So I've been using an iPhone 5c for the past 2 or so years, and I'm finally out of my AT&T contract, so I'm looking to get out of the AT&T shit show and move over to T-Mobile, which is generally offering significantly better data options and just better customer service in general. I'm looking to upgrade to a new phone, price irrelevant; the iPhone 7 of course being a non-option because of the lack of an aux port, even despite the general performance and battery improvements. Right now, I'm looking at a few contenders.
The Pixel XL is probably my go to at the moment; $13.55 monthly credit off a $95 unlimited data plan with T-Mobile is a decent deal and I'm attracted to the novelty of the device. From what I've read, it's performance isn't necessarily on-par with the iPhone 6s Plus, and definitely behind the iPhone 7, but what it lacks in raw CPU performance, it makes up for in screen resolution, camera performance, and a user interface I'd be more familiar with as an iPhone user. Plus, I like Google Style in a user interface. No micro SD slot is a loss, but again, as an 8GB iPhone user primarily using Spotify for music, the 128 GB Pixel XL seems to be fine even without extended space. Lightning USB-C charging is also something not to scoff at; I've been used to going from 100% to 0% within less than 8 hours at work doing light internet browsing and video streaming on low screen brightness with my 5c, and that's even when I'm relatively busy and only able to use the phone for maybe half of that 8 hour work time; 4 hours of texting and music and my phone would be needing to charge. Any phone would be a massive improvement. The biggest issue is performance identical to a OnePlus 3T for twice the price.
The Samsung S7 Edge is another option I've been looking at. Performance is up there, benchmarking higher than the Pixel XL, and battery is slightly improved over the Pixel XL. The iPhone 6S as a slightly outdated but reliable alternative. A few odd ducks like the OnePlus 3T, HTC 10, and such have also caught my attention.
Basically just looking for the best phone upgrade I can get, not just from a specs standpoint, though I'd like to be able to actually run OneNote and Microsoft Word without framerate drops like on my 5c, but from an experience standpoint as well. It's easy to tell I'm interested in the Pixel XL, so take this as me mostly asking if anyone here has used one and likes it.
[editline]16th December 2016[/editline]
it really comes down to OnePlus 3T vs. the Google Pixel XL.
I have the Pixel XL, it is a pretty good phone, charges fast, holds battery, I like the style, many app options. 1440p is nice.
I also have the Google Daydream VR which works with the Pixel series.
I can answer any questions.
[QUOTE=Zombinie;51541523]I have the Pixel XL, it is a pretty good phone, charges fast, holds battery, I like the style, many app options.
I also have the Google Daydream VR which works with the Pixel series.
I can answer any questions.[/QUOTE]
Is the size overwhelming in your hand?
the pixel is AWESOME. i recommend the regular version or the XL because the price difference doesnt justify the minor difference in screen size and thats the only difference btween the two
[QUOTE=Adelle Zhu;51541527]Is the size overwhelming in your hand?[/QUOTE]
It's definitely hefty, especially with a case. I'd say its as large as a phone can comfortably get.
I do not have any issues however and it still fits in pockets fine.
The only reason I got the XL was because they were out of the normal size but now i'm not complaining.
I have a normal size Pixel and I cannot recommend it enough, it's amazing.
[QUOTE=Nautsabes;51541529]the pixel is AWESOME. i recommend the regular version or the XL because the price difference doesnt justify the minor difference in screen size and thats the only difference btween the two[/QUOTE]
I am interested in trying Daydream VR primarily for writing while laying in bed and using a bluetooth keyboard and watching podcasts, I'd imagine the XL resolution helps with the VR experience. Plus a bit of a bigger battery that I've heard does improve battery life even with the higher resolution screen. The (assumed) purchase combination will be Pixel XL 128GB, their Daydream headset, and the Samsung Gear S3.
Pixel XL's 821 is downclocked in regular use. Does it overclock (clock to normal speeds) in Daydream?
How's the audio quality on the Pixel? I mainly use my phone for listening to music on, so having high quality audio's important.. Anyone feeling anything special from it or is it just eh and normal?
My boyfriend has the OnePlus 3T, and it is such a good phone. I am genuinely considering it after my contract expires on my 6s.
If I leave my Moto X Pure, I'm going to miss the dual front facing speakers...
[QUOTE=Loriborn;51542046]I am interested in trying Daydream?[/QUOTE]
Daydream is cool, but dont expect to be typing. Apps are limited as of now and there is no word / google docs type thing yet. However watching youtube is fun while suffers the drawbacks of all VR, notably video quality. Any 4k video will still appear slightly blurry because of how VR works, and you will have to look to see things clearly in your peripherals, again, because of how VR works.
The battery is large enough that you can use it two or three sessions for VR, the limiting factor is temperature as it will thermal throttle and give you a warning after about an hour.
Audio quality is good? I am not an audiophile but have been pleased.
