Google Pixel phone

[Ftd]

I am surprised that you managed to find Pixel phones in Thailand because I never saw any. Not selled by phone operators, and never saw in phone stores. Do you guys order your phone on shopee or am I missing something?

[Kickoff]

Bit late since OP purchased his phone, but a used Samsung S22 would max out the budget with the Snapdragon version being the ideal.

As for the other posts in this thread ...

Pixel 6/6Pro was plagued with software bugs as it was Google's 1st go at the then new Tensor chip.

Pixel 7/7Pro was a solid but not great phone.

Pixel 8/8Pro was the 1st time the flagship phones saw actual flagship specs aside from the optical fingerprint sensor & mid-level Tensor chip.

Pixel 9/9Pro is out but see no reason for anyone to buy this as next year the Pixel line-up will be moving on to chips made by TCMC (same company who makes iPhone's chips). Finally has an ultrasonic fingerprint sensor. Photos now are way oversharpened. Looks ugly in person (subjective).

Stock Android or current Pixel software is overrated, as it was once true that it was great, but now other brands have clean UIs for the last several years. Samsung's One UI is very nice & the need to overlay a launcher onto it is a thing of the past.

At this time, Samsung's S series are far better than what Google has to offer especially the Ultra line-up: better processor, better display, better cameras/processing of photos. I don't think people realize that in the last couple years with "AI" being implemented, Google's Gemini/AI features are released 1st on Samsung phones followed later on to Pixel phones. Something to think about.

[D-low]

On 16/09/2024 at 07:08, Kickoff said:

At this time, Samsung's S series are far better than what Google has to offer especially the Ultra line-up: better processor, better display, better cameras/processing of photos.

That's not true at all. With the screen we're splitting hairs, side by side it's hard to tell. The brighter display is on the Pixel which I like but they're both excellent. The dirty secret is for most people the processor doesn't matter. It makes a difference with some games and speed of AI features which Google is better at, but for Ordinary Joes using their phones, these high end devices are all the same. As for cameras, Samsung has fallen way behind (from being the best no questions asked). These days their top phone (S24 Ultra) doesn't even make the top 25 phone cameras. Apple, Google, Huawei, Honor, Oppo all make better phone cameras.

[luvpoon]

The Pixel 9 Pro XL is probably the best phone I've owned to date. I know the CPU is supposed to be weaker than the Snapdragon CPUs, but real-world performance with my phone is excellent. Everything is snappy and the phone hardly even gets warm.

The phone only got hot from when I booted/installed it for the first time (and even during summer), the screen is beautiful, there's a free 1 year trial of Gemini Advanced ($240 value) AI, haptic feedback is better on this phone than any other I've tried. I'm making much less typos than I was on my Galaxy S21. Also the improvement in photos is quite noticeable.

The Pixel 9 Pro is the first generation of any Google phone that challenges major flagships.

Edited September 24, 2024 by luvpoon

[Kickoff]

18 hours ago, D-low said:

That's not true at all. With the screen we're splitting hairs, side by side it's hard to tell. The brighter display is on the Pixel which I like but they're both excellent. The dirty secret is for most people the processor doesn't matter. It makes a difference with some games and speed of AI features which Google is better at, but for Ordinary Joes using their phones, these high end devices are all the same. As for cameras, Samsung has fallen way behind (from being the best no questions asked). These days their top phone (S24 Ultra) doesn't even make the top 25 phone cameras. Apple, Google, Huawei, Honor, Oppo all make better phone cameras.

Well side by side, the S24 Ultra has Gorilla Glass Armor which is more scratch resistant & MUCH less reflective.

The truth is the processor really matters as it's what helps process pictures & video, part of the reason for battery life (along with software; Android 14 was a huge improvement a year ago), &  for gamers to maintain high refresh rates (along with internal cooling).  There's a reason why Pixel's need "Face Unblur"! Because the shutter speed is so slow.

