Samsung galaxy S23 and S23 ultra

[swarlos]

Dammit man I’m sad to say I left Fi and initiated the return for the S23 Ultra.

Freaking sucks cause I was ready to go all in but the watch 4 classic was the dealbreaker for me. It wasn’t the hardware at all and the watch faces were dope but my mistake was using the watch side by side with my  WATCH on my wrist. I was shook at how many of the apps I had on my  WATCH weren’t available for the watch 4. I mean big players like yelp, Starbucks, 1 password, duo mobile. I’m bummed cause I was completely ready to switch and I don’t want to do the whole workaround to use my  WATCH with it. Oh and the music app were atrocious. Spotify sucks donkey dong and YT music was a joke I added some artists to the phone app and they didn’t show up at all on the watch app.

I also was ready to buy the Pro 5 and return the 4 cause that watch in gray titanium is sexy AF but the software is what killed it for me.

Damn you Google and developers for not supporting wearOS. *shakes fist*

 

[aggie99]

I must admit, I am loving this phone, if I have got a flickering screen, I can't see it. For the last week or so I have been looking at the screen and messing around with the settings none stop without any ill affects, I do suffer from migraine, bad sight and generally in poor health, so, I would have picked up on something if it wasn't right, hell, if my missus uses a different detergent to clean in the bathroom I can hardly breath.

I just think that this is a fabulous device, I bought it as a stop gap until the fold 5 came out but, tbh, I can't see reselling this phone for a long, long time, it's so much fun.

I still see myself getting the Fold5 but I'm loving this device more than I anticipated. Way more. I'll probably trade in my Z Fold 4 and replace it on my work line with the 5 and the S23U on my personal.

 

[aggie99]

Dammit man I’m sad to say I left Fi and initiated the return for the S23 Ultra.

Freaking sucks cause I was ready to go all in but the watch 4 classic was the dealbreaker for me. It wasn’t the hardware at all and the watch faces were dope but my mistake was using the watch side by side with my  WATCH on my wrist. I was shook at how many of the apps I had on my  WATCH weren’t available for the watch 4. I mean big players like yelp, Starbucks, 1 password, duo mobile. I’m bummed cause I was completely ready to switch and I don’t want to do the whole workaround to use my  WATCH with it. Oh and the music app were atrocious. Spotify sucks donkey dong and YT music was a joke I added some artists to the phone app and they didn’t show up at all on the watch app.

I also was ready to buy the Pro 5 and return the 4 cause that watch in gray titanium is sexy AF but the software is what killed it for me.

Damn you Google and developers for not supporting wearOS. *shakes fist*

Lmao I feel like we see this from you every year. Not saying that with any disrespect at all. Probably should just stick with apple at this point. I love my apple watch ultra. I have the galaxy watch 5 pro also but I rarely use it. I wear the AW ultra full time and don't really care for notifications on my wrist so it's no big deal. I still have an iPhone so I can use it for all my activity and health tracking as well as the excellent sleep tracking with Sleepwatch. I'll always keep an iPhone until there's a watch I like as much as the apple watch but I will rarely have an active sim in it.

 

[mjschabow]

I think I've settled on this look for now. The customization not only makes the phone look cool but makes it so user friendly.

 

[Technerd108]

Dammit man I’m sad to say I left Fi and initiated the return for the S23 Ultra.

Freaking sucks cause I was ready to go all in but the watch 4 classic was the dealbreaker for me. It wasn’t the hardware at all and the watch faces were dope but my mistake was using the watch side by side with my  WATCH on my wrist. I was shook at how many of the apps I had on my  WATCH weren’t available for the watch 4. I mean big players like yelp, Starbucks, 1 password, duo mobile. I’m bummed cause I was completely ready to switch and I don’t want to do the whole workaround to use my  WATCH with it. Oh and the music app were atrocious. Spotify sucks donkey dong and YT music was a joke I added some artists to the phone app and they didn’t show up at all on the watch app.

I also was ready to buy the Pro 5 and return the 4 cause that watch in gray titanium is sexy AF but the software is what killed it for me.

