Develop Bugs

What other phone did you consider before choosing the Pixel XL?

1. I'm curious to know what other phone you considered before you got a Pixel XL.
2.. What features made the choice easy in your mind?
I'm struggling with this and am strongly leaning towards an LG V20 for the following reasons:
- Slightly bigger screen
- Removable battery
- as good or a close second (based on a couple of reviews I've seen) camera as on the Pixel
- price
The only two potential cons are (as far as I'm concerned anyway)
- With a Pixel, you'll get the latest Android updates for the next two years.
- The new Google assistant which may not come to the V20 (as it appears that Google want to differentiate their phones from other Android phones). I really want this feature even though the reviews say its really a 1.0 version and needs work.

Im forced to get a new phone so I was definitely looking around.
1) The new Moto lines, LG v20, S7 edge, and possibly the iPhone 7 for the hell of it.
2) I mainly look for a good camera, battery, and speed. The pixel has a great camera, the batter is big enough (XL) and it has one of the latest processing chip. These are enough got me to get the pixel xl. The unlimited storage is also a bonus since I've been using google photos to save my pictures and videos.

Majin101 said:
Im forced to get a new phone so I was definitely looking around.
1) The new Moto lines, LG v20, S7 edge, and possibly the iPhone 7 for the hell of it.
2) I mainly look for a good camera, battery, and speed. The pixel has a great camera, the batter is big enough (XL) and it has one of the latest processing chip. These are enough got me to get the pixel xl. The unlimited storage is also a bonus since I've been using google photos to save my pictures and videos.
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Literally my exact opinion, minus the iphone 7. i was kind of debating hoping on the iphone 6+, but after playing with my wifes for a few days that idea was out the door quick.

S7 edge and iPhone 7
Got the iPhone 7, use it for a month...using s7 edge now because I have a feeling the pixel and pixel xl will not be that great of the device because of who's manufacturing it.

Note 7. Only have a Pixel XL because it's the only large screen device that sucks less than the others.
Sent from my Pixel XL using Tapatalk

I still have my S7 Edge Exynos running DBT German unlock firmware. Its difficult because the S7 has a better screen, battery, wireless charging as well as a comperable camera, all for $320 less than the Pixel XL costs (vs what i'd get selling my S7 Edge)

I couldn't find a phone on the market I liked more than my note 7. For me it came down to the iPhone 7 or the pixel xl. I picked the pixel xl and while I do like it. The no ard card, no water resistance and 32gb kills it for me. Sucks cause I really do like the phone but those 3 are big cons for me. Still not sure what I'm going to do. Btw I don't have patience to wait for 128gb

Well I feel the same as everyone else....love my note 7....don't want to be stuck with an already old phone(S7edge) for another 2 years....so I ordered the Pixel XL 128g black.....
Now I'm hearing they may let the ones that got S7edges to upgrade to a S8 or Note 8 free.....ugg
Sent from my SM-N930V using Tapatalk

tttuning said:
Well I feel the same as everyone else....love my note 7....don't want to be stuck with an already old phone(S7edge) for another 2 years....so I ordered the Pixel XML 128g black.....
Now I'm hearing they may let the ones that got S7edges to upgrade to a S8 or Note 8 free.....ugg
Sent from my SM-N930V using Tapatalk
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You don't want an S8. You want a Note 8
Sent from my Pixel XL using Tapatalk

LGV20 but took too long to release on Verizon so I got the Pixel XL

Honestly I didn't consider anything else once the second recall came around. I was more than happy with my Note 7, though

Had the Note 7 and loved it... Now I love this even more! No bugs or issues at all! Got 15hrs off battery and 4.5hrs SOT today in a crappy cell service zone. Pretty good for day 2.

I was considering the V20 as well. But since it didn't come to any carrier in Australia, I figured since I'm buying a phone outright, I'll go with the Pixel XL

Note 7, S7E, V20 users switching to Pixel

For those of us like myself who had the Note 7, and now the S7 Edge or who have the V20 all these feature packed phones, would going to a Pixel XL be boring to us? I know the Pixel doesn't have the gimmicks like the Note, but do you consider the butter smooth software, and great camera a trade off?

Blues fan said:
For those of us like myself who had the Note 7, and now the S7 Edge or who have the V20 all these feature packed phones, would going to a Pixel XL be boring to us? I know the Pixel doesn't have the gimmicks like the Note, but do you consider the butter smooth software, and great camera a trade off?
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To be honest I love how buttery smooth the pixel xl is compared to my nexus 6p. I never use any of the fancy features that other phones have I mainly focus on performance. I've had the nexus 7, 10, 6 and 6p and would say if you want performance, come to the pixel xl. If you want fancy features, stick with your current phone

Yeah, the Pixel is VERY boring. Google basically went with iPhone ideology on this one. The only redeeming quality of the Pixel is Project FI, which is really economical for a low data user such as myself.
I almost cried a little when I put my beloved Note7 in a fire-proof box last night.

