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Google announces Pixel 5, Pixel 4A 5G, and Pixel 4A

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Re: Google announces Pixel 5, Pixel 4A 5G, and Pixel 4A

#221

Post by djhworld »

bussierem wrote: post #195
jldugger wrote: post #188

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Service plans have really gotten cheap over time. Google Fi is like 24 bucks a month, and they're not even the cheap plan anymore.

That kind of proves the point though even at 24 a month if you have the phone for 2 years then the plan was $576 while the phone was only 350. The phone would come out to $14 a month. Do you value your phone as worth less to you than Netflix?

the 350 isn't factoring in the costs of calls/data etc.

it depends on how long you want to keep the phone for. I bought my phone in 2017 ago for £400 and I pay £8 a month to a carrier to get an allowance of data + calls every month (not a contract, I'm free to cancel any time) so it's worked out at about £18 a month if you amortise the initial outlay.

obviously contracts are more expensive, and can sometimes, albeit rarely, be cheaper, you just need to do the maths.

the bigger advantage to buying a phone outright is you're free to switch network/carrier as the phones are unlocked, at least in the UK anyway.

Re: Google announces Pixel 5, Pixel 4A 5G, and Pixel 4A

#222

Post by schoolornot »

droidno9 wrote: post #68

This is an awesome phone at $350. I currently have the Pixel 4, but if this was available when I was making my purchase decision, I'd probably have gone with it. That said, the Pixel line of phones isn't known for having long lasting battery. A feature that I've found to be indispensable is wireless charging. I just rest my Pixel 4 on a vertical charging base throughout the day. Otherwise, I'd have to have to constan…

I don't get why Google creates problems for themselves by relying on unproven tech or working backwards. Case in point: adaptive battery. Androids have historically had poor battery efficiency (mah vs. screen on time) against iPhones. Rather than optimize the OS and the apps and provide a larger capacity battery, they size down the battery and introduce software-based battery management with AI. Common responses to complaints on /r/GooglePixel about piss poor battery life are that the user hasn't waiting long enough for the system to develop a proper AI/ML model.

Another example: RCS. A protocol that neither carriers nor users actually want. 7 years after iMessage took over the US, Google is still unable to provide a functional E2E encrypted multi-device messaging service with all the doo-dads that come with iMessage.

So many more textbook examples out there.

Re: Google announces Pixel 5, Pixel 4A 5G, and Pixel 4A

#223

Post by williamdclt »

dageshi wrote: post #161
mchusma wrote: post #131

My pixel 3a is by far the best phone I have ever owned (across both iOS and Android). Comparing the 4a to this it looks like a bunch of solid incremental improvements across the board. Huge fan of basically everything here. Price, screen size, phone size. Battery size could be a touch bigger, as my 3a has the best battery life I just wish for about 10% more for edge cases.

I'm a big fan of the material its made from, I think it looks really good but sticks to your hand like glue.

Really? When I got it, the only problem I found with my pixel 3a was that it was so slippery, I dropped it a couple times a day while it never happened with my Motorola. I bought a leather case specifically to give it more grip

Re: Google announces Pixel 5, Pixel 4A 5G, and Pixel 4A

#224

Post by vishnuharidas »

distrill wrote: post #104

Wireless charging is pretty much a necessity for me at this point. It's not an expensive or bulky technology (I can get an adapter that fits under a case for $15), it really bothers me that they keep this feature gated behind the flagship price.

Actually, is wireless charger worth it? You still have to keep the phone on the charging pad, which is similar to keeping the phone connected to a charger cable. Next, I can easily hold and continue using the device when it is connected to the USB cable. But you can't do that when placed on a wireless charging pad, right?

I will never call it "truly wireless charging" until it is a technology that charges my phone "wirelessly" many meters away from the wall socket, regardless I am using the phone in my bed or bathroom. The current method of "wireless charging" is not truly wireless, IMO.

Re: Google announces Pixel 5, Pixel 4A 5G, and Pixel 4A

#225

Post by emn13 »

SECProto wrote: post #205
hourislate wrote: post #192

The Oneplus Nord is still a better phone for the same price. If you can wait for the 7T to drop in price when the new Oneplus is released this year you will get an incredible phone compared to the Pixel 4a at close to the same price. IMO Oneplus still makes the best Android phone at the best price/value point. Disregard the prices at gsmarena, they can be found for much less. https://www.gsmarena.com/compare.php3?idP…

Does the OnePlus Nord or 7T have a headphone jack? (No, they don't, and it's been a dealbreaker for me for several generations. That plus low price plus stock android is the attraction of the pixel 3a and 4a for me.) All that said, I'm happy using a Samsung phone - manufactured in Vietnam, has a headphone jack and sdcard slot, minimal bloatware, cheap.

