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I have owned an iPhone since the day it was released and I was generally happy with the device. I of course was VERY interested in the Android OS once it was released on the G1. However I thought the G1 was clunky and just not all together there. Once Android hit 2.1 I went out and sold my iPhone 3Gs for a Nexus one. Loved that phone to death except for the fact that the screen sucks in the daylight. It was completely unreadable in dense sunlight. Once the iPhone 4 dropped I switched to it due to the amazing specs and awesome app store games (Angry birds lol) but I soo realized that I missed Android. I didn't want to go back to the Nexus One due to screen brightness issues in the day light. The Captivate was my obvious choice due to its similar spec sheet and Super AMOLED screen. However after several weeks with the device I have some griped I need to express.
1st I will say that Samsung has made some nice additions to the UI with the Mail app and the Contacts app not sure if this is seen on other devices or not. Also the stock camera app is the most excellent most feature packed camera app ive ever used. That being said the battery life is complete ****. I have no gadgets running, my screen is mostly at half brightness and yet I am lucky to get a complete day out of the battery. I doubt there are any extended batteries out there but I'm not entirely sure I even want to bother making such a slim and sleek phone more bulky.
I do at time find that the stock 2.1 is sluggish at times and I am hoping that a 2.2 update will resolve that.
I am well aware of the GPS issues that have plagued this device and I can honestly say it frustrates me that this has gone unresolved up until this point. I have had two Captivates thus far and both have major GPS location issues.
The stock recovery rom is obviously crippled. The Clockwork Recovery rom is nice but I need to know how I can install it permanently because the Nandroid backups are worthless if there is no way to for sure boot to Clockwork recovery if for some reason the OS gets bricked.
My last and final issue with this phone is the fact that it has no LED noticfication light nor is there a trackball or clear way to adjust the cursor when selecting or editing text. My hope was for google to drop a Nexus 2 but I seriously doubt that will happen.
All in all The Captivate provides a great Android Experience and I really hope to see a Froyo update soon.
Please feel free to respond to me as I would love to hear what others think.
Thanks everyone.
Captivate is my very first smartphone.I really love this phone.
Many of my friends have iPhones and i even got a chance to use the iPhone 4. Frankly, i got bored in 10 mins. Be as beautiful as it is , i cant just keep admiring it and feel happy the way it looks, bcoz there's nothing much i can do with it. Combined with the fact that i have to listen to crap on the way i need to hold my phone after paying for it i was definitely sure it was not the iPhone (I am on ATT so the high end phone choices are pretty limited. I dont consider blackberry as a phone. I think is more of a mini-keyboard in a pocket.)
But with android its a completely different story. It is like a linux machine in my pocket. Google Android OS is the main reason i bought a Captivate.
Since i am on ATT, i was waiting for a high end android phone to be released and it was samsung captivate (i wudve bought any high end android phone ATT released it with). I went for the captivate and have absolutely no regrets. I was not ready for the HTC aria as i wanted a high end phone.
Comping to the points you mentioned.
1. Why is everyone expecting everything in a phone to be perfect!!! There is no perfect phone.
2. Battery Life : This device has a 4 inch screen. Obviously we shud understand tht the display in any device sucks most of the battery. So when u know u r buying a 4 inch screen dont expect it to run till eternity.
Its no surprise that evo 4G has an even worse battery life!
(I am surprised that there are so many comparisons between phones like Nexus one, iphone4, captivate etc... Compare battery life with phones having the same screen dimensions otherwise the comparison is worthless. I challenge APPLE to make a phone with 4 inch screen and retain the same retina display and same battery life.. Does anyone think thats possible?)
3. Regarding GPS i am pretty sure its a software problem and can be fixed!! I fixed it the way mentioned in the Sticky section link and the GPS work perfect!!
4. The remaining sluggishness etc is again a software issue. Everbody has to realize that with an android phone you have the most Customizable phone in your hands. So its left upto you to modify the phone the way you want it!
Finally, i am extremely satisfied with my Captivate. It has its share of problems, and sluggishness etc , but some things we can live with (definitely this phone may not be as beautiful/good finishing as an iPhone4, but then it can do the very basic function of a Phone :: make and receive calls.)
Finally the FROYO is definitely gonna make things better.
Cheers
==============
itzz(AN)dRoiD
The only thing that I can really speak to is the battery life.
Haven't used the GPS much at all and don't really notice the sluggishness coming from a Blackjack II.
But I can easily get a day out of a charge....if not more if I stopped using this to replace my laptop lol.