Pixels have far too long lived on their reputation from the Pixel 2 & 3 for cameras when they were light years ahead. But once they went to the 50MP primary then just carried over the software from the old 12MP cameras, they've been playing catch up. Pixel 9 phones are way oversharpened, & the video is rather mediocre from reviews I've seen. People are already waiting for a software update. Really waiting for them to switch over to the TCMC chips next year, but the Pixel 10 might have the same software bugs nightmare the Pixel 6 had. It's really a skip year other than those who have a phone 3 or 4 years or older.

The Chinese brands don't matter to me as they are not available here in the US, & I only somewhat follow them; Huawei doesn't even have Google Play Store so not even a consideration. Highly doubt Honor produces better photos with their Omnivision lense & watercolor images in 5x+ zoom. I'd love for you to list 25 current phone camera systems better than the S24 Ultra when factoring 1x photos, portraits, zoom, & video.  There's a Chinese phone brand that definitely does do zoom better than Samsung, but I forget which brand it is; Ice Universe on X (Twitter) shared comparison photos a month or 2 ago. What I do like about the Chinese phone brands are the incredible charging speeds & willingness to be innovative in the folding phone space.  Huawei just released a triple folding phone for $3000 USD that looks really nice.

I just picked up my iPhone 16 Pro just on Friday & also own the S24 Ultra & Pixel 8 Pro (last year). I've spent a lot of time with each of the 3 major brands in the US while also owning Air Pods 2, Apple Watch Ultra, Galaxy Buds 3 Pro, Galaxy Watch Ultra, Pixel Buds Pro (last year), & Pixel Watch 2 (last year). I got no skin in the game or any reason to be biased.

[luvpoon]

39 minutes ago, Kickoff said:

Well side by side, the S24 Ultra has Gorilla Glass Armor which is more scratch resistant & MUCH less reflective.

The truth is the processor really matters as it's what helps process pictures & video, part of the reason for battery life (along with software; Android 14 was a huge improvement a year ago), &  for gamers to maintain high refresh rates (along with internal cooling).  There's a reason why Pixel's need "Face Unblur"! Because the shutter speed is so slow.

Pixels have far too long lived on their reputation from the Pixel 2 & 3 for cameras when they were light years ahead. But once they went to the 50MP primary then just carried over the software from the old 12MP cameras, they've been playing catch up. Pixel 9 phones are way oversharpened, & the video is rather mediocre from reviews I've seen. People are already waiting for a software update. Really waiting for them to switch over to the TCMC chips next year, but the Pixel 10 might have the same software bugs nightmare the Pixel 6 had. It's really a skip year other than those who have a phone 3 or 4 years or older.

The Chinese brands don't matter to me as they are not available here in the US, & I only somewhat follow them; Huawei doesn't even have Google Play Store so not even a consideration. Highly doubt Honor produces better photos with their Omnivision lense & watercolor images in 5x+ zoom. I'd love for you to list 25 current phone camera systems better than the S24 Ultra when factoring 1x photos, portraits, zoom, & video.  There's a Chinese phone brand that definitely does do zoom better than Samsung, but I forget which brand it is; Ice Universe on X (Twitter) shared comparison photos a month or 2 ago. What I do like about the Chinese phone brands are the incredible charging speeds & willingness to be innovative in the folding phone space.  Huawei just released a triple folding phone for $3000 USD that looks really nice.

I just picked up my iPhone 16 Pro just on Friday & also own the S24 Ultra & Pixel 8 Pro (last year). I've spent a lot of time with each of the 3 major brands in the US while also owning Air Pods 2, Apple Watch Ultra, Galaxy Buds 3 Pro, Galaxy Watch Ultra, Pixel Buds Pro (last year), & Pixel Watch 2 (last year). I got no skin in the game or any reason to be biased.

Don't know what reviews you are reading or watching, but overwhelmingly it is getting rave ones - people are saying it's easily the best phone google has produced to date. I've previously had the Nexus 6P and it's not even close. I feel like my P9P Pro XL is android's version of the iPhone. The design is just too similar.

[D-low]

1 hour ago, Kickoff said:

But once they went to the 50MP primary then just carried over the software from the old 12MP cameras, they've been playing catch up. Pixel 9 phones are way oversharpened, & the video is rather mediocre from reviews I've seen.

