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This seems like a good place to randomly drop my thoughts on switching from a Samsung s20+ to a Pixel 9 Pro. The hardware is excellent in the hand. The display

This seems like a good place to randomly drop my thoughts on switching from a Samsung s20+ to a Pixel 9 Pro. The hardware is excellent in the hand. The display is great, battery life excellent, the UI is snappy, does all the basic things I expect from a quality device. Over all, no huge regrets..... but... The scrolling in every app is just "different" from the Samsung, and in a "not as good" way. I moved to Pixel with the (as I now realise) very out dated idea that a Pixel phone would allow me MORE customisation and configurability than the Samsung/Galaxy environment. Oh boy, how wrong I was. Turns out there's a whole stack of Samsung bundled apps or ones available through their Galaxy store for free that I'd gotten so used to I thought it was default Android stuff. I miss: - per app volume control - nav bar customisation - lock screen config - many of the good lock apps - shake for torch - the samsung camera app - control of what apps CAN run in the background (the pixel murders everything) - subtle ways that Nova Launcher has problems So yeah, next time I'm in the market for a phone I think I'm going back to Samsung. I want Google to be better...

gundmc 1y ago
As a former Pixel and current Samsung user, I can relate to almost everything on this list except for the Camera app. What is it that you prefer about the Samsung iteration? I found my preference to be for the Pixel version.
- neogodless 1y ago
  As a Pixel / Galaxy / OnePlus user... My app and photo quality preference are OnePlus > Pixel > > > ... > Samsung. shrug Really it could be a toss up between OnePlus and Google depending on generation. My partner's Pixel 7 takes nearly as nice photos as my OnePlus 12. My Galaxy photos were... very watercolor paint. I could not stand them.
  - kiwijamo 1y ago
    Strange I have a S21 and I can't tell the diff between photos taken with the S21 and those shared to me from owners of other phones. I find generally modern high end phones all take good photos. YMMV of course.
    - neogodless 1y ago
      To be totally fair: * I'm a pixel peeper * Photos shared for most web usage on little mobile phone screens are fine Had an S21 Ultra, bought it for the 10x zoom. But ultimately the quality loss with zoom and subsequent software processing left the phones looking unpleasant for my tastes.
  - Numerlor 1y ago
    App wise what do you prefer on OnePlus? I switched from Samsung to a 13r and miss the moveable button. The 2x zoom camera's color balance is also wildly different from the main camera's, would've much preferred a macro camera like on the Samsung
mlrtime 1y ago
Funny, my S22 Ultra just died due to the infamous One UI 7 update bricking phones with a boot loop. Replaced it with a One Plus 13 and I'm very happy not to have the Samsung bloatware all over the phone. The Samsung backup didn't help me at all. None of that stuff adds value, just locks you in.
unethical_ban 1y ago
I feel compelled to stick with GrapheneOS even though I install Play Services and meta apps. I do miss several Samsung features. Most of all, the ability to set the Always-On Display to only show when new notifications pop up. It is easier to see at a glance that I have a message vs. squinting at how many faint lines are displayed to see the messages icon. DeX is a novel concept too, and with Samsung you can do USB-C --> HDMI out to use your phone to play on a TV. It is a choice Google makes that Pixel can't do that.
- bombita 1y ago
  This is now supported from Pixel 8 and above.
  - teekert 1y ago
    Do you know if it is also supported on GrapheneOS? I need a new phone, am struggling between FairPhone (does not have the USB capability for this) or GrapheneOS (on modern Pixel), both options align very well with my values, however not in the same dimensions, sadly.
    - otsukare 1y ago
      It is supported on GrapheneOS. I've used it infrequently on a Pixel 8A. It's worth noting it only mirrors the screen, there's no extend option or DEX like experience. Edit: There is a DEX-like desktop mode in beta, along with Linux VM with graphical app support.
      - teekert 1y ago
        It's something.
  - unethical_ban 1y ago
    You are correct, I was mistaken. I was thinking about the OnePlus.
- ThePowerOfFuet 1y ago
Krasnol 1y ago
As someone who had to use Samsung for 2 years at work: I don't care about most of those decorative things you list there, it just made me mad that the phone was cluttered with Samsungs Apps. This replacing of perfectly working things like Settings was almost as annoying as the constant push for me to get just another account...this time with Samsung. No please no...I don't see why I should give away space I've paid for to Samsung so they can spam me with their crap I don't need. Never going back.
- blfr 1y ago
  > push for me to get just another account This is such a minor complaint though. I have 1150 accounts saved in my password manager and then another 150 in my company phone/laptop. What's one more? Who even cares at this point. Or some app I will use to adjust settings then never open again. It's like being annoyed by having dconf editor or gnome tweaks installed. Yeah, I install them, use them twice, and then forget about their existence for another two years. There are real issues with Samsung meddling in Android for no good reason. Primarily, that their oneUI is maybe prettier but way less readable and somewhat less intuitive than stock. Secondly, that they pull random stuff unnecessarily like ext4 support on external drives. Things that just should work and they burned calories to make them worse. Some app or account just ain't it.
  - Itoldmyselfso 1y ago
    [dead]
  - Krasnol 1y ago
    Is is quite wqeird that the comment below you is [dead] when it's perfectly reasonable: The "one more account" is not problematic because it's just another account, its problematic due Samsung's extremely invasive data collection and snooping. With Google phone you only have Google collecting your fata (unless you install GOS like you should ^^), but with Samsung you have both Google and Samsung getting your data.
ThePowerOfFuet 1y ago
>So yeah, next time I'm in the market for a phone I think I'm going back to Samsung. Do yourself a favour and read Samsung's privacy policy first.
- wiseowise 1y ago
  What about it? Asking as an iOS user.
  - 392 1y ago
    As a Samsung user, I couldn't tell ya. I've been clicking cancel when it popped up weekly for two Samsung phones in a row.
odnes 1y ago
I'll add - Flip the back and recent apps button in three button navigation. It's such a weird decision - like only left handed people should be able to comfortably use three button nav. Literally hurt my thumbs to use the phone. - The quick settings panel is just abysmal compared to Samsung with massive pill buttons that have virtually nothing in them.
Itoldmyselfso 1y ago
[dead]
baxuz 1y ago
I've been running a Samsung S21FE since release and I would _never_ buy a Samsung phone again. I don't need customization, I need stable features, and not having to fight with my OS for which clock and notes app I'm allowed to use. Most of the features require you to be deep in the Samsung ecosystem. Hell, Google Gemini can only use Samsung system apps as of the recent update. There are tons of bugs in the phone, and I regularly report them. The latest one is that the auto brightness is mapped to the slider. Which vibrates when it tops off, like any other slider for some reason. However, Samsung's engineers have obviously mapped the sensor to move the slider instead of directly managing the state, resulting in the phone constantly buzzing in your hand when you're outside. The phone constantly runs out of memory, especially when taking photos. Since the OneUI 7 update, the screen often takes 5 seconds to wake. It regularly flushes apps out of memory. I was looking at maybe upgrading to the S25 series but the cameras have horrible focus issues: https://eu.community.samsung.com/t5/galaxy-s25-series/galaxy-s25-camera-blurry-photos-out-of-focus/td-p/12087575 https://eu.community.samsung.com/t5/galaxy-s25-series/galaxy...
nh23423fefe 1y ago
Samsung camera app is buggy. Slow motion videos stutter. Its a common problem they wont solve.
mieubrisse 1y ago
Re. what apps can run in the background - have you checked out the "allow background battery usage"? This has worked so far for me.

