Google Pixel announces New Phones

[macarose]

If I didn't have to manage multiple businesses, my Google Pixel 7a would have never materialized and I would be still rockin' with an LG G5 that I bought way back in 2017.

Perfect phone for someone like me who isn't into smartphones. Battery is easily replaceable. It can do the basics perfectly well. Just don't put anything personal or financial into the phone and you can keep it until Betamax makes a comeback.

But seriously, if the antenna on that phone didn't suck two month old eggs I would have kept it forever.

 

[JeffKeryk]

Privacy? That ship sailed a loooong time ago.

Google it? Microsoft Bing? AI chats?
If you aren't paying for the product, you are the product.

By the way, Grok is freakin' awesome! Have a conversation, if you dare. And she's smarter than you.

 

[GemStater]

Privacy? That ship sailed a loooong time ago.

Google it? Microsoft Bing? AI chats?
If you aren't paying for the product, you are the product.

By the way, Grok is freakin' awesome! Have a conversation, if you dare. And she's smarter than you.

Like you, most consumers of tech accept privacy is lost and don't give it a second thought. As long as they have that shiny new phone in their hands along with their "free" apps in which they didn't read the terms, they are happy.

But there are infact ways of mitigating risks and reducing exposure to metadata collection and how much of our personal information is stored on servers, Forever. And while there may be little to no risk today, nobody knows what the future holds. Is this paranoid? Or is it just cautious?

My personal philosophy in life is to take all things cautiously and with carful thought. Don't accept what I'm told at face value.

To each, their own.

Back on topic. How are those new Pixel 10s running? I'll probably get one during Black Friday sales. We'll see?

 

[JeffKeryk]

Like you, most consumers of tech accept privacy is lost and don't give it a second thought. As long as they have that shiny new phone in their hands along with their "free" apps in which they didn't read the terms, they are happy.

But there are infact ways of mitigating risks and reducing exposure to metadata collection and how much of our personal information is stored on servers, Forever. And while there may be little to no risk today, nobody knows what the future holds. Is this paranoid? Or is it just cautious?

My personal philosophy in life is to take all things cautiously and with carful thought. Don't accept what I'm told at face value.

To each, their own.

Back on topic. How are those new Pixel 10s running? I'll probably get one during Black Friday sales. We'll see?

Back in the 80's I worked for the Santa Clara, CA Fire and Rescue as IT technical support for their 911 dispatch call center. You might be surprised how much you have forgotten about yourself...

I love my Pixel phone. But that's not to say iPhones and others are not great as well. My biggest gripe is the price we pay for these toys, er ah I mean tools....

 

[Pew]

Yes. Google doesn't even try to hide this anymore. In fact they put a lable on it as their new AI feature called Magic Cue. Super creapy. Hard to believe people want this stuff and are happy to have it running on their phone... "We Are Everywhere."

Pretty much. "It's not a problem, it's a feature!"

 

[alarmguy]

I thought I would post it here too. USMobile
As of Monday, September 8

 

[Rand]

google fi will give you 300 off instantly and another 500 off over 24 months.

or 350 to 450 off instantly for current subscribers. (depends on model)

 

[dishdude]

Trade offer was $600 so I did that, otherwise I'd list on ebay.

I sure wasn't expecting this.

 

[earlyre]

I'm Nearly 2 weeks into Pixel 10 ownership, still can't get verizon to activate it.. They Claim it's IMEI's come back as an "global Phone" that requires a Physical Sim Card. It's not.
There's not a sim tray on this thing at all. ( honestly, if it had a Sim Tray, I wouldn't have had to call support at all...I would have just swapped it over from my old phone, as i have for the last 3-4 phones.)
Its a US market, unlocked, eSim only phone purchased direct from Google. ( all the US market Pixel 10's are eSim only, the Global units have a Sim Slot.)

I've Spent around 6 Hrs on the Phone with Verizon Support, 4 of those hours in 2 Separate, 2 Hour Sessions with 2 Different "Tier 2" reps, both of whom Supposedly Filed escalation Tickets, one to Verizon IT, who were supposed to call me back at set times, but never did.... what i've Figured out between Verizon Support and Google Support ( I was talking to both at the same time one day) is that with this being a new phone, Verizon has misidentified some of the IMEI's in THEIR Database. that's what the Ticket to Verizon's IT Dept was supposed to address, as IT can talk to Google directly, while the CS Reps cannot.
that Rep was supposed to call me back around 1:30pm yesterday, never did. so I tried a Support Chat last night just to try to check on the Ticket. they wouldn't Listen, just tried to activate it again, and Told me to return the phone as it's not compatible with their system.... ( I've even read of Visible Customers- which is Verizon - who bought their pixel 10 FROM VISIBLE, who are having the same issues.)

