Pixel 8 release soon

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timmmay

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#3370358 4-May-2025 13:49

TLDR: JB Hifi NZ gave me a full refund on the Pixel 8 I purchased from JB Jifi Au after the phone developed a known fault with the display.

To recap, my Pixel 8 developed the vertical purple line which is a known hardware fault. I had purchased the Pixel 8 from JB Hifi online Oct 2023 (18 months ago), shipped it to a friends place in Australia, who shipped it to me. I contacted JB Hifi Au who told me to contact JB Hifi NZ. My expectations were fairly low, I expected to be told they couldn't help me.

I took my Pixel 8 to JB Hifi Porirua and left it with them. I called them a few days later to check what was going on. They'd had to contact head office because they have no repairer in New Zealand. They said because they can't fix it they would do an exchange for another phone or give me a full refund. They even did the AUD to NZD conversion.

Awesome service from JB Hifi, and totally unexpected. They'll get more of my business from now on given their top notch customer service.

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timmmay

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#3370359 4-May-2025 13:58

Here's some initial impressions of the S25 (standard) compared with the Pixel 8:

S25 is significantly faster than the Pixel 8 - really snappy
S25 battery life seems better, even after making sure all apps are installed and logged in
S25 is slimmer and lighter, with a 3X zoom camera, which is handy
S25 has many more settings and customisations available than the Pixel
S25 doesn't get near as hot when fast charging. The Pixel could get up to 40 degrees, I charged it in front of a small fan which kept the temp below 30. The S25 so far gets up to 32 without the fan, and with the fan stays quite low
S25 seems to charge a bit faster, but that may be because the battery is smaller. Charge speed seems similar in watts
Screens are similar
The Pixel has a few handy features like Digital Wellbeing (Samsung version isn't as comprehensive)

The only place the Pixel 8 seems significantly better to me is that Google Keyboard / GBoard has extra functions on the pixel series - enhanced voice typing. When you're doing voice typing you can click on any words that are incorrect and speak to replace the word that is incorrect. It sounds small but it makes voice dictation much faster. If Samsung had that there would be little point to the Pixel series.

MaxineN

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#3370363 4-May-2025 14:13

timmmay:

TLDR: JB Hifi NZ gave me a full refund on the Pixel 8 I purchased from JB Jifi Au after the phone developed a known fault with the display.

--

To recap, my Pixel 8 developed the vertical purple line which is a known hardware fault. I had purchased the Pixel 8 from JB Hifi online Oct 2023 (18 months ago), shipped it to a friends place in Australia, who shipped it to me. I contacted JB Hifi Au who told me to contact JB Hifi NZ. My expectations were fairly low, I expected to be told they couldn't help me.

I took my Pixel 8 to JB Hifi Porirua and left it with them. I called them a few days later to check what was going on. They'd had to contact head office because they have no repairer in New Zealand. They said because they can't fix it they would do an exchange for another phone or give me a full refund. They even did the AUD to NZD conversion.

Awesome service from JB Hifi, and totally unexpected. They'll get more of my business from now on given their top notch customer service.

WOW!

That is going above and beyond.

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gzt

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#3370365 4-May-2025 14:21

Great review Timmmay. It mirrors my own experience with P8 Pro. In my case with the Pro I have macro more zoom and other fancy camera features.

Other than that comment I'd add one Pixel advantage - new Android features are available with Pixel regular feature updates far far in advance of Samsung Android dates. In some cases Samsung have non-identical features so I'm not claiming that's always a direct comparison. Average user won't care, even though there is always Internet reddit negativity about Samsung users waiting for major OS version and feature updates.

Your JB experience was awesome. This will give me confidence to jump into a P10 Pro earlier than I might have and buy from JB

timmmay

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#3370385 4-May-2025 17:10

I've found the Pixel feature releases in the past couple of years disappointing. Back in the days of the Pixel 4 you got worthwhile feature releases regularly, recently they're all very minor. Android is fairly mature these days.

gzt

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#3372067 10-May-2025 12:54

Mostly that is the case for the 8 series small new features only. The 9 series with the later chipset gets the big new features in updates. The coming 10 is said to have the same chipset name as the 9. Meaning the 9 should get similar new features in updates as the 10 will have at launch.

gzt

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#3372187 11-May-2025 12:41

Android police makes some guesses on the Pixel 10 G5 Tensor 3nm chip from TSMC

https://www.androidpolice.com/tsmc-wont-transform-the-google-pixel-10/

Tldr; improved power consumption and gaming improvements maybe

TeaLeaf

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#3373588 15-May-2025 14:08

timmmay:

I've found the Pixel feature releases in the past couple of years disappointing. Back in the days of the Pixel 4 you got worthwhile feature releases regularly, recently they're all very minor. Android is fairly mature these days.

