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The Game 161

macrumors Nehalem
Dec 15, 2010
30,980
20,169
UK
Not available yet lol
443977c3b04c484140424b0482b03218.jpg
 

Ludatyk

macrumors 603
May 27, 2012
5,965
5,131
Texas
This is a good point. Do you think Samsung are going to charge for future AI features (maybe like the ones in Gemini Ultra) or for the current ones but further down the line?
Both. And particularly those that rely on Google or Microsoft (I can see Samsung partnering up) services… because Samsung doesn’t have their own AI chatbot like Microsoft and Google.

Not available yet lol
That’s unfortunate! I downloaded it. But haven’t explored anything yet.
 
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Dave245

macrumors G3
Sep 15, 2013
9,851
8,077
Is Pixel the best phone to have with all this AI stuff, including this new Gemini app? I had the S24 Ultra (before sending it back) and I tested out some of the AI features.
I was not all that impressed with the photo editing AI stuff, for example I edited a picture that I took of my best friend, moved her over a bit and it really didn't fill in well, could certainly tell that it had been altered. Are Pixel devices any better?
 

Technerd108

macrumors 68040
Oct 24, 2021
3,062
4,313
Is Pixel the best phone to have with all this AI stuff, including this new Gemini app? I had the S24 Ultra (before sending it back) and I tested out some of the AI features.
I was not all that impressed with the photo editing AI stuff, for example I edited a picture that I took of my best friend, moved her over a bit and it really didn't fill in well, could certainly tell that it had been altered. Are Pixel devices any better?
We are at AI infancy. Most of the generative AI sucks. The image editing works the same on both as it is using the same AI engine.

It is still better at editing images with not too complex a background. It should improve over time. Kind of amazing to think you needed an expensive computer and Adobe photo shop to do that before.

But I wouldn't buy any phone just for AI. Apple will have AI released in the next iOS and you can expect similar features but much better refinement.

However if staying at the forefront of AI is important then Pixel is probably best.
 

edubfromktown

macrumors 6502a
Sep 14, 2010
844
712
East Coast, USA
We are at AI infancy. Most of the generative AI sucks. The image editing works the same on both as it is using the same AI engine.

It is still better at editing images with not too complex a background. It should improve over time. Kind of amazing to think you needed an expensive computer and Adobe photo shop to do that before.

But I wouldn't buy any phone just for AI. Apple will have AI released in the next iOS and you can expect similar features but much better refinement.

However if staying at the forefront of AI is important then Pixel is probably best.
There is too much hype and marketing BS swirling around AI, in my opinion. It will take time to evolve and settle down.
 

Dave245

macrumors G3
Sep 15, 2013
9,851
8,077
It's absolutely typical (of my luck anyway 😂) that I was waiting for Google Store UK to have a deal on the Pixel 8 Pro, they now have a deal (8 Pro now down to £849) but I can't use the 15% referral code that was given to me recently.
 

Aneres11

macrumors 601
Oct 2, 2011
4,353
9,551
Saw this on another forum. Has anyone seen this?
So turns out, I do have this issue. When I tested last night I was presuming that the tap to focus was working as the viewfinder was dimming as you’d expect for the different light sources etc but when I went to take a photo of my dog later on, it didn’t seem to be finding focus very well.

I zoomed out to 0.9 and lo and behold, the exposure was changing like it should. Went back to 1.0 and nope, isn’t doing it. I’m on the very latest security patch too as I updated it last night.

Very odd!
 
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840quadra

Moderator
Staff member
Feb 1, 2005
9,481
6,384
Twin Cities Minnesota
This will be the last Pixel with a unique design comparative to the iPhone. The Pixel 9 Pro leaked renders show a iPhone like design with a camera bump and no more visor.

The Pixel 8 Pro is about the most comfortable large phone to hold in your hand I have ever owned. The performance, battery life, reception, have all been greatly improved over the 7 Pro.

The bay color is stunning in my opinion.

I don't know. I am a sucker for the new tech but I do really like the P8P. I would love to see a 6.8" screen and gorilla armor glass. That would move me along with a new Tensor.
I am not a new phone every year kind of person. Last couple years have been an anomaly for me in this regard

iPhone 15 pro was an obvious. They FINALLY put in USB-c

The pixel was a bit more complicated. I had a 6 which I traded in for a 7 at an amazing rate, my 7 was stolen in Atlanta and replaced with a pixel 7a. While I loved the 7a, the forecasted longevity of the 8 and 8 pro won me over.

I went 8 pro as I wanted to see if I could tolerate a bigger phone ( I can) and see if I would use the 5x zoom ( I don't ).

All said, I like the hardware and the clean version of Android on it.

Got to play with a Samsung S24 my friend has . Nice hardware and decent cameras, but you can have the software. I just dislike the UI on those devices . I am hoping to stick with my pixel and iPhone. The bank account is prepping for a Mac and iPad refresh, so phones should (hopefully) stay off the menu for 2024!
 

Tig Bitties

macrumors 603
Sep 6, 2012
5,517
5,692
I am not a new phone every year kind of person. Last couple years have been an anomaly for me in this regard

iPhone 15 pro was an obvious. They FINALLY put in USB-c

The pixel was a bit more complicated. I had a 6 which I traded in for a 7 at an amazing rate, my 7 was stolen in Atlanta and replaced with a pixel 7a. While I loved the 7a, the forecasted longevity of the 8 and 8 pro won me over.

I went 8 pro as I wanted to see if I could tolerate a bigger phone ( I can) and see if I would use the 5x zoom ( I don't ).

All said, I like the hardware and the clean version of Android on it.

