Diehard Nexus/Pixel user goes 12 Pro Max

[UnknownSouljer]

If Apple names it the 12S, then we can forget about the return of Touch ID in 2021. An S designation merely suggests a bump in specs, not the introduction of new features.

First form of TouchID appeared on the iPhone 5S. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Touch_ID
Generally speaking "S" phones was always about refinement inside of the design, but that doesn't mean new features weren't added. Usually what didn't change was the body, but inside of the body everything was up for alteration.

Regardless, I don't give a whole lot of credence to rumors regarding under-screen TouchID. Unless Apple can come up with a version that isn't defeated by a tempered glass screen protector, I doubt they'll utilize it. I find it more likely that they'll do a power-button based touchID - much like the new iPad Air. But it might get pushed another gen unless it's "perfect".

 

[Zorachus]

One beef I have with iOS vs. stock Android is several things, sort of related.

Text correction, and voice to text stuff;

- Typing on this iPhone blows, it gets so many words screwed up and incorrect. My Pixel phones weren't perfect either, but I felt they were like 80% accurate, I would say this iPhone is like 50% accurate.

- Voice to text. Holy cow, this one is a big one, I use it a lot for texts and stuff, the iPhone totally sucks and is terrible for voice to text, it screws up so many words, and just doesn't do it right. My Pixel wasn't rock solid either in this regard, but it was noticeably more accurate and far better.

- Copy + Paste. Stock Android feels light years ahead in Copy Paste stuff, and moving the cursor around and stuff is just more accurate and nicer on Android compared to iOS.

- Wish I could say "hey Google" or "Ok Google" to open up assistant and ask the weather or sports score or look up something. I refuse to ever mutter the words "Hey Siri" no way.

I know these are nit picky things, but now that I am using this iPhone awhile, these little things are bothering me. Not a deal killer to get rid of the phone, but frustrating.

 

[CHANG3D]

Use another keyboard, brah!!! There's SwiftKey and there's also Google Keyboard. They both also have their own voice to text.

 

[Zorachus]

Use another keyboard, brah!!! There's SwiftKey and there's also Google Keyboard. They both also have their own voice to text.

I have been using Gboard and like it, but it just seems so much worse than Gboard on Android. But using the mic on the Gboard keyboard is super wonky, pressing it brings up some other screen for a split second and then it gets going, Ugh. So I just use the mic in the bottom right corner.

 

[Zorachus]

As die hard stock Android nerd, I have to say I am really liking this iPhone 12 Pro Max. If any issues, it's more iOS that I'm not a big fan of, but I am warming up to it. Still prefer vanilla Android for sure though

Hardware wise, this 12 Pro Max is a beast, and that's my fav thing, battery life is ridiculous, like nothing I've had before, I seriously do not need to charge this phone every single night, only every other night. After one full workday and evening playing on the phone, going to bed the phone is still at like 50% to 60%. The next morning I still have near 50% battery to start the day. I love the Pixel XL phones, but not one of them could ever give me that type of battery life.

The display is gorgeous and beautiful, the deep blacks look amazing. With a black wallpaper and black app settings, you can't even see the notch. Plus it gets plenty bright outdoors, not dim whatsoever.

And with Reduced Motion enabled, and the other setting Prefer Cross-Fade Transitions, the phone feels very snappy and quick between apps.

The haptics and vibration are really cool too, wish Android did it this way.

So this phone does tick the important boxes I need and want in a smartphone. Battery life #1. Great display #2. Smooth OS #3.

My dream phone would be this exact phone, running Oxygen OS Android 11. Here's hoping Google makes a killer high end flagship Pixel 6 XL this year.

 

[Zorachus]

My simple minimal setup

 

[Supersnake]

I'm impressed with your battery report. When do you initiate charging your battery, do you wait till it gets to 20% or some other figure before you charge it? When you charge your battery do you charge it up to 100%, or to some other figure?

Knowing this would help me compare your phone battery to mine. Thanks.

 

[Zorachus]

I'm impressed with your battery report. When do you initiate charging your battery, do you wait till it gets to 20% or some other figure before you charge it? When you charge your battery do you charge it up to 100% , or to some other figure?

Knowing this would help me compare your phone battery to mine. Thanks.

At the end of the night, my phone may have 40% to 55% battery life left, I just lay it down on the nightstand next to me, without charging it. Then when I wake up, while eating my breakfast and on my computer I will plug it in, and let it charge until I start to workout, it seems to charge fairly fast, it will get up to 70% to 80% quickly, and I typically unplug it if I'm about to workout, so I may let it charge to 85% to 90% or so, then use it for the day.

To compare my Pixel 4 XL battery life would be around 5.5h SoT total, could be bad days of 4.5h or good battery days up to 6h SoT on the 4 XL. In my smartphone experience over the years, I would guess this 12 Pro Max feels like it gives me 9h to 10h SoT.

