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Google Pixel 9 Pro

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Re: Google Pixel 9 Pro

#271
post #134

it doesn't even say the CPU speed on their spec sheet....whats the speed of the CPU? how many cores?

That's how you know that they're not proud of the CPU specs.

They went with the Samsung foundry so they could get a bespoke CPU design because Qualcomm doesn't have time for that type of stuff. Turns out that the Samsung ARM cores aren't as performant as the Qualcomm/Apple ARM cores. But at least Google has these Tensor thingies...

[edit] in Dave2D's video about the Pixel 9 Pro XL, https://youtu.be/67hVZOJDFxQ?t=323 , he shows a Geekbench comparison of recent Android CPUs, the new Tensor G4 is still slower in multithread GeekBench than SnapDragon 8 Gen2 & Gen3.

Re: Google Pixel 9 Pro

#272
post #158

One of the big problems with Pixel phones is their lack of thorough testing. You upgrade and suddenly you encounter strange Bluetooth issues, call problems, or other features that were working fine before but suddenly stop functioning. Tons of people will be complaining about this in forums, and you won't receive any updates to fix them for months. IMHO all Pixel phones are just developer devices and you can't seriou…

Yeah that. Pixel 6A and 7A. Unreliable as hell. Went straight back to iOS.

Edit to clarify: constant problems with payments, bluetooth, eSIMs.

Re: Google Pixel 9 Pro

#274
post #102

I was waiting for this to figure out if i want this phone. The answer is, I'm not willing to pay $1000 CAD. I would like a phone with 7 years of updates, that's the reality. This is so annoying because I would go to LineageOS since it keeps getting updates, contrary to manufacturers roms.

If those are your only criteria, the Pixel 8a is $400 and has guaranteed updates until May 2031 (same 7 years, but released three months ago).

My real criterias would be way more, but if I put all of them together, the answer is there is nothing.

I ABSOLUTELY need to be able to use a glass screen protector, because my phone falls a lot, so I'm really concerned about the fingerprint reader on the screen.

One criteria I won't be able to satisfy is: I like fingerprinting on the back. I don't think there are recent phones with that feature at all.

Re: Google Pixel 9 Pro

#275

Bit of advice I'm looking for, if my question resonates for you: I've had Pixels in the past (pretty distant past at this stage) but I generally found the experience to be too "beta" or "experimental", in that various features would not carry over to a new Pixel, and I'd have to get used to something entirely different all over again. In contrast, I've enjoyed the Samsung approach, and I love the Fold. (I also carry…

I've never used the fold, I'd be a bit concerned about the screen wearing at the crease. Damage is another thing to be worried about.

As for the pixels, my advice is to hold off buying the latest until like Feb or even May. Google pretty aggressively drops the prices after release so waiting just a little bit will save you several hundred dollars. By Feb, generally the phones have been pretty stable.

Re: Google Pixel 9 Pro

#276
Do they have an Apple Airtag / Samsung SmartTag style tracking dongle, and an UWB model phone that works with it?

Phone tech specs: both models have "Ultra-Wideband chip for accurate ranging and spatial orientation"

Tracking tag: ??

Any experiences with that?

Re: Google Pixel 9 Pro

#277

Pixel 9 also says satellite emergency support ("Satellite SOS"). Search for info gets you to https://support.google.com/pixelphone/answer/15254448?hl=en&... It looks like it's coming "later this year". Lots of chatter about it, see a few details at https://www.androidauthority.com/pixel-9-satellite-sos-34676... * apparently coming with android 15, but they are shipping android 14 * turning on satellite sos later, but…

Plus Garmin devices use the Iridium network which has truly global coverage (as opposed to Globalstar which is only in select areas of the world) as well as other features useful for non-emergency backcountry travel. I won't be dropping my Garmin InReach any time soon.

Re: Google Pixel 9 Pro

#278
post #158

One of the big problems with Pixel phones is their lack of thorough testing. You upgrade and suddenly you encounter strange Bluetooth issues, call problems, or other features that were working fine before but suddenly stop functioning. Tons of people will be complaining about this in forums, and you won't receive any updates to fix them for months. IMHO all Pixel phones are just developer devices and you can't seriou…

> IMHO all Pixel phones are just developer devices and you can't seriously use them as daily drivers.

While there's a lot you said that I agree with, I find this statement quite an exaggeration. I've owned Pixel phones for the last 7 years, both with stock and custom ROMS, and as much as Pixel seems to always have weird quirks, it's been reliable enough for me that I don't see why it couldn't be a daily driver.

That said, I share your view on upgrading so far that I really hesitate to upgrade anything, whether it's my Pixel phone or something else. I can count on one hand the number of times I've been legit hacked, but I don't have enough fingers to count all the times that software bugs did things like get me stranded, cut me off from my finances, almost get me killed on the road, and so forth.

Although I've never been an iPhone user, Pixel is the best Android phone I've used. I'm a bit biased since it's developer-friendly I'm a software engineer, but I've had the least catastrophic issues (and less crapware) with them compared to other phones like Samsung's line. The strange thing about Pixel is that updates seem to always destabilize the UI, and I'll get weird things happening like the lockscreen coming up and remaining frozen for some time.

Re: Google Pixel 9 Pro

#279
post #160

It blows me away that people will spend $1k for a phone when there are good options for $500 or less. I will grant that Google's phone is probably the best. But in my experience the difference in quality does not correlate to the difference in price. Apple has a monopoly and they set price expectations. Also, I think buyers think if you have a cheaper phone strangers may think you are poor. Personally I want people t…

My phone (£500/$500) was released in Nov 2017, bought in Feb 2018, and it's still just fine. Only recently have I been noticing the battery life is getting a bit pathetic. Spending £500 on a new one hasn't really entered my thoughts. The last time I went shopping for an (Android) phone with and for my girlfriend it was a nightmare - so many absolutely shit giant phones that don't feel right in the hand

ifixit has exclusive deals with some manufacturers where you can get an OEM replacement battery + tools for ~$30-50. can easily double the lifespan of a well-maintained device

Re: Google Pixel 9 Pro

#280
post #158

One of the big problems with Pixel phones is their lack of thorough testing. You upgrade and suddenly you encounter strange Bluetooth issues, call problems, or other features that were working fine before but suddenly stop functioning. Tons of people will be complaining about this in forums, and you won't receive any updates to fix them for months. IMHO all Pixel phones are just developer devices and you can't seriou…

So who does make good phones?

Nobody, you just have to chose which kind of bad you can tolerate.

Personally, I navigate the Android fragmentation mess to avoid Apple's control-freak tendencies. One is annoying, the other is offensive. But I totally see why you might prefer the opposite.

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