Pixel 8 Pro • Hacker News Board

Re: Pixel 8 Pro

#591

Post by kfarr » Thu, Oct 05, 2023, 3:53 AM UTC

proee wrote: post #203

hbn wrote: post #149

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Why do people expect to be blown away every year? Most people upgrade their phone every 2-3 years. This isn't the early smartphone days where there was tons of room for improvement. Moore's law has gotten increasingly closer to ending, screens are as pixel dense as necessary, and people generally are satisfied with the capabilities of their phone. Starting around 2017 smartphones as we know them peaked and so they ju…

There is tons of room for innovation in phones, but most companies don't want to risk deviating from what consumers think they want (just like Hollywood movies). I'm sure the HN crowd could come together and form a list of 100 ideas that are truly innovative in the phone space. However, these ideas are quite risky to bring to market. Some ideas: 1. Super Amazing Sound playback (next level) 2. Rollable display 3. More…

4. Gas and other ambient sensors

5. Rear display, maybe eink

6. 3d lenticular display

7. Infrared camera

8. Mesh network for sms-like relay without service

Re: Pixel 8 Pro

#592

Post by danielheath » Thu, Oct 05, 2023, 3:53 AM UTC

dmoy wrote: post #436

danielheath wrote: post #386

Earlier quoted context omitted.

That’s specifically covered under new EU ewaste laws - upgrades the impair device performance must be fixed in a reasonable timeframe.

Does that cover e.g. flash degradation over time from just normal write cycles?

No, but given how stark the slowdown often is after an os update… I don’t think that’s what has happened

Re: Pixel 8 Pro

#593

Post by scarface_74 » Thu, Oct 05, 2023, 3:53 AM UTC

soulofmischief wrote: post #544

kaba0 wrote: post #275

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> And then Apple made their OS more heavy weight every year until my phone slowed to a crawl. I mean, it is a bit unfair against Apple - some of the reason behind the OS getting more heavyweight is actually backporting new features in 7 year’s distance, many which actually has dedicated hardware in case of the more modern lineup. Also, there is a big aspect which is independent of Apple: every app is getting more and…

No, it's not unfair at all. Apple's gotten busted for this exact thing and had to shell out $500 million in damages. https://www.cnet.com/tech/mobile/apple-to-start-paying-out-5... > I really have a hard time with a realistic business model that would be significantly better. Well this one might be good for business, but as you can see, it is extremely bad for the individual.

Did you even read your own citation? Apple slowed down older phones when the battery degraded because the other choice was the phone would shut off.

Re: Pixel 8 Pro

#594

Post by vmt-man » Thu, Oct 05, 2023, 3:56 AM UTC

nerdwaller wrote: post #406

At first the AI photo editing features surprised me as likely awkward, however with two little kids - I can see a lot of value here if it works well.

It's look really creepy :D

Re: Pixel 8 Pro

#595

Post by mlegendre » Thu, Oct 05, 2023, 4:00 AM UTC

slashtab wrote: post #472

cobertos wrote: post #211

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Is there any way to make it safe? I've bought newer pixels and they are a downgrade all around for me. I just want security updates and the ability to browse on-device files/do file management (newer Androids keep restricting further and further)

LineageOS is not the answer. Check out the DivestOS, it is known for supporting 'out of support' devices. but I would strongly suggest you to change your device, that is too old. There is new vunrebility each month.

> LineageOS is not the answer

Could you expand on that?

I am curious because I have been using LineageOS on Pixel 2 / Pixel 2 XL phones for a while (and it works very well, I might add), but I am kinda clueless when it comes to Android security.

Re: Pixel 8 Pro

#596

Post by Mistletoe » Thu, Oct 05, 2023, 4:01 AM UTC

libertine wrote: post #396

fluidcruft wrote: post #343

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Isn't that the segment the Pixel _a line targets? The 7a is $499...

Yes, but the 6P was the flagship. This was back in the day where a flagship phones base prices were like 600/700€. Now it's double. In 2018 the Samsung Galaxy 9 was 700€. Now a Samsung Galaxy S23 is 1.200€.

“Now it’s double” is what they will write on the tombstone for this era.

Re: Pixel 8 Pro

#597

Post by TylerE » Thu, Oct 05, 2023, 4:01 AM UTC

ethbr1 wrote: post #554

TylerE wrote: post #489

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Not to mention what it’ll do the waterproof rating.

Do that many people need their phone to be waterproof rated? I realize it's mandatory from a marketing perspective, but how often is it used? Accidentally jumping in the pool/ocean/lake with your phone. But past that, I'm not often in submerged situations.

Nothing is truly waterproof, but IP55 is really weaksauce by modern standards. Modern flagships are IP67 or even IP68.

I live in an area where's it very humid and rains a lot. My phones get wet, a lot, just due to nature. I had one die after I got caught in a massive squall line at an outdoor concert on what was supposed to be a sunny day.

Re: Pixel 8 Pro

#598

Post by carlivar » Thu, Oct 05, 2023, 4:02 AM UTC

coldpie wrote: post #51

j10u wrote: post #41

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Agreed, I moved away from Pixels because of size... I'm hoping for a Pixel Mini someday

I moved away from Android entirely because of size. Currently on an iPhone 13 Mini, which is riiight at the very upper edge of a reasonable size. I would love to go back to Android if only someone reputable would make a reasonably-sized phone.

Is the regular Samsung model too big for you? S22 and S23. It's just the right size for me and I prefer small phones (or what used to be normal sized phones).

Re: Pixel 8 Pro

#599

Post by Analemma_ » Thu, Oct 05, 2023, 4:04 AM UTC

smusamashah wrote: post #477

alxmdev wrote: post #475

Earlier quoted context omitted.

The 4A doesn't get security updates anymore though, right? The language on the website says "guaranteed until at least August 2023" so I guess it's up to Google's good will.

Do security updates really matter that much? May be they do depending on your usage patterns. I think anyone will be fine without most of those security updates. Also most of the slowdowns are caused by automatically updating apps which keep gaining weight with every update.

This is a particularly badly-timed comment. Not even a month ago there was a 10/10 severity vulnerability in webp, including Chrome, that could let your phone get pwned by serving it a video, and people have confirmed it is being actively seen in the wild. Security updates absolutely do matter.

Re: Pixel 8 Pro

#600

Post by carlivar » Thu, Oct 05, 2023, 4:05 AM UTC

huehehue wrote: post #385

cobertos wrote: post #191

I'm still on the Pixel 3! I can't get off. I bounced off the Pixel 6. It's too big in my hand. The finger print sensor is in a weird spot. Android 13 is more restrictive. And worst? It's not faster or better. It's legitimately a hard _downgrade_ for me. I have 2 Pixel 3s now (microphone died and battery swelled) but they run everything snappy! I might just keep buying Pixel 3s off eBay, its so much cheaper. My main w…

The on-screen fingerprint sensor on newer models is infuriating. Unlocking the screen is always a two-action operation of "tap the screen -> wait for it to fade in / wake up -> put your finger on the sensor". The first tap to waken the screen often fails so I have to try one or two more times. It's a small thing but, I have to tumble with it probably 100+ times a day given how often I check my phone for e.g. Slack. I…

I had that problem with Pixel. I switched to Samsung phones and the screen fingerprint sensor works perfectly. This might be a Pixel-only problem.