pixel 6 pro bloat/issues

[ahmed hanif1]

I've just come from a Samsung S20 plus, I know the pixel is cheaper but I thought I'd be getting a stock experience.

Firstly I can't remove Google glance and I can't remove the Google search bar at the bottom.

I can't re-order or organise apps in folders in the app tray.

Battery saver mode turns off notifications when I just want to turn off 5G and other background performance.

Camera has limited options no pro mode or options to change mega pixels even though the phone is called pixel lol.

Auto brightness is not very accurate.

Doesn't allow many customisations like changing the power key to switch phone off or open Google pay its stuck on assistant and camera.

Can't customise always on diaplay.

Finger print sensor is slow!

You have to keep pressing the enter key when inputting the pin.

Hopefully Google add these features in a update, it's very sad to see the phone so limited.

 

[mustang7757]

I've just come from a Samsung S20 plus, I know the pixel is cheaper but I thought I'd be getting a stock experience.

Firstly I can't remove Google glance and I can't remove the Google search bar at the bottom.

I can't re-order or organise apps in folders in the app tray.

Battery saver mode turns off notifications when I just want to turn off 5G and other background performance.

Camera has limited options no pro mode or options to change mega pixels even though the phone is called pixel lol.

Auto brightness is not very accurate.

Doesn't allow many customisations like changing the power key to switch phone off or open Google pay its stuck on assistant and camera.

Finger print sensor is slow!

You have to keep pressing the enter key when inputting the pin.

Hopefully Google add these features in a update, it's very sad to see the phone so limited.

You could use a 3rd party launcher if need more customization but sounds like you should of stick with Samsung as you want more customization beyond stock Android gives.

 

[oks10]

Honestly, if this is a genuine post, it sounds like you want a Samsung experience but don't want a Samsung phone... Everything you're used to with Samsung is bc they've modified the stock Android. Like mentioned above, a lot of the customization desires you're looking for can easily be accomplished with a Launcher. I'm personally using Nova Launcher right now (bought the Nova Prime upgrade years ago) and you can move/remove the search bar, reorganize the app drawer, even using folders and tabs within the app drawer as well as hide apps from the drawer.

 

[ahmed hanif1]

Why would I use a launcher when I paid £850 for a Google launcher

 

[ahmed hanif1]

Go on then, provide with some of the answers at least without saying use another launcher LOL. I've just paid £850 I'm not saying it's all bad but coming from the other side you notice things compared to people who have had a pixel previously... So don't get all touchy and accusing me of being a troll when I'm just stating the obvious.

There is plus sides obviously too that I haven't listed one being the price compared to Samsungs, voice dictation, caller feature and great basic camera.

I'm not a Samsung user only. I went from a HTC U11 to S20 and I missed certain things from HTC too!

I'm going to hold onto it as it's still a upgrade in screen, camera and other features. I'll see how it goes and hopefully it surprises me.

 

[mustang7757]

Why would I use a launcher when I paid £850 for a Google launcher

Many do on Samsung other Andriod phones, i use Nova on my Samsung, One plus device ..it offers more customization

Go on then, provide with some of the answers at least without saying use another launcher LOL. I've just paid £850 I'm not saying it's all bad but coming from the other side you notice things compared to people who have had a pixel previously... So don't get all touchy and accusing me of being a troll when I'm just stating the obvious.

There is plus sides obviously too that I haven't listed one being the price compared to Samsungs!

I'm not a Samsung user only. I went from a HTC U11 to S20 and I missed certain things from HTC too!

I understand you especially i use Samsung/Pixels/One plus/Iphone devices daily i did slso have HTC M8/M9 back in the day.
Some prefer cleaner Stock Android Experience without too much customization but the pixel still can be customize just not in the way you were expecting like Samsung.

 

[Kizzy Catwoman]

Some people like the Samsung customisation and other people find it bloated and too complicated. My Pixel is customised as I use Hyperion launcher and I like the clean pixel experience. If I feel like customising more I still have my S10+ to have the full Samsung experience. But the pixel cameras are far superior to my Samsung cameras and I like the extras like dictation etc, but the Pixel is much more like the iPhone of Android than any other manufacturer.

 

[oks10]

Why would I use a launcher when I paid £850 for a Google launcher

You used a launcher on your more expensive Samsung too. You just didn't know it.

 

[Laura Knotek]

I think the main reason that using launchers and having phones from various manufacturers is not something that bothers me is because Nova Launcher Prime was one of the apps I bought during the first week of using my first Android. So I've used it with Moto, Nexus, LG and Samsung devices. I've only recently started using stock OneUI. Previously the default launcher on any device existed only to set it up, then I restored my Nova backup first thing after setting up the new phone.