Damn you Google and developers for not supporting wearOS. *shakes fist*

At the end of the day you have to do what works best for you.

There is no denying the Apple Watch is much better than Wear OS alternatives.

If you are used to a particular app and now you can't use it and there is no alternative that sucks.

Hardware is only as good as the software. I personally don't have a smart watch because I am too connected to tech as it is. And having notifications on a watch would drive me crazy, whether or not I can turn them off.

Sorry for your experience.

Seems like you want the ultra with iOS on it.

If I were you I would either jump in and adjust to a new environment or forget about it altogether or use both platforms. Life doesn't have to be one or the other it can be both.

However, torturing yourself to fit into one box or the other doesn't seem to work for you. That is okay.

Maybe for now just immerse yourself in iPhone and iOS. Still a great choice.

 

[swarlos]

Lmao I feel like we see this from you every year. Not saying that with any disrespect at all. Probably should just stick with apple at this point. I love my apple watch ultra. I have the galaxy watch 5 pro also but I rarely use it. I wear the AW ultra full time and don't really care for notifications on my wrist so it's no big deal. I still have an iPhone so I can use it for all my activity and health tracking as well as the excellent sleep tracking with Sleepwatch. I'll always keep an iPhone until there's a watch I like as much as the apple watch but I will rarely have an active sim in it.

LMAO I know. I try to give Android a shot every year and just keep getting disappointed in one way or another. I truly loved the Ultra and wanted the 5 pro.

I’ve used a watch for so long and I can’t see myself without one so that’s why I’m bummed.

At the end of the day you have to do what works best for you.

There is no denying the Apple Watch is much better than Wear OS alternatives.

If you are used to a particular app and now you can't use it and there is no alternative that sucks.

Hardware is only as good as the software. I personally don't have a smart watch because I am too connected to tech as it is. And having notifications on a watch would drive me crazy, whether or not I can turn them off.

Sorry for your experience.

Thanks! This time I was ready to go all in, Android was a breath of fresh air I was just shocked at the watch experience.

 

[Technerd108]

LMAO I know. I try to give Android a shot every year and just keep getting disappointed in one way or another. I truly loved the Ultra and wanted the 5 pro.

I’ve used a watch for so long and I can’t see myself without one so that’s why I’m bummed.

Why not try to get a Pixel 7 or regular s23 as cheap as possible and alternate between iOS some days, weeks and then Android. Don't kill yourself trying to jump in all at once.

Sometimes you need to get your feet wet but still have the stairs to get out. Slowly acclimate yourself to Android over time and you will figure things out and have the enjoyment of using multiple platforms.

 

[torana355]

I think I've settled on this look for now. The customization not only makes the phone look cool but makes it so user friendly. View attachment 2168774

How did you get so many icons in the dock? Nova?

 

[swarlos]

How did you get so many icons in the dock? Nova?

Probably with good lock using home up.

 

[torana355]

Dammit man I’m sad to say I left Fi and initiated the return for the S23 Ultra.

Freaking sucks cause I was ready to go all in but the watch 4 classic was the dealbreaker for me. It wasn’t the hardware at all and the watch faces were dope but my mistake was using the watch side by side with my  WATCH on my wrist. I was shook at how many of the apps I had on my  WATCH weren’t available for the watch 4. I mean big players like yelp, Starbucks, 1 password, duo mobile. I’m bummed cause I was completely ready to switch and I don’t want to do the whole workaround to use my  WATCH with it. Oh and the music app were atrocious. Spotify sucks donkey dong and YT music was a joke I added some artists to the phone app and they didn’t show up at all on the watch app.

I also was ready to buy the Pro 5 and return the 4 cause that watch in gray titanium is sexy AF but the software is what killed it for me.

Damn you Google and developers for not supporting wearOS. *shakes fist*

As someone who has never used an Apple Watch, i'm curious about the software differences between the AW and a Galaxy watch 5, to be honest i don't use apps on my Watch 5, i use it for Health tracking and Notifications, if i need apps i use my phone as its a much better experience on a larger screen. From all accounts Apples smartwatches are in a league of their own, i guess Samsung need to put more effort into that area in the future.

