Question Wanting a recent Android phone to keep around

[macguy59]

iPhone user here. I’m wanting to play with a recent Android phone and smart watch. I’ve narrowed it down to a Pixel 9 Pro XL or a Galaxy S24 Ultra. Mainly to keep myself familiarized with AndroidOS to help family members when needed. I’m leaning towards the S24Ultra because I like Galaxy watch 7 a little better than Google’s watch but honestly either setup will work fine for me. Guidance/suggestions from anyone familiar with both ?

 

[B. Diddy]

As most people here know, I'm a big Pixel fan, and enjoy my Pixel 9 Pro XL and Pixel Watch. I prefer Pixel phones because of the lack of preinstalled 3rd party software, the superb camera and photo processing, the Pixel-exclusive features (especially those related to photography) and the reliable monthly updates. It's been a while since I used a Samsung phone (briefly had to use an A32 5G a while back) -- you really can't go wrong with a Samsung flagship, but I would find the inclusion of Samsung's own ecosystem a bit distracting. Of course, there are many people who really do find Samsung's various preinstalled apps and features genuinely useful (and sometimes Google does as well, since they've adopted certain Samsung features over time). Samsung is good with regular security updates with their flagships, but Android version upgrades almost always come later than on Pixels.

 

[mustang7757]

I love my Pixels and Samsung but in this case I would lean towards the s24u
Can't go wrong with either

 

[macguy59]

As most people here know, I'm a big Pixel fan, and enjoy my Pixel 9 Pro XL and Pixel Watch. I prefer Pixel phones because of the lack of preinstalled 3rd party software, the superb camera and photo processing, the Pixel-exclusive features (especially those related to photography) and the reliable monthly updates. It's been a while since I used a Samsung phone (briefly had to use an A32 5G a while back) -- you really can't go wrong with a Samsung flagship, but I would find the inclusion of Samsung's own ecosystem a bit distracting. Of course, there are many people who really do find Samsung's various preinstalled apps and features genuinely useful (and sometimes Google does as well, since they've adopted certain Samsung features over time). Samsung is good with regular security updates with their flagships, but Android version upgrades almost always come later than on Pixels.

Didn't The Ultra get Android 15 before the Pixel ?

 

[B. Diddy]

Didn't The Ultra get Android 15 before the Pixel ?

I can't remember -- it's possible that it happened once, but the vast majority of times, Pixels get the upgrade first. It's always easier for Pixels, because they're in-house, and no further tweaking of the code needs to be done. All other manufacturers have to take the code released by Google and test and tweak it for their own hardware and UIs, which can take some time.

 

[mustang7757]

Pixels will get new Android releases first as Google makes the software then other Android manufacturers will adapt their skins to the new Android version.

 

[mustang7757]

Now monthly security updates sometimes Samsung is first but not often.