 

[Aurelius]

I'm impressed with your battery report. When do you initiate charging your battery, do you wait till it gets to 20% or some other figure before you charge it? When you charge your battery do you charge it up to 100%, or to some other figure?

Knowing this would help me compare your phone battery to mine. Thanks.

This reminds me of a line from Top Gear I love to use: you don't need a rocket motor to power a soufflé.

Apple simply has better battery efficiency. Part of it is tight control over hardware, part of it is aggressive memory and process management, but it ultimately amounts to iPhones that sip battery. Android isn't uniformly terrible, but all those 5,000mAh and 6,000mAh batteries are there almost in spite of Android.

 

[Supersnake]

At the end of the night, my phone may have 40% to 55% battery life left, I just lay it down on the nightstand next to me, without charging it. Then when I wake up, while eating my breakfast and on my computer I will plug it in, and let it charge until I start to workout, it seems to charge fairly fast, it will get up to 70% to 80% quickly, and I typically unplug it if I'm about to workout, so I may let it charge to 85% to 90% or so, then use it for the day.

To compare my Pixel 4 XL battery life would be around 5.5h SoT total, could be bad days of 4.5h or good battery days up to 6h SoT on the 4 XL. In my smartphone experience over the years, I would guess this 12 Pro Max feels like it gives me 9h to 10h SoT.

Knowing that helped a lot, thanks Zorachus.

Amazing that the battery life is so much better on your iPhone 12 Pro Max than on your Pixel 4 XL. Especially when the battery size of the two phones is virtually the same, and the pixel density is so similar.

Battery size
iPhone 12 Pro Max 3,768 mAh
Pixel 4 XL 3,700 mAh

Display resolution and pixel density
iPhone 12 Pro Max 1242 x 2688 pixels (~458 ppi density)
Pixel 4 XL 1440 x 3040 pixels (~537 ppi density)

Looks like Apple really nailed it on the iPhone Pro Max battery life management.

 

[Zorachus]

Couple things, Pixel XL phones historically are known to have mediocre battery life, never great but not terrible either, just ok. And I have owned the Pixel 2 XL, 3 XL, and 4 XL, and all three were just ok for battery life.

And the iPhone Plus and Max models have historically been known to have great to amazing battery life. The 11 Pro Max was raved for it's insanely good battery life, as were the Plus models too.

It's really hard to compare the two. Completely different OS's and different processors. Apple builds and designs the hardware and operating system in house all themselves, meaning they have total control to make everything run perfectly together.

 

[Supersnake]

We all know that the Apple notch is a continuing issue. Among the many discussions addressing Apple's propensity for a notch, Rene Ritchie presents the issue in an informative manner.

 

[illli]

I've had a nexus since the 4, and pixels through to this day. But that iphone 12 mini appeals to me because android phones seem to be getting larger and larger, and I want something that doesn't half stick out of my pocket. However, I'm not paying $700 for a mini lol

 

[radeon962]

I've had a nexus since the 4, and pixels through to this day. But that iphone 12 mini appeals to me because android phones seem to be getting larger and larger, and I want something that doesn't half stick out of my pocket. However, I'm not paying $700 for a mini lol

Under $600 on Swappa now as the Mini is apparently not selling well.

 

[Aurelius]

I've had a nexus since the 4, and pixels through to this day. But that iphone 12 mini appeals to me because android phones seem to be getting larger and larger, and I want something that doesn't half stick out of my pocket. However, I'm not paying $700 for a mini lol

I could see it. Remember, high-end but small phones are still few and far between. If you want Apple to keep making these, it's worth the investment! It's either this or that rumored Sony Xperia Compact that likely won't be any cheaper.

 

[CHANG3D]

You can wait for the flip or rollable phones to become affordable

 

[illli]

Under $600 on Swappa now as the Mini is apparently not selling well.

$600 still too much for me, maybe once it gets down to $500, but even then it still would be difficult to justify because it's JUST a phone hah. I guess being accustomed to the nexus/pixel devices, the price/performance so to speak has been ingrained into me. I'm in no hurry to upgrade, so maybe in a couple years it'll replace the iphone se in price tier

 

[Zorachus]

Went back to this dark minimal theme;

 

[Zorachus]

Had to go back to stock icons, it's still not the best solution doing custom themes on stock iOS. System apps still show the Shortcuts pop up for a split second, and there's no notification badges on custom icons. So back to stock;

 

[Zorachus]

Curious how many people actually use the light theme and not the dark theme?

I try the light theme and can’t even last five minutes before my retinas are burned through my skull. The dark theme it’s just so much easier on the eyes and more comfortable.

Unless in the summertime and bright daylight is the white theme better outdoors?

 

[wra18th]

Dark theme as soon as I turn it on for the first time. iOS or Android, no matter.