gundmc 1y ago

As a former Pixel and current Samsung user, I can relate to almost everything on this list except for the Camera app. What is it that you prefer about the Samsung iteration? I found my preference to be for the Pixel version.

neogodless 1y ago
As a Pixel / Galaxy / OnePlus user... My app and photo quality preference are OnePlus > Pixel > > > ... > Samsung. shrug Really it could be a toss up between OnePlus and Google depending on generation. My partner's Pixel 7 takes nearly as nice photos as my OnePlus 12. My Galaxy photos were... very watercolor paint. I could not stand them.
- kiwijamo 1y ago
  Strange I have a S21 and I can't tell the diff between photos taken with the S21 and those shared to me from owners of other phones. I find generally modern high end phones all take good photos. YMMV of course.
  - neogodless 1y ago
    To be totally fair: * I'm a pixel peeper * Photos shared for most web usage on little mobile phone screens are fine Had an S21 Ultra, bought it for the 10x zoom. But ultimately the quality loss with zoom and subsequent software processing left the phones looking unpleasant for my tastes.
- Numerlor 1y ago
  App wise what do you prefer on OnePlus? I switched from Samsung to a 13r and miss the moveable button. The 2x zoom camera's color balance is also wildly different from the main camera's, would've much preferred a macro camera like on the Samsung

mlrtime 1y ago

Funny, my S22 Ultra just died due to the infamous One UI 7 update bricking phones with a boot loop. Replaced it with a One Plus 13 and I'm very happy not to have the Samsung bloatware all over the phone. The Samsung backup didn't help me at all. None of that stuff adds value, just locks you in.

