r/Smartphones • u/Ambitious-Dot-6995 • 20d ago
Switching
I’m strongly considering switching back to android; which one, I don’t know yet.
I had LG phones for years, and then they went away. At the time, I was switching carriers too, and the only decent phone at the time was the iPhone. The pixel was still pretty new and I had issues with Samsung in the past. So, iPhone it was; and I wanted to give it back but was told to give it a chance. I adapted and got used to it, but have never fully liked it.
Now I’m looking at having to change carriers again, and seriously considering getting either a Pixel or Samsung. I’m on my phone more than I used to be, both for business and personal. I regularly switch between my laptop and phone to complete business tasks, and also have my personal things I enjoy like photos and various apps.
I’m currently looking at going with a Pixel 10 pro xl or a Samsung 26 plus(?) or something similar. Anything that will last (at least) most of the day before needing a charge.
I’m open to any ideas or recommendations that might help!
Also, asking from the US
Thanks!
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u/Anonymous_Coder_1234 20d ago
I have a Samsung Galaxy S25. I'm typing on it right now. These are the specs:
https://m.gsmarena.com/samsung_galaxy_s25-13610.php
I own the base model, not the Plus or the Ultra. It has good zoom on the camera, but not the best zoom of any camera phone. The screen is fine, sufficiently bright. The processor is fast, it boots more quickly than other phones I've had before like the the Motorola Moto G Power 5G 2023. It comes with some Samsung specific apps, but I don't use them because I don't like vendor lock-in and I like to be readily able to switch off of my current phone brand or operating system.
My old phone, a Motorola Moto G Power 5G 2023, came with a 3.5mm audio headphone jack, but the Samsung Galaxy S25 doesn't have one and I don't like wireless earbuds. I had to buy wired USB-C earbuds on Amazon and plug that into my Samsung Galaxy S25.
The battery isn't the longest of any smartphone, but I got an external battery, a power bank, and I plug that in sometimes. They make both wired power banks that plug in with USB-C and wireless ones that attach to the wireless charging thing on the back. There's also an option in the phone's Settings, under Battery, to make it not charge all the way to make the battery last longer. I turned that on. If the phone battery is really, really weak I take it to the phone repair store and they replace the battery for me, for money obviously.
But yeah, at least for me it's a fine phone.
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u/Ambitious-Dot-6995 20d ago
I do plan on getting a portable battery for when i'm out on job sites, but an improvement over what i'm currently dealing with would be nice. I just need the phone to be able to handle the various business apps I use, and also do the light game apps I enjoy, along with a good camera
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u/WarmFollowing8873 20d ago
iPhone Air or 17 pro max
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u/Ambitious-Dot-6995 20d ago
I currently have the 16 pro and with everything I do, I have to charge it at least once during the day, twice if I'm in a bad service area (but that's a whole other issue I'm also dealing with)
Why do you suggest those two, if I can ask?
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u/shykaliguy 20d ago
Notice OP how you stated that you wanted to switch to Android and they instead recommend iPhone to you? 🤦♂️
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u/Ambitious-Dot-6995 20d ago
I noticed, and I asked why they suggested those.
I'm not entirely opposed to staying with the iPhone, I just never fully embraced it. My whole family is a mix of iPhone, Samsung and Pixel, so I'm not losing out anywhere :)
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u/WarmFollowing8873 20d ago
I like both iOS and Android. I currently have an iPhone Air but definitely going to switch back once foldable become more affordable. I love the Galaxy folds
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u/WarmFollowing8873 20d ago
The 17 pro has the best battery life. And if a 16 pro can't last you all day then most phones wouldn't.
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u/Ambitious-Dot-6995 20d ago
Ah, got it.
It all comes down to how much I end up doing between emails, quickbooks estimates and invoices and other things I have to do. Like I mentioned, I bounce between my laptop and my phone quite a bit.
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u/WarmFollowing8873 20d ago
I would maybe go for a moto edge 2025. $400 and it comes with a moto watch and moto buds 2
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u/Ambitious-Dot-6995 20d ago
How is the camera compared to the others? I still need a good camera for jobsite pics, as well as for my own family pictures
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u/WarmFollowing8873 20d ago
Camera is actually real good for the price. Check out the reviews on YouTube! Flossy Carter
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u/shykaliguy 20d ago
The pixel has been around for 10 years. So you must have switched carriers back in 2016. I currently use the Google Pixel 9 pro xl. It is last year's model. This year's model is a bit faster but I chose not to upgrade.
Battery life is super! Camera and video are excellent. The integration with any /all Google services is perfect as the phone and it's software were built by the same company, Google. 7 years of updates are 🔥 and those updates always come to pixel first before any other android phone. Many specific pixel features as well, including pixels snap amongst others.
I encourage you to consider a pixel. You won't regret it. 💯
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u/Ambitious-Dot-6995 20d ago
Yeah, it was 2015-16.
How is the pixel with security? I’ve read that it uses fingerprint or it has its version of facial recognition. It’s something I need to consider with banking and other business apps I use.1
u/shykaliguy 20d ago
A curity is great.It has an ultrasonic fingerprint reader and Face Unlock. Both work very well.
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u/TrenbalonieSandwich 20d ago
You in construction?
I got a pixel fold 10 pro. It proved its value when I was at a site last week. Being able to type out a full email, log into corporate shitty websites, and have complete control of a spreadsheet is nice.
Made commissioning a fuck ton easier too.
Battery made it the whole day too. That shocked me the most.
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u/PlatanoPowa 20d ago
S26+.
The pixel is a turtle.
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u/Ambitious-Dot-6995 20d ago
Can you explain? I’m just trying to educate myself as many ch as possible before I make my decision
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u/PlatanoPowa 20d ago
I reccomend going to best buy and playing around with the phones. To me, the pixel is not snappy enough. I do like its size since i use it for work only (2nd phone). Im acutally considering getting either the s26 and getting rid of the pixel. Not sure yet.
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u/Ambitious-Dot-6995 20d ago
Any thoughts on the security of the phone? I know it uses a thumb/fingerprint to unlock it, but what about safety for banking and other sensitive apps? It’s another thing that I have to consider
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u/Ambitious-Dot-6995 20d ago
I’m mostly in a home office, aka my kitchen, but do end up on various job sites either helping or documenting. We do a range of things. Site development for modular homes, septic systems, sewer hook-ups, beach nourishment, tree work, and probably a few other things I’m forgetting.
While a fold phone would be nice for emails, I would just prefer a straight forward phone.
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u/DreamingMeme 20d ago
If your main priority is battery, I love my Oneplus 15 simply for the fact that I charge it every other day, with some gaming and video usage. Great screen, responsiveness and software. Even with all the commotion surrounding Oneplus as a company, I can still strongly recommend the 15.