Initial experience with the phone was/still is outstanding.
The user experience surpasses any other droid I've used to date (other then the camera quality.)
Screen became unresponsive, new phone will arrive today.
But there's no joy here without a bubbling development community on this beast of a phone.
For that reason the fun factor has dissipated for me & I might have to consider going back to Sony or the likes.
dillalade said:
Initial experience with the phone was/still is outstanding.
The user experience surpasses any other droid I've used to date (other then the camera quality.)
Screen became unresponsive, new phone will arrive today.
But there's no joy here without a bubbling development community on this beast of a phone.
For that reason the fun factor has dissipated for me & I might have to consider going back to Sony or the likes.
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I see where you're coming from.
However we have TWRP, Magisk root and a fairly stock-stock rom. Maybe in a year or so when Razer stop development for the Razer phone and we get stuck on Android P I'll regret it a little more
Looks like razer has stopped already they are silent wouldn't respond to anything on the insider forums, case of cheers for your cash and buying a howler of an abandoned ****
You guys can simply use project treble images, i am running aosp rom and its pretty flawless so far. And i am dead sure that treble images will carry on much further than Android p.
Haithamraid said:
You guys can simply use project treble images, i am running aosp rom and its pretty flawless so far. And i am dead sure that treble images will carry on much further than Android p.
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To be honest, I see where he is coming from. Not only is development support seem low, but I kind of expected that with trebel being a thing. However when trying to run a trebel ROM (I've tried AOSP and LineageOS), I run into stability problems and it causes the phone to constantly freeze, crash then randomly reboot. With that plus Razer not offering timely updates since the phone is now 2 months behind on security updates, I feel like it's time to move on also and sell it.
So everybody has that one thing made them buy Pixel 3 over other phones.. for me that's camera and assume the same for many of the users... what's that one thing made you buy this phone?
ram4ufriends said:
So everybody has that one thing made them buy Pixel 3 over other phones.. for me that's camera and assume the same for many of the users... what's that one thing made you buy this phone?
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After years of being a loyal Samsung customer, I got tired of updates that often took 8+ months after release. Even when they came, my phone often slowed down to a crawl. I also got tired of the locked down bootloader in Samsung phones. This is my first Pixel phone and I couldn't be happier. Superior camera, monthly updates, butter-y smooth performance, unlocked bootloader with ability to root and do titanium backups without losing warranty. Too many reasons to mention. I will NEVER again buy a Samsung. I never understood how inferior specs could have better overall performance, but now that I actually own Pixel, I can.
Sent from my [device_name] using XDA-Developers Legacy app
The main reason I went to the Pixel is the camera. After owning the Note 9 and getting mostly blurry action shots I went back to the Pixel and couldn't be more happy. I don't miss the curved Samsung displays at all either.
My initial purchase of the OG Pixel and Pixel XL was at least partially driven by price. My wife and I had S4s that I got before Samsung locked them down, so once I had them rooted they were going to get used until they died. Close to three years later the were on their last leg and the dePixel exploit went public. I grabbed the OGs at Verizon for essentially half off retail, ended up with a device that worked exactly like the Google model and even got trade-in money for the S4s. After 2+ years of the OGs (that were still behaving like champs and had moved a while back to T-Mobile), I got myself really tempted to pick up the OP6Ts with the T-Mobile trade-in program that included the Pixel and Pixel XL. The only way I could talk myself out of it was to pickup a Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL and trade in the OGs. Ultimately, it had a lot to do with me not wanting to learn another ecosystem (at 47 years old) or to compromise with anything less than an unlocked bootloader, an excellent dev scene and as close to pure android as is possible. I have no regrets or payments on the phones.
My reason might not be a 'great' one. I was (am) an original Pixel XL owner. I felt it was a very good phone but needed an upgrade. I'm much too invested in Google phones at this point to get anything else. So... I got the Pixel 3 XL. I guess I could have stayed with the original Pixel XL but where's the fun in that?
I'm just saying this to say it - 5 years ago when a new phone came out it was like, "WOAH! It can do THAT!?". These days the annual changes are not exactly exciting. And honestly, most people do the same basic things with their phones - take pictures, use social media, play games, browse the internet, message, etc. Most phones do all of those things pretty well with varying degrees of precision. Battery life seems to have always been and will probably always be something to complain about.
