[Ajedi32]

If you care about always having the latest software with the latest Google features just get a Pixel. 7 years of OS and security updates: https://support.google.com/pixelphone/answer/4457705?hl=en

Google doesn't control what other vendors do; that's the beauty of open source. (You can argue how open Android really is these days but it's still more open than iOS.)

[aucisson_masque]

Pixel have other issue, quality control and run on Samsung exynos hardware with bad performance and connectivity.

I'd argue that Android is technically more open than iOS but in practice it isn't. Google have dark pattern and elaborated ways to get Android user to stay in the 'walled Google play service garden'.

Like when you install a third party store and Google play protect warns you it may be insecure.

Or having to press install for every app installed outside of the store, over and over.

The fact you can't get push notification without enabling the Google play services, which is the core framework of the Google data collection happening on every Android.

[int0x29]

I have fdroid installed on a pixel and I didn't hit any warnings beyond needing to enable side loading. As for push notifications, if you are developing an app, you can build your own infrastructure for that or rent it from someone else. If you are concerned about google software you can, with effort, reflash with another OS.

All of the above either don't exist on iOS or only exists in the EU.

Personally I've never had issues with Samsung modems and I am honestly confused what people are doing with their phones that require high power CPUs.

[aucisson_masque]

The issue with push notification isn't for the app you build yourself but all the other like your bank app, it won't be able to send you a message when you got to validate something or when my Xiaomi cleaning robot is done cleaning for instance. They all require Google play services.

Reflashing another os ? What issue does it solves ? It's less secure, they still need the Google play services to push notifications.

Grapheneos may be a bit better but it locks you to only one Android device : pixel. They are overpriced, have quality control issue and run poorly.

900€ for a pixel 9 that use Samsung hardware, overheat when I can get a s25 for the same price, that funnily enough don't use Samsung hardware but Qualcomm :)

I believe 900€ is enough even for an iphone that will run much better than pixel.

> Personally I've never had issues with Samsung modems and I am honestly confused what people are doing with their phones that require high power CPUs.

I couldn't care less too about CPU power, but cpu energy usage and the phone being able to make and receive call is what's been the issue with pixel since the 6.

[II2II]

> Pixel have other issue

Every product is going to have issues in one form or another. The question is which issues affect your personal use of the product. I'm too new to Pixel to comment on whether switching to it is a good or a bad thing in my case, but I have been happy with the trade-offs so far. Ironically, one of the reasons why I went with a Pixel was to avoid much of the Google software ecosystem.

[attendant3446]

I switched to a Pixel for the same reason. I'm on my second Pixel and the GrapheneOS is fantastic

[microtonal]

People have been very positive about the Pixel 9's modem. The Tensor G4 is fast enough for most people. Maybe not for heavy gaming, but it's great for all daily use.

[kcb]

It's been years since the performance of any high-end phone SoC has felt like a bottleneck and the Pixel 9 modem has been very good.

[ranger_danger]

> that's the beauty of open source

Many would argue that that kind of fragmentation is also its biggest downfall.

[malfist]

What happens when one of those updates bricks your battery so it only lasts an hour or so off charger?

[QuarterReptile]

Hate to say it, but everyone does this. My dad replaced his iPhone back in December when an update killed it. No acknowledgment of the problem from Apple.

Hell, my car has a stupid system that shakes motor mounts apart and burns through ignition coils and spark plugs. Honda won't admit fault because, among other things, it was a fuel-saving boondoggle and they won't back down from lying to customers if it means stepping into the path of an oncoming EPA train.

[FreakyT]

Not sure why you're getting downvoted, considering that this actually happened:

https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2025/01/google-pixel-4as-rui...

[microtonal]

Yes, and Google offers a free battery replacement for affected users:

https://support.google.com/pixelphone/answer/15701861

Last time Apple pushed a battery-related software update that avoided shutdowns (good), people had to sue them to get a compensation: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Batterygate

[malfist]

You had to pick battery or strings attached cash, before the update arrived. And the battery replacement required you to send your phone off for repair leaving you without one, and Google didn't offer an sla for turn around.

And let's be honest, inconveniencing me is hardly acceptable, even if the company makes a token effort to put things back to before they inconvenienced me.

[alright2565]

They replaced my battery free of charge when they did that.

[mvdtnz]

It's also not offered in my country, so your advice is worthless to me.