I missed these Pixel features the most after switching to Samsung

Oops, I did it once more.After the Pixel 6 broke my coronary heart, I ended up going again to the Pixel 8. Feeling misplaced? Let me recap.There I used to be, having fun with my expertise with my valuable Pixel 6, and issues had been going nice. It lived as much as my expectations; it made me blissful. Sadly, it was not an ideal relationship. Roughly two years of short-lived happiness ended abruptly, and we broke up.The motive why I ended up dumping the Pixel 6 was easy: it simply wasn’t usable every single day anymore. The gadget would grasp up on me, I had a ton of community issues, and the Bluetooth would solely play good when it was within the temper. Google did not design the Pixel 6 for sustained heavy utilization, and the telephone simply could not take it anymore.(Image credit score: Android Central)Once that was performed and dusted, my subsequent main gadget was the Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra. This was partly as a result of I used to be curious and partly as a result of I wished to reaffirm my perception within the longevity of flagship telephones. This experiment had a extra cheerful ending, main me to conclude that Samsung’s telephones age much more gracefully than Pixels.Now, I’ve taken everybody — together with myself — unexpectedly and have cautiously switched again to a Google Pixel — the Pixel 8, to be extra particular. Before you seize your pitchforks and torches, calm your self. No, I’m not a “hater” of both telephone, Samsung Galaxy or Google Pixel, so I’ve no concern bouncing forwards and backwards between both model and even utilizing each concurrently.What’s in the end crucial issue is not model loyalty. All I care about (and so do you have to) is an effective high quality product that is price my whereas and my hard-earned cash. But there’s extra to the story than simply curiosity.Get the newest information from Android Central, your trusted companion on the planet of AndroidPositive, I wished to check out the newest Pixel to see for myself whether or not it had improved over the Pixel 6. But I used to be additionally sorely lacking a few Pixel-exclusive options that no different Android telephone has.Now Playing on the Pixel lock display screen(Image credit score: Namerah Saud Fatmi / Android Central)Now Playing is, in my view, essentially the most underrated Pixel function of all of them. This music identification function is seamless, automated, and so darn good at what it is purported to do.You not must ask, “Hey, what song is that?” as a result of the Pixel does it for you. It information the music with a time stamp, helps you to browse the record and favourite tracks, and you may even share songs proper out of the Now Playing app.Forget Shazam, Now Playing is the last word music tracker slash audio identification app, and it’s baked into trendy Pixels. I attempted to make use of alternate options on my Samsung, however nothing got here near this. There is not a lock display screen widget that is nearly as good as this, both.Yelling STOP at my telephone’s alarm to show it off(Image credit score: Namerah Saud Fatmi / Android Central)It had develop into considerably of a bizarre custom for everybody within the family to start out yelling “STAHPP” at my Pixel each time the alarm would ring.In case you were not conscious, you may merely command your Pixel’s alarm to show off verbally when it goes off. This consists of easy solutions like “snooze” or “stop,” however as a result of the alarm is fairly loud, you could be a bit louder when talking to your Pixel.Call it an idiosyncrasy, however I missed screaming at my Pixel to show off the alarm. It’s dumb, it is chaotic, however it’s additionally enjoyable. The undeniable fact that it confuses individuals hanging round you is an added bonus. It’s an awesome dialog starter if something. Every telephone ought to have this function.Pure, unadulterated inventory Android with a Pixel twist(Image credit score: Apoorva Bhardwaj / Android Central)After the Android 12 Material You facelift, Android on a Pixel is unmatched. The UI is mouth-wateringly delish to have a look at. Android 14 has a good higher look, and I completely love the look of my Pixel 8 working it.Although One UI and dynamic shade theming in addition to themed icons, it simply would not have the soul of a Pixel. The appeal of the inventory Android telephone lies within the little issues like the form of the Quick Settings menu, the clock, the At a look widget, and the fluid animations.It’s really easy to get used to the refined software program tweaks added by Google. I nearly forgot that every one telephones do not have the flexibility to repeat textual content from nearly wherever or translate textual content chosen inside an app with out taking screenshots or any further steps. Then there’s the Magic Eraser, Magic Editor, and Audio Magic Eraser, all of which ship superior outcomes.Once you get used to Google’s spin on inventory Android, it is actually exhausting to maneuver on from there. Despite switching over to Samsung’s better-functioning telephone, I nonetheless yearned for these little built-in choices and skills. No one does cool, seamless software program tweaks like Google does.Peak Android images(Image credit score: Nicholas Sutrich / Android Central)This part is extraordinarily subjective, however I’m the knowledgeable right here so bear that in thoughts earlier than bullying me within the feedback part. I’ve examined tons and tons of Android telephones, and in relation to image high quality and shade, Google is the undisputed champ.Between the iPhone 15, the Galaxy S24, and the Pixel 8, the Pixel wins the battle in relation to images. Hand on my coronary heart, the Pixel 8’s digicam is superior. I discover the digicam app to be extra user-friendly, with simply findable and usable modes and simply higher images total.I really like the colour tones and accuracy that the Pixel 8 delivers, with vibrant hues which can be true to life. The degree of element is beautiful, and the movement unblur kicks Samsung and Apple’s butts. Night mode is phenomenal, too.I’m not right here to steer you that the Pixel 8 has the perfect cameras. Picture high quality is subjective to the attention of the beholder. For me, Google has the precise components, however it won’t be the identical for you. However, this was a giant function that I craved when utilizing the Samsung telephone as my main gadget. And it isn’t simply my Pixel 8; my Pixel 6 may whoop the S22 Ultra with its fingers tied behind its again. Photography is Google’s forte, so in case you ever ditch a Pixel, you may miss the images expertise.This would not make up for the poor construct high quality and longevity of Pixels generally, nor does it negate my poor expertise with the Pixel 6. However, these options are sufficient to make me need to give Google’s Pixel ecosystem one other shot. It makes me hope that the Pixel 8 would not stroll down the Pixel 6’s path, and although there is no manner for me to verify this proper now, solely time will inform whether or not newer Pixels are constructed to final.