However, I realise that most people probably don't use a specific launcher on all of their phones, so it's understandable that it will be frustrating to get used to an experience that is very different compared to what they used previously. It is not something that a person is going to learn just from playing with a phone for a few minutes in a store.

Anyone who says, "Just use [whatever brand] you used to have" needs to be more understanding to someone who may be brand new to a specific Android brand (or even brand new to Android if he/she had been using Apple only. We need to be patient and helpful to others who have less experience with certain things than we do.

To the OP, please do not hesitate to ask for help if you need it. I would first suggest giving the Pixel a few more days to see if you get used to it and like it before deciding to keep it or send it back. We will try to offer assistance to you on customisation.

 

[oks10]

I think the main reason that using launchers and having phones from various manufacturers is not something that bothers me is because Nova Launcher Prime was one of the apps I bought during the first week of using my first Android. So I've used it with Moto, Nexus, LG and Samsung devices. I've only recently started using stock OneUI. Previously the default launcher on any device existed only to set it up, then I restored my Nova backup first thing after setting up the new phone.

However, I realise that most people probably don't use a specific launcher on all of their phones, so it's understandable that it will be frustrating to get used to an experience that is very different compared to what they used previously. It is not something that a person is going to learn just from playing with a phone for a few minutes in a store.

Anyone who says, "Just use [whatever brand] you used to have" needs to be more understanding to someone who may be brand new to a specific Android brand (or even brand new to Android if he/she had been using Apple only. We need to be patient and helpful to others who have less experience with certain things than we do.

To the OP, please do not hesitate to ask for help if you need it. I would first suggest giving the Pixel a few more days to see if you get used to it and like it before deciding to keep it or send it back. We will try to offer assistance to you on customisation.

I made the same switch (Samsung to Pixel) back with the S7 to 2XL so I understand that aspect of the switch that the OP is going through. It's definitely something you just either have to get used to or get a launcher to make how you want it. The benefit of Android.

And my apologies for my earlier snarky comment to the OP. It's just that a bloat/non-stock experience complaint about a Pixel is incredibly ironic since it's literally THE most stock experience and least amount of bloat you can get with a phone. The only bloat that might come with a Pixel will be carrier apps and those can be uninstalled.

 

[Chex313]

Why would I use a launcher when I paid £850 for a Google launcher ??????

I have every thing you mentioned with Nova...Have been using Nova on every Google phone for ever...Bang your head against the wall or pick the simplest and best solution...

 

[srgonu]

I have every thing you mentioned with Nova...Have been using Nova on every Google phone for ever...Bang your head against the wall or pick the simplest and best solution...

I always felt any other launcher other than pixels own makes it not so smart. So, on pixel I don't try any other.

 

[TraderGary]

I always felt any other launcher other than pixels own makes it not so smart. So, on pixel I don't try any other.

I've had Nova Prime for many years. It's the first thing I install on a new phone. Quite frankly, for me, not installing Nova Prime would make me "not so smart".

 

[buzzy3970]

Honestly, if this is a genuine post, it sounds like you want a Samsung experience but don't want a Samsung phone... Everything you're used to with Samsung is bc they've modified the stock Android. Like mentioned above, a lot of the customization desires you're looking for can easily be accomplished with a Launcher. I'm personally using Nova Launcher right now (bought the Nova Prime upgrade years ago) and you can move/remove the search bar, reorganize the app drawer, even using folders and tabs within the app drawer as well as hide apps from the drawer.

I always say that people don't really know that a vanilla Android experience really means

 

[srgonu]

I've had Nova Prime for many years. It's the first thing I install on a new phone. Quite frankly, for me, not installing Nova Prime would make me "not so smart".

I think you got me wrong. I do own nova prime but on pixels with it's own launcher, phone feels smart either with the app suggestions or smart glance on home screen

 

[TraderGary]

I think you got me wrong. I do own nova prime but on pixels with it's own launcher, phone feels smart either with the app suggestions or smart glance on home screen

For me the first thing I want to do with a Pixel phone is get rid of that huge, ugly, Google Assistant Bar! And the only way I can get rid of it is with my Nova Prime. A launcher is a launcher. The OS doesn't care which one you use. Why not use one that is full featured instead of partially crippled?

 

[B. Diddy]

I've just come from a Samsung S20 plus, I know the pixel is cheaper but I thought I'd be getting a stock experience.

Firstly I can't remove Google glance and I can't remove the Google search bar at the bottom.

I can't re-order or organise apps in folders in the app tray.

