edit: Otherwise I don't see any value in all these internet dependent AI features. Performance is more than enough even on older phones (4a for example). Google's camera is the main feature that piques my interest.
Dongles are a pain in the ass and keep disconnecting if you look at them the wrong way (walking, gym, &c.). If it wasn't for the camera quality I'd already have moved to something else, when the phone dies I might go back to a dedicated audio device
- first was working with Pixel 6 but no longer with Pixel 8
- the other works with Pixel 8, but sometimes cuts the output for 0.5s (I think it cuts the output after a silence, but not always); also occasionally there's terrible thrashing for a few sec depending on how the cable is rotated
Plus in any case, you always have some white audio noise at low volume levels (and when paused etc) which is annoying when I want to listen not very loud in the evening.
If someone has a good adapter to recommend, which works with 8+, I'm all ears.
Edit: just read about Apple adapter in another thread, gonna give it a try.
but I agree with the general sentiment: outside of a good camera, I can't see a real advantage of the Pixel, and the AI is less than $0 value for me -- I don't need something data mining me in realtime more than most phones already do.
Wireless charging also had an unexpected (to me) effect of freeing the USB port while charging, which is great with Qi2 mobile batteries when plugging headphones or external storage. I don't know if the 9a gets it, but display mirroring is also surprisingly useful, especially for people who don't want to network their TVs.
None of it is critical, and the audio jack is really missing, but I think we're getting decent features aside.
I'm now on a Pixel 8 and am hauling around a USB-C to 3.5mm adapter as I don't want to put up with the logistics of keeping wireless headphones charged.
It works OK(ish), but often comes loose when putting my phone in my pocket while listening to music and little annoyances like not being to turn the volume as far down as I used to be able to on the headphone jack. Definitely a downgrade in user experience.
In German there's a nice word for this: Verschlimmbesserung.
There are multiple switching power supplies in that phone that produce tons of noise already and it's all abated.