How does the Pixel 2 make my Google life better than an iPhone?

[andrew_ackley]

Purchased a Pixel 2 XL a few days ago, coming from an iPhone 6s plus. So far I'm not seeing any reason to keep it. The main reason I decided to try Android is that I'm deep into the Google ecosystem and thought Android would improve my Google experience over the iPhone and I'm not seeing it yet. I use Gmail for home, we run Gsuite at work as our main only/office app and use Gmail for our email. I've got 4 Google Home speakers at home and use Google Play for my music. But I've not seen any difference in the way I use any Google services (other than squeeze to bring up Assistant) so I'll probably go back to the iPhone so I don't have to purchase Android versions of all my iPhone apps and transfer the data.

So can anybody tell me what I am missing? What specifically can I do on Android with regards to Google services that I can't do on the iPhone? Not looking to get into and Android vs. iOS debate and I don't need any fanboys telling me I have a character flaw because I don't want to spend hours customizing my phone. I'm just looking to find out how I can leverage Google services better with the Pixel 2 than I could an iPhone.

The fact that apple doesn't allow gmail to PUSH through the stock mail app is sooo annoying. They're doing it on purpose. A lot of organizations and schools use gmail for their email you would think that they know that. I bet that pushes a LOT of people to android/chromebooks.

 

[briareos4]

The fact that apple doesn't allow gmail to PUSH through the stock mail app is sooo annoying. They're doing it on purpose. A lot of organizations and schools use gmail for their email you would think that they know that. I bet that pushes a LOT of people to android/chromebooks.

Not likely. If Gmail is important to you then it only makes sense to use the IOS Gmail app. Push works obviously and it has the email search features no other email client can duplicate.

 

[sangs]

Not likely. If Gmail is important to you then it only makes sense to use the IOS Gmail app. Push works obviously and it has the email search features no other email client can duplicate.

This right here. The iOS Gmail app is soooo much better than the iOS Mail app. My Gmail account never ventures into that thing.

 

[ReggieTee]

Why can't you keep your 6S Plus and also have the Pixel? This is exactly where I am. I'm an Android user and my first iPhone was the 6S Plus. I had it along with a Note 4. Sold the Note for and oaired iPhone with Nexus 6P. Sold the 6P last year and was strictly iPhone over a year. Honestly, love the iPhone. I bought the X and was surprised at how much smaller it was compared to Plus series and returned it. Decided to get the Pixel when they ran Cyber Monday deal. Got my Panda last Wednesday but I didn't swap my SIM from my iPhone til this past Saturday. I love the Pixel and being back on Android.

Admittedly, I'm missing my iPhone. I guess I'm getting older and I miss it's simplicity. I get why people try and Android for a day or two and want to go back to their iPhone. After using my 6S Plus exclusively for a year, seems like I'm having to learn Android all over. As much as I'm missing my iPhone, I find myself saying how much better an OS Android is and how I've missed being able to do this. The notifications...the multitasking...setting up default apps, Google Assistant, etc. It's just better. I was neither impressed with the iPhone X or the 8. If Apple comes out with an X Plus next year, I'll probably choose to go back to iPhone. The plan for this year is this Pixel 2 XL. I have another week in my return period so I may change my mind. My opinion, Android is just a better OS.

 

[VivaTerlingua]

Why can't you keep your 6S Plus and also have the Pixel?

Main reason is cost, it's hard to justify keeping two phones. Secondary reason is visual voicemail and iMessaging. I'm on AT&T and can't just swap SIM cards and have visual voicemail work. Also, iMessaging is kind of flaky to turn on and off.

My opinion, Android is just a better OS.

I'm not necessarily disagreeing, it's just that the advantages so far don't seem worth the hassle of switching to me.

 

[bnice]

I really don't understand the op. He purchased the phone and don't see any benefits in keeping it compared to his iPhone. Well it sounds to me you answered Your own question, so why started a post? Let's be honest, they're plenty of reviews out and after your hands on experience couldn't bring you to justify the phone, it should have been a wrap. Stick to your iPhone.

 

[VivaTerlingua]

I really don't understand the op. He purchased the phone and don't see any benefits in keeping it compared to his iPhone. Well it sounds to me you answered Your own question, so why started a post? Let's be honest, they're plenty of reviews out and after your hands on experience couldn't bring you to justify the phone, it should have been a wrap. Stick to your iPhone.

I'm sorry to have upset some people like I apparently have, that certainly was not my intention. I figure the purpose of this forum is to learn from others and that's what I'm trying to do. I only have 2 weeks to try the phone (one week left now) and I want to make certain that I am giving it a fair shake and that there aren't features I'm missing before I make up my mind.

 

[Jeremy8000]

Going from one to the other you will gain a few things and give up a few things, but all in all those balance out, for the most part, unless one is a 'critical must-have.'

If you're happy with the way Apple manages your device's layout and operations, there's no compelling reason to switch. If you would like to be able to customize nearly anything on the device, Android phones lend themselves towards that end very well.

 

[Jeremy8000]

Going from one to the other you will gain a few things and give up a few things, but all in all those balance out, for the most part, unless one is a 'critical must-have.'

If you're happy with the way Apple manages your device's layout and operations, there's no compelling reason to switch. If you would like to be able to customize nearly anything on the device, Android phones lend themselves towards that end very well.