I've been unplugged since 3am. Did some light emailing...Facebook checking...gtalk chatting..xda viewing, etc. Fully charged at 3am before work and used since and I'm only at 63%.
One thing that can help is keeping brightness all the way down. I only turn it up when I'm outside in the sun.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I897 using XDA App
im satisfied w/ my Captivate minus the ****ty battery life and bad GPS lol
The Captivate is my first smart phone. As such, I can't compare it to other phones, but I feel qualified to comment regardless.
The battery hasn't been a problem for me, as I'm not constantly using it during the day for texting/watching videos/etc. However, I have noticed that it drains quickly when you do watch a lot of video. But I went in expecting this, so it's not a big problem for me. If it gets to be that big a problem, I'll buy an extra battery (a cheap shot, but anyway) or pack a charger.
The GPS issues bugged me a lot to start with, but for whatever reason it's become less of a problem over time. I don't know why, but it's seemed to have become more reliable over the past week or so. Still, it is slow to locate, and I expect it to be patched in the near future. However, to get rid of it over that one issue is a bit much in my book.
The lack of a notification light doesn't bother me simply because I'm not used to having one in the first place. Besides, it warbles at me when something new arrives, so it's not a total loss. I can see where it would be useful, as when in a meeting, but you can't exactly start tooling around on your phone at those times, either, so, to quote Clara Peller, "where's the beef?"
I hear a lot of folks complaining over the lag in the phone, whether it's due to Eclair or TouchWiz or bad ley lines or whatever. I experience these from time to time, and I find that Advanced Task Killer usually takes care of the issue. I wish multitasking was handled better, and that there was a built-in way to terminate apps and services you don't need. But it's not been enough of an issue for me to bother with rooting and wiping data and risk doing something stupid and wind up with a black plastic brick for my trouble. I, too, look forward to the Froyo update and the goodness it promises to bring with it, not the least of which is greater speed and reduction of lag...not just for this phone, but the advancement of the platform as a whole.
While I have more-or-less disagreed with the OP on most of his complaints, I must also disagree with the one who said, "why is everyone expecting everything in a phone to be perfect". Anything for which I pay $200 should meet my expectations. See the GPS issue: I think it'd be foolish of me to return the phone based on that complaint, but that's because I use it primarily as a phone and not a GPS receiver. If it's a deal-breaker for someone else, I certainly wouldn't hold it against them. Their standards are not my standards, and so long as it remains a personal standard, more power to them.
The only reason I would have returned mine would have been to go to Walmart and get the same phone for $148 instead of $199, but the savings wouldn't have been worth the hassle of backing up and restoring everything. Besides, I did get it ahead of street date, and you have to pay for little pleasures sometimes
So with all the threads out there complaining about the lack of features that came with the 8X or WP8, I thought it due time for me to post an update on my phone.
My only request is if youv'e got a real anger issue with something that I post, and want to flame, do it in your backyard, all I hope to see here is just a little love for the 8X and the WP8, K punkins!?
So its been 3 months now, thought I would update what I posted before in the '2 weeks with my 8X' thread. And yes, its a thread full of mcluvin for my 8X. Call me a fanboy, I don't mind. Still gonna sleep good knowing my phone is taking care of my wake up concerns!
so without further adue (spelling? I aint french), here we go:
Industrial Design/Durability - 3 months ago, all I heard was about durability, corners going bad, screen scratching, etc. Well, 3 months later and my phone is still called 'sexy beast' because it really is just a beautiful phone. I keep it in my pocket as well, and the corners are still looking as good as the day I got it. Cleaning is still easy, and I have noticed a few minor scratches on the screen, which considering how many times I put it in the same pocket as my keys, thats downright amazing! My TB had screen gouges after the 1st month.
Build Quality - Still solid as a rock! That little issue about the 1mm difference is still not something I notice, so its still rocking out, lookng and performing great.
Usability of Buttons - I wouldn't say I have large hands, at least I don't think I do. I have noticed that when I hold the phone in my left hand (my usuall position), the volume buttons fall perfectly between my first finger which rests just below the buttons and my next two fingers, which are able to grasp the sides of the phone without touching the rockers. The camera button then falls between the pinky which also rests just below the button and my two middle fingers. And its an easy slide for me to swing my finger to the power button. When the phone is in a pocket and I am listening to music, I find the volume buttons raised just enough where I can find them inside the pocket, and turn up or down. I haven't had any issues with the buttons, and actually find them better in terms of functionality than the buttons on my old TB. And just learned something the other night when my alarm went off. i don't have to hit the off or snooze, just give any button a love tap, bip, off goes the alarm! Woo Hoo! Thankfully the buttons are no problem for me!