nabbed said:
Yeah, the Pixel is VERY boring. Google basically went with iPhone ideology on this one. The only redeeming quality of the Pixel is Project FI, which is really economical for a low data user such as myself.
I almost cried a little when I put my beloved Note7 in a fire-proof box last night.
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Um wouldn't go that far dude. It's still Google software. It's not that much different than the nexus experience. It's definitely no where as boring as iPhone. That's just crazy talk lol.

toknitup420 said:
Um wouldn't go that far dude. It's still Google software. It's not that much different than the nexus experience. It's definitely no where as boring as iPhone. That's just crazy talk lol.
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Fair point. Pixel XL is about as boring as Boston is compared to Vegas.

nabbed said:
Fair point. Pixel XL is about as boring as Boston is compared to Vegas.
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Hey I'm from Boston lol. Vegas is def more fun than here lol.

toknitup420 said:
Hey I'm from Boston lol. Vegas is def more fun than here lol.
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Note 7 was a hoot! Really! And I've seen them all- Nexus One, HTC Evo/4G/3D, Epic 4G Touch. Pixel is not one of them. And I use one! Sorry, and sorry!

I own the v20, s7e and pixel xl. While the pixel out of the box is plain that's not my main point of getting it it. I'm a nexus user and when I killed my 6p 4 months ago I felt lost. Got the Samsung and hate bloat and ui, then v20 came out and while it's got decent hardware I'm just not super impressed with it.
Got my pixel and haven't looked back, it is my daily driver while v20 is work phone and s7e goes to my 6 year old ha.

rustyjay said:
I own the v20, s7e and pixel xl. While the pixel out of the box is plain that's not my main point of getting it it. I'm a nexus user and when I killed my 6p 4 months ago I felt lost. Got the Samsung and hate bloat and ui, then v20 came out and while it's got decent hardware I'm just not super impressed with it.
Got my pixel and haven't looked back, it is my daily driver while v20 is work phone and s7e goes to my 6 year old ha.
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In your post, you mentioned current high-end phones - LG V20, Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge and, Google Pixel XL. (Hey, I have the Pixel XL -HIGH-FIVE!) But what you didn't mention is the excitement factor- if you spend over $900 US dollars on a phone, you want something special. You better want something special, unless you are a billionaire and the leader of the Free Wor...
Never Mind!
Hey! We are both stuck with the best phone money can buy, Pixel XL. And it sucks compared to the Note 7 (which I just returned to a cold-hearted US Cellular rep who couldn't print a simpl.... Never mind!
My point is, in 2016, we are both cucked (except I didn't say cucked.) We have been robbed, and we have been had.
Instead of enjoyment of our labors, we were given the finger and a Pixel XL.
I'm going slightly mad...

nabbed said:
In your post, you mentioned current high-end phones - LG V20, Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge and, Google Pixel XL. (Hey, I have the Pixel XL -HIGH-FIVE!) But what you didn't mention is the excitement factor- if you spend over $900 US dollars on a phone, you want something special. You better want something special, unless you are a billionaire and the leader of the Free Wor...
Never Mind!
Hey! We are both stuck with the best phone money can buy, Pixel XL. And it sucks compared to the Note 7 (which I just returned to a cold-hearted US Cellular rep who couldn't print a simpl.... Never mind!
My point is, in 2016, we are both cucked (except I didn't say cucked.) We have been robbed, and we have been had.
Instead of enjoyment of our labors, we were given the finger and a Pixel XL.
I'm going slightly mad...
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I'm not mad at all, I knew exactly what I was getting. Wife had the note 7 bomb and while it's a nice phone it still can't do what the unlocked pixel can. I've been building Roms for the nexus since Nexus s and all the gimmicky gadgets and bloat don't add up to the freedom this phone brings you.

I'm coming from a Galaxy S5 and I couldn't agree more! Never thought I'd say it but newer touch whiz does offer some very nice features that you don't realize until you don't have them. Kinda crazy to go from that to such a new expensive phone and not be that impressed at all. I actually think it's better to have a phone running a skinned version of Android as long as the bootloader can be unlocked. When it comes to development there are far more options then. Take the S5 for example. Most of its life we only had root. Even with just root the devs were able to do some amazing things with touch whiz. Once the bootloader got unlocked is when it got fun. We had so many options. You could install a modified TouchWiz ROM.. you could run a port from another phone.. or you could run AOSP.
I know everyone says development will pick up for this phone but you would think there would be some more action already. Even when things so start to pick up how far will it really go? We are basically limited to going back and forth between different AOSP roms which are mostly all exactly the same with minor differences throughout.
I'm on Verizon so I know my options are limited but I got this phone for only $140 and if there was another newish phone with lots of development going on I would sell it and get that.

