yashsingh1/xdaforums huggingface dataset:
[OnePlus 6 Guides, News, & Discussion] CYB3R0ID694:
Provide Source for ROM & Kernel & Update Thread & it will moved to Proper section.. :):)
[OnePlus 6 Guides, News, & Discussion] Oswald Boelcke:
[MENTION=11161227]Wh0ami_7[/MENTION] THREAD CLOSED as duplicate of https://xdaforums.com/oneplus-6/development/rom-pixel-experience-plus-t4173577!

XDA Forum Rules (excerpt):
[Google Pixel 5 Questions & Answers] InfX:
I am trying to compare the specs of the "Pixel 5" and the recently released "Samsung S20 FE" and would actually want to know, why Pixel 5 and not the S20 FE?For the reference, GSMArena comparison here.

Currently i see the following pros and cons comparing those devices:

S20 FE pros:

SD card slot

Bigger battery

Better SoC

Better GPU

120hz scree refresh rate

Front fingerprint sensor (debatable, but definitely my personal preference)

More cameras and (hopefully) better camera sensors (but not better camera software)

Available (unlike Pixel 5, that is still on pre-orders)

Pixel 5 pros:

More RAM

Better camera software

Less bloatware

Direct updates from Google

Usable eSIM (none of the S20 series have their eSIM enabled on US models)

Unlocakble bootloader (just an assumption, but the QC based S20 FE is unlikely to have it's btl unlockable)

Missing SD slot (which a find to be a pretty big deal) and a somewhat weaker SoC/GPU/battery make me lean toward the S20 FE, yet there seem to be a pretty big fan base on the Pixels those days, and i want to know why. So, what Pixel 5 pros did i miss?

Thanks in advance for replies.
[Google Pixel 5 Questions & Answers] TokedUp:
You might not care what I think but I'm gonna reply anyway. Im using a Note 9 now.

The reason the P5 beats any Samsung phone, again this is IMO, is because it runs STOCK ANDROID OS. One UI is trash, TouchWiz was trash. Samsung can make a great, beautiful, crazy spec'd phone every time but it still runs a trash OS. And plz dont try to tell me its not that bad. It is and my wife has a Note 20 5G and its trash on there too even with the newer updates. This one thing is the reason I will never buy a Sam phone again.

And do I have to get into the bloat ware. Oh MY God! I have like 25-30 apps. When my phone updates, its says its optimizing 450+ apps. WTF. And forget about removing them cuz u can't UL BL to debloat. EVER.

Also don't let Sammy fool u with this quick monthly security updates. When it comes to new Android versions they still lag behind, especially if your device is a year or more old.
[Google Pixel 5 Questions & Answers] InfX:
I actually do agree on that, yes, the crap on Samsung stock ROM is pretty bad, but is it THAT bad? On a carrier branded CSC - yes, absolutely. Just a """"clean"""" (yea, i know, i know) stock Samsung - bad, but not THAT bad. And thats the main factor that makes me lean toward Pixel indeed.

Latest and greatest Android? Well, i can live without that. Heck, i am typing it from an Android 8 device right now, lol.

But... lower specs, and ESPECIALLY, the SD card slot do bother me. I've got Nexus7 FHD tablet, bought it more or less a few month after its release, still using it sometimes, and one damn feature i've missed every single time i've boarded a long flight is having an SD card slot! I don't know why the heck Google hates SD cards so much, but thats definitely bothers me.

In any case, i did mention "less bloatware" in my pros list, guess i should have called it "clean android". Do i turst it to remain totally clean? NO! Don't get me started on Google, their platforms, and ****loads of ads, some blockable, some may soon be less so. Just a few things to list on that topic, though - YouTube midroll ads (that drove me to finally start using alt client) and Android TV leanback launcher update with a huge ad on the top 1/3 of the screen (which has forced me to disable apps updates, cause on a TV Play market its all updates or no apps update).
[Google Pixel 5 Questions & Answers] TokedUp:
I'm sorry. I do not agree. OneUI is far worse than u think. Im using it now. Go try for yourself. And I dont mean go to the store and look at it. Actually use a phone with it on it and u will want to throw it against a wall.

I have a 400gb mem card in my phone now. There is nothing an it. I used to need it for music but now everything is streaming. Photos and vids get backed up to cloud. I dont think I need a mem card anymore and I was a firm believer in them.

