How do Android phone skins compare across the brands?

[Time Waster]

It is that time again, a new mobile phone is needed as my Samsung A70 is strugglling and there have been some strange charging events. So I usually wish for a higher end phone than I can spare the cash for (not the same as affording but I don't want to spend too much on just a phone). So I was wondering about the effects of brand skins on Android phone performance and feel. Samsung I am used to as it is what I have and I have had a galazy SII in the past. I have also had a Honor and an LG too in the past. Samsung has a rep for bloatware I think. Does this really have much affect on how a phone feels or behaves in real use?

I believe the pixel is pretty vanilla android. My partner's old phone was a motorola G series and that felt pretty plain os too. Are these less bloated skins better?

Current thoughts are that my old A70 needs replacing too because it is not 5g and I always seem to get worse connections than my son and partner with their Samsung A54 5G. Even on only 4G theirs are better at data and voice connection when out and about or at home. I cannot use my phone for calls at home due to pooor connection unless I use wifi calling. My partner and son could get connection though.

So I am thinking a new phone with 5G and newer chipsets. I assume say 2022 or 2023 released phone have better connection than my 2019 phone due to technology moving on. 3 or 4 years is some time in tech I reckon. So my thinking is a cheap pixel 7 or spend a bit more on a pixel 8. Would I notice anything? Thje A70 camera is pretty good and is better than mh parnters samsung A54 one. Much better despite 4 or so years older than theirs. I want a good camera on my phone hence the pixel seems good. Does the pixel 7 have the same camera post snap processing of the 8 now the 9 is out? I think they flow down to the older models if they can take them. I think the 7 and 8 are on the same OS version. I can't decide whether the 7 is too old to buy as a new phone now. I think the 8 is going to be supported to 2030 but the 7 has a shorter update life and I have heard 2025 is the last upgrade of OS version for the 7. Does this matter that much?

 

[Drago]

I've a Pixel 8 pro.

What I know about the technical side could be written on Alexander Armstongs talent with a road roller, but it seems to work nicely enough.

I'm not a fashion victim and just want something that works reliably and smoothly so ill likely stick with them and go 9 or 9 pro when im due upgrade in the summer.

 

[Ian H]

I went from Moto to Pixel, mainly because they offer longer update support. My other half went from Moto to Samsung and doesn't like the bloatware.

 

[Bonefish Blues]

Yes it does make a difference IMHO. The closer to pure Android the better. I'd never run another Samsung for that reason - and it's a pain to remove. I now run a Dragophone Pro like our hero, but I also rate Xiaomi as a good option at a lower price point.

 

[ColinJ]

I upgraded from a Pixel 5 to a Pixel 8 in the autumn so I can't say much about the 7, but I can talk about the 8.

The 8 has a brighter screen than the 5, which is handy in bright sunlight. The screen also has a slightly higher vertical resolution but is near enough the same size as the 5 due to decreased bezel size. I find it very nice to look at.

The phone is the perfect size for me - big enough to be useful, but not horribly big in the hand.

Yes, the camera is very good.

I think the extended support is well worth having because I will be doing my best to make the phone last until 2030. One way I do that is by only charging the battery to 80% of maximum capacity unless I will be away from a charger for a long time. The latest Android update has a setting to stop charging at that point so I no longer have to switch charging off manually. I just chuck it on the wireless charger whenever it needs a significant top up.

My old 5 did not support wifi calling on Giffgaff. The 8 does.

I like the lack of bloatware and the near monthly security updates.

The phone is fast enough for what I do.

The fingerprint reader on the 8 is on the screen and is not as good as the rear mounted one on the 5, which was excellent, but it does the trick. I just have to tap the screen to activate the reader and hold my finger still for a bit longer than I used to on the 5.

I like the built-in feature which identifies and stores the names of any music playing near the phone.

I haven't really used many of the AI features of the phone but I do like being able to do various things by just talking to the phone... "Hey Google, set an alarm for 23:37, label Go and lurk on CycleChat for a while". And when I am busy doing something else when the alarm goes off... "Snooze!" and after finally obeying the snoozed alarm "Stop!"

I use an app called Prof Reminder to get the phone to alert me to any missed calls or messages.

I think most people not addicted to iPhones would be pretty happy with a Pixel 8.

 

[si_c]

Pixel has pretty much the best experience, Moto G is not that far behind. I don't like Samsung but if you're familiar with it then it's probably fine.

The flip side is that Samsung tends to have a faster processor and slightly better battery life but in practice I've never had an issue, light use gets me close to 2 days, heavier use a full day.

Got the 8 Pro, Mrs C has the 9 Pro both very happy with them, will wait for the 10 Pro before updating though, there's a decent upgrade to the 9 Pro but the shift to the 10 looks to be better.

 

[cycling_eejit]

I think the biggest effect on the 'feel' of a phone is the launcher.
I've been using Niagara launcher for the last few years and am a big fan. There's loads of launchers out there to try and one of the benefits is, if you change manufacturer it doesn't make much difference, just install the launcher you like and the phone feels more or less the same.

I have a Pixel 6 that still runs great, will probably go for a Pixel again when the time comes.

 

[raleighnut]

I don't have a mobile phone.

 

[Jotheboat]

The only VERY basic, simple, non tech advice I can give is, if you take lots of photos, get an S rather than an A model.
I had an S10 - pretty old - and took literally 1000s of photos with it. Then 'upgraded' to an A14 (on the advice of a 'salesperson') and the photo quality was noticeably poorer.
So, I've gone back to my old S10 and am currently saving for an S-something newer.

 

[Jameshow]

I have a Moto g35 and the pics are much better than the g9 it replaced.

It feels lighter though.

And the fingerprint sensor is in the on off switch which thinks a bit dodgy!

 

[twentysix by twentyfive]

What's a "phone skin"? I've never heard of such.

 

[Drago]

What's a "phone skin"? I've never heard of such.

It's a type of phone condom for those that like to practice safe calls.

 

[alicat]

What's a "phone skin"? I've never heard of such.

It's not a term I'm familiar with but I think it might be the interface i.e. what the software gubbins are covered with.

 

[roubaixtuesday]

You can get phones "refurbished" for about half the new price. IME they're as good as new.

There's various sellers; Backmarket is the one I've used, with good experience.

 

[twentysix by twentyfive]

It's a type of phone condom for those that like to practice safe calls.

I'm guessing heavy breathing results in a balloon.