Long time Android user here. I went through Xiaomi (since the Mi2), to OnePlus, and recently got the Pixel 6a.
Today, I’d recommend the Pixels for several reasons:
It runs Android “as its maker envisioned it”, without out of place customizations and a coherent user interface everywhere, which is usually the reason why people like Apple products.
Hardware is solid. It’s a common model thus it shouldn’t be difficult to find someone to repair it if something goes wrong.
It has a very long software lifespan. Updates and new features come to Pixels first, and keep coming for years even when new models are introduced. And when they stop, it still has a great aftermarket support from independent developers since it is the reference device to work on Android apps (source: I am a developer).
On the other hand, Xiaomi and other Chinese brands:
Ship with an OS which is more and more customized every year, forcing you into their ecosystem which is not as coherent and supported as Google’s official product.
Have much less privacy settings. While you may claim that Google spies on you regardless, it is much easier to see what data it is gathering and make choices about that compared with Chinese manufacturers. And if you’re still unsatisfied, it is the easiest phone to swap it’s OS with something uncompromising on privacy.
If you care about politics (and I think everyone should), Pixels are from a western company and produced in Vietnam. (EDIT: mistakenly claimed Taiwan)
Are you sure about that? Google suggests they used to be a few models ago, before shifting to China, and then Vietnam, at least partially, for the 7.
My Pixel 7 bought on the Taiwan Google store was shipped from Singapore or HK, IIRC (not that that’s conclusive), and the box says made in China. My earbuds were made in Vietnam though.
Apple is just like every other phone maker, you can fix it yourself but if you fuck it up it’s your own fault. Apple also do a self repair service in some countries, where if you buy the official parts from them, they will loan you the specialised equipment to do the repair properly.
If you go to a third party the deal is between you and them with their guarantee, a quick search online shows that parts for the latest phones are available for you to fix yourself.
Good point! I double checked on Wikipedia and it seems that indeed most of the manufacturing now is in Vietnam, while the previous generation was in China (seems that Google delayed the transition due to the pandemic). I’m not sure where I got the notion of them being made in Taiwan? Probably the tensor chip is made there by TSMC would be my guess…
Either way, still better than a completely Chinese manufacturing process.
No it isn’t. Apple pairs all their components to each product, and it means the phone KNOWS if you have swapped any of its parts, be it battery, camera, or screen. When it sees that the part isn’t what was originally assigned to the phone, it “breaks” the part, severely limiting its functionality, such as the camera not focusing properly, battery refuse to charge, while flashing nag screens telling you that you need to use genuine Apple parts. Even parts that came from another iphone of the same model does not work. It means if you attempt to swap parts on your own it will not work and the phone is effectively broken. Tests have done to confirm this.
I do not know if Google do this with Pixel, but I’m sure only Apple does this kind of shit. I’ve heard of Samsung doing this too, but seems this is less of a problem on Android devices.
Where can I see a Pixel phone in person besides telecom providers? Does Google have a “pixel” store?
They do not do this in Taiwan. If it was only a simple matter of calling up Apple to validate the part, then it would be easy, but Apple consciously opposes any attempt at self repair, as most phone repair shops have the right tools and stuff to crack apart any phone without damage.
It gives you a warning that it’s not a genuine part, you can then use it as normal and ignore it.
"The only way to completely get rid of the notification is to get a genuine battery. I believer the badge (the little red number) will eventually go away. However, you always see the message under Settings>Battery as long as you have a non-genuine battery. " https://discussions.apple.com/thread/254511352
This is helpful if you’re getting a second hand phone, you can see if its been repaired with cheaper parts.
So it doesn’t break the part, such as the camera not focusing properly, face ID not working, battery refusing to charge (even though it shows charging)?
I had an iphone XR that did this after a software update. The battery was swapped by a repair shop.
Edit: So the face ID no longer breaks, but it still breaks several feature when parts are swapped… It’s still a deal breaker, considering android phones do not lose functionality from part replacement.
Sony make their phones in Japan. Now my phones contract is from my company. But can also use personal account with CHT. I paid around NT$2500 for the phone and just extended my contract with CHT.
Update again and see what happens (i try and wait a bit before doing updates to see what bugs it has), but this is not unique to apple.
At the end of the day if you want a cheap phone get a cheep phone, if you want an apple phone get one. It’s just a phone, if you’re constantly comparing to an iPhone, then its an iPhone you want, if you’re comparing to a Samsung or Pixel thats what you should go for.
If it’s just a phone its fine, but normally there are other things to take into consideration like the environment it uses. I use both apple and google for work (on the computer side Linux also) and i know which one i choose for my home environment and why i choose it.
They all have pros and cons and even if you constantly buy the top end of each new phone there is always something new around the corner.
Just get a phone you like, you feel comfortable with and you can use, then use it enjoy it. Stop comparing it to other phones and stop looking at phone sites until you want to get another one.
Its Tawana as long as you can run Line and read Forumosa (Dating app’s for you singles) what else do you need, my last phone was about 5 years old when i replaced it last year (iPhone 6 from new) is still almost fine and is enjoying its retirement.
Why are so always so negative about everything? All those people buying new phones often sell their old phones. ffs Some people got their phones on a contract which has ended.
I’m just saying buying used is cheaper but it isn’t without risks. Like warranty too. I just met someone at the apple store whose MacBook pro screen broke 2 days after warranty ran out, and he didn’t buy apple care. So he has to pay a huge amount for apple to fix it.