Screen - still a gorgeous screen! Still crystal clear! The minor scratches are only seen in full daylight (don't get much of that in WA) and only when viewed at an angle. Otherwise, you wont notice it. And my oils still wipe off without any issues.
Windows Phone 8 - I am still loving the OS of this baby, and sorry folks, I still don't know what the Portico update did! Havent noticed anything new, other than the Wifi thing, which was never a bother for me. I always managed to stay under 1/2 GB even with internet, streaming vids and radios. Its still wicked smooth, quick and very responsive. Still no lag, and only had one random reboot last week. I blame me for that, I was fooling around and started hitting all the tiles I could as fast as I could. It kept trying to open everything I hit, then shut down and came back.
Bottom Line - I still love this phone! Any little issues that I have encountered (few, really few and far between) really are overshadowed by the performance, design, and reliability of the phone and OS itself. I keep learning something new on it, and keep getting compliments!
So I would like to challenge other 8X folks, lets see if we can spread some love to our phones instead of complaining about the little things!
My name is Jerry, and this is my Windows phone!
I've had my 8X for a few months as well, and I have been very impressed with both the hardware and software aspects of the device. It's actually one of the few gizmos I've bought that actually exceeded my expectations.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk 2
70363c1413 said:
I've had my 8X for a few months as well, and I have been very impressed with both the hardware and software aspects of the device. It's actually one of the few gizmos I've bought that actually exceeded my expectations.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I tend to agree with you. It's a great phone. I am starting to see the black corners and I have the more than occasional lag when using the windows buttons at the bottom but apart from that, I am happy.
Funny, I had an iPhone I just had to jailbreak. I had an android that I had to keep flashing and with the exception of wanting a few more theme colors and a little tighter integration with Skype, I'm a very happy camper.
I started this journey with the HD2 and WP7 when it first came out. Liked the OS but hated the lack of apps. Went back to android and then bought my HD7. Things continued to improve bit by bit and then I stepped up to a Lumia 900 with WP7.5. Except for the front facing camera (which I want but never use...) and a few of the Nokia apps, it didn’t seem too much of an upgrade from the HD7. Then I got the 8X. Lve the way my live tiles are laid out, love the look, the feel and overall I'm extremely happy.
The only reason I will jump at the next WP8 to be released is if it has an SD expansion slot. I find the 8GB version a real pain (even with skydrive) and the 16GB version has filled up to 13GB in a very short space of time. I'm surprised they ever released WP8 without a requirement for adding storage. MS dictate the start screen buttons, why not storage configs?
Anyway, enough said. Love the phone 95% and that's a damn good number! Cheers! :good:
A little more love
Just wanted to add some love for a feature on the 8X that really is better than any other phone I have used.
thats the bluetooth. I use a vehicle, 2 actually, that have the Sync option. And its so nice to have such quick and effortless connectivity to that system. I turn on the bluetooth, and connection is quick, and controls are flawless. And of course, with Beats working through BT, the sound is really great.
What I also like is how I can set the phone to 'vibrate' only, and it will continue to play sounds or provide turn by turn, read texts, etc until I turn car off, then it goes back into vibrate mode without me having to do anything.
My old TB wouldn't work half the time, or only half the controls would work, or it would skip or pause on and off for minutes on end.
Ah, so nice to be able to listen to music without a hitch.
Now, does anyone know where I can use the NFC? Wouldn't mind giving that a go! What about at like Jack in the box? Would it work there?
Tomorrow i arrive back to windows 8 i had the 8x the day it came out. I sold it thinking i needed ios or android i was wrong tomorrow my new htc8x arrives and I cant wait
Sent from my HTC One S using xda premium
chiefy009 said:
Tomorrow i arrive back to windows 8 i had the 8x the day it came out. I sold it thinking i needed ios or android i was wrong tomorrow my new htc8x arrives and I cant wait
Sent from my HTC One S using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Then welcome back! Every now and then here I will see a new update, or ROM, or something 'cool' for android, will get a little nostalgic, then look at the.home screen of my phone, and am reminded just how good this phone is!
Sent from my wicked sexy HTC 8X windows phone using Board Express
I, like most of you, was waiting impatiently for this device for the past few weeks. I was given a retail model on Thursday early and wanted to let my thoughts after 48 hours.
I have to say I haven't been this disappointed in a phone in a while. While the phone is a looker, fundamentals are quite lacking.
