Maybe phones like the Pixel 7a are what Google's best at? A $499 priced phone, but has the smooth Pixel UI stock Android experience, and has a great camera, etc..but none of the other bells and whistles the high-end iPhone's and Galaxy's have.
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Phones Google Pixel 8/8 Pro
- Thread starter BMox81
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Yeeeaaah :/. I genuinely think I will start saving up for a 15 Pro Max. I just don’t understand why Google handicaps its own flagship.
I’ve become increasingly frustrated with Google’s hardware choices ever since the Pixel 5. I’ve owned almost every Nexus (starting with the Nexus One) and every single Pixel (Pro model) but this may be the first time I skip pre-ordering.
It's like Google is sitting on the fence, quite not sure which direction to take the Pixel. So unless Google gives me at least $400 for my 7 Pro which I can then stack with my $200 store credit from last year, I will keep the 7 Pro. I will then trade-in my Pixel 6 with Xfinity Mobile for the iPhone 15 PM (natural titanium).
That's how I approach things as well. You can NEVER be disappointed going the cheap route. It's when you go the expensive route that one starts to nit-pick and second guess their purchase.
It’s so freaking weird for a billion-dollar company to be this directionless, especially since the Pixel line is literally almost ten years old (even older if you count their Nexus years). It’s just so weird and unmanaged.
I checked out the 15 Pro Max today, and I love it. I love how light it is especially. I can’t decide between the natural, white, and black titanium. They all look great.
To be fair, this comment could be cut and paste to any of the Pixel releases over the years. I generally used to upgrade my Nexus/Pixel nearly every year, or at least gave it a test drive for a couple weeks, until the Pixel 4XL. My recently purchased Pixel Fold is my first since then, nearly 4 years.
Seems like we’re always waiting for Google to put their best foot forward and every year, we seem to still be waiting. I like the Pixel Fold but it was also very close to not making the cut in my lineup. If it had to be my primary daily driver, I likely wouldn’t have kept it.
I don’t begrudge there not being a huge difference between the 7 and 8 series as it’s pretty much standard from all the flagships. Someone upgrade from a 5 or 6 will see a very nice upgrade. Problem I have with Google’s ‘Pro’ lines is they’ve never really hit it out of the part, and just feels like they iterate on last year’s ’average’ model. Their still cameras have been the standard for quite a while now…but that’s really the only area where they seem to excel above average/mediocre performance.
I've been saying for years, and as an original Nexus-One owner, bought it when it launched, and then almost every Nexus and then Pixel phone since. And never liked the iPhone almost from day one due to crappy iOS. I've owned maybe 25 different Android phones over the years, and I think just 2 or 3 iPhone's and that's enough.
I would joke that the Nexus / Pixel team get relegated to the basement in the Google headquarters and only get a tiny small budget for the phone project each year, and they need to scrape by and be frugal with how to get supplies and parts and stay on budget for the phone.
As Google themselves don't care, they've got millions of Android phones out in the wild thanks to Samsung, and all the other companies selling Android phones to push the Google AI stuff for them.
I've said it for over 10 years. I keep wishing for Google to put Apple type iPhone type money into the Pixel line, and it just never happens and I think never will happen.
What we get each year is it. They're never will be a true top dog flagship Pixel phone. It will always be a lesser version of a flagship.
I would joke that the Nexus / Pixel team get relegated to the basement in the Google headquarters and only get a tiny small budget for the phone project each year, and they need to scrape by and be frugal with how to get supplies and parts and stay on budget for the phone.
As Google themselves don't care, they've got millions of Android phones out in the wild thanks to Samsung, and all the other companies selling Android phones to push the Google AI stuff for them.
I've said it for over 10 years. I keep wishing for Google to put Apple type iPhone type money into the Pixel line, and it just never happens and I think never will happen.
What we get each year is it. They're never will be a true top dog flagship Pixel phone. It will always be a lesser version of a flagship.
It makes me so sad because the Pixel has SO much potential. I've loved the Pixel since it's Nexus days, and, yet, all of these years later, I can't rely on the Pixel to be sole phone given all of Google's problems.
I'll see what happens on Wednesday. Otherwise, I'll be getting the 15 Pro Max.
What is interesting to me is whilst the S23 Ultra is currently the best Android phone money can buy in terms of tech, I'd love to see Samsung go in the direction of Google with AI stuff and overall software experience. OneUI just doesn't cut it for me, still too much bloat and unless you know what to do with adding skin overlay & removing Samsung apps your left with OneUI that is pretty frustrating.
Google has always treated its Nexus and now Pixel range as an experiment each year. Why they don't just invest serious money into it now to fully compete with Apple and Samsung is mine boggling.
For me, the best overall smartphone this year is the 15 Pro Max, despite the non customisable experience you get with iOS.
I'm still going to be pre-ordering an 8 Pro on Wednesday as I love where Google are taking the software experience plus camera quality is usually best in class. But, like us all, we have got to ask the big question why doesn't Google now give us overall top-tier hardware that the Pixel line up really demands.