Pure Android, the latest builds, and the best camera.
For me, it was the ability to root and customize. I've been using phones from AT&T for years, mostly Samsungs, and I couldn't do anything with them, not at least while I owned them. Being able to root and mod isn't that big of deal any more, most of the phones work pretty damn well for the most part, and a lot of the features that I use to get by using a custom rom are pretty much standard now. But it's still fun to do.
I love that I always have the latest Android version and security patch. The smoothness is also important. And no bloat.
Always felt left behind with my Samsung and even OnePlus phones .
Needed an upgrade from Samsung S7 which was laggy, and updates were months delayed. Wanted Project Fi, which lowered my monthly bill and offered the best option for international travel. Really like the form factor and minimalist design of the Pixel 3, very snappy performance, unbloated Android and first in line for updates. Great camera and call screening are bonuses. Best phone I've had, by far.
I have to say Pure Android, Camera and a much needed upgrade from my Nexus 6P! Loving this phone so far..
spotmark said:
Pure Android, the latest builds, and the best camera.
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I'm Airmaxx23 and I approve this message.
The only stock Android phone prior to the pixel 2xl and 3xl I ever had was the nexus s from Samsung. It was fine, but, stock Android was really boring back then to me. But, a few phones later and when HTC decided they weren't going to update their phones anymore, even after a super buggy update, I dropped a stock Android ROM on it. I actually really liked it. And, it brought the phone back to life. Then I got a Samsung since the Nexus 6P didn't have financing that I could find, loved it, at least until the S8 was about to drop and Samsung updated it to run slower. Then slower, and so on. I decided screw Samsung and HTC, and tried the Pixel 2xl. LOVED it. Best camera, day one updates, super fast and no updates ever slowed it down. So, the 3 dropped and with wireless charging and a couple other things, I went for it. I don't think I'll ever own another phone, maybe outside of a new essential phone or a One Plus that actually meets my needs.
gettinwicked said:
The only stock Android phone prior to the pixel 2xl and 3xl I ever had was the nexus s from Samsung. It was fine, but, stock Android was really boring back then to me. But, a few phones later and when HTC decided they weren't going to update their phones anymore, even after a super buggy update, I dropped a stock Android ROM on it. I actually really liked it. And, it brought the phone back to life. Then I got a Samsung since the Nexus 6P didn't have financing that I could find, loved it, at least until the S8 was about to drop and Samsung updated it to run slower. Then slower, and so on. I decided screw Samsung and HTC, and tried the Pixel 2xl. LOVED it. Best camera, day one updates, super fast and no updates ever slowed it down. So, the 3 dropped and with wireless charging and a couple other things, I went for it. I don't think I'll ever own another phone, maybe outside of a new essential phone or a One Plus that actually meets my needs.
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I have the Essential phone, and it's the first phone I've kept instead of selling when I got a new phone. It is basically a Nexus/Pixel device. Pure Android, unlockable bootloader, and updates as soon as Google. If it wasn't for the sub-par camera, I'd still be using it. I wish they would stay in business and deliver the phone that was initially promised. The design of the Pixel doesn't hold a candle to the PH-1.
number one reason. Camera. free cloud storage. i take tons of pictures.
second. pure android.
Best phone you can root (at least without the sorts of serious skills / know-how you apparently need for Note 9 and Mate Pro 20, one of which I would have gone for otherwise)
I might be an odd one here, but for me the main reasons where size, no notch and stereo speakers. The cam, quick updates, clean android and haptic motor are nice bonuses.
After owning HTC phones for about 8 years, last 3,5 of those on the rubbish M9, I was looking for a m7 like phone, but with up to date hw. Sadly noone makes good metal unibody phones anymore so I'll just have to deal with the glass sandwich bull****, other than that the P3 is pretty close to perfect.
I assume the OP meant Pixel 3 XL since he's in the 3 XL subforum?
If that's the case, then I bought one because it's ugly as hell and doesn't look like any of my friend's phone. My 6P was also getting old and after bad experiences with anything but a phone directly from Google, I've sort of become a Google sheep and only buy their stuff now.
