Transition from Samsung to Pixel

[rpdc]

Good morning.

I was wondering for those of you who have moved from a Samsung Phone to the Pixel what your experience has been? What took the most getting used to? What if anything do you miss about Samsung?

Thanks!

 

[Golfdriver97]

I am speaking from the S3 (yes, the 2012 phone):

Samsung Phone to the Pixel what your experience has been?

Overall, it was somewhat smooth. I was using slightly more Google apps than Samsung at the time, so that may have helped.

What took the most getting used to?

Almost not a fair question for me. At the time Samsung Calendar had a few features that Google's was missing, but in the time that I shifted, I either adjusted or Google implemented them, I just can't recall which it was.

What if anything do you miss about Samsung?

Nothing, really.

Edit: I would suggest going with the cheaper of the new Pixels. That way, if you get past the return period and wind up not liking it, at least you didn't spend that much cash.

 

[mustang7757]

I do use both Google phones and Samsung, it depends on which Samsung phone your coming from and Google phone you want to go to.
You'll miss the extra tweaks Samsung adds to their phones ,Google keeps it basic so shouldn't be hard to get use to . They offer cleaner experience and about only thing to get use to is where everything laid out but you learn that quickly.

 

[cardboard60]

made me wonder. Since google made the pixel Phone.

Why they didn't give you more than what you got with the pixel phone.

Seems the people who build the Google phones
Just could of done more.

Like google just made money on the phone.
And could of built it better.

I asked myself.
Why does google even make phones.
They have plenty of money.
But the people building the phones.
Just lacked developing the phone.

Hard to explain.

 

[L0n3N1nja]

I don't own a Pixel but I have used Samsung as my daily driver since the 2012 S3 and I've got experience using alot of handsets that run stock Android or near stock.

I genuinely get frustrated using stock Android. Samsung has Android so heavily customized that just navigation and finding things are difficult for me on anything else. I had difficulty removing a Google Accoun and resetting a Moto G6 Play a few days ago simply because the UI and menu is vastly different and I couldn't find what I needed.

I prefer Samsungs keyboard, it gets a lot of complaints but maybe mine runs well because I've used it and the same Samsung account for so long it actually knows word prediction for me.

Camera app on the Pixel is a major let down for me. Google implemented the APIs for manual camera controls back in 2014/2015 but have yet to implement them into their own camera app. I can take photos on my 2015 Note 5 that a Pixel 4 is incapable of without downloading a 3rd party camera app.

The lack of Miracast support in stock Android is also a deal breaker for me. I didn't have home internet so I had no WiFi to use a Chromecast but my phone can still mirror it's screen directly to TVs. Miracast is what powers the Roku on my living room TV, and all of my Windows 10 PCs have Miracast. If I bought a phone with stock Android I would be required to buy a Chromecast for each screen and that isn't a solution to mirroring my screen to my Surface Pro.

Plus I'm a huge fan of the Samsung Note and no stock Android powered device has ever been a direct competitor due to the productivity features baked into the OS for the S Pen.

 

[Morty2264]

I have done the opposite - I've switched from a Google Pixel 2 to a Samsung Galaxy S10. I've loved the Samsung experience and use some Samsung apps over Google's - like the Clock, Messages, Calendar apps, etc. I love the Edge lighting and the Edge features.

I do miss my Pixel camera, as I prefer that to Samsung's - granted, it does take good photos. I miss stock Android sometimes because that's what I am used to (I've never owned a Samsung phone until now), but I really love the experience.

I think you will enjoy both experiences! Let us know what happens and what you decide!

 

[rpdc]

Many thanks to all! I have had an S8 Plus for 3 years and still love it. I'm just curious about the Pixel and pre-ordered the Pixel 4a. Thought I might use it for a while and see how I like it. At $349 I couldn't pass it up. I'm going to keep my S8 Plus though.

 

[cardboard60]

Many thanks to all! I have had an S8 Plus for 3 years and still love it. I'm just curious about the Pixel and pre-ordered the Pixel 4a. Thought I might use it for a while and see how I like it. At $349 I couldn't pass it up. I'm going to keep my S8 Plus though.

I got a S8+ that I gave to my sister in law.
Set it up for her , transferred everything from her Iphone ,and bluetoothed it to her sonata.

She has gone wild over it.

