I really like my Pixel, however I nonetheless miss my previous OnePlus telephone

I used to like OnePlus telephones — I had three of them. However through the years, the model misplaced a number of its attraction to me for a number of causes, so I made a decision to change to a Pixel.

I don’t remorse it. The Pixel expertise is correct up my alley, however it’s nonetheless removed from good. OnePlus telephones get a number of issues proper, and there are options unique to the model that I miss dearly.

From OnePlus to Pixel: The options left behind

Alert slider. OnePlus telephones have it — most of them — and the Pixels don’t. I used it on a regular basis. Whether or not I used to be heading into a health care provider’s workplace, had a Zoom name, went to mattress, or did an exercise throughout which I didn’t need to be bothered by notifications and calls, I used to be in a position to simply silence my telephone with out unlocking it. I cherished it.

The method with the Pixel, and most different telephones, is totally different. I’ve to unlock it, swipe down the notification panel that’s normally filled with, nicely, notifications, after which discover and toggle on the Do Not Disturb mode. I’ve had my Pixel for over a 12 months and this course of nonetheless bothers me since I all the time recall how easy it was with my previous OnePlus telephones.

The issue is that it’s straightforward for me to neglect that the telephone is in Do Not Disturb mode, as I usually overlook the tiny icon within the notification bar. There’s simply a lot stuff occurring up there, so it’s straightforward to overlook. I didn’t have this drawback with my OnePlus since I’ve observed — and felt — if the alert slider was on the prime place.

Then there are the gestures. I cherished utilizing them on my OnePlus telephone to open apps with a easy swipe throughout the display screen. The commonest use for me was drawing a V on the display screen whereas it was switched off to activate the flashlight. It’s a lifesaver, particularly once I needed to go to the lavatory in the course of the night time, as I didn’t need to activate the display screen after which discover the flashlight choice whereas my mind was nonetheless half asleep.

Granted, my Pixel does have a flashlight choice that may present up on the lock display screen. It’s important to contact and maintain the icon within the backside left nook for the flashlight to begin working. Nonetheless, I take advantage of face recognition, which skips the lock display screen as soon as the digital camera acknowledges my face. So to make use of the function, I’ve to get up the show and ensure it’s not pointed at my face. This ensures that the lock display screen exhibits up, and I can then maintain the flashlight icon and switch it on. It’s not the tip of the world, however it’s a trouble, particularly since I used to be used to a extra streamlined technique on my OnePlus.

Then there’s the app locker, which makes it straightforward to cover apps from view on OnePlus telephones. And if you want them, simply swipe proper whereas within the app drawer and unlock the folder together with your fingerprint.

Pixels didn’t have this for a very long time however gained the performance with Android 15. Nonetheless, OnePlus’ implementation is healthier as it’s actually hidden from sight. When enabled on a Pixel, a “Personal” bar exhibits up on the backside of the app drawer and is there always, always reminding me of the apps I hid due to my dangerous behavior of utilizing them with no actual goal once I’m bored.

Subsequent up are charging speeds. They had been insanely quick on my previous OnePlus telephones. In round 40 minutes or so, the telephone went from zero to 100%. I cherished the truth that I might simply plug it in for quarter-hour within the morning, and it obtained sufficient juice to get me by way of the day.

The story with my Pixel is totally different, to say the least. The charging is as sluggish as a snail, if not slower. It takes virtually two hours to totally cost my Pixel, which looks as if perpetually when coming from a tool like OnePlus. And a 15-minute top-up doesn’t get me so far as with my previous OnePlus units, which causes points for me when the battery is about to die and I’ve to go away the home in 5 minutes. Do higher, Google.

No. I actually miss these options, however they aren’t essential sufficient for me to make the change. If I did, I’d need to say goodbye to all the nice issues my Pixel provides, and I’m not keen to do it.

Pixels have longer software program help, with Google promising seven OS upgrades for its newest fashions. For reference, the most recent OnePlus will solely get 4 OS upgrades. I additionally get new Android variations on day one, whereas I generally needed to wait months to get them on my OnePlus telephones.

I a lot want the cameras of the Pixel to these of OnePlus handsets, primarily because of all of the software program tips on provide. In my expertise, there’s additionally much less bloatware than on OnePlus telephones, despite the fact that each are method higher than Samsung on this space. Then there’s the appear and feel of Pixels, which is one of the best within the business, for my part.

I additionally steadily use Pixel’s Fast Faucet function, as I can carry up Gemini simply by tapping the again of the telephone. And let’s not neglect concerning the Pixel Climate app, which is one of the best one I’ve used up to now — and it’s not even shut.

With that in thoughts, I’m sticking with my Pixel, however I’ll proceed to lengthy for the options I left behind when making the change to Google’s telephone. It’s not good, however it’s the closest a telephone sequence has gotten to it in my expertise.