Blues fan said:
For those of us like myself who had the Note 7, and now the S7 Edge or who have the V20 all these feature packed phones, would going to a Pixel XL be boring to us? I know the Pixel doesn't have the gimmicks like the Note, but do you consider the butter smooth software, and great camera a trade off?
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Let me put it this way.
All the "features" "gimmicks" them others gotta put in their phones because otherwise they'd be slow craptastic shooters.
I miss nothing those other phones have, none of the gimmicks. I enjoy and use my pixel xl way more than my previous phones. Thats just imho, YMMV
As for something special for $900, it's the latest greatest Google hype train, if you ain't got one or you're still waiting on your delivery, you just ain't in... you get to say you had Google's first phone, you're a pioneer, living on the edge, avant-garde, first with daydream vr, first to use assistant, even though she doesn't do much now. Basically.

rustyjay said:
I'm not mad at all, I knew exactly what I was getting. Wife had the note 7 bomb and while it's a nice phone it still can't do what the unlocked pixel can. I've been building Roms for the nexus since Nexus s and all the gimmicky gadgets and bloat don't add up to the freedom this phone brings you.
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Your "Wife" had the "note bomb," didn't she?
And that bomb couldn't do, STILL couldn't do, what my unlocked Pixel could?
Do you truly believe that?

nabbed said:
Your "Wife" had the "note bomb," didn't she?
And that bomb couldn't do, STILL couldn't do, what my unlocked Pixel could?
Do you truly believe that?
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Absolutely

rustyjay said:
Absolutely
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We have a wonderful phone, don't we?!

The xl is good but three things I'm not impressed with. It's too big compared to the g4 with the same screen. It's too slippery in the hand. If the bottom bezel was smaller at least you could teach around the screen without losing the phone. The camera is not as good as the g4, though it is pretty good.
Things I love. Developer phone! (I have the Google one) fast updates.

aholeinthewor1d said:
I'm coming from a Galaxy S5 and I couldn't agree more! Never thought I'd say it but newer touch whiz does offer some very nice features that you don't realize until you don't have them. Kinda crazy to go from that to such a new expensive phone and not be that impressed at all. I actually think it's better to have a phone running a skinned version of Android as long as the bootloader can be unlocked. When it comes to development there are far more options then. Take the S5 for example. Most of its life we only had root. Even with just root the devs were able to do some amazing things with touch whiz. Once the bootloader got unlocked is when it got fun. We had so many options. You could install a modified TouchWiz ROM.. you could run a port from another phone.. or you could run AOSP.
I know everyone says development will pick up for this phone but you would think there would be some more action already. Even when things so start to pick up how far will it really go? We are basically limited to going back and forth between different AOSP roms which are mostly all exactly the same with minor differences throughout.
I'm on Verizon so I know my options are limited but I got this phone for only $140 and if there was another newish phone with lots of development going on I would sell it and get that.
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I came from S5 as well and am definitely missing all the custom roms right now. The TouchWiz based roms were OK but there is always something that is just ugly with TouchWiz that can't be changed and that drives me nuts. I am excited to get some custom roms on the Pixel XL that actually keep the quality of the camera. That was always a trade-off with AOSP based roms on the S5.
Sent from my Pixel XL using XDA Labs

I've had mutiple Samsung's, HTC and nexuses. Beside the notes s pen, which I didn't use, what can those phones do that a pixel cant? Either with stock or custom ROM. Secondly, a nexus boring? The reason I came back to a nexus is cause all those other phones are boring. If you think a nexus is boring, you need to dive a little deeper into XDA and learn about the things a nexus can do...far from boring

Had a note 7 replaced my Nexus 6 with it. Was a great phone replaced it with the pixel xl and it's not boring but I didn't use a lot of the Samsung gimmicky stuff. I missed not have bloat when I got the note 7. My wife has the v20 not my thing and the s7e is basically the note 7 with no pen. So if you are looking for a change get the pixel. BTW it is faster and smoother then any of the other phones. Like the Nexus line it will be updated to the latest version of Android first

I came from note 7 which was great. I only miss water resistant and the pen. This phone feels a lot faster, plus I like that I can do multi screen with Netflix. The battery is good enough for me. Camera is great. I don't have much to complain about. Those 3 things outweighs the missing features since it's my main 3 things I look for in a phone. Plus pure android.... I dislike apple

Moving from SG8

Anyone gone from an S8 to a 2xl? Bit bored of Samsung now and tempted to switch. Doesn't look like the S9 will be groundbreaking.
What features will I miss? Iris scanner I think is the main one, using it to log into websites etc is great.
Is there much performance difference between the two? I've heard that everything is supposed to be much smoother on the pixel.

Hello, I have a Galaxy S8+ now using a pixel 2 XL
And you are correct it is so much smoother.
Also the Sound is great. Also the Camera is nothing short of fantastic.
You must bear in mind there is no "themes" you can change it with some 3rd party.
Other than that it's Android no bloatware overlay. Hope this helps.

Great, thanks. So overall do you prefer the Pixel?
The only theme I use on my SGS8 is to make it more stock android, so I'm fine without that.

