, a fully hardware-accelerated UI and framework based multi-window display.

No other phone has these features. Some have several of them, but no other phone runs Android in the operating system. Technically, the <insert your phone of choice here> is no different than the BlackBerry Z10 or Amazon Fire phone because they only support a few features from Android and have omitted the rest.

Now let the arguments begin.

 

[Dragan Radivojev]

Re: Can't agree with Pixel being the top based on their current "Best Android Phone" article

Absolutely agree, with member / mabr82..., first post.
plus.., hafe to say its ..ugly !!!!! And more important...could be..., the thing, that First Google fone , dont have..nothing specific, or diferent, or extraordenery., or new..!!!!

 

[Aquila]

Re: Can't agree with Pixel being the top based on their current "Best Android Phone" article

My mistake, the S7 edge is actually more expensive than the Pixel XL at the same storage size and therefore the S7 Edge is behind on all 7 features listed below (from the OP):

Specs
Features
Camera
Battery life
Price
Design
UI