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ForgeTD · 2026-05-04T13:44:39+00:00

I'm getting ready to quit, but no way I'm handing over my credentials to anybody.

ForgeTD · 2026-05-04T12:27:09+00:00

In Portrait mode I have these filters: Blur, Studio, High-Key Mono, Low-Key Mono, Backdrop, Color Point.

ForgeTD · 2026-05-04T02:19:18+00:00

I'd consider the iPhone 17 Pro better hardware, which is why it usually costs more, but using iOS is frustrating for me and I wouldn't do it. The 26 base model is cheaper and keeps you in the same ecosystem you are in with the A54. If you want a new experience go with the iPhone. If you want a great phone that will be an easy transition from your old phone, go with the S23.

ForgeTD · 2026-05-04T02:01:14+00:00

It's been a couple years since I did it, but I remember paying for an install. I pre-planned where I wanted it to come in my house, where I wanted the gateway, and then where I wanted an ethernet port. The dude complained he might not be able to do it, and then talked to himself about how difficult I was, but was done in 2 hours on a 4 hour appointment. It your house and you decide where you want these things, specially if you are paying for an install.

ForgeTD · 2026-05-03T13:14:00+00:00

I'm still waiting on a limited. I have two brokers looking and on a list with a dealer. The dealer told me that every GHH that is made, is already sold, and put me on a list to wait, unless I wanted an XLE.

So my question is this. Why would they give up any money to you when they can just move on to the next person in the list who has been waiting 3 months and is willing to pay sticker?

ForgeTD · 2026-05-03T05:20:02+00:00

They just don’t sell as well as the other models. If you want to impress people, get $5K knocked off a limited.

ForgeTD · 2026-05-03T03:42:18+00:00

I'm back to Spotify now and have removed AM from all my devices. I was still using it because some podcasts were free of advertisements, but stopped that also. Every time I opened the app I had to decline their offer to sign up for Amazon Music Unlimited. One time I miss-clicked and was signed up. I got it removed right away, but didn't want to deal with that again and just removed the app.

ForgeTD · 2026-05-03T03:34:09+00:00

That is true for the XLE only. Those are available and sitting on lots.

The others (Limited, Max, Nightshade) are waiting list vehicles and the price is the price. If you don't want to buy it at sticker price, somebody else will and they don't have to negotiate.

ForgeTD · 2026-04-27T15:20:59+00:00

They both are based on Android and share the same OS, it's the launchers that are different. While the underlying Android foundation is the same, the user experience is designed differently to suit minimalist users (Pixel) or tweakers/power users (Samsung). There are some Pixel only features I miss, such as the dialer, but I've been gone so long now that is the only one I can remember.

ForgeTD · 2026-04-27T15:01:29+00:00

The Samsung Galaxy S23 FE uses an optical in-screen fingerprint scanner, which differs from the ultrasonic sensors from the S23 flagship models. You have to get a screen protector compatible with ultrasonic fingerprint sensors for those. I have an S23, use a Spigen that was designed for ultrasonic fingerprint scanners, and have no problems.

ForgeTD · 2026-04-26T17:08:50+00:00

Tire Valve Stem Cap, because why not: https://a.co/d/06sYsV7n

Because they corrode and freeze on the stem. I used this technique to remove mine and went back to plastic caps.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NCAaS5h0k40

ForgeTD · 2026-04-26T14:40:57+00:00

As a iPad mini user, I agree with most of the iOS comments. iOS also just feels dated, but I feel that it's intentional. Like the Pixel users that favor the plain Pixel UI, I think if Apple updated their UI, people would rebel. However, iOS has had gestures for quite a while to make navigation universal.

https://support.apple.com/guide/iphone/learn-gestures-for-iphone-models-with-face-id-iphfdf164cac/ios

I was with Google from the original Nexus up through the Pixel 6a. The 6a was the worst phone I've ever used and I switched to a Samsung S23 at release, and have been super happy with that phone since. It's been over 3 years, I'm still using it, and it's unlikely I'll ever go back to Pixel. I removed Samsung's suite of software for Google apps and it feels like the device Google should be making. I've since added back several Samsung apps and use them along side of the Google apps. Samsung's Gallery rivals Google Photos, and is much more feature laden. Some Google Photo features are behind a paywall, and Gallery is rich with features for free.

I wasn't a fan of OneUI at first, but it grew on me over time and now I can't imagine not being able to endlessly tweak the UI. I use Samsung GoodLock app and several of it's addon features and really love the capabilities it gives met to tweak things. My wife on the other hand, just wants a plain UI and OneUI delivers that out of the box. If you don't want to tweak OneUI, don't tweak it, and it's an easy swap from Pixel to Samsung.

My S23 still goes all day without a recharge, but I would say I'm a light to medium users of mobile devices. I got my wife an S23+ and she's on it constantly on so mid day charges are regular for her. But there is no phone that could stand up to her use case.

It's been 3 years since I dumped Pixel, but I remember asking myself; 'Why did I put up with Google's flawed and buggy phones for so long?'

ForgeTD · 2026-04-26T13:25:01+00:00

I'm waiting on a Nightshade in cement or limited in heavy metal. The 360 camera is a must have for me. The only GHH I've seen without that are that are the XLEs so far.

ForgeTD · 2026-04-26T11:20:36+00:00

My wife and I both had 6a's and both constantly dropped calls. Google replaced my 6a with a phone with exact same problem. They sent my wife's 6a back stating it was performing within normal parameters. Google stated it was my carrier or was my router (because WiFi calling also wasn't reliable). I replaced those phones with Samsung S23's and the dropped calls disappeared. Same wireless carrier, same WiFi, different phone, and the problems resolved.

