Whenever a new phone is unveiled by Samsung, Google, or Apple, I find myself pondering how many users switch between brands. Do people really move from an iPhone to a Pixel or from a Galaxy to an iPhone? While I’m sure the statistics exist, the more intriguing discussion revolves around the why behind these choices. It’s in the why that we uncover engaging conversations about the specific features that attract people to one phone—its software, camera, and overall experience—over another.

A recent thread in the Google Pixel subreddit posed this very question: “Why choose Pixel over iPhone or Samsung?” The responses didn’t completely surprise me, but several recurring themes emerged, along with a few unique perspectives.

The original poster’s follow-up caught everyone’s attention, especially their remark questioning why someone would pick a Pixel “given that it may have slower software and hardware.” While it’s true that Google’s Pixel hardware isn’t as powerful as the latest Snapdragon or Apple chip, the notion of “slower software” isn’t something I’ve encountered in a while.

Nonetheless, respondents were quite diplomatic and shared their views.

Bloatware remains a major complaint. Many users feel that Google’s software is cleaner compared to Samsung’s. The term “bloatware” came up repeatedly, mostly due to Samsung’s array of duplicate apps in the app drawer. Users generally prefer streamlined options without the redundancy.

One comment stated, “Bloatware on Samsung is excessive, so no. And no to Apple because its ecosystem is way too pricey.” Another chimed in, “iPhones feel too restrictive at the OS level, and I dislike having duplicate apps with Samsung.”

Google’s software is winning fans. Beyond the bloatware issue, many users expressed a preference for Google’s Pixel experience. Some simply stated they “prefer Pixel UI” because it’s “not overwhelming like One UI” and considered it “clean Android.” One user even remarked they didn’t quite know why they choose Google, but just felt they preferred Pixel Android over One UI.

Camera quality, updates, call screening, and AI features. It’s no surprise that many users favor Google’s camera systems, timely updates, and the call screening feature. I personally agree with these points, especially since call screening has become extremely useful given the volume of spam calls.

I was curious if anyone would mention a preference for AI capabilities on Google’s phones, and some users indeed did! Despite similarities with Samsung’s AI, many prefer the AI features on Pixel phones. Even Apple, which is still catching up in the AI department, doesn’t seem to compare favorably in this regard.

Remembering HTC’s role in Pixel. It had slipped my mind but at least one Pixel owner still believes that many former HTC employees contribute to the Pixel’s development, influencing their choice. They noted, “I chose Pixel because Google hired 2,000 HTC engineers who know how to create lasting products.” Interesting perspective.

In summary, one comment encapsulated the prevailing sentiment:

Against Samsung, Pixel arguably offers superior cameras, better AI features, and a less bloated version of Android. I’m not sure how accurate this is, but I assume that Pixel’s Android is optimized for its hardware, much like Apple’s integration of iPhones and iOS. Plus, in my view, Pixel phones are visually more appealing.

Lastly, some users may simply want an iPhone-like experience without actually using an iPhone; one user expressed:

I wanted something reminiscent of an iPhone but not an iPhone.

So, what about you? What influenced your decision to choose a Pixel over an iPhone or Galaxy?