I was always jumping in between phones, mainly Samsung. Had pretty much every galaxy minus the one and two. HTC one was the best phone I even used, form factor, the OS it was fantastic. Nothing even really compared to it. I couldn't get the pixel at first because well I never had the cash so I was at the mercy of TMobile financing and what they offer wasn't always great. I went from a galaxy s8 to the iPhone x just to check it out since I haven't touched one since the 5. Man did I regret it. Missed my 14 day period and so I was stuck with it for a few months. Note 9 came out and I was really considering it, but well I held myself and then the OnePlus 6T came out. I had a old iPhone 6 laying around I got for $50 so I traded it in for the 6T and the $300 bonus. Good phone but no stereo speakers and notifications killed it for me. I was eyeing the pixel 3 since release day, got my cash ready and just as I was going to buy one, the Black Friday deals got announced, waited and now I have the XL. Supper happy with it. Even the "feel" of the phone is glorious. And the 6T is now on it's way to PA and it's new owner lol
It was the logical choice from my Nexus 6p, which I had since release. Also, Dirty Unicorns support. [emoji6]
Sent from my Pixel 3 XL using Tapatalk
spotmark said:
I have the Essential phone, and it's the first phone I've kept instead of selling when I got a new phone. It is basically a Nexus/Pixel device. Pure Android, unlockable bootloader, and updates as soon as Google. If it wasn't for the sub-par camera, I'd still be using it. I wish they would stay in business and deliver the phone that was initially promised. The design of the Pixel doesn't hold a candle to the PH-1.
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I almost got the essential phone. I wanted to wait until the pixel 2's were announce first though. By the time they were, I had heard too many reports of the crappy camera. I was upset though when the essential phone 2 was cancelled. I'd really like to see another one, but bigger, great camera, OLED screen, etc. I would buy one if it came out and had those specs. I have been reading rumors of a new essential phone though. So, we'll see.
So, I've been pretty happy with my Galaxy S7 since I got it up until an hour ago when the micro usb port started going bad and not charging properly. Hopefully the wireless charging feature works well enough to juice it up so I can pull all my stuff off of it and onto my computer. Because of this, I have to pull out one of my older phones cause I'm too broke to pay the $170 to have it replaced with a new one from T-Mobile. I have a Galaxy S2 and S4 to pick from and depending which one still works, that's the one I'll be using until I can afford something new or at the very least, a refurbished Galaxy S8 or a Aermoo M1 cause I seriously dig how it looks and I could use a phone that won't disintegrate if I drop it by accident. xD
Ideally, I'd like to use my S4, but whichever I go with, I would like it to perform a little snappier since the reason why I replaced both of them was because they were starting to feel sluggish. I've been poking around and I found two roms that seemed to be pretty solid for older phones and bringing some decent performance to them simply by being lighter on the hardware. Having never gone past rooting my phone, I'm not too sure how to go about flashing a custom rom but if its anything like rooting, there's probably a million videos about it to explain it. My question here is which of the two roms I listed in the title would yield the best performance on older devices. I'm thinking Lineage OS might given how reviewers talk about it, though I'm pretty sure a lot of roms are better than what samsung typically deploys on their devices.
I can *finally* scratch an itch that I had to ignore for years - the infamous "self-maintainer" itch. (Basically - building my own ROMs.)
Why is that? I actually have a phone (phones) that have a code base that I can build a ROM for without going broke.
While I can only build "old" ROMs, at least they let me get my feet wet.
In this case, it's the Pure Nexus Nougat series - for both the original Pixel (my Mom has one), and the old Galaxy Nexus that I used to own (it's still sitting on a shelf, in fact). While my Mom is, in fact, running Android 10 on hers, I may get one for myself as a straight testbed (I have a Pixel 3a that is my daily driver). Another thing that is attractive about the original Pixel is that refurbished Pixels are cheap (Mom paid barely $120USD for hers); they take nano-SIMs, and can run Android from 7 to 10 (yes - I said 10; Mom is running 10 on hers).
Another thing I found attractive about the Pure Nexus Project is that it was how I was introduced to the Pixel Launcher - it had everything I wanted in a launcher; to date, only one alternative has managed to equal it (and it's from the least likely of companies - Microsoft (Microsoft Launcher even does one thing Pixel Launcher has STILL not done; it supports non-smartphones - Microsoft Launcher can run on tablets).
