Pixel 3/Pixel 3 XL

[Cryates]

Well, I'm returning my Pixel 3 XL and picking up the S10+ later. At the end of the day I just have too many minor gripes about this generation of Pixel, and granted most are small gripes, but they are gripes nonetheless. I hope I like the FPS...

The ambient light sensor on this phone is just plain bad. Brightness is always shifting constantly even in fixed lighting. It's weird, and drives me mad. I'm also not super into the direction Google is going in withholding software features, an area where Samsung excels for better or worse. Battery life is not good, having previously owned a Note 9 and currently owning an XR. I need more juice. I also want that ultra-wide camera, even if it means sacrificing a bit of picture quality in losing the Pixel camera and it's Night Sight feature.

 

[AustinIllini]

Well, I'm returning my Pixel 3 XL and picking up the S10+ later. At the end of the day I just have to many minor gripes about this generation of Pixel, and granted most are small gripes, but they are gripes nonetheless. I hope I like the FPS...

The ambient light sensor on this phone is just plain bad. Brightness is always shifting constantly even in fixed lighting. It's weird, and drives me mad. I'm also not super into the direction Google is going in withholding software features, an area where Samsung excels for better or worse. Battery life is not good, having previously owned a Note 9 and currently owning an XR. I need more juice. I also want that ultra-wide camera, even if it means sacrificing a bit of picture quality in losing the Pixel camera and it's Night Sight feature.

I didn't have a huge problem with that on the Pixel 3 but have seen it across multiple Android models. It's one of those things on Apple and Samsung you simply take for granted and the second you start having problems, it's almost unusable. The blue shift on the Pixel 2 was another such example for me. I couldn't handle it.

 

[Cryates]

I didn't have a huge problem with that on the Pixel 3 but have seen it across multiple Android models. It's one of those things on Apple and Samsung you simply take for granted and the second you start having problems, it's almost unusable. The blue shift on the Pixel 2 was another such example for me. I couldn't handle it.

It's funny, because it was an issue on my 2 XL, but not on my wife's 2 XL. Definitely something that Apple and Samsung excel at that no one else has fully figured out yet.

 

[Aneres11]

Well, I'm returning my Pixel 3 XL and picking up the S10+ later.

Blimey! I thought I had a problem.

 

[Cryates]

Blimey! I thought I had a problem.

We might all be insane, but at least we are insane together.

 

[5105973]

It's funny, because it was an issue on my 2 XL, but not on my wife's 2 XL. Definitely something that Apple and Samsung excel at that no one else has fully figured out yet.

I'm having the same problem with my ambient light sensor and it's aggravating. But the thing is, it's only recently bad enough to pluck my last nerve. It hasn't been this bad over the entire time I've been using this phone, so I wonder if an update screwed something up.

Battery life is not good but it is fast and easy to top off with fast charging so I get along ok.

My husband loaded the Night Sight apk onto his S 10+ and now isn't missing anything from his Pixel but the song identifying feature on AOD and the call screening feature.

 

[nospleen]

I'm having the same problem with my ambient light sensor and it's aggravating. But the thing is, it's only recently bad enough to pluck my last nerve. It hasn't been this bad over the entire time I've been using this phone, so I wonder if an update screwed something up.

Battery life is not good but it is fast and easy to top off with fast charging so I get along ok.

My husband loaded the Night Sight apk onto his S 10+ and now isn't missing anything from his Pixel but the song identifying feature on AOD and the call screening feature.

Is the camera port pretty stable? I had a OnePlus 6t for a bit and then gcam port was super buggy back then. I've been eyeing the S10, but the camera is holding me back .

 

[Cryates]

My husband loaded the Night Sight apk onto his S 10+ and now isn't missing anything from his Pixel but the song identifying feature on AOD and the call screening feature.

Bookmarking this post for when I have questions later.

 

[noobinator]

From what I’ve learned and encountered from using gcam on non pixel devices, it can help improve the photos some but still not pixel level. Be interested to see how close they can get to pixel quality.

 

[AustinIllini]

From what I’ve learned and encountered from using gcam on non pixel devices, it can help improve the photos some but still not pixel level. Be interested to see how close they can get to pixel quality.

