Pixel ALMOST making me rethink my iPhone

[anon(5630457)]

I had the Pixel XL for a couple of days and I couldn't wait to get back to my iPhone 7 Plus. Sure, the Pixel's software is amazing, but the hardware was really lacking. I didn't feel like I could bring it with me when I worked outdoors because of its lack of water resistance. I also didn't like that it didn't have stereo sound. Plus, the battery life was lacking when compared to the 7 Plus. I also had an issue with lens flare when I took pics outside. Those negatives far outweighed the positives of the device and I returned it. I think at that price point, nearly $1,000 for the XL with 128GB of storage, the hardware really should've been better.

 

[lbjames231]

I had the Pixel XL for a couple of days and I couldn't wait to get back to my iPhone 7 Plus. Sure, the Pixel's software is amazing, but the hardware was really lacking. I didn't feel like I could bring it with me when I worked outdoors because of its lack of water resistance. I also didn't like that it didn't have stereo sound. Plus, the battery life was lacking when compared to the 7 Plus. I also had an issue with lens flare when I took pics outside. Those negatives far outweighed the positives of the device and I returned it. I think at that price point, nearly $1,000 for the XL with 128GB of storage, the hardware really should've been better.

Do you live in an area where there are downpours everywhere?

There used to be a time where we kept all electronics away from things that could destroy them...now people are clamoring to dunk their phone in water just to say they can. Boggles my mind really.

And to be quite honest, if you're relying on phone speakers for your audio then you need to seriously consider getting a bluetooth speaker. Phone speakers are garbage no matter what phone you're using.

This post reeks of bias.

 

[camaroz1985]

Do you live in an area where there are downpours everywhere?

There used to be a time where we kept all electronics away from things that could destroy them...now people are clamoring to dunk their phone in water just to say they can. Boggles my mind really.

And to be quite honest, if you're relying on phone speakers for your audio then you need to seriously consider getting a bluetooth speaker. Phone speakers are garbage no matter what phone you're using.

This post reeks of bias.

Or just plug in some headphones.... oh wait, nevermind

I can't imagine feeling like you could not take any phone outside because there is a chance it could get wet and it isn't waterproof. The anxiety you must find in the rest of life must be nearly unbearable. I have never had a waterproof (or resistant) phone and have never had that concern.

 

[popkurn611]

Or just plug in some headphones.... oh wait, nevermind

I can't imagine feeling like you could not take any phone outside because there is a chance it could get wet and it isn't waterproof. The anxiety you must find in the rest of life must be nearly unbearable. I have never had a waterproof (or resistant) phone and have never had that concern.

Do you live in an area where there are downpours everywhere?

There used to be a time where we kept all electronics away from things that could destroy them...now people are clamoring to dunk their phone in water just to say they can. Boggles my mind really.

And to be quite honest, if you're relying on phone speakers for your audio then you need to seriously consider getting a bluetooth speaker. Phone speakers are garbage no matter what phone you're using.

This post reeks of bias.

I agree with both of you guys, I think we all got spoiled with water resistant cell phones emerging the past couple of years. LifeProof case whatttt???

I have an s7 edge and I never even think of getting it wet just because I can. I have trained myself to avoid any type of water because that is what we have always been used to doing. Do not get me wrong, having an ip67 or ip68 phone is a plus, but I'm not going to ditch a phone that I enjoy using (the pixel) just BC it is not water resistant.

And all phone speakers don't compare to Bluetooth or sound systems, or headphones so I don't see that ever being such an issue to ditch a phone.

 

[anon(5630457)]

Do you live in an area where there are downpours everywhere?

There used to be a time where we kept all electronics away from things that could destroy them...now people are clamoring to dunk their phone in water just to say they can. Boggles my mind really.

And to be quite honest, if you're relying on phone speakers for your audio then you need to seriously consider getting a bluetooth speaker. Phone speakers are garbage no matter what phone you're using.

This post reeks of bias.

I can understand your love for the Pixel, but there's no bias here. There's so much about the hardware of the iPhone 7 Plus that's better than the Pixel XL. I work outside 10 hours a day and it's essential that I have a water resistant phone and excellent speakers so I can hear phone calls from clients, especially when I put it on speaker phone. Not only that, the 7+'s display is 200 nits brighter outdoors vs the Pixel.

I don't understand why people get so defensive if someone criticizes a device. It's not like I criticized anyone personally.