That's just not true. Pixel phones are consistently among, if not the best on the market. DXOMark - the gold standard of testing - currently has them no.2 behind the Huawei 70 Ultra (always amazing). If anything, great camera is what the Pixels are known for, every iteration they smash it.

You might not like them but they are on top or thereabouts every single time. Like I said, Samsung are not even close this year, they're miles away. It might be just you prefer that profile. If you want to compare, the Apple 16 Pro Max basically has the same score, 1 off. The S24 is a worse camera than the Google 7 Pro (2022).

Edited September 24, 2024 by D-low

[1tooth]

I remember being excited to get the Samsung Note 20 Ultra. It's ultra wide video is simply terrible. It's so bad, I had to buy a used LG G5, with it's superb ultra wide camera (ultra wide fov of 135 degrees). I do a lot of videos using ultra wide and I'm still looking for a phone with a good ultra wide fov of 135 degrees or wider.

[Kickoff]

3 hours ago, luvpoon said:

Don't know what reviews you are reading or watching, but overwhelmingly it is getting rave ones - people are saying it's easily the best phone google has produced to date. I've previously had the Nexus 6P and it's not even close. I feel like my P9P Pro XL is android's version of the iPhone. The design is just too similar.

Why not just get an iPhone then? Of course it's the best Pixel to date as it has better features than in the past.  Nexus 6P? We're talking ... what ... a 10 year old phone ... 555


 

2 hours ago, D-low said:

That's just not true. Pixel phones are consistently among, if not the best on the market. DXOMark - the gold standard of testing - currently has them no.2 behind the Huawei 70 Ultra (always amazing). If anything, great camera is what the Pixels are known for, every iteration they smash it.

You might not like them but they are on top or thereabouts every single time. Like I said, Samsung are not even close this year, they're miles away. It might be just you prefer that profile. If you want to compare, the Apple 16 Pro Max basically has the same score, 1 off. The S24 is a worse camera than the Google 7 Pro (2022).

Not true based on what? MKBHD & Super Saf & others have commented on the processed photos of the Pixel. You can even search overprossed Pixel photos & see it for yourself. Even better, you can look at all the pictures you've taken & see it. I don't really need some review site to tell me if it's good or not & can just judge it myself based on all the reviews I've seen & my own experience actually owning it all.

It's odd how you don't address the video issues, slow shutter speed, mediocre edge detection, not as good portrait mode, & how boost mode uses generative AI fill rather than the actual object that's being photographed. Those are, after all, part of the camera experience. You say the iPhone 16 Pro is 1 point difference, but there aren't many who would be willing to give up the total camera experience that it gives. Many people upload photos to social media where the iPhone generally does better as any & all Android devices look worse simply due to software optimization from app companies. Again, part of the camera experience. When I say Samsung has a better camera, it's all aspects of the camera. Personally, I could do without some of the oversaturated colors. I don't much care for some of the AI features both phone companies share either. 

With that said, you're make it out to be as if I'm saying Pixel has trash cameras. But if we're comparing flagships, then we have to start nitpicking.  Can't just cherry pick 1 aspect & ignore the rest.

I get it; you both are defending your purchases. 


 

2 hours ago, 1tooth said:

I remember being excited to get the Samsung Note 20 Ultra. It's ultra wide video is simply terrible. It's so bad, I had to buy a used LG G5, with it's superb ultra wide camera (ultra wide fov of 135 degrees). I do a lot of videos using ultra wide and I'm still looking for a phone with a good ultra wide fov of 135 degrees or wider.

Fun fact, at least here in the US, LG was the 1st to have an ultra wide camera sensor on a smartphone back in 2015. I wouldn't really shoot on an ultra wide much though due to obvious lense distortion at the edges across all manufacturers; it has gotten far better in the last couple years though. 

[1tooth]

1 hour ago, Kickoff said:

Fun fact, at least here in the US, LG was the 1st to have an ultra wide camera sensor on a smartphone back in 2015. I wouldn't really shoot on an ultra wide much though due to obvious lense distortion at the edges across all manufacturers; it has gotten far better in the last couple years though. 

