S8 or wait for Pixel 2?

[tpero]

I hated my S6 Edge. Horrible battery life, lag/heat, and as sexy as the curved screen looks, holding it and using it one-handed was a huge pain- I'd always inevitably touch the edge with my hand when trying to reach the far side of the screen with my thumb, meaning I'd accidentally actuate something else on the screen. Updates, especially on AT&T, took forever. And of course all the bloatware from Samsung/AT&T is annoying.

My pixel, on the other hand, I love. It's not the sexiest looking phone, but I don't really care about that. What I do like is that it "just works." I haven't had any issues with speed, battery, heat, fingerprint sensor, etc. Everything just works, I get updates immediately from google, no bloatware, great battery life, great camera, unlimited google photo storage, etc. I'll be waiting for the Pixel 2, and even then, I might not buy that right away because as of now, I'm not left wanting for anything.

 

[eric002]

I hated my S6 Edge. Horrible battery life, lag/heat, and as sexy as the curved screen looks, holding it and using it one-handed was a huge pain- I'd always inevitably touch the edge with my hand when trying to reach the far side of the screen with my thumb, meaning I'd accidentally actuate something else on the screen. Updates, especially on AT&T, took forever. And of course all the bloatware from Samsung/AT&T is annoying.

My pixel, on the other hand, I love. It's not the sexiest looking phone, but I don't really care about that. What I do like is that it "just works." I haven't had any issues with speed, battery, heat, fingerprint sensor, etc. Everything just works, I get updates immediately from google, no bloatware, great battery life, great camera, unlimited google photo storage, etc. I'll be waiting for the Pixel 2, and even then, I might not buy that right away because as of now, I'm not left wanting for anything.

True that although I've heard the S8 vs. S7 Edge phones have been dialed down with TouchWiz and the new Snapdragon 835 chip is better for better efficiency RAM memory efficiency and overall phone performance. With that being said I'm going to try it be Galaxy S8 see how it goes.

 

[anon(847090)]

True that although I've heard the S8 vs. S7 Edge phones have been dialed down with TouchWiz and the new Snapdragon 835 chip is better for better efficiency RAM memory efficiency and overall phone performance. With that being said I'm going to try it be Galaxy S8 see how it goes.

nothing is dialed down with touchwiz. it just got a fresh coat of paint. thats all. it will show its true color in few months

 

[eric002]

nothing is dialed down with touchwiz. it just got a fresh coat of paint. thats all. it will show its true color in few months

Less bloatware, and more battery efficiency for the processor is what Samsung did. Some of the Touchwiz features I do really like as well for customization.

 

[Damu357]

There are already reports of lag, based on YouTube reviews

 

[eric002]

There are already reports of lag, based on YouTube reviews

I'll have to check it out, and do the 14 day wfg period possibly from VZW Of course. A lot of the tech channels in YouTube that I follow say the phone isn't laggy at all, and editors all say they can notice Touchwiz dialed back a bit. From techno Buffalo, and other similar channels as well.

 

[chezm]

nothing is dialed down with touchwiz. it just got a fresh coat of paint. thats all. it will show its true color in few months

Based on my limited use, it looks just like the S7...and the S6 before it. Sure TW was toned down since S6 but in the end TW is TW. And for some thats great, for others like myself and you its a pain in the a$$. As soon as i picked up the S8 and started using it TW stands out, gotta think this is good for general consumers that love Samsung like my sister who had no issues going from her S5.

 

[eric002]

I'm fine with my 6P and likely will continue to be fine with it for a while. Monthly updates are my biggest reason, but I'm also on Fi, so definitely not going the Samsung route. I'd also rather not pay $1000 for a cell phone, so depending on the Pixel 2 pricing, I may be waiting another year.

Yes see for me I'm on Verizon's on the unlimited data plan and my Nexus 6p is going to my father since it's all locked and he's on T-Mobile prepaid sim card.

Like I said, I don't mind some of the customization from Touchwiz, now that I think about it.

Based on my limited use, it looks just like the S7...and the S6 before it. Sure TW was toned down since S6 but in the end TW is TW. And for some thats great, for others like myself and you its a pain in the a$$. As soon as i picked up the S8 and started using it TW stands out, gotta think this is good for general consumers that love Samsung like my sister who had no issues going from her S5.

 

[vzwuser76]

Netflix's new, original content is all in 18:9.

It could be the future.

"The 2013 Netflix original series House of Cards, The 2017 Netflix original series A Series of Unfortunate Events (TV series)[10] and the 2014 Amazon original series Transparent as well as the 2016 Netflix original series Stranger Things were presented in a 2.00:1 aspect ratio.[11]

According to IMDB technical specification stats there about 700+ titles with 2:1 aspect ratios and growing in recent years [12]" - Wikipedia

I did a little research today, and adjusted my search terms (typing Galaxy S8 black bars instead of Galaxy S8 aspect ratio) and got better results. Most any video content out today outside of cinema is 16:9, with cinema being around 20:9. The 18:9 aspect ratio is something's that was introduced back in 1998 as a compromise between TV and cinema's aspect ratios. It's called the Univisium 2:1 format that was introduced by Italian Cinematographer Vittorio Storaro. It's only r gently been gaining ground with as you linked some Netflix shows.

