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Pixel 11 Pro Fold

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191–200 of 212 posts

Re: Pixel 11 Pro Fold

#191

I used to be a "cutting edge phone guy" where I'd get the latest iPhone ever year and the thought of having the older phone just didn't sit well with me. These days though the upgrades are so marginal I don't even care. I'm looking forward to upgrading my three year old phone this year, but not because I expect it to be more than "better camera, faster and thinner" but just because its time. These updates are so bori…

Why is it "time" after 3 years? They should hopefully still be getting software updates, at least security updates. I'm on an iPhone 13 since launch (almost 5 years ago) and still see no reason to upgrade. There just hasn't been anything 'exciting' in phones in many years. EDIT: should add, I've only used 50% of the 256GB storage and battery life is still fine (comfortably gets through an entire day+night). But I'm n…

I've upgraded from iPhone 12 to 17 a few months ago and I agree, I could have waited 1 or maybe 2 more years. At this point I just upgraded because I wanted to and could afford it, not because I needed to (even though I'm a heavy phone user, unlike you according to what you're saying).

The iPhone 12 was my first iPhone and I've been really impressed by how long it lasted, and I'm only hoping I won't need to upgrade before the iPhone 22 release.

Re: Pixel 11 Pro Fold

#192

Earlier quoted context omitted.

If that were true, then so many people wouldn't keep buying new high end phones. Yet they continue to do so.

I'd imagine a great portion of the people buying these high end phones are just duped into paying for an overpriced subscription model. They're not really buying phones at store prices.

Well I buy the latest pro phone, and you are right I don't pay store price. AT&T gave me the 17 Pro for free when I traded in my 3 year old 14 Pro.

And my monthly cost of the cell plan with them is only $30 plus taxes and fees which works out to about 36/mo, so it seems like a great deal in the end.

Basically I pay 36/mo, and every 3 years I trade in my phone for the latest pro model and it only costs me sales tax and some $30 "activation fee".

Re: Pixel 11 Pro Fold

#193
post #87
post #58

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I heard that it was a COVID feature. I guess people thought you would be scanning your friend's foreheads before socializing. That sensor would be much better if it was integrated with the camera and LIDAR, so that you could "paint" a scene with thermal data by moving the phone around.

The sensor is damned handy because it has plenty of range and good options in the software for estimating emissivity. I use it in the kitchen.

How exactly do you use it ? Another app or default ?

Re: Pixel 11 Pro Fold

#194
post #180
post #118

Earlier quoted context omitted.

One day I hope for a future innovation that brings back 3.5MM jacks and I can have audio as convenient as it was in the 1950s, but until then my bluetooth can connect to my speakers while I'm not in the same building and switch device automatically with no setting to change it and with no warning deafen the people in my house, where the only way to switch back requires a mere 20 screen taps (which i can partly blame…

When I come home in my car, sometimes my daughter's phone (who's already at home) will connect to my car, and her music will stop in her headphones, and I get K-Pop. What a time to be alive.

Better than having your teen’s porn viewing come through the speakers. That was a fun conversation.

Re: Pixel 11 Pro Fold

#195

I used to be a "cutting edge phone guy" where I'd get the latest iPhone ever year and the thought of having the older phone just didn't sit well with me. These days though the upgrades are so marginal I don't even care. I'm looking forward to upgrading my three year old phone this year, but not because I expect it to be more than "better camera, faster and thinner" but just because its time. These updates are so bori…

Why is it "time" after 3 years? They should hopefully still be getting software updates, at least security updates. I'm on an iPhone 13 since launch (almost 5 years ago) and still see no reason to upgrade. There just hasn't been anything 'exciting' in phones in many years. EDIT: should add, I've only used 50% of the 256GB storage and battery life is still fine (comfortably gets through an entire day+night). But I'm n…

My iPhone 13 is likewise still ticking along, most nights I put it on the charger with over 70% battery remaining. Of course, about the only thing I use it for is reading e-books, which isn't very taxing. Also a little photography.

If the upcoming folding iPhone supports the Apple Pencil Pro, that'll be the first tempting phone feature in years. It would be fun to have a digital sketchbook in my pocket. Of course the price tag will probably cancel the temptation.

Part of me is sad to see so little innovation in new phones, but another part of me enjoys keeping my money.

Re: Pixel 11 Pro Fold

#196
post #48

Earlier quoted context omitted.

This is precisely why I left Android. Google can't seem to decide on a direction and stick with it. Years of new features that inevitably ended up abandoned 2 versions later resulted in a constantly changing and unpredictable user experience. It was fun while I had free time in college and enjoyed flashing ROMs, but as I got busier with life this lack of refinement pushed me away. The RGB leds were one of my favorite…

Conversely, I was surprised to learn that the temperature sensor introduced on the Pixel 8 Pro in 2023 was only removed this year. No one knew why it was there in the first place.

I'm sad to see it go. I use it quite frequently for cooking and baking, and have used it for checking if the heating works properly or checking my own body temp. It also makes for a good party trick sometimes.

Re: Pixel 11 Pro Fold

#197

Earlier quoted context omitted.

An official OEM battery for the Pixel 7 along with all the tools you need is $50. It is not expensive. The process to replace it is easy. Certainly nerve racking the first time but I've opened up my pixel phones at least 6 times now and it is pretty trivial (on the non-folding pixel phones). https://www.ifixit.com/products/google-pixel-7-battery-genui...

And you can easily find someone in any city who will replace it for cheap

I have never got a phone repaired before. Got quoted $130 for parts and labor for a Pixel 7 battery

Re: Pixel 11 Pro Fold

#198
post #87

Earlier quoted context omitted.

The sensor is damned handy because it has plenty of range and good options in the software for estimating emissivity. I use it in the kitchen.

How exactly do you use it ? Another app or default ?

I just use the stock Pixel Thermometer app (actually not even sure if it's stock or you have to install it from Play Store). Some developers online have complained that there is no public API for it, which may explain lack of other apps. I have never used it for its health purpose. I only use it for objects like walls and cooking pans.

Re: Pixel 11 Pro Fold

#200

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Same reason almost anybody in the phone and laptop spaces seem to do almost anything these days: to copy Apple. It's the new sympathetic magic.

Apple hasn’t been innovating in the smartphone space since at least half a decade, compared to the android landscape

The iPhone came out almost 20 years ago, this is a very mature industry.

I don't want my phone to be innovative anymore, I want it to be good and reliable. And Apple has remained so consistent on that, their 2 notable stumbles over the past 2 decades (antennagate, bendgate) are still remembered as notable while Android devices from all manufacturers regularly have major issues like that and no one thinks twice because it's business as usual.

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