S8(+) great phone but I don't think I can stand Samsung

[nsumner]

My Nexus 6P is getting a little long in the tooth, and I admit I've got upgrade fever at this point.

My biggest problem with the Galaxy S8 was a fear of Bixby just not being up to snuff and Samsung forcing it down my throat instead of OK Google... Unfortunately that seems to be exactly the case. I love the phone, but I really want something closer to stock (I guess that should be obvious since my current phone is a 6P, I had the Nexus 5, and the Nexus 4 (but I carried a note for a year instead of the Nexus 6).

But I have a couple gripes.

1: Curved screen, I see it as a gimmick, that adds nothing but makes a good glass screen protector impossible. I'm also worried about protecting the phone with a case that blocks the sides, or leaves them exposed. So far it seems the value is that it looks great but it isn't functional.

2: Bixby, and Samsung Gear. I want OK Google, and if I'm going to do VR (which I haven't touched yet and doubt I will, I want the Google solution, or choice.

3: Obviously updates.

The phone looks great, and has great specs yet these issues really bother me. Am I crazy or just stuck with too many demands.

 

[trucksmoveamerica#AC]

Get this case you don't notice the curves as much and they are protected. As far as Bixby, just don't use it or disable it. I haven't used Bixby yet.

Speck Products Presidio Clear Cell Phone Case for Samsung Galaxy S8 Plus - Clear/Clear https://www.amazon.com/dp/B06W55K72...ag=hawk-future-20&ascsubtag=UUacUvbUpU5779881

 

[LordAndroid]

You speak like a nexus user if that's your comfort then the Google Pixel XL should of been your purchase. Perhaps you are right you do have upgrade fever lol but what you consider gimmicks to others who use the features Samsung offers its customers to them they aren't gimmicks. As a S8+ user I'd like quicker updates of course but i can live with it if it means I get a good cpu and battery life water and dust resistance not ment pc 3.0 charging and wireless charging which works for me.

 

[LordAndroid]

As nice as stock Android looks and feels I wouldn't be able to give up feature Samsung offers with there smartphones

 

[Misterb]

Nexus smexus. I've had many of them over the years, and being an android beta tester, at the expense of better hardware and user experience doesn't do it for me. It used to be that Touchwhiz was horrible, but that's not the case anymore

 

[JHStewart1023]

Stock android is the best... but I love touch wiz, and with as often as I upgrade devices not really worried about updates.

 

[Lepa79]

Not sure why you think you can't use Ok Google or Google Assistant on your S8. Samsung not pushing Bixby down your throut. It's an added feature. You can choose not to use it and still us Google Assistant exactly as it is on your nexus or pixel.

As for curved edge. I love it. Makes the phone feels that much better in the hand. You don't like the edge functionality, you can disable it too.

Samsung giving you options. You don't like them, disable them.

I have had Nexus 6, 6p, 5x, and Pixel XL. I was willing to stick with stock android when nexus phones were cheap, with Pixel prices, Google won't be getting my Money. I'm now waiting for Note 8.

 

[Qc_Anubis]

My Nexus 6P is getting a little long in the tooth, and I admit I've got upgrade fever at this point.

My biggest problem with the Galaxy S8 was a fear of Bixby just not being up to snuff and Samsung forcing it down my throat instead of OK Google... Unfortunately that seems to be exactly the case. I love the phone, but I really want something closer to stock (I guess that should be obvious since my current phone is a 6P, I had the Nexus 5, and the Nexus 4 (but I carried a note for a year instead of the Nexus 6).

But I have a couple gripes.

1: Curved screen, I see it as a gimmick, that adds nothing but makes a good glass screen protector impossible. I'm also worried about protecting the phone with a case that blocks the sides, or leaves them exposed. So far it seems the value is that it looks great but it isn't functional.

2: Bixby, and Samsung Gear. I want OK Google, and if I'm going to do VR (which I haven't touched yet and doubt I will, I want the Google solution, or choice.

3: Obviously updates.

The phone looks great, and has great specs yet these issues really bother me. Am I crazy or just stuck with too many demands.

Imho if you absolutely need the updates quickly it's not a con (i sure don't really look enough at these)
bixby you can disable it and remapp the button to google now even. Again if you're the type of person that drops his/her phone case is recommended,i've been using mine screen protector free for over a month now with no issues. Every issue you've named here can be easily fixed or bypassed. But it's always more the fact of do you like it enough to be stuck with it for 2 years,or at least that's what i ask myself when getting a new phone.

 

[msp1518]

My Bixby button is now a flashlight.

 

[Doug Moffat]

My Bixby button is now a flashlight.

I thought Samsung sent out a firmware "fix" to prevent this? Apparently, you've avoided it.

 

[o4liberty]

I had my doubts due to my s7 edge which was very laggy but the S8 plus is the best and fastest phone I have ever owned. I would play with one in a store you will see how nice of a device it really is.

 

[AustinTech]

There are really only two phones that can compare to the all around s8 experience, the Pixel and HTC u11. The LG G6 is close though. Great phone, that G6. Slow camera lens though

 

[Doug Moffat]

The only thing vanilla I like is ice cream. To each his own.

 

[Lepa79]

The only thing vanilla I like is ice cream. To each his own.

And vanilla ice cream is not a meal replacement lol.

 

[jeffmd]

OP complaints seem somewhat irrelevant, samsung has done nothing to prevent googles options from working.

And Samsung's Gear VR option is currently still the better option. The front end is more refined with no reason to remove the goggles to change anything or start apps, and the goggles/controller are still a bit better then the new google solution. Also because the gear vr has been the better option for a while now the gear vr oculus store front offers up better experiences and games. I am also really hoping giving out the gear vr units for pre orders for the past year and a half will help push it's interest.

Google daydream a big step in the right direction for cardboard (which was developed poorly for) it not only requires and lacks phone support, but has not been given out as part of any promotions which IMO is going to be required for public acceptance. It is very hard to convince someone to pay money for these devices right now.