I've only Stuck with Verizon this long ( since early 2005), becasue they have really been the only one with coverage in my Area.. Circa 2016, a Freind moved out of the area and switched to T-Mobile, he had no service when he came back up here to visit, unless he was within a mile or so of the 4 Lane.... My Glucose Meter is "Smart" and Runs on the T- mobile Network, no wifi or Bluetooth "backup" option. It RARELY connects in my bedroom, but in the Kitchen it's a little batter....

ANYWAY, today, I started a Free 7 day Trial on Google FI, Still on my old Pixel 8 Pro, to give the local T- Mobile Network a Legit TestDrive... So Far so good... at work, the signal bars between the 2 networks were either roughly equivalent, or Fi was better... at home, Fi pretty much Drops out in my bedroom, but in the rest of the house, it's Comparable signal bars to what I'm showing with Verizon.... may have to make a Trip out to the GF's house "out in the Sticks" tomorrow to see what the Coverage is like there... So far i'm impressed with the expansion in my area...

now, IF, this network does indeed work for my needs, the Real question is, Stick with FI ( pretty painless so far) or Go with Mint.. they both run on T-Mobile...

oh yeah... once I DO get the 10 activated, I'll send in my 8 pro for the $500 they offered me on trade in. plus I got a $100 google Store Credit.
( preferred the Deal I got on the 8 Pro when it came out.. I forget the Trade amount ( DEF. not $500) but by getting the Pro model, I got a Free Pixel Watch 2, I think with the regular 8 it was Free Pixel Buds pro, but I already had those)

 

[dishdude]

I'm Nearly 2 weeks into Pixel 10 ownership, still can't get verizon to activate it.. They Claim it's IMEI's come back as an "global Phone" that requires a Physical Sim Card. It's not.
There's not a sim tray on this thing at all. ( honestly, if it had a Sim Tray, I wouldn't have had to call support at all...I would have just swapped it over from my old phone, as i have for the last 3-4 phones.)
Its a US market, unlocked, eSim only phone purchased direct from Google. ( all the US market Pixel 10's are eSim only, the Global units have a Sim Slot.)

I've Spent around 6 Hrs on the Phone with Verizon Support, 4 of those hours in 2 Separate, 2 Hour Sessions with 2 Different "Tier 2" reps, both of whom Supposedly Filed escalation Tickets, one to Verizon IT, who were supposed to call me back at set times, but never did.... what i've Figured out between Verizon Support and Google Support ( I was talking to both at the same time one day) is that with this being a new phone, Verizon has misidentified some of the IMEI's in THEIR Database. that's what the Ticket to Verizon's IT Dept was supposed to address, as IT can talk to Google directly, while the CS Reps cannot.
that Rep was supposed to call me back around 1:30pm yesterday, never did. so I tried a Support Chat last night just to try to check on the Ticket. they wouldn't Listen, just tried to activate it again, and Told me to return the phone as it's not compatible with their system.... ( I've even read of Visible Customers- which is Verizon - who bought their pixel 10 FROM VISIBLE, who are having the same issues.)

I've only Stuck with Verizon this long ( since early 2005), becasue they have really been the only one with coverage in my Area.. Circa 2016, a Freind moved out of the area and switched to T-Mobile, he had no service when he came back up here to visit, unless he was within a mile or so of the 4 Lane.... My Glucose Meter is "Smart" and Runs on the T- mobile Network, no wifi or Bluetooth "backup" option. It RARELY connects in my bedroom, but in the Kitchen it's a little batter....

ANYWAY, today, I started a Free 7 day Trial on Google FI, Still on my old Pixel 8 Pro, to give the local T- Mobile Network a Legit TestDrive... So Far so good... at work, the signal bars between the 2 networks were either roughly equivalent, or Fi was better... at home, Fi pretty much Drops out in my bedroom, but in the rest of the house, it's Comparable signal bars to what I'm showing with Verizon.... may have to make a Trip out to the GF's house "out in the Sticks" tomorrow to see what the Coverage is like there... So far i'm impressed with the expansion in my area...

now, IF, this network does indeed work for my needs, the Real question is, Stick with FI ( pretty painless so far) or Go with Mint.. they both run on T-Mobile...

oh yeah... once I DO get the 10 activated, I'll send in my 8 pro for the $500 they offered me on trade in. plus I got a $100 google Store Credit.
( preferred the Deal I got on the 8 Pro when it came out.. I forget the Trade amount ( DEF. not $500) but by getting the Pro model, I got a Free Pixel Watch 2, I think with the regular 8 it was Free Pixel Buds pro, but I already had those)

Weird. I logged into my T-Mobile account, plugged in the IMEI and it activated instantly.

 

[earlyre]

Back on topic. How are those new Pixel 10s running? I'll probably get one during Black Friday sales. We'll see?