Google has always treated its Nexus and now Pixel range as an experiment each year. Why they don't just invest serious money into it now to fully compete with Apple and Samsung is mine boggling.
For me, the best overall smartphone this year is the 15 Pro Max, despite the non customisable experience you get with iOS.
I'm still going to be pre-ordering an 8 Pro on Wednesday as I love where Google are taking the software experience plus camera quality is usually best in class. But, like us all, we have got to ask the big question why doesn't Google now give us overall top-tier hardware that the Pixel line up really demands.
For less than rumoured launch price of p8pro I can get a mint condition 14PM
Decisions decisions 😂
Decisions decisions 😂
I certainly trust people’s judgement in here given your experiences with these phones so I think I’m going to hold off with my purchase. Might even just revert to type and trade in my 13 Pro and get a 15 Pro…
Don't forget to counter in the pre-order bundle of the Watch 2 with the 8 Pro price, you could always sell on the watch making the 8 Pro pretty decent value. This is where Google does cut the competition vs Apple with their pre-order deals.
Comparing the 14PM to the 15PM, I would say go for the 15 if you can, the upgrade is worth it this year. The cameras and weight difference are notable. Video quality is king. However, as always with Apple, there is a premium price to pay.
I'm expecting the 8 Pro to compete with the 15PM and S23 Ultra, particularly with cameras and software experience.
The change in tone on this forum in 48 hours is craaaazy. We’ve gone from everyone being buzzing about the Pixel 8 to now everyone tearing it apart!
It’s good discussion, don’t get me wrong, but a lot of the worries are not concerns of mine personally.
They’re simply building on what they already have as per all smart phone manufacturers these days.
The camera sensor not improving isn’t a problem for me. Googles software smarts does its magic and it’s not like I ever felt the 7 was lacking in the photo department.
The tensor, I personally don’t care it’s not bleeding edge. So long as they fix the heat issues and it possibly fixes some battery life issues then again, that’s a huge win.
The fingerprint scanner there’s zero excuses for. They needed to change that by now and it should have happened for this release.
I’m still pretty excited as ultimately it’s a Pixel and I love them. But I get people’s frustrations.
Just get the phone and try it for yourself I reckon. Don’t like it or think the things discussed are deal breakers - send it back.
It’s good discussion, don’t get me wrong, but a lot of the worries are not concerns of mine personally.
They’re simply building on what they already have as per all smart phone manufacturers these days.
The camera sensor not improving isn’t a problem for me. Googles software smarts does its magic and it’s not like I ever felt the 7 was lacking in the photo department.
The tensor, I personally don’t care it’s not bleeding edge. So long as they fix the heat issues and it possibly fixes some battery life issues then again, that’s a huge win.
The fingerprint scanner there’s zero excuses for. They needed to change that by now and it should have happened for this release.
I’m still pretty excited as ultimately it’s a Pixel and I love them. But I get people’s frustrations.
Just get the phone and try it for yourself I reckon. Don’t like it or think the things discussed are deal breakers - send it back.
Ahhh those pics/video of the blue 8 Pro looks awful, why is the camera/sides silver?! Looks like I'll be going black or porcelain this time.
I agree with @Aneres11 above ^ I also find it weird that people say "Pixel 8 Pro sucks, looks like I'm getting an iPhone.".
I agree with @Aneres11 above ^ I also find it weird that people say "Pixel 8 Pro sucks, looks like I'm getting an iPhone.".
The change in tone on this forum in 48 hours is craaaazy. We’ve gone from everyone being buzzing about the Pixel 8 to now everyone tearing it apart!
It’s good discussion, don’t get me wrong, but a lot of the worries are not concerns of mine personally.
They’re simply building on what they already have as per all smart phone manufacturers these days.
The camera sensor not improving isn’t a problem for me. Googles software smarts does its magic and it’s not like I ever felt the 7 was lacking in the photo department.
The tensor, I personally don’t care it’s not bleeding edge. So long as they fix the heat issues and it possibly fixes some battery life issues then again, that’s a huge win.
The fingerprint scanner there’s zero excuses for. They needed to change that by now and it should have happened for this release.
I’m still pretty excited as ultimately it’s a Pixel and I love them. But I get people’s frustrations.
Just get the phone and try it for yourself I reckon. Don’t like it or think the things discussed are deal breakers - send it back.
Its reading forums like this which made me sell the P7Pro i got back in April, and then the S23 Ultra (camera and Face ID is crap!). I then recently got a Honor Magic 5 Pro on a deal, loved the phone especially the camera (but not as good as even my 11PM in dark especially!!!), but i returned it as the Android skin (MagicOS) is very substandard.
Which color of the watch do you think people will like more? I'm asking just to know which color to choose
Actually what disappoints me the least is that they are reusing their camera sensor, the software is what is doing the heavy lifting, smartphone sensors have kinda plateaued.
