Pixel 3 owners: what's your next phone?

[KPMcClave]

Strange that the Verizon version retails for $50 more than the unlocked... Is it actually somehow different other than perhaps having some pre-installed VZ apps?

It's because they have their own flavor of 5G. Their version of the original S20 was/is more than the other versions (unlocked and other carriers), as well. At least the S20 FE is rolling out at the same time. Their S20 was later then the others.

 

[Trees]

The physical fingerprint reader has been excellent on my Pixel 3. I also have the Note 10+ and it is intermittently reliable for me.

 

[Jeremy8000]

I think it is some rip off $50 activation fee. I never buy anything from Verizon anymore, always unlocked direct

It's $50 more even without activation, direct from Samsung.

It's because they have their own flavor of 5G. Their version of the original S20 was/is more than the other versions (unlocked and other carriers), as well. At least the S20 FE is rolling out at the same time. Their S20 was later then the others.

Good catch - I didn't realize it supports millimeter wave. Justifiable cost increase, though few Verizon users would actually benefit from it anytime in the near future.

 

[KPMcClave]

Well, I just ordered the S20 FE from Verizon today. Looks like that's my next phone.

 

[J Dubbs]

I just came across a clearance deal on a brand new sealed, factory unlocked Google store pixel 3XL, complete with warranty. So I'll be retiring my pixel 1 to backup status. I hope the 3 treats me as well as the 1 did I'll probably keep the 3 for 2-3 years then jump up to another pixel.

I just can't seem to leave the pixel line.... I'm like a fish on a hook lol.

 

[swampbaby]

After a chat with they guy at my local Costco's wireless section yesterday, I'm no longer debating whether to upgrade from my 3 XL. Only questioning to which phone I should go. Aside from the fact that my battery is degraded to only 35% of its original capacity in 20 months (it now lives on a charger when I'm at work, in the car, and at home overnight), he pulled up a speed test on his S20 5G and clocked nearly 200Mbps, a pretty impressive improvement over my 3 XL's best local performance of 55.2Mbps (and average of 20-25Mbps (both phones running same test on T-Mobile).

Seems like, at least for T-Mobile users, it will be important to get a phone that supports "standalone" 5G. Will have to figure out which (hopefully some) Pixels/Samsungs support that, along with 600/mid-band/mm-wave (though I don't anticipate my market seeing any of the latter that would be impactful before I replace this next phone).

I just can’t get past the bloatware on other devices, that and dependable/reliable Android updates is what sold me on the Pixel 3. That being said I was really let down with the 5.

 

[swampbaby]

I'm on Verizon. They want to "upgrade" my plan to one with 5G every time I'm window shopping handsets. Where I live, that would be like them just stealing my money at this point.

same

 

[Jeremy8000]

I just can’t get past the bloatware on other devices, that and dependable/reliable Android updates is what sold me on the Pixel 3. That being said I was really let down with the 5.

I ended up choosing a Samsung S20FE over the Pixel 5 as I was able to get one for free from T-Mobile.

After a few months of use, I can say I have a lot of respect for the phone, but the only improvements I appreciated from it were battery life (astounding) and display - and, obviously, faster speed when on 5G. But there's just that intangible sum-is-greater-than-the-whole-of-its-parts thing going on which just makes Pixels so much more of a joy to effortlessly use. Candidly I preferred even my old 3XL overall, if we discount the battery and lack of 5G.

I made a mistake this time. I will be returning to the Pixel line next time I upgrade.

Edit - Knowing what I know now, if I could go back I'd actually take the 4a 5G over the 5, as well. 5 didn't separate itself enough to justify the price difference, regardless of screen size.

 

[swampbaby]

If I decide to stick it out with Android Pixel is the ONLY choice for me.

 

[SactoKingsFan]

Not sure what phone will be my next phone but it definitely won't be the Pixel 5. Doesn't seem like that big of an upgrade from my Pixel 3 which still works like a new phone. Battery is good enough and I really enjoy using active edge and the speakers. I'd probably go with the 4xl if it had a fingerprint reader.

 

[terryb99]

Holding out for the Pixel 6.
My 3XL is still working great, except for an annoying habit of shutting down background apps since upgraded to Android 11.