Please dont ever compare Google with Sam in terms of bloatware. It makes you look like u have no idea what u are talking about. Its not even a competition. I mean Sammy tried to put ads to our lockscreens at one point. If u think the Pixel has bloatware, go look at an app list on a new Sam phone. The Note 20 is an absolute joke.
[Google Pixel 5 Questions & Answers] mrkhigh:
I'm in the same debate as you... Pretty sure p5 wins due to unlocked bootloader. My p2 stands up still to processing power, I suspect I'll get 3 years out of the p5 since I've always found more ram is more important than more processing power and the 765g does hold up next to the p4 865.
[Google Pixel 5 Questions & Answers] dudeman1st:
Why do we run Pixels? Stock android, superior experience, no/limited bloat, reliable updates, and superior camera performance. But, you likely knew that already, and you came here to discuss specs. It's not the specs; it's the real world performance. You ever run a Windoze comp with a fresh install? See how snappy and smooth the performance is? Well, that's what a Pixel is like all the time. You're basically asking the PC equivalent of asking a tech forum "should I buy an Acer (or Dell or whatever) or build my own?" The answer will likely be build your own or reinstall Windoze and upgrade what you have. Look man, I was a Samsung lover for many years. But their bloat is intrusive and very poorly implemented, and I got sick of it. To complete the analogy: if you want a Dell (even if it is an Alienware) running the latest Intel, go ahead. I'll build my own AMD machine that rocks its socks off.
[Google Pixel 5 Questions & Answers] Mdizzle1:
Come down to long term experience for me.

Pixel phones have been great to use and continue to feel great after a couple of years. Samsung phones haven't faired so well. Lots of slow down, lots of duplicate apps, lots of clutter.

It's personal preference of course, some love Samsung apps over Google apps. For these people, pixel comes full of bloatware!
[Google Pixel 5 Questions & Answers] InfX:
Unlocked bootloader is sadly, becoming less and less useful as the time goes. TBH, i am sick and tired to try & look for yet another way to hide root from apps, while i find myself actually customizing the system less and less using that root. Add Widevine dropping to L3 and all the streaming apps that use it going below HD, and you get yourself one more reason not to unlock.

Is slightly more RAM more important than slightly more CPU/GPU? Yea, i think it is. Is it massive, either way? Nope, probably not.

Again, one big thing that turns me away from P5 is the SD slot. From the other side, 2 pretty big things that pull me toward it are cleaner Android and eSIM.
[Google Pixel 5 Questions & Answers] InfX:
The specs are the very first thing that affects real world performance. Yes, you can bog it down to a crawl with junk, but is it so? If you look at the Samsung side of XDA, i don't see that many complains about it, so realistically, in the real word words, i honestly don't know.
[Google Pixel 5 Questions & Answers] jsbeagle:
I've used an OG Pixel XL, and Pixel 3 XL as well as a OP 6T.

T-mobile had a "too good to pass up" trade in deal for the S20 FG and I received it on Friday. It is an awesome phone. The telephoto lens is neat, but the wide angle is awesome. Samsung's awful OS and lack of BL unlocking are really the only faults of it lol. Pixels got me over the need for an sd slot, although the lack of free unlimited storage since the Pixel 3 has me concerned. With that said, I'll be buying a Pixel 5 assuming there's some kind of a deal on black friday.
[Google Pixel 5 Questions & Answers] dudeman1st:
Fair enough, if specs are your measuring stick, sounds like you want the Samsung with the 8-series ARM. Go for it. I wouldn't shame you at all.

If you want to really understand what I am saying, try running a 3 or 4 year old Samsung (an S7 or S8) on Sam's version of Android 11 (if that's even possible) and then run Google's Android 11 on a Pixel or Pixel 2. I haven't tried it, but I know my old Samsungs ran like crap after just one or two updates, including severely reduced battery life. I am guessing that the Sams will run horribly for one reason or another. I know that Pixels run great on 11.

I run a Pixel (2 XL) stock, don't have to root it, don't have to monkey with flashing unless I want to try, don't have to constantly be looking for updated modems/ROMs/recoveries/kernels . Sure, most phones can be rescued with a good custom ROM, but you run the risk of bricking and voiding warranty. I used to love that hobby, and I loved my experience flashing with other phone hobbyists. But, I don't want to monkey with my daily driver anymore. I only flash my old phones.
[Google Pixel 5 Questions & Answers] InfX:
Those are definitely not the only faults of it .Less RAM isn't exactly a good thing. If you look at the he S20 FE forum here, you'll immediately notice a "touch issues" thread, which is worrying. The eSIM being disabled on US CSCs, while Pixels, iPhones and even their own Fold got it is one heck of a turn off, too.
[Google Pixel 5 Questions & Answers] jsbeagle:
What are you doing that you actually need eSim?