Nick676 said:
Great, thanks. So overall do you prefer the Pixel?
The only theme I use on my SGS8 is to make it more stock android, so I'm fine without that.
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Ive done that move and I almost regret it.
The Pixel 2 XL feels nowhere as premium as the S8, keep that in mind. And the screen on the S8 is gorgeous, while Pixel's is kinda crap.

I moved from the Galaxy Note8 on 22nd Dec and I haven't looked back. Don't miss anything.
Primarily did it for stock Android (I'm a former Nexus 4 and Nexus 6 owner) which I missed, prompt updates direct from Google, and better camera. The Note8 lagged, the Pixel 2 XL flies along. Also, there is no Samsung bloat (an equivalent Samsung app for everything) and, probably most importantly, there isn't a ton of Samsung background tasks constantly running.
I haven't experienced any of the reported problems with the Pixel 2 XL, with the exception of having to switch USB debugging mode in order to transfer files from a PC. Also, the blue shift is no worse than the red/pink shift on my Note8.
Between my Nexus 6 and Note8, I had a Galaxy S7 Edge for a year, which I loved, it was a great phone, but it's going to take a lot to get me away from Pixels now.

sjgore said:
I moved from the Galaxy Note8 on 22nd Dec and I haven't looked back. Don't miss anything.
Primarily did it for stock Android (I'm a former Nexus 4 and Nexus 6 owner) which I missed, prompt updates direct from Google, and better camera. The Note8 lagged, the Pixel 2 XL flies along. Also, there is no Samsung bloat (an equivalent Samsung app for everything) and, probably most importantly, there isn't a ton of Samsung background tasks constantly running.
I haven't experienced any of the reported problems with the Pixel 2 XL, with the exception of having to switch USB debugging mode in order to transfer files from a PC. Also, the blue shift is no worse than the red/pink shift on my Note8.
Between my Nexus 6 and Note8, I had a Galaxy S7 Edge for a year, which I loved, it was a great phone, but it's going to take a lot to get me away from Pixels now.
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That's all good to hear, especially as the Note is meant to be a bit faster than the S8. Think I'll go ahead and get one ordered!

I came from the S8+ to the Pixel 2XL. I don't regret it, but I definitely loved my S8+ as well. Both have their pro's and cons. In the end I prefer the Pixel 2XL tho. Everything is just so much smoother and such a nicer experience. Enjoy your Pixel! Love all the updates too!
My fiancee now has my S8+ coming from years of iPhone....she swears she'll never go back to Apple lol. I love her more now haha.

Mr Patchy Patch said:
I came from the S8+ to the Pixel 2XL. I don't regret it, but I definitely loved my S8+ as well. Both have their pro's and cons. In the end I prefer the Pixel 2XL tho. Everything is just so much smoother and such a nicer experience. Enjoy your Pixel! Love all the updates too!
My fiancee now has my S8+ coming from years of iPhone....she swears she'll never go back to Apple lol. I love her more now haha.
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They need to be freed, one person at a time

Yes I do, but then it's a new model/ experience, but on the whole it is a very smooth experience

Mr Patchy Patch said:
I came from the S8+ to the Pixel 2XL. I don't regret it, but I definitely loved my S8+ as well. Both have their pro's and cons. In the end I prefer the Pixel 2XL tho. Everything is just so much smoother and such a nicer experience. Enjoy your Pixel! Love all the updates too!
My fiancee now has my S8+ coming from years of iPhone....she swears she'll never go back to Apple lol. I love her more now haha.
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Better marry that girl! :good::good:

I moved from an S7 Edge, and I couldn't be happier. This thing BLOWS away the S7 in every aspect. No bloat, zero lag, updates as soon as they're released instead of 3 - 6 months later. The camera is amazing, even the front camera takes awesome shots. And regardless of what people on here say, the screen is great too. Maybe not quite an S8, but I put it side by side with my S7 and the Pixel screen was the winner (blue shift yes, but the s7 just went blacker). Also, you can root no problem, although I haven't yet felt the need for it. Also, you'll appreciate it several months down the road when your phone hasn't been deliberately slowed down with updates (like my S7).

Badger50 said:
Better marry that girl! :good::good:
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Every intention on it. That's why she's my fiancee lol.

Get the Pixel 2 XL or the SGS9?

So, I want to treat myself with a truly great phone this year. I have my birthday in April, so I need your help. I have a few choices:
1) Get the Pixel 2 XL - THE camera, Awesome battery life, IN-HOUSE software, though sporting a last-gen 835, not the greatest screen
2) Grab the S9 if it's any good - supposedly great camera (SPECULATION, don't be mad, this is just theory), but everything else? It is Samsung, whose last phone I had was an S3 Neo (crappy software). What do you Think? IF the SGS9 is actually better than the pixel, should I get it? Should I trade good, snappy software, for, well, Samsung experience?
3) Wait until the Pixel 3... - Yeah, I really do not want to have this as an option, but here it is. After all, my Z5 is still holding up nicely and I kinda want the iPhone of the Android world (yes, that's the Pixel)
Cheers,
Alex

Security updates, guaranteed project treble and 2 major updates are big selling for me. Plus you know you're going to have one of the best camera this year, and maybe camera keeps improving with updates.
Plus, with the release of pixel 3 and new camera technologies, you might see them ported for the Pixel 2 by some good XDA developers.
I'd only pick the S9 if you like media consumption (a.k.a good screen) or actually like samsung experience.

