Pixel 3/Pixel 3 XL

[co.ag.2005]

Curious as one of the things I will have to get used to is no Apple Watch. I’m not a huge fan of android wear but wondering if anyone has paired the Pixel with the Fitbit verse and how your experience was.

I might just try to go the “no watch” route for a bit though. Lol

My wife has had a fitbit versa with her Pixel 3 XL for a while now and hasn't had any complaints... at least, if she ever has issues with her tech, she lets me know so we can figure out a solution. So I haven't had anything like that with her Versa. I did also have a fitbit ionic for a short amount of time and had no issues as well.

with that being said, there's really no comparison between an apple watch and a fitbit. I think fitbit is a great option if you are on Android but it's not a "smart" as the apple watch. But does the fitness and sleep tracking bit very well.

 

[mjschabow]

I think you guys need to give Samsung another chance. I used to despise them but decided to give them another try a couple years back with the Note 8. Battery life aside it's still the best android device I've ever used. Software-wise they made big leaps since the Touchwiz days and they've gotten better about adding features that are actually useful and not just gimmicks. I will admit theres still a fair amount of tweaks you have to make for them to run exactly how you want them, but I'd rather have the ability to make those tweaks than be told how to use my phone.

I'm not a Samsung fanboy by any means, but if you haven't used a Galaxy phone since the S7 or before, I'd recommend giving it another shot.

I agree with you to an extent. I had the Note 8 too and the one thing I fine annoying was the double apps and contestant Samsung branding all over the place. That's why I'm going to pure Google this time around. Plus I think I'd rather have a notch than a hole punch. At least the notch is in the middle of the screen and symmetrical. I'm ocd like that.

 

[Awesomesince86]

I agree with you to an extent. I had the Note 8 too and the one thing I fine annoying was the double apps and contestant Samsung branding all over the place. That's why I'm going to pure Google this time around. Plus I think I'd rather have a notch than a hole punch. At least the notch is in the middle of the screen and symmetrical. I'm ocd like that.

I agree that the Samsung bloat is a little annoying. But at least they make pretty straightforward ways it hide and disable now, even within the OS. No more 3rd party apps needed to disable things. Also, reports are saying the new S10s will allow you to remap the Bixby button natively in the OS which is huge. I wouldnt mind having a google assistant button which I can double tap to open the camera.

 

[5105973]

Not to change subjects, but Samsung just showed everyone again how hardware and specs should be done on a flagship phone.

Anyone thinking about picking up any of the new S10 models?

Yes. I have an S10+ on pre-order. Samsung made it too hard to resist trading in my solid S9+. With that trade in and an accessory credit and free ear buds I get a complete package of their flagship model with excellent specs for $487.58

I don't have to buy a case. I got the awesome folio style one for about $5 after the accessories credit for reserving for a pre-order. I got 128 GB of built in storage and can throw in an SD card if I need it.

Yeah I had to go for it. But the gut punch does come when I visit the At&T site and see all the crap that's going to be preloaded. Facebook is going to be there. I hate Facebook even worse than I hate Brussels sprouts. Also AT&T only allows us to have the 128GB size unless we order the ceramic variant. On their site when they list the specs of the phone they claim the maximum storage size is 128GB and that's deceiving their non tech savvy customers. That is NOT the upper limit of the device. That's that upper limit they care to support or offer for some reason.

128GB is fine with me but whodafook is AT&T to be limiting my storage options when I'm ordering from Samsung directly! I suppose they have their reasons but I'm sick of their crap. Unfortunately if I want even remotely timely updates I have to get the carrier branded model.

This is why I'm keeping my options open for an upgrade to Pixel 4 later in the year. At the price I got the S10+ for, as well as any trade in value my 3XL might hold, I should easily be able to make that upgrade and continue to enjoy pitting these two companies against each other.

I don't see myself upgrading my Xr. It's got all the features I want. It has a couple of minor quirks but it's a really good phone. The rumors pertaining to potential upgrades just aren't that exciting.

 

[slitherjef]

Looking forward to your impressions on it, @GrumpyMom

 

[mjschabow]

One thing I do appreciate about Samsung though is that they factor in the trade in value right away instead of waiting for the phone to arrive and getting it weeks later. At least that's what it seems to be the case.

 

[Harthag]

I think you guys need to give Samsung another chance. I used to despise them but decided to give them another try a couple years back with the Note 8. Battery life aside it's still the best android device I've ever used. Software-wise they made big leaps since the Touchwiz days and they've gotten better about adding features that are actually useful and not just gimmicks. I will admit theres still a fair amount of tweaks you have to make for them to run exactly how you want them, but I'd rather have the ability to make those tweaks than be told how to use my phone.

