I nonetheless have not given up my Pixel 8 regardless of mounting points

Not too long ago, my Pixel 8 developed a {hardware} fault. A line of pixels went useless, and the display screen would sometimes change into unusable because it flickered between a complicated mess of duplicated UI parts and random colours. Thankfully, this can be a identified difficulty by Google, which has provided an prolonged restore program to repair affected Pixel 8 gadgets. My telephone provider (Vodafone) confirmed this, and I duly transferred all my knowledge to my backup telephone (a Samsung Galaxy A35 5G) and despatched my Pixel 8 off for repairs.

A identified {hardware} fault isn’t a great factor, no matter how useful Google and my provider had been in resolving the problem. Worse, it comes at a time once I’m contemplating switching away from a Pixel telephone for the primary time in seven years. However, regardless of mounting issues with Pixel telephones, I nonetheless cannot give my Pixel 8 up, even when a design fault makes it unusable.

The Pixel 8 strikes the right steadiness between options

It does all the things nice, however nothing is ideal

The vertical line difficulty on my Pixel 8

Some folks choose a telephone primarily based on a single characteristic. Maybe they need the finest digicam telephone available on the market, or a tool able to simply dealing with essentially the most demanding Android video games. Nonetheless, most individuals require a telephone that does plenty of issues nicely. For instance, I get pleasure from taking pictures on an evening out, enjoying the newest Android video games (I am at present hooked on Balatro, our high Android recreation of 2024), flicking via my numerous social media apps, and streaming YouTube whereas I commute to work. I am not knowledgeable photographer, I am not fussed about getting good efficiency on my video games, and I do not want a battery that’ll final me for a number of days. I simply want a telephone that does not trigger issues whereas I carry out on a regular basis duties.

My first telephone, the superb Pixel 2 XL, did all the things I wanted it to with out fault, as did my subsequent, the enduring Pixel 6. The restrictive setting of iPhones has all the time annoyed me, and my largest drawback with my Samsung Galaxy A35 is the absurd quantity of options Samsung packs into each nook of the telephone. I simply want a telephone that works, and the Pixel 8 does this with out fault. As we acknowledged in our evaluation, the Pixel 8 stays the Google telephone for the lots.

Nonetheless, I can not assist however suppose that the Pixel telephones have misplaced the attraction that introduced me to them within the first place.

Need a Pixel telephone that “simply works?” Look to the previous, not the long run

Function bloat is an more and more huge drawback with every new Pixel telephone

One of many largest points of interest to Pixel telephones is that they’re the closest you will get to a inventory Android expertise. Sadly, the launch of the Pixel 9 means that this period is coming to an finish.

Whereas the Pixel 9 collection appeared to only refine the {hardware} of the Pixel 8 collection, they had been up to date with a wealth of AI options. Gemini is the default assistant, and Google has preinstalled AI-powered apps like Pixel Screenshots and Pixel Studio. A characteristic known as Name Notes is supposed to summarize calls, and the Pixel Climate app now makes use of AI to suggest acceptable clothes.

Technically, you possibly can ignore all of the above options, however as anybody who’s used an AI software earlier than, reliability isn’t its sturdy swimsuit. Name Notes has irritating restrictions, and the Pixel Studio app is basically ineffective for producing pictures. You possibly can ignore the Pixel 9’s AI options, however the outcome can be a software program expertise almost similar to the cheaper Pixel 8.

I additionally do not feel like I am lacking out on new Android options by refusing to improve my Pixel 8, as its spectacular software program help means it’ll get new Android OS updates till October 2030.

However my Pixel 8 is not immune from new AI options. It continually recommends I check out Gemini and AI wallpapers, and there is not any solution to cease it. Plus, it seems like a few of the Pixel 9’s unique AI options will come to the Pixel 8 anyway. Nonetheless, I will not be switching to a different telephone quickly. Here is why.

Pixel telephones provide the very best Android expertise available on the market

Related telephones do not compromise as nicely

The apparent different to a Pixel 8 is a Samsung Galaxy S23. Samsung’s 2023 flagship provides considerably extra highly effective {hardware} and higher mobile and wi-fi connectivity. Its display screen is simply pretty much as good, and you will get comparable outcomes with its digicam. Nonetheless, I simply can’t deal with the Samsung characteristic bloat and newer telephones just like the Galaxy S24 have an identical AI expertise because the Pixel 9. Plus, it solely will get 4 years of Android OS updates.

Motorola’s software program help is terrible in comparison with Google’s, and whereas the OnePlus 12 is a powerful flagship, it is obtained too many drawbacks, notably an inconsistent software program expertise.

I am going to maintain onto my Pixel 8 for so long as I can

I am not the one one who thinks the Pixel 8 is the very best all-rounder. Earlier than leaving for brand new pastures, our ex-Google Editor Manuel Vonau acknowledged that after reviewing flagship telephones for five years, the Pixel 8 provides the very best steadiness between options.

Thus, regardless of {hardware} faults, AI bloat, and a chipset that does not maintain up towards the competitors, I am going to solely quit my Pixel 8 when there’s a greater all-rounder available on the market. And judging from the newest technology of Android telephones, I will be ready a very long time.