With the Note 9,i now realize that 'Stock' android had me brainwashed.

[monicakm]

I got snookered into "pure stock Andriod" by one of my favorite YT tech heros. His name shall remain anonymous. After I found I was not a fan of "less is best" (should have already known that), I handed it off to my husband and bought the S9+. Was supremely pleased with my decision. Hubby, not so pleased with my decision I thought he'd get over it when he learned the phone. That was 5 months ago and he still whines about how much he hates that phone. When the Note 9 came out and I knew I was meant to have THAT phone I called Verizon to see what they would do for quarter century customers with no late payments. They're taking the Pixel back and calling it even and have us $300 to go towards the Note 9. I my mine that's a good deal. If it's really not, PLEASE dont' ruin it for me!

 

[bandofbrothers2112]

So far I've been happy with Samsung's Launcher and it's my current preference on the Note 9.

I have bought and used Nova Prime to see how it functioned and that's good for further customisation too.

 

[chyeo1979]

Stock android still needs good hardware too. Used Galaxy Nexus and Nexus 9 last time, both are crap devices and stock android can't save them.

 

[anon(3641385)]

I'm not interested in stock Android, I'm interested in oem apps that are pleasant to use, are reasonably regularly updated with more features, and keep the data secure.

Blackberry used to be that, until they went stock Android - yucko!!

Samsung does it just right for me.

 

[FAHMI BASSEM]

I like the way OnePlus does it, almost stock with some unique features here and there...

I use Nokia 8 that runs Android One BTW.

 

[torsampo]

Can someone describe some of the advance features the Samsung S9+ skin has over a stock Pixel UI? People say it's better, but I haven't seen any lists of features that enumerate why it is better. I am asking out of curiosity, not as a point of argument.

 

[dimm0k]

I've used Samsung for years, can't stand stock Android.

Most of the new features that Google adds Samsung already has, so I see little benefit from getting the latest version of Android faster. I still get security updates almost monthly for 3 years.

monthly updates from Samsung?? bull****

 

[mgbosshogg]

monthly updates from Samsung?? bull****

Why?
Over the last 12 months I have had.......... You guessed it- 12 monthly updates. On a Samsung.

 

[cert15z]

I enjoy OEM skins, but the one things that drives me crazy is all the duplicate apps. I don't think manufacturer should abandoned them all together, but give an option on what I want to use. Stock Android is lacking nowadays, I believe that is why Pixels aren't quite stock Android.

 

[TabGuy]

Stock Android is like getting a car with a stick shift, manual brakes, manual windows and an AM radio. For the purists is ideal, for me not so much.

 

[strikeIII]

I enjoy OEM skins, but the one things that drives me crazy is all the duplicate apps. I don't think manufacturer should abandoned them all together, but give an option on what I want to use. Stock Android is lacking nowadays, I believe that is why Pixels aren't quite stock Android.

What do you mean? You do have the option of which apps to use as default. I don't understand the complaint of duplicate apps when you have the choice of what to use. Or stop installing a duplicate app and use what Samsung provides.

 

[strikeIII]

monthly updates from Samsung?? bull****

No bull. Since the S8/S8+ Samsung has been pretty consistent with giving monthly security updates. At least the carrier versions have. Unlocked are more delayed but they do get them later on.

 

[bobxxz]

monthly updates from Samsung?? bull****

Samsung has actually gotten better in terms of security updates. For actual new OS, obviously they are still slow at that part.

 

[Gayle Lynn]

My Essential is already on Sept security Note is on Aug 1.

I dont like the AT&T apps, or even Samsung's other than for S-Pen of course. Bixby drove me crazy and sold my S8+ and Note 8.

Uninstalled as many as I could. Esp. games. Facebook should never be preinstalled. Disabled those that cant be uninstalled.

Less IS more, whether desktop, phone or even servers and mainframes (my IT life in previous life). They also add complexity and conflicts. Trouble-shooting? Uninstall, factory reset, clean install and one at a time, and avoid 3rd party if possible.

 

[neil74]

I like the way OnePlus does it, almost stock with some unique features here and there...

I use Nokia 8 that runs Android One BTW.

This ^^^^

Plus as others have said the pixel is not totally stock.

 

[BanditoTR]

can somebody explain the feature they love about the Samsung phones that makes stock Android yucky?

 

[anon(3641385)]

I like the way OnePlus does it, almost stock with some unique features here and there...

I use Nokia 8 that runs Android One BTW.

How did you land in the Samsung forum?

 

[anon(3641385)]

monthly updates from Samsung?? bull****

I bought my first Samsung, note 8, in October last year, and as far as I recall, I've gotten on time monthly security updates. If one of them was late, then it was only by a week ish

I'm in Australia, exynos version, unlocked.

I've read many times in the forums that owners of telco devices in North America may not have the same experience. (shrug) surely those owners aren't trying to speak on behalf of the those not in their situation.

 

[anon(3641385)]

Duplicate post

 

[jazman_777]

Came here from the AC home page, after a while I thought the thread was taken over by Samsung fanboys, looked up, and yes, I was indeed in the Samsung Note 9 forum. LoL

Nothing against you guy who love your Notes, but I love my minimalist Moto Android with the light additions Moto makes. It doesn't have some sketchy Facebook installer app in there. Who knows the hooks Samsung puts in there to phone home and eat CPU, but then, same is true for Moto....