Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.

keithop

macrumors 6502a
Jul 22, 2002
691
914
I’m looking forward to finding out more about Pixel, never owned one before. The camera is where I’ve heard they shine.

yeah, I missed the configurability of the samsung in nearly every aspect but out of the box, the pixel8pro felt more immediately "right" kinda like the iphone does.

The camera was definitely great and probably even better now it's had a few updates. I really like the DSLR look to some of, not all, the photos from the p8pro as well as the white balance. It seemed to do a really good job of looking at the whole scene and making good decisions v my iphone/samsung. Skin tones and puppy photos were definitely the best on the p8pro.

I did find the stutters (that some people say exists and others say dont) just moving around the UI sometimes but perhaps that's been fixed.

Are you trying a pixel watch or anything?
 

Dave245

macrumors G3
Sep 15, 2013
9,854
8,081
yeah, I missed the configurability of the samsung in nearly every aspect but out of the box, the pixel8pro felt more immediately "right" kinda like the iphone does.

The camera was definitely great and probably even better now it's had a few updates. I really like the DSLR look to some of, not all, the photos from the p8pro as well as the white balance. It seemed to do a really good job of looking at the whole scene and making good decisions v my iphone/samsung. Skin tones and puppy photos were definitely the best on the p8pro.

I did find the stutters (that some people say exists and others say dont) just moving around the UI sometimes but perhaps that's been fixed.

Are you trying a pixel watch or anything?

I was given a 15% off code by a very kind person on this forum, so i might also try the Pixel Watch 2 but I haven’t made my mind up yet. I really like my Apple Watch so i’m not sure the Pixel Watch will be any better than the free (preorder bonus) Galaxy Watch 6 that i did not like

The Pixel is calling me mainly because of the camera, I’m thinking of using it as my second phone (alongside my iPhone 14 Pro Max) for Astrophotography, artistic photos and holiday snaps. Saves a lot of space and money on a DSLR, also i will probably end up getting the iPhone 16 Pro Max this year.

I’ve only just returned the S24 ultra, i will wait until I’m refunded before buying the Pixel 8 Pro, Google don’t currently have any offers on, they normally add them and take them away. When they add the next deal, I’ll jump on it combined with the 15% off code and it will be a great deal.
 

Brent0n

macrumors regular
Sep 17, 2023
192
200
Considering the return. Not getting along with the sharpness of the edges and I find myself pickup up my iPhone more. In terms of what fits in my daily life more, it's the iPhone.
 

Harthag

macrumors 68020
Jun 20, 2009
2,015
2,567
U.S.
I don't think you should buy to be honest.....You won't be happy.
I have the S24U and it is the best phone I have had ever. It is the first phone that made me turn off my iPhone and not even use it as my backup phone.
I have the same reaction toward the S24+, also a first for me. I usually pick up the iPhone to compare / use, this time I haven't done that until today because I need to sign out of the phone...and security lock doesn't recognize my home location so I need to wait to sign out 😅. I immediately noticed how much slower the navigation / gestures are on iPhone, I am much quicker on the Galaxy.

Threw up my APP2 for sale today on Swappa, mailed out my AW6 trade-in to Samsung this morning. The only remaining piece of Apple tech is the 15PM which I'll also sell. I don't know why it feels like such an accomplishment to get rid of Apple finally 😅. Once the 15PM sells it'll be the only time since iPhone 4 where I haven't had an iPhone at least as a 2nd phone. That will be the true test 😂.
 

Technerd108

macrumors 68040
Oct 24, 2021
3,062
4,313
The biggest downside of the S24U is that it is incredibly uncomfortable to hold.
I pre ordered the s24 plus and s24 ultra to see which one I would like best. I got tired of the large size of the S23U. When I got the Pixel 8 Pro I loved the smaller size.

So now I am trying to decide between the two. The Ultra clearly has the better display and I like the squared rectangular shape BUT the corners are too sharp and the phone is still big and thick. The s24 plus is smaller than the P8P while still having the same size screen.

I tend to gravitate to the Ultra because I like everything about it but the comfort. Holding it in landscape is actually more comfortable.

So it is complicating my choice. The s24 plus is 90% of the Ultra but in a much more comfortable and compact design. I just love the AR coating on the Ultra.

I have today to make my decision......
 
  • Like
Reactions: drinkingtea

Tig Bitties

macrumors 603
Sep 6, 2012
5,517
5,692
I pre ordered the s24 plus and s24 ultra to see which one I would like best. I got tired of the large size of the S23U. When I got the Pixel 8 Pro I loved the smaller size.

So now I am trying to decide between the two. The Ultra clearly has the better display and I like the squared rectangular shape BUT the corners are too sharp and the phone is still big and thick. The s24 plus is smaller than the P8P while still having the same size screen.

I tend to gravitate to the Ultra because I like everything about it but the comfort. Holding it in landscape is actually more comfortable.

So it is complicating my choice. The s24 plus is 90% of the Ultra but in a much more comfortable and compact design. I just love the AR coating on the Ultra.

I have today to make my decision......

Ultra, with the best hardware and stuff, the non reflective screen, the S-pen. I'd rather have the top highest end.
 

Bkdodger

macrumors 68040
Jun 6, 2019
3,624
6,055
The biggest downside of the S24U is that it is incredibly uncomfortable to hold.

I didn’t have enough playtime with it at the store, but I can see it feeling a little bit uncomfortable especially after running with the P8P which has a great in hand feeling grip…
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: PaddyFowler

Bkdodger

macrumors 68040
Jun 6, 2019
3,624
6,055
Ultra, with the best hardware and stuff, the non reflective screen, the S-pen. I'd rather have the top highest end.

