Google has made huge strides over the years in making the Pixel phones a competitive and recommendable option. And admittedly, some of the Pixel's features will make many people want to ditch their trusty Samsung phones. While Google's mid-range phones are great value, what about its flagships ?
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Pixel phones don’t hold their value for long. Take the Pixel 8 Pro, for example; it launched for $999 but is now worth just $225 at the Google Store as of this writing—that’s 77% less, even though the phone isn’t even two years old.
Compare that to the iPhone 15 Pro Max , which was on sale for $1,199 at the same time but is now $630 — just 47% off. Likewise, the $1,199 Galaxy S23 Ultra is over two years old but still a very respectable value at $580 — about 52% off.
The story is similar when you sell these phones through marketplaces; you may get more than the trade-in value, but the rates are still relatively the same and there's no advantage to the Pixel.
It's not pleasant to pay full price for a phone that always seems to be on sale at some discount and depreciates so quickly. iPhones hold their value so well because Apple doesn't really discount older products.
Unlike Samsung or Apple, Google's Pixel line isn't sold globally and is only officially available in a handful of countries — primarily the US, Canada, Australia, the UK, and a few major countries in Europe and Asia. You can check out the full list on the Google Store.
In many supported regions, Pixel devices are sold exclusively through third-party retailers rather than Google's official online store. If you live outside of these regions, buying a Pixel often means buying it from a third-party vendor, which complicates warranty claims and access to support.
Even in major markets like the United States, Google-authorized repair centers are few and far between compared to the prevalence of official Apple stores or Samsung-certified service providers.
In the US and Canada, Google promises to provide replacement parts for at least three years, but elsewhere, getting official parts can be a challenge. In contrast, Apple and Samsung have replacement parts readily available even for models that are several years old.
Battery life is a big, unsolved problem in modern phones. For some reason, companies have decided that all-day battery life is good enough for most users. But a quick look at the new silicon-carbon batteries—which are currently only available in a few Chinese flagship phones—shows that people are eagerly awaiting a battery breakthrough and their favorite brands to adopt the new technology.
While a physically larger battery helps, it's not the only factor that contributes to longer battery life. Software optimization and the efficiency of the chip used to power the phone also play a role. That's why the iPhone, even with its relatively small battery, can last so much longer.
Like most people, battery life is a top priority for those who don’t upgrade their phones often. The Pixel flagships still don’t hold a candle to the competition. Sure, their battery life isn’t terrible, but it’s not the best either. When you’re paying close to $1,000 for a phone, you expect better battery life.
The faster your battery drains due to inadequate optimization or an inefficient chip, the more often you have to plug in your phone. This means you’ll use up your limited charge cycles faster, accelerating long-term battery degradation and reducing the overall lifespan of your phone. This goes against the priority of keeping your phone as long as possible.
Pixel phones charge slowly, too. The Pixel 9 Pro may be the best Pixel phone ever, but it's limited to 27W, which is one of the lowest on a modern flagship. The XL variant can go up to 37W, but that's still frustratingly slow by today's standards.
You might think that charging slower would be better for the battery, but the problem with fast charging is that it doesn't do much damage until about 70%. After that, the internal resistance increases and the battery becomes less easy to charge. Plus, the peace of mind that fast charging brings isn't something you can easily pass up, especially if you're a frequent traveler.
Part of the reason the OnePlus 13 is so highly regarded is because it supports 100W charging, which can charge the 6,000mAh battery from 0% to 50% in just 13 minutes. That means you'll likely never have to worry about your phone running out of battery in an emergency or when traveling to a remote location where there's no power outlet available.
It’s not just efficiency that makes the Pixel’s Tensor chip inferior in terms of raw power. Competing flagship phones like the Galaxy S25 Ultra —which uses the latest Snapdragon 8 Elite chip—feel noticeably smoother and make every action feel instantaneous. There’s a reason the Galaxy S25 Ultra is still considered one of the best phones on the market.
More power isn't needed for basic tasks like calling, texting, or browsing the web. But it does help your phone run well into the future and handle more demanding tasks with ease, like shooting 4K video, editing video, playing high-end games, and multitasking. If you do a lot of these things, more power will come in handy.
The Pixel is also less capable at handling heat, so when it gets hot it starts to throttle down faster than its competitors. This isn’t a huge deal, but it’s enough to make you be careful not to push the device to its limits. It’s not that the Pixel can’t handle heavy gaming, but it just can’t do it as easily as the Samsung.
You’ll also notice that the Pixel flagships aren’t as speedy when moving large files, launching games, or loading social media feeds. That’s because Google is still using the slower UFS 3.1 storage standard at a time when virtually every other Android company has moved to UFS 4.
Unlike the iPhone — which has everything from premium cases to MagSafe wallets, battery packs, vacuum mounts, and more — the Pixel phones don't get as much third-party support. Sure, you'll find the basics, but the variety available isn't huge.
For example, you won’t find the same selection of car mounts, camera protectors, or photography accessories designed specifically for Pixel devices. This isn’t a big deal for everyone, but it’s worth considering nonetheless.
One thing you might notice about the flagship Pixel phones is that they tend to be a little more prone to software bugs than safer options like Samsung or iPhones. Not every user has experienced problems, but stories of random reboots, app crashes, unresponsive screens, and weird UI bugs pop up often enough to be worth noting, especially right after major updates.
Google Pixel owners are the first to get new Android features. But if stability is a priority, you should be aware that the Pixel experience—while improving with each generation—isn’t always perfect. Occasional glitches aren’t a big deal for a mid-range phone. But a $1,000 flagship phone should do better.
Google's Pixel flagships have a lot going for them. Clean Android software, top-notch cameras, and timely updates are all pluses, but they also have their share of downsides. Shorter battery life, poor performance, and low resale value are just a few things to consider before making a purchase.
For some, these shortcomings may be easy to overlook in favor of the Pixel's strengths. But if you're expecting a well-rounded, well-rounded phone like a Galaxy or iPhone, it's best to think twice before buying.
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