Battery life - Same as the S7 and that's not a good thing. Has the same inconsistent issues of quick drains while running idle. As an example, was working on my house yesterday for roughly 4 hours and left the phone down with out being touched. Left it at 90% and came back at 74%. Again no usage. I have 3 other Android phones with more apps running and this doesn't happen except on Samsung. They will never change in this regard. Every year I have hope and get sucked into buying one. Same results.
Fingerprint sensor- I was one of the people that thought all the complaining was unwarranted about the fingerprint sensor placement. I thought this is just an issue for certain people with finger dexterity issues or just looking for something to complain about. Boy was I wrong. It's actually worse! It works maybe75% of the time and that is only using my right hand. Forget about the left hand.. way too awkward and difficult to do with one hand. At first, I thought no biggie, I'll just use face scanning or supplement with Iris scanning. Face scanning again is hit and miss and forget about Iris scanning if you are anywhere outside of bright light. I had the note 7 and that seemed to work a ton better. Maybe a software fix coming? Back to the fingerprint issue.. Samsung Pay doesn't even come preloaded on the phone! Why?!?! Because the NFC chip is on back so have fun using the sensor and holding it to a pay device. I was perplexed how this was a main selling point with the s and note series of last year and how it couldn't be preloaded. Hell it is on the gear S3. I used it 3 times yesterday at 3 different stores. I had to hold the phone upside down and the back facing the terminal. Picture that for a second... Holding your finger on a sensor which is located on the back and also having to have the back of the phone facing the CC reader at the same time. It's unreal. It's absolutely crazy that they threw this phone with the sensor placement at last minute and gathered...Oh yeah how are they going to use Pay? Ah just don't preload it and we won't get so many complaints. If you think I'm full of it.. go try it.
As mentioned with unlocking with the fingerprint, the new home button is virtually useless. I am trying to understand why they are trying to reinvent the wheel and not just use the tried and true method that every Android manufacturer has used for the past few years. It takes a ridiculous amount of time to unlock this phone. Too many steps.touch the side button or home button, wait for face unlock to work and if it doesn't then do finger gynastics with the fingerprint sensor. Seriously I wind up just using pattern after both fail. I use my V20 as my DD and it's 100% unlocking with the fingerprint on one touch Everytime. What the [email protected]#&$ were you thinking Samsung?
Audio - I love music and media and I am a wanna be audiophile. The headphone jack output and sound is no better than the S7. Lower output than most phones and music has a tight soundstage. Sound is tinny and missing elements you would hear on other high end phones. The Bluetooth audio is actually better but that was the same as the S7. It's nothing to write home about to be honest. I knew it wasn't going to be V20 quality but I was hoping for better with the akg tuning and Harmon partnership.Maybe those changes will come to the note 8?
Not all is bad with the phone, I love the screen and how I missed wireless charging! But there are fundamental ergonomic design issues that make this phone clumsy to use day to day. It's like you have to think to unlock it instead of it being second nature. People will see what I mean when they get their device. It feels like Samsung rushed again to market a product. I am praying that the note 8 is the next big thing.
sillyphillie said:
It feels like Samsung rushed again to market a product.
I am praying that the note 8 is the next big thing.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
How is this "rushed"? Samsung has had a full year since last year's Galaxy S7, and all the manufacturers have a team actually start working on the NEXT release before they launch the current one. So, OVER a year.
Are you suggesting Samsung do what Apple does? Release a new phone EVERY TWO YEARS? And then the ones in between are just to fix what they screwed up? iPhone 4S = iPhone 4 antenna fiasco fix.
And as for "big", the Notes are TOO big. I will never own a Note phablet.
Just giving my take. This phone is definitely not ready for prime time in my opinion. RAM management is also an issue I forgot to list but that has always been an issue with Samsung so nothing to see here on that. Knew that coming in. Just disappointed they didn't do much to address. Again these are my opinions.
Camera is definitely improved though... Sweet shots I'm getting.
Samsung pay didn't come preloaded in my Verizon S7 Edge, I had to download it. But I do see what you're saying about paying with your fingerprint. But I, myself, have the gear S3 so feel there's no need to use Samsung pay on my phone since the watch does it.
sillyphillie said:
Just giving my take. This phone is definitely not ready for prime time in my opinion. RAM management is also an issue I forgot to list but that has always been an issue with Samsung so nothing to see here on that. Knew that coming in. Just disappointed they didn't do much to address. Again these are my opinions.
Camera is definitely improved though... Sweet shots I'm getting.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It may not be ready for Prime Time, but they had plenty of time. Any design failures is on Samsung -- their skill set, their design/manufacturing expertise.