Got to play with a Samsung S24 my friend has . Nice hardware and decent cameras, but you can have the software. I just dislike the UI on those devices . I am hoping to stick with my pixel and iPhone. The bank account is prepping for a Mac and iPad refresh, so phones should (hopefully) stay off the menu for 2024!

I was a anti Samsung guy for years, thought vanilla Android on the Pixel wss the only way.

Well I have an S24 Ultra now, and gotta say this phone is pretty nifty really good. This new OneUI is very stripped down and barely any bloatware ( which can all be uninstalled ). It's a very smooth and fluid UI on par or better than my Pixel 8 Pro.

The battery life? LOL off the charts better no comparison to the Pixel.

I am very impressed with this S24 Ultra, only 1 day with it. We'll see how it goes for the next 2 weeks. But Samsung's OS has come a long way, really much improved.
 

drinkingtea

macrumors 65816
Jan 31, 2016
1,240
3,271
I was a anti Samsung guy for years, thought vanilla Android on the Pixel wss the only way.

Well I have an S24 Ultra now, and gotta say this phone is pretty nifty really good. This new OneUI is very stripped down and barely any bloatware ( which can all be uninstalled ). It's a very smooth and fluid UI on par or better than my Pixel 8 Pro.

The battery life? LOL off the charts better no comparison to the Pixel.

I am very impressed with this S24 Ultra, only 1 day with it. We'll see how it goes for the next 2 weeks. But Samsung's OS has come a long way, really much improved.
I had a feeling you would really like this phone. Samsung has improved so much.

Despite that, I don't miss the S24U now that I'm back on my Pixel. 🤷‍♀️
 

Tig Bitties

macrumors 603
Sep 6, 2012
5,517
5,692
I had a feeling you would really like this phone. Samsung has improved so much.

Despite that, I don't miss the S24U now that I'm back on my Pixel. 🤷‍♀️

You already got rid of the S24U? Wow that wasn't long. Thought last week you said you loved the phone?

Yeah the Pixel 8 Pro is amazing, and I love stock vanilla Android. It's just so comfortable to use, and looks cool and funky with the Material UI.
 

Aneres11

macrumors 601
Oct 2, 2011
4,353
9,551
Messed around with some settings on my Pixel today for the camera following a YT video I watched.
Giving shooting in raw a go and leaving photos at 50mp. Look good at the moment from the few I’ve snapped but really want to try and do some post editing.

Problem is, I don’t have an actual computer like a Mac etc to do this on. Does anyone know if you can edit on device and still get good results?
 

nospleen

macrumors 68030
Dec 8, 2002
2,726
1,591
Texas
Messed around with some settings on my Pixel today for the camera following a YT video I watched.
Giving shooting in raw a go and leaving photos at 50mp. Look good at the moment from the few I’ve snapped but really want to try and do some post editing.

Problem is, I don’t have an actual computer like a Mac etc to do this on. Does anyone know if you can edit on device and still get good results?

Try Lightroom, I’ve used it sparingly, but have heard positive things about it.
 

drinkingtea

macrumors 65816
Jan 31, 2016
1,240
3,271
You already got rid of the S24U? Wow that wasn't long. Thought last week you said you loved the phone?

Yeah the Pixel 8 Pro is amazing, and I love stock vanilla Android. It's just so comfortable to use, and looks cool and funky with the Material UI.
I loved the S24U, but it was incredibly uncomfortable in-hand. P8P just feels great in-hand in comparison.
 

Technerd108

macrumors 68040
Oct 24, 2021
3,062
4,313
I loved the S24U, but it was incredibly uncomfortable in-hand. P8P just feels great in-hand in comparison.
The Pixel 8 Pro is so comfortable to hold. It was the first thing I noticed about the phone. It felt like I just wanted to hold it. I think since Google is rumored to change the design next year that this Pixel 8 Pro may go down in history as the most comfortable large phone ever designed. 😆 I am serious. It is really well designed.

The s24 ultra I feel is more comfortable than the s23 ultra with the exception of the corners. But even for me at 6' 4" the Ultra is pushing my limits of comfortable. So I can only imagine a woman or shorter man trying to hold this monster.

The big size and boxy design are what I love about the Ultra BUT it can be a bit much at times. If I was going to do any heavy physical activities and had to carry a phone on me, I don't think the Ultra would be best. That is where the P8P or smaller phone would be best.

I think the point I want to emphasize in your short post is that you made a decision based on what is best for you. It is a personal decision with many factors considered. I think a lot of people will compromise in an area they shouldn't and then be partially miserable the entire time just because they liked the device or felt premium etc.

You can’t always base a decision on specs or videos. You have to hold it in your hand and use it and see how you feel. There might be some small detail that drives you crazy but you feel ridiculous in getting rid of it for that reason so you keep it and then it drives you crazy.

I have learned personally that I buy a phone on rational metrics like specs, cost, etc, but I also buy based on looks, feel, ergonomics, and color. As much as I would like to say those things don't matter it is simply not true. If I don't like the look or feel or materials or weight or size then I won't buy.

Case in point. I had a 16" MBP m1 max. Beautiful machine. Perfect for what it is designed for but a serious heavy brick. I kept it for almost a year maybe a little over but I just couldn't take the weight and bulk. I didn't use half of the power of the laptop so eventually I sold it and bought a MBA M2 and it is so light and portable with no fans yet is still super fast. I love it. The size and weight are huge.

So you can totally love something but if the ergonomics don't fit then most people will either suffer through it or sell and get something else.
 
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keithop

macrumors 6502a
Jul 22, 2002
691
914

Not bad. I felt the same way. The Pixel 8 Pro screen is very close to the Ultra.

Now they just need the fingerprint sensor Samsung is using.

so weird how we all have different experiences. My pixel8pro unlocks way more reliably with the fingerprint sensor than my s24u (and of course p8p in a different class with its face unlock).
 
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