I think our expectations are very high, and Google never pushes itself... We're always thinking oh this will be the year when it will finally make a rounded device with no big flaws, but it ends up releasing a device with flaws that most competitors don't have, for example, the awful overheating-too hot rebranded Exynos that also makes scrolling on the device choppy, a slow optical fingerprint sensor that blinds you at night when you're using the phone in bed, a modem that has poor reception which then leads to a hot device with poor battery... 🫠The change in tone on this forum in 48 hours is craaaazy. We’ve gone from everyone being buzzing about the Pixel 8 to now everyone tearing it apart!
It’s good discussion, don’t get me wrong, but a lot of the worries are not concerns of mine personally.
They’re simply building on what they already have as per all smart phone manufacturers these days.
The camera sensor not improving isn’t a problem for me. Googles software smarts does its magic and it’s not like I ever felt the 7 was lacking in the photo department.
The tensor, I personally don’t care it’s not bleeding edge. So long as they fix the heat issues and it possibly fixes some battery life issues then again, that’s a huge win.
The fingerprint scanner there’s zero excuses for. They needed to change that by now and it should have happened for this release.
I’m still pretty excited as ultimately it’s a Pixel and I love them. But I get people’s frustrations.
Just get the phone and try it for yourself I reckon. Don’t like it or think the things discussed are deal breakers - send it back.
Actually what disappoints me the least is that they are reusing their camera sensor, the software is what is doing the heavy lifting, smartphone sensors have kinda plateaued.
I just saw a YT video that showed off the cream colored Pixel 8 Pro. That color combo looks gorgeous and has become my favorite color for the 8 Pro. I'm just waiting to see if the trade in prices are good and if there will be a price increase. That will determine whether I trade in my 7 Pro for the 8 Pro. If not i'll use my $200 store credit towards the rumored Pixel Buds Pro 2.
Yeah I agree with you, I think people are now expecting Google to provide top tier hardware like with the Tensor chip. At least with their own in-house chip, they can work with the AI improvements. Some stuff like the optical fingerprint sensor is things they ought to change up.The change in tone on this forum in 48 hours is craaaazy. We’ve gone from everyone being buzzing about the Pixel 8 to now everyone tearing it apart!
It’s good discussion, don’t get me wrong, but a lot of the worries are not concerns of mine personally.
They’re simply building on what they already have as per all smart phone manufacturers these days.
The camera sensor not improving isn’t a problem for me. Googles software smarts does its magic and it’s not like I ever felt the 7 was lacking in the photo department.
The tensor, I personally don’t care it’s not bleeding edge. So long as they fix the heat issues and it possibly fixes some battery life issues then again, that’s a huge win.
The fingerprint scanner there’s zero excuses for. They needed to change that by now and it should have happened for this release.
I’m still pretty excited as ultimately it’s a Pixel and I love them. But I get people’s frustrations.
Just get the phone and try it for yourself I reckon. Don’t like it or think the things discussed are deal breakers - send it back.
However, the hate poured on Google each year frustrates me. Reddit is the worst. Pixel's have always been about the Pixel software experience, not top tier hardware. Their prices are also cheaper than both Samsung and Apple for equivalent specs. The pre-order bundle deals make the Pixel's great value for money. Samsung subsequently followed suit by offering pre-order deals of their own to compete.
If the thermal heat issues are fixed along with better battery life with Tensor G3, the 8 Pro is a big win with the new cameras and Pixel software experience. I'm still massively excited about the launch tomorrow.
Google and Nothing are the only Android's I'm really interested in outside of Apple. They are the players pushing the software experience. Despite a great Qualcomm chip and top tier cameras, Samsung need to signifcantly change the OneUI software experience if I'm ever to go back.
Also, worth noting, the 15 Pro / PM launch has not been without issues this year for Apple with real reports of overheating. Plus the 15PM is more fragile than both the 14PM & the standard 15, despite the new titanium sides.
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There’s some pics on other post from PBK
Totally agree, why would anyone think, yeah I'm not getting the Pixel 8 Pro now, but instead will get the Apple 15 Pro instead. What?
I'll admit I'm a bit disappointed in these leaks on the Pixel the last few days, but I'm 99% still going to buy the 8 Pro, and there's zero chance in hell I'd change my decision the iPhone 15 PM, no way!!! If I didn't buy the Pixel 8 Pro, I'll instead get the S23 Ultra.
I am kinda amazed at the amount of iPhone users in this Pixel thread. I seem like literally the only guy not using an iPhone or any Apple devices whatsoever. Is it because this is a MacRumors page and most here come from Apple tech to beging with and just dabbled or tried an Android phone secondary over time, but still always being in the Apple camp?
I'm genuinely curious about this. Usually in a Pixel forum you wouldn't see so many iPhone users. I'm just interested in your take on that.
For me my immediate family is 100% all Android, and 60% of my friends and coworkers are also Android users. Plus I own zero Apple products, no iPad, no iWatch, no AirPods, no Mac laptop or desktop.
My opinion there's only 2 top smartphones to pick from this year;
-Pixel 8 Pro
-Galaxy S23 Ultra
Nothing else.
I’ve definitely succumbed to the fear. 😥
Maybe I’m just destined to love Pixel phones from afar.
Maybe I’m just destined to love Pixel phones from afar.