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

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, but it surely’s nonetheless removed from excellent. 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 wish to be bothered by notifications and calls, I used to be capable of simply silence my cellphone with out unlocking it. I liked 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 often stuffed with, effectively, notifications, after which discover and toggle on the Do Not Disturb mode. I’ve had my Pixel for over a yr and this course of nonetheless bothers me since I at all times recall how easy it was with my previous OnePlus telephones.

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

Then there are the gestures. I liked utilizing them on my OnePlus cellphone 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 toilet in the midst 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 a must to contact and maintain the icon within the backside left nook for the flashlight to begin working. Nonetheless, I exploit face recognition, which skips the lock display screen as soon as the digicam 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 reveals up, and I can then maintain the flashlight icon and switch it on. It’s not the top of the world, but it surely’s a trouble, particularly since I used to be used to a extra streamlined methodology on my OnePlus.

Then there’s the app locker, which makes it straightforward to cover apps from view on OnePlus telephones. And whenever you want them, simply swipe proper whereas within the app drawer and unlock the folder along 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 “Non-public” bar reveals up on the backside of the app drawer and is there always, continually 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 cellphone went from zero to 100%. I liked the truth that I may 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 gradual as a snail, if not slower. It takes virtually two hours to totally cost my Pixel, which looks like endlessly when coming from a tool like OnePlus. And a 15-minute top-up doesn’t get me so far as with my previous OnePlus gadgets, which causes points for me when the battery is about to die and I’ve to depart the home in 5 minutes. Do higher, Google.

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

Pixels have longer software program assist, 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 typically needed to wait months to get them on my OnePlus telephones.

I a lot choose the cameras of the Pixel to these of OnePlus handsets, primarily resulting from all of the software program methods on supply. In my expertise, there’s additionally much less bloatware than on OnePlus telephones, although each are method higher than Samsung on this space. Then there’s the feel and appear of Pixels, which is the most effective within the trade, in my view.

I additionally steadily use Pixel’s Fast Faucet function, as I can carry up Gemini simply by tapping the again of the cellphone. And let’s not overlook in regards to the Pixel Climate app, which is the most effective one I’ve used to date — 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 cellphone. It’s not excellent, but it surely’s the closest a cellphone collection has gotten to it in my expertise.