 

[Zorachus]

Went totally Apple and light theme for a change of pace. And shockingly I like it, right now.

 

[Felixkoch2312]

Besides the stupid notch I will say this screen is amazing. black dark apps look so good on this phone. The black AMOLED display is great. And bright colors too.

And in Twitter and Reddit with the black background it hides the notch completely and the app takes up full screen and looks really cool.

Don't know why but your message me laugh

 

[Zorachus]

Don't know why but your message me laugh

Wasn’t trying to be funny there.

 

[Supersnake]

Don't know why but your message me laugh

Perhaps you never should have posted an inappropriate comment like that in the first place especially since you yourself don't know why you laughed at his informative post.

 

[munkle]

I'm a long time pixel user, and I bought an iphone 12 and I liked it lot but ended up returning it because face id doesn't work great for me. If the rumors are true that they are going to put in an under display fingerprint reader then my biggest hang up is gone and I'll switch. I like google but they are just dropping the ball a lot lately and apple is getting better and better.

 

[Aurelius]

I will never ever buy an apple product, needless to say I've own an iPhone nor will I ever for as long as I live. ASUS ZENFONE 6.
.
My buddy game an iPad for xmas 2019, have used that thing three this in 2020-21 so far. I tried to sign in iTunes and the damn things asks for my password, forgot it, so now I have to use my Android phone to get a code, then verify on the iPad and then match my CC number and then try to change the password. You know what apple? Go have sex with yourself!!!!
I can't throw away the iPad nor sell it because the stupid thing is linked to other things......THAT's just too much information required to change a damn password.

It's cliché to use "never say never," but that's definitely true here. Your preferences and priorities will change; that and it's just not good to deal in absolutes and close your mind to opportunities. I'm an Apple-focused user, but I always have a mental list of devices I'd buy if I suddenly had to switch.

Also, is Apple really being horrible for having good security? I can understand grousing about the iPad being tied to things, but for the password issue... you really don't want someone hijacking your Apple account and going on a spending spree.

 

[ComputerBox34]

I'm thinking about doing the same thing. My USB-C port on my Pixel 3XL has been broken for over a year and it's driving me nuts I can't connect it to my car for Android Auto.

Any recent regrets from the people who made the switch here?

How is Apple Carplay? Can I use Google Maps on Carplay?

 

[kirbyrj]

I thought about picking up an iPhone 12, but I can't justify the price to myself. I had a hard time with the price of last few high end pixels also, which is why I find myself with a 4a. The closest Apple phone in price, the SE, has a significantly smaller screen and worse battery life even if it is more powerful.

I'm kind of concerned about the whole battery health metric on used iphones also.

I guess the fact that I'm even considering trying an iphone again is somewhat of an indictment against Google's BS.

 

[Mad Maxx]

The only thing keeping me from going back to an iPhone is the absence of Touch ID. I've seen videos/stories that claim it will and won't be back for the 13.

 

[Aurelius]

The only thing keeping me from going back to an iPhone is the absence of Touch ID. I've seen videos/stories that claim it will and won't be back for the 13.

I wouldn't count on it for this year's model, but there were murmurs of an updated iPhone SE with a more modern screen and power button Touch ID. Might not show until 2022, however. Me? I'll just be happy if Face ID is more flexible than is now.

 

[CHANG3D]

Problem with the face ID is the mask. It's rather annoying. I'm hoping apple accelerate their touch ID plans because masking will likely be the norm for another year due to antivaxxers.

 

[Mad Maxx]

If my anti-vaxness adds a little pressure to help accelerate Apple's plans to return to Touch ID, then I even more enthusiastically stand against the vax!!

 

[Aurelius]

Good security? You mean "proprietary". I've never had any security issues. But it's so funny to see how Apple extortion people with repairs and bogus "you need a new" or "it can't be repaired".
If I need to reset my password because I forgot? I've never had to input my CC in order to get to the 2nd (out of 4) part to change it. With Google is so much simpler and better, no need to physically have three devices in my hand.

No, I mean good security. Multi-device authentication is a smart move, especially if it avoids SMS (that approach is prone to SIM swapping). And don't confuse "I haven't had had something happen to me" with tight security. I also can't say I've had Apple ask me for credit card info like that despite being in the ecosystem for a good 20 years, so I'm not sure what prompted that check.

Edit: grammar

 

[Zorachus]

So I've been on this iPhone for 3 months now. I do like it again like I’ve said previously mostly for the hardware the battery life is and saying this is easily a two day phone the screen is very bright and also deep blacks and it’s just been a solid stable phone I’m very satisfied so far.

But one thing I still get don't the hype on is iMessage. Honestly it feels no different than any other text app I used to use an android I really don’t see what’s so great about it? I don’t hate it or anything it works just fine and that’s good but it’s not some extra special super text app I hear people bragging about.