Supposedly no camera upgrades in 10, but I have no issue with that, IQ is nearing a peak from these circa ~1.3" sensors. But it will be interesting to see what difference the new SoC and other features makes. I just hope they dont keep sliding pricing upward.

Just how common did the issue with your screen seem to be in the 8Pro Timmay?

Good to see Google commit to 3 years to cover the specific issue. Keeping in mind Pixel isnt the only phone experiencing OLED/AMOLED line issues, there is the green line fault Ive read of with other devices.

I think the S24Ultra or the S24 for that matter is a solid choice of a last Gen top Tier phone. It does everything well, they have greats screens. I just didnt like the bloatware, but thats not a biggy to get rid of. The S25U is more of the same for me. Good to have top qualcomm SoCs!

For me the security features and alternative OS to build the Pixel how you want it to be appealing.

Samsungs A series 36/56 etc committing to 6 major updates for low-midrange to be impressive. I think the Pixel 10a needs to keep pricing around there. But of course its all regional related to currency for parralel imports also.

Im so happy for you mate, not often a company would go to that level of commitment to warranty.

I really like the Sony Xperia 1 vii, its not for everyone, low niche product, but that camera technology and Sony's entire cross department engineering come together is wickedly impressive, especially the very rare 3.5x-7.1x continuous optical zoom.

timmmay

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#3373590 15-May-2025 14:28

@TeaLeaf 100% of the Pixel 8 devices I owned (ie one phone) has the hardware problem. I can't find any numbers online but perplexity says a "significant minority".

I'm still liking the S25. Some things about the pixel are better, some things about the Samsung are better, but at least this one is supported in New Zealand. I suspect over time as I get used to this phone I will be even happier with it. The main thing's right now are it's more difficult to unlock than the pixel, the battery life is probably not quite as good now that I've got all my apps installed and working, but all at all I'm happy with it.

TeaLeaf

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#3373612 15-May-2025 15:33

timmmay:

I'm still liking the S25. Some things about the pixel are better, some things about the Samsung are better, but at least this one is supported in New Zealand.

Exactly. No phone is perfect, but there is a perfect compromise for all. For me the S Galaxies are what I wish there was more of with DeX. A phone becomes an all in one device with ultimate portability. I believe some companies were using it as a hot desk option instead of notebooks. The camera is pretty good. Power is good. Screen is the best.

One area the oneplus 13 surprised me is the 120x zoom outmatches the pixel in detail, despite only having a 3x optical. But it only really starts being worthy beyond 30x zoom. Both are good enough in that area regardless.

That Reflex 240mm dedicated lens gets good reviews for the S25U and Iphone Pro 14-16 etc. Then you have the 13 piece glass from Zeiss for the x200u.

Companies are pushing the limits of niche needs in every direction, its good for the consumer.

Im still waiting for the Pixel 10 to see if the platform becomes more stable firstly and secondly to see what they may offer feature wise.. Obviously AI is a focus for them.

gzt

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#3373645 15-May-2025 19:13

A DEX experience is coming. There have been several hints around. This is the latest..

https://www.androidauthority.com/android-desktop-mode-leak-3550321/

TeaLeaf

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#3373676 16-May-2025 09:10

gzt: A DEX experience is coming. There have been several hints around. This is the latest..

https://www.androidauthority.com/android-desktop-mode-leak-3550321/

Oh that is great news, about time. I know not everyone uses it or sees the point if they have a computer at home and work. But my experience travelling with it was very good. So to have one on Android, especially Pixel would be a bonus for me. It could move the world closer to single device personal computing. Wireless with Dex is limited to smart Panels/Tvs at this stage but shows intent for removing wired hubs etc.

Looks like google is getting the basics right first which Im happy to see.

Thanks for the heads up.

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