should I get a refurbished iPhone 15, Samsung S24, or Pixel 9?

[turtles_vrywhr]

Hi

I am still a proud owner of a Samsung S9 Plus. The Problem ist you can now really tell that it is a very old phone. Many things that don't really bother me that much (a bit slower, not as fancy, although its already on its second battery it is not holding its charge really well)
But there are things that kinda make me really wanna switch.

1. it is still running Android 10 which makes it not only unsafe for many things but also some of my payment methods just straight up won't work anymore because of it
2. ear piece is basically dead. like I can only phone on speaker which really sucks
3. well those too are basically most of it

 

Since I kinda really don't have that much money, still want something that lasts similarly long, something something enviornment
I would get a refurbished of these three candidates.

like for all of them I know people that are happy with them. all of them have usbC, I can get them for about 500€ on multiple marketplaces

it would be my first iPhone experience but I also use an iPad Pro for university for like 5 years and although my airpod pros are currently dead I will probably get new ones

and well the OneDrive and Nextcloud integration worked so much better on my ipad than on my S9.

 

 

what would you choose if you would be in my situation and why?

[Nayr438]

You are going to get a difference answer from everybody here.

Apple offers great support for their devices and if you happen to buy one from a carrier you still get updates directly from Apple rather than your carrier unlike Android Devices. The Apps are also generally better quality and the overall experience is just generally better.

 

If you go pixel get a factory unlocked version so you don't have to go through the carrier for updates. Personally I am a fan of the Pixel Devices but just because Google is so open with them. I usually use GrapeheneOS however so I can't really comment on the stock rom experience.

Personally I avoid Samsung Phones, their roms tend to be heavy and buggy. Great devices otherwise however.

So imo if you like to tinker go Unlocked Pixel, if you just want something that works go iPhone.

[apoKhallipsa]

I have Samsung s24 but only cause i had Samsung before i should go for pixel

[Commodus]

On 6/21/2025 at 4:19 AM, turtles_vrywhr said:

Hi

I am still a proud owner of a Samsung S9 Plus. The Problem ist you can now really tell that it is a very old phone. Many things that don't really bother me that much (a bit slower, not as fancy, although its already on its second battery it is not holding its charge really well)
But there are things that kinda make me really wanna switch.

1. it is still running Android 10 which makes it not only unsafe for many things but also some of my payment methods just straight up won't work anymore because of it
2. ear piece is basically dead. like I can only phone on speaker which really sucks
3. well those too are basically most of it

 

Since I kinda really don't have that much money, still want something that lasts similarly long, something something enviornment
I would get a refurbished of these three candidates.

like for all of them I know people that are happy with them. all of them have usbC, I can get them for about 500€ on multiple marketplaces

it would be my first iPhone experience but I also use an iPad Pro for university for like 5 years and although my airpod pros are currently dead I will probably get new ones

and well the OneDrive and Nextcloud integration worked so much better on my ipad than on my S9.

 

 

what would you choose if you would be in my situation and why?

Camera-wise I’d choose the Pixel 9, but if you’re using an iPad and AirPods you’re going to appreciate the iPhone 15 more. It’ll be a more seamless experience.

[Timme]

Of the Androids, the Pixel 9 has a longer battery and longer support. iPhone takes some time to get used to,  but otherwise, it is a pretty neat user experience. One big difference between Android and iOS is sideloading. Oh, and Windows Phone is much better with Android devices.

[Lurking]

On 6/21/2025 at 4:21 AM, Nayr438 said:

You are going to get a difference answer from everybody here.

Apple offers great support for their devices and if you happen to buy one from a carrier you still get updates directly from Apple rather than your carrier unlike Android Devices. The Apps are also generally better quality and the overall experience is just generally better.

 

If you go pixel get a factory unlocked version so you don't have to go through the carrier for updates. Personally I am a fan of the Pixel Devices but just because Google is so open with them. I usually use GrapeheneOS however so I can't really comment on the stock rom experience.

Personally I avoid Samsung Phones, their roms tend to be heavy and buggy. Great devices otherwise however.

So imo if you like to tinker go Unlocked Pixel, if you just want something that works go iPhone.

+1

 

Only note is that even a carrier Pixel phone will get updates directly from google (I have an ATT version of the P9Pro XL). And you can de-install the bloatware the carrier may have added (unlike Samsung.... and Samsung just sucks for the reason they force you to have all the duplicated apps from their stupid OS in addition to the default android ones. Like you are forced to have 2 calendar apps etc and can't remove them).

 

I never had an iPhone, so i can't speak to that. but if you like a clean OS and Android, go Pixel. 

 

i had 4 Samsung and 2 Pixel in my life and Samsung and their buggy phones can go to Hell.