Considering T-mobile and Samsung are essentially giving me the S20 FE, plus $60, plus $70 Samsung store credit for my Pixel 3XL, I'll take it and let my kids use it as a hotspot. T-mobile also gave me another completely free line a couple weeks ago in an unrelated deal.
[Google Pixel 5 Questions & Answers] InfX:
I don't "need" eSIM, but its a useful feature assuming the dreaded COVID19 is eventually going to end, so one could travel again. It allows you to get and install a local plan in a different country without having to physically get the SIM card, a feature i'd actually like to have on my next phone. Not a must. But definitely a bonus. And most definitely a turn-off to get a device with the actual hardware being there, but having it disabled because Sammy and the carriers told so.
[Google Pixel 5 Questions & Answers] mrkhigh:
I agree on root becoming less and less important.

However the ability to update the device after it's eol is handy, and installing a custom rom is often nice as well.
[Google Pixel 5 Questions & Answers] raiderep:
Pure Android is where it is at for me, plain and smple. I might go for another non google device now and then if the bootloader is unlockable so I can end up flashing a pure android rom but I always end up back on a pixel. It is a shame that samsung has not allowed bootloader unlocking lately, especially on a so called "fan edition". What a joke!
[Google Pixel 5 Questions & Answers] BJozi:
Physical size of the device. Sure the size of the screen on my current phone is bigger and show more but it's also physically a larger phone.

That one of the main selling points for me. I also look forward to having the FP reader on the back again, current phone is under display and I'm not a fan!

---edit---

Another selling point is vanilla android vs having to find a reliable custom rom for my Mi 9T (pixel experience is good though).
[Google Pixel 5 Questions & Answers] dudeman1st:
Just get Fi, homie. Pay for the data you use, capped at 6 GB cost (60 bucks + 20 for the line), no international charges for phone or data, and it works almost everywhere. If it's a small country, Fi might even pick up neighboring service. I have been from Barcelona to Bratislava, Mexico, Costa Rica, and Columbia on Fi, and I had no problems whatsoever. Fi even sends you a nice little welcome text to let you know that you are in a different service area. And, no, I don't work for Google, lol. I changed because I love to travel and hate other carriers' intl fees or messing around with local SIMs.
[Google Pixel 5 Questions & Answers] InfX:
Thanks but no thanks, been there, done that. Yes, the international data on the Fi is definitely a plus. But:

Its expensive

I am currently on Cricket (AT&T MVNO), their lowest plan is $30 for 2gb, but before the COVID times i'd usually pay $35 for 5..10gb, slowed down afterwards, with similar plans also available directly from AT&T. My actual consumption now is close to 0, but has been somewhere in range of 2..3gb per month pre-COVID on average, so i've ended up paying $40..50, plus tax, as far as i recall, while most prepaid plans have tax included. Way too expensive just to have the same expensive data abroad, which is usually much cheaper there than it is in US.

It's coverage in US is pretty bad

In US its basically a T-Mobile MVNO. It got some contracts with US Cellular as well, i think, but its mostly just T-Mobile. I've been to many places i;ve just got NO reception whatsoever, where Cricket (read - AT&T) works perfectly fine, notably, on the ski sites in VT near #100, but this is just one example, the T-Mobile reception is generally just BAD.

Pay per use data is more annoying than i though it would be

You are basically paying $10/gb until you hit 6gb, which makes me think twice about everything i do online. Play Spotify? Nah, i don't remember if i have it downloaded, it will eat data, i'll pay for that. Watch that video on YouTube on the go? Nah, screw that, its probably 100mb in HD or so, that's $1 for a stupid video. And i absolutely hate this line of thinking. I want unlimited data which doesn't punish you financially if you go over the limit. And i don't want to pay $80+tax for that.

Sorry bro, but you DO sound like a Google sales person, lol
[Google Pixel 5 Questions & Answers] vandyman:
If you just want to text, make calls, twatter, and freakbook. Get the Samsung.

If need more independents, get the Pixel 5.
[Google Pixel 5 Questions & Answers] InfX:
More details, less fan speech, please.
[Google Pixel 5 Questions & Answers] vandyman:
This about the Pixel 5 right?

Okay, Pure android 11, monthly updates, easy rooting, awesome camera.
[Google Pixel 5 Questions & Answers] InfX:
Pure android 11 - not really 'pure', but miles better than Samsung and its long list of bloatware, can't disagree on this.

