Pixel features vs Samsung, others

[Theot]

So thinking about upgrading soon. Debating between the S20 and possibly the Pixel 4a. A lot of things I like about my 3 except the batter life. One of those things in particular is Google's call screen and other spam blocking features. When I was on my 6T I was getting random spam calls all the time but since switching back to the Pixel 3 and utilizing all of the spam blocking and call screening features of the Pixel I only get calls that I should and that goes a long way.

My question is to those of you (and I know you are here) that have Samsung or have recently had Samsung phones, does it come close? I haven't been on a Samsung device since the S7 and I know a lot has changed since then. Anything else I might miss going back to Samsung besides the camera?

Thanks in advance!

 

[mustang7757]

While the pixel has its features , Samsung does also , from s7 time its a difference that may shock you lol...wait little longer see what pixel 4a shows then decide but either way you going be ok .

 

[YankInDaSouth]

I have the Note 10+ and the Pixel 3. Been using the Note exclusively for the past several weeks and switched back to the Pixel 3 for a bit (out of nothing more than boredom, honestly) and find myself divided. Love both devices, but each device does some things better than the other does and I often find myself wishing there were a hybrid devicE LOL.

* Camera is the big reason I find myself missing the Pixel. Note 10+ camera is no slouch, but for what I use my camera for - indoors of kids and pets - it cannot hold a candle to the Pixel 3. Note pics in these conditions are often blurry, out of focus and the dog's fur looks awful. But outdoors or good lighting of still subjects I often like the Note pics better. Also Note camera is more feature-rich.

* AI/automation, whatever you want to call it, just seems more polished and useful on the P3.
- Like the call screening feature you mentioned above ... While Sammy will inform you it's a potential Spam call, it won't automatically screen or block it (not that I've found anyway).
- Google Assistant integration is far better on the Pixel, obviously. While Bixby does some things well, I prefer GA and for what I use a virtual assistant for GA trumps Bixby in my experience and noone does GA as well as Pixel.
- Voice-to-text seems more accurate, to me on, the Pixel. I use it alot and find myself more aggravated with the Note when using this feature as it often gets words wrong or it won't register my words aslt all. It's difficult to explain, but I definitely notice a difference. On my Pixel not only is it more accurate but it's far quicker too.

Other than those listed above, I prefer the Note 10+ for everything else. Battery life is great, screen is beautiful, multitasking is simply unmatched - with split screen and apps in pop-up view you can accomplish a lot much faster ...
Honestly, if the Note camera could match Pixel in the areas I mentioned above I could put the Pixel down and not look back. But when I snap a quick pic of my kids or dogs doing something cute and I look at the results and I'mm more disappointed than impressed with the results, is when I start eyeing my Pixel 3 ... It rarley leaves my disappointed when snapping quick pics around the house.

 

[Bkdodger1]

Good points there Yankin..I love both my Note + and Pixel 4 XL ...Samsung had come a long way ..it's more fluid than ever and a phone like the Note is a beast with options galore ...but Google and it's simplicity is awesome ... it's a different experience with the Google stuff suited for the phone ...just find myself happy to just get the job done easily ...again love Samsung it's extra and screen are top notch ..no help from me I guess ...lol

Buy both is my advise hehe

IMO I like the S20+ best out of the new lineup ...if you don't mind the size..

Recommend the Note 10 + if you can get a good deal ...

But wait till you see what Google releases ...

 

[Theot]

Thanks for the input. That is all really helpful. I definitely plan to wait and see what Google releases with the 4a for sure. Just not sure if it will be an upgrade over the 3 though I think in some ways it will (cough "battery life" cough).

At the same time, the 3 is fine and I'm not in a huge rush. Wondering if it's worth just waiting for the note 20 and pixel 5 as well to decide though I think the S20 and 4a are going to be more in the size range that I like. Either way I may end up with a Google and Samsung device

 

[blackhawkhot]

I wuv my Note 10+ especially how customizable it is without root. Package Blockers are a Samsung domain.
Without one this device be unusable.
You will want to really dig into it for optimum performance though. It's time consuming but doable.

Photos... well it can do good but Pixel prolly has it hands down. Not a concern of mine though so I've done little to look into it.

Frequent updates are nice if you need them than Pixel wins.
I'm more concerned about having a stable platform so updates are rarely loaded as they come out if the phone is running well. The Samsung runs very well on Pie.

Blocking callers isn't a big issue for me... I sort them out fast, directly.

 

[Morty2264]

I have an S10 and came over from a Google Pixel 2. My mom has the S6 Edge and so I think I can understand what you were saying about its OS prior to the newer Samsung releases.

I must say, I love Google's smooth and uncluttered OS and miss it a lot, but I am also loving Samsung's new OS. There is a duplication of apps (as in, Google's Calendar app and Samsung's Calendar app); which is a little cumbersome but I just delete the app I don't want and go with the one I prefer. I've actually found that I am preferring Samsung's apps - Calendar, Clock, Messages).

