Samsung vs Google - 2025

[SyCoREAPER]

Rules:
1) Be civil and respectful to one another and in the responses.
2) This isn't a competion. It's a discussion. No flaming or fanboy-ism. NO AI responses.
3) Be honest. Give your feedback without fear of following the flock.

Finally if anyone isn't following the above, don't engage at all, report the post. If this thread gets out of control I will have the mods close it.
I'm posting this in advance because I don't want it getting out of hand and easily can with what I'm asking.

Hey All.
First some background. My first Android phone was the Motorola Droid Bionic. Have had some LGs in between and ultimately went Nexus (RIP, good job Google) to Pixel up until the 3XL which I hated and have had every Samsung Ultra from the S10 onward, yes there technically was an Ultra S10 exclusive to Verizon.

The topic of today's discussion.
I'm in a conflicted state.

Samsung is getting a bit boring to me but have IMO the best quality hardware around. The camera is phenomenal if you know what you're doing. Buttt they also have locked bootloader.

Google's hardware to me is lackluster. The Tensor chip is terrible, QC is very hot or miss and the camera is capable point-and-shoot but relies too heavily on processing rather than good cameras. On the other hand it has a unlockable bootloader and has one of the biggest modding communities out there.

I'm at a crossroads, amazing camera or amazing modding. What's everyone's thoughts? Both are important. I really don't like OPPO, OP, Xiaomi because the most basic things are always bricking peoples phones, they are the most common support posts.

 

[Laura Knotek]

That's an interesting question. For me, modding isn't a thing anymore because I don't want to lose mobile banking, Netflix, etc. Therefore, Samsung is my choice.

 

[Bkdodger1]

I'm not into modding phones nowadays, it was fun back in the days but now I have no interest as I feel not needed for my daily usage or time to tinker. I feel like today's phones offer so much more and you can get enjoyment as well as excellent performance. I know some talk down the Pixel but I daily drive at times the P9PXL it handles just like my other phones with reception and does not skip a beat. Completely zero issues and I don't game but it does not overheat at anything I throw at it. Samsung is outstanding too with so many options to customize and hardware so you can't go wrong either. I would recommend trying a foldable especially Fold 7 around the corner. I think it's different in a great way to use. I love Samsung and what they are doing with OneUI. I currently own a OnePlus 13 and I think it's the best phone of the bunch tbh I'd love Google to step up some in the way OnePlus has released the recent phones. This phone is outstanding and can also unlock bootloader so I mention it for consideration.

 

[SyCoREAPER]

That's an interesting question. For me, modding isn't a thing anymore because I don't want to lose mobile banking, Netflix, etc. Therefore, Samsung is my choice.

I'm not into modding phones nowadays, it was fun back in the days but now I have no interest as I feel not needed for my daily usage or time to tinker. I feel like today's phones offer so much more and you can get enjoyment as well as excellent performance. I know some talk down the Pixel but I daily drive at times the P9PXL it handles just like my other phones with reception and does not skip a beat. Completely zero issues and I don't game but it does not overheat at anything I throw at it. Samsung is outstanding too with so many options to customize and hardware so you can't go wrong either. I would recommend trying a foldable especially Fold 7 around the corner. I think it's different in a great way to use. I love Samsung and what they are doing with OneUI. I currently own a OnePlus 13 and I think it's the best phone of the bunch tbh I'd love Google to step up some in the way OnePlus has released the recent phones. This phone is outstanding and can also unlock bootloader so I mention it for consideration.

I am so out of the loop with ROMs, where xposed, magisk and all that sits, what bypasses/fixes exist to fix aforementioned issues like banking, Netflix(?), and other things.
Not sure if it's Samsung actually feeling stale or just general curiosity, boredom or combination. The one thing I did and do appreciate are GoodLock and GoodGuadians being their own little Samsung "modding" toolbox. Where they are falling flat though is the updates. 5+ years of updates means nothing when you can't even get Security patches on time if at all. I think OneUI7 was meant as a stop-gap with how quick OU8 came to beta. Anyway...

It is interesting how many feel factory firmware gives them what they need. Not that there's anything wrong with that of course, just such a change from just a few years ago.

At least until Google starts making/outsourcing good phones again (IMO, I'm a Nexus-line fan) or at least something new, that's useful, maybe I should just get a used Pixel and tinker on that.

Edit: Yup it's I'm bored with phones we have. No major innovations in a long time that appeals to all