unethical_ban 1y ago

I feel compelled to stick with GrapheneOS even though I install Play Services and meta apps. I do miss several Samsung features. Most of all, the ability to set the Always-On Display to only show when new notifications pop up. It is easier to see at a glance that I have a message vs. squinting at how many faint lines are displayed to see the messages icon. DeX is a novel concept too, and with Samsung you can do USB-C --> HDMI out to use your phone to play on a TV. It is a choice Google makes that Pixel can't do that.

bombita 1y ago
This is now supported from Pixel 8 and above.
- teekert 1y ago
  Do you know if it is also supported on GrapheneOS? I need a new phone, am struggling between FairPhone (does not have the USB capability for this) or GrapheneOS (on modern Pixel), both options align very well with my values, however not in the same dimensions, sadly.
  - otsukare 1y ago
    It is supported on GrapheneOS. I've used it infrequently on a Pixel 8A. It's worth noting it only mirrors the screen, there's no extend option or DEX like experience. Edit: There is a DEX-like desktop mode in beta, along with Linux VM with graphical app support.
    - teekert 1y ago
      It's something.
- unethical_ban 1y ago
  You are correct, I was mistaken. I was thinking about the OnePlus.
ThePowerOfFuet 1y ago

Krasnol 1y ago

As someone who had to use Samsung for 2 years at work: I don't care about most of those decorative things you list there, it just made me mad that the phone was cluttered with Samsungs Apps. This replacing of perfectly working things like Settings was almost as annoying as the constant push for me to get just another account...this time with Samsung. No please no...I don't see why I should give away space I've paid for to Samsung so they can spam me with their crap I don't need. Never going back.

blfr 1y ago
> push for me to get just another account This is such a minor complaint though. I have 1150 accounts saved in my password manager and then another 150 in my company phone/laptop. What's one more? Who even cares at this point. Or some app I will use to adjust settings then never open again. It's like being annoyed by having dconf editor or gnome tweaks installed. Yeah, I install them, use them twice, and then forget about their existence for another two years. There are real issues with Samsung meddling in Android for no good reason. Primarily, that their oneUI is maybe prettier but way less readable and somewhat less intuitive than stock. Secondly, that they pull random stuff unnecessarily like ext4 support on external drives. Things that just should work and they burned calories to make them worse. Some app or account just ain't it.
- Itoldmyselfso 1y ago
  [dead]
- Krasnol 1y ago
  Is is quite wqeird that the comment below you is [dead] when it's perfectly reasonable: The "one more account" is not problematic because it's just another account, its problematic due Samsung's extremely invasive data collection and snooping. With Google phone you only have Google collecting your fata (unless you install GOS like you should ^^), but with Samsung you have both Google and Samsung getting your data.

ThePowerOfFuet 1y ago

>So yeah, next time I'm in the market for a phone I think I'm going back to Samsung. Do yourself a favour and read Samsung's privacy policy first.

wiseowise 1y ago
What about it? Asking as an iOS user.
- 392 1y ago
  As a Samsung user, I couldn't tell ya. I've been clicking cancel when it popped up weekly for two Samsung phones in a row.

odnes 1y ago

I'll add - Flip the back and recent apps button in three button navigation. It's such a weird decision - like only left handed people should be able to comfortably use three button nav. Literally hurt my thumbs to use the phone. - The quick settings panel is just abysmal compared to Samsung with massive pill buttons that have virtually nothing in them.

Itoldmyselfso 1y ago

[dead]

baxuz 1y ago

I've been running a Samsung S21FE since release and I would _never_ buy a Samsung phone again. I don't need customization, I need stable features, and not having to fight with my OS for which clock and notes app I'm allowed to use. Most of the features require you to be deep in the Samsung ecosystem. Hell, Google Gemini can only use Samsung system apps as of the recent update. There are tons of bugs in the phone, and I regularly report them. The latest one is that the auto brightness is mapped to the slider. Which vibrates when it tops off, like any other slider for some reason. However, Samsung's engineers have obviously mapped the sensor to move the slider instead of directly managing the state, resulting in the phone constantly buzzing in your hand when you're outside. The phone constantly runs out of memory, especially when taking photos. Since the OneUI 7 update, the screen often takes 5 seconds to wake. It regularly flushes apps out of memory. I was looking at maybe upgrading to the S25 series but the cameras have horrible focus issues: https://eu.community.samsung.com/t5/galaxy-s25-series/galaxy-s25-camera-blurry-photos-out-of-focus/td-p/12087575 https://eu.community.samsung.com/t5/galaxy-s25-series/galaxy...

nh23423fefe 1y ago

Samsung camera app is buggy. Slow motion videos stutter. Its a common problem they wont solve.

mieubrisse 1y ago

Re. what apps can run in the background - have you checked out the "allow background battery usage"? This has worked so far for me.