You could or might not have learn my rant about how my beloved Pixel 6 crapped out on me after a mere two years. A telephone that I cherished a lot become a virtually unusable gadget in that interval, and I used to be left feeling very unhappy however largely disenchanted and pissed off with Google.
So, the query that I used to be requested essentially the most after expressing my disappointment was easy: what telephone will I exploit subsequent? In any case, my expertise with the poor construct high quality of a Pixel clearly meant that I’d be altering manufacturers.
Now, I’m a curious cat by nature and like to experiment with tech. This could not come as a shock, contemplating the road of labor I’m in. Anywho, the tech nerd inside me determined to choose up the Pixel 6’s best competitor on the time of its launch and see how issues had turned out for it. If it is not apparent sufficient, I am speaking in regards to the Samsung Galaxy S22 Extremely.
For scientific functions, I discovered myself a used and abused outdated S22 Extremely that was in an inexpensive situation, just like the state of my Google Pixel 6. See, I needed to make sure that I used to be doing justice to each manufacturers. This comparability would not be honest if it was a contemporary unit or one which was preserved in mint situation over time.
It has been a little bit over a month since I converted to the Galaxy S22 Extremely. Earlier than I leap into the specifics, let me get this straight. It’s an indisputable fact that the S22 Extremely aged much more gracefully than the Pixel 6. You can not refute this. Samsung offers you a far superior construct high quality versus Google’s plasticky Pixels, which have buttons that fall off.
Having dropped the S22 Extremely a bunch of instances flat on its face, I can comfortably say that every part from the chassis to the show is far more sturdy. Simply days after my rant in regards to the Pixel 6 went stay, its display shattered even with a high-quality display protector and a bumper cowl on. What a darn disgrace, is not it? And sure, that’s sarcasm.
Alternatively, the S22 Extremely with the very same UV-sealed display protector and the excellent CaseBorne R Collection Aluminum Body case didn’t even bear a scratch on its show after crashing to the bottom. That is after it slammed onto a concrete ground face-first!
That is to not say that the S22 Extremely is healthier than the Pixel 6 in each regard as a result of it is not. There have been undoubtedly a bunch of issues that I tremendously missed after making the change from Samsung Galaxy to Google Pixel. Nonetheless, the sturdiness and software program expertise have been miles aside.
Talking in regards to the software program, my Galaxy S22 Extremely is presently operating One UI 6.0 based mostly on Android 14 and is predicted to obtain the One UI 6.1 replace. In contrast to the sluggish Pixel 6, the Wi-Fi and Bluetooth nonetheless operate completely high-quality, I have not confronted any community points but, and the battery life is above par. I do not get greater than a complete day trip of it, but it surely’s leagues above the Pixel 6, which I used to be charging twice a day on some days.
In case you are questioning, I didn’t change something about my utilization fashion. I’ve nonetheless obtained lots of of apps on my telephone. Every little thing from cell knowledge to Bluetooth and GPS is all the time on, and I even use cell hotspots very often. If something, my utilization most likely went up due to the S Pen.
It is secure to say that Samsung offers you what you pay for. Even when the Korean model’s smartphones are priced insanely excessive, not less than you recognize that they may final you a superb few years with out inflicting you issues. With Google, however, you do not need this assurance.
So, the Pixel 6 lasted me two years and some months in change. What in regards to the S22 Extremely? I am fairly certain this telephone can go on for one more 12 months with ease. Heck, it would even be adequate for 2 extra years, though the cameras are already beginning to present their age. And you recognize what? That aligns simply properly with Samsung’s promise of 4 years of Android updates and 5 years of safety updates for the S22 Extremely.
Not too long ago, my good colleague Andrew Myrick talked in regards to the ridiculous nature of Google’s promise to present seven years of updates to the Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Professional. I am unable to assist however share resonating sentiments. A telephone that may’t even pull its weight for 2 years shouldn’t be assured updates for therefore lengthy. The Pixel 6 was promised three surefire main OS upgrades, all the best way as much as Android 15. As for safety updates, Google promised 5 years of these.
What’s the level of that promise, although? Why trouble giving round 5 years of assured software program assist if the {hardware} cannot sustain? My thoughts cannot fathom why Google would do such a factor. Both it was actually assured within the Pixel 6, or it didn’t care a lot about whether or not the telephone might sustain. The corporate most likely assumed folks would improve to a later mannequin by then. In any case, it is not a superb search for Google.
In the long run, the findings of my little check have been easy. Samsung and Google push common updates, however solely the previous builds Android telephones with sturdy {hardware} that may sustain with the most recent software program. Irrespective of how good the cameras are or how enjoyable the UI is, none of that is sufficient to preserve you holding onto a telephone until it performs properly for not less than three years or lengthy sufficient to match the software program promise made by the smartphone maker.