Pixel making me consider a Windows Phone?

[kburton97]

I've been using Android since the original Galaxy S, which considering I'm 19, is a long time. Since then, I've had the HTC Evo 3D (which is still, to this date, my favorite phone. That thing was indestructible and I still think the 3D is cool), Galaxy S4 (which I still use as a remote control for my TV), Galaxy Tab, Nexus 7 among others.

I consider myself a bit of an Android Fanboy, but not the type that trolls the internet telling everybody that Android is perfect, when to be perfectly honest, it is far from perfect. There are plenty things that iOS does better, like updates, and there are plenty of things that Windows Phone does better, like ease of use. But likewise, there are things that Android is good at, like a usable back button.

 

I've been reading a lot on the internet about the new Pixel line from Google, and to be honest, it's making me start to dislike Android. The whole point of the Nexus branded phones was to show what Android could do, but with the Pixels there are features that are exclusive, and these are some of the best features of the phone. 

 

Another thing that is quite annoying is the fact that they appear to have completely forgot about the people who have Nexus phones, most of the people who bought a Nexus phone bought it thinking they would get all the latest updates from Google, but this isn't the case. Google have said that a Dev build will be released for the 6P and 5X by the end of the year. If they are taking that long to release the new OS to their own devices, how long is it going to take to release it to the likes of Samsung who are known to take forever to update their phones.

 

And don't even get me started on the price, Nexus devices have always been relatively affordable, but the Pixel devices are expensive, and if I was spending £600 on a phone, I'd rather spend the money on a Note 7, which is a far better phone. But the point is, I would never spend £600 on any phone when there are far better alternatives for half the price. I think the problem is that Google is trying to do an Apple, and the reason people don't like Apple isn't because they make crap products, because they don't, they make some of the nicest computers available (in terms of design, not the specs), but because of the way they run as a company. 

 

I have dabbled in other operating systems in the past, I had an iPhone 3GS for a while back in the day, and it was a good phone. I bought myself a cheap Windows Phone when my S4 was in for repair and I loved it, it was so easy to use, easier than iOS if I'm perfectly honest. It was fast and fluid. To be honest, the only thing that let it down was the lack of apps. So when looking for a new phone, I didn't do what I normally do and scour ebay for a slightly used Samsung, I looked at Carphone Warehouse to see what other phones are available, and the Lumia 950 caught my eye. I think with Windows 10, the Window Mobile platform has got a lot better. There seems to be a lot more app support now and the UI is just lovely to use. The only app that I use that is missing is Amazon Music, but I can go without that since I rarely use it.

[werto165]

I wouldn't spend that much on a bomb. I don't have any issues with my android phone does all I need it to do pretty much. Sure some of the features of the pixel are quite nice but its really not worth the upgrade imo. 

[Shiv78]

I think that investing in Windows Phones is a lost cause, as even MS is about to shut down the Lumia program...

Get a 6P, 1+3, S7 or something instead.

[Nonco]

I haven't really touched windows phones in a while but one thing I keep hearing from people who have them is lack of people developing apps for the OS

[Vigilante505]

Pixel is a nice phone in that its the entry for Google into the phone development business. From the ground up this is a Google phone in the same way Apple makes their iPhone. My problem with it is its turned from an enthusiast Nexus phone into a run of the mill iPhone clone. There is nothing on that phone that makes me want to spend $865 to upgrade from my 6P.

 

Since the Nexus program is dead and Pixel is a few years out from being something I'd consider, I may go back to LG phones. The G4 was garbage for me but I owned the G2 and G3 and loved them. If the G6 isn't a gimmicky piece of crap like the G5 I may end up switching back. 

 

Now, that Google Home and Google Wifi tech is pretty sick...

[Vigilante505]

2 minutes ago, wrathoftheturkey said:

"people don't like Apple"

Ah, I wish. You're totally right that they're trying to compete more directly with Apple, but they're a corporation. The sole purpose of a corporation is to make money. Therefore what they're doing is a logical choice, and the only "right way" to run their business. There are still greater fools who will buy the product at a jacked up price, if you want someone to blame, they're your guys.

Their first mistake in taking the leap into phone designing was choosing HTC to manufacture it.

[Vigilante505]

2 minutes ago, wrathoftheturkey said:

"Made by Google" my foot.

Its the same as saying the iPhone is "made by Apple." Just because HTC manufactured the phone doesn't mean Google wasn't behind the entire thing. Imagine how much this phone would be if Google had to manufacture it themselves. Apple phones are manufactured by Foxconn... Doesn't mean they aren't "made by apple"

[Vigilante505]

3 minutes ago, wrathoftheturkey said:

Still a bunch of false marketing -- to compete with Apple, especially after Samsung's reputation went to trash, they're basically letting people go "hey it's made by GOOGLE, it MUST be good" even though they're not the ones producing it.

Name one company that manufactures purely phone hardware on the level of an iPhone or Pixel thats made in house. Samsung makes their phones but it makes sense since they basically sell everything from refrigerators to phones and TVs. I agree though. The whole point of this is to directly compete with Apple and to also bring their vision of Android as more than just an OS. They want a Google phone with Google software behind it. Its a logical next step in my opinion.

[Vigilante505]

1 minute ago, wrathoftheturkey said:

Samsung Galaxy devices, but I see your point. Look where that got them lol.

I just edited to include Samsung haha

[dtaflorida]

21 hours ago, kburton97 said:

 

I've been using Android since the original Galaxy S

 

Yeah, you'd have to be an android fanboy to stick with android after that. I actually had a Galaxy S original and the first iPad as they released and as a first time Android and iOS user with those devices. The experience of two devices released in the same year and never having used either 'system' before made for a very even playing field for either side to win me over. After that I went for Apple devices as primary, and a few android devices for tinkering. Essentially, I wouldn't stake my life on an Android device. 

[mrchow19910319]

22 hours ago, Vigilante505 said:

 

Pixel is a nice phone in that its the entry for Google into the phone development business. From the ground up this is a Google phone in the same way Apple makes their iPhone. My problem with it is its turned from an enthusiast Nexus phone into a run of the mill iPhone clone. There is nothing on that phone that makes me want to spend $865 to upgrade from my 6P.

 

I thought I was the only one that think 6p is way better looking than pixel.

Pixel looks like an iphone clone with a G at the back of it......... 

[mrchow19910319]

22 hours ago, Vigilante505 said:

Its the same as saying the iPhone is "made by Apple." Just because HTC manufactured the phone doesn't mean Google wasn't behind the entire thing. Imagine how much this phone would be if Google had to manufacture it themselves. Apple phones are manufactured by Foxconn... Doesn't mean they aren't "made by apple"

 

22 hours ago, wrathoftheturkey said:

Still a bunch of false marketing -- to compete with Apple, especially after Samsung's reputation went to trash, they're basically letting people go "hey it's made by GOOGLE, it MUST be good" even though they're not the ones producing it.

 

Both of you guys are correct.