Should the new Google Pixel 8 Pro replace my Samsung Galaxy smartphone, or should I buy a bigger mobile device?
Like a lot of people, I will be watching the hardware launch for Pixel 8 on October 4th (online and at a distance) to learn whether all the reporting, leaks, renders and rumors are fantasy specs or the new reality for Android fans.
I am in search of the ultimate on-the-go TV for streaming. Maybe the smart move would be to stick with what I know. That would put me in the market for a Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra or the new Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5. But I am open to other Android smartphones with large screens.
The latest set of Pixel phones, the Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro, are reportedly arriving with a longer software-update lifespan than Samsung Galaxy handheld devices.
As the current owner of a Samsung Galaxy S20 Fan Edition, I am glad to hear it. But the lifespan of a smartphone is measured by more than just software updates. What I am really curious about is battery life.
Right now, my Samsung device, which I bought in the summer of 2021, sometimes runs through its battery life in about four to six hours. Other days are better.
Honestly, I know what is eating into my battery.
I watch a lot of TV on my smartphone, including over-the-air channels through my HDHomeRun and Tablo, live TV streaming services, and of course, YouTube.
As much as I would like to get in front of my 65-inch Sony OLED TV stationed in the living room, more often I am watching the news on my phone while cooking dinner, or catching up on a TV show while working in my garage.
Viewing my mobile device as a TV that has bonus features such as browsing the web and making phone calls might be uncommon, but I am apparently not alone.
How much TV do you watch on your phone?
In 2023, 75 percent of smartphone owners are using their mobile device to watch on average 17 hours of video per week, according to HubSpot.
Data collected by explodingtopics.com says that in the U.S., people spend, on average, three hours and 30 minutes per day on mobile devices.
With those kinds of processor intensive activities, can any modern phone battery really last?
Specs to consider with the Pixel 8 Pro
Battery aside, if I am purchasing a new smartphone in 2023, I know I need to take a wider view outside of battery life.
Screen size, picture resolution and decent sounding speakers are at the top of my list. Who am I kidding? Screen size is definitely at the top of my list as someone who watches TV on my phone.
The new Pixel 8 Pro is expected to have a 6.7-inch OLED display with a resolution of 1440 x 3120 pixels and a 120Hz refresh rate, according to Android Authority.
The latest Tensor processor in the Pixel 8 is the Tensor G3. Hopefully, this latest gen chip leaves behind its heat and connectivity issues from the past.
Sure, it’s not the Qualcomm’s Snapdragon that has been running my Samsung phones over the years. But I am open to seeing what kind of strides these Tensor chips will make.
A recent leak suggested the Pixel 8 will come in two storage options, 128GB or 256GB.
The Pixel 8 Pro may come with three options for storage, 128GB, 256GB or 512GB. The running bet is that the Pixel 8 will get 8GB of RAM. (The Pixel 7 had 8GB of RAM, and 12GB for the Pixel 7 Pro.)
Google is already promoting its Photo Unblur and Magic Eraser, two advanced photo editing features, on the new Pixel phones.
There may be a new AI feature called Audio Magic Eraser that gets rid of background noise in videos. Like its predecessor, the Pixel 8 will have a fingerprint sensor. The live translation tool sounds really useful. Google says the Pixel 8 will be able to interpret face-to-face conversations in real time.
I am writing this just days before Apple’s iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Pro hit the market. The new iPhone’s pre-order/release date is September 22. But I have been down with Android since 2014.
Buying the Samsung Galaxy S5, and breaking things off with my iPhone 3, has kept me in the Android universe. If I do go ahead and buy the Pixel 8 Pro, then there will only be one question left for me. Porcelain or licorice?
Alternative choices to smartphones with large screens
I am not totally sold on the Pixel 8 Pro. Here are some of the latest Android smartphones with large screens that that I am considering for watching TV and movies:
- Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra: This phone has a 6.8-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X display with a resolution of 1440 x 3088 pixels and a 120Hz refresh rate. It also has a Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor and a long-lasting 5000mAh battery. The Galaxy S23 Ultra has a quad-lens camera system and a built-in S Pen.
- OnePlus 11 5G: This phone has a 6.7-inch Fluid AMOLED display with LTPO, and a resolution of 1440 x 3216 pixels and a 120Hz refresh rate. It also has a Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor and a 5000mAh battery. The OnePlus 11 has a triple-lens camera system and a 65W fast charger.
- Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5: This phone has a 6.2-inch HD+ front display and a 7.6-inch QXGA+ main display. It has a refresh rate of 120Hz. The Z Fold 5 has a Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor.
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