Sorry for the delay for the weekly. Server’s not that stable right now, maybe we should start the thread on Sundays instead.
I always like to switch things up once in a while because it’s fun. So, let’s get back to the brand discussion this week for the Google Pixel. We’ll do a discussion on repairability next week. Again, ideas are always welcome here.
I’ve never used a Pixel, but people around here should know that I’ve been very critical of Google’s product decisions over the years, and the Pixel is no exception. In my point of view, discontinuing the Nexus series, buying out the talents from the remains of HTC and starting an official “made by Google” phone is the equivalent of reddit buying out Alien Blue to make the official reddit app. I think it’s the event that scared big Android manufacturers like Samsung enough to start making their own ecosystem away from Google, as they are concerned that Google may start locking software features to their own phones instead of improving Android overall (rightfully so, I might add).
It really makes no business sense at all to turn your manufacturing partners into your competitors, but then again, it’s Google.
With that being said, the first years of the Pixels has been marred with growing pains. Whereas the Nexus line has always been barebones, no frills development devices, it seemed to me that the people who made Pixels don’t even use Android and are insistent on turning Pixel into iPhones, removing the headphone jack on the Pixel 2 despite the antagonistic ad from the original Pixel, Pixel exclusive software features like Google camera that necessitating the need of rom mods, as well as the quality issues that seems to be inherited from the Nexus days just really soured me from considering Pixels, as I think it’s against the spirit of openness that made Android great.
But it seems like in recent years, they finally figured out that a large percentage of people who bought Androids not because they can’t afford iPhones, but because they like Android, and I see the introduction of the “a” series as progress. The recent Pixel ad campaign also made me think that they finally figuring it out: people want different things, trying to turn Android into worse versions of iPhones was not going to work, so they should be trying to make the best Android for Android users instead.
(It’s also the reason I think all the previous reddit clones failed, but Lemmy will be the one that finally succeeds.)
I used the 2 and currently use the 4a (coming up to 3 years this Oct) but I think that’s the end of the line for me on pixels cause they’re just getting too big for someone with really small hands.
My three wants (in order or priority) for phones are: 1) reasonably small enough (pixel 4a just about fits into this criteria); 2) fingerprint scanner; 3) headphone jack
I’ve got a tiny jelly star from unihertz coming and if that doesn’t work out I’ll probably have to go zenphone cause they’re just about the size of the 4a.
I completely agree with you. Selling my Zenfone 9 on eBay right now though, because they’ve decided to stop us from unlocking the bootloader.
I refuse to use Android as stock, so now I’ve gone and bought a Pixel 6 Pro. Not looking forward to the size as my 4a 5G is already too big, but hoping 4x camera is worth all the trade offs.
My ZF9 and the ZF8 are the best phones I’ve ever had apart from the aforementioned flaw. The ZF8 had problems with overheating and battery life, but the ZF9 completely solved those. The size is perfect, and the headphone jack is just a necessity. Gutted to have to give it up, but I’ve completely lost faith in Asus thanks to the bootloader bullshit
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I used the 2 and currently use the 4a (coming up to 3 years this Oct) but I think that’s the end of the line for me on pixels cause they’re just getting too big for someone with really small hands.
My three wants (in order or priority) for phones are: 1) reasonably small enough (pixel 4a just about fits into this criteria); 2) fingerprint scanner; 3) headphone jack
I’ve got a tiny jelly star from unihertz coming and if that doesn’t work out I’ll probably have to go zenphone cause they’re just about the size of the 4a.
Pity as I do like the pixel line
I completely agree with you. Selling my Zenfone 9 on eBay right now though, because they’ve decided to stop us from unlocking the bootloader.
I refuse to use Android as stock, so now I’ve gone and bought a Pixel 6 Pro. Not looking forward to the size as my 4a 5G is already too big, but hoping 4x camera is worth all the trade offs.
My ZF9 and the ZF8 are the best phones I’ve ever had apart from the aforementioned flaw. The ZF8 had problems with overheating and battery life, but the ZF9 completely solved those. The size is perfect, and the headphone jack is just a necessity. Gutted to have to give it up, but I’ve completely lost faith in Asus thanks to the bootloader bullshit
Oh, what does stopping users from unlocking the bootloader do? It’s sad to hear that it’s a decisive factor if the zenphone 9 was otherwise perfect
It means you can’t flash custom ROMs or root your device, so you can’t tweak the system or remove spyware beyond using ADB.
ASUS has since backtracked, saying they will allow bootloader unlocking, but I’m still getting rid of my Zenfone.
Just looked up the jelly star - wow !! Awesome little phone. If I wasn’t a photographer and didn’t need custom roms, I’d definitely buy one.
Will you let us know how it goes?!
Will do! It’s still a month or so off being shipped but I’m excited about it!
Great !! :D