Yeah, I was so excited when I first tried out ultra wide. I can't do without it for video, hence why I bought a replacement in 2023. For me, in real life, the LG wide angle distortion is hardly noticeable. That cannot be said of newer phones. I was considering the oneplus 10 pro, until I tried its horrific 150 degree fov ultra wide angle camera. It had ultra distortion.

I prefer 1st person testimony rather than professional schill reviews which iphone and samsung generally influence. If wide angle isn't an issue, in real life Huawei kills any iphone/samsung, hands down.

[D-low]

2 hours ago, Kickoff said:

Not true based on what?

On years of reviews, testing and DXOMark, I say again the gold standard - industry repected, by far the most comprehensive testing and universally acclaimed as the benchmark for all this stuff.

I've used both phones so your needlessly condescending 'I get it you're defending your purchases' is off the mark as well as petty. If I can offer one back, you're not only comparing a camera phone outside the current top 25, one that is inferior to a two iterations ago Pixel, you're saying it's better than one of the best on the market, so forgive me if I don't put too much stock in your opinion. Maybe you're trying to justify a dud purchase? Who knows.

EDIT: You mentioned MKBHD. If you watch him you'll remember the last blind test he did 6months ago. 20 million participants. Do you remember what the top 3 phones were?

Edited September 24, 2024 by D-low

[Kickoff]

On 24/09/2024 at 03:41, 1tooth said:

Yeah, I was so excited when I first tried out ultra wide. I can't do without it for video, hence why I bought a replacement in 2023. For me, in real life, the LG wide angle distortion is hardly noticeable. That cannot be said of newer phones. I was considering the oneplus 10 pro, until I tried its horrific 150 degree fov ultra wide angle camera. It had ultra distortion.

I prefer 1st person testimony rather than professional schill reviews which iphone and samsung generally influence. If wide angle isn't an issue, in real life Huawei kills any iphone/samsung, hands down.

Google has schill reviews as well. Mrwhosetheboss was critical of the last Pixel 8 phones & wasn't sent a Pixel 9 phone. Happens to all brands. 

With reviews, I just watch a bunch of them to get a feel for them. I don't think any reviewer should be taken as gospel as not all of what they say will be important to the individual.

[Kickoff]

On 24/09/2024 at 04:54, D-low said:

On years of reviews, testing and DXOMark, I say again the gold standard - industry repected, by far the most comprehensive testing and universally acclaimed as the benchmark for all this stuff.

I've used both phones so your needlessly condescending 'I get it you're defending your purchases' is off the mark as well as petty. If I can offer one back, you're not only comparing a camera phone outside the current top 25, one that is inferior to a two iterations ago Pixel, you're saying it's better than one of the best on the market, so forgive me if I don't put too much stock in your opinion. Maybe you're trying to justify a dud purchase? Who knows.

EDIT: You mentioned MKBHD. If you watch him you'll remember the last blind test he did 6months ago. 20 million participants. Do you remember what the top 3 phones were?

We're just going around in circles here, so this will be my final reply to you about this. I truly don't care about any gold standard or blind test. At this point, I've experienced enough of these phones in my hands, & I just call it as I see it. I don't need my opinion validated by you or any reviewer which is why I never cited one until you asked, & I had to take the time to search for it although to be fair I did remember some of them saying it. 555 You seem to really need your opinion validated by others. Fact of the matter is as a camera, the Pixel just isn't an all arounder. Are you seriously going to tell me that VIDEO is good? Are you seriously going to tell me that EDGE DETECTION is good? Are you seriously going to tell me that ZOOM is on par with the other brands? Are you seriously going to tell me that the photos aren't OVERSHARPENED?  The reason why this isn't going anywhere is because you seem to value just 1 thing while I value everything as a whole which is ok because maybe you just don't use video or zoom or take pictures of people. Don't know, don't care.

