Google Pixel 7 series

What upgrade would you most like to see on the Pixel 7 series?


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deckcard

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Hi y'all. Being a Google phone and the new tensor chip more invested in AI and stuff. So how is Google pixel "smarter" than the other brands?

To me, phone experience means everything so the first thing when I got a pixel is looking to setup some automation like turning off sound/wifi/etc when I reached home and reverse it when I leave work. To my surprise, I cannot find a build feature that does that as compared to say Samsung with Bixby routine. I've to resolve to using a third party app which I tried to avoid as much as possible. I'm not even impressed with the pixel launcher as I wasn't even able to hide apps on 5he get go. So I'd need another third party launcher which again would defeat the purpose of owning a pixel?

I'd like to understand more about what people always praise on the Google experience and that would be much easier to convince back in the days where Samsung TouchWiz is such a mess and laggy but it doesn't seem to be the case after they hv moved to One UI. Yes, camera software experience is better but other brands are closing the gap too and u can get a lot of Google apps on other brands that would work as well.

So tell me how u use ur pixel and how much smarter it is that is miles ahead from other brands?
 

plsdunbiteme

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Hi y'all. Being a Google phone and the new tensor chip more invested in AI and stuff. So how is Google pixel "smarter" than the other brands?

To me, phone experience means everything so the first thing when I got a pixel is looking to setup some automation like turning off sound/wifi/etc when I reached home and reverse it when I leave work. To my surprise, I cannot find a build feature that does that as compared to say Samsung with Bixby routine. I've to resolve to using a third party app which I tried to avoid as much as possible. I'm not even impressed with the pixel launcher as I wasn't even able to hide apps on 5he get go. So I'd need another third party launcher which again would defeat the purpose of owning a pixel?

I'd like to understand more about what people always praise on the Google experience and that would be much easier to convince back in the days where Samsung TouchWiz is such a mess and laggy but it doesn't seem to be the case after they hv moved to One UI. Yes, camera software experience is better but other brands are closing the gap too and u can get a lot of Google apps on other brands that would work as well.

So tell me how u use ur pixel and how much smarter it is that is miles ahead from other brands?
Tbh Pixel UI is overrated, esp in Singapore, since we don't get the really great features like call screening and built-in VPN.

In SG context, One UI is by far the 'smarter' UI and has more useful features like routines and one hand operation. Pixel UI also has some annoying traits like combining wifi and data quick settings (wonder which joker thought this was a good idea) and not able to remove the search bar.
 

gpgtmeowmeow

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To me, phone experience means everything so the first thing when I got a pixel is looking to setup some automation like turning off sound/wifi/etc when I reached home and reverse it when I leave work. To my surprise, I cannot find a build feature that does that as compared to say Samsung with Bixby routine. I've to resolve to using a third party app which I tried to avoid as much as possible. I'm not even impressed with the pixel launcher as I wasn't even able to hide apps on 5he get go. So I'd need another third party launcher which again would defeat the purpose of owning a pixel?

Auto-on Wi-Fi (Available in Google pixel OS)
Settings -> Network & Internet -> Internet -> Network preferences -> Select Turn on Wi-fi automatically

Auto-off Wi-Fi (I like this feature. Note: Not available as an OS feature in stock Google Pixel OS. GrapheneOS has this feature)

Settings -> Network & Internet -> Internet -> Network preferences -> Select Turn off Wi-fi automatically -> duration default is 30s if no network connected

Regarding turning off sounds:
Use Android's do not disturb mode. I believe it is customizable to include/exclude apps, alarms, calendars, etc. Alarms can turn off d&d mode. Otherwise it'll be turned off after the time you have set.

Regarding hiding apps:
If you're trying to hide apps from the launcher, you can just disable to apps and they will stop appearing. The advantage is they will also stop using background data and lose all permissions. Otherwise a 3rd party launcher is needed. I think most of us recommend Nova or Lawnchair with network revoked. Note that you can't revoke network permission on stock Google pixel OS.

So tell me how u use ur pixel and how much smarter it is that is miles ahead from other brands?

Just like how you use Internet Explorer/Edge to download other browsers, many others use Google Pixel to install custom OS and ROMs.

Smarter phone doesn't always means better experiences sometimes.

I like to simplify my needs with the phone and be less reliant on my phone.
 

gpgtmeowmeow

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Pixel UI also has some annoying traits like combining wifi and data quick settings (wonder which joker thought this was a good idea) and not able to remove the search bar.
Unfortunately, the combined wifi and data quick settings tile is in AOSP too... So this doesn't just apply to Pixel UI. I agree that the search bar is dumb too. Fortunately, I don't use the stock launcher.
 

limmk

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Hi y'all. Being a Google phone and the new tensor chip more invested in AI and stuff. So how is Google pixel "smarter" than the other brands?

