5 points I’ll miss out on one of the most when I ditch my Google Pixel phone

In spite of my rejection to obtain an additional Pixel phone anytime quickly, there are certainly some Pixel-exclusive features I’ll miss out on when I change to my following mobile phone. Call Testing and various other telephone call functions do not make my checklist, as these capacities aren’t readily available in unsupported markets. However, right here’s what I’ll be craving when I update.

This is certainly among my preferred aspects of the Pixel line, as these phones were normally the initial to obtain new Android variations. For instance, Google launched Android 16 on June 10, and Pixel phones obtained it on the exact same day. Samsung, Xiaomi, and various other makers have yet to launch Android 16 to their phones.

Obviously, Google has the benefit of having the system and the equipment, so it’s a little unreasonable to anticipate various other makers to be as fast on the draw. I would certainly additionally say that Android variation updates have not had numerous really game-changing functions, while numerous brand-new functions are launched through Google Play Provider rather. However, I’ll constantly value leading the pack when it involves steady software application launches.

Google has actually provided Currently Playing performance on its Pixels for several years currently. This utilizes on-device maker discovering to determine the songs having fun in your atmosphere, and afterwards presents the track information on your lock display. You can also access your Currently Playing background to obtain a log of tracks that were identified by your phone.

I still assume it is among the very best Pixel functions besides this moment, and I actually desire a lot more brand names embraced comparable on-device smarts. A minimum of the programmer neighborhood has actually actioned in with the Ambient Music Mod so I can practically obtain this on my non-Pixel phone, albeit with some tinkering.

Probably the largest reason I acquired a Pixel phone to begin with was the cam high quality. Contrasted to the majority of its opponents at the time, I believed the Pixel 7 Pro normally took beautiful shots that still looked fairly all-natural. Actually, I still locate myself taking some excellent breaks with this phone in 2025.

Do not obtain me incorrect, though. Competing makers like Xiaomi, vivo, and OPPO perhaps have much better cam equipment than Pixel phones. And a few of these camera phones take dramatically much better images in low-light problems or when focusing. Yet it states a whole lot that I’ll often fire a scene or take a selfie with my old Pixel as opposed to a more recent front runner.

A voice recorder that immediately records speech without a net link? It seems pedestrian in 2025, yet Google’s Recorder application blew my mind when I made use of the Pixel 4 back in 2019. Actually, I still utilize this application today when carrying out meetings, and I remain to consider it among the very best Pixel functions.

Competing brand names have actually long provided voice recorder applications with transcription performance. Nonetheless, the majority of these applications did not have on-device transcription at the time, which is what made Google’s application genuinely unique. Several of these applications have actually because gotten offline smarts, yet Google Recorder still stands apart many thanks to smooth cloud back-up, online accessibility (recorder.google.com), and in your area produced recaps. I’ll miss out on the authorities, preloaded variation on my Pixel, yet I’ll certainly sideload this application on my following phone.

One Pixel function that flew under my radar prior to I acquired the Pixel 7 Pro was the recents/multitasking food selection. This is an additional function I expanded to enjoy, and I’ll actually miss it when I at some point change to an additional phone.

Pixel tools have actually provided a supercharged recents food selection for generations currently. Just go into the recents food selection and you’ll see the Screenshot and Select switches listed below the application home windows. Faucet Screenshot to rapidly take a screenshot of an application, while the Select switch allows you emphasize and pick message. You can additionally touch and hang on message to highlight it without in fact making use of the Select switch. Anyway, I discovered the last switch exceptionally helpful for replicating message in pictures or for message that merely can not be chosen for one reason or another. ASUS has actually come close with its very own multitasking food selection, yet it still does not fairly scrape the exact same impulse.