Google Pixel 5 and Pixel 5 XL

[dumastudetto]

They will sell an estimated 215 million iPhones in the next year. Just this one move by them will not help eliminate waste. It will still do just the opposite. As most people will go out and buy adapters to fit the new cable.
Then Apple did this while releasing a new product line of Mag-Sage products that need the power adapter as well.
They removed the power adapter to help spur sales of the new product line.

Make no mistake...this was not about saving the planet...this about making more money and getting their customers to spend more to get full use of the products they are selling.

Then removing the headphones is self explanatory....they want you to buy Beat headphones or AirPods at quite larger price points.

I don't think they claim it will eliminate waste. It will reduce it. There are clear environmental benefits from shipping more of those 215 million iPhones per container, and clear environmental benefits from reducing the amount of plastic in the packaging. As I keep saying, and I've heard many other iPhone fanatics agree, I do not deny there are financial incentives too that Apple is very happy to take advantage while telling their green story. I think it's absolutely right for people to call Apple out on this too. They are not doing this purely because they care about the environment.

I think the headphones removal from the box is a step towards the elimination of the lightning port entirely. Taking it out of the box now before they remove the port, creates less drama later when the lightning port is gone. Will it nudge more people towards buying $150+ disposable* wireless AirPods? Probably.

*disposable because the glued in battery becomes useless after about 2 years; also conflicting with their self-told green mission.

 

[Tig Bitties]

In my opinion the 2020 smartphone release has been lackluster, maybe due to the worldwide pandemic, that unfortunately will still be here well into next year.

Pixel 5 turned into a budget phone, and no XL version. But it's still a great smartphone, and one I'll probably get once reduced in price. But would have loved to see Google go all out and build a quality flagship Pixel.

iPhone 12 line, should have had ProMotion, and the rumored ruduced smaller notch, and iPad fingerprint scanner in the power button. These three features would've made me switch from Pixel to an iPhone.

OnePlus is turning into OneSung moving more to Samsung Galaxy type and away from stock Android.

Weird year for smartphones.

 

[jamezr]

I don't think they claim it will eliminate waste. It will reduce it. There are clear environmental benefits from shipping more of those 215 million iPhones per container, and clear environmental benefits from reducing the amount of plastic in the packaging. As I keep saying, and I've heard many other iPhone fanatics agree, I do not deny there are financial incentives too that Apple is very happy to take advantage while telling their green story. I think it's absolutely right for people to call Apple out on this too. They are not doing this purely because they care about the environment.

I think the headphones removal from the box is a step towards the elimination of the lightning port entirely. Taking it out of the box now before they remove the port, creates less drama later when the lightning port is gone. Will it nudge more people towards buying $150+ disposable* wireless AirPods? Probably.

*disposable because the glued in battery becomes useless after about 2 years; also conflicting with their self-told green mission.

We can agree to disagree.....but these moves by Apple does not reduce waste. It generates more waste and energy consumption. It creates more deliveries and adds more packaging and burns more fossil fuels. It spurs people to buy more accessories.

Then they removed the headphone port for the same reasons....to get people to buy Beats and AirPods products

 

[Bkdodger]

You guys should discuss this in the Fold thread. Let’s stop derailing the Pixel 5 thread.

I think we have plenty of talk going on besides P5 here.. Not only Fold..

In my opinion the 2020 smartphone release has been lackluster, maybe due to the worldwide pandemic, that unfortunately will still be here well into next year.

Pixel 5 turned into a budget phone, and no XL version. But it's still a great smartphone, and one I'll probably get once reduced in price. But would have loved to see Google go all out and build a quality flagship Pixel.

iPhone 12 line, should have had ProMotion, and the rumored ruduced smaller notch, and iPad fingerprint scanner in the power button. These three features would've made me switch from Pixel to an iPhone.

OnePlus is turning into OneSung moving more to Samsung Galaxy type and away from stock Android.

Weird year for smartphones.

I would love to see which way Google heads with next year version... I don't expect premium XL model but I hope I'm wrong.. They see the success of the 4a line...

 

[drinkingtea]

I think we have plenty of talk going on besides P5 here.. Not only Fold..

And? It doesn’t mean I’m wrong. Take your Fold discussion elsewhere.

 

[dumastudetto]

In my opinion the 2020 smartphone release has been lackluster, maybe due to the worldwide pandemic, that unfortunately will still be here well into next year.

Pixel 5 turned into a budget phone, and no XL version. But it's still a great smartphone, and one I'll probably get once reduced in price. But would have loved to see Google go all out and build a quality flagship Pixel.

iPhone 12 line, should have had ProMotion, and the rumored ruduced smaller notch, and iPad fingerprint scanner in the power button. These three features would've made me switch from Pixel to an iPhone.