Just posted a help me thread on that problem, lol

 

[cbreze]

Holding out for the Pixel 6.
My 3XL is still working great, except for an annoying habit of shutting down background apps since upgraded to Android 11.

Just posted a help me thread on that problem, lol

Ha, got you beat. Still holding out on my pixel 2. The 5 didn’t tick any of my boxes or trip any triggers for me and in fact was pretty disappointing in general especially for $700! If the pixel 6 disappoints in a similar way I’m not sure what I’ll do. Samsung is a total disaster and the iPhone while better than it used to be with ios14 it’s still, well an iPhone. I do have an SE20 so I could play around with the new iOS 14 release and when the ios15 comes out it will be interesting to see if they continue to loosen up and give the end user some more freedom with customizations. That could sway me especially if the pixel 6 is an overpriced dud. Being on Verizon there is not a lot of options other than the big 3. Apple, google or sam’s
hung.

 

[Derek_B]

I'm intrigued by the pixel 6 but I was waiting to see if the Google designed silicon would mean more years of guaranteed OS updates. I'm disappointed that it's still only three years.

I'm going to wait for the pixel 6 reviews to come out and then I'll decide between it and the 5A.

I'm impressed by the pricing on the 6 though, Google made it seem like it would be more expensive. I was thinking $750 or $800.

 

[eric002]

Yeah I'm shocked by that too. I figured their own silicone would mean more OS updates. They said 5 years of security updates that's pretty much what it is now.

 

[Michael Detwiler]

It's a no-brainer to pull the trigger on a 6 versus the 5a 5G.

Much more to it at a reasonable price.

 

[IMANUT46]

I will probably hold onto my 3 XL for another year. For me, one of the main issues is keeping the unlimited Original Quality backups in Google Photos.

When the time comes, I will most likely get the latest Pixel, and probably start a Google One plan for more storage.

Good news you're staying with Pixel 3Xl for now. I haven't upgraded to Android 12 yet. I'll wait a few more days to be sure that there are no serious bugs or installation tips offered.

 

[eric002]

Good news you're staying with Pixel 3Xl for now. I haven't upgraded to Android 12 yet. I'll wait a few more days to be sure that there are no serious bugs or installation tips offered.

Yeah, honestly that's one of the main reasons why I'm hanging on to my Pixel 5 for now. I'm grandfathered into unlimited photo storage at high quality resolution until I upgrade to a new Pixel phone. A lot of people have that oh how many pictures could you possibly have, or Google one storage isn't that expensive etc etc etc. It's not the point the principle of the matter is the fact that Google is taking away unlimited photo storage at high quality resolution for people if you upgrade to the new phone. I don't want to lose my limited photo storage at least not yet.

 

[Derek_B]

The only thing I'm bummed about losing from the 2xl and the 3xl is the stereo front facing speakers. I also had the Nexus 6p and the HTC one M8 before that with front firing speakers,

I wish more manufacturers offered it on phones but I understand that the war on bezels put paid to that.

 

[B. Diddy]

Good news you're staying with Pixel 3Xl for now. I haven't upgraded to Android 12 yet. I'll wait a few more days to be sure that there are no serious bugs or installation tips offered.

My 3 XL actually died a couple of months ago, so I've been using a 3a XL since then (which has been totally fine, although the lesser performance is noticeable). I did just preorder the Pixel 6 Pro, which is supposed to arrive mid-November, so that's exciting!

I installed the Android 12 update yesterday on the 3a XL, and so far it's great. Works fine with Nova Launcher.

 

[eric002]

My 3 XL actually died a couple of months ago, so I've been using a 3a XL since then (which has been totally fine, although the lesser performance is noticeable). I did just preorder the Pixel 6 Pro, which is supposed to arrive mid-November, so that's exciting!

I installed the Android 12 update yesterday on the 3a XL, and so far it's great. Works fine with Nova Launcher.

Yep yep, I totally agree. Upgraded from beta5 Android 12 to the stable release yesterday, so far my pixel 5 it's awesome! No complaints here whatsoever! Other than the at a glance widget not opening up the calendar app, that's about it.