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As a former Pixel user that switched because I broke the phone and had an extra iPhone in the family, there are a number of reasons I'm heavily considering swit

As a former Pixel user that switched because I broke the phone and had an extra iPhone in the family, there are a number of reasons I'm heavily considering switching back (had been an Android user since 2009). 1. Spam call screening is nonexistent on the iPhone, and T-Mobile's blocker still lets a ton of them through. In my prior experience Google did a much better job in this department. It would be nice to pick up the phone without a 90% chance of an annoying spam call. 2. Speech to text on iPhone makes a lot of mistakes and Google's latest update looks like they've widened the gap even more. I don't want to handle my phone to text while driving, and when the interpretation is wrong it requires extra keystrokes to try again, correct it, or type the message if urgent. This is unsafe. 3. I find FaceID annoying, and after replacing the iPhone screen because I cracked it, FaceID got noticeably worse. With a fingerprint I can have the phone unlocked before I even pull it out of my pocket, especially these days when we have masks on. Plenty of other sexy features like camera and the customer service line feature are very nice to have, but in my opinion these are major benefits in terms of everyday usability. The overall integration across services is just smoother too, in terms of flows like email -> calendar -> google maps live traffic, or email -> boarding pass QR code. I am and will always be a PC user so I don't benefit from those integrations with Apple products. Making the switch will require ditching Airpods and the Apple Watch, but I think it might be worth it for me.

ncr100 5y ago
For 1, and 2 my individual (single data point!) experience through all versions of the Pixel have been great. I've been saddened that Google keeps the Spam filtration feature locked to the Pixel devices. It is a KILLER FEATURE. And for STT - that "just works" 95% of my time that I use it with common vocabulary. The hardware has failed me a couple of times - sudden battery failure, and battery cable tearing with a reasonable, slight fall - though so consider one of the warranty options.
- ddalex 5y ago
  > I've been saddened that Google keeps the Spam filtration feature locked to the Pixel devices. It is a KILLER FEATURE. Why would anybody share killer features with competition ?
thedougd 5y ago
I think it's not appreciated enough how much they got right by putting the fingerprint sensor on the back in a natural position to touch and hold the phone. You are correct, it is unlocked usually before the screen is visible.
- ruytlm 5y ago
  This is a key feature for me, and I'm disappointed that the Pixel 6 has gone for the in-display fingerprint sensor instead of the rear-mounted.
  - talldan 5y ago
    There's one thing that's handy about having it on the front, which is that the phone doesn't have to be picked up to unlock it. It's quite nice being able to read a message on my phone without picking it up from my desk. But on the other hand, it is definitely more comfortable unlocking it from the back while holding it. Maybe phones should have both!
    - fouc 5y ago
      Would be neat if there was a way to set the phone to stay unlocked for as long as it is stationary.
      - HALtheWise 5y ago
        Pixel devices (at least previous ones) supported the inverse of this, where you could set the phone to remain unlocked until it was left stationary on a table. The theory is that (for some people) the most common reason to lose a phone is leaving it behind laying on a table, and it can safely stay unlocked as long as it's in your pocket.
      - jacobsenscott 5y ago
        Pixel has the feature where it can stay unlocked based on gps location (in your house for example), or wifi connection, or bluetooth connection, or if it thinks it is in your pocket. All these reduce the security overall, but it is convenient.
gundmc 5y ago
I recently switched from a Pixel 3a to a Samsung phone - I didn't realize at the time that the spam filtering was a uniquely Pixel feature but holy hell do I miss it. I didn't change my number or carrier, but I went from maybe 1 spam call a month to about 3 per day. This feature is slept on in a big way.
brainwipe 5y ago
FYI Airpods work with Android devices. No idea about your watch.
schwartzworld 5y ago
> I find FaceID annoying I have the pixel 4 which has face id. I loved it for the 6 months that I had the phone before we all started wearing masks everywhere. Now it's a completely useless feature.

ncr100 5y ago

For 1, and 2 my individual (single data point!) experience through all versions of the Pixel have been great. I've been saddened that Google keeps the Spam filtration feature locked to the Pixel devices. It is a KILLER FEATURE. And for STT - that "just works" 95% of my time that I use it with common vocabulary. The hardware has failed me a couple of times - sudden battery failure, and battery cable tearing with a reasonable, slight fall - though so consider one of the warranty options.

ddalex 5y ago
> I've been saddened that Google keeps the Spam filtration feature locked to the Pixel devices. It is a KILLER FEATURE. Why would anybody share killer features with competition ?

thedougd 5y ago

I think it's not appreciated enough how much they got right by putting the fingerprint sensor on the back in a natural position to touch and hold the phone. You are correct, it is unlocked usually before the screen is visible.

ruytlm 5y ago
This is a key feature for me, and I'm disappointed that the Pixel 6 has gone for the in-display fingerprint sensor instead of the rear-mounted.
- talldan 5y ago
  There's one thing that's handy about having it on the front, which is that the phone doesn't have to be picked up to unlock it. It's quite nice being able to read a message on my phone without picking it up from my desk. But on the other hand, it is definitely more comfortable unlocking it from the back while holding it. Maybe phones should have both!
  - fouc 5y ago
    Would be neat if there was a way to set the phone to stay unlocked for as long as it is stationary.
    - HALtheWise 5y ago
      Pixel devices (at least previous ones) supported the inverse of this, where you could set the phone to remain unlocked until it was left stationary on a table. The theory is that (for some people) the most common reason to lose a phone is leaving it behind laying on a table, and it can safely stay unlocked as long as it's in your pocket.
    - jacobsenscott 5y ago
      Pixel has the feature where it can stay unlocked based on gps location (in your house for example), or wifi connection, or bluetooth connection, or if it thinks it is in your pocket. All these reduce the security overall, but it is convenient.

gundmc 5y ago

I recently switched from a Pixel 3a to a Samsung phone - I didn't realize at the time that the spam filtering was a uniquely Pixel feature but holy hell do I miss it. I didn't change my number or carrier, but I went from maybe 1 spam call a month to about 3 per day. This feature is slept on in a big way.

brainwipe 5y ago

FYI Airpods work with Android devices. No idea about your watch.

schwartzworld 5y ago

> I find FaceID annoying I have the pixel 4 which has face id. I loved it for the 6 months that I had the phone before we all started wearing masks everywhere. Now it's a completely useless feature.