OnePlus is turning into OneSung moving more to Samsung Galaxy type and away from stock Android.

Weird year for smartphones.

Weird year all round.

The notch doesn't bother me much, mainly because I love Face ID so much and how secure it is, but I would so love to see ProMotion in the iPhones Pros at least. I do think the benefits are more pronounced with the bigger screen iPads, but I still do see the benefits of 90-120Hz displays on Android in terms of smoothness. Come on Apple!!!

I am sure the iPhone 12's were designed and finalised before the pandemic really took hold in the US. The iPad Air got Touch ID in the button because they wanted to keep Face ID for the Pros, and then it just turned out the Touch ID in the button actually had massive appeal in a Covid-19 world. Apple's decision to reserve Face ID for the Pros kind of backfired on Apple I think.

I can't get my head around the choices Google has made with the Pixel 5. They were doing a lot of interesting stuff still last year, and then suddenly they pulled most of it out and made a cheaper and slower device with a 5G implementation that isn't as good as their competition either. They already have excellent cheaper devices like the 4a, so why compromise their flagship so much? Bizarre.

That doesn't mean the Pixel 5 is a bad phone. I was using my brothers Pixel 5 at the weekend and I like the size, I love how smooth it is, and I can see why Android fans love the purity of the experience. I do question how well it will hold up over the course of the three years of supported updates; given the performance is on par with many flagships released three years ago. But I'm not an expert on how well Android ages and how Snapdragon processors perform historically against major new OS updates.

 

[Bkdodger]

And? It doesn’t mean I’m wrong. Take your Fold discussion elsewhere.

Good for you...

 

[drinkingtea]

Weird year all round.

The notch doesn't bother me much, mainly because I love Face ID so much and how secure it is, but I would so love to see ProMotion in the iPhones Pros at least. I do think the benefits are more pronounced with the bigger screen iPads, but I still do see the benefits of 90-120Hz displays on Android in terms of smoothness. Come on Apple!!!

I am sure the iPhone 12's were designed and finalised before the pandemic really took hold in the US. The iPad Air got Touch ID in the button because they wanted to keep Face ID for the Pros, and then it just turned out the Touch ID in the button actually had massive appeal in a Covid-19 world. Apple's decision to reserve Face ID for the Pros kind of backfired on Apple I think.

I can't get my head around the choices Google has made with the Pixel 5. They were doing a lot of interesting stuff still last year, and then suddenly they pulled most of it out and made a cheaper and slower device with a 5G implementation that isn't as good as their competition either. They already have excellent cheaper devices like the 4a, so why compromise their flagship so much? Bizarre.

That doesn't mean the Pixel 5 is a bad phone. I was using my brothers Pixel 5 at the weekend and I like the size, I love how smooth it is, and I can see why Android fans love the purity of the experience. I do question how well it will hold up over the course of the three years of supported updates; given the performance is on par with many flagships released three years ago. But I'm not an expert on how well Android ages and how Snapdragon processors perform historically against major new OS updates.

The worst thing that Google is doing is making its users not trust them. There is not one Pixel user who can say definitively what Pixel 6 will have because Google is erratic. You can’t even trust Google to maintain the core elements of the phone consistently. I can tell you with certainty that iPhone 13 will have Face ID, a reliable battery, and an improved camera. Those are three things Pixel users cannot confidently say that Pixel 6 will have. What’s going on at Google?

 

[dumastudetto]

We can agree to disagree.....but these moves by Apple does not reduce waste. It generates more waste and energy consumption. It creates more deliveries and adds more packaging and burns more fossil fuels. It spurs people to buy more accessories.

Then they removed the headphone port for the same reasons....to get people to buy Beats and AirPods products

Certainly in situations where they need to ship an adapter out separately to a customer, it will reduce the overall environmental benefits slightly. Overall there is no question there will be a gain for the environment, because most people will not be ordering $19 AC adapters to supplement what they already have at home. Those extra shipments will be very much edge cases.

I don't think Apple would deny they removed the headphone port to push forward their wireless audio products, and create a new market for third-party ones. They argued very much at the time the old port was an ancient legacy technology. Look at the market now. Wireless earbuds and headphones are absolutely everywhere. Apple nailed this one.

 

[Tig Bitties]

After watching so many iPhone 12 Pro videos on YouTube yesterday watch out I'm actually somewhat thinking of getting one.

WHAT ?

