A place for the discussion of Google Pixel products
Best thing about the pixel is it lets you sideload your own operating system from Grapheneos, Lineageos, Calyx, etc.
The only issues I have are unfortunately still common throughout the entire phone industry (No user-servicability or repairability, no SD card slot, no headphone jack)
I don't think the headphone jack is coming back...
I started using a Pixel phone for easy side loading. I got my next one because I looked the first one. I'm hooked
I use a pixel 4a (upgraded from a 3a when support ended) because it was one of the smallest android phones and it still had a headphone jack. Been eyeing the zenfones lately for the same reasons, but I would honestly stick with the pixel A series (or even upgrade to a "normal" pixel) if they went back to smaller options. Glad to see the zenfone 10 will have longer software support, but more OS upgrades would have made it a no-brainer!
I'm in the same boat. I love my Pixel 4a for the photos it can make, the size and headphone jack. Such a shame that the security updates are almost end of life. I'm eyeing the Zenphone 10 as a replacement for it's size and camera. 4 years of security updates is reasonable.
I had quite a long list of requirements when searching for a new phone, such as:
GSMArena kept recommending Pixel, and when I narrowed down my search, Pixel 5 was the last phone standing. So far quite happy with it!
My wife and I use Pixel because they're on Google Fi. We've been really pleased with the coverage and service so it's a no brainier.
Not a Pixel user here (would love to someday haha) but I'll give you my opinions.
I find Pixels fascinating devices mostly because of the software experience. I'm an Android fanboy and as we all know, Pixel is peak android.
Cameras. When it comes to cameras and image processing, they're the best out there hands down.
Here's something diff: It's arguably easier to modify a Pixel device than most other android phones. I'm talking custom roms. Pixel has some of the best supported roms out there, with GrapheneOS the most recommended one if privacy is the main focus.
I'd have to disagree regarding the cameras. Apple pays special attention to the entire graphics pipeline and has vastly more polished camera and display firmware and software. I say this having experience working with the camera stack in the development of multiple Android devices.
Great LineageOS support.
Headphone jack.
Headphone jack?
I'm still on a pixel 3a. I'm cheap and it still does the job. Also I think I get free unlimited Google photos or something.
On top of the vanilla android benefits, I can't live without call screening feature.
This is a feature I never knew I needed until I had it. I don't think I'd ever be able to switch to a phone without it.
Not a pixel owner but i used to have a nexus 5, with the selling argument being better software updates, thighter OS integration and less bloatware.
But Apple does all of this a lot better, so I switched to iPhone. Might be different these days though.
Try a newer Pixel! These problems are fixed!
Apple's got tighter integration, but also a much more closed ecosystem. I also can't read the source code for an iPhone's OS.
Something was just seamless for me with P1 and I was hooked. Dove into full google ecosystem due to the Pixel.
Not trying to simp for Google, but their shit Just Works™ on any OS I run ... except FreeRTOS, I guess, but that's kinda out of scope. I can even integrate cleanly with the few Apple products I have without being fully beholden to a different A.
I was very unimpressed with the mess that was Android when I first encountered it (2009?) but the framework really seemed to start to gel around Jelly Bean.