Selling Note 9 for Pixel

[J Dubbs]

If you're mainly interested in security updates, the Verizon S and Note series are only running behind Google like 3 weeks so that's not an issue. Of course, platform updates do run behind if that's your thing but a lot of "new" features that Google pushes out in platform updates have already been baked into the Samsung Experience UI (e.g., blue-light filter, picture in picture, etc.)

Key hardware advantages for the Note 9 vs. Pixel 3xl. I'm comparing base models.

- 128GB base storage (up to 512GB)
- 6GB RAM base
- Dual Cameras
- Expandable storage via micro SD card (up to 512GB extra)
- S-Pen
- 4000 mah battery
- headphone jack

Base model for Note 9 with 128GB Storage /6GB RAM starts at $999. Base model for Pixel 3XL with 64GB storage/4GB RAM starts at $899.

So the question is are the platform updates, faster UI experience, subjective camera advantages worth a $100 cost savings vs. a better screen, S-Pen, double the base storage, 2GB more RAM, expandable storage, and bigger battery? This is comparing base vs. base. A 128GB Pixel 3XL would be $999, same as a base Note 9.

As much as I hate Samsung's ridiculous pricing (right behind Apple), if Google's going to try and play with the greedy big dogs in pricing, they're going to get slaughtered. The note 9 is WAYY better in the same price range as the pixel 3 XL. I have a feeling there's going to be plenty of unsold 3's laying around in a year or so waiting to be picked up on the cheap..... I'll be picking mine up then when they have the bugs ironed out ;-)

 

[TraderGary]

Kate and I couldn't care less about what the rest of the world thinks. We prefer unadulterated Android and the Pixel camera. We have been thoroughly enjoying our two Pixel 3 XL 128's.

 

[chezm]

As much as I hate Samsung's ridiculous pricing (right behind Apple), if Google's going to try and play with the greedy big dogs in pricing, they're going to get slaughtered. The note 9 is WAYY better in the same price range as the pixel 3 XL. I have a feeling there's going to be plenty of unsold 3's laying around in a year or so waiting to be picked up on the cheap..... I'll be picking mine up then when they have the bugs ironed out ;-)

As incredible of a phone as the Note 9 is, some people put stock Android and the camera ahead of all the other things Note does better. The price is pretty steep compared to what is was in Nexus days, but my Pixel 3 on contract was MUCH less than any of the big hitter phones by $200. Plus the form factor of the smaller 3 was the clincher for me. But then again it seems you ppl in US have many more deals and can get phones a lot cheaper than us here in Canada even aftermarket.

 

[cactuspete23]

Both are pretty good phones. MAybe pictures for the Pixel; and Audio for the Note9 ?

 

[garak0410]

Kate and I couldn't care less about what the rest of the world thinks. We prefer unadulterated Android and the Pixel camera. We have been thoroughly enjoying our two Pixel 3 XL 128's.

I'm enjoying mine as well and what issues they have, I feel confident they can be fixed faster than other phones. The example is that Samsung has a camera update available but it wasn't in the latest Note 9 update on Verizon. I expect the quirks in the Pixel 3 XL that some have reported will be fixed in the very next update.

 

[garak0410]

Both are pretty good phones. MAybe pictures for the Pixel; and Audio for the Note9 ?

Overall functionality goes to the Note 9. Awesome camera, smoothness, clean Android and guaranteed updates (not just OS or security updates but feature updates too) goes to the Pixel 3 XL.

 

[Shawn Vega Velez]

I cannot suggest a price, but realize there are more deals being offered on the Note 9. I like the Pixel, but I'd just jeep the Note 9.

 

[sp44]

I had the Note 9. Wish I could keep both really. I think they are neck and neck, just depends are your preferences. I like vanilla Android. I also like 6GB of RAM and the best screen out there. Plus for some reason Google cannot get Android Auto and the Pixel working together. Samsung, no problem with it. Just irritates me.

 

[Mike Dee]

I had the Note 9. Wish I could keep both really. I think they are neck and neck, just depends are your preferences. I like vanilla Android. I also like 6GB of RAM and the best screen out there. Plus for some reason Google cannot get Android Auto and the Pixel working together. Samsung, no problem with it. Just irritates me.

Are you having trouble with built in AA or with aftermarket head units?

 

[sp44]

Aftermarket mostly. I know they (Pioneer) released an update at one point but that didn't fix it. I had the same issue with my Pixel 2 XL and that was the reason I got rid of it. For some reason it only seems to be the Pixels. Just weird. Even built in AA has had issues. Not for everybody but people are buying every cable ever made to fix it and it doesn't seem to fix it.

 

[TraderGary]

I rented a Chevy Impala to drive from Atlanta to Houston over Thanksgiving week. AA worked flawlessly for the trip GPS and for Google Play Music.

 

[Mike Dee]

Aftermarket mostly. I know they (Pioneer) released an update at one point but that didn't fix it. I had the same issue with my Pixel 2 XL and that was the reason I got rid of it. For some reason it only seems to be the Pixels. Just weird. Even built in AA has had issues. Not for everybody but people are buying every cable ever made to fix it and it doesn't seem to fix it.

I think I remember you having issues with 2XL and the Pioneer and one other person.
The only AA issue I had was my 2XL on 8.X beta.

 

[Vega502]

I've heard that there are deals in the $700 range so take that into consideration. Have you checked with SWAPPA?

 

[Argh]

Honestly wish Google would focus more on the Video aspect of the camera.

Agreed, it's quite a way behind competitors such as Apple and Samsung. I guess their computational algorithms don't work, or can't keep up with video.