 

[rpdc]

Cardboard60

Im glad she likes it. I've never liked a phone as much as I have the S8 Plus. I'm anxious to see how I like the Pixel 4a. I'll keep you posted.

Thanks!

 

[cache11]

I have a 3a, S20 5G, S10e that I switch between every couple weeks and I can't recall any type of adjustment period when I got the 3a. I love the call screening on the Pixel, clean UI, and the lightweight polycarbonate build along with the best cell reception of any phone I've had. I hope the 4a reception is as good and it looks like I'll find out Thursday or Friday this week.

I guess the biggest adjustment is that you will no longer have to wonder when, or if, the next update is coming and you won't have to worry about breaking glass on at least one side of your 4a.

 

[Morty2264]

Many thanks to all! I have had an S8 Plus for 3 years and still love it. I'm just curious about the Pixel and pre-ordered the Pixel 4a. Thought I might use it for a while and see how I like it. At $349 I couldn't pass it up. I'm going to keep my S8 Plus though.

Congratulations on ordering your Google Pixel 4a! I don't think you will be disappointed! Let us know when it arrives and how you are liking it!

 

[worldspy99]

I use the S series from March till October and then the Pixel till March. Just sold my S20 - a bit earlier this year and switched back to my old Pixel 3a. I am going to get the 4a and give it a whirl as well. I like both of them but the camera results are better on the Pixel. Can't go wrong with either device. I use mostly Google Apps on either device so the experience is not very different. Dark mode implementation is better on Samsung though.

 

[Morty2264]

I use the S series from March till October and then the Pixel till March. Just sold my S20 - a bit earlier this year and switched back to my old Pixel 3a. I am going to get the 4a and give it a whirl as well. I like both of them but the camera results are better on the Pixel. Can't go wrong with either device. I use mostly Google Apps on either device so the experience is not very different. Dark mode implementation is better on Samsung though.

I do agree with you that Dark Mode is better on Samsung, for sure. And also with regards to the camera quality on the Pixel devices. It's hard to choose - both options are spectacular!

 

[darkmanx2g]

I am a fan of Pixel and Samsung. Whenever I go-to a Samsung to Google. There are 3 things I miss. Samsung pay, Samsung Dex, and secure folder. Google has the basics down but Samsung has those niche features like Good lock, Edge lighting when notifications come.

 

[Morty2264]

I am a fan of Pixel and Samsung. Whenever I go-to a Samsung to Google. There are 3 things I miss. Samsung pay, Samsung Dex, and secure folder. Google has the basics down but Samsung has those niche features like Good lock, Edge lighting when notifications come.

I totally agree with you with regards to Samsung having those extra "niche" features. Edge lighting and customization and now Good Lock have been wonderful additions to my experience.

 

[Golfdriver97]

Many thanks to all! I have had an S8 Plus for 3 years and still love it. I'm just curious about the Pixel and pre-ordered the Pixel 4a. Thought I might use it for a while and see how I like it. At $349 I couldn't pass it up. I'm going to keep my S8 Plus though.

Have you received the device yet? If so, what are your thoughts so far?

 

[barondebxl]

I still have my S10 which is my favorite phone of all time and I'll use it till it dies. But coming from it the pixel is a solid experience, probably the best bang for your buck this year. It's plenty fast, battery life is pretty good and I can do everything on it just like I can on my S10. Feels like using a flagship to me. One thing I do miss when I use the pixel is Samsung pay. And I also wish that the volume would be louder when using the 3.5 mm jack. Other than that Im really enjoying the phone

 

[rpdc]

Golfdriver97

I'm away for a short vacation but I see it has arrived. I can't wait to fire it up.

I'll let you know as soon as I do.

Thanks for asking.

 

[Morty2264]

Golfdriver97

I'm away for a short vacation but I see it has arrived. I can't wait to fire it up.

I'll let you know as soon as I do.

Thanks for asking.

Oh yes! So glad you got it! Yes, please let us know your thoughts! And maybe even some photos of the device, too!

 

[captainkirkw]

I have been using an S10e as my daily for about a year and a half and just got the Pixel 4a a couple of days ago. I set it up with an eSIM and will be comparing cameras this week. I am currently pairing my original Galaxy Watch and Active 2 with the Pixel 4a to see how well they work on a non Samsung phone. Should be an interesting week as I have a mix of Samsung and Google products.