6 Samsung Galaxy Features That Keep Users From Switching to Google Pixel

Google has made great strides in making the Pixel a mainstream phone, differentiating itself with innovative design and software features. However, when considering switching to a Pixel, here are some key features on Samsung phones that make many people reconsider.

1. Modes and Routines help automate everything

Many people have used Modes and Routines so often that they find it impossible to switch to another phone that doesn’t offer at least one equivalent feature. They use it when they go to bed, when they go for a walk, when they stream video, when they work, and automate annoying phone functions that they have to turn on every time.

Here's a quick look at the routines you can set up on your phone and what they do:

• Bedtime : Start manually; reduce brightness to 5%; switch screen to grayscale; enable Extra dim, Eye comfort shield, Power saving, and DND modes.
• Going Out : Start manually; turn off Wi-Fi and Dark mode; turn on Cellular Data, Bluetooth, Location, and Dolby Atmos; play a Spotify playlist.
• Bluetooth : Start automatically; turns on Bluetooth when opening apps like YouTube, Netflix, Disney+, Spotify, Google Meet, and Zoom.
• Location : Start automatically; turn on Location when opening apps like Google Maps, Uber, Weather, and Play Store.
• Wi-Fi Strength : Start automatically; turn on Cellular Data when Wi-Fi strength drops to two bars or less.

To be fair, Pixel phones do have their own automation feature called Rules, but its functionality is so basic and limited that many people doubt whether Pixel users actually use it.

Similarly, there are also automation capabilities built into Google Assistant, but when comparing Modes and Routines with Google Assistant Routines, Google Assistant Routines cannot compete.

2. Edge Panels let you multitask like a pro

Like Modes and Routines, many people use Edge Panels almost constantly. Edge Panels are customizable app drawers that slide out from the side of the screen. Their most common use is for quicker access to favorite apps via the “Apps” panel.

You can even add pairs of apps to launch them at the same time in split-screen view; for example, you can open Google Sheets and Calculator together to do quick calculations while planning your monthly budget.

All of this might seem a bit excessive, but once you get used to it, it becomes second nature and helps you get things done on your phone much faster. Pixel phones don’t have this feature, so you have no choice but to exit the current app to perform another action.

3. Create a custom sound profile that suits your ears

If you have a little hearing loss in one ear, listening to music and watching movies becomes less enjoyable. On non-Samsung phones, you have to go into accessibility settings and adjust the sound balance to your liking.

Samsung phones have a feature called Adapt Sound, which creates a personalized sound profile by taking a short hearing test. The phone will calibrate itself based on the test results, changing the sound balance and boosting certain frequencies to suit your ears.

4. Samsung Good Lock is a powerful customization tool

Customization is a big deal for many people, and Samsung's implementation on Galaxy devices is simply unparalleled, thanks to Good Lock. This is a customization app that contains downloadable modules that let you modify different parts of the user interface and provide additional utility.

If you're curious, you can learn how to use Good Lock on your Samsung phone and download the app from the Galaxy Store.

5. Fingerprint scanner works even when the screen is off

You can set your phone to always have the fingerprint scanner on, even when the screen is off. This way, you don't have to first press the power button to get to the lock screen and then tap the scanner to unlock your phone and see the home screen; you can unlock your phone directly and bypass the lock screen.

This may seem trivial, but think about how many times you lock and unlock your phone in a day. The few seconds saved each time you unlock it are well worth it.

6. Open any app in Pop-Up or Split Screen mode

Many popular apps aren’t designed for any orientation other than full screen. This isn’t usually a big deal, but it can get in the way of multitasking. However, Samsung phones can force any app to open in split-screen or pop-up mode. You can even access pop-up view while the app is open in split-screen mode.

On Pixel, this feature is called floating windows, and you have to enable it through Android developer options. According to Pixel users complaining on forums and subreddits, the implementation of this feature is simply not good enough to be trusted.