Help Is the Google Pixel phone any good if you don't use Google Services?

[domoarigato]

I'm considering purchasing a Google Pixel phone because it is supposed to have an excellent camera.

The thing is, I use as few Google services as possible. I use the Google Play Store, and that's it. No Gmail, no contacts or calendar syncing, no Sheets, no Docs, no Slides, no Drive, etc.

Does the Google Pixel phone offer a good experience if you don't use Google services except for the Play Store?

 

[codesplice]

Google services are pretty tightly ingrained into the Pixel experience - but this is Android after all, so you're generally free to swap most of those out if you wish.

I think it would still provide a perfectly fine user experience, and of course it still packs a killer camera.

 

[Hadron]

I'd say it works as well as any other Android does without using those services, probably still better than most