 

[mjschabow]

How did you get so many icons in the dock? Nova?

Good lock using Home up. 😁

 

[torana355]

Good lock using Home up. 😁

Im going to have to try that out!! Looks great btw!

 

[daveathall]

As someone who has never used an Apple Watch, i'm curious about the software differences between the AW and a Galaxy watch 5, to be honest i don't use apps on my Watch 5, i use it for Health tracking and Notifications, if i need apps i use my phone as its a much better experience on a larger screen. From all accounts Apples smartwatches are in a league of their own, i guess Samsung need to put more effort into that area in the future.

I have had Apple Watches and a Garmin Fenix 7, I gave the Garmin to my daughter when I bought the Apple Watch Ultra, I regard it as a mistake. Like you, I didn't use apps, I just used the fitness tracking features on the watch and notifications. The Garmin app in conjunction with the watch was fabulous, Apple Health (In my opinion) doesn't compare with the pages upon pages of information that can be gleaned from the Garmin App. I have recently sold my Ultra and have put up my series 8 for sale, I will be getting the Garmin Epix 2 in their place.

 

[Ludatyk]

As someone who has never used an Apple Watch, i'm curious about the software differences between the AW and a Galaxy watch 5, to be honest i don't use apps on my Watch 5, i use it for Health tracking and Notifications, if i need apps i use my phone as its a much better experience on a larger screen. From all accounts Apples smartwatches are in a league of their own, i guess Samsung need to put more effort into that area in the future.

There's not any major software differences between the Apple Watch and Galaxy Watch.... what it boils down to is app support.

That is why @swarlos was reluctant to switch. Both, Samsung and Google has put forth an effort into making Android Wear a solid competitor for the Apple Watch... but its only so much they can do if devs don't show any interest in developing for the platform.

My approach is similar to @aggie99, I use my Galaxy Watch for notification and fitness tracking... in addition to that, I use Google Assistant as well. But I'm not a big app user. I tend to stream audio off my phone and use the GW as a remote.

 

[torana355]

I have had Apple Watches and a Garmin Fenix 7, I gave the Garmin to my daughter when I bought the Apple Watch Ultra, I regard it as a mistake. Like you, I didn't use apps, I just used the fitness tracking features on the watch and notifications. The Garmin app in conjunction with the watch was fabulous, Apple Health (In my opinion) doesn't compare with the pages upon pages of information that can be gleaned from the Garmin App. I have recently sold my Ultra and have put up my series 8 for sale, I will be getting the Garmin Epix 2 in their place.

Garmin is king when it comes to pure health tracking, a guy at work has the Fenix 7X Sapphire Solar, the amount of information is gives you is actually overwhelming, not to mention the battery life which is crazy. That being said i'm way more casual when it comes to fitness so i prefer the GW5's simple interface.

 

[swarlos]

There's not any major software differences between the Apple Watch and Galaxy Watch.... what it boils down to is app support.

That is why @swarlos was reluctant to switch. Both, Samsung and Google has put forth an effort into making Android Wear a solid competitor for the Apple Watch... but its only so much they can do if devs don't show any interest in developing for the platform.

My approach is similar to @aggie99, I use my Galaxy Watch for notification and fitness tracking... in addition to that, I use Google Assistant as well. But I'm not a big app user. I tend to stream audio off my phone and use the GW as a remote.

Yep and I like to go on walks or runs without my phone so having LTE is a major priority for me. I got the LTE 4 but Fi didn’t support it so I was willing to wait till I could switch to Visible once I met the Fi promotion stipulations but when I saw how bleak and terrible the app situation was I couldn’t do it. I could have dealt with the lack of Starbucks, duo mobile and others if only the music apps (no pocket casts app either ) had been good but those were so bad.

If anyone knows any work around let me know. I tried the Spotify app also and that was bad unless you have to pay for premium to get access to your library from the watch.