I'm not a Samsung fanboy by any means, but if you haven't used a Galaxy phone since the S7 or before, I'd recommend giving it another shot.

The S9 was my favorite Samsung phone. Those stereo speakers were better than my XS and my Pixel 3XL. I thought audio quality / call quality was the best too. I thought the battery life was just awful on the regular S9. Funny enough, it's equally awful on the Pixel 3XL.

I took the phone off the charger today at my office at 8:35 AM. I've used WeChat for a few minutes, ordered a coffee from the Starbucks app, checked Outlook email, sent a couple text messages. I have 18 minutes of screen time and my apps battery optimized. I'm already down to 93% at 10:43 AM. Like I said, I simply look at my phone and it causes battery to drop.

I am attracted to the S10E or the S10+ for the better battery. Putting the regular S10 in an odd place for my needs. I really don't like the hole punch, it's worse than a notch.

*Edit - and I know myself. If I get the S10 and sell my Pixel, once summer comes and preview builds of Q get released, I'll be missing the Pixel and the guaranteed (and very prompt) security + full version updates. If I'm spending top dollar on a phone, it had better come with timely updates and no BS from carriers or otherwise. Only Apple and Google can truly provide this for me.

 

[Awesomesince86]

The S9 was my favorite Samsung phone. Those stereo speakers were better than my XS and my Pixel 3XL. I thought audio quality / call quality was the best too. I thought the battery life was just awful on the regular S9. Funny enough, it's equally awful on the Pixel 3XL.

I took the phone off the charger today at my office at 8:35 AM. I've used WeChat for a few minutes, ordered a coffee from the Starbucks app, checked Outlook email, sent a couple text messages. I have 18 minutes of screen time and my apps battery optimized. I'm already down to 93% at 10:43 AM. Like I said, I simply look at my phone and it causes battery to drop.

I am attracted to the S10E or the S10+ for the better battery. Putting the regular S10 in an odd place for my needs. I really don't like the hole punch, it's worse than a notch.

*Edit - and I know myself. If I get the S10 and sell my Pixel, once summer comes and preview builds of Q get released, I'll be missing the Pixel and the guaranteed (and very prompt) security + full version updates. If I'm spending top dollar on a phone, it had better come with timely updates and no BS from carriers or otherwise. Only Apple and Google can truly provide this for me.

Part of my reasoning for getting the Pixel was quick updates. But the more I think about it, is that really a big deal these days? I mean, getting prompt security updates is a big deal for obvious reasons. But major OS updates aren't really giant gamechangers like they were in the younger days of Android where a version update being giant changes to functionality, look, and features. Nowadays, the changes are mostly under the hood and within apps (which aren't reliant on Samsung or carriers). IMO, getting day 1 OS updates aren't as important as they once were.

 

[jamezr]

Part of my reasoning for getting the Pixel was quick updates. But the more I think about it, is that really a big deal these days? I mean, getting prompt security updates is a big deal for obvious reasons. But major OS updates aren't really giant gamechangers like they were in the younger days of Android where a version update being giant changes to functionality, look, and features. Nowadays, the changes are mostly under the hood and within apps (which aren't reliant on Samsung or carriers). IMO, getting day 1 OS updates aren't as important as they once were.

I agree....All of the core Google apps are updated through the Playstore anyway.

 

[Harthag]

Part of my reasoning for getting the Pixel was quick updates. But the more I think about it, is that really a big deal these days? I mean, getting prompt security updates is a big deal for obvious reasons. But major OS updates aren't really giant gamechangers like they were in the younger days of Android where a version update being giant changes to functionality, look, and features. Nowadays, the changes are mostly under the hood and within apps (which aren't reliant on Samsung or carriers). IMO, getting day 1 OS updates aren't as important as they once were.

I agree....All of the core Google apps are updated through the Playstore anyway.

Agree with both of you. Maybe it's a false sense of security with me and updates on the Pixels.

 

[mjschabow]

Part of my reasoning for getting the Pixel was quick updates. But the more I think about it, is that really a big deal these days? I mean, getting prompt security updates is a big deal for obvious reasons. But major OS updates aren't really giant gamechangers like they were in the younger days of Android where a version update being giant changes to functionality, look, and features. Nowadays, the changes are mostly under the hood and within apps (which aren't reliant on Samsung or carriers). IMO, getting day 1 OS updates aren't as important as they once were.

It's not part of my reasoning right now, but it will be when I'm rocking Q and Samsung owners are wondering when the heck they'll see it.

 

[slitherjef]

Still on the pixel and Samsung tangent, it does seem that my s7e has had more stable service connection and better radios then any of my previous pixel Nexus devices, even when I went into Sprint and had them swap the sim card from my s7e or note 4 into the Google device I couldn't trust the connection at work. The Sammy radios seem just slightly better but it's still a dead zone around work but certain things appeared to work better.