SpeederT12 said:
So, I want to treat myself with a truly great phone this year. I have my birthday in April, so I need your help. I have a few choices:
1) Get the Pixel 2 XL - THE camera, Awesome battery life, IN-HOUSE software, though sporting a last-gen 835, not the greatest screen
2) Grab the S9 if it's any good - supposedly great camera (SPECULATION, don't be mad, this is just theory), but everything else? It is Samsung, whose last phone I had was an S3 Neo (crappy software). What do you Think? IF the SGS9 is actually better than the pixel, should I get it? Should I trade good, snappy software, for, well, Samsung experience?
3) Wait until the Pixel 3... - Yeah, I really do not want to have this as an option, but here it is. After all, my Z5 is still holding up nicely and I kinda want the iPhone of the Android world (yes, that's the Pixel)
Cheers,
Alex
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Fwiw....it's whatever your the most happy with. Wait until the S9 comes out, and go play with them side by side, and see what you like the best. I'm totally happy with my P2XL, love the ability to root and mod all I want. Having said that, my wife's 8+ is a pleasure to look at. The screen is about as good as it gets, although I'm not a fan of the edge display, and the UI, although beautiful to look at, is just not as smooth as mine. Then there's the updates. If that's important to you, then there's no comparison. I really hope this edge display thing goes away soon, I hate it!!! Not to mention, a phone drop at the right angle, and it's off to the repair shop it goes! Happy hunting ??

Badger50 said:
Fwiw....it's whatever your the most happy with. Wait until the S9 comes out, and go play with them side by side, and see what you like the best. I'm totally happy with my P2XL, love the ability to root and mod all I want. Having said that, my wife's 8+ is a pleasure to look at. The screen is about as good as it gets, although I'm not a fan of the edge display, and the UI, although beautiful to look at, is just not as smooth as mine. Then there's the updates. If that's important to you, then there's no comparison. I really hope this edge display thing goes away soon, I hate it!!! Not to mention, a phone drop at the right angle, and it's off to the repair shop it goes! Happy hunting ??
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Yeah, there's the problem - playing with them. I live in Bulgaria, Which means I haven't seen a Pixel 2 Irl and there's nowhere to play around with one. We shall see, the pixel 2 xl is really pulling me in, is it bad that It'll already be superseded when I buy it?

SpeederT12 said:
Yeah, there's the problem - playing with them. I live in Bulgaria, Which means I haven't seen a Pixel 2 Irl and there's nowhere to play around with one. We shall see, the pixel 2 xl is really pulling me in, is it bad that It'll already be superseded when I buy it?
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Bulgaria huh...yeah I can see that as potentially problematic! ? Lets face it my friend, it's the tech world. The minute we buy something, it's old news 6 months latter! Good thing is, if you do get the P2XL, you'll have the latest software updates for 3 years! Decisions, decisions, what to do?? I kinda miss the day's of the flip phone being the norm. Decisions were much easier then ?

Well anything Samsung is gonna have laggier Samsung experience and very slow updates

Personal preference
Do you want stock Android or TouchWiz
Do you want fast updates or not

I like getting new features/updates quickly and for a long time and am allergic to TouchWiz from the S3Neo times. Though it might have changed now.

Imo the choice consists of deciding what's most important for you: having the latest available hardware for 12 months or having the latest available software for 2-3 years
Personally I came to the conclusion that I would be happier with a phone that is slightly slower in benchmarks (but still crazy fast in real life usage) and a phone that runs the latest available and closest to "stock Android" version possible.
I have no doubt the S9+ will be a terrific phone, but after many years using Sammy devices I got bored I felt I needed a more "pure" user experience, I never regretted doing the switch
Phones are so fast these days that I don't think there's that much benefits in upgrading every year to have the newest SoC possible. On the other hand choosing the software/user experience that is the best for you makes a big difference in the long run

Go with pixel 2. I haven't even touched my note 8. And I loved that phone

Your call,the Pixel 2 is here now, and the others have yet to be released....