Whereas "rushed" is like Google's 2016 Pixel with the HUGE bezels because Huawei turned them down for a Google Pixel phone with no manufacturer branding, and they had to go to HTC and use a re-purposed frame HTC already had -- and they only had 9 months to design/test/release a phone. THAT is "rushed". They couldn't even make it waterproof like they wanted because they ran out of time.
The Pixel and Pixel XL aren’t waterproof because Google ‘ran out of time’
http://www.androidauthority.com/google-pixel-xl-waterproof-724120/
According to Pierce, when he asked Google why its phone isn’t waterproof, its response was, rather simply: “We ran out of time”.
Pierce states that the development cycle for the smartphone was uncharacteristically short, reportedly “nine months and a week” from design to launch, as Google abandoned its original plans for the phone at the end of 2015.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Samsung has no such excuses, unless you are just saying they are incompetent.
I completely agree hence why I sold my pixel months ago. I'm not saying other manufacturers aren't rushing either. Just making a note that Samsung is as well. Anyway.. my take as someone who has the phone already. Hoping software fixes some of the concerns. But that fingerprint sensor and Samsung pay is there to stay.
ChazzMatt said:
Whereas "rushed" is like Google's 2016 Pixel with the HUGE bezels because Huawei turned them down for a Google Pixel phone with no manufacturer branding, and they had to go to HTC and use a re-purposed frame HTC already had
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Come on its a brand new design... http://www.gsmarena.com/compare.php3?idPhone1=8346&idPhone2=8297
Any phone coming out after the s8 and g6 with ugly ass bezels will be dead on arrival, lets see if htc has enough time to shrink those bezel's.
Re: Samsung pay, there are more than a few phones with rear fingerprint scanners and NFC chips that have been out for some time. I've never found this an issue nor have I heard complaints like this. As of right now the technology you're longing for (a front facing under the screen fingerprint scanner, since that's the only feasible alternative with the infinity display) simply hasn't been released. Unfortunately, the reality is it's these shortcomings that are debatably left out (intentionally?) to keep interest in the next iteration and keep overhead down. Hence why we never get the perfect smart phone. I'll you know when I get the device but I assume it's no different then the others: shiny, new, with some improvements, likely the best phone out, but still short of the perfect phone. (Never get too high of expectations, these companies are here to be profitable) I had the G6 all of 2 days before I was left unimpressed, hopefully that's not the case with the S8.
Oh well take my money. Thanks for the write up!
---------- Post added at 05:55 AM ---------- Previous post was at 05:53 AM ----------
peachpuff said:
Come on its a brand new design... http://www.gsmarena.com/compare.php3?idPhone1=8346&idPhone2=8297
Any phone coming out after the s8 and g6 with ugly ass bezels will be dead on arrival, lets see if htc has enough time to shrink those bezel's.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
HTC is screwed if the renditions/leaks are accurate. Still has same general design and big ol bezels
sillyphillie said:
I, like most of you, was waiting impatiently for this device for the past few weeks. I was given a retail model on Thursday early and wanted to let my thoughts after 48 hours.
I have to say I haven't been this disappointed in a phone in a while. While the phone is a looker, fundamentals are quite lacking.
Battery life - Same as the S7 and that's not a good thing. Has the same inconsistent issues of quick drains while running idle. As an example, was working on my house yesterday for roughly 4 hours and left the phone down with out being touched. Left it at 90% and came back at 74%. Again no usage. I have 3 other Android phones with more apps running and this doesn't happen except on Samsung. They will never change in this regard. Every year I have hope and get sucked into buying one. Same results.
Fingerprint sensor- I was one of the people that thought all the complaining was unwarranted about the fingerprint sensor placement. I thought this is just an issue for certain people with finger dexterity issues or just looking for something to complain about. Boy was I wrong. It's actually worse! It works maybe75% of the time and that is only using my right hand. Forget about the left hand.. way too awkward and difficult to do with one hand. At first, I thought no biggie, I'll just use face scanning or supplement with Iris scanning. Face scanning again is hit and miss and forget about Iris scanning if you are anywhere outside of bright light. I had the note 7 and that seemed to work a ton better. Maybe a software fix coming? Back to the fingerprint issue.. Samsung Pay doesn't even come preloaded on the phone! Why?!?! Because the NFC chip is on back so have fun using the sensor and holding it to a pay device. I was perplexed how this was a main selling point with the s and note series of last year and how it couldn't be preloaded. Hell it is on the gear S3. I used it 3 times yesterday at 3 different stores. I had to hold the phone upside down and the back facing the terminal. Picture that for a second... Holding your finger on a sensor which is located on the back and also having to have the back of the phone facing the CC reader at the same time. It's unreal. It's absolutely crazy that they threw this phone with the sensor placement at last minute and gathered...Oh yeah how are they going to use Pay? Ah just don't preload it and we won't get so many complaints. If you think I'm full of it.. go try it.