I remember the Galaxy Nexus from Verizon had some of the most horrible radios and service ever no matter where when why or how or what radio baseband ROM or update.

Just my experience.

I still maintain the fact if there was a developer edition or Google edition or whatever offered up of the s10 or note, it'd sell really nice. But then that'd be less money Google would get

As if they don't get enough already

 

[jamezr]

Agree with both of you. Maybe it's a false sense of security with me and updates on the Pixels.

But at the same time...I don't want to be too far behind in security updates either.
[doublepost=1550772441][/doublepost]

It's not part of my reasoning right now, but it will be when I'm rocking Q and Samsung owners are wondering when the heck they'll see it.

Lol...i know...that is the reason I always have a Pixel and an iPhone and sometimes another Android phone....right around the new Android version time I get antsy.

 

[Wildo6882]

But at the same time...I don't want to be too far behind in security updates either.
[doublepost=1550772441][/doublepost]
Lol...i know...that is the reason I always have a Pixel and an iPhone and sometimes another Android phone....right around the new Android version time I get antsy.

I hear ya. But I also don't think the major OS updates are nearly as important as they used to be. It's pretty minor features for the most part and most users won't even notice a lot of it. Aside from the changes Samsung made with One UI. My wife has An S9 and I had to warn her that things would change a little and she wasn't happy about it. She likes the way things work now.

Oh, and the monthly security updates on the Pixels kind of seem like a crap shoot. Some people notice good changes. Some notice nothing. And some seem to notice new problems. I'm kind of in the "if ain't broke don't fix it" mentality anymore.

 

[shelt]

I agree that the Samsung bloat is a little annoying. But at least they make pretty straightforward ways it hide and disable now, even within the OS. No more 3rd party apps needed to disable things. Also, reports are saying the new S10s will allow you to remap the Bixby button natively in the OS which is huge. I wouldnt mind having a google assistant button which I can double tap to open the camera.

It sounds like you can only remap one function on the bixby button. If you put Assistant on one tap, the double tap is Bixby and vice versa. A long press is still Bixby. Annoying but an improvement.

 

[mjschabow]

My wife has had a fitbit versa with her Pixel 3 XL for a while now and hasn't had any complaints... at least, if she ever has issues with her tech, she lets me know so we can figure out a solution. So I haven't had anything like that with her Versa. I did also have a fitbit ionic for a short amount of time and had no issues as well.

with that being said, there's really no comparison between an apple watch and a fitbit. I think fitbit is a great option if you are on Android but it's not a "smart" as the apple watch. But does the fitness and sleep tracking bit very well.

Nice thanks for the info. Yeah I am a runner so I might rock a Fitbit at some point knowing that it can't compete with an Apple Watch.

 

[AustinIllini]

Part of my reasoning for getting the Pixel was quick updates. But the more I think about it, is that really a big deal these days? I mean, getting prompt security updates is a big deal for obvious reasons. But major OS updates aren't really giant gamechangers like they were in the younger days of Android where a version update being giant changes to functionality, look, and features. Nowadays, the changes are mostly under the hood and within apps (which aren't reliant on Samsung or carriers). IMO, getting day 1 OS updates aren't as important as they once were.

The only big deal really is the lack of updates as time progresses. The S7 didn't get Pie. That's pretty awful. If you don't keep the phone that long, it doesn't matter.

 

[Michael Goff]

This might just be early day love of a tech device, but I am this close to apologizing for all the bad things I said. This phone is so good, with only two minor quibbles when compared to my Note 9.

 

[mjschabow]

This might just be early day love of a tech device, but I am this close to apologizing for all the bad things I said. This phone is so good, with only two minor quibbles when compared to my Note 9.

Nice! I can't wait to get my Pixel tomorrow. How long have you had yours?

 

[Michael Goff]

Nice! I can't wait to get my Pixel tomorrow. How long have you had yours?

About two days. I'm also liking Google Fi.

 

[mjschabow]

About two days. I'm also liking Google Fi.

Nice. I'm going to be testing that awesome camera out right away.

 

[Michael Goff]

Nice. I'm going to be testing that awesome camera out right away.

That's what I get from Night Sight.

 

[mjschabow]

View attachment 823004

That's what I get from Night Sight.

That's awesome. Might sound corny but I love the stock wallpaper app that Pixels have. Can't wait to dive in

 

[Harthag]

Fyi, Google online store now has instant $200 off on the Pixel 3 / XL. Anyone on the fence, now's a good time to jump!

 

[AustinIllini]

Fyi, Google online store now has instant $200 off on the Pixel 3 / XL. Anyone on the fence, now's a good time to jump!

Buying a Pixel 3 XL for full price is like buying a frame at Michaels when it's not on sale.