 

[Ludatyk]

Yep and I like to go on walks or runs without my phone so having LTE is a major priority for me. I got the LTE 4 but Fi didn’t support it so I was willing to wait till I could switch to Visible once I met the Fi promotion stipulations but when I saw how bleak and terrible the app situation was I couldn’t do it. I could have dealt with the lack of Starbucks, duo mobile and others if only the music apps (no pocket casts app either ) had been good but those were so bad.

Yeah, it's a bummer that there is no Pocket Cast app. I emailed them and they responded claiming if more users showed interest in a WearOS standalone app, then they will do it.

I posted their email response in the Pocket Cast reddit forum (this was months ago)... some users emailed them requesting for the app, but it's no telling when it will be done. Heck, I'm still waiting for Pocket Cast to make a better tablet interface for Android and iPadOS.

Reason why you consider YT Music bad, because it's fairly new... especially if you are judging it based off Apple Music on the AW. As of now, it's a barebones kind of app and they are adding features gradually. Right now, I'm waiting for Google to allow YT Music users the ability to show our entire music library on Android Wear.

That's something I missed when I had the AW.

 

[Berries-A-Million]

Forgot to mention moving from my iphone 14 pro max esim to the Samsung s23 ultra esim was so easy. I have TMobile and I just went into the the sim area of the s23 and told it which provider to add and it switched it over from the iphone within seconds. Never had to get on my account with TMobile.

 

[drinkingtea]

My current theme! I will probably stick with it for a while.

 

[swarlos]

Yeah, it's a bummer that there is no Pocket Cast app. I emailed them and they responded claiming if more users showed interest in a WearOS standalone app, then they will do it.

I posted their email response in the Pocket Cast reddit forum (this was months ago)... some users emailed them requesting for the app, but it's no telling when it will be done. Heck, I'm still waiting for Pocket Cast to make a better tablet interface for Android and iPadOS.

Reason why you consider YT Music bad, because it's fairly new... especially if you are judging it based off Apple Music on the AW. As of now, it's a barebones kind of app and they are adding features gradually. Right now, I'm waiting for Google to allow YT Music users the ability to show our entire music library on Android Wear.

That's something I missed when I had the AW.

That example just shows how ubiquitous apple has become. It’s crazy that Android is almost as old as iOS and still struggles in these certain areas. It’s like Google has no clout haha.

YT Music has been around 3-4 years already no? I thought GPM was killed off before the pandemic. Maybe I’m off on my timeline but you think that’s something Google would have focused on considering it’s one of their core apps on a their wearable OS.

 

[Ludatyk]

That example just shows how ubiquitous apple has become. It’s crazy that Android is almost as old as iOS and still struggles in these certain areas. It’s like Google has no clout haha.

I think it's more layered than that.

Devs will only come to platforms where there is an influx of users... or where the money is. And recently Google decided to recommit into WearOS, before it was inactive with people wondering what would be the next step. I think as time goes on... if Google shows longevity with WearOS, devs will come.

YT Music has been around 3-4 years already no? I thought GPM was killed off before the pandemic. Maybe I’m off on my timeline but you think that’s something Google would have focused on considering it’s one of their core apps on a their wearable OS.

Yes, that's correct... around 3-4 years. But YT Music app for WearOS hasn't been out long... little over a year, I think.

Compared to Apple launching Apple Music with WatchOS back in 2015.

 

[daveathall]

Mine is very simple.

 

[super chimp]

The screen isn't poor quality, it's just that some people are sensitive to PWM. It's a trade-off between accuracy at low brightness and flicker,

So in other words you don’t care if it effects a certain percentage of people, which appears to be exactly the same attitude taken by Samsung.

 

[torana355]

So in other words you don’t care if it effects a certain percentage of people, which appears to be exactly the same attitude taken by Samsung.

No, that's not what I said, you need to understand that it's a compromise, Samsung is not deliberately cheaping out on the display, PWM is needed on OLED displays to get accuracy at low brightness. IPhone's have the exact same issue, I know it's frustrating for people who suffer from it but it's part and parcel of OLED technology.

 

[majkom]

So in other words you don’t care if it effects a certain percentage of people, which appears to be exactly the same attitude taken by Samsung.

Every other manufacturer is using pwm oled panels, so again, what is your point?