As mentioned with unlocking with the fingerprint, the new home button is virtually useless. I am trying to understand why they are trying to reinvent the wheel and not just use the tried and true method that every Android manufacturer has used for the past few years. It takes a ridiculous amount of time to unlock this phone. Too many steps.touch the side button or home button, wait for face unlock to work and if it doesn't then do finger gynastics with the fingerprint sensor. Seriously I wind up just using pattern after both fail. I use my V20 as my DD and it's 100% unlocking with the fingerprint on one touch Everytime. What the [email protected]#&$ were you thinking Samsung?
Audio - I love music and media and I am a wanna be audiophile. The headphone jack output and sound is no better than the S7. Lower output than most phones and music has a tight soundstage. Sound is tinny and missing elements you would hear on other high end phones. The Bluetooth audio is actually better but that was the same as the S7. It's nothing to write home about to be honest. I knew it wasn't going to be V20 quality but I was hoping for better with the akg tuning and Harmon partnership.Maybe those changes will come to the note 8?
Not all is bad with the phone, I love the screen and how I missed wireless charging! But there are fundamental ergonomic design issues that make this phone clumsy to use day to day. It's like you have to think to unlock it instead of it being second nature. People will see what I mean when they get their device. It feels like Samsung rushed again to market a product. I am praying that the note 8 is the next big thing.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have never used a fingerprint scanner or whatever on a phone, just good old passcode/pattern. It blows my mind people getting all uppity (no you, people in general) over a freaking unlock method to their phone. It's like a new Porsche/Mercedes and instead of talking about its performance people get all hung up on the palm sensor to unlock the door all the while they have the keys. Phones are all about the screen and apps, etc. Who gives a hoot about a stupid fingerprint sensor.
i plan to use samsung pay with Pin instead of fingerprint since it' on the back
Should we cancel our pre-orders then? I'd be more than happy to stick with my Note 4 than pay £55 a month for the next 2 years.
The funny thing about this bezel less design is I really think it's more beauty than function. Maybe it's the bezel less combined with the edge display but I feel less secure with this phone. I have a gs7 and lgv20 I keep referencing back to and when you are out and about the flat display lends to more secure in the hand feel. Maybe even more comfort.
Every year we hear how awesome a phone is from MWC through the first round of reviews. I'm really wanting to know what the consensus will be on this phone. The LG G6 was a darling when announced now the shine has come way off and people are finding out the size and feel are not what's it's cracked up to be. I'm going to give this phone more time and hope it grows on me.
The Phone Company said:
Should we cancel our pre-orders then? I'd be more than happy to stick with my Note 4 than pay £55 a month for the next 2 years.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
everyone's got a different opinion... i am still happy to proceed with my s8 plus, and keep in mind... these folks complainin abt battery life are the US models running SD... and we've got exynos
Is Exnos a more thrifty battery chip?
I will get the EU model in any case.
So long story short I have had my Verizon Pixel 3 since launch but never activated it and switched over to it due to some personal issues over the last few months...I am almost ready to dive in and set it all up and make the switch what I want to know is there any known issues I should be looking out for whether it be software or hardware related?
If I were you, I wouldn't even take it out of the box. Sell this piece of junk and get something else. I am waiting for my third replacement and there won't be a fourth.
stocovick said:
If I were you, I wouldn't even take it out of the box. Sell this piece of junk and get something else. I am waiting for my third replacement and there won't be a fourth.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What were your problems?
Have had it for a couple months. Waiting on replacement. Charging port is loose.
In October I switched to the pixel 3 after 8 years of iPhones.
Very satisfied with the Google experience. It's an excellent phone.
My wife and I have been using the Pixel 3 and Pixel 3XL since just after release and after 2+years of the OG Pixel and Pixel XL. None of the 4 phones have had any hardware issues or software issues besides normal stuff that gets fixed or is application specific. Most of the software issues have been the cat and mouse game with rooting (these days via Magisk), custom recovery (TWRP) and installing from custom recovery, and other random root permission/root app issues. Since you have a Verizon variant, none of that is relevant except in the extremely unlikely event that a bootloader unlock is found. To be honest, the only issue either of us have had software related is that on her phone she has to to swipe the shade down again after clicking/acknowledging a notification to get the notification to go away. Funny thing is the OG Pixel had the same issue, and it is hardly a deal breaker despite the fact that Google has just thrown a ton of useless troubleshooting steps her way that would be far more problematic and time consuming than just dealing with it. It has been reported by others, but there still seems to be no consistency in the cause.