This is why I always get phones within a month of release. You'll forever have "But in a few months the next [phone] will be released" in your mind. By the time the S9 is out, the Pixel 2XL will be 5-6 months "old" which will still be doing well but the S9 will have the latest and greatest hardware at the time. If vanilla vs skinned isn't a big deal for you, just wait it out for the S9 then. But if you think you're Z5 will do until the fall, then Pixel 3.
Sent from my Pixel 2 XL using Tapatalk

EeZeEpEe said:
This is why I always get phones within a month of release. You'll forever have "But in a few months the next [phone] will be released" in your mind. By the time the S9 is out, the Pixel 2XL will be 5-6 months "old" which will still be doing well but the S9 will have the latest and greatest hardware at the time. If vanilla vs skinned isn't a big deal for you, just wait it out for the S9 then. But if you think you're Z5 will do until the fall, then Pixel 3.
Sent from my Pixel 2 XL using Tapatalk
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I do not know, I've had some pretty bad experiences with TouchWiz before, so I want to taste Android as it was meant to be. Besides, I'll be travelling a lot this summer so I'll need a better phone. I think I might as well go with the 2XL. Next thing, where do I get it? :d With me being in Bulgaria, the only choices are asking relatives to import from the UK/Germany. Are they sold in physical shops (not hooked to network providers though)? I might not get a chance to import it from the States, so I'm stuck with the higher European prices.

SpeederT12 said:
I do not know, I've had some pretty bad experiences with TouchWiz before, so I want to taste Android as it was meant to be. Besides, I'll be travelling a lot this summer so I'll need a better phone. I think I might as well go with the 2XL. Next thing, where do I get it? :d With me being in Bulgaria, the only choices are asking relatives to import from the UK/Germany. Are they sold in physical shops (not hooked to network providers though)? I might not get a chance to import it from the States, so I'm stuck with the higher European prices.
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Sounds like you are stuck with the European prices. Only available in store through Verizon wireless carrier. Everyone else gets it through the Google Store.
Sent from my Pixel 2 XL using Tapatalk

SpeederT12 said:
So, I want to treat myself with a truly great phone this year. I have my birthday in April, so I need your help. I have a few choices:
......................
Cheers,
Alex
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bajasur said:
Personal preference
Do you want stock Android or TouchWiz
Do you want fast updates or not
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What HE^^^^^^ said!
Not only that, the 2 XL is already seeing development, and is new enough, IF the S9 turns out to be something you really want, the 2 XL will still bring a good resale price to apply toward the S9.
I can't imagine anything coming out this year will blow away the 2 XL. The 2 XL is a really great device!

SpeederT12 said:
I do not know, I've had some pretty bad experiences with TouchWiz before, so I want to taste Android as it was meant to be. Besides, I'll be travelling a lot this summer so I'll need a better phone. I think I might as well go with the 2XL. Next thing, where do I get it? :d With me being in Bulgaria, the only choices are asking relatives to import from the UK/Germany. Are they sold in physical shops (not hooked to network providers though)? I might not get a chance to import it from the States, so I'm stuck with the higher European prices.
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I bought mine on eBay, couldnt wait, came from Ireland with stupid UK plug + adapter, but the seller is a German business
So far no problems, some blue tint that realy doesnt bother me, no burn-in nor bad speakers :good:

SpeederT12 said:
So, I want to treat myself with a truly great phone this year. I have my birthday in April, so I need your help. I have a few choices:
1) Get the Pixel 2 XL - THE camera, Awesome battery life, IN-HOUSE software, though sporting a last-gen 835, not the greatest screen
2) Grab the S9 if it's any good - supposedly great camera (SPECULATION, don't be mad, this is just theory), but everything else? It is Samsung, whose last phone I had was an S3 Neo (crappy software). What do you Think? IF the SGS9 is actually better than the pixel, should I get it? Should I trade good, snappy software, for, well, Samsung experience?
3) Wait until the Pixel 3... - Yeah, I really do not want to have this as an option, but here it is. After all, my Z5 is still holding up nicely and I kinda want the iPhone of the Android world (yes, that's the Pixel)
Cheers,
Alex
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What is more important to you - the software or the hardware?
I stayed away from the Googles-devices because of the hardware: No SD card slot, no replaceable battery, the new ones don't have an analog audio output, there are phones with better screens on the market...
But my Samsung Galaxy S4 was the last phone I owned where you could install AOSP-based ROMs and enjoy all the features. the LG G5 would run only with the stock ROM if you wanted to actually use all of its features. LOS-based ROMs were full of bugs and gaps, like bluetooth not working. Also, the device has only a few developers because nowadays developers focus on OnePlus and Google devices.
So I had to flash the LG ROM, then the GApps and then remove all the LG apps.
At the end each upgrade took me an evening and I had still the LG ROM with all of its downsides, stuck at Android 7.0.
With the Pixel 2 XL, i get an update every month. I can install it easily without wasting time. The software is also top notch, for the first time in my life I have an Android phone without feeling the need to install a custom ROM. There is no bloat. The camera is fantastic.
So all in all, the Pixel 2 XL is the best phone I ever owned - for my personal needs.
But if you value e.g. an SD-card slot or an analog audio port higher than the software, go for the Samsung. It's your choice, but I would take the Pixel

I have Galaxy s8 + with Samsung experience 9.0 and I can tell you that isn't not bad at all but...
Faster updates, stock Android, really fast experience when you use it and the camera... My goodness... Google pixel 2 XL it's a beast.
And think that Android P it's arriving very soon and to Samsung maybe next year LOL
by the way I have a iPhone x too and try to know witch one it's my dayli driver ????? Yes Google pixel 2 XL

Anyone switched to the Galaxy Note 9?