I don't need to validate any purchase I make. I just buy what I want nor am I really tied to any brand. FWIW, the iPhone camera system is better than any Android phone. It just is what it is. You never asked me what camera system I liked, so there it is. I'm not overly tied to Samsung in any way. FWIW, my S24 Ultra saw all of 2.5 months of use thus far as it's just my travel phone. 555

I buy a bunch of shoes to try out from New Balance's Fresh Foam & Fuel to Nike's React & Zoom X to Adidas Ultraboost, etc. Same with phones, I'll buy all the flagships (in USA) almost every year unless it's an obvious skip year. My home as Google products in it; I don't hate Google. 555 But sometimes, better for me products come out, so it was bye bye Google Nest WiFI & a switch to TP Link WiFi mesh. I have the Google Thermostat, but my options are limited. Same with say flashlights, soaps, backpacks, smartwatches, ear buds, whatever. If I don't like it, I'll just sell it or just wear it out. I think there's a wallet thread here on PA where I shared a picture of a mountain of wallets I tried.

What I'm saying here is, it doesn't matter much to me whether you agree with my take or not. I just want to share my experience as at least I've handled each of these things to give an opinion of it relative to other comparisons then ask the right questions of say you might like this 1 thing, but what about the rest of these things? 

I just don't think it's right for someone to say just focus on this 1 camera thing but ignore the rest. 

I just don't think it's right for someone to say the processor isn't important especially when they are trying to push out 7 years of updates when Pixels have a reputation of being buggy as time goes on. 

It's also the reason standby mode isn't battery efficient which would be important to those who keep their phone for 3+ years as the battery degrades.

Pixel wearable just isn't good should they want to be in that ecosystem.

I just don't think it's right to be dismissive of a products shortcomings.

MKBHD's best big smartphone of the year was the S23 Ultra. Obviously he has the biggest clout out of anyone in this space. But I don't think it'll really have much impact on someone coming on here looking for an opinion of a phone or whatever to validate a decision as most people, whether on here, Reddit, or wherever, just want to hear people's daily experiences with it. Not saying my take is better than his by any stretch of the imagination as he's literally handled far more over the years to have a better take; stating the obvious. It'd be insane for me to come here & be like ... oh I like this because so & so said it's the best. No offense, but that's like a nothing response. If 20 million people disagree with me, fine. But there are 20 million other people who agree with me on the phone too. 

All things to consider. Or just get an iPhone. 555

 

[D-low]

1 hour ago, Kickoff said:

You never asked me what camera system I liked, so there it is

There we go. Don't say 'fact of the matter' as it's nothing of the sort, just say that, your opinion, that's fine. It's what you like. I stated what 20 million people, the common concensus and DXOMark thought was best. People can draw conclusions from that.

Edited September 27, 2024 by D-low

[mango]

I have the Pixel 10 pro.

Really a good Phone.

Also the Pixel Pro 8.

Pro 9 was meh bc of the weak akku

[HimBadMan]

57 minutes ago, mango said:

I have the Pixel 10 pro.

Really a good Phone.

Also the Pixel Pro 8.

Pro 9 was meh bc of the weak akku

I loved my pixel 8.  But I dropped it a few months ago and screen broke.    Since they don’t sell google here.  Getting it fixed was pricey.   Tukcom wanted 14k baht.     So I had to Say goodbye and bought an iPhone.        Unfortunately 

[mango]

5 hours ago, HimBadMan said:

I loved my pixel 8.  But I dropped it a few months ago and screen broke.    Since they don’t sell google here.  Getting it fixed was pricey.   Tukcom wanted 14k baht.     So I had to Say goodbye and bought an iPhone.        Unfortunately 

That’s a tough one.

In my previous company (tech industry), we were issued iPhones for years. When the iPhone 5 generation came around, the company fortunately decided to stop that policy and we switched to Samsung devices. That was an improvement in some areas, but still not exactly ideal.

The Google Pixel, however, is genuinely new territory for me. The overall quality—especially with the current level of AI integration—is something I haven’t experienced with any other device so far. In that respect, it clearly stands out.

But enough advertising for now 🙂