I've heard the camera on the S20 line is really good - and since some of the modes came down to the S10, I can vouch for that - but I still think that if you are really invested in a good camera, the Pixel 4 line is a better bet.

 

[Theot]

So, now the Pixel 4/4XL is $300 off. $600 for a 4XL seems like a really good price to me. Android police kind of ripped the S20 camera in comparison and I've got kids so camera is important.

 

[mustang7757]

So, now the Pixel 4/4XL is $300 off. $600 for a 4XL seems like a really good price to me. Android police kind of ripped the S20 camera in comparison and I've got kids so camera is important.

Leaning towards pixel 4xl ?

 

[Theot]

Leaning towards pixel 4xl ?

Kinda. It wasn't on my radar before the price drop because of the price but I think after having a couple of Pixel devices I'm going to be disappointed by the S20 camera. However the size of the S20 is part of the attraction for me, if I'm going to stick with a Pixel device I would much rather have the smaller one but the 4XL seems to have ok battery life with it's bigger battery.

IDK, it's really coming down to price, camera & software vs better hardware.

 

[mustang7757]

Kinda. It wasn't on my radar before the price drop because of the price but I think after having a couple of Pixel devices I'm going to be disappointed by the S20 camera. However the size of the S20 is part of the attraction for me, if I'm going to stick with a Pixel device I would much rather have the smaller one but the 4XL seems to have ok battery life with it's bigger battery.

IDK, it's really coming down to price, camera & software vs better hardware.

Then you probably will like the pixel 4xl

 

[Morty2264]

Kinda. It wasn't on my radar before the price drop because of the price but I think after having a couple of Pixel devices I'm going to be disappointed by the S20 camera. However the size of the S20 is part of the attraction for me, if I'm going to stick with a Pixel device I would much rather have the smaller one but the 4XL seems to have ok battery life with it's bigger battery.

IDK, it's really coming down to price, camera & software vs better hardware.

It's true that once you get one or a couple of Pixel devices, the experience starts to spoil you and you start to want nothing else!

 

[tuckertje01]

It's true that once you get one or a couple of Pixel devices, the experience starts to spoil you and you start to want nothing else!

Same for me with Samsung...

 

[YankInDaSouth]

So, now the Pixel 4/4XL is $300 off. $600 for a 4XL seems like a really good price to me. Android police kind of ripped the S20 camera in comparison and I've got kids so camera is important.

If you're going to be shooting pics of kids, I say go Pixel. I've had Note 9, S10+ (both for short stints) and now Note 10+ and when it comes to pics of moving subjects, especially indoors, you can't beat the Pixel's camera.

 

[Theot]

If you're going to be shooting pics of kids, I say go Pixel. I've had Note 9, S10+ (both for short stints) and now Note 10+ and when it comes to pics of moving subjects, especially indoors, you can't beat the Pixel's camera.

Yeah that's what I'm thinking. I just hate to buy it for that when my second requirement is battery life and that's it's weakest point. Plus I'm also thinking is there really any reason to upgrade from a Pixel 3 then, this camera is already great.

 

[Morty2264]

Same for me with Samsung...

Fair enough! My S10 is my introduction to Samsung and I gotta say, I'm loving it!

 

[blackhawkhot]

Fair enough! My S10 is my introduction to Samsung and I gotta say, I'm loving it!

That's all I've used.
I would really missed the Samsung customization apks.
Being the biggest selling Android means more searchable solutions for modes, fixs, as well as more custom 3rd party apps for it.
The update lag suites me because I never update now until it's been field tested by others, ha!

 

[Morty2264]

That's all I've used.
I would really missed the Samsung customization apks.
Being the biggest selling Android means more searchable solutions for modes, fixs, as well as more custom 3rd party apps for it.
The update lag suites me because I never update now until it's been field tested by others, ha!

I definitely see what you are saying. There is a lot of support for Samsung, that is for sure!

 

[blackhawkhot]

I definitely see what you are saying. There is a lot of support for Samsung, that is for sure!

Don't forget to get a package disabler for it. The factory variants have it as part of the Samsung factory apks I understand. Carriers have it hidden and inaccessible to the user.
It's very useful in locking the phone down, power/data conservation and for troubleshooting.
Mine also completely clears app caches, something settings doesn't; it can leave nulls or some remnants which can cause issues with a misbehaving apk you're trying to fix.
Seen this once; clearing in settings was a no go, clearing them in PD MDM fixed the issue and saved me a hard reset.

I have about 120 apks blocked including most of the Bixby ones as well as AT&T updates. Boots up faster too.
What a difference in usage and performance!

 

[YankInDaSouth]

Yeah that's what I'm thinking. I just hate to buy it for that when my second requirement is battery life and that's it's weakest point. Plus I'm also thinking is there really any reason to upgrade from a Pixel 3 then, this camera is already great.

I agree ... I would hold on to the Pixel 3. Front firing speakers and rear FPS are primary reasons, for me personally.

I know battery isn't great on the P3, maybe grab you a ZeroLemon battery case for days when you'll need more juice - I have one and it works great. That may hold you off until later this year when more devices are released.