To me, phone experience means everything so the first thing when I got a pixel is looking to setup some automation like turning off sound/wifi/etc when I reached home and reverse it when I leave work. To my surprise, I cannot find a build feature that does that as compared to say Samsung with Bixby routine. I've to resolve to using a third party app which I tried to avoid as much as possible. I'm not even impressed with the pixel launcher as I wasn't even able to hide apps on 5he get go. So I'd need another third party launcher which again would defeat the purpose of owning a pixel?

I'd like to understand more about what people always praise on the Google experience and that would be much easier to convince back in the days where Samsung TouchWiz is such a mess and laggy but it doesn't seem to be the case after they hv moved to One UI. Yes, camera software experience is better but other brands are closing the gap too and u can get a lot of Google apps on other brands that would work as well.

So tell me how u use ur pixel and how much smarter it is that is miles ahead from other brands?
The beauty of android is, it allows users to customize their phones (installing a completely different launcher, icon packs etc). smarter doesn't mean needs to compete bells and whistles among competitions. in google's case, AI means its intelligent google assistant. and it constantly improving its ML in photography with magic eraser feature and so on. the gripes with google is removing features (active edge, soli etc) from one variant to another
 

kryptonit3

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Hi y'all. Being a Google phone and the new tensor chip more invested in AI and stuff. So how is Google pixel "smarter" than the other brands?

To me, phone experience means everything so the first thing when I got a pixel is looking to setup some automation like turning off sound/wifi/etc when I reached home and reverse it when I leave work. To my surprise, I cannot find a build feature that does that as compared to say Samsung with Bixby routine. I've to resolve to using a third party app which I tried to avoid as much as possible. I'm not even impressed with the pixel launcher as I wasn't even able to hide apps on 5he get go. So I'd need another third party launcher which again would defeat the purpose of owning a pixel?

I'd like to understand more about what people always praise on the Google experience and that would be much easier to convince back in the days where Samsung TouchWiz is such a mess and laggy but it doesn't seem to be the case after they hv moved to One UI. Yes, camera software experience is better but other brands are closing the gap too and u can get a lot of Google apps on other brands that would work as well.

So tell me how u use ur pixel and how much smarter it is that is miles ahead from other brands?
I think if you want features/ prefer lotsa customisation don't get pixel go to Samsung. Personally I feel Pixel is for those that simply want to enjoy a phone at its stock android form with fast monthly updates without bloat apps . Oneui did improve in alot since TouchWiz era but not everyone prefer lots of toggle buttons/settings within the UI.
 

royfrosty

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Hi y'all. Being a Google phone and the new tensor chip more invested in AI and stuff. So how is Google pixel "smarter" than the other brands?

To me, phone experience means everything so the first thing when I got a pixel is looking to setup some automation like turning off sound/wifi/etc when I reached home and reverse it when I leave work. To my surprise, I cannot find a build feature that does that as compared to say Samsung with Bixby routine. I've to resolve to using a third party app which I tried to avoid as much as possible. I'm not even impressed with the pixel launcher as I wasn't even able to hide apps on 5he get go. So I'd need another third party launcher which again would defeat the purpose of owning a pixel?

I'd like to understand more about what people always praise on the Google experience and that would be much easier to convince back in the days where Samsung TouchWiz is such a mess and laggy but it doesn't seem to be the case after they hv moved to One UI. Yes, camera software experience is better but other brands are closing the gap too and u can get a lot of Google apps on other brands that would work as well.

So tell me how u use ur pixel and how much smarter it is that is miles ahead from other brands?

Hi there, the issue is, when you are so used to customised android. It is unlikely you will enjoy stock android. I used to love all the Bixby routines when I was using the s22u. I get it.... Its intuitive. Its smarter and a lot more customisable. On pixel, it is just plain rules which does nothing other than turning up volume and silent or vibrate. That's about it. In that context bixby routines is certainly the swiss army knife for Samsung.

The AI that Google heavily promoting is nothing on the Rules or Bixby Routine level. If you travel a lot, live transcribe is a lot more useful. Even live translation from YouTube is well integrated. These are the things that you will get from Google. Other things are much nitty grit type of details. Like when you are texting with your friends for a location to meet up. You don't even need to copy the address location. All you need to do is launch the Google map, on the search bar it will appear the address you were talking about.

Lastly the integration of an ecosystem of smart home products. On the surface, every android works with Google Home. But if you ever try speaking to Google to turn on your smart home devices. Google Assistant is a lot more precise and they know what you are looking for. Bixby or smart things in Samsung will be a little harder to understand our English pronunciation. And you have to be very precise to what you wanna turn on/off. Being a Singaporean English, Google commands are rather a little more forgiving.

Apart from that, a lot of smart home products are either supporting Google assistant, apple homekit, or even Alexa. Rarely you see Bixby or smart things are supported natively. That alone has thousands of brands supporting in smart home products. That alone I already find it amazing and extremely welcome.

Now back to UI of the phone. Assuming you don't even use smart features on a pixel. As for the UI launcher. Yes indeed it is limited. The app grid is really wasteful for such a big screen but so little apps can be on the screen. Hence a launcher is needed if you wanna do more than just the pixel launcher can do.