I've had the Pixel 1, 2, and now 3. I've had ONE issue with the 1st Pixel and haven't had another issue since. The GPS chip went out in the first pixel but the rest have been bullet proof.
iamloco724 said:
What were your problems?
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First device had a paint chip on the frame near the top, awful battery life and static noise in the earpiece, and many software bugs that were mostly fixed with the December update. Second device had a paint chip near the usb port, problems with the oleophobic coating, and static noise in the earpiece, and the black frame had marks/scratches all around from being on a Spigen case which never happened with any other device I had in the past. Besides these issues, the software seems half-baked, with lots of small glitches. The video recording is terrible for a flagship phone (not talking about the audio), and if the phone starts getting too hot, the recording becomes choppy and the phones turns into a lag fest and it turns itself off to cooldown. All in all, I feel like the quality of the hardware is subpar and the software experience is too barebones to justify the price.
For me, the biggest unresolved issue has been the persistent lack of communication from Google. It seems particularly bad since the release of the Pixel 3. That has not been corrected, and probably never will.
I can understand and forgive defects. They are bound to happen. That being said, the Pixel 3 has had an abnormally large number of issues compared to most other devices (even compared to previous Google devices) indicating a low level of quality control on this particular product. Going by what I'm seeing on the forums, the biggest outstanding technical issue right now appears to be with call quality. I've personally experienced this issue myself on 6 different Pixel 3 and 3XL phones (RMA exchanges). I also work with a number of people who received/purchased the Pixel 3 or 3XL over the holidays, and have found that their call quality is so poor that they can't even use the phone. I started a thread about it here on XDA. It is the topic of one of the top threads on Google's own product forums. Thousands of people commenting, and new people adding their voice every day. Some major news outlets have picked it up. There are also daily posts about it on the /r/GooglePixel sub-reddit, but they are quickly removed by moderators or downvoted into oblivion. To this date, no one can say for certain what causes it because Google won't officially acknowledge that they even are aware of it, let alone trying to fix it.
There also appear to be outstanding issues with memory management, screen colors, Bluetooth connectivity, and the haptic engine (seems to have a high failure rate). Some folks are claiming they are still having issues with the camera not saving, despite the recent patch. Browsing the forums, there is still a laundry list of other unresolved issues with the P3. Some might be fixable, and some are inherent to poor QA in the batch, and will probably never be resolved.
But none of that matters, because Google won't communicate. There is literally no indication even Google is even aware of these issues. There is no way of knowing what will be in the next patch, and no expectations relayed to the customers.
Even if the Pixel 3 is eventually patched to perfection (doubtful), and all Googles future releases are problem free, the blatant lack of communication and poor customer service will prevent me from purchasing a Google product again. The level of customer service is on-par with some of those shady Chinese e-bay stores that sell low quality electronics. I honestly can't believe a billion dollar company is treating their customers this way.
Edit: Here is a link to the product forums. You will probably get the best idea for the problems people are having there, since it is the first place a non-technically inclined user is likely to go.
My wife and I both have Pixel 3's that we've been using since late October. Neither of us have had a single issue. I think it's a great phone.
Well I'm having this issue since the very first day I bought my pixel 3:
I get some random vibrations without notification whatsoever. Its always the same pattern : 2 short vibrations.
Installed every possible notification log application, used the settings widget etc. There is NO notification logged when this happens. None.
It is just random, and no it doesn't only happen in shhh mode or in the pocket, it also happens when the phone is idle face up on a table.
Very frustrating.
Aanze said:
Well I'm having this issue since the very first day I bought my pixel 3:
I get some random vibrations without notification whatsoever. Its always the same pattern : 2 short vibrations.
Installed every possible notification log application, used the settings widget etc. There is NO notification logged when this happens. None.
It is just random, and no it doesn't only happen in shhh mode or in the pocket, it also happens when the phone is idle face up on a table.
Very frustrating.
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Now that you mention it, I was also having this issue with my phone. I thought I was just going crazy though :laugh:
Hi guy, anyone getting this weird bug/issue, I am getting this "battery may run out soon" warning notification even when i am above 60%?
