Google's Pixel formula has endured despite a shaky start to hardware and a hostile market that has seen everyone else drop out.
  • GregorGizeh@lemmy.zipEnglish
    275·
    2 years ago

    This post reads a little like

    C O N S U M E O N S U M E

    The one thing the pixels really have going for themselves is that the user can degoogle them and slap grapheneos on it. Literally the only reason I bought a pixel, everything else about it is very much average.

      • GregorGizeh@lemmy.zipEnglish
        2·
        2 years ago

        I’d still recommend a pixel if you care about your security and privacy, but the phone definitely isnt somehow extraordinary. Good quality (at least mine is), the expected specs for a modern phone, no complaints.

        Just that it is, well, a normal smartphone otherwise. Unless you want to put a custom OS on it you won’t find it very different from any other smartphone.

        • M500@lemmy.mlEnglish
          2·
          2 years ago

          I actually need a separate phone just for business purposes, like messaging, emails, calls. A few productivity apps.

          I like the long support window of pixels as I won’t have to replace the phone as frequently.

          I really love the idea of the dex mode of the galaxy phones. I wish I could dock the pixel and use it as my main work device. It’s the only reason I’m not 100% sold on a pixel as my next device.

  • EnderMB@lemmy.worldEnglish
    74·
    2 years ago

    The Pixels are probably the best high-end phone, but today the selection available is all bad enough that your choice comes down to “what features can I lose?”

    Even the likes of OnePlus have been shit for years. A company that literally entered the market on releasing an affordable flagship with near-stock software. Their last great phone was the OnePlus 6, before they decided to start ditching features.

    I had assumed that more companies would enter the market and take over, but that hasn’t happened. You still end up with no choice, whether it’s a poor screen, an awful camera, no storage, removed ports/jacks, no NFC support, or stupid little features that no one would actually give a shit about.

    The strength of early Android was that you had flagship phones that had the best new features, and experimental releases that tried new things on a budget like barcode scanners, slide-out keyboards, a desktop OS, remote features, etc. This still exists, but you’re paying even more for the pleasure of testing something in the wild.

    IMO, the world could use a new mobile OS, and one grounded in reality.

    • Switorik@lemmy.zipEnglish
      3·
      2 years ago

      If the pixel is considered the best high end phone, we have a very low bar set.

      I’ve had a few different pixels over the years because there is no phone that interests me anymore. All phones are garbage.

    • SeikoAlpinist@slrpnk.netEnglish
      1·
      2 years ago

      OnePlus is like, the only mainstream phone manufacturer worth it anymore. Half the price of other flagships, high frequency pwm dimming to reduce eyestrain, and still great camera. People say OxygenOS is bloated but that’s because stock Android is so stripped down and has had so many features removed over the years. But OxygenOS kept things that make sense, like a usable swipe down menu, floating windows, per application refresh rate, etc. and still has the IR blaster. And no AI gimmicks.

      I really don’t see anything competitive with the OnePlus 12 or 12R in the US market at that price. The high frequency pwm is the biggest selling point for me though. I literally can’t use a Pixel because of the low pwm.

    • Avid Amoeba@lemmy.caEnglish
      21·
      2 years ago

      A new mobile OS will inevitably end up in a similar place if it’s developed in the same shareholder value maximizing manner. This is why we don’t need a new OS. We need new firms developing Android things using a different economic model.

  • 1984@lemmy.todayEnglish
    79·
    2 years ago

    If you don’t mind Googles extreamly bad AI and also their subscription plans to suck you dry… Sure.

    And then the ugly camera bump on these phones… Ouch.

    For me, it’s the oneplus phones that are the saving grace in a mess of bad phones.

    Best looking design is probably the Honor 6 but the Chinese software design is awful and very convoluted.

      • smeg@feddit.ukEnglish
        3·
        2 years ago

        Exactly, who cares if a phone is “ugly” when most people stick a case on anyway? At least this weird camera bar means the phone sits flat rather than wobbling when you try to use it on a desk!