 

[anon(5630457)]

Or just plug in some headphones.... oh wait, nevermind

I can't imagine feeling like you could not take any phone outside because there is a chance it could get wet and it isn't waterproof. The anxiety you must find in the rest of life must be nearly unbearable. I have never had a waterproof (or resistant) phone and have never had that concern.

I never had my house burn down but I am glad I pay for fire insurance. Just because YOU don't have that concern doesn't mean other people don't have that concern.

As for Lifeproof case, why should anyone have to spend an extra $100 to get a feature that should already be in the phone, especially when the phone costs $1,000?

 

[anon(9708869)]

I had the Pixel XL for a couple of days and I couldn't wait to get back to my iPhone 7 Plus. Sure, the Pixel's software is amazing, but the hardware was really lacking. I didn't feel like I could bring it with me when I worked outdoors because of its lack of water resistance. I also didn't like that it didn't have stereo sound. Plus, the battery life was lacking when compared to the 7 Plus. I also had an issue with lens flare when I took pics outside. Those negatives far outweighed the positives of the device and I returned it. I think at that price point, nearly $1,000 for the XL with 128GB of storage, the hardware really should've been better.

Just admit it, you wanted an iPhone

 

[Preach2k]

The Pixel is crazy. Unfriend installed over 500 Apps from his previous phone and there is still no lag and working buttery smooth! Man I can't wait for my phone to arrive.

 

[CHILLYWILL_95831]

The Pixel is crazy. Unfriend installed over 500 Apps from his previous phone and there is still no lag and working buttery smooth! Man I can't wait for my phone to arrive.

It is buttery smooth, but was that just a test that unfriend did? I have 140 plus apps and I bet i only use half of them... Maybe!

 

[Preach2k]

Nope he uses apps for work and play. I have about 540 Apps running on my Note 7 right now. Games and work apps.

 

[JenTDOT]

Agreed. The keyboard to me is the worst. I make so many mistakes. Ive tried swift key and others, but it makes no difference. Google's is the least bad, but it still isnt good, in my opinion.
But the phone is really nice. I have the wifi dropping issue and that sucks, but hopefully they will release an update for it.
I prefer it to my iPhone.

 

[lbjames231]

I can understand your love for the Pixel, but there's no bias here. There's so much about the hardware of the iPhone 7 Plus that's better than the Pixel XL. I work outside 10 hours a day and it's essential that I have a water resistant phone and excellent speakers so I can hear phone calls from clients, especially when I put it on speaker phone. Not only that, the 7+'s display is 200 nits brighter outdoors vs the Pixel.

I don't understand why people get so defensive if someone criticizes a device. It's not like I criticized anyone personally.

I'm not defensive at all. It's just like, as others have pointed out already, your post seemed very slanted.

I've had a smartphone in some form since 2008, and have never worried about it getting wet in the rain or dropping it in a puddle. If you constantly have your phone in your hand and are worried about it dropping into water while working, then you probably shouldn't have it in your hand. But yet you state you need good speakers to hear calls from clients or hear them on speakerphone so the phone isn't close enough for you to pick up right away anyway. So where is the issue with the phone getting wet? I'm wondering if you live in a rainforest or if you're just being difficult.

And for your issue with needing to hear the phone/people on speaker, there are these handy little things called bluetooth headsets that are great for people that need to be hands free, as you sound like you need to be.

Your reasoning has holes all over the place, which is why it seems like you're just being biased.

 

[Zendroid1]

It almost made me re-think my 7 Plus as well but in the end I returned my Pixel XL today. Still just a few things that annoy me enough to stick with the iPhone for now. It's the best Android phone to date though.

 

[JoshDunc]

I came from the iPhone 7 Plus to the standard Pixel. Absolutely ZERO regrets. In fact, I regret I ever used iOS. Although Apple has done AMAZING at integrating iOS into their hardware, they are so restricted. I LOVE that my Pixel is just as fast, and actually faster, as well as allowing me to customize the phone to how I want it. Google nailed this device and I look forward to watching them build onto it in the future.

 

[anon(5630457)]

I'm not defensive at all. It's just like, as others have pointed out already, your post seemed very slanted.

I've had a smartphone in some form since 2008, and have never worried about it getting wet in the rain or dropping it in a puddle. If you constantly have your phone in your hand and are worried about it dropping into water while working, then you probably shouldn't have it in your hand. But yet you state you need good speakers to hear calls from clients or hear them on speakerphone so the phone isn't close enough for you to pick up right away anyway. So where is the issue with the phone getting wet? I'm wondering if you live in a rainforest or if you're just being difficult.