If you want more Daydream Review, here is a collection of comments I made about it over in the VR thread:
[QUOTE=Zombinie;51480979]I got mine from the Google online store for ~$85, took about a week to ship.
Packaging was very good.
It is very comfortable to wear and the materials are very nice to touch (a smooth velvety fabric), but because there is no strap across the top of your head, the strap sits higher than you would expect.
The graphics are good but you really notice small fibers / dust on your phone screen so I would also buy a screen wipe.
Whatever you are facing is crystal clear, but your peripheral vision is blurry and you must turn your head to see things clearly, not your eyes.
The controller is decent, the pointer has a small amount of jitteriness but nothing unacceptable. It has a small trackpad-type thing which is accurate.
The phone gets rather hot after a long session, but you will not feel it.
Might be just me and my nose, but if you try you can see below you irl through a small gap when looking directly down (with your eyes, not head), the seal on your face is not perfect but I imagine that might be to accommodate individuals of different sizes (I am skelly).
The remote charges with a USB-C cord, which is [U]not[/U] included.[/QUOTE]
[QUOTE=Zombinie;51487436]Google Daydream Update:
I have explored the app market further. It is barren. What few games there are cost ~$10+.
YouTube is cool, it's like a personal movie theater that you can adjust the size of the screen but everything is very slightly blurry regardless of resolution and quality. There are also 360 videos.
The phone will thermal throttle and give a warning after about one hour of use.
The porn is :incredible: however it is difficult to make work. There is no web browser as of yet, so you must do some workarounds.
Glamour shots:
[t]http://i.imgur.com/PRIf4KB.jpg[/t]
[t]http://i.imgur.com/HKMTZYY.jpg[/t]
[t]http://i.imgur.com/i3WHxco.jpg[/t][/QUOTE]
[QUOTE=Adelle Zhu;51542962]If I leave my Moto X Pure, I'm going to miss the dual front facing speakers...[/QUOTE]
Axon 7 has dual front facing speakers, same processor as the OP3T, and will have daydream when Nougat rolls around in January.
[QUOTE=helifreak;51545162]Axon 7 has dual front facing speakers, same processor as the OP3T, and will have daydream when Nougat rolls around in January.[/QUOTE]
I don't know how I feel about the UI overlay. But other than that it's a beautiful phone. Also the price is restrictive. It's easier for me to pay monthly.
The unfortunate reality is I really don't want to wait 4-6 weeks to get a 32gb version; 128gb has been out of stock for nearly half a month via the Google store and I don't foresee them restocking before January. That means the only way I can get the XL 128gb is to go to a brick and mortar Verizon store and accept the extra $20 a month for a data plan restricted to 18gb. (even though I average around 22gb)
iPhone 7 has a lightning to aux connector included in box.
a benefit of the lightning cable idea is that you could buy a lightning port dac to use instead of using a onboard headphone one, which can allow for higher quality audio.
[QUOTE=Wii60;51577708]iPhone 7 has a lightning to aux connector included in box.
a benefit of the lightning cable idea is that you could buy a lightning port dac to use instead of using a onboard headphone one, which can allow for higher quality audio.[/QUOTE]
Android 5.0+ supports USB DACs so you can avoid paying twice as much for the lightning input.
[QUOTE=helifreak;51577746]Android 5.0+ supports USB DACs so you can avoid paying twice as much for the lightning input.[/QUOTE]
Massdrop sold one for like $60 (no longer available)
[url]https://www.massdrop.com/buy/smsl-icon-lightning-dac-amp-for-ios[/url]
and this one on kickstarter is $30 and is apple [URL="https://paracable.com/pages/what-is-apple-mfi-certification"]mfi-certified[/URL]. it also has a lightning port on the dac so you can charge at same time.
[url]https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/991035804/accessport-hi-res-audio-amplifier-for-iphone-7-cha[/url]
How do I transfer music from my computer to my pixel? I'm trying to use the google play app and uploading the files myself but nothing is happening????????
[QUOTE=Citrus705;51578079]How do I transfer music from my computer to my pixel? I'm trying to use the google play app and uploading the files myself but nothing is happening????????[/QUOTE]
Plug it in and copy paste them unless the Pixel is somehow different to every other (non Samsung) Android phone.
[QUOTE=helifreak;51578084]Plug it in and copy paste them unless the Pixel is somehow different to every other (non Samsung) Android phone.[/QUOTE]
Nevermind I figured it out. Had to change it from charge mode to transfer files for some reason
[QUOTE=Citrus705;51578090]Nevermind I figured it out. Had to change it from charge mode to transfer files for some reason[/QUOTE]
An incredibly annoying, buggy , unnecessary feature of Android.
[QUOTE=Adelle Zhu;51578591]An incredibly annoying, buggy , unnecessary feature of Android.[/QUOTE]
Seems like a pretty reasonable protection against potential rogue USB charging spots you'd find in airports.
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