 

[VivaTerlingua]

Why can't you keep your 6S Plus and also have the Pixel? This is exactly where I am. I'm an Android user and my first iPhone was the 6S Plus. I had it along with a Note 4. Sold the Note for and oaired iPhone with Nexus 6P. Sold the 6P last year and was strictly iPhone over a year. Honestly, love the iPhone. I bought the X and was surprised at how much smaller it was compared to Plus series and returned it. Decided to get the Pixel when they ran Cyber Monday deal. Got my Panda last Wednesday but I didn't swap my SIM from my iPhone til this past Saturday. I love the Pixel and being back on Android.

Admittedly, I'm missing my iPhone. I guess I'm getting older and I miss it's simplicity. I get why people try and Android for a day or two and want to go back to their iPhone. After using my 6S Plus exclusively for a year, seems like I'm having to learn Android all over. As much as I'm missing my iPhone, I find myself saying how much better an OS Android is and how I've missed being able to do this. The notifications...the multitasking...setting up default apps, Google Assistant, etc. It's just better. I was neither impressed with the iPhone X or the 8. If Apple comes out with an X Plus next year, I'll probably choose to go back to iPhone. The plan for this year is this Pixel 2 XL. I have another week in my return period so I may change my mind. My opinion, Android is just a better OS.

Too bad about visual voicemail and imessaging, I am starting to like some of the things about this phone and could see keeping 2 phones.

 

[Almeuit]

I'm sorry to have upset some people like I apparently have, that certainly was not my intention. I figure the purpose of this forum is to learn from others and that's what I'm trying to do. I only have 2 weeks to try the phone (one week left now) and I want to make certain that I am giving it a fair shake and that there aren't features I'm missing before I make up my mind.

Yeah you did nothing wrong... As you said that is exactly why we have forums. To talk / discuss things .

 

[Jeremy8000]

Interesting possible workaround (for some) to use iMessage on Android devices...
https://www.macrumors.com/2017/12/12/imessages-on-android-using-mac/

(Play store link)

Looks like you need a Mac to make it work, and it may or may not stick around the Play store for long / could be disabled somehow perhaps by Apple, but thought it was a novel idea.

 

[SR45]

So can anybody tell me what I am missing? What specifically can I do on Android with regards to Google services that I can't do on the iPhone? Not looking to get into and Android vs. iOS debate and I don't need any fanboys telling me I have a character flawr because I don't want to spend hours customizing my phone. I'm just looking to find out how I can leverage Google services better with the Pixel 2 than I could an iPhone.

I went from the S7 to the iPhone 8+, but will be going to Samsung S9 when it comes out, but to answer the question above in bold, you will find more meanness or childlike behavior from Macrumors site then you will from here. Just to give you a heads up. I know, I seen both sides of the street. I personally like this forum and how they answer questions from those that have the iPhone.

 

[VivaTerlingua]

I went from the S7 to the iPhone 8+, but will be going to Samsung S9 when it comes out, but to answer the question above in bold, you will find more meanness or childlike behavior from Macrumors site then you will from here. Just to give you a heads up. I know, I seen both sides of the street. I personally like this forum and how they answer questions from those that have the iPhone.

I didn't mean to imply the Android guys are any worse than the iOS guys. There's people in both camps that for some reason feel you're insulting their manhood if you like the other operating system better.

 

[VivaTerlingua]

There are some things I'm really liking about this phone, and some things not so much. Maybe somebody out there has some suggestions to address some of the dislikes.

I really like the being able to turn the ringer on and off with a switch on the side of the iPhone. I can turn the ringer on or off in my pocket. With the pixel you have to wake the phone up, swipe down, then turn on do not disturb, 3 steps instead of one. Plus you can not tell if the ringer is on or off without waking up the phone. Is there a utility or something that simplifies the process even a little?

I don't like having the voicemail app separate from the phone app. In iOS, voicemail is inside the phone app. Any way to integrate them better?

I think I could live without iMessaging after everyone gets my old iMessages flushed out of their phones, but I like the iOS messaging app better than the n Pixel messaging app. I'm trying Textra now, but I don't like that as much either. Any texting app suggestions?

 

[FeinP1118]

You can actually moved icons onto next page on iPhone, just hold until they wiggle and move. Still prefer Android's widgets but thought I'd chime in.

 

[ReggieTee]

Too bad about visual voicemail and imessaging, I am starting to like some of the things about this phone and could see keeping 2 phones.

Same here. I'm also considering returning. I am using it the rest of the week and swapping my son to my iPhone for the weekend. If I miss the Pixel, I may keep it. Have til the 20th to decide.

 

[Dano1200r]

Same here. I'm also considering returning. I am using it the rest of the week and swapping my son to my iPhone for the weekend. If I miss the Pixel, I may keep it. Have til the 20th to decide.

My S7 from AT&T has Visual Voicemail. It does what the Apple app does. You should be able to download it.

 

[VivaTerlingua]

My S7 from AT&T has Visual Voicemail. It does what the Apple app does. You should be able to download it.

Yes, I've installed it (Took 45 minutes at the AT&T store to get it functional). But, it's still a separate app. I would like to access voicemail from within the phone app.

 

[sangs]

Well after a couple weeks using the Pixel 2 XL, today I officially wiped out my iPhone X to give to my son. I'm hooked on this until the next "great" thing comes along. There's just so much to enjoy here.