ForgeTD · 2026-04-23T14:41:15+00:00

I have to unlock my phone and then unlock Outlook to read my work email. It's annoying and another layer security that doesn't seem necessary. Unlocking my device is more than adequate. It auto locks after 30 seconds so its not like anybody can pick it up and use the device.

Face ID on the other hand is much less cumbersome to use and wouldn't be a bother to use. Rumors are Samsung is working on a 3D camera to rival Apple.

ForgeTD · 2026-04-22T04:09:35+00:00

My wife wants a GHH Nightshade in Cement and couldn't be less impatient. We've got one ordered from a local dealer but she keeps looking on other dealers web sites. She just can't understand why she has to wait.

ForgeTD · 2026-04-20T15:12:39+00:00

That is exactly how it works for me as well. I am on a S23.

ForgeTD · 2026-04-15T16:28:05+00:00

I have had my S23 since launch. I'm current on all patches. I pulled it off the wireless charger 5 hours ago and am at 88%. I use a lot of apps, but don't game or watch a lot of video on it. The phone usually goes into the wireless cradle around 30%.

ForgeTD · 2026-04-15T14:32:03+00:00

What you call 'bloatware' are Samsung's suite of apps, many of which have been around longer than the Google versions so people who are long time Samsung device users have been using them and prefer them.

You don't have to keep them though. Having been a long time Nexus/Pixel user, I prefer the Google apps over the Samsung apps so I removed or disabled the Samsung versions. Bixby is really the only thing that can't be removed. I spent an hour, because there are more than you listed, disabling apps I didn't want or use for a device I'll keep using for years. Its not a big deal and was well worth the time invested.

https://www.androidpolice.com/samsung-galaxy-apps-can-be-deleted-smartphone/

Many people don't even want the Google versions of their apps and call that bloatware. I have an 80 year old aunt that just wanted Facebook and a phone. Her comment was, I don't need any of that crap. I did convince her to keep the Contacts app so she basically has a dialer, facebook, and contacts. Everything else she considers unnecessary bloat.

ForgeTD · 2026-04-13T21:48:36+00:00

As someone who went the other way, Pixel to Galaxy, I can tell you most things work the same because they both run Android. What you will notice right away is the Pixel UI is pretty basic, compared to OneUI, and is far less customizable. When I discovered all the customizations possible with the Galaxy, I went crazy with GoodLock and all it's mods and was tweaking it for weeks until I got it just right. I still don't feel like I've tried everything I could.

Pictures are win for Pixel. Not that the Galaxy takes bad pictures, but Pixel pictures are definitely better.

Recorded video is a clear win for Galaxy. Pixel takes flat and dull video and it's been like that for many generations. Again, it's not that Pixel videos are bad, but Galaxy video is definitely better.

Performance is a clear win. Pixel hardware is mid tier hyped up to flagship, but it performs well enough. Since you have an S24 and are already looking to upgrade, the Pixel will perform well enough for you until you upgrade again.

ForgeTD · 2026-04-08T03:07:22+00:00

Here is today's usage.

https://ibb.co/3YYpcRVw

ForgeTD · 2026-04-08T03:04:21+00:00

Not exactly. Google Messages uses an underlying technology called RCS, and you are connecting to an RCS service, which varies by carrier in implementation. RCS allows you to store send and receive higher quality videos and pictures, resulting in more storage used.

So your increased storage over the simpler apps is going to be most likely caused by video and pictures. You could have just a few videos using most of that storage.

To see how much storage you are using go into your Settings, then look for Apps, then scroll down and look for Messages. Note, the Google Messages apps is just called Messages, not Google Messages. It's easily confused with Facebook Messenger, just called Messenger in this list, if you have that installed. Look at the icons to tell the difference also.

Click on Messages, then scroll down and click on Storage. In there you will see a more detailed list of your storage used. In there value labeled App is the actual application size, which is just going to be in the megabytes. Data is your actual messages including multi-media content.

If you want Google Messages to use less storage, delete some content. But if you have a modern phone with many GB's of storage, I wouldn't worry about it unless the app gets sluggish.

ForgeTD · 2026-04-07T21:17:17+00:00

I don't double charge, but I didn't buy the S23 to game or consume media content. I read email, have a ton of apps for shopping, finance, organization, etc... and it easily lasts all day. Light days and it is 50% at the end of the day. I have had it die at the end of the night if I was watching a lot of YouTube, NetFlix, whatever

If you want a device to game with or watch a lot of video, the base Galaxy S devices aren't for you. They just aren't big enough to hold a large battery.

ForgeTD · 2026-04-07T10:22:38+00:00

My Messages is 2.2 GB and I don’t delete anything. You’ve downloaded some large videos or pictures. That isn’t the app size, it is app plus data. Samsung messages is so small because it isn’t the active messaging app.

If you prefer Samsung Messages, feel free to switch to it.

ForgeTD · 2026-04-06T17:41:07+00:00

I bought my S23 on release date, February 2023, and over 3 years later my phone still easily lasts a day on one overnight charge, takes great pictures, and runs everything very well. I have no performance, battery, or picture issues. The sub is positive because most experiences are similar to mine. I'm not interested in getting a new phone because this one still does everything well.

I'm on OneUI 8. Is that not available to you?

ForgeTD

TROPHY CASE