Moving to Verizon: Pixel 2, Galaxy S8, iPhone 8

So I'm moving from US Cellular to Verizon in the next month or so (please don't try to talk me into Project Fi or T-Mobile; I really need Verizon's network), and I'm trying to figure out what handset I want. My general criteria are (1) no LG after the bootloop fiascos and the screen quality controversies on the Pixel 2 XL and LG V30, (2) I'd like to stay away from $1000 phones like the Note 8 and iPhone X, (3) awesome cameras and a vibrant screen are really important to me, and (3) I need prompt security updates for two to three years (I'm much less concerned about prompt OS updates).

I'd like a medium-sized phone; I don't need a tiny iPhone SE, but after briefly owning the Note 7, I realized that huge phablets aren't always comfortable in the pockets of suits and slacks (which I wear for 40-60 hours per week).

Unlike most people, I'm actually flexible on iOS versus Android. All things equal, I prefer Android, but all things are never equal, and I use iOS 11 on my iPad and it's just fine. And the iPhone offers the best security update situation and also offers a front-mounted fingerprint sensor, which I like.

 

Okay, that is a tough one. I want to vote for the Pixel 2, because that's the phone I'd choose, but my guesstimate is that the Galaxy S8 would be your best fit. Needless to say, it has the best quality screen. It may not be the most accurate out of the box, but post-calibration, it would beat the other two in every metric. Samsung is the leader in mobile display technology after all. It's also the most compact for its screen size. It's got wireless charging over the Pixel 2. It will record vibrant video with stereo audio, unlike the other two, and do great low-light photography, while being among the best when it comes to amply-lit scenery as well. Heck, it's even got the commodity of a headphone jack and microSD slot! Security updates is where the other two would be faster. I'm guessing you're content with the S7 since the S8 made it to the list.

As for why I'd choose the Pixel 2 over the other two, I've used every phone I've owned naked, and I can't stand the slippery feel of my current glass phone. I also feel that the Pixel 2 is a breath of fresh air, even if it's mostly aping industry standards, because the Pixel line is new and you don't see many in the wild. Correctly positioned stereo speakers is also a fun additon which not many phones have, and I like how the kinda blue colour stands out. More importantly, I am an Android purist. I have a strong preference towards Android, and an unskinned flavour at that. I'm running LineageOS 15 (Oreo) on my Mi 5, and while I love the software experience, it comes at the price of camera degradation compared to stock firmware – a trade-off I knowingly made when I flashed every smartphone I owned. With the Pixel 2, I wouldn't face any tinkering heartache. Latest security update and OS version all the time, hassle-free. In my eyes, the Pixel 2 effortlessly takes the best stills in what would be my most common conditions. That's a pretty big selling point, since a photo album is the most important thing I'm left with when I've moved on to a new phone. I'd also have a difficult time picking the S8 this time of the year, when it's already more than midway through its lifecycle, but that's nonsensical since real-life offers and needs apply, and it's now a proven product. I also think I'd accidentally smudge up the camera lens on a frequent basis due to its fingerprint placement.

One fun tidbit about the three phones on the list is that all of them are among the slowest charging flagships on the market. Both the Pixel and iPhone use USB-PD, which is significantly slower than QuickCharge 3.0 & 4.0. The iPhone wins simply for having a lower-capacity battery, but then again, it has the best SoC and a very resource-efficient OS to make up for it. Samsung use Adaptive Fast Charge, which is not as fast either and is deactivated whenever the phone is in use.

I think you're very familiar with both your own needs and what's currently on the market, Mitlov, but I have no trouble seeing how fresh input would be welcome with the race being so close between the top contenders. Did you see the 50% off trade-in offer on the Pixel 2 that Verizon is currently promoting?

 

Despite the excellent hardware on the S8, I still cannot stand TouchWiz and Verizon's bullcrap. Are you buying the Pixel 2 through Verizon or buying it unlocked and bring it to Verizon?

 

iphone 8 siri...nuff said

 

sounds liek your looking for a poll for stocks....invest apple

 

Have you tried Google Assistant in a non-app environment, with WaveNet being implemented? It's more than just a viable alternative. Doesn't sound like the voice assistant on board is of much importance to the OP though.

 

Thanks everyone for your feedback. Convel, you're right, I'm familiar with all the offerings on the market and I'm using this board more as a sounding board and a reality check, and less a source of objective information in the way a tech-illiterate person might.

I personally am not bothered by the Touchwiz skin at all, so long as I still get frequent security updates. I am very upset by the fact that my S7 Edge is currently running the April 1, 2017 security update, but my understanding is that US Cellular, not Samsung, is the hold-up there. If Verizon delivers prompt security updates for the S8, I wouldn't be upset about delays for OS updates. But if they dramatically delay or outright block security updates for the S8, then the S8 is off my list.

On the other hand, looking strictly at hardware as opposed to the security update situation, the S8 is probably my favorite hardware of the three. I like having a 3.5mm jack for dongle-free compatibility with my car audio, my desk-at-work audio, and my existing headphones, I like wireless charging (I currently have wireless charging stations at both home and work), and I like the vibrant colors of a Samsung screen.

Tsuname, I'd be buying direct from Verizon. I've had to return two phones in the past year (Note 7 battery recall, S7 Edge pink line recall), and I much prefer being able to deal with someone face-to-face in those circumstances instead of doing it all via the mail.

As for voice assistants, I don't use them much, but I've experimented with both Google Assistant and Siri, and Google Assistant understands my voice and what I'm asking MUCH better than Siri does.

 

Well it's been my experience that Touchwiz isn't bad when the phone is fresh and new. But later down the line all the other crap Samsung loads on phones just slows it the hell down. Literally Samsung has their own version of every single Google app which is ridiculous. Samsung has been getting somewhat better with promised OS upgrades but I still don't trust anyone, or at least have an understanding that you may not get beyond 1 OS upgrade even for a mainstream phone. Sometimes you won't know if they block updates (usually corporate communication is full of crap). From what I found out from my Sony Xperia Z3V, Verizon is pretty crappy about updates. I always found unlocked phones to have much better updates than firmware locked phones from carriers.

 

I think you should explore Iphone X vs Pixel 2

 

On the iOS front, I like the X a whole lot more than the iPhone 8 looking at both back-to-back, but it's several hundred more than anything else I'm looking at. If it was in the $600-$700 range instead of $1100 or so it'd be easier for me to justify.

I am thinking that maybe i should hold off a month or so to make sure that Google can fix the Pixel 2 launch issues with software updates, and then go that direction. Partially the practicality (nice screen without breaking the bank, reliable updates), partially the camera, and because i am in LOVE with this case.

https://www.androidauthority.com/google-pixel-2-fabric-case-812497/

 

I will say Google does provide out regular updates that will fix a majority of issues with their flagship phones, so maybe waiting a few weeks might be your best bet. Plus nothing honestly beats a stock clean Android. I found myself not even needing aftermarket launchers or flashing custom roms on my old Nexus.

 

Don't buy anything until the Black Friday deals come out. Everyday now a new deal comes out!

Based on your original post, I think you would be satisfied with a iPhone 8, or Pixel 2. The Pixel 2 has pretty much the best camera, and its 8-core post-processing chip isn't even enabled yet. (it's waiting on android oreo).