Impressions after 2 months from a long term pixel user
Hi all
Tldr
Overall better hardware than pixel, but pixel still wins for cameras and software.
Detailed version
Been a pixel user for around the last 6 years and moved to OnePlus 15 to try something different. I've had the phone for nearly 2 months now so wanted to add my impressions. I am also the guy who upgrades every 12 months so tends to be on the latest phone. (had pro XL model)
The phone was brought from the oneplus UK store for a very reasonable price £680 , 512/16 version.
Overall happy with the phone but I have had a few small issues , mainly software and dual SIM related. Still undecided where I will stay long term but no plan to change for the next few months .
Hardware
Very impressed, the phone is definitely snappier , no lagging at all and gaming wise seems better than the pixel , no issues at all.
Camera
My biggest concern coming into this. Now the cameras are not as good as the pixel , it's not as bad as some made out but there is a noticeable gap, especially inside settings. Mostly used for photos of my kids and they just aren't as good as pixels. Videos are slightly better but still not as good as pixels .
Signal
Running dual SIM with 1 physical (work) and 1 esim (personal). I have had a lot of issues with signal especially with the physical SIM, no issues before this phone and may be an EE problem but it will just randomly drop out for anywhere from 1 hour to 1 day, and then comes back fine. EE are sending a replacement so we will see.
Don't like the fact the physical has to be sim 1 so things like android auto show it as the main signal even when not being used.
Battery
Noticeable better than the pixels but not by as much as I was hoping. I always got a full day out of pixels and hoped to get 2 out of OnePlus, probably get more like 1.75ish.
Software
My biggest worry about the move as the main reason I love pixels is the software side, I have been pleasantly surprised by how smooth and functional oxygen is, however I have run into small issues which have been annoying but not the end of the world . I've had the below issues, and some of these may be setting or user error so please correct me if there is a solution.
my work decided OnePlus is not allowed on android work profile option, because the OnePlus 15 isn't android enterprise recommended. Funnily the 15r is , I did email OnePlus who didn't really answer why or if it would be included.
QR code scanning via the camera app seems hit and miss. Some QR code scan fine, some try to send it to text mode, some just don't read at all
windows passkey bluetooth issues. For whatever reason ms authenticator doesn't seem to want to sync to my work pc making passkeys unusable after scanning QR code (also have to scan within the ms app and not camera app as per point 2
why on earth when I put a folder on my home screen quick launch it opens in full screen even with 4 apps in. UI issue they need to solve to just open a little box so it's easier to one hand press
battery % seems to bug out, select the % inside the bar and it appears outside the bar at random times
not having a close all open app button, seems to sometimes close all, sometimes a few, sometimes the not locked ones . Why can't I change the few locked ones as I don't want them locked!
few random sync issues with my pixel watch. Network settings reset seemed to fix this
Updates
Another big worry as I like having updates monthly.
So far i've had 2 updates in 2 months , so can't complain here currently but more time needed to see.
Tldr
Overall better hardware than pixel, but pixel still wins for cameras and software.