Monthly updates - not sure if i see it as an advantage or more of an annoyance and being Google'a Guinea-pig.

Easy rooting - with consequences, such as locking WideVine keys out, neverending cat & mouse hunt between Magisk and Safetynet, etc, with all the consequences. Updates you've listed a couple of words before the rooting, become a hassle, too. This is, of course, not unique to Pixel, and with S20 FE locked bt, thats still an advantage, but those things, sadly, make rooting less and less relevant for a 'daily driver' device. Damn, i am gonna miss having root indeed.

Awesome camera - well, not so much! Incredible achievements with the software, but CRAPPY camera hardware. And STILL no "pro" mode, where you could adjust ISO/shutter speed/aperture, shoot, and take the raw file out without any processing (judging by previous Google phones, never seen Pixel 5 live yet), to be fed into LR or similar.

And one thing, that is a BIG con for me is the SD card slot. Google's blood line just, sadly, seems to be missing the genes for that, and i hate it with passion, especially after using the Nexus7FHD tablet for quite an extensive period of time and missing the SD card slot badly on it.

In the meanwhile, the general consensus of this thread seems to be "people like Pixels mainly because of the cleaner Android", which i agree with, but take it with a grain of salt and not to the same extent most people here seem to take it.
[Google Pixel 5 Questions & Answers] vandyman:
It really depends on your needs for which device to get. It sounds like you are trying to sell your self on getting the Samsung.

Samsung is a good company so go with it.

Go to the Samsung threads and ask these same questions and see if you can find your answers there.

Good luck in your quest. [emoji106]
[Google Pixel 5 Questions & Answers] dia_naji:
Pixel phones have been known to have the superior OS. I currently have a Samsung note 10+ and one ui just isn't cutting. The pixel checks off everything except for one thing. Micro SD card support. Now I know the average user doesn't need expandable storage, but for what I do expandable storage is a must for me. Optimized software > Flag ship specs.
[Google Pixel 5 Questions & Answers] InfX:
Thanks. Well, i am trying to get myself a next device, and not regret it for the years i am going to use it. And sadly, NEITHER seem to fit the bill perfectly :( Give me an S20 FE without the bloat, with unlockable btl, a bit more RAM, working eSIM... or give me the Pixel5 with an SD card slot and a better SoC... and... can i have the 3.5mm audio and removable batteries back please? ;)
[Google Pixel 5 Questions & Answers] vandyman:
To get any of those features, you will have to go back to the flip phone with tic-tac-toe. [emoji12]
[Google Pixel 5 Questions & Answers] InfX:
Ok, lets go back to the future then. Give me a an S20 or a Pixel with lightning fast unlimited local storage and nuclear fusion cell battery for 30 years without recharging. And hey, you don't even need a screen on it, just add a brain interface and stream the display directly into it.
[Google Pixel 5 Questions & Answers] vandyman:
Just curious, why do you need a lot of storage?

I use the phone storage for Titanium Backup, camera pix, and app data. All of my music is stored on my Nas and streamed. I also use Dropbox, Amazon drive, Google drive and Box for pdfs, backups, etc.
[Google Pixel 5 Questions & Answers] InfX:
Well, somehow i always find a way to waste more storage than i probably should have. Some examples:

Apps - visit some far (or not so far) away place, use some shared bikes, or those e-scooters, from a company i may never even encounter again, but i still keep their app for like... forever. Also, every little thing, like mcdonalds app and alike, seems to take 100+ mbytes. And i didn't even mention little silly games, like clash of clans, that take litlle less than full gb.

Music - all my spotify playlists, including those "daily mix X", downloaded, takes a lot of space. Kind of a remnant from expensive metered data times, but also really helpful in places with bad reception, or onboard a plane, or cruise (are we ever going on THAT again with this covid ****?).

Maps - i usually navigate using Waze and no longer download driving maps (although, i did before, mostly back when iGo8 on WM was still a thing), but hiking maps - now thats a different story.

Camera - i don't just take pics with my phone, but also with a 1" sensor compact (i am too lazt to even consider carrying a DSLR, lol), i also have a drone, and where do you think i back everything up to while traveling? Yep, the phone, lol. I could have been carrying some flash drive instead, but come on, i take it being on my phone as super convenient.

Movies - i rarely download movies those days, and gone are the pirate torrenting days too, cause hey, at home, or on some hotel WiFi, i really don't care how much data it consumes, and unlike a song, i usually only see a movie once. But there are 2 special cases here. Long flights and cruises (again, kinda no longer relevant nowdays, sadly). This is more relevant for a tablet, and i am still annoyed by Nexus7FHD not having an SD slot because of that.

