Android

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Pixel 8. No bloatware (except the Google bloat of course, but you can get rid of this easily), plus Google has now promised 7 years of updates - which is more than the iPhone. This would increase the resale value of the phone, and even if you don't want to sell it, you could always give it to a family member or something after say 3-4 years of use, and they'd still get many years of official updates remaining. This is great for reducing e-waste whilst still maintaining a good security posture.

And if you're privacy conscious, you could ditch the Google ecosystem completely and load GrapheneOS on it, and GrapheneOS is simple amazing in terms of privacy and security, and arguably has better battery life too (thanks to no Google bloatware running on it).

I like Samsung hardware a LOT, they are usually pretty cutting edge. I'm decidedly less a fan of their software. They run a custom launcher which is very meh.

Contrasted with Google, their hardware leaves a lot to be desired especially at the flagship price. The software (stock Android) is solid though. You are also guaranteed updates, I believe now the Pixel 8 is for 7 years. I don't know of any other Android devices that will get updates for that long.

Google support is also pretty lackluster. I haven't had to deal with Samsung so cannot comment there. I hear it's better.

Really, you can't go wrong with either one.

Samsung has a bunch of proprietary crap I always hated. Most especially the Knox protection that prevents rooting or custom ROM installation easily.

My sister has the newest Pixel and it's practically stock Android. It's Google's flagship phone, too. Unfortunately I don't have my own hands on experience with it to offer more details, but I'd choose the Pixel over a Samsung.

If it weren't for Samsung crap like pre-installed Facebook and other bloat, unremovable Samsung apps etc. I'd go for one because I really like Dex, the fact that they put latest hardware available in their flagship etc. But considering things as they are, I'd choose the Pixel.

pixel for grapheneos

If you care about privacy, Pixel. Install on it GrapheneOS.

If not, I'd say I still prefer the cleaner UI and overall feel of the Pixel.

If you want the best Android experience you're not going to do better than a Pixel. It's a Google OS, on Google hardware. I myself am looking forward to the Pixel 8 Pro.

Hardware wise, Samsung may meet or maybe even exceed Google's line, but not significantly enough to make a difference in my opinion. Especially with the newer Pixels, it's a pretty mature product at this point.

Never buy Samsung, full of proprietary trash bloat, and they crack down on people trying to get root access. Absolute no-go.

The Pixel is the far superior product as far as I am concerned: Faster, more stable, no bloatware and the best camera around.

But, and this might be a big but for some, if you need repairs or service outside of insurance you are SOL. There's not a lot of companies doing Pixel repairs and if they do the parts are insanely expensive. I needed a screen replace and it cost almost as much as the phone itself in parts and labour. And the end result is a screen that gets dirtier and a non-functioning fingerprint sensor. Not optimal.

Awesome phone, but pray you do not need service.

If you care about your privacy, and you should, get a pixel and install GrapheneOS.

I've had my Pixel 4a for 3 years and it's still top notch. I'm quite satisfied with it.

I have a pixel 6 personal phone and a Samsung s21fe work phone and the software on the Samsung is garbage. Bloatware you can't uninstall, weird default settings, "features" nobody wanted that I can't disable, and more bloatware.

As an owner of the Pixel 7 Pro, I'd say the S23 Ultra. Better in every possible way except duplicate Google/Samsung apps, mostly-subjective camera differences, and subjective UI skin.

I can't stand iOS, but I'd rather use an iPhone than a Samsung phone. Not kidding. Get a pixel.

Samsung fucks up their version of android, most notably killing background apps no matter what setting you change, but OneUI is by far the best UI I've ever used in a phone. Very confused on whether it's open source or not, I see open source licenses and a a community driven GitHub page for it but it's also samsung. Still the UI is awesome

I had a pixel 6 pro and was going to upgrade to the 8 pro when it came out, but the leaks seemed to indicate that they were gonna have the same modem/connectivity issues which was my biggest complaint about the 6 pro. My carrier (Google Fi) was running a crazy deal on Galaxy phones so I decided fuck it and got the 23 plus (I don't care for a stylus). Holy shit it's night and day, the amount of stuff that just genuinely works is such a breath of fresh air. My wireless android auto "just works" my galaxy watch "just works", setting everything up worked the first try. My fingerprint reader is way better. Apps crash less, samsung health is pretty cool (no extra subscription). I was a little leery of all the Samsung "bloatware" (I've been hearing all bad stuff since the TouchWiz days), but honestly almost everything is better than the Google version. The noteable exception is the keyboard, for whatever reason my autocorrect on Gboard seems to be way better. I was nervous I'd miss the pixel call blocking stuff, but apparently Bixby also does it so I haven't noticed any spam calls since switching.

TL;DR: galaxy S23 is super dope, if you can get it on a deal I'd highly recommend it.

Get a pixel and install GrapheneOS (they make it super easy with their web-based installer). You can even reinstall google play services and then harshly restrict their system access, massively boosting your privacy without sacrificing usability. It also has a very little footprint and you can use aurora store to get google play store apps or fdroid for even better privacy.

I think it entirely depends where you are. Samsung has amazing support worldwide while Google outside of US basically leaves you on your own.

The thing I love the most about my pixel is the automated call screener. I would honestly buy it again just for that alone.

It's matter of preference. If you like clean android go google if you like to customize go Samsung. If you like best power go Samsung if you don't want top end hardware go google. If you want complete privacy and security go google and install graphene os. I love customizability with decent privacy while having small device so I'm rooted on S23.

Pixel. Period.

I can see a reason to get either a pixel or Samsung, can't really go wrong with either. Personally I use a Samsung for the customization of OneUI and better processors but occasionally I do envy the camera on a pixel phone and the stock android layout. Main advice if you were to get either is to try to buy it used instead of new.

Pixel = stock Android, latest firmware, able flash to more privacy oriented rom.

Samsung = Long support and feature rich, but can also be bloated.

Get a Pixel, Install GrapheneOS.

All the nerds like to recommend the Pixel since it's "pure" and a device for tinkering. But ignore the fact that all google products are unfinished, and this is true for the pixel line. If you are OK with beta testing for google and doing workarounds for bugs, then this is fine. But not everyone has time and nerves for that.

Yeah, samsung has bloat(most can be removed, disabled etc.) but I've never had OS bugs like when I had a Nexus or a Pixel.

I went from pixel 5 to Samsung s23.

The hardware of Samsung feels really solid. It's definitely more customisable. The pixel though just has everything already built in. It was a joy to use. Plus the camera is just so reliable. Far better than the base s23.

The Samsung isn't quite bad enough that I want to sell it and get another pixel when it comes out, but I'm definitely not sticking with Samsung in however many years time when I do replace it.

If you like lots of customization options out of the box, then Samsung. If you like using a pen to write (or convert handwriting to text) or draw, then Samsung. If you want barebones Google and don't want extra features or customizations, then Pixel. It depends what you like.

You should try both in person before deciding.

Pixels historically have a lot of weird hardware issues, like the modem underperforming, bad antennas, poor fingerprint sensor, overheating, and so on.

I don't know if the Pixel 8 lineup has them too, but I would search around pretty heavily on that and see first.

I have a samsung phone and I don't like all their bloated crap they force on you. 100% would NOT buy again.