Me, Mr Nexus Pixel guy go back to an iPhone? I don't know I love my Pixel phones and stock Android but kind of want to change it up try something new and different.

What do you think?

My last recent three phones have been the Pixel 4 XL currently the 3XL before that and the 2XL

 

[jamezr]

Certainly in situations where they need to ship an adapter out separately to a customer, it will reduce the overall environmental benefits slightly. Overall there is no question there will be a gain for the environment, because most people will not be ordering $19 AC adapters to supplement what they already have at home. Those extra shipments will be very much edge cases.

I don't think Apple would deny they removed the headphone port to push forward their wireless audio products, and create a new market for third-party ones. They argued very much at the time the old port was an ancient legacy technology. Look at the market now. Wireless earbuds and headphones are absolutely everywhere. Apple nailed this one.

Not so certain about that. How can removing the power adapter from a box that spurs another shipment save anything?
It will not reduce environmental benefits at all. It will actually impact the environment more by creating more deliveries to replace what was removed.

Then as it has been pointed out over and over again....
The cable shipped with the new iPhone 12 will not work with the existing Apple power adapters.
This will spur people to buy more power adapters. That is not reducing environmental waste....it is doing just the opposite.

 

[drinkingtea]

After watching so many iPhone 12 Pro videos on YouTube yesterday watch out I'm actually somewhat thinking of getting one.

WHAT ?

Me, Mr Nexus Pixel guy go back to an iPhone? I don't know I love my Pixel phones and stock Android but kind of want to change it up try something new and different.

What do you think?

My last recent three phones have been the Pixel 4 XL currently the 3XL before that and the 2XL

What are you liking about the 12 Pro?

 

[jamezr]

Good for you...

See...Fold discussion is not allowed...but talk about the iPhone 12 all you want

 

[Aneres11]

What are you liking about the 12 Pro?

Take your 12 Pro discussion out of here please. ?

 

[dumastudetto]

The worst thing that Google is doing is making its users not trust them. There is not one Pixel user who can say definitively what Pixel 6 will have because Google is erratic. You can’t even trust Google to maintain the core elements of the phone consistently. I can tell you with certainty that iPhone 13 will have Face ID, a reliable battery, and an improved camera. Those are three things Pixel users cannot confidently say that Pixel 6 will have. What’s going on at Google?

Google struggled to convey a clear story at their Pixel event/night-in broadcast to explain their decisions. It is all very confused, muddied further by an admission some of the stuff in Pixel 4/4XL would be coming back at a later date. It feels like the pandemic was just the excuse for a lot of bizarre decisions.

It's really tough because the Android philosophy means Google has to compete with their own customers who are making excellent smartphones at all the different price points. Samsung even seems to be doing a stellar job now supporting older phones with regular security updates. With Samsung utterly dominating the Android scene in terms of sheer numbers, it is they and not Google who get to push the hardware technologies that Android developers will ultimately embrace within their applications.

If I was buying an Android phone, I would still go for a Pixel personally. I would be like a lot of Pixel fans wanting the most pure Android experience with guaranteed updates. But yeah, it would drive me nuts as a customer trying to understand where Google is trying to go with Pixel.

 

[Bkdodger]

After watching so many iPhone 12 Pro videos on YouTube yesterday watch out I'm actually somewhat thinking of getting one.

WHAT ?

Me, Mr Nexus Pixel guy go back to an iPhone? I don't know I love my Pixel phones and stock Android but kind of want to change it up try something new and different.

What do you think?

My last recent three phones have been the Pixel 4 XL currently the 3XL before that and the 2XL

You have to carry two phones.. That's the only way I would ever give up my Android side...

See...Fold discussion is not allowed...but talk about the iPhone 12 all you want

I do have the 12 Pro coming Friday

Take your 12 Pro discussion out of here please.

you guys are too funny.... Much respect to everyone in here....

 

[Awesomesince86]

Side note, I just got my hands on a Pixel 5 case...holy **** this phone is small. I know we all knew this already, but once you actually feel the difference its shocking. Now, that said, this is coming from someone that has used exclusively Max or Plus devices for the better part of 5 years. I dont think I've used a phone with a smaller display since back to the Nexus 6p or something like that. So holding this case (Spigen hybrid) in one hand and my S20 plus in the other felt crazy. I'll still give this a go but man, I just dont think I can go back to this size. My hands are too big, it feels like Im holding a childs toy.

 

[jamezr]

You have to carry two phones.. That's the only way I would ever give up my Android side... I do have the 12 Pro coming Friday you guys are too funny.... Much respect to everyone in here....

