Android Phones

[Syncop8r]

Oh, and getting back to this iPhone....

Some of this is growing pains to be sure, but I really don't like the camera.

Okay, I get it, it's a generation or two older than the one on my Pixel, but even so, I don't find it to be anywhere near as good as the Pixel camera.

I have heard that the camera on some Androids can be improved by installing the G-cam app.
I wonder... can it be installed on an iPhone? 🤔

[Grant Lamontagne]

Well I don't need to worry about that now as I am officially back on Android.

So far I am missing the close integration with my iPad, but that's not too big of a deal.

One unforseen issue I am noticing- group texts are limited to ten participants on Android, and I usually send my morning joke to 11 coworkers.  One got automatically removed and I can't re-add him as I am at the limit.

I didn't notice at first, but then he asked another coworker if I was mad at him as he doesn't get the jokes anymore.  Now I kinda feel like crap for him being cut out.

Otherwise I am happy to be back on Android.

Def

[Syncop8r]

Remove whoever least likes your jokes and replace them with the guy who was left off.

[Grant Lamontagne]

Remove whoever least likes your jokes and replace them with the guy who was left off.

That's the same guy.   

The Android has chosen wisely!   

Def

[Syncop8r]

Does anyone here have any experience with ARMOR-X cases?

[Grant Lamontagne]

I haven't had any Armor X cases.  I've had an awful lot of different ones, but in the end I always come back to the Defender series from Otterbox, and not just because of the cool name.   

The Otterbox Defender is bulky and makes a big phone bigger but as long as it keeps the phone functional, I am willing to deal with the bulk.

Def

[Whoey]

I buy defender series cases for the iPhones and iPads used by our service technicians, even so nothing survives the fall from the top of a wind turbine...

[Grant Lamontagne]

I am pretty sure that exceeds the manufacturer's spec!   

Def

[Syncop8r]

Otterbox don't appear to make a case for my Motorola.

[WhichDawg]

We just ordered a new Google Pixel 9a on the Amazon prime sale going on now for 349.00 usd sweeeet

[Grant Lamontagne]

I hope you enjoy it.  I have been using the Google Pixel 9 Pro XL for a while now and I really like it.   

Once I got used to all of the Samsung extras not being on it, and just using my Google account I found it much better than my Galaxies.  It was weird figuring out how everything worked without the extras, but now I'm pretty sure I don't want to go back to a Galaxy.

Def

[Whoey]

I've been looking at Pixel Pros for a while now and was about to pull the trigger on a refurbished Pixel 9 pro... then I came to Spain for the holidays, and found an offer I couldn't refuse, I got a new 256GB pixel 10 pro for the price of a refurbished (excellent) 256GB Pixel 9 pro... at least comparing the prices in France. The S22 has been holding out well, but the battery really has been getting worse and worse, it's not a bad phone, but now after a few days with a pixel in my hands I suddenly remember why I loved the google stock android experience I had on my Motorola G5 plus and LG nexus 4...

One thing I did miss initially was the Samsung quick launch sidebar, I don't like cluttering my home screen with icons, and this is a great way to have my top apps handy, until I found the panels app which integrated superbly into the clean android feel:

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.fossor.panels

Also found I am still tied to some Samsung apps because of my Watch4 and Buds2 pro, but it's bearable, I did lose earbud location tracking which seems to require a Samsung device, I'll have to make sure it's working on my tablet.

Also missing the ability to have folders in my app launcher instead of a long alphabetical list, on the Samsung I could organise my apps better for quicker access (without searching) in folders EG shopping, tools, work, travel, google, social, etc

The other adjustment is my volume and power controls are reversed from what I had before, but not the end of the world either. Also need to switch my second sim to e-sim, since it only has one physical sim slot... so I'm still carrying the old phone for work apps and other France related things I haven't migrated yet.

Facial recognition works 1000x better than my S22 ever did, most of the time it was forcing me to use pin/fingerprint.

A killer phone so far, yet to really put the camera to the test (the main reason I wanted a pixel pro), we've either been grocery shopping or at family gatherings, and the weather has been cold and wet, so not exactly encouraging to go out.

[Chako]

Ah this should teach me to do a search before I post in this same forum.

I just posted that I am awaiting for my new cell phone a Pixel 10 Pro XL. I was curious about them and people's experiences with the brand. I always hear their cameras are better, so I decided to try them out. I have been using Samsung Galaxy phones since 2018. I also understand they tend to be slower than Samsung.

[Whoey]

Coming from a Samsung S22 it's been a huge leap for me to the Pixel 10 Pro. In testing/benchmarks the Samsung models have better CPU and battery life, but honestly I have no complaints on either of those topics (I don't run intensive games on my phone) and I don't miss the double Samsung apps/store bloat. It's been solid and snappy the whole time, updates are regular, and it really does feel like the device just does things better than my old Samsung.

I decided on the normal as I am not a fan of having a XL phone in my pocket (actually 2 with work device) and I don't feel like I lost anything.

[Chako]

I was worried about the slower CPU. I can't wait for the new phone. I like photography and I am very curious to see how much better they are over the Samsung cameras. I also thought it would be bigger than my current S24 Plus, but I just read it is about the same size as my current phone, which is a relief as it is the perfect size for me. I thought the Samsung Ultras were bigger than the Plus, I was wrong.