I recently bought a Pixel6a with the Black Friday deal in Europe. Loved the software, but hated the hardware. Battery life has been awful since it didn't last a day, the colours look duller than my previous devices, has rainbow banding on white screen which is annoying for me and forced me to change to Dark Mode, but it's still annoying when reading with white background or watching videos (let's say there's a wardrobe in a video, a part of the wardrobe looks greener, the following looks normal and the following looks pinkier). The device doesn't overheat to the point of stop working, but It heats enough to be uncomfortable on my hands doing common everyday tasks (e.g. It gets to 40C when using Youtube/Twitch and 45C while gaming according to CPU Monitor App, but It feels hotter than what it looks like (disclaimer: 5G has been deactivated ever since I got the phone and using latest December update)), and after prolonged use, 15 mins or more, I have to let it down to cool it because touching the bare aluminium is uncomfortable to hold. I've sometimes found out it just heats up for no reason at all with no processes in the background.
I contacted Europe Google Support since I have till the 15th of January to send back the phone if I want. They first suggested a repair (I don't know what the tech support wanted to repair since It just sounds like a defect) and ended up doing an advanced replacement for a completely new device because the tech support guy concluded the device was defective based on my description. The device I got for replacement was a refurbished phone instead of a new factory one. Still, I tested out the device and found out it that had worse rainbow banding and the same heating issue or worse.
I contacted support again and they said they would contact the higher-ups with my case and I'd receive an email soon with an answer. Honestly, I'm not really hopeful with the upcoming answer, and I can't believe Google sends refurbished phones for clients in the returning window, I've had other phones with similar replacements and always got a completely new factory one and I feel betrayed about it.
I read online that a lot of people went through this problem and it got resolved after a replacement but it looks like I haven't been that lucky. Wondering what to do about it, thinking of asking Google about an actual replacement that hopefully doesn't have the uncomfortable heat and rainbow banding, but I'm in the verge of returning it due to this last experience. The pixel 6a is really good for browsing the web and using apps really fast since the software experience is so smooth compared to other devices, but I end up watching videos on my older devices (I have a really old 200€ Samsung, bq) because the experience is just better. I'm also a heavy phone gamer, so I don't mind a little heat when playing games, but this much looks like it's gonna wear the phone really fast and it's very concerning.
However, unlike many other users, I found no issues at all with the fingerprint sensor! Found out It just works better using the tip of the thumb rather than the full thumb and It works 100% of the time on both phones. Thumbs up for that! And also, the motor inside this device that produces the vibrations is the best one I've found so far in my life.
Let me know your thoughts and if you have the same temps while doing simple everyday tasks like me, and if the devices I have are really defective or that's their intended use because I have no stores available near me to check the phones or ask about it, and therefore take action based on it.
Thank you all in advance!
Other issues I found with the Pixel6a that I believe CAN be fixed through software:
The first 5 levels of volume don't actually move the slider a bit. Really annoying.
Saturated colours are really below the rest of the devices in the market. The only option for colour settings is either Natural or Adaptive, but even Adaptive looks like bare Natural on other devices I have. I also can't believe a Pixel has a cold-warm slider for taking photos but doesn't have the same slider for the colours of the phone itself. Let the people have the colours they want and don't force them on your business clamping or force them to root the phone.
Really disappointed to hear about the screen issues.
Honestly a colour temp adjustment for the screen should be standard on all phones now. I was shocked when I found that 2022 pixels still require a custom kernel just to choose your own white point.
That rainbow banding would drive me nuts too - reminds me of old school OLEDs I used several years ago.
Such a shame because I really want to experience the pixel camera, but looks like I'll be forced to go with Samsung or Xiaomi again.
Google's quality control is horrible. You wouldn't be the first to have to ask for a second replacement to get a "normal" device.
The "overheating" issue sort of fixes itself after a few weeks of use. I didn't want to believe others when they told me so, but I have experienced it on my own as well, and it does go away overtime.
DanTheSage said:
The first 5 levels of volume don't actually move the slider a bit. Really annoying.
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That's the case with all Pixels, basically. The bottom half of the volume slider (whether using the device's speakers or headphones (whether wired or not, made by Google or not)) is basically useless. Luckily, there's no noticeable distortion at max, but it doesn't get loud enough always.
DanTheSage said:
Saturated colours are really below the rest of the devices in the market.
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You had mentioned earlier in your post that you have an old Samsung. Compared to what devices on the market do you think the Pixel's screen isn't saturated enough? Samsung has a tendency of oversaturating their displays to make them pop, so they aren't very accurate either.