Help Me Choose an Android Phone: Pixel Vs Galaxy

jaycn on 24/01/2025 - 20:48
Last edited 25/01/2025 - 13:46 by 1 other user

Hi, I've been using a Samsung Z Fold 4 for the past 2 years and of course it breaks the month after the warranty period, so I've been looking to buy new phone outright.

I bought an unopened Google Pixel 9 pro 256gig back on Boxing Day for $1298 and just missed out on the Samsung S25+ 512gig for ~$1320 as I didn't purchase the $20 voucher that gives $100 value.

My requirements:
~$1000 price tag ideally
256gig or 512gig storage
Outside and selfie camera needs to be "decent"
Screen size 6-7inch closer to 7 better.
No folding phones as I have 0 faith in their reliability after warranty.
I intend to use the phone until either I or the phone dies.

Should I:
a) Just use the Google Pixel 9 Pro
b) Buy the S25+ 512gig for ~$1400
c) Wait it out a little bit more for possible S24+ deals until refund period lapses
d) Refund the Pixel 9 Pro and wait until an older phone is on sale for <$1000

EDIT: Thanks for all your perspectives! I've now opened the Pixel 9 Pro

Poll Options expired

• 24
  Just use the Google Pixel 9 Pro
• 6
  Buy the Samsung Galaxy S25+ 512GB for ~$1400
• 1
  wait it out a little bit more for possible S24+ deals
• 0
  refund the pixel 9 pro and wait until a decent phone is on sale for <$1000

• 

  Love a bargain on 24/01/2025 - 21:03

  +1

  Make a claim under ACL to get the fold repaired

• 

  jv on 24/01/2025 - 21:03

  It depends on what you value more: the minimalist design and AI features of the Pixel or the powerful hardware and extensive features of the Galaxy.

  • 

    jaycn on 24/01/2025 - 21:18

    I value the better bargain :D.. I'd be happy with either phone as long as I got a good deal

    • 

      jv on 24/01/2025 - 21:19

      +1

      I'd be happy with either phone

      So just get the cheapest then.

• 

  alan737 on 24/01/2025 - 21:37

  Pixel. Full stop.

• 

  wordplay on 24/01/2025 - 22:12

  +1

  xiaomi poco and keep the change.

  • 

    wisdomtooth on 25/01/2025 - 10:33

    +1

    Came here to say exactly this 😅

• 

  neoleo on 24/01/2025 - 22:56

  +1

  You have bought Pixel 9 Pro … Maybe better just keep and use the phone. If you could use it for at least 5 years or more, that's great. Battery will be the problem, unless if it could be replaced easily …

  Both phones have PWM issue … I guess you don't have eye sensitivity problem.
  https://www.reddit.com/r/PWM_Sensitive/comments/1f0o8zd/pixe…

  https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=M4aeze8TBzc

  From the reddit link above about PWM issue:
  "Initial feelings: I was playing with Pixel 9 Pro for about 15-20 mins, didn't have any major issues, was feeling very slight sensations, but after I left the store then I started to feel an eye strain, my nape was tired and I had slight headaches. It disappeared after an hour."

  I prefer IPS LCD (still good for me, no PWM) rather than OLED / AMOLED with PWM issue.

  In term of chipset, I prefer Samsung with Snapdragon processor rather than Pixel with Tensor. Maybe next Pixel 10 with TSMC chipset will be much better than its predecessors.

  In term of camera, I have tried the Pixel 9 phones in JB-HiFi and found that the photo ISO was 25 (indoor in JB-HIFI). It's extraordinary in my opinion. Very low noise for photos. I don't know about Samsung S25+ camera.

  If you got good Pixel phone that can last longer without hardware problems, it's great. Sometimes I read the news about hardware problems in any generation of Pixel phones, lol. Not sure about Samsung phone's hardware.

• 

  Aids on 25/01/2025 - 21:52

  The last 2 pixel phones are the only phones I've ever had issues with. Going back to galaxy asap.

• 

  yummypinacolada on 26/01/2025 - 00:12

  I consider myself as a tech enthusiast who don't have any bias on any brand. I've used both and I prefer Samsung much more, simply because there's too many issues I've dealt with Pixel. Pixel software is better indeed when its working as intended, however I found they have lots of bugs. Their hardware is also subpar and can't even compete with other flagship phone. If you are unlucky on getting faulty Pixel phone its very easy to get a replacement from Google, however these replacement you get is a refurbished phone which I suspect is just another faulty phone returned by other customers.

  I can't say much about camera because I don't have lots of knowledge on it, but for me Pixel usually produce more natural look and their customisation software is usually better. I personally like Pixel camera more.

  FYI, in these past couple of years I've used Pixel 6 pro, Pixel 7 pro, S23 Ultra, Z Fold 5,S24 plus, Z Flip 6(Current phone). I will be upgrading to S25 ultra soon. Before Pixel decide to have a major upgrade, I will keep using Samsung or maybe iPhone.

• 

  JumpingUnicorns on 26/01/2025 - 13:44

  How could you have returned the Pixel 9 Pro? No one is taking phones back for change of mind the same day let alone 30 days…