Verizon is having some issues with some IMEI's being Mis-identified in THEIR Database as being "Global Phones" ( Requires a Physical Sim), while the Phone is in reality a US Model that is eSim only...
some other folks are having to RMA their's becasue of screen issues, some of which Google is sending out software patches for..

 

[earlyre]

Weird. I logged into my T-Mobile account, plugged in the IMEI and it activated instantly.

more or less exactly the experience I had setting up Fi on the 8 pro while I was at work today...

Verizon has to make it Difficult, you have to talk to someone whether that's a Support Chat, a physical Store, or calling customer service to get an eSim.

 

[dishdude]

more or less exactly the experience I had setting up Fi on the 8 pro while I was at work today...

Verizon has to make it Difficult, you have to talk to someone whether that's a Support Chat, a physical Store, or calling customer service to get an eSim.

There were a lot of sim thefts a few years ago and T-Mobile (and Fi) have sim lock options. Maybe that's turned on?

 

[earlyre]

There were a lot of sim thefts a few years ago and T-Mobile (and Fi) have sim lock options. Maybe that's turned on?

nope.. i was in my "my verizon" account a few times over the past 2 weeks, that option is Most Definitely turned off..

 

[earlyre]

went ahead and "pulled the pin" so to speak... switched to Fi, and transferred to the Pixel 10. so far, no complaints.

 

[Cropduster172]

went ahead and "pulled the pin" so to speak... switched to Fi, and transferred to the Pixel 10. so far, no complaints.

Have been with Google Fi for almost exactly 2 years now. Got the Pixel 7a with the monthly billing credits. I also have a Pixel tablet.
Way more satisfied than my many years with T-Mobile and the integration between phone and tablet is flawless.

 

[alarmguy]

....

ANYWAY, today, I started a Free 7 day Trial on Google FI, Still on my old Pixel 8 Pro, to give the local T- Mobile Network a Legit TestDrive... So Far so good... at work, the signal bars between the 2 networks were either roughly equivalent, or Fi was better... at home, Fi pretty much Drops out in my bedroom, but in the rest of the house, it's Comparable signal bars to what I'm showing with Verizon.... may have to make a Trip out to the GF's house "out in the Sticks" tomorrow to see what the Coverage is like there... So far i'm impressed with the expansion in my area...

now, IF, this network does indeed work for my needs, the Real question is, Stick with FI ( pretty painless so far) or Go with Mint.. they both run on T-Mobile...

oh yeah... once I DO get the 10 activated, I'll send in my 8 pro for the $500 they offered me on trade in. plus I got a $100 google Store Credit.
( preferred the Deal I got on the 8 Pro when it came out.. I forget the Trade amount ( DEF. not $500) but by getting the Pro model, I got a Free Pixel Watch 2, I think with the regular 8 it was Free Pixel Buds pro, but I already had those)

I read your whole post, what a horror story. I can just see myself on the phone like you have been and still no resolution.
All I can say is this. USMOBILE.com
Simple stuff if you are wondering about coverage. They offer all major 3 networks. The cool thing is, besides their insane good prices once you are set up, using your online USMOBILE portal you can switch between the 3 networks on the fly. Simply by clicking and switching.
https://www.usmobile.com/help/articles/946304

Depending on the plan, some plans include free switching as some people prefer a network where they are but other times another.
If you dont have the free plan the other plans are only $2 each time you switch.

Hopefully once you resolve everything you will post your impressions of the Pixel 10

 

[alarmguy]

Google Fi is an MVNO with T-Mobile as its primary provider

 

[Nessism1]

I recently switched from a Samsung S21 to a Google Pixel 9. Got the P9 for $250 when switching to US Mobile. I would have preferred to stay with a Samsung phone, but the deal was too good to turn down. There have been various Google phone deals popping up. I think Google is struggling to reach the top tier of phone providers, like Apple and Samsung, so they need to incentivize via cheaper prices.

Some say that Google has the most stripped down Android experience, but in my experience, I prefer the Samsung android experience a little better. Less pop-ups trying to get me to follow their lead.

Overall, I'm happy enough, and I'd recommend a Pixel to others as long as the price is good. I wouldn't select them one to one price wise, vs a current model iphone or S phone Samsung, though.

 

[earlyre]

This morning I got the final insult in my phone upgrade saga... The icing on the turd sandwich if you will ...
When I ordered the pixel 10, I did a trade in on the 8pro... They offered $500...
Got the trade in appraisal email this morning...
They're not giving me anything, and sending the phone back to me. Claiming "major LCD damage" when received.
Had to happen in shipping, when I dropped it off with UPS, it was in perfect condition, packaged in their packaging, exactly they way they said to do it... If I didn't know I'd had that phone for 2 years, I'd have sworn it was brand spanking new...