4 Cons of Switching from Samsung to a Google Pixel Phone

Switching from a Samsung phone to a Google Pixel phone can be an overwhelming experience, especially if you’re a long-time Samsung user or have been loyal to the brand since the debut of the Galaxy S and its carrier variants. Although both use Android as their primary operating system (OS), they still have enough differences in their hardware and software experiences that set them apart.

The first major difference is their custom Android skins. Google Pixel devices run Pixel UI, Google’s non-stock Android skin that is one of the purest versions of Android you can get, while Samsung devices run One UI. Users have pitted Pixel UI against One UI since One UI launched in late 2019, a few years after the first Pixel phone launched. But one personalized OS experience isn’t necessarily better than another: it mostly comes down to your personal preferences. That said, your experience may be very different when Samsung offers specific Galaxy apps and One UI tools.

Fortunately, transferring data between devices is simple. Normally, your Samsung account data is linked to a Google account, so all your content, including third-party app data, contacts and photos, is transferred. However, you won’t be able to transfer Samsung apps or One UI-specific features, like Good Lock, because Google doesn’t support them.

One of the immediate benefits of owning a Samsung phone is access to Good Lock, which is also considered one of the most essential apps that every Samsung owner should download. Good Lock encompasses a series of modules that can change your software experience at a system level. Popular Good Lock add-ons include Home Up, which lets you reshape and resize app icons, folders, and widgets without default restrictions on your home screen. It also includes configurable gesture shortcuts for launching apps, taking screenshots, and accessing AI features.

These modules are all officially supported by Samsung and are continually updated with One UI, ensuring their compatibility with the software. This is why if you upgrade to a Google Pixel, you won’t be able to use Good Lock natively. If redesigning your home or lock screen isn’t for you, Sound Assistant is another one of Samsung’s most popular modules. Sound Assistant lets you control the volume of each app individually, as well as play audio from two apps at the same time. Unfortunately, there isn’t a similar app for the Pixel that does this, which is why it’s one of the most missed mods after the trade-in.

Google Pixel phones have Pixel Rules, a built-in automation feature, but its options are quite limited. It may trigger based on factors like location or your network status, such as whether your device is connected. Typically, you pair this with actions that alter sound and notifications, so you can set your phone to go silent depending on where you are. For example, if you’re in class and want to keep your phone silent while you’re there, you can set up an automation to silence your phone. It’s useful, but it’s not game-changing, and it’s much less advanced than options like Routines and Modes settings found on Samsung devices.

With routines and modes, you can define automations tailored to trigger conditions. So if your phone’s battery is low, power saving options can kick in at the same time. Another reason is that if your device is running a particular app, you can use it to adjust the volume and brightness to specific levels to improve your viewing experience. You can also trigger it based on location and time. So if you’re in the middle of a tutoring session but want to use an app on your phone to make learning easier, you can set a custom Do Not Disturb mode that blocks all activities except that app to avoid distractions. This is a powerful tool and difficult to replicate on a Google Pixel, especially if you used them daily before making the switch.

Although some users find Samsung’s AI suite a mixed bag, it does have some useful uses. Samsung’s Galaxy AI has a few strengths worth noting, and the Galaxy AI’s best features tend to be the ones you least expect, because they fit in more naturally. Take Samsung Notes, for example. Galaxy AI in Samsung Notes includes Note Assist, which can restructure your notes on the fly, correct spelling and grammar, transcribe handwriting, and translate foreign text into the language of your choice.

There’s also Browsing Assist, another Galaxy AI feature built into Samsung’s browser, which highlights long articles and provides translations. For communication, Live Translate and Interpreter modes can facilitate real-time conversations with Galaxy AI-based translation tools. Google has its own Gemini series of tools intended to improve Google services and some Pixel apps, but if you’re already used to the Samsung ecosystem, making this sudden change may not be as easy. This is especially the case if you have been using Samsung Notes for a long time and have become accustomed to its features, because Samsung Notes cannot be installed on Pixel phones.

Edge Panels have become an essential feature on Galaxy devices since 2014. It’s a sidebar that stays hidden on your home screen and apps. Dragging to maximize the window brings up all kinds of features, such as shortcuts to apps, contacts, and tools like AI Select, a ruler, a flashlight, and a compass. Edge panels also make multitasking easier. You can use them for app shortcuts, create and save app pairs to combine views on a single screen, or even use them to open floating windows.

It’s also a nifty way to keep your Home screen clean by placing your most-used apps in the Edge panel. Overall, this simple, customizable sidebar is great for power users and, unfortunately, Google has nothing like it. The best you’ll get is to recreate one from a third-party app, which may include paywalls or offer limited options that aren’t enough to fill the gap.