5 the reason why a Pixel is my telephone of selection

I’ve been utilizing Pixel telephones for years now, and I don’t plan on switching to a different model anytime quickly. Whereas I did personal a bunch of OnePlus telephones previously and have hands-on expertise with nearly each main model on the market, Pixel stays my telephone of selection.

Pixels aren’t excellent — no gadget ever is — however they’ve all of the substances that make up a nice telephone, no less than for my private needs and wishes. Listed below are the 5 key the reason why the model is so near my coronary heart.

{Hardware} doesn’t excite me as a lot because it used to. The variations between competing telephones on this space aren’t that important anymore, and a mid-range telephone just like the Pixel 9a is greater than able to dealing with every part I throw at it.

What does excite me is software program, particularly the most recent iterations of Android that deliver a recent design and are full of helpful options. That’s one of many important causes I’ve a Pixel: they get the most recent model of Android on the day it launches. It’s a perk that’s nearly unique to the Pixel line, as different producers want time to customise the replace with their very own Android skins, whether or not it’s Samsung’s One UI or OnePlus’ Oxygen OS. Samsung customers generally have to attend months earlier than getting an replace, particularly in the event that they don’t personal one of many latest Galaxy flagships.

Software program is what retains telephones thrilling, particularly within the age of AI. The brand new Android 16, for instance, introduced a refined design language within the type of Materials 3 Expressive, and it appears improbable. Paired with genuinely helpful options like new on-device inventive instruments, it appears like I’m utilizing a brand new telephone — particularly after I go the additional mile and alter the wallpaper and change up my residence display screen.

Except for new Android releases, Google additionally pushes out Pixel Drops each few months, bringing unique new options to Pixel units. What’s extra, Pixels are assured seven years of OS and safety updates, making certain the gadget will really feel recent and safe for a very long time. Solely Samsung matches this software program promise, whereas another producers solely push out just a few main Android updates to their costly flagships. In the case of software program help, the Pixel is king — little question about it.

I’m a really visible individual, so design is excess of an afterthought for me. A fantastically designed product is much more pleasurable to make use of, and I couldn’t deliver myself to purchase a telephone that doesn’t look good.

For my part, Pixels excel relating to design. Positive, you can argue that almost all telephones look the identical from the entrance, which is true to a degree. However the again is the place the variations shine, and Pixels strike the right steadiness between class and quirkiness. For instance, one thing just like the Nothing Cellphone 3 is a bit an excessive amount of for me. The again is busy, and the aesthetic doesn’t fairly sit proper with me. However, many flagships are far too easy, with plain glass backs and easy digicam designs that don’t actually catch my eye.

The newest Pixel 10 collection strikes that proper steadiness. Its digicam bar is visually interesting and immediately recognizable, but it surely doesn’t scream for consideration. It additionally has a special shade of shade than the remainder of the again, creating that dual-tone look I take pleasure in.

I really like the design of a tool a lot that I typically don’t trouble utilizing a case, as it could imply I couldn’t admire the look — and really feel — of my telephone. Positive, there are downsides to this philosophy; I not too long ago managed to crack the again of my Pixel. However you understand what? I don’t remorse it — right here’s why.

I’m not an enormous images fanatic. I do take numerous pictures, however I by no means fiddle with guide modes or do numerous post-processing. I simply level, shoot, and admire the outcomes.

The digicam expertise on Pixel telephones is the perfect I’ve ever had. Most pictures I’ve captured with Google’s telephones have come out nice, even these in difficult low-light circumstances. Google’s computational images does all of the heavy lifting for me, so all I’ve to do is body my shot and press the shutter button.

The brand new Pixel 10 collection even has an AI digicam coach that’s excellent for informal customers like me, providing real-time recommendation on how you can elevate my images recreation.

I’ve examined cameras from different high-end telephones, together with these from Samsung and OnePlus, and so they all do an honest job — particularly in the course of the day. Nevertheless, I nonetheless suppose Pixels have a transparent benefit in low mild, so I’ve no actual purpose to modify.

I admire the thought course of behind Google’s Pixel lineup much more than, say, Samsung’s. Samsung has an amazing variety of telephones on supply, making an attempt to cater to each doable area of interest. Google, alternatively, is extra targeted. It targets the premium market with its Pixel 10 collection whereas additionally catering to the on a regular basis consumer who needs an important digicam, lengthy battery life, and wonderful software program on a price range with its A-series telephones, just like the Pixel 9a.

Personally, I don’t like huge telephones, so I’m blissful I can get my palms on an ordinary Pixel 10 with its 6.3-inch show or go for the premium Professional mannequin that has kind of the identical footprint. Those that desire a bigger display screen can seize the Pixel 10 Professional XL, and if you happen to’re into foldables, Google has the Pixel 10 Professional Fold.

So regardless of having only a few fashions on supply, I consider most customers can discover a telephone for his or her wants throughout the lineup. The large benefit right here is that the selection is comparatively easy, which isn’t the case with competing manufacturers providing dozens of various fashions.

Pixels are full of unique options that you simply gained’t discover anyplace else. I’ve gotten so used to them through the years that it could be exhausting to modify to a different model for that reason alone.

Fast Faucet is one in every of them. It permits me to double-tap the again of the telephone to open an app of my selection — Gemini, in my case. It feels pure and just a bit bit completely different, which is why I prefer it.

Then there’s Now Enjoying. As somebody who loves music however can by no means keep in mind the names of songs, this can be a phenomenal instrument. Each time I’m in a bar or restaurant and a tune I like is enjoying, my Pixel mechanically shows its title on my lock display screen. And if I miss it, the tune is saved within the background so I can at all times test it out later. It’s good.

These are the principle causes I gained’t be ditching my Pixel anytime quickly, although there are others, like reliability. I do know some Pixel homeowners have had points with their telephones, however that hasn’t been my expertise. My units have all labored completely, which is greater than I can say for another manufacturers I’ve owned through the years.

What’s the one factor that you simply most admire on Pixel telephones? Forged your vote within the ballot above or share your ideas within the feedback under.