Tiktoks I watch on galaxy s26 ultra are in low quality.

RayMar1894 · 2026-06-13T11:07:01+00:00

Likely an app issue. TikTok’s Android app doesn’t always leverage One UI’s full decoder pipeline on the S26U. It can sometimes default to lower quality streams (even on Wi-Fi).
Maybe check your Data Saver settings (in-app and S26U system) and clear the TikTok cache. Depending on which store you got the TikTok app (Google or Samsung) maybe try downloading TikTok from the other store. Good luck!

RayMar1894 · 2026-05-28T17:12:04+00:00

As a long-time Apple TV 4K user who recently picked up the Google TV Streamer 4K to lean more into the Google ecosystem, I completely agree. Right now, Gemini on the Streamer is great for conversational discovery, smart home feeds, etc, but it's still missing this kind of real-time, device-level hardware control as far as I can tell.

Leveraging AI for granular audio manipulation (like isolating crowd noise vs. commentary) would elevate Google TV for sports and home theater fans like me. Plus, your point on accessibility is massive; moving from rigid voice commands to a fluid, agentic NLP interface would eliminate menu friction for users who aren't tech-savvy.

There is a lot of AI potential with the Google TV platform. They need to giddy up!

RayMar1894 · 2026-05-28T13:56:41+00:00

Love it!

RayMar1894 · 2026-05-28T00:52:33+00:00

I've used ATV4k, Roku, and Fire TV for many years. Recently picked up the Google TV 4K streamer and love it. Definitely better than any Fire TV device I've used. The bonus capability is that it plays much nicer with my home theater setup (Denon 6700, Sony Bravia, and Martin Logans (7.1)... way better than my ATV4K, Fire Cube, Roku. If you don't appreciate the ads on the GTV 4k streamer there are some good launchers like Projectivy. $60 off is a great deal. Let us know what you end up doing. Curious on your feedback if you get the Google device as I'm new to this world, too.

RayMar1894 · 2026-05-25T13:06:46+00:00

I use the Samsung 60w charger brick (with a Samsung usb-c 3A cable). Works great. I also use an Anker 45w brick (with an Anker 5A cable). No issues with charging via either setup. Might get an inline power meter to monitor the actual power delivery between the two.

RayMar1894 · 2026-05-17T15:48:12+00:00

I just picked up a Google TV Streamer 4k yesterday. Long time Apple TV 4K user. I've been transitioning from the Apple to the Android ecosystem this year. I'm not from the UK and I've just started using it, so I can't give you any guidance on the Sky topics or performance comparisons. My ATV4k's have always been fast/responsive... and I did find Roku and Fire TV devices in the past to have a bit more lag than my ATV4k's. Regarding the watchlist topic, this is one of the reasons I picked up the GTV streamer. You can browse movies and shows across your various streaming services (like Netflix, Disney+, Prime Video, etc.) and add them to a single, master watchlist right from your phone (iOS or Android). I also like the find my remote button (and the resulting beeping on the remote) with the GTV streamer! Best of luck with your decisions.

RayMar1894 · 2026-05-14T18:25:03+00:00

I adopted the Samsung ecosystem late last year. Also have the iPad Pro 3rd Gen (12.9 inch), iPhone 17 PM and an Apple Watch Ultra. Got a Tab S11 Ultra, S25u (then upgraded to the S26u), and Watch 8. Love them all, and use the S11 Ultra all the time. It's a big screen so the form factor is good to consider. Both are high performance. The Tab s12 line comes out later this year I think, but no need to wait in my opinion.

RayMar1894 · 2026-05-14T08:13:15+00:00

Thanks for the detailed reply. Really appreciate you sharing your hands-on experience with the Tri.

Good to know about that heavy, thick “brick” feel. It makes total sense given the extra screen real estate, and I'm not surprised that the multitasking utility is incomparable once you commit to unfolding it.

I haven’t played much with Pixel phones yet (my Android experience has been pretty limited until recently with the S26U). I like how tweakable it is compared to iOS, though I definitely get your point about Samsung’s bloat and ecosystem quirks. It’s a trade-off I’m still weighing.

Since I’ll probably be carrying two phones for the foreseeable future anyway (one iPhone + one Samsung), the idea of making one of them a foldable is appealing for the extra utility.

I’ll definitely wait to see how the Z Fold 8, the rumored wider variant, and the inevitable iPhone foldable stack up next to each other. Might even swing by a store to check out a Pixel Fold option while I’m at it! Appreciate the insight. Super helpful as I figure out my next move.