The beauty is the stock android. It is so plain and you are allowed to customised as much as you want. Be it from 3rd party or from the phone itself. I know it sounds weird that you have to download everything 3rd party and not having 1st party support.

So back to your question. AI is very broad. Is so broad that AI is not just turning your phone ringtone on/off or toggle connectivity wifi/LTE or perhaps as deep as setting location settings to do many customisable actions. For that, I suggest you to stick to Samsung. Cause they are best at phone automation. Not really a home automation powerhouse.

There are other reasons why people will choose pixel. There are other things that people look out for, in a pixel that other phones might not have. Etc.

For my case.... I hated the s22u because of the sluggish one UI. Inconsistent performance for gaming. Throttling like mad when heated up. Apart from that, the battery life is horrendous. The only thing I missed most is Bixby routines and the spen. Other than that, I felt that the pixel 7 pro has more to offer me. Better camera, better AI integration, better live transcribe, better battery mileage and lastly the simplicity of the phone as compared to Samsung.
 

deckcard

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@royfrosty - google assistant is still available on Samsung working the same. I use translation quite a bit on both and see not much difference.

Home automation is also available, I've never used Bixby except for Bixby routines which saved me the trouble of using taskers for many years before Bixby routines. And to be honest, Samsung isn't the first with the automation but this feature was on LG phones back in the days.

I've tweaked my Samsung by debloating and with automation so performance is good and battery life is better than my pixel. The other weird thing is I found more bugs on pixel than on my Samsung both on Android 13.

Anyway I do understand simplicity and I digged it. Back in the nexus days, I only run stock or aosp roms on any phones but now, the other brands seem to have caught up so if simplicity means I've to install a hundred 3rd party apps just to get to where I'm while I can do that without any on another brand, then I guess simplicity just doesn't cut it for me anymore.
 

tryhardbob

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Do you guys know where I can get a Google pixel 7 pro screen protector? Are there even shops here that sell them?
 

algerr

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Do you guys know where I can get a Google pixel 7 pro screen protector? Are there even shops here that sell them?

try shopee.

or if u got more budget go for WSD glass protector - for physical shops..try mobilestop outlets, K.Lab outlets, Casefactorie at 231 Bain Street.
 

royfrosty

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@royfrosty - google assistant is still available on Samsung working the same. I use translation quite a bit on both and see not much difference.

Home automation is also available, I've never used Bixby except for Bixby routines which saved me the trouble of using taskers for many years before Bixby routines. And to be honest, Samsung isn't the first with the automation but this feature was on LG phones back in the days.

I've tweaked my Samsung by debloating and with automation so performance is good and battery life is better than my pixel. The other weird thing is I found more bugs on pixel than on my Samsung both on Android 13.

Anyway I do understand simplicity and I digged it. Back in the nexus days, I only run stock or aosp roms on any phones but now, the other brands seem to have caught up so if simplicity means I've to install a hundred 3rd party apps just to get to where I'm while I can do that without any on another brand, then I guess simplicity just doesn't cut it for me anymore.

As mentioned on my previous answer. On the surface all android works with Google assistant. There is an edge on Google assistant as compared to Bixby. And because it is a Pixel phone, it is constantly learning the way you do things.

I give you an example.... If I were to set my wardrobe lights to wardrobe led. The moment I tell Google on/off wardrobe Light, Google home will just turn on/off the wardrobe Light instead of led. It will understand and turn it on/off. Unlike smart things/Bixby. They are a little more rigid.

Yes you have Google assistant in Samsung, but you see the issue here? You have 2 assistant running in Samsung. Bixby and Google Assistant. Back then Samsung is way worse, they have 2 of everything. As such, out of the box experience, one has to debloat it as much as possible. Ended up doing double job.

Samsung Account / Google Account
Bixby / Google Assistant
One Drive / Google Drive
Samsung Browser / Chrome (download)
Samsung Calendar / Google Calendar

Bugs on pixel is for sure an early stage issue for now. Consider it is android 13 which is new. Not sure if s22u is having android 13 now or still on 12. Every big patch Samsung roll out. Sure there will be bugs.

In short. Go ahead buy what you feel comfortable. It is hard to convince someone whom is too comfortable on one OS to another. Only a true enthusiast will buy whatever they like and do whatever they want with their phones. If you feel that customised android is what you want and what you are looking for. Then stick to it.
 

anthonygreenisreal

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my last Samsung is the note 10 plus, walaueh always got alot of nonsense running in the background all the time..
Need to go in menu dive to disable alot of things. Very xinku just to get it to stop draining battery.
 

Cmon.Chump

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anyone with issue with 5G on GOMO plan? i used to be able to use 5G then i stopped the plan for 2 weeks.

Renewed 2 days ago but i cant seem to get the 5G signal again. Went on support with the customer service and they keep saying its due to my phone issue - that pixel 7 is not supported wtf :rolleyes::rolleyes: (n)
 
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