I would LIKE to be able to build ROMs based on 9 or 10; the problem there is that it still requires too much CPU or RAM horsepower to go there at present. So I have to walk first; PureNexus is a ROM I'm famliar with (because I actually used to run it in my GNex days). I can actually get my feet wet - and on the cheap, too.
I would not mind company in keeping Pure Nexus for Marlin/Sailfish afloat - you can do it the same way I have, by firing up the Google-fu and digging up the GitHub for the Pure Nexus Project itself.
I'm not sure if I'd like to continue using Samsung, now that the snapdragon versions can't be bootloader unlocked anymore.
I find it extremely frustrating not being able to downgrade my OS from bad updates.
I'm also very frustrated not to be able to do full nandroid backups (including EFS).
Not having any custom roms is also very disappointing.
If exynos didn't have such bad idle battery life, I'd use exynos.
At this point, I think the only thing I'm attracted to on the samsung devices is the color from their amoled.
Good or bad, I'd like to hear you snapdragon users give your opinion on how happy you are with the current samsung snapdragon devices, what would be your ideal alternative device to samsung? And why?
Also, let me know if you're a generic user or hardcore enthusiast.
I've had a Note since the Note 4...which was an absolutely amazing device in my opinion. Most of the stuff I own are Samsung products...except for my laptop. They have quality products...but every year I find it harder to justify the price tag...considering all the competition there is now...amazing devices for much less. I currently have the Note 10 now but I don't really think I'll upgrade to the next one next year. Especially with how far OnePlus devices have come among other devices. Maybe the next Pixel will be worth the upgrade. I used to root, custom roms and all that as well. But, for me it's mostly the price tag that's turning me away from Samsung.
Back in the day of ****ty OEM skins, I was a crack flasher and used TWRP & TiBU almost daily. But Samsung One UI has come a long way since Touchwiz. I actually enjoy using the stock ROM and don't feel the need to immediately wipe it with something else. It already offers 95% of what I'd fix with a custom ROM. I honestly don't miss wiping it and starting all over with each new version of a custom ROM. All of my important files are stored in the cloud or email, and I don't use any apks that are unavailable outside of the Play Store, apk mirror or other web sites, so no need to backup those. I use Adguard which does a great job, so no need to root just for adblocking. I use CCSWE App Manager to disable bloatware that I will never use. My Note 10 battery lasts all day every day, so no need to flash tweaks/mods to eek out more juice. Overall, I really have no need to root anymore. But if I absolutely *had* to root my phone today, I'd probably go with something from OnePlus. I had a P2XL which was a great phone for its time, but the new Pixels are just meh imo. Their camera system is the only thing that sets them apart. The rest of the phone is underwhelming and overpriced for what you get.
Yeah Samsung screens are amazing, and so is there hardware. Example i was trying to WI-FI Direct Joker to my mates Huawei P20 or something can't really remember exact model around 7/8 mins in it was around 40% ish percent i had a phone call i had to run, so i came back 20 mins later used WI-FI direct again we must have got up to 60% this was well over ten mins he had to shoot see what I’m trying to say yeah Huawei, Apple and all the other manufactures are good,
But you can’t beat Samsung hardware. i WI-FI directed the joker it's 2.4 gig file size from my Tab S SM-T705 LTE which is 5 years old to my Note 9 in under 3 mins also my Tab S 8.4 picks up most Wi-Fi hotspots i work in a car park i have tried few year old iPhone and Huawei witch is last year’s model its co-workers phone they pick up eff all i would have to go out of the car park to pick up the hotspots while my Samsung Tab S from 2014 picks up all the free Wi-Fi networks Apple Huawei use trash hardware Samsung hardware Rocks!
People think yeah I’m paying half of what Samsung is charging but when it comes to little things that actually matter in real world usage that's where Samsung is leaps ahead of the competition.
Samsung Snapdragon bootloaders have been locked for years. I used the Note 8 as my primary device for 2 years, and have been using the Note 10+ since release date. The battery life just keeps getting better. I haven't had a reason to root since the Note 4. Android updates don't seem to change much in recent years, they mainly just make the overall system smoother. I've never felt like a previous version was better than the recent update. Overall, I'd rather give Samsung my money to keep making quality products with premium hardware. I also use Dex daily with my Surface Pro.