Battery saver mode turns off notifications when I just want to turn off 5G and other background performance.

Camera has limited options no pro mode or options to change mega pixels even though the phone is called pixel lol.

Auto brightness is not very accurate.

Doesn't allow many customisations like changing the power key to switch phone off or open Google pay its stuck on assistant and camera.

Can't customise always on diaplay.

Finger print sensor is slow!

You have to keep pressing the enter key when inputting the pin.

Hopefully Google add these features in a update, it's very sad to see the phone so limited.

I'm a die-hard Pixel user, but I never use the stock Pixel Launcher and always install Nova because I enjoy the latter's much more extensive customizability -- I'd do this on any phone I use, whether it's a Pixel, a Galaxy, or what have you. Stock launchers almost never give the user as much versatility.

I'm not a big fan of battery saver modes because most of the time, you can't control what's turned off. If you want to turn off 5G easily, you could consider an app like IFTTT or Macrodroid; otherwise, just go to the system settings and turn it off there.

Google's whole philosophy with the Pixel camera since the original Pixel has been AI (i.e., take the picture and let the software do its processing to give you the best picture possible); therefore, it has never had lots of manual settings. There are a number of 3rd party camera apps you can install that do have more manual control.

I agree that auto-brightness can sometimes fluctuate (I notice it when I'm walking around areas in relatively dim light), but I've seen that in non Pixel phones as well. Are you seeing that in normal light?

The fingerprint sensor has always been a flashpoint of debate for this phone. It's clearly nowhere near as good as the very best ultrasonic scanners, but I have always found it totally fine. Keep in mind that ultrasonic scanners are significantly more expensive than optical scanners, so if Google had decided to use the former, it's difficult to say how much more they would have had to charge for the phone.

Having to press Enter after typing your PIN seems like a pretty minor quibble, but I'll give you that one.

 

[neil74]

For auto brightness I would not say it is inaccurate just very slow to respond, it seems to happen more in low light and I find it quite jarring.

That you cannot even schedule the always on display is pretty annoying but you can schedule bedtime mode and this switches it off so is kind of a workaround.

The FPS is what it is, it is not good they really cheaped out on it. I'd happily pay a little more for the phone to get a good one as it destroys the experience for me. All they can do now is add face unlock IMO.

 

[I Can Be Your Hero]

The FPS is what it is, it is not good they really cheaped out on it. I'd happily pay a little more for the phone to get a good one as it destroys the experience for me. All they can do now is add face unlock IMO.

Yeah I'm with you. I'm happy to pay more for the phone, provided they have top of the line parts. Better fingerprint scanner, better screen (like the Galaxy S22U) and add features like face unlock so that it's at parity with competing products.

It's a nice phone, but they just need to make sure they're pumping out those bug fixes and try to add features that are in competing devices. I think the number and severity of bugs and the attention around then have tarnished the Pixel 6's reputation.

I think the blueprint for the Pixel's going forward is good - the product and direction is good imo. They just need to nail the execution. Google are treating the Pixel 6 like a Gen 1 product, ok fair enough, they've got their own brand new custom processor, Android 12 is a big change etc, but they can't screw up this much with the Pixel 7 this year.

 

[CHILLYWILL_95831]

I've just come from a Samsung S20 plus, I know the pixel is cheaper but I thought I'd be getting a stock experience.

Firstly I can't remove Google glance and I can't remove the Google search bar at the bottom.

I can't re-order or organise apps in folders in the app tray.

Battery saver mode turns off notifications when I just want to turn off 5G and other background performance.

Camera has limited options no pro mode or options to change mega pixels even though the phone is called pixel lol.

Auto brightness is not very accurate.

Doesn't allow many customisations like changing the power key to switch phone off or open Google pay its stuck on assistant and camera.

Can't customise always on diaplay.

Finger print sensor is slow!

You have to keep pressing the enter key when inputting the pin.

Hopefully Google add these features in a update, it's very sad to see the phone so limited.

What you're describing is you want more bloat! You want more options! Right? Most people who want Google phones don't want all of that. We love having a great camera and a "vanilla Android" experience. I don't want an option to reorganize my app drawer. Why? If I wanted that I can create whole pages with folders. I don't want to be able to access folders on the edge of my screen. I don't want 2 system apps for everything. Why does Sammy use any of Google's apps if Sammy is so wonderful? I don't mean to make this about Sammy, but the OP wants a Sammy not a pixel. So, go buy a Sammy for the same thing you paid for your Pixel and don't give that weak excuse that you don't want to pay for an ultra version when Sammy makes a device at every damn price point all the way down to FREE!