I have 3 phones right now and switch between them iPhone 11 Pro Max, Note20 Ultra and Pixel 4XL.
I am waiting for the 12 Pro Max next month . I am liking that blue one! I have had every iPhone ever released since the very first one!

 

[dumastudetto]

Not so certain about that. How can removing the power adapter from a box that spurs another shipment save anything?
It will not reduce environmental benefits at all. It will actually impact the environment more by creating more deliveries to replace what was removed.

Then as it has been pointed out over and over again....
The cable shipped with the new iPhone 12 will not work with the existing Apple power adapters.
This will spur people to buy more power adapters. That is not reducing environmental waste....it is doing just the opposite.

The funny thing is I agree with a lot of what you have to say. Your point about them suddenly shipping a lightning to USB-C cable for the first time with the iPhones, while simultaneously saying we will ship no more AC adapters in the box because you have a drawer full of USB-A adapters............... mad. Fortunately the lightning aspect remaining unchanged means we can just use our old cables to go USB-A, but yes, this sudden switch to USB-C "out of the box" undermines a key aspect of their story.

I disagree with your sweeping arguments, but I can sense you're not willing to consider adjusting those views no matter what I say.

 

[Bkdodger]

Side note, I just got my hands on a Pixel 5 case...holy **** this phone is small. I know we all knew this already, but once you actually feel the difference its shocking. Now, that said, this is coming from someone that has used exclusively Max or Plus devices for the better part of 5 years. I dont think I've used a phone with a smaller display since back to the Nexus 6p or something like that. So holding this case (Spigen hybrid) in one hand and my S20 plus in the other felt crazy. I'll still give this a go but man, I just dont think I can go back to this size. My hands are too big, it feels like Im holding a childs toy.

I would rock the P5 with a Dbrand skin.. So I can imagine how compact.. It might work for me when I want to pop in sim and go.. You know you will get good battery and quick snap pics..

 

[dumastudetto]

Side note, I just got my hands on a Pixel 5 case...holy **** this phone is small. I know we all knew this already, but once you actually feel the difference its shocking. Now, that said, this is coming from someone that has used exclusively Max or Plus devices for the better part of 5 years. I dont think I've used a phone with a smaller display since back to the Nexus 6p or something like that. So holding this case (Spigen hybrid) in one hand and my S20 plus in the other felt crazy. I'll still give this a go but man, I just dont think I can go back to this size. My hands are too big, it feels like Im holding a childs toy.

I'm the opposite. I love how small and light the Pixel 5 is. I've been using the bigger iPhones since the first "Plus-sized" iPhone 6. I'm using the iPhone 11 Pro Max now. And I'm a guy with big hands, who loves maxmising screen real-estate by reducing all the fonts and display zooming. I found my brief time with the Pixel 5 at the weekend very refreshing. That said, I will still be ordering the iPhone 12 Pro Max. Maybe in the future though I will go to a smaller and lighter phone.

 

[Bkdodger]

I have 3 phones right now and switch between them iPhone 11 Pro Max, Note20 Ultra and Pixel 4XL.
I am waiting for the 12 Pro Max next month . I am liking that blue one! I have had every iPhone ever released since the very first one!

I just sold out S20 FE and Pixel 4 XL.. 11 Max going and 12 incoming.. So I will be in the market for the 3rd phone..

 

[michael9891]

Side note, I just got my hands on a Pixel 5 case...holy **** this phone is small. I know we all knew this already.

My hands are too big, it feels like Im holding a childs toy.

I don't have big hands, but I definitely get the toy comment. It's not as bad now, but combined with how light it is, it's a little weird.

 

[jamezr]

The funny thing is I agree with a lot of what you have to say. Your point about them suddenly shipping a lightning to USB-C cable for the first time with the iPhones, while simultaneously saying we will ship no more AC adapters in the box because you have a drawer full of USB-A adapters............... mad. Fortunately the lightning aspect remaining unchanged means we can just use our old cables to go USB-A, but yes, this sudden switch to USB-C "out of the box" undermines a key aspect of their story.

I disagree with your sweeping arguments, but I can sense you're not willing to consider adjusting those views no matter what I say.

Funny because I feel the same with you and your position. That is why I said we could just agree to disagree...but you keep droning on.....
Then as you said you agree with what I was saying anyway....

 

[Awesomesince86]

I don't have big hands, but I definitely get the toy comment. It's not as bad now, but combined with how light it is, it's a little weird.

Im sure like anything with phones it will feel normal after some time, but holding both (Pixel 5 case and S20 plus) in the hand at the same time feels so odd.