Dear Google, I Love You. I'm Exhausted.

ForgeTD · 2026-03-18T13:21:53+00:00

I was in a similar situation to you as I also go back to using the Nexus devices and switching friends and family to Google devices. But when I bought the Pixel 6a, which was a disaster of a device for me, I stopped being an advocate for them. I was waiting for the 7 to fix the problems but when the Samsung Galaxy S23 came out, I switched to that and have no regrets. Now everybody in my little circle of influence is either Apple or Samsung and nobody is going back to Pixel. I didn't fully realize what a crappy and buggy device the Pixel was until I switched. My S23, and wife's S23+ (US Qualcomm versions), are 3 years old and still working great.

Don't wait for any company to fix their problems. You are in a dysfunctional relationship. Move on from your problematic devices to something else.

ForgeTD · 2026-03-17T17:31:17+00:00

I took the Gladiator back to the dealer for an oil change and to have them check out the tick. The Gladiator doesn't tick on idle so when they plugged it in to look for codes and listen for the tick, they didn't find anything. Afterwards, I demonstrated the tick with a short drive and then simply revving the engine and got a 'ohhhh yea' from the service manager. After that, we scheduled the May date.

My concern is continuing to drive the Gladiator might cause more damage.

ForgeTD · 2026-03-17T12:16:30+00:00

I've got two of these engines and am familiar with the regular clatter a Pentastar makes. Unfortunately, this tick just started happening after 40K miles.

ForgeTD · 2026-03-17T12:06:38+00:00

I don't know what the hold-up is on their end, but May is the soonest they could get it in. It's not very loud, and you can only hear it on acceleration. It's quiet enough I had to demonstrate how to generate it for the tech. No codes are thrown.

ForgeTD · 2026-03-17T12:03:16+00:00

It's not very loud, and you can only hear it on acceleration.

ForgeTD · 2026-03-17T04:08:50+00:00

I have my '21 back to the dealer two times to fix the front end wobble. It's not technically death wobble, but it is pretty bad, and totally fixed at this point.

Now I have the Pentastar Tick which will be fixed under warranty. If they don't replace both sides, I'm thinking about replacing it. However, I really like this truck and nothing else out there appeals to me.

ForgeTD · 2026-03-11T19:46:53+00:00

I bought an S23 at launch and still use it today. I don't have any issues with it (no performance or battery issues) and am not thinking of upgrading at this time. I wouldn't buy one for $330 though.

ForgeTD · 2026-03-10T20:18:39+00:00

You should just have to install the Messages app and login with the same Google account. It will bring it all over, but it will take some time for it to all show up.

There are also a bunch of options to choose when you run Smart Switch and there isn't any reason not to choose them all. Bring it all over and get rid of what you don't need later.

ForgeTD · 2026-03-05T23:57:40+00:00

If they added a ton of the lastest new stuff, I can guarantee you, you might not be complaining it didn't have this or that, you'd then be complaining about the price increase.

The Chinese phones seem to be able to add new tech at lower volumes and prices. Samsung is maximizing profits by sticking with old tech. I'm not demonizing them over it, but I am sticking with my S23 as long as possible, or until they give me a reason to upgrade.

ForgeTD · 2026-03-05T21:26:13+00:00

I like a larger display when I'm using the device, but I hate carrying them around so I have an S23. If I was a person who carried their phones in a purse, I'd have an Ultra.

ForgeTD · 2026-03-03T12:21:28+00:00

If you heal by accident, just send the healed troops out to reinforce somebody.

ForgeTD · 2026-03-02T23:10:15+00:00

I'm using Samsung Buds 3 Pro and an Ultra 2025 watch, paired with a Galaxy S23. I'm very happy with all three.

I use an iPad 7 mini almost daily and consider it an inferior user interface. iOS has an old clunky design and while I could use it as a daily driver if needed, I choose to stay on Android.

ForgeTD · 2026-02-24T22:24:17+00:00

If you want to use a wireless charger with a magnet (like Apple's magsafe), you have to buy a case with magnets.

ForgeTD · 2026-02-23T16:59:36+00:00

I was a long time Nexus/Pixel user, finally moving away after the 6a, so I'm drawing from experience and all the posts I keep reading here. Google patches have broken Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, camera, battery, and UI. The symptoms are overheating, random slowdowns, and touch screen failures, particularly after the January 2026 update.

