I always switch back to Pixel after every other phone I try: here's why

As part of my job, I switch phones quite frequently. I usually carry two phones — one iPhone and one Android phone — in my pockets. The iPhone gets upgraded every two or three years. Meanwhile, my Android phone changes more frequently, depending on the latest model I'm testing.

However, once the testing period ends, I always return to a Pixel. In fact, there have been instances when I sold Android phones within a few months of buying them, just because I missed the Pixel experience. Most recently, I exchanged my OnePlus 13 for a Pixel 10 Pro. There are a few reasons why I can't go back to a non-Pixel Android phone.

A unique design language that stands out

Weird in the best way

Design is one of the most crucial aspects of a Pixel phone that draws me in. I've found Google's approach to design quite fascinating right from the first Pixel, though my love for it deepened starting with the Pixel 6 series.

At a time when most Android phones featured a similar-looking camera module on the back, Google introduced the iconic camera bar (or visor) that stretched horizontally across the back of the phone. This made the phone stand out from other phones on the market that had camera sensors housed in a square or rectangular block along one of the edges. I also admire how Google kept the visor a staple on the subsequent models—except the Pixel 9a—and improved it into its present version, as seen on the Pixel 9 and 10 series.

Another aspect of the Pixel design I really like is the boxy frame (with rounded corners). Having used several Android phones over the years, I find the Pixel's chassis more comfortable to hold and use, especially during one-handed usage.

Cleaner software experience and timely updates

Pure Android bliss

Choosing an Android skin boils down to personal preference. Of all the skins I've used so far, I like Samsung's One UI and Google's Pixel UI the most. But if I had to pick one, it'd be Pixel UI, primarily because it offers the cleanest experience. The UI looks neat, has uncluttered menus to aid navigation, and comes with fewer pre-installed apps. Not to mention, there are no unnecessary apps, unlike phones from many other manufacturers.

I find not having too many pre-installed quite a relief. This is because, with many other skins, such as One UI, for instance, you get native apps for browser, messaging, and gallery. As someone who prefers alternatives to these apps, this means I need to disable them to declutter the app drawer.

I also enjoy timely and long-term software updates on Pixel phones. Sure, other brands are increasingly offering longer software support for their phones, but they don't roll out updates on time. In addition, those using older models may need to wait months before the latest update hits their phone. This isn't an issue with Pixel phones, as even the older models get updates within a very short timeframe.

Consistent UI throughout the system

Everything just matches

Aside from a cleaner experience, Pixel UI also maintains a uniform design throughout the system. So, no matter which setting or menu I visit, everything—from background to font—remains the same. In contrast, OxygenOS exhibits inconsistencies at many places by switching to a different background, font, or color scheme within the same app or system area, which makes the UI feel less uniform. One UI, on the other hand, does a better job of ensuring everything feels cohesive.

I also like Pixel UI’s dynamic, wallpaper-based theming. It creates a unified color palette inspired by the current wallpaper for the entire system—from the lock screen and other UI elements to app interfaces—making things look coordinated and pleasing to the eye.

Excellent and versatile cameras

Always nails the shot

Smartphone cameras have evolved significantly over the years, with brands like Xiaomi and Vivo competing for the top spot against the likes of Apple, Samsung, and Google, especially outside the US. In India, for instance, phones from these brands are among the top choices for those seeking good cameras.

However, I still prefer the Pixel in this department, as I refuse to give up other good things just for slightly better cameras. Pixel phones stand out for their ability to capture exceptional photos. Google's computational photography ensures the photos come out with excellent dynamic range, accurate colors, less noise, and sharp detail.

Then, there are plenty of nifty features. Night Shift and Astrophotography, for instance, help capture better photos in low-light conditions. Portrait mode is another useful feature, ensuring natural skin tones and sharp focus on the subject, with a smooth, natural-looking blur. I also like the all-new Pro Res Zoom on the Pixel 10 Pro series. It lets me capture up to 100x zoomed-in shots with a good amount of detail and very little noise, except in low-light conditions.

That said, videography isn't Pixel's strong suit yet, especially in challenging lighting conditions. Most notably, stabilization and exposure often take a hit when the light isn't ideal. As such, I turn to my trusted iPhone when I need to record videos.

Pixel-exclusive features that make everyday activities effortless

Smart in subtle ways

I also like Pixel phones for their exclusive features. While Google bundles many such features in Pixel UI, I have a few favorites that I truly miss when using other phones. To begin with, there's Quick Tap, a convenient feature that allows you to double-tap the back of the phone to trigger your most frequently performed action. I mostly use Quick Tap to take screenshots or quickly launch an AI assistant app, like Perplexity AI, from anywhere.

Google's Use as Webcam is another useful feature on Pixel phones. As the name implies, this feature lets you use your Pixel phone as a webcam for your computer. Although my MacBook’s webcam is decent for regular calls, for times when I need good quality, this feature comes in quite handy.

Next, there's Add Me. Introduced with the Pixel 9 series, Add Me lets you add yourself to group photos, even if you're the one taking the picture. It requires you to take two photos of the same scene: one clicked by you as the group photo, and the other with you stepping into the frame, taken by someone else in the group. Then, with the help of AI, it merges the two photos to create a single photo, with everyone included.

Another nifty Pixel-exclusive feature is Now Playing, which simplifies identifying songs. While Shazam is great and works really well, it requires manual activation to identify a song. Not only does this involve multiple taps, but it also increases the likelihood of you missing the opportunity to identify a song. Meanwhile, Now Playing runs in the background. It identifies songs in real-time and shows them on my lock screen.

With the Pixel 10 series, Google has introduced another exclusive feature, Pixelsnap. Pixelshap is essentially a proprietary charging solution that uses the Qi2 magnetic standard, taking advantage of the built-in magnets to perfectly align and secure the charger to the back of the phone. It supports up to 25W charging on the Pixel 10 Pro XL and up to 15W on other models. Having used

Besides charging, Pixelsnap also allows you to snap on various magnetic accessories onto the phone. For instance, you can attach the Pixelsnap Ring Stand for hands-free viewing. Magnetic wallets, car mounts, and wireless car chargers are some other accessories you can snap onto your Pixel, thanks to Pixelsnap.

Having used MagSafe on iPhones, I'm excited about Pixelsnap. While MagSafe has the upper hand with wider accessory support, Pixelsnap looks promising and is a significant step for magnetic charging and accessory support on the Android side of things.

Pixel phones aren’t perfect either

While I enjoy using Pixel phones, they do have their shortcomings and quirks. Battery life is one area where these phones are known to struggle a bit; things have slightly improved on the Pixel 10 Pro. Then, there's erratic touch behavior, where the screen becomes unresponsive temporarily.

Similarly, the inability to disable the At a Glance widget and reposition the Google Search widget on the home screen are some other complaints I have with Pixel phones. I hope Google addresses these issues to make its phones more enjoyable to use.