I probably forgot some other massive things, lol. Is it really that bad of a sin to want more storage?
[Google Pixel 5 Questions & Answers] vandyman:
WOW, it must be hell putting everything back together when your device takes a crap.

I would lose my mind. So I try to avoid that scenario.

Titanium Backup is my goto, I would need medication without it.. [emoji1787]
[Google Pixel 5 Questions & Answers] COMTB:
I went from strictly Samsung devices to the Pixel 2xl, preordered, and still my daily driver. It's still snappy, takes comparatively good pictures to most devices out today which proves you don't need 12091304972345 mega pixels to take a good picture, and it has gotten monthly security updates for the past 3 years. Add in it runs stock android without some ****ty UI (there isn't a good one out there) and some company's bloatware on it and I'm sold. I'll be grabbing the Pixel 5 because it is in the right cost bracket and I don't need a bunch of hardware that's a waste of horsepower anyway. I don't need to pay for gimmicky hardware that really doesn't add anything additional to my mobile experience.

I used to root and search for a reliable ROM that would continually get updates but since google took care of that for me I have no need to risk bricking my device.

I understand wanting the latest and greatest but I'm at a point in my technology owning life that I know what I want, I know what I'm going to use it for, and I know I don't need the latest and greatest hardware to get the experience I want. Pixel checks all those boxes, add in the free storage and photo backup and I have no need for SD cards anymore. Storage is cheap, setup a NAS at home and use an app to push backups to it routinely and you won't have to worry about that SD card.
[Google Pixel 5 Questions & Answers] vandyman:
I agree. I use my Synology Nas for storage. I need root for some of the apps that I use. I do not use custom Roms, there is no need to, Android has came a long way. I do still use a custom kernel.
[Google Pixel 5 Questions & Answers] FernanZ:
Do you guys think Viper4Android will work properly on P5? One of the main uses for me will be music, and I completely love V4A.
[Google Pixel 5 Questions & Answers] xRogerxC:
The SD765G holds up to a SD855? I don't think so. Maybe the SD845. Try doing a Geekbench 5 test, and then tell me what you get.
[Google Pixel 5 Questions & Answers] mrkhigh:
Well I agree the 855 wins... I guess I mean it's not a painful difference.
[Google Pixel 5 Questions & Answers] COMTB:
For everyday use, not stress testing, is there really that big of a difference?
[Google Pixel 5 Questions & Answers] InfX:
One thing that is really hard to know about those chipsets is how energy efficient they are. And that likely going to matter more than the top performance at max clock of the actual chipset.
[Google Pixel 5 Questions & Answers] jmartin72:
Pixel phones don't run stock Android. Stock Android is called AOSP. Pixels run the Pixel launcher, which is not in stock Android. There are also a hand full of Apps that come pre loaded on Pixels that are no on AOSP.
[Google Pixel 5 Questions & Answers] InfX:
Its not AOSP, but it's stock ROM admittedly got way, WAY less junk than pretty much any Samsung. The mention of AOSP kinda makes me wonder, was there ever any device, other than some evaluation boards, that actually runs AOSP as stock? I haven't encountered any.
[Google Pixel 5 Questions & Answers] jmartin72:
I work with devices every day that are running AOSP. They aren't phones, but they run AOSP nonetheless.
[Google Pixel 3 XL Questions & Answers] Carson Cheung:
I'm a Pixel 3 XL user.

Generally speaking, the phone have been doing pretty great, I really enjoy using it. However, there's one major thing that really makes me feel frustrated, which is the "Ram management".

4GB ram is just not enough for handling multiple background apps running, especially when I open the camera, spotify will always get closed automatically. Therefore, I'm just curious is that possible to remove the 4GB ram and replace it with the 6GB ram, just like someone put the LG V10 4GB ram on a Nexus 5X a few years ago.
[Google Pixel 3 XL Questions & Answers] swieder711:
I doubt whether the RAM on the Pixel 3 can be upgraded. Have you tried the Kirisakura kernel? It has improved memory management compared to stock. As a Pixel 3 owner using this kernel, I have never had application performance issues. Requires ROOT which is less intrusive than changing a memory chip.
[Google Pixel 3 XL Questions & Answers] Carson Cheung:
Sounds great! So after installing the Kirisakura kernel, could I still install the OTA monthly security updates like before...? Or I have to wait for the kernel update?