I’ve been utilizing an iPhone for over 12 years and just lately switched to a Pixel 9 Professional. I lastly really feel like Google has figured it out, and right here’s why I believe switching to an Android gadget has by no means been really easy, seamless, and thrilling.
Earlier than diving into my expertise and why I just lately converted, I need to remind you that whereas the Pixel 9 Professional is not on sale for Prime Day at Amazon, loads of Pixel 9 gadgets are on sale proper now. And should you don’t need the newest telephone, you may additionally go for this Pixel 8 Professional Prime Day sale, which I extremely advocate.
Now, I do know you’re going to attempt to chastise me and say, “How come the EIC of Android Central makes use of an iPhone as her main gadget?” I’ve heard all of it earlier than, and should you need to examine my ideas on that, you are able to do so right here.
As a journalist and the EIC of any tech publication, it’s important to find out about all telephones. Which means understanding each working techniques and what either side of the argument have to supply.
Up till Google’s Pixel 9 sequence of gadgets, I’ve all the time felt that Google lacked… one thing. It simply by no means clicked for me. I felt just like the telephones weren’t prepared for me to change over to. Frankly, not one of the different Android manufacturers have ever appealed to me to change over completely. I believe it additionally was that maybe Apple didn’t make it straightforward to change over to.
This all modified when Google launched its new gadgets with a brand new processor, higher cameras, and extra seamless AI integration. It additionally helped that the iPhone 16 didn’t excite me when it was introduced. That mentioned, I’ve but to check out my iPhone 16, so maybe that opinion may change.
See all of the Prime Day offers: USA | UK | Canada | India
Do you have to actually care about blue and inexperienced bubbles?
One of many main concerns I had earlier than switching was asking how a lot I actually care about blue bubbles, and the reply to that’s in no way. The one particular person I truly used iMessage with was my husband, and it could normally be to remind him to get one thing from the grocery retailer.
I sometimes use each different messaging platform aside from iMessage, so when interested by this matter, it actually wasn’t a significant situation.
That being mentioned, you need to suppose deeply about why it issues should you’re on iMessage or not. Is it an ego factor? Do you suppose you’ll be shunned and, in flip, have your delight damage? For these of you who use iMessage, does it matter to you if another person doesn’t? As a result of if that’s the case, I believe it’s time to think about an alternate thought course of.
All About Cookies, an informational web site that gives suggestions, recommendation, and suggestions that will help you with on-line privateness and digital safety, revealed a very fascinating survey of 1,000 individuals and their ideas on blue vs. inexperienced bubbles.
Seventy-eight % of iPhone customers mentioned they didn’t suppose much less of individuals if that they had a inexperienced bubble once they texted them. Moreover, 42% of iPhone customers depend on different third-party apps like WhatsApp. To not point out, now that iPhones assist RCS, messaging with Android customers has by no means been higher.
A strong good house ecosystem
Whereas the blue bubble was one thing I considered, one of many major concerns I had in switching over was Google’s strong good house ecosystem.
My house at present has the Google Wifi AC1200 Mesh Wi-Fi System (which can also be on sale for Prime Day, as is the newer Nest Wifi Professional). I even have the Google Nest Doorbell and the Nest Thermostat, and we’ve got a bunch of Nest audio system round the home.
Whereas my iPhone 15 did have quick access to Google Dwelling, it simply made sense for me to change to a Pixel for that seamless connectivity.
I believe Google received it proper with its good house merchandise and newer telephones, which is a reasonably stark distinction to Apple’s fairly barebones collection of first-party good house gadgets. Google’s merchandise appear like a cohesive assortment of gadgets. You may have all of them the identical coloration or combine and match. However all the things seems to be stunning, and it was simply thrilling to have all the things be Google in my house.
I used to be mainly midway there, and my good house setup pushed me to fill the hole by switching over.
The iPhone 15 is a gateway telephone
After all, the iPhone is a totally completely different telephone from the Pixel. Nonetheless, I observed that I didn’t wrestle as a lot with switching to an Android gadget for a number of causes.
I believe the primary major factor I’ll word is that, to me, Google’s Pixel is the iPhone of the Android ecosystem. It’s the telephone that has the least quantity of bloatware, comes with your complete Google Workspace suite (which I already used), and is easy to make use of.
Extra importantly, as a result of the iPhone now has USB-C, it was method simpler to not fear about shopping for new cables; all the things in my house was already USB-C. Android Central’s managing editor Derrek Lee pointed this out when the iPhone 15 first launched, noting the way it was a sensible transfer that may make it simpler to get Android customers to change. I simply took that and went in the other way.
Whereas some individuals may complain that MagSafe isn’t on a Pixel, I by no means used it on my iPhone and by no means discovered it that thrilling, so, like iMessage, it’s simply one other factor I received’t miss.
Google units the usual for telephones with AI
Google received it proper with its new Gemini options on the Pixel 9 sequence, a lot of that are already obtainable on the Pixel 8 sequence. Google has had two years to boost Gemini, whereas Apple remains to be creating Apple AI. The truth is, the iPhone 16 didn’t even include any of the introduced Apple Intelligence options at launch.
I’m not going to sit down right here and rag on Apple as a result of I’ll all the time be an enormous Apple fan. I nonetheless use a MacBook, and I plan on utilizing an iPhone 16, particularly to check out its AI options.
I additionally plan to go a bit of bit extra indepth with a number of the app options I’ve loved and digital camera options on the Pixel in a while. However I’ve to say, utilizing my Pixel has been the most effective experiences I’ve had and I’ve actually been having fun with it.
And should you’re contemplating doing the identical, you need to positively strive it out.
The telephone you should purchase
The Google Pixel 9 Professional units the usual for flagship telephones, particularly relating to digital camera high quality and AI. Google’s Tensor chip permits enjoyable and spectacular on-device options with aplomb, whereas bringing nice battery life.