And for your issue with needing to hear the phone/people on speaker, there are these handy little things called bluetooth headsets that are great for people that need to be hands free, as you sound like you need to be.

Your reasoning has holes all over the place, which is why it seems like you're just being biased.

You missed the part where I said I work outside 10 hours a day, rain or shine.

As for bias, I owned a Note7, S7 edge, and an S7 this year. The Note7 was the best phone of the year by far. I decided to get the iPhone 7 Plus after the Note7 recall because that was the only other phone on the market that had a 5.5" screen, water resistance, and very smooth software. Just because my opinion is different from your opinion doesn't mean I'm biased. I prefer to have a phone that won't die when sprinkling rain becomes down pouring rain.

 

[turb0wned]

I can understand your love for the Pixel, but there's no bias here. There's so much about the hardware of the iPhone 7 Plus that's better than the Pixel XL. I work outside 10 hours a day and it's essential that I have a water resistant phone and excellent speakers so I can hear phone calls from clients, especially when I put it on speaker phone. Not only that, the 7+'s display is 200 nits brighter outdoors vs the Pixel.

I don't understand why people get so defensive if someone criticizes a device. It's not like I criticized anyone personally.

A lot of Android guys get kinda butt hurt and don't like to admit when Apple did something right. I have both, the Pixel XL and an iPhone 7 plus.

The software optimizations on both are excellent, Google did a great job. The camera is also great on both but that's about where it ends for the Pixel.

My mini thoughts on this Pixel Vs iP7 plus is this...
For the price, Apple offers more. The speakers, the audio quality, battery life, the fact that everything (if you have other apple products) just work excellent. iMessage is amazing and Google can't seem to figure it out. Water resistance is another huge plus to me. I also like the look of the iPhone much better than this (in my opinion) half *** hardware. Huge bezels for no reason, the back is just so ugly as well. Another thing people don't seem to mention much as well is the fact that the Pixel is pretty terrible out doors in a lot of sunlight (I'm in Hawaii). Also, I really hate the finger print scanner in the back, forgot how much I hated it since I sold my 6P a while ago.

Again, I like my Pixel will and have recommended it to people that want to try an Android coming from a terrible Android phone. The unlimited storage is huge for some and the fact that Google got the camera right, is excellent, just to much missing. If the iPhone has water resistance now, every phone should.

In the end though, if you prefer Android, then this is an excellent choice. At the end of the day, my favorite phone was still the Note 7.

 

[anon(5630457)]

At the end of the day, my favorite phone was still the Note 7.

I loved the Note7. I wish it didn't have any problems. I miss it. That phone was better than my iPhone 7 Plus. Sigh.

But you're right. Remember when Apple fans were saying water resistance on phones was meaningless? That was just last year. This year, they can't say enough about it. They love it. I don't understand why tech bloggers and Pixel fans are so forgiving about the Pixel's numerous shortcomings. If the 128GB Pixel was about $500, it would've been totally worth it. But at $817.15? Absolutely not, not when it's missing so many features that many phones have at that price point. I still think the S7 edge is the best Android phone one can buy right now just because it has many of the similar hardware features as the 7 Plus.

 

[turb0wned]

Try $909 for the XL after taxes here haha. I'm a fan of both systems as Apple has opened up some and really improved a lot. For the same price, you are just getting more from even Apple. The good deal was for people on Verizon the other day, that was the perfect time to get a pixel.

Kind of off topic though, I really hate that the notifications on Android look the same since Android 1.0. just a blocky retractable. Wish they would make it more polished or rounded off or something. But overall, the notification system on Android is still superior.

 

[Preach2k]

Question to those that are talking about the Pixel not being water resistant. What did you guys do before phones became water resistant? We work outside in the rain, snow,mud and all kinds of weather. With phones that was not waterproof and guess what nothing happened to the phones. We used cases to protect the phones. Back then I was not walking around afraid of water and I am not now. Galaxy Nexus, Note 3,4 not waterproof, all survived had Otter box case only on the Nexus then changed to Spigen case because I got tired of the bulk. The rest of my phones I had Neo-Hybrid. How many of you guys really lost phones to water damage in the past?

 

[scottysize]

I finally got a Pixel in my hands and it ran so buttery smooth... I'm here wondering how to pitch my iPhone for one

Honestly I'll just be here drooling over everyone's phone so thought I'd say hi

I did that exact thing. Ditched my iPhone 7 Plus for the Pixel XL. I'm not sorry. In fact, it's been an awesome phone and I'm happy I did it.