However, with older TV shows and YouTube videos there will be black bars on the sides of the display for shows that are filmed in 16:9, and balcony bars top and bottom on movies (although smaller than before) u less they stretch the picture to fill the space.

I did find an answer about the rounded display causing accidental touches. According to a review on AndroidPolice, the S8 does much better with it than the S7 did. But from most of what I'm hearing here about the TouchWiz/Grace UI, it doesn't sound like it's changed much.

It's also a bit troubling to find out that the amount of storage taken up by the system (OS) is almost double of what it takes for the Pixel. The storage taken up by the system on S8 is like 8.5GB where on the Pixel it takes up around 4.5GB. That seems ridiculous to me, and doesn't seem like they're really trying to trim the fat that is their UI. Like I said before, it seems incomprehensible to me that 5 years after the lag I experienced on my Galaxy S3, it still may be an issue on their current model. Why not​ do as Moto did and move most of their features/apps out of the core OS. I don't recall Moto's devices suffering any functionality issues by doing so, and they still seem to be integrated well enough. It also allows Independent updating of the core OS and the apps, which means a version update won't be held up by an app update, and app updates don't need to wait for a version update to go out. And I know a lot can be mitigated with using another launcher. I guess I just prefer the Nexus/Pixel blank canvas approach that lets me add what I need, rather the Samsung's kitchen sink approach and then try to disable, delete, cover up what I don't want.

 

[davidnc]

I'm waiting for the Pixel 2's release to check out
I'm just not interested in the S8 for myself

 

[eric002]

I'm waiting for the Pixel 2's release to check out
I'm just not interested in the S8 for myself

Fair enough. I mean to be honest with you, I never thought I would be nice and the Galaxy S3 for myself either. The pure design of the screen in the phone itself is getting me interested though.

 

[anon(847090)]

I guess I just prefer the Nexus/Pixel blank canvas approach that lets me add what I need, rather the Samsung's kitchen sink approach and then try to disable, delete, cover up what I don't want.

well said!!! exactly what i was trying to say. most s8 features is just an app install away

 

[eric002]

well said!!! exactly what i was trying to say. most s8 features is just an app install away

True however some of those app installs either drain the battery more so, or just force the phone to overheat unfortunately.

 

[anon(847090)]

True however some of those app installs either drain the battery more so, or just force the phone to overheat unfortunately.

and the bloat that comes with Samsung drains the battery and slow things down as well.(the reason for lag and drain is those bloat app)
at least i have an option to completely uninstall it and find another app which doesn't drain.
you are stuck with either disable and use up space or not disable and further drain battery.

 

[eric002]

and the bloat that comes with Samsung drains the battery and slow things down as well.(the reason for lag and drain is those bloat app)
at least i have an option to completely uninstall it and find another app which doesn't drain.
you are stuck with either disable and use up space or not disable and further drain battery.

I've read a lot of reviewed and watched a lot of videos where you can debloat almost the entire video. I'm not saying that previous Galaxy phones were like this, but so far, the S8 seems to be like this.

 

[anon(847090)]

I've read a lot of reviewed and watched a lot of videos where you can debloat almost the entire video. I'm not saying that previous Galaxy phones were like this, but so far, the S8 seems to be like this.

see exactly why i prefer the app install approach. u had to debloat and it will still use up space and u install new app to replace. i would just unistall and install that works better. better yet i wont install that i dont need at all but u had to debloat.

its such a bloat fest there is a name for it samdung

 

[eric002]

see exactly why i prefer the app install approach. u had to debloat and it will still use up space and u install new app to replace. i would just unistall and install that works better. better yet i wont install that i dont need at all but u had to debloat.

its such a bloat fest there is a name for it samdung

True. I also just want something​ different as well. I'll be giving my 6p to my dad soon as well.

 

[anon(847090)]

True. I also just want something​ different as well. I'll be giving my 6p to my dad soon as well.

i am not against it.. just stating my preference.. u seem to counter my preference but i need to make it clear why i prefer my approach

 

[eric002]

i am not against it.. just stating my preference.. u seem to counter my preference but i need to make it clear why i prefer my approach

No believe me, I'm not trying to counter anyone's approach. I life clean software, but I also believe that there are certain features of pure Google that don't work very well at all such as ambient display, and the vibrate on the 6p sucks. I see it from both sides honestly.

 

[Matty]

I love the S8, it's got a top notch camera, QHD+ bezeless display, latest and greatest processor with a lovely iris scanner.

I think it would be really hard to wait until December for the Pixel 2. I do love stock android and its always the winner for me. I'm sure Google is going to pull out all the stops with their next device.

Maybe get the S8 now, enjoy it for a little while and then pick up the Pixel 2 in December.