I’m trying out the S23 Ultra and this may be the one that finally moves me away from Apple (family will just have to adjust!). This is the first Samsung phone that I’ve owned that doesn’t feel like it is compromising on anything. Super fast, smooth scrolling, and great battery life (finally!). The ZFold4 is great tech, but it is too bulky for my use and the battery life, while improved over the ZFold 3, is nowhere near iPhone class.
Probably going to be a week or so tweaking this thing. This is also the first unlocked Samsung phone I’ve owned. The only real issue is that voicemail is not as integrated as the AT&T versions, but knowing the Google Voice trick makes it a trivial problem to solve. I could use the built in visual voicemail app as well. I pretty easily transferred the eSim from my iPhone over, so no issues there.
MichaelD
4057
Interesting. I used both side by side for a little while (S23U & Fold4). The Ultra is a great flagship phone, but it didn’t really bring anything new to the table for me. The Fold4, on the other hand, fundamentally changed how I use my phone. It’s been an eye-opener. I felt like, had I kept the Ultra, I might as well have kept the 14 Pro Max instead.
But Apple has no answer for the Fold4. Or the Flip4 either, as @fire is about to find out (it’s currently charging before running the iPhone transfer tool) :-)
As for the niggles, I don’t mind it needing a little extra charging, and the size (much narrower than the Ultra & iPhone Max but thicker too of course) seems fine given the payoff once you open it. Try the strap case for the Fold! So easy to hold and use.
JonRowe
4058
I am intrigued at possibly switching to an Iphone when they go USB-C, as I have an abundance of USB-C accessories, and my Galaxy S10 is feeling old.
But, I read that Apple might lock down features to “apple approved” USB-C cables, so who knows if that will be an option.
Everything I have read about the S23 makes me interested in that being my next android device, if I stay with team droid. The pixel 7 is cheap now though, and I like the idea of the google hardware getting the best updates/support.
I found myself using the outside screen a lot more than the larger fold screen, probably because I was scared about battery life. It was also just too bulky (I have the grip case) in my pockets. But I do understand the ZFold attraction.
I am amused and horrified and not surprised by the state of computer engineering
If only they did. They get them fast when they get them, but major OS updates are only promised for 3 years after release (security updates will continue for 5).
Dude. Buy another USB-C cable. Put a Qi charger on your desk. Whatever it takes to not be the guy who drives the 85 Impala because the CTS-V (wagon!) uses too much gas.
Hehe, you do make a compelling case. I do have a couple of the Qi chargers and the three slot one sits on my desk. I’m more worried about not having these things available on the road, although I do have a portable battery pack (free add-on when I purchased the ZFold).
Canuck
4064
Is it not too late to start a poll about when you’ll be back on an iPhone? I give it 4 days max. :)
I’ve been in a sharing relationship with android and iPhone for quite a while now, so I haven’t really been 100% iPhone since the last Galaxy Note. iPhone 13’s battery life was just so much better that I used it more, but S23 Ultra closes the gap so far. iPhone 14 is the epitome of a boring phone. Works fine if that is what you are looking for, hehe.
mono
4066
Conversely, I returned a Fold 4 I got through work, in favor of the Pixel 7 Pro. The Flip 4 is neat-o, but I prefer a slim non-fold as I go about my day. When I’m home, anytime I’d open it up, it was awkwardly sized, and I found myself putting it down and just grabbing the iPad instead.
The Pixel 7 fixes all the broken stuff the Pixel 6 limped along with, and the combination of simplicity, camera, and quality of life features on a Pixel can’t be found anywhere else.
I purchased a Pixel phone (can’t remember which version) and had all sorts of quality control issues. Thing died after I gave it to a relative to use. The 7 Pro seems to be going in the right direction, but I am scared of Google phones for now.
mono
4068
I"ve owned every one. Certainly there have been some underwhelming Pixels (and previously Nexus phones) but the 7 Pro has been great since launch day. I dabble w/ Samsung’s every year, but it always annoys me w/ it’s Samsung-ness.
What’s y’alls current favorite Android:
- Keyboard?
- Browser?
- Mail client?
- Password utility?
Which phone provides support, including updates the old phone is capable of running with ok speed, for more than 5 years? Genuine question.
It’s the 3 years that falls short. For two examples, both Samsung and Apple offer major OS updates for longer than Google. It’s been a common thread in Pixel reviews.
mono
4072
OTOH, unlike iOS they don’t tie core app updates to the underlying OS.
Also, I don’t think @MichaelD waits three years between phones. Maybe 6 months? :)
Gboard. I have Firefox but tend to use Chrome. Gmail for Google email, and several years ago I bought an app called Nine for 365/Exchange email which I still dig. I’m currently on 1Password.
Gboard for keyboard. I have Firefox/Chrome/Edge all installed because I use different browsers for different purposes, so no clear favorite browser. For the mail client I use gmail for anything personal and Outlook for android because that’s what work dictates. My only password utility is the browser stored passwords.
Yep, the defaults (Gboard, Chrome, Gmail) are all pretty good. I use Bitwarden on Android which has iOS and PC clients as well.