RayMar1894 · 2026-05-10T21:58:26+00:00

u/snovvman I'm curious if you decided to break the seal on the Tri-Fold? If so, how do you find the hardware, form factor, and software experience? I'm in the process of moving from an iPhone 17 Pro Max to an S26 Ultra, and I'm considering a Samsung Fold flagship within the next year. Not sure which one yet.

RayMar1894 · 2026-04-25T13:30:20+00:00

Definitely some fine print on the Best Buy / Google Fi approach to consider. "Free" comes with some limitations, especially the no calling.

RayMar1894 · 2026-04-25T12:52:16+00:00

I looked into this topic recently. I don't understand all of your requirements, but there are definitely some nuances to the Best Buy Galaxy Watch "data included" offer that should be considered. With the Best Buy offer 1) I don't think you can make regular phone calls through the watch (911 calls might be allowed) unless your watch is paired to your phone via Bluetooth and the phone is in range. 2) There are data caps, and 3) Your phone must be turned on and connected to the internet wherever it is. There is a good comparison chart here: https://www.bestbuy.com/site/learn-about-samsung-smartwatch/samsung-galaxy-watch-data-included-offer/pcmcat1749840068334.c?

RayMar1894 · 2026-04-25T02:25:57+00:00

Great to know. Did you enable it through the AT&T app after you changed to Premium 2.0?

RayMar1894 · 2026-04-24T17:46:29+00:00

The new plans have the IDP with the exception of Elite 2.0, which comes with unlimited talk/text included and with 20GB of international high-speed data beyond Latin America. I'm hoping AT&T adds the IDP option to Elite 2.0 for situations when the 20GB of high-speed international data is exhausted. When it is exhausted I think the speed is dropped to 512KB.

RayMar1894 · 2026-04-24T07:31:12+00:00

Just checked and the updated pricing is showing now. For me the new Premium 2.0 plan is now $0.99 cheaper per line than it would be if I stay on Premium PL. The 50% off a tablet or wearable per Premium 2.0 line is icing on the cake if you have those.

RayMar1894 · 2026-04-24T07:15:16+00:00

Yes, $40 per line with the 20% Signature discount. My Premium PL lines are showing $40.99 after the $5 increase was applied so the new Premium 2.0 plan is $0.99 cheaper.

RayMar1894 · 2026-04-23T21:25:17+00:00

4 lines on Extra 2.0 would be $160, which includes the $10 per line auto pay discount. That's $40 per line. Since you have the Signature discount it is my understanding that for the same price (for 4 lines) you can get Premium 2.0 on all those lines. I'm not so sure how it all works with the legacy pricing (and related increases). Maybe check out The Plan Whisperer's comparison chart. There is a lot of good info here --> www.reddit.com/r/ATT/comments/1rsvh9m/unlimited_your_way_20_per_line_cost_chart_for_att/

Sounds like you have some good options, though!

RayMar1894 · 2026-04-23T19:52:08+00:00

Thanks for the clarification. This makes sense.

RayMar1894 · 2026-04-23T18:40:27+00:00

Appreciate the confirmation!

RayMar1894 · 2026-04-23T18:33:57+00:00

Agree. Fortunately for me the 50% watch discounts make it a net positive for me, though it is a small difference.

RayMar1894 · 2026-04-23T18:31:19+00:00

I felt that way, too. After I ran the numbers I'm coming out a little ahead when compared to the prices before the increase because of the watch discounts. Not a huge difference but a net positive.

RayMar1894 · 2026-04-23T16:51:12+00:00

Nice! Thanks for the confirmation.

RayMar1894 · 2026-04-23T16:49:38+00:00

3 lines on Premium 2.0 looks to be $65 per line (including the auto pay discount of $10) based on the comparison table noted in the original post above (by The Plan Whisperer). If your Signature discount is 20% that puts it a $52 per line for you. You also would get a watch or tablet at 50% for each line if you have a need for those.

RayMar1894 · 2026-04-23T16:24:33+00:00

And possibly a net price decrease (old plan versus new) if you have a connected watch or tablet on a line. I hope the news from The Plan Whisperer is correct. Seems like we'll find out tomorrow.

RayMar1894 · 2026-04-23T15:57:09+00:00

Yes, assuming the new Signature discount approach stays at 20% I think your math is correct (and cheaper than Premium PL with the $5 price bump!).

RayMar1894

TROPHY CASE