I'm kind of curious why the headphone matters? I was mildly annoyed when phones dropped the jack, but you know... get a set of bluetooth headphones, what's the problem? Frankly, not having to bother with the wires is simply a plus.

Re: Google announces Pixel 5, Pixel 4A 5G, and Pixel 4A

#226

Post by dirtyid »

droidno9 wrote: post #68

This is an awesome phone at $350. I currently have the Pixel 4, but if this was available when I was making my purchase decision, I'd probably have gone with it. That said, the Pixel line of phones isn't known for having long lasting battery. A feature that I've found to be indispensable is wireless charging. I just rest my Pixel 4 on a vertical charging base throughout the day. Otherwise, I'd have to have to constan…

There's wireless charging adapters, not ideal, no fast charging, but it's something. Or magnetic cables which I find is better solution. Ultimately, nothing beats just having a massive battery and 2-3 day endurance.

Re: Google announces Pixel 5, Pixel 4A 5G, and Pixel 4A

#227

Post by viklove »

robotmay wrote: post #22

Bit confused as to why mtgx's comment has been voted into oblivion, as it's a legitimate complaint with the Pixel line. My girlfriend has a 3a and it has taken about 3 months for the battery life to start being a minor issue; i.e. she makes sure to charge it during the day if she has somewhere to be in the evening. It's really the only complaint I have about an otherwise good phone, and it doesn't look like the 4a re…

It probably largely depends on the apps you have on your phone. My 3a lasts 2 days easily between charges, but I don't have Facebbok or Messenger installed (known battery hogs and wakelocking abusers).

Re: Google announces Pixel 5, Pixel 4A 5G, and Pixel 4A

#228

Post by noelsusman »

101008 wrote: post #218
droidno9 wrote: post #68

This is an awesome phone at $350. I currently have the Pixel 4, but if this was available when I was making my purchase decision, I'd probably have gone with it. That said, the Pixel line of phones isn't known for having long lasting battery. A feature that I've found to be indispensable is wireless charging. I just rest my Pixel 4 on a vertical charging base throughout the day. Otherwise, I'd have to have to constan…

I bought a Pixel 3A a few months ago and my battery lasts 2 days without charging it. I use it for regular browsing, Instagram, twitter, and it is constantly using networks because I have Whatsapp always on on my computer.

I've been wondering for years what the hell people were doing with their phones to make them run out of battery in a day. I can't remember the last time any phone I've had got below 50% on a day with normal usage.

I guess people play a lot of mobile games?

Re: Google announces Pixel 5, Pixel 4A 5G, and Pixel 4A

#229

Post by dddddaviddddd »

tyingq wrote: post #69
trulyrandom wrote: post #50

Can vouch for the Pixel line. I've had a Pixel 3a XL for a little over a year and it's been great. Stock Android, good display, great battery life, great camera, great security, reasonably fast and 3 years of updates. That's all I need from a phone. The Pixel 4a seems like a logical upgrade from the previous generation, sticking to the same principles.

Perhaps I don't know what I'm missing, but I've just bought low end Androids thus far. Like the Motorola G series. I typically buy one that's about $150, and they tend to last 2-3 years before I crack the screen, etc. I've never felt like they were slow or missing anything I needed.

The camera on the Pixel a-series is a huge improvement over 'budget' Android phones. Getting timely updates and a couple years of support is nice too.

Re: Google announces Pixel 5, Pixel 4A 5G, and Pixel 4A

#230

Post by dageshi »

williamdclt wrote: post #223
dageshi wrote: post #161

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I'm a big fan of the material its made from, I think it looks really good but sticks to your hand like glue.

Really? When I got it, the only problem I found with my pixel 3a was that it was so slippery, I dropped it a couple times a day while it never happened with my Motorola. I bought a leather case specifically to give it more grip

Nope, I can lay it on my hand and tilt it to about 25 degrees before it start to slip and even then only gradually. Compared to a lot of glass/metal backed phones it's vastly better.
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