Will I miss the fluidity of stock Android going to Note 9? Don't like the Pixel 3XL.
Sent from my Pixel 2 XL using Tapatalk

I don't think you'll miss fluidity. The Note 9 shouldn't give you lag problems.
What you might miss is stock android. Samsung Experience isn't bad, but it isn't definitely for everyone.

lexi250 said:
Will I miss the fluidity of stock Android going to Note 9? Don't like the Pixel 3XL.
Sent from my Pixel 2 XL using Tapatalk
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Yes. I did for 24 hours and returned it. Screen is amazing. Camera still is ok, but not the quality of Googles. The reason I didn't keep it was I still prefer simplicity of things. The Note 9, while extremely nice, is just loaded with so much ****. The S pen, very nice, but to be honest I'll rarely use it. Throw in the fact its over $1000 with taxes, I really couldn't justify having it. I loved the bigger cleaner brighter screen but again, it's that price. It's a great phone, but I found myself loading Oreo themes on it to keep myself sane. Ohhhhhhhhh BIGGEST FACTOR-no wifi calling added. I called Verizon and they weren't sure either. This was an imperative thing I need cause where I live signal is weak and I found myself almost unable to make calls at home.

I know this doesn't answer your question but I went from the Note 8 to the Pixel 2 XL as it is more reliable day to day use. Yes the Note series has some extra features but I prefer stock Android with monthly updates. Battery life has also been better on the Pixel 2 XL for me. However I would think that Samsung would have sorted battery issues with the Note 9s 4000 mah battery. I am still enjoying my Pixel 2 XL still runs smooth with no hiccups.
To me I would rather get Huawei Mate series over samsung Note series. Especially the upcoming Mate 20 Pro.

MHB1638 said:
Yes. I did for 24 hours and returned it. Screen is amazing. Camera still is ok, but not the quality of Googles. The reason I didn't keep it was I still prefer simplicity of things. The Note 9, while extremely nice, is just loaded with so much ****. The S pen, very nice, but to be honest I'll rarely use it. Throw in the fact its over $1000 with taxes, I really couldn't justify having it. I loved the bigger cleaner brighter screen but again, it's that price. It's a great phone, but I found myself loading Oreo themes on it to keep myself sane. Ohhhhhhhhh BIGGEST FACTOR-no wifi calling added. I called Verizon and they weren't sure either. This was an imperative thing I need cause where I live signal is weak and I found myself almost unable to make calls at home.
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You can make a Samsung phone look like a Pixel, but will still have all of Samsung's bloatware running in the background...which is why the Note 9 needs a 4000 mAh battery, and the Note 8 battery was inadequate.
If I ever go back to a Samsung phone, I will get a Note for the Spen. I didn't use the Spen much when I had my Note 2/3/4, and I probably wouldn't use it now. But the Spen is the only feature that makes Samsung truly unique. A Samsung phone without a Spen is just another phone but with a bunch of crap that I will never need.
It sounds like you must have purchased an unlocked Note 9. Most unlocked phones never allow WiFi calling or visual voicemail on VZW. Pixels are a rare exception.

I haven't yet but I will. Lately my Pixel 2 XL is crazy laggy and I'm not getting a Pixel 3 XL with only 4GB of RAM.
Sent from my Pixel 2 XL using Tapatalk

What I would give for the Note 9 HW with Google SW .. Until then I'm sticking with the SW from Google
If I were to switch phones (which I won't) it would be the OnePlus 6 or OnePlus 6T

Sab3elbromba said:
What I would give for the Note 9 HW with Google SW .. Until then I'm sticking with the SW from Google
If I were to switch phones (which I won't) it would be the OnePlus 6 or OnePlus 6T
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Its a shame OP6 doesn't work on CMDA networks as I require Verizon network for where I work.

