Looking into the OnePlus as a potential Pixel alternative....

[swampbaby]

Does anyone have any experience with OxygenOS and OnePlus for that matter? I currently have a Pixel 3XL and with stories all over that it isn't performing to Google's expectations that Google may kill it sooner rather than later. With the guy behind the Pixel camera development recently leaving Google and going to Adobe makes me wonder about the future of Pixel photography. For me I take A LOT of photos so having a good camera is important to me, also getting the latest version of Android is important as well. I love the displays on Samsung but their update track record has been spotty at best, not to mention the bloatware OMFG!!!! So we've been watching YouTube videos with OxygenOS and as a Pixel user....I have to say I like the way it looks.

Does anyone have any insight into the software (latest version of Android) and the camera? TIA

 

[BergerKing]

Let's please keep the discussion in one thread, if you posted in the wrong place, report your own thread and staff will move it to the appropriate subforum for you.

 

[Javier P]

OOS is very close to stock Android with only a few addition that are very good. Performance is excellent and the phone runs smooth and fluid, you'd like OOS.

Depending on the model you can get very good pictures, not so good as with the Pixel though. There are ports of the Gcam that can be used in all OP models and they improve quality in many situation. For example, my main camera in the OnePlus 7 is a Gcam port instead of the stock app.

Updates come every 1-2 months in the stable path and every month with Open Betas. It's very easy to install updates manually and switch between beta and stable ROMs. The promise from OP is to give 2 years of version updates and 3 years of security patches.

There are many Devs creating ports, custom ROMs and whatnot for these phones, for rooted and non rooted users. They are great phones with a big and very active community. I really like mine.

 

[swampbaby]

I've never gotten into the whole custom ROM thing. The closest to tinkereing around I do is installing APKs from APK Mirror.

 

[Javier P]

I've never gotten into the whole custom ROM thing. The closest to tinkereing around I do is installing APKs from APK Mirror.

Same here. I only sideload apks from reputable sources, like the Gcam ports from Urnyx or Arnova.

I only mentioned that as a plus for OP devices that can be very easily rooted, unlocked or tinkered at every level.

 

[swampbaby]

When the latest version of Android comes out do they get it that day or is it a waiting game like Samsung?

 

[Javier P]

It usually comes very soon, specially for the latest models. The OP 8 series, for example, is already running the Beta 2 for Android 11. For the OP 7 series we got Android 10 very quickly after it was released.

 

[Javier P]

I confirmed the dates. OP 7 series series got the stable Android 10 version September 19th, Pixel got the same version the 4th, just a couple of weeks.

 

[swampbaby]

You mentioned installing the APK for the Gcam.... does installing Google's Camera on the phone actually make THAT much of any noticeable difference in picture outcome? Is the final outcome of the photos dependant on the actual camera on the physical device itself?

 

[mustang7757]

You mentioned installing the APK for the Gcam.... does installing Google's Camera on the phone actually make THAT much of any noticeable difference in picture outcome? Is the final outcome of the photos dependant on the actual camera on the physical device itself?

Yes definitely

 

[Javier P]

You mentioned installing the APK for the Gcam.... does installing Google's Camera on the phone actually make THAT much of any noticeable difference in picture outcome? Is the final outcome of the photos dependant on the actual camera on the physical device itself?

Yes, it does a difference for some situations, like portrait mode for example. Software is a huge part of how good a camera is and Google is probably the best in this part.

 

[Morty2264]

I've heard that Oxygen OS is very fluid, and wonderful to use. Feel free to check out the "Photos Taken With the OnePlus 8" forum - I've seen some beautiful pictures taken with the OnePlus 8. I think it'd be a great Pixel alternative.

Plus, OP seems to get updates almost as quickly as the Pixel (from what I've heard), so there is another plus in the OnePlus column!

Good luck, and let us know what you decide!

 

[Ry]

Does anyone have any experience with OxygenOS and OnePlus for that matter? I currently have a Pixel 3XL and with stories all over that it isn't performing to Google's expectations that Google may kill it sooner rather than later. With the guy behind the Pixel camera development recently leaving Google and going to Adobe makes me wonder about the future of Pixel photography. For me I take A LOT of photos so having a good camera is important to me, also getting the latest version of Android is important as well. I love the displays on Samsung but their update track record has been spotty at best, not to mention the bloatware OMFG!!!! So we've been watching YouTube videos with OxygenOS and as a Pixel user....I have to say I like the way it looks.

Does anyone have any insight into the software (latest version of Android) and the camera? TIA

Google will owe updates even if the Pixel phone hardware line is killed. Also - your Pixel 3XL won't stop working if the Pixel line is killed.

 

[the_boon]

Oxygen OS is even better than stock Android imo, but the hardware it runs on has gotten very generic and unergonomic.

 

[swampbaby]

Soooo like Pixel lol (why does this forum flag texts with emojis as spam? I tried putting the laughing with years and it got flagged as spam TF?

 

[Theot]

I've had all three in the last two years, OnePlus, Pixels and Samsung. OnePlus and Oxygen OS is by far my favorite and the only one that I don't immediately replace the launcher. Pixel is ok but I find the pixel launcher lacking a couple key features that I use and Samsung is ok, way better than it used to be but definitely running third place.

 

[Mike Dee]

When the latest version of Android comes out do they get it that day or is it a waiting game like Samsung?

I don't know which carrier your on but Samsung has upped their game for the most part when it comes to updates, especially on unlocked models.

 

[the_boon]

I've had all three in the last two years, OnePlus, Pixels and Samsung. OnePlus and Oxygen OS is by far my favorite and the only one that I don't immediately replace the launcher. Pixel is ok but I find the pixel launcher lacking a couple key features that I use and Samsung is ok, way better than it used to be but definitely running third place.

I immediately replaced the launcher when I had my OnePlus with Nova because the OnePlus launcher doesn't (or didn't at the time) have the option to resize icons, they were too damn small.

 

[Javier P]

I immediately replaced the launcher when I had my OnePlus with Nova because the OnePlus launcher doesn't (or didn't at the time) have the option to resize icons, they were too damn small.

The stock launcher has included that option and a couple more in the latest version (beta).

https://www.xda-developers.com/oneplus-launcher-4-6-4-home-screen-grid/

I still prefer Nova, though.

 

[crisdane_2005]

I don't think Oxygen OS is any way near to Pixel. The only OEM that can match Pixel in user interface is Motorola. Motorola's take on UI is definitely way better than oxygen OS. The strength of One plus is purely hardware and that's the reason they are shinging in this segment.