I'm an iPhone user since the 3GS days, however I've gotten a little disheartened with Apple over the last couple of years. It now feels like Apple are just not trying, price increases with not only iPhone but across the board even on services. I look at the competition like Samsung and Google and see more changes, more exciting things. I don't know if it's Apple that's changed or just me
I've been looking at the Pixel 8 Pro since before it was announced (via rumours) but I'm unsure. I like Samsung, even the Watch 6 is appealing and certainly appeals more than the Pixel Watch 2.
There are strong rumours and leaks that the S24 range will be announced early, in January of next year. I think I'll see what Samsung are doing and then decide to either get the Pixel 8 Pro or go with Samsung S24 Ultra. I'm a tech lover and can see the potential of most, it's more about what I'm going to get along with.
I really hope whatever AI software Samsung is supposedly developing is better than Bixby. Call screening through Bixby using current Samsung AI is not very good or even close to what Google is doing with the Pixel.
Everyone is on the hype train that is probably being driven in part by Qualcomm. We will see how much Samsung and other OEMS are able to actually use the AI features in the 8 gen 3. I have read so many articles about how Tensor is dead because Qualcomm has beat them in AI? Like what? If you compare the Tensor G3 to the 8 gen 2 which is the most currently available chipset on Android flagship right now it does very well. If you compare it a theoretical advantage offered by a yet to be majorly released chip to a current chip it is always going to be an unfair comparison.
I am not kidding when I say that I hope Samsung can do something good with AI and NOT put any features of the AI behind any paywall. If they get it right and make it sound more natural like Google assistant then we will have something. It will be nice to have a good alternative to Google Pixel line. It would be nice to see Samsung take AI in a different direction than Google Pixel and make it unique and fun with lots of customization.
If Samsung and Qualcomm can work together and if Samsung can get Exynos to be competitive again then they can make a custom TPU and maybe develop it with the help of Google and it can be Exynos with Tensor or something like that. The point is with close collaboration with chipmakers and OEM they can deliver a better product.
Ultimately if I were wanting the best raw performance then the s24 ultra is the obvious choice. I am not sure if they are going with a flat screen next year or not. That would be a deal breaker for me if it has a curved display again. But that is me.
But if you want the best software experience on any phone right now the Pixel 8 series is best for Android. The 8 Pro is a great phone. There will always be the next best thing.
If I were trying to make a choice it would be with the s23 ultra and the 8 Pro because there should be some good deals on the s23 ultra that make it competitive on price and what I think people don't consider is comfort.
Like, what phone is more comfortable to use for hours at a time? The s24 ultra or s23 ultra is a beast. It is a big rectangle brick and it is heavy. It is great because that rectangle shows more screen. It has an s pen and big battery. It has good speakers. All of this comes at a cost.
Now the Pixel 8 Pro is no small phone I am not going to lie. However, it does feel awfully comfortable in your hand. Every corner, every angle you touch is rounded. It is flat so it just feels more compact..
So while the s23 ultra is the better phone on paper in real world use the Pixel 8 Pro is a lot more comfortable to use in day to day life where you may be stuck using your phone for hours at a time. Repetitive gestures, holding a device a certain way, weight, all add up over the day. To get a phone that has a big screen yet feels compact and comfortable to use, has great battery life and performance is really great day to day. That and the Pixel exclusive features have really won me over to the Pixel.
I will always have a Samsung Galaxy phone. I have my issues with Samsung like every company but overall they have been good to me as a customer and as long as they make it worth my while to buy their products I will. For example the tab s9 is the best 11" tablet on the market - period iPad or not. The s23 ultra is by and far the best hardware on any Android phone available right now but the Pixel 8 Pro is still the best phone of the year IMHO
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