Switched From Pixel 2XL to Note 9 Today. . .
And I'm already regretting it. Verizon had a BOGO, and since I was porting my brother's line in anyway, decided to treat myself to a new Note 9, damn the fact I only got my Pixel 2XL the week of Christmas.
This is a nice rig, feels substantial and solid, but chew gum, Google cooks Android just the way I like it, and Samsung's UI is still just too busy for me to abide. My poor wife will prolly find herself with an unexpected upgrade to a Note 9 of own by week's end lol.
That said, if anyone knows of some witchcraft that'll allow me to see least make this Note 9 LOOK look like my beloved Pixel 2XL, please, let me know.
Thank you -zs

Nope, after using flagship Samsung devices for years, I'm keeping my "stock", bloatfree Android experience.
Quality software > slightly better hardware

sublimaze said:
You can make a Samsung phone look like a Pixel, but will still have all of Samsung's bloatware running in the background...which is why the Note 9 needs a 4000 mAh battery, and the Note 8 battery was inadequate.
If I ever go back to a Samsung phone, I will get a Note for the Spen. I didn't use the Spen much when I had my Note 2/3/4, and I probably wouldn't use it now. But the Spen is the only feature that makes Samsung truly unique. A Samsung phone without a Spen is just another phone but with a bunch of crap that I will never need.
It sounds like you must have purchased an unlocked Note 9. Most unlocked phones never allow WiFi calling or visual voicemail on VZW. Pixels are a rare exception.
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The closest you can get to making a Note 9 (or any other Samsung phone) look like a Pixel is by installing the Pixel launcher which is only a small part.

I think you should wait and keep the pixel 2 xl. It's highly likely that next year's s10 and note 10 will have a much more radical design with way better specs. The note 9 while nice, is nothing special. Samsung is now under more pressure than ever to update their design. My advice keep the phone , save your money.
lexi250 said:
Will I miss the fluidity of stock Android going to Note 9? Don't like the Pixel 3XL.
Sent from my Pixel 2 XL using Tapatalk
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I know I sure as hell won't be getting a Note 9. I've been on stock Android since replacing my old Galaxy S2(that phone was such a piece of ****...worst purchase I've ever made) with a Nexus 5 followed by a Nexus 5X and my current Pixel 2 XL. Even though Samsung's software has improved quite a bit since the Galaxy S2 I still personally think it's crap compared to stock Android. Haven't used the Note 9 enough to tell if there is any lag but the Note 8 still had noticable lag and still has the same issues with greatly decreased performance after major updates that the Galaxy S2 had.
Also, considering the hardware the Note 9 battery life seems to be unimpressive. A brand new phone with a SD 845 and 4000mAh battery seems to be getting the same battery life as my 10 month old Pixel 2 XL with a SD 835 and 3520mAh battery.

I did, used it for 6 days and am back to my Pixel 2 XL and plan on selling the Note 9 on Swappa. Note 9 is nice and is certainly feature rich, but I just wasn't feeling it.

I have both the Pixel 2 XL and an unlocked Note 9, 512 GB/8 GB RAM. The software experience on the Pixel 2 XL is smoother but lacks customization. Here's what I did to achieve a clean look on the Note 9 and performance is very fast.
Install Nova Launcher
Install PixelizeD theme
Install patched Google Phone app
Install Nova Launcher
Install Gboard
Install Android Messages or Textra
Disable or deny permissions to Samsung equivalents
The Note 9 with better/bigger screen, bigger battery, more RAM, wireless charging, theme options is definitely my daily driver.
The Pixel 2 XL doesn't require any tweaks for smooth performance, but some may find the software too minimalist. The superior camera and fast updates are it's strongest selling points at the moment. Once Google fully implements its new material design with light and dark themes, it may finally have the cohesive look that skinned interfaces have provided.

Until (or if? ) Samsung fixes this I cannot foresee myself using the Note 9. This picture is unacceptable for a $1000+ device IMO

So, full disclosure - after posting the same pics on another forum someone suggested I check the rear picture camera size setting on my Note 9. Kinda feel stupid for not thinking about that myself as I have been tinkering with smartphones going on 10 years now ... but as it would turn out the size was set to 18.5:9 (7.9 MP) and not 4:3 (12 MP). Don't recall ever messing with this setting, but even if I did I would not opt for the lower MPs ... I just assumed it would be set to the max MP out of the box. Anyways, hoping this makes a substantial difference in what I've been seeing from the Note 9 pics, we shall see.

YankInDaSouth said:
So, full disclosure - after posting the same pics on another forum someone suggested I check the rear picture camera size setting on my Note 9. Kinda feel stupid for not thinking about that myself as I have been tinkering with smartphones going on 10 years now ... but as it would turn out the size was set to 18.5:9 (7.9 MP) and not 4:3 (12 MP). Don't recall ever messing with this setting, but even if I did I would not opt for the lower MPs ... I just assumed it would be set to the max MP out of the box. Anyways, hoping this makes a substantial difference in what I've been seeing from the Note 9 pics, we shall see.
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It still suggests a bug, because the camera should be capturing with square pixels, and the pixels should be displayed 1:1 -- scaled linearly in both dimensions.

le0.br4zuc4 said:
I haven't yet but I will. Lately my Pixel 2 XL is crazy laggy and I'm not getting a Pixel 3 XL with only 4GB of RAM.
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Return it if it is crazy laggy. They will switch it out for you no question aaked

YankInDaSouth said:
Until (or if? ) Samsung fixes this I cannot foresee myself using the Note 9. This picture is unacceptable for a $1000+ device IMO
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Taimen is still a slayer! Yaass!