I had a Galaxy telephone that used to be higher than my Pixel through virtually each and every measurable usual. Higher chip, higher show, extra options, extra customization—the listing is going on. But, right here I’m, again at the Pixel. And it wasn’t as a result of Samsung did one thing improper, however as a result of one app—one I had by no means idea two times about.
Why I made up our minds to modify within the first position
Believing that the grass used to be greener at the different facet
The Pixel 6a used to be my first Pixel machine; I beloved it—and nonetheless do. It did the entirety I wanted—blank device, a super digicam, and assured updates immediately from Google. On the other hand, maximum of my pals have Samsung Galaxy telephones and so they stored reminding me how that is the place you in reality see Android’s complete possible. And the truth that lots of the web has the same opinion with them made me feel sorry about my determination to get the Pixel.
The argument used to be mainly that Snapdragon chips carry out higher than Google’s Tensor, and One UI offers you much more to play with—customized icon packs, Just right Lock modules, and simply far more customization choices than inventory Android. Moreover, I am in reality the type of one that enjoys tinkering with my telephone, making the speculation of switching beautiful interesting.
So, when the Galaxy S25 introduced in 2025 and the S24 were given a good value drop, I figured that used to be a just right sufficient time to make the transfer.
Now, I did be expecting an adjustment length to start with, however the total friction used to be simply too nerve-racking. I slowly learned I wasn’t adjusting to a brand new workflow, however in reality dropping sure options that have been pivotal to how I paintings—options I took as a right on my Pixel.
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Google
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Google Tensor G5
Taking a look to improve to a Pixel however no longer positive if you wish to have the entire bells and whistles of the dearer fashions? You will not be dissatisfied with the usual Pixel 10 style. Coming in hanging colours, Gemini options, and 7 years of updates, you’ll be able to’t pass improper with this acquire.
The principle issues I confronted after making the transfer
Looking for the unconventional Galaxy-exclusive options, I misplaced the acquainted Pixel-exclusive options
The very first thing I spotted used to be that the Galaxy simply felt other in some way that took some being used to. The haptic comments, the typography, the best way the UI used to be laid out, the settings menu—the entirety had its personal distinct character that used to be beautiful some distance from vanilla Android. It is virtually like its personal factor, which I am getting could be a promoting level for numerous folks, however I most well-liked the simplicity of the Pixel revel in.
The excellent news used to be that as a result of One UI is so customizable, I may in reality reshape numerous it to feel and look nearer to what I used to be used to at the Pixel. And it labored in point of fact smartly. Actually, at one level my S24 used to be having a look extra Pixel-like than my precise Pixel.
On the other hand, the visible stuff used to be the straightforward section. The tougher drawback used to be the core revel in beneath all of that. You’d assume that “it is all Android” on the finish of the day, so all Android apps must paintings throughout units, however a number of the apps I in reality trusted day by day have been Pixel-exclusive. GCam, Pixel Screenshots, the Recorder app—I ignored the ones probably the most however used to be keen to search out choices and transfer on. Aside from there used to be this one app—which you’ll be able to set up on a Samsung Galaxy machine, nevertheless it offers you a nerfed model that totally broke the entire revel in for me.
I made my Samsung Galaxy glance extra like a Pixel than my Pixel 10
The Pixel aesthetic doesn’t need to be unique to Pixel telephones.
Gboard used to be the deal breaker
And I by no means learned my workflow trusted it such a lot
Good enough, so sufficient dancing round—the Pixel-exclusive app that made Samsung Galaxy smartphones a deal breaker is… Gboard. Sure, it’s a keyboard! And sooner than you inform me that Gboard is to be had on Samsung smartphones, let me let you know that it’s a nerfed model. Gboard on Pixels is improbable!
For context, I write so much from my smartphone. Whether or not it’s emails, social messages, or complete article drafts, I do all of it from my smartphone. On the other hand, I’m the usage of voice typing for all of this, no longer tapping on my keyboard. Actually, I in reality hate typing on a digital keyboard—the cramped area and the loss of tactile comments make it a deficient revel in.
Now, the voice typing revel in with Gboard, particularly on Pixel units, is actually pristine. The transcription high quality may be very correct, and I talk with an accessory. It auto-punctuates as you talk, helps to keep the mic open so you’ll be able to simply stay speaking, and works utterly offline. It will possibly additionally perceive voice instructions, so you’ll be able to make hands-free edits. As an example, you’ll be able to say one thing like “delete closing phrase” or “insert this sooner than that phrase,” and it is going to magically do this with out you wanting to the touch the display screen. It is rapid, it is actual, and whenever you get used to it, you in point of fact do not wish to return to tapping.
On the other hand, at the Galaxy S24, I simply were given the fundamental dictation revel in. It used to be additionally much less correct for some explanation why; there used to be no auto-punctuation, and no voice enhancing both. It became what used to be an attractive fluid, hands-free writing workflow into one thing the place I nonetheless had to return and manually repair the entirety. As you’ll be able to consider, this offered numerous friction to my same old workflow.
Why I ditched Samsung’s default keyboard for Gboard (and not seemed again)
I gave the Samsung Keyboard an even shot, however Gboard simply got here out on most sensible.
Software-exclusive options are fragmenting Android
There used to be a time when switching Android telephones simply supposed getting other {hardware}. Identical apps, similar revel in, only a other frame. You’d pick out a telephone from a distinct producer as a result of the specifications or the design. Then producers began skinning Android their very own means, so the UI would vary, however a minimum of your entire apps labored the similar all over.
However now it is long past a step additional. Apps themselves are turning into device-exclusive. The Pixel has the Recorder app, the Magazine app, the Screenshots app—those don’t seem to be small gimmicks; they are in reality helpful equipment which might be locked to Pixel {hardware}. And Gboard’s complicated voice typing is successfully in the similar class, although the app technically exists on different units.
So pronouncing “I’ve an Android telephone” does not in point of fact imply what it used to. The OS is nearly only a background layer at this level. What in reality issues is who made your telephone, as a result of that determines what you in reality get get entry to to.
Those Two Pixel 10 Options May Make Me Ditch My Samsung Galaxy
Good-bye Galaxy. Hi crew Pixel.