 

[Aurelius]

So I've been on this iPhone for 3 months now. I do like it again like I’ve said previously mostly for the hardware the battery life is and saying this is easily a two day phone the screen is very bright and also deep blacks and it’s just been a solid stable phone I’m very satisfied so far.

But one thing I still get don't the hype on is iMessage. Honestly it feels no different than any other text app I used to use an android I really don’t see what’s so great about it? I don’t hate it or anything it works just fine and that’s good but it’s not some extra special super text app I hear people bragging about.

The big deal with iMessage right now is the tight integration across Apple devices. You don't need to set up chat apps or accounts the way you normally would.

In some ways, iMessage is the Beatles of chat services. It pioneered many things, but those influences are now so ubiquitous in society that we forget who first made them popular.

 

[Zorachus]

Since Android 12 has the beta out I installed it on my Pixel 4 XL last night and played around with it.

It sure felt smooth and super fast, zero performance issues whatsoever.

But the new look is something different, not a huge fan with everything being larger now, like the clock on AoD and settings stuff. But maybe they can be tweaked later.

Overall Android 12 seems like a nice update but didn't look radically different then 11 besides those few things. It was fun playing with the Pixel 4 XL again and being on stock Android.

But then went back to my iPhone 12 Pro Max and I have to say it just is such a massive difference in comparison in that the 12 Pro Max feels light years ahead of the 4 XL hardware wise.

The screen the brightness and clarity of the display and very deep blacks on the 12 Pro feels like a decade apart in technology almost.

The dark mode on the iPhone is truly inky black and looks so darn good. The dark mode on the Pixel is like a gray color.

Vibration motor and haptics are all over the iPhone compared to just a bit on the Pixel.

Ad Blockers work really well on iPhone if you actually purchase a good one. On Android they still seem so so.


Don't know if I have a point here really? LOL I guess I'm surprised I'm liking this iPhone more than expected even after playing with Android 12 all night on my fav Pixel. I love stock Android but maybe it's the hardware? The iPhone 12 Pro Max phone itself the actual build quality and screen tech and speakers and haptic vibration engine and dark mode etc...all create an amazing experience even if I'm not a huge iOS fan.


Now I am very interested to see iOS 15 beta next month.

And strong rumors of the iPhone 13 Pro having a 120hz display and smaller notch. Might be hard to pass up.

 

[Mad Maxx]

Since Android 12 has the beta out I installed it on my Pixel 4 XL last night and played around with it.

It sure felt smooth and super fast, zero performance issues whatsoever.

But the new look is something different, not a huge fan with everything being larger now, like the clock on AoD and settings stuff. But maybe they can be tweaked later.

Overall Android 12 seems like a nice update but didn't look radically different then 11 besides those few things. It was fun playing with the Pixel 4 XL again and being on stock Android.

But then went back to my iPhone 12 Pro Max and I have to say it just is such a massive difference in comparison in that the 12 Pro Max feels light years ahead of the 4 XL hardware wise.

The screen the brightness and clarity of the display and very deep blacks on the 12 Pro feels like a decade apart in technology almost.

The dark mode on the iPhone is truly inky black and looks so darn good. The dark mode on the Pixel is like a gray color.

Vibration motor and haptics are all over the iPhone compared to just a bit on the Pixel.

Ad Blockers work really well on iPhone if you actually purchase a good one. On Android they still seem so so.


Don't know if I have a point here really? LOL I guess I'm surprised I'm liking this iPhone more than expected even after playing with Android 12 all night on my fav Pixel. I love stock Android but maybe it's the hardware? The iPhone 12 Pro Max phone itself the actual build quality and screen tech and speakers and haptic vibration engine and dark mode etc...all create an amazing experience even if I'm not a huge iOS fan.


Now I am very interested to see iOS 15 beta next month.

And strong rumors of the iPhone 13 Pro having a 120hz display and smaller notch. Might be hard to pass up.

I’ve always thought an iPhone running stock Android would be the best of both worlds.

 

[ComputerBox34]

I’ve always thought an iPhone running stock Android would be the best of both worlds.

Galaxy S21 Ultra running stock android would be the ultimate android phone.

 

[Zorachus]

I’ve always thought an iPhone running stock Android would be the best of both worlds.

Yeah. I think I like this 12 Pro Max is because the hardware is AMAZING. Screen. Battery life. Haptics. Speakers. Dark mode with the inky blacks. The flat display with no stupid curved edges.

This hardware package is just the best of any smartphone I've owned.

But iOS. I like it, don't love it.

But the funny thing is. At the end of the day I used my smartphone to make phone calls, text people, surf the internet, emails, use GPS Navigation, check weather, get sports scores, etc...

And both iPhone and Android do it so similar today and very good on both platforms, there's really not as much difference as there was years ago, besides customization on Android being light years ahead. Other than that for your typical daily smartphone use both OS's do it great.