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The Google/Nexus/Pixel series phones never seem to be perfect. I just don't think Google has the hardware DNA. On the other hand, pretty much every Samsung and

The Google/Nexus/Pixel series phones never seem to be perfect. I just don't think Google has the hardware DNA. On the other hand, pretty much every Samsung and Apple phone I've owned has been perfect hardware-wise.

dessant 6y ago
Samsung hardware is indeed excellent, but there's still much room to improve around delivering updates. Samsung's current commitment is to deliver 3 major OS updates after device launch [1], which is still not enough for a flagship that will work fine even after 5 years. [1] https://news.samsung.com/global/samsung-raises-the-bar-for-mobile-experience-innovation-committing-to-three-generations-of-android-os-upgrades https://news.samsung.com/global/samsung-raises-the-bar-for-m...
- thaumasiotes 6y ago
  The Nexus S was made by Samsung. It'd be nice to see that happen again. On an unrelated note, my Nexus 4 and Nexus 5 both failed in different ways, but the Nexus S, from the year before the 4, still hasn't.
- mekster 6y ago
  These days when Google itself doesn't even support a phone for longer than 3 years, you get to think phones are disposable assets and not something you're supposed to love keeping like in the old days hardware. Makes you think less of trying to buy expensive ones when they get obsoleted real fast.
turtlebits 6y ago
The Pixel 1 was perfect for me. It's showing its age though, I use it as a semi-permanent hotspot and it needs to be rebooted every 3 days or so.
- spiznnx 6y ago
  On paper it was pretty good. For my experience specifically, my partner had to replace her Pixel 1 multiple times for a broken microphone, and they gave her a refurb which she wasn't happy about. Obviously most people weren't affected but it was common enough to result in a class action settlement.
leetcrew 6y ago
I thought google actually did a great job with the nexus phones. the hardware wasn't perfect, but they were pretty good (and even attractive imo) for the price point. I have a pixel 2 now. it's good enough for everything I use it for, but it really didn't justify its launch price. it's basically a nexus phone with a fancy chassis and nicer camera. just like my two nexus phones, the volume up button stopped working within a month or two of ownership. it still feels snappy and gets updates, so I guess I shouldn't complain too much.
- thaumasiotes 6y ago
  > I have a pixel 2 now. it's good enough for everything I use it for, but it really didn't justify its launch price. it's basically a nexus phone with a fancy chassis and nicer camera. I have a pixel 3a. The "a" series seems to be the same thing, but also at nexus prices. I remember the Ars Technica review of the 3a saying something like "there were some worries that sales of the 3a might cannibalize sales from the flagship line, to which we can only say... yeah."
- dtzWill 6y ago
  > and gets updates Wife and I also have pixel 2's, and AFAIK October 2020 was the last month we got updates[1] :(. (although it notes "Pixel 2 Preferred Care customers have telephone support until April 2021.") Which makes this article all the more disappointing, as we're looking to upgrade for this and the usual reasons :). [1] https://support.google.com/nexus/answer/4457705?hl=en https://support.google.com/nexus/answer/4457705?hl=en
  - kdrag0n 6y ago
    The final update comes in December 2020; they just skipped November. You'll have to upgrade or switch to a custom ROM after that for continued support — it's still a fairly solid phone if not for the lack of updates.
  - leetcrew 6y ago
    ha, I guess I spoke too soon. any idea what you'll replace your pixel 2's with? pixel 4a looks decent this cycle.

dessant 6y ago

Samsung hardware is indeed excellent, but there's still much room to improve around delivering updates. Samsung's current commitment is to deliver 3 major OS updates after device launch [1], which is still not enough for a flagship that will work fine even after 5 years. [1] https://news.samsung.com/global/samsung-raises-the-bar-for-mobile-experience-innovation-committing-to-three-generations-of-android-os-upgrades https://news.samsung.com/global/samsung-raises-the-bar-for-m...

thaumasiotes 6y ago
The Nexus S was made by Samsung. It'd be nice to see that happen again. On an unrelated note, my Nexus 4 and Nexus 5 both failed in different ways, but the Nexus S, from the year before the 4, still hasn't.
mekster 6y ago
These days when Google itself doesn't even support a phone for longer than 3 years, you get to think phones are disposable assets and not something you're supposed to love keeping like in the old days hardware. Makes you think less of trying to buy expensive ones when they get obsoleted real fast.

turtlebits 6y ago

The Pixel 1 was perfect for me. It's showing its age though, I use it as a semi-permanent hotspot and it needs to be rebooted every 3 days or so.

spiznnx 6y ago
On paper it was pretty good. For my experience specifically, my partner had to replace her Pixel 1 multiple times for a broken microphone, and they gave her a refurb which she wasn't happy about. Obviously most people weren't affected but it was common enough to result in a class action settlement.

leetcrew 6y ago

I thought google actually did a great job with the nexus phones. the hardware wasn't perfect, but they were pretty good (and even attractive imo) for the price point. I have a pixel 2 now. it's good enough for everything I use it for, but it really didn't justify its launch price. it's basically a nexus phone with a fancy chassis and nicer camera. just like my two nexus phones, the volume up button stopped working within a month or two of ownership. it still feels snappy and gets updates, so I guess I shouldn't complain too much.

thaumasiotes 6y ago
> I have a pixel 2 now. it's good enough for everything I use it for, but it really didn't justify its launch price. it's basically a nexus phone with a fancy chassis and nicer camera. I have a pixel 3a. The "a" series seems to be the same thing, but also at nexus prices. I remember the Ars Technica review of the 3a saying something like "there were some worries that sales of the 3a might cannibalize sales from the flagship line, to which we can only say... yeah."
dtzWill 6y ago
> and gets updates Wife and I also have pixel 2's, and AFAIK October 2020 was the last month we got updates[1] :(. (although it notes "Pixel 2 Preferred Care customers have telephone support until April 2021.") Which makes this article all the more disappointing, as we're looking to upgrade for this and the usual reasons :). [1] https://support.google.com/nexus/answer/4457705?hl=en https://support.google.com/nexus/answer/4457705?hl=en
- kdrag0n 6y ago
  The final update comes in December 2020; they just skipped November. You'll have to upgrade or switch to a custom ROM after that for continued support — it's still a fairly solid phone if not for the lack of updates.
- leetcrew 6y ago
  ha, I guess I spoke too soon. any idea what you'll replace your pixel 2's with? pixel 4a looks decent this cycle.