I think you should go in on the S24U with that P7P in hand ..worst case scenario you can return it before trade in or roll with it and still have equity in future trade in with Samsung
 
  • Like
Reactions: Tig Bitties

Technerd108

macrumors 68040
Oct 24, 2021
3,062
4,313
Ultra, with the best hardware and stuff, the non reflective screen, the S-pen. I'd rather have the top highest end.
The AR screen is a big deal but the rest of the s24 plus is exactly the same sans the s pen.

The vapor chamber cooling is smaller and there is less thermal headroom on the plus but they test very close to each other. I ran a stress test and the ultra at its worst performed at the plus best and the plus was lowest when thermals are pushed.

But the difference is small.

For me the cost of the Ultra is double the Plus due to the trade in. I am just trying to figure out if it is really worth it.

In most areas the Ultra is better but in terms of comfort the plus can't be beat.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Tig Bitties

Technerd108

macrumors 68040
Oct 24, 2021
3,062
4,313
Don't you guys complaining about the sharp corners use cases?
Sure. It is not uncomfortable the first few minutes but after a while. Or if you are putting it in a pocket. It is just a big phone. The edges dig into your hand after a while.

The s24 plus will never make you feel that.
 

sunking101

macrumors 604
Sep 19, 2013
7,423
2,659
Sure. It is not uncomfortable the first few minutes but after a while. Or if you are putting it in a pocket. It is just a big phone. The edges dig into your hand after a while.

The s24 plus will never make you feel that.
I've used big phones since forever. The bigger the better for me but then I do use mine for YouTube and Internet research etc. It's not just for phonecalls and train times like a lot of folk use them for. I'll happily take a hit on comfort and pocketability.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Technerd108

Tig Bitties

macrumors 603
Sep 6, 2012
5,517
5,692
The AR screen is a big deal but the rest of the s24 plus is exactly the same sans the s pen.

The vapor chamber cooling is smaller and there is less thermal headroom on the plus but they test very close to each other. I ran a stress test and the ultra at its worst performed at the plus best and the plus was lowest when thermals are pushed.

But the difference is small.

For me the cost of the Ultra is double the Plus due to the trade in. I am just trying to figure out if it is really worth it.

In most areas the Ultra is better but in terms of comfort the plus can't be beat.


Fair point. Hard to say then, it's totally your choice. But in my mind, I like knowing I have the top dog version of a specific phone, meaning knowing until the S25 Ultra what I have is the best Samsung phone out this year.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Technerd108

Technerd108

macrumors 68040
Oct 24, 2021
3,062
4,313
I've used big phones since forever. The bigger the better for me but then I do use mine for YouTube and Internet research etc. It's not just for phonecalls and train times like a lot of folk use them for. I'll happily take a hit on comfort and pocketability.
That is funny, we are similar.

I had a Xiaomi MI Max 4 or something and it was probably as big as the Ultra but with huge bezels and a 6" screen. It felt like tablet at the time but it had the biggest screen on a phone at the time. I loved it until I software bricked it trying to root and reinstall the wrong region rom.

The Ultra would have been a dream back then. Lol.

That whole color banding and grainy screen thing had me spooked for a minute. There is an issue with banding but besides the test I don't see it. Otherwise these screens look incredible to me?
 
  • Like
Reactions: sunking101

Technerd108

macrumors 68040
Oct 24, 2021
3,062
4,313
Tomorrow finally getting 1 TB had ship date of February 14
Sorry you have to wait so long! Hopefully Samsung will delivery a top class unit in perfect condition since they have more time to QC your unit and it is a higher cost model so I bet it will be worth the wait!

What color did you get? Any cases, etc.?
 

Technerd108

macrumors 68040
Oct 24, 2021
3,062
4,313
Fair point. Hard to say then, it's totally your choice. But in my mind, I like knowing I have the top dog version of a specific phone, meaning knowing until the S25 Ultra what I have is the best Samsung phone out this year.

I don't care about being top dog. I have been a mutt all my life. I like an underdog but I appreciate the different points of view.

I like the fact the Ultra still feels like a uniquely Samsung design. Almost everything else is turning into some sort of iPhone clone. I love the iPhone design so I like the trend but there is no individuality in design anymore. It looks great but it just blends into what everyone else has. I don't want to stand out but I don't care to fit in either.

So from an aesthetic side I am torn. I really love the cobalt purple, flat edge to edge design on the s24 plus but if any phone would have benefited from an AR coating it is the plus because the completely flat screen can act like a mirror. It can be annoying.

But it is lighter, feels better in the hand, looks stunning although generic, and performs almost the same as the Ultra for half the price.

So it really comes down for me at this point to screen and design and look and feel.
 

Technerd108

macrumors 68040
Oct 24, 2021
3,062
4,313
How can Samsung make s24 ultra camera worst that s23 ultra just crazy stuff ..
This is simply not true.

I have tested both cameras side by side and in every shot the s24ultra is better. It is clearer and has more details. Even at higher zoom levels.

For the most part Samsung claims for the cameras are true. For the actual zoom ranges where your photos really matter the new camera system takes better more detailed shots.

Given time the camera system will improve. It seems Samsung is using some of Googles AI camera processing and there is a noticeable difference over last year.

Even the s24 plus with the same sensors as last year takes better photos than the s23 plus. So something is happening in the software processing side that is different from before.
 
Last edited:

skriefal

macrumors member
Jan 13, 2013
30
26
Utah, USA
The AR screen is a big deal but the rest of the s24 plus is exactly the same sans the s pen.
And the 5x zoom vs 3x zoom telephoto lens. Oh, and a trivial battery difference of 5000mA vs 4900mA.

Of those difference the AR display glass is the only item that I care about. I've owned prior Note/S-Pen models such as the Note 3, 4, 10, 20, S23U - and have used the pen maybe two or three times on each phone.
 
Last edited:
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.