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.

I have an S23 Ultra and it is a nice phone but I wouldn't recommend Samsung to anyone because my last several Samsungs "mysteriously" got issues right before the 2 year plan ended. I won't be getting another Samsung after this one. I really wanted the pen and it is great but I'm starting to care more about longevity.

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.

I switch from a Pixel 3 to a S23 and it's really nice. The new Snapdragon 8 gen 2 is solid, with great battery life and doesn't heat up even when doing intensive task. I also change almost all the stock app to Google's so it's basically just like using a Pixel now, abet with some restriction (no google recorder app because that's pixel exclusive lol).

I was worried about "Samsung bloat" too but I have to say the new OneUI is rather nice.

I really like both. This round I ended up going with Samsung. Yeah it's a little more bloated but there's just SO much more customization with good lock modules. I have an audio module that lets me choose a second audio destination. So for example I can be playing music through Bluetooth on my stereo system and then I have my system notifications set to the phone speaker so that they don't interrupt the music

Pixel.

I'm going to get an S24 when they release, have pretty much always used Samsung when on Android.

FWIW, I understand all the complaints about bloat from duplicated applications, but a significant amount of that blame should be on Google as well. I don't use the GMail app, but I can't uninstall it, so it's system bloat.

https://flash.android.com/welcome

Nothing like is available for other OEMs.

Pixel has the smoothest experience in terms of animations, but they also have the shittiest hardware. Samsung is okay, and the snapdragon versions have usable battery and modems. Pixel's SOC is hot garbage (though time will tell for pixel 8)

I went from Samsung S10+ to a pixel 5 which was a huge upgrade. Pixel 5 to pixel 7 pro was a considerably bigger downgrade. After my experience, I'm at least a few generations and a lot of reviews between my next pixel or tensor phone.

P7P:

• overheats with light use

• between 1/2 and 1 days battery life

• persistent screen glare

• worst android UI I've seen since maybe my galaxy s3? Genuinely so long I can't even really be sure.

• terrible build materials. Mad slippy and will break if dropped even a small distance

• worst fingerprint sensor I've used.

• most limited customization of any android in recent memory, combined with awful stock ux

The last time I tried a Samsung phone I returned it the same day I got it. The competing OS elements from Samsung's ROM and the standard Android UI were really really off-putting to me. I can get an app having a unique style, but this was different OS elements looking and working differently.

What the heck is an "Android Experience"? That seems like some vague aspiration or ideal that doesn't mean much. You probably have an idea of what you want or prefer, so easier to state that.

I just made this exact comment on another thread: My first smartphone was a Samsung, it was also my last Samsung device. I hate the bloatware, just want as close to stock android as possible. After the Samsung I had a couple of Nexus device by Motorola (pre-pixel I guess? Google designed built by Motorola IIRC) then went to OnePlus

Samsung. Always Samsung. I'm perfectly happy with my A54

I've been on one plus phones for years and then switched to pixel 4a 5g, then pixel 6a.

I just switched to a samsung galaxy s23 ultra and I am loving this device.

I uninstalled a bunch of the Google and samsung bloatware.

There should be an inherent time frame people think about, phones from 8 or 9 years ago are not relevant in any aspect to todays talking points for both sides of the aisle.

The Pixel experience being stock Android without any bloatware appeals to me.

I've also always rooted all of my Android devices, and the Pixel has been one of the easiest to do so, though this advantage would only be relevant to a small minority of users.

I don't have a great answer for you as I haven't used the Pixel 8 Pro yet.

I have owned a Pixel 7 Pro alongside my Motorola Razr+ and my S23 Ultra and, personally, found the S23 Ultra to be leagues better in software features and hardware performance (I know I'm going to get voted down to hell for saying it). I ended up selling it to a friend.

BUT...based on the current P8P information, it may finally change my mind. I definitely plan to pick one up and use it as my DD for awhile and see. I'm legitimately hopeful.

Oh, almost forgot, for those interested in giving buying advice, please check out our very own buying guide that we are making in the sticky post and contribute your input. Thanks.

I've just recently switched from a Galaxy S10 to a Pixel 7 as I wanted to see the "vanilla" experience, as well as be closer to upstream for software updates. My S10 still works great, though the battery needs replacement (at the time, it had already broken the glue on the back glass and was still expanding -- didn't realize until I took it out of the case for cleaning)...

With my S10, I had to really fight to get it to let me use Google's apps over the Samsung ones; which whole annoying is doable. So far, the only things I really miss from Samsung (and notably the UX):

• The sidebar/panel with an additional set of predefined apps
  • Replaced with Panels
• The volume/silent switch in the notification shade
• The Bixby button (for custom actions)
• Physically smaller phone, but that's not a huge deal

Overall, I'm happy with the experience so far; though I dunno if the "Pro" model of anything is really worth it.

I have used Samsung since the first Galaxy S I think and didn't understand the bloat everyone is talking about until I remembered I've used the Nova launcher for nearly all of them. You can also remove the Samsung apps if you want.

Lots of hate for Samsung in here... I actually just switched from Pixel (and before that Nexus phones) to Samsung for the first time ever, because the Z Flip 5 is everything I've ever wanted in a phone form factor.

No regrets so far, had it 2 weeks now!

Samsung hardware is a lot higher quality, but the Pixel is cheaper. I've had to return a pixel to Google 5 times before so I don't buy those any longer for myself.

Haven't had a samsung phone since the note 3, but I remember having issues with unlocking the bootloader, I think you had to use some 3rd party tool because samsung provided no guide in their manual. With nexus and pixel phones it's really easy so them I can definately recommend.