It's that hardware software unification thing that Apple and Google are getting pretty good at. That's why I think it's so critical Google gets their design right. Their devices are there from a software standpoint but the hardware is still a bit of a compromise.

 

[tbayrgs]

From what I’ve learned and encountered from using gcam on non pixel devices, it can help improve the photos some but still not pixel level. Be interested to see how close they can get to pixel quality.

Yeah...doesn’t the custom ‘visual core’ on the Pixel devices add functionality beyond just the Google Camera app?

 

[Awesomesince86]

Selling my Pixel 3 XL today, but I gotta say there are a few areas where the Pixel still is much better than the S10 Plus. For anyone thinking about making the jump, here are my quick lists of strengths of each device...

Where the Pixel is better:
1. Camera. Obviously, but it's also closer than it's ever been and with Gcam ports it gets even closer. Samsung is catching up more than Pixel's are pulling away.
2. Haptics. Galaxy isn't bad but the Pixel is still by far the closest to the iPhone in terms of haptics and vibration quality.
3. Fingerprint sensor. The in-display sensor is pretty good for 1st gen technology but doesn't beat the traditional scanner.
4. UI. OneUI is great and the best Samsung has put forth but stock is still a little better. Stock has less options and customization but it's more logical and things make more sense. Plus transitions just feel better. But this is closer than it's ever been.
5. Updates. Because obviously.

Where the S10 is better:
1. Screen quality. It's easily the best on a mobile device that I've used.
2. Performance. Zero stutters or lag. Apps open instantly. Camera opens and is ready to shoot a full second or two before the one on my Pixel.
3. Battery life. It's not even a contest.
4. Video recording. Much, much, much better than that on the Pixel. Both in terms of ability, quality, and options.
5. General build quality.

I would say if you're after a device to consume media and want the best performance, all day battery life, and millions of customization options...go with the S10.

If you want the android equivalent of the iPhone. Something that's straight forward, with the best camera possible, where settings are exactly where you think they should be, and is always up to date with security patches and android version (but may have to put up with bugs for the first 3 months after each version update)...go with the Pixel.

 

[5105973]

I guess I got lucky because my Pixel 3XL camera comes up instantly for me when I doubletap the power button. My husband has complained about the variability of his camera speed.

I’d say the Samsung S10 displays are better for most people but for me and whatever wonky vision/neurological issue I’ve got going on the Pixel 3XL display is the best I’ve ever used for general use. For movie viewing it’s good but not great.

I can’t wait to get my s10+ and compare them myself. Yeah, I finally decided on the s10+. Mainly because I did keep Snowball the Pixel 2 to be my small phone when I need one.

 

[Awesomesince86]

Apparently in the new Q beta their is a setting buried in the launcher apk that brings with it new gestures that mimic how iOS handles gestures.

This is good because the current method in P is just bad. The whole double swipe up for the app drawer is really irritating. It looks like in the new gestures one swipe up will just be the app drawer whereas swipe up and hold will bring up the app switcher.

 

[Cryates]

It looks like in the new gestures one swipe up will just be the app drawer whereas swipe up and hold will bring up the app switcher

In reality, those two actions should be swapped. Maybe they will do so as the beta progresses.

Edit: actually no, I misread it at first.

 

[Awesomesince86]

In reality, those two actions should be swapped. Maybe they will do so as the beta progresses.

Disagree but to each their own.

 

[Cryates]

Disagree but to each their own.

No, you're right, I misread them.

 

[nviz22]

If the Pixel 3 had more RAM and a better hardware design, I would be all over it for $599 right now. Sadly, that is not the case.

 

[AustinIllini]

If the Pixel 3 had more RAM and a better hardware design, I would be all over it for $599 right now. Sadly, that is not the case.

That's definitely a Catch-22. It probably wouldn't be discounted if it had a better design and more RAM.

 

[nviz22]

That's definitely a Catch-22. It probably wouldn't be discounted if it had a better design and more RAM.

I think it would have to be discounted by a bit because there are much newer phones out there w/ stronger value propositions, like the S10e. The OnePlus 6T also adds more value and specs for a fraction of the price. I think Google has to go back to its drawing board to make the Pixel more viable than it is now.

 

[5105973]

If the Pixel 3 had more RAM and a better hardware design, I would be all over it for $599 right now. Sadly, that is not the case.