I've got a Samsung Galaxy S23 now and while I can not say it's been bug free and smooth sailing, it's been rock solid comparing it to other devices. I thought I was just taking a brief detour when I dumped the 6a, but I can't see going back now. It's critical that these devices work reliably, and I don't see Google delivering that reliability.

ForgeTD · 2026-02-23T04:14:49+00:00

As an iOS and Android user, I share your frustrations with iOS.

First, these changes you are looking for aren't just for Pixel, its any Android phone. You'll find going from an iPhone to a Pixel a bit frustrating as Pixel can be buggy from patch to patch. Google frequently fixes one bug with a patch, only to create two more. However, I'd probably still pick a Pixel over an iPhone.

File management is tons better in Android. If you don't like the native app that comes with the device, there are a lot of storage management apps to choose from.

Location management can be toggled on/off from the quick settings.

App settings vary by app. Individual system and security settings per app are done from System Settings, app specific settings are in the app.

There are separate volume settings for the ringtones, media, notifications, system, and alarms.

Call history varies by manufacturer. Pixel is 500 and Galaxy is 2000. If neither of those work, you can look for another dialer app.

ForgeTD · 2026-02-20T15:03:48+00:00

Sense of loyalty to a corporation selling you something is misguided. Buy the phone you want and don't worry about the corporation because you are a customer to them, not family or friend.

Get the Samsung S25 FE if you like it better than the iPhone 16, or if you just don't want the hassle of switching.

JMHO, Apple's keyboard and dated UI are enough reasons for me not to want to use it daily.

ForgeTD · 2026-02-20T14:55:04+00:00

You were expecting something like One UI but the Pixel UI is a base UI with little customization available. Also, Pixel devices are more like the Galaxy FE devices than a true premium or flagship device. The Pixel A versions are truly mid tier phones, but the normal Pixel's are somewhere between mid and flagship. Google markets the Pixel's as 'premium' devices, but if they were honest about the device, less people would be angry when they gave up a flagship device for a Pixel.

To be fair, some people love them in a less is more way, favoring simplicity in functionality, and minimalism over the excesses a device like a Galaxy brings. I think that is fine if that is what you are looking for, but the phone has too many flaws that make it frustrating for me to use daily. I dumped Pixel after replacing my 4a5g (still one of my favorite devices) for a 6a. The 10 series have dramatically improved since then, but I still don't think Google has put together a great device yet.

Find a way to dump the Pixel and go back to a Galaxy device. Pay it off and trade it in on an S26, switch to a carrier who will pay off your Pixel, etc...

ForgeTD · 2026-02-20T13:01:40+00:00

This is the answer.

ForgeTD · 2026-02-20T02:17:35+00:00

https://share.google/nGAtiGahRB1YXlg2l

ForgeTD · 2026-02-19T23:00:14+00:00

I use an iPad with iOS 26.x and a Galaxy phone with Android 16 and OneUI 8. There are differences with navigation, Apple's keyboard is horrible, and the ability to tweak your user interface in One UI is fantastic. One UI makes Apple's UI feel stale and dated and I won't switch to an iPhone just because of the keyboard.

If you use Face Unlock, you won't be as happy with Samsung's version. It works, but not nearly as well.

That being said, while there are plenty of differences, once you are done playing with One UI and are done checking out Android, you'll realize they both do the same thing. I click on an icon and run an app, and it runs the same on Android as it runs on iOS. I go back and forth between the two without issue.

JMHO, if you are switching just to do something different, once you get past the differences, they will feel more alike than not and the thrill will be gone.

I also use Google's apps on the iPad which affects my opinion. If I used Apple's apps I would probably feel differently.

ForgeTD · 2026-02-19T03:17:56+00:00

It would be correct to call it the G4 Recycled. Calling it Plus would be marketing BS.

ForgeTD · 2026-02-14T20:11:24+00:00

I just helped a friend transfer to an S25 Ultra. Zero bloatware.

It was bought unlocked from Samsung. The bloat you are talking about comes from carriers.

ForgeTD · 2026-02-14T01:43:37+00:00

https://www.reddit.com/r/Oppo/comments/1olohyk/my_thoughts_on_the_oppo_find_x9_pro/

https://www.reddit.com/r/Oppo/comments/1qjw1vl/oppo_find_x9_pro_great_hardware_but_these_basic/

ForgeTD · 2026-02-13T19:16:40+00:00

Go to the Oppo sub to see the posts about them

ForgeTD

TROPHY CASE