I don’t honestly notice it’s short on ram but then I haven’t tried to use the camera while streaming music over Bluetooth and that’s the only time I noticed my husband having trouble.

I do think you should not go for it because I don’t think you’d feel entirely comfortable with the slightly unfinished feel of the experience.

It’s so close, but needs more polish before I feel comfortable recommending it to friends who want an experience that feels more refined and finished.

This one still needs a bit of troubleshooting and babysitting. But if you’re good at that and comfortable with it and even enjoy it, it’s a fun phone to own. Most of the time it does run well. (For me it’s pretty smooth and reliable). But then a few times a month it throws a few curveballs at people who push it harder than I do.

And yeah the auto brightness feature is sort of broken right now. That sort of thing bugs the hell out of people used to iPhone. It just doesn’t happen on iPhone. It’s so jerky on my 3XL right now.

 

[Harthag]

If the Pixel 3 had more RAM and a better hardware design, I would be all over it for $599 right now. Sadly, that is not the case.

If you are even slightly OCD about displays and prioritize screen quality, stay away from the regular Pixel 3. Bought and returned two from Best Buy due to dead pixels and pink tint when looking straight on at the screen. Bought and returned two from Google due to dead pixels, same pink tint, and one had a very "grainy" looking screen. LG still has a ton of work to do with phone displays. Sure you may get lucky and get a good one. And when you think you've won the lottery, you'll notice the terrible black crush or blotchiness if you watch a lot of video with gray scenes, or really any scene actually from my experience. And it can't be calibrated out using any app unless you want blacks to look nice and bright gray. I would buy the upcoming Pixel Lite before I'd buy a regular Pixel 3.

I thought you're using an S10e and thinking of returning. You won't be able to tolerate the regular Pixel 3 after using the S10e. It's not even close. Just my opinion of course. I'm insanely sensitive to display issues.

 

[nviz22]

If you are even slightly OCD about displays and prioritize screen quality, stay away from the regular Pixel 3. Bought and returned two from Best Buy due to dead pixels and pink tint when looking straight on at the screen. Bought and returned two from Google due to dead pixels, same pink tint, and one had a very "grainy" looking screen. LG still has a ton of work to do with phone displays. Sure you may get lucky and get a good one. And when you think you've won the lottery, you'll notice the terrible black crush or blotchiness if you watch a lot of video with gray scenes, or really any scene actually from my experience. And it can't be calibrated out using any app unless you want blacks to look nice and bright gray. I would buy the upcoming Pixel Lite before I'd buy a regular Pixel 3.

I thought you're using an S10e and thinking of returning. You won't be able to tolerate the regular Pixel 3 after using the S10e. It's not even close. Just my opinion of course. I'm insanely sensitive to display issues.

The S10e's display is amazing for its size. Yeah, I might return it, but I find iOS so antiquated that I might just stick with the Galaxy. It's a tough debate I have been going with because I might talk to Samsung to let me switch to the S10.

I can't wait to sell my iPhone.

 

[AustinIllini]

The low cost Pixels are the Pixel 3a and Pixel 3a XL

 

[5105973]

If you are even slightly OCD about displays and prioritize screen quality, stay away from the regular Pixel 3. Bought and returned two from Best Buy due to dead pixels and pink tint when looking straight on at the screen. Bought and returned two from Google due to dead pixels, same pink tint, and one had a very "grainy" looking screen. LG still has a ton of work to do with phone displays. Sure you may get lucky and get a good one. And when you think you've won the lottery, you'll notice the terrible black crush or blotchiness if you watch a lot of video with gray scenes, or really any scene actually from my experience. And it can't be calibrated out using any app unless you want blacks to look nice and bright gray. I would buy the upcoming Pixel Lite before I'd buy a regular Pixel 3.

I thought you're using an S10e and thinking of returning. You won't be able to tolerate the regular Pixel 3 after using the S10e. It's not even close. Just my opinion of course. I'm insanely sensitive to display issues.

Ugh, sounds like my former S8+ display and my Pixel 2 display, which are both Samsung displays. Pink stain is the bane of OLED displays just like cat pee yellow haunted LCD iPhone displays for so many years. I was very blessed to get a perfect 3xl display for reading, but it does have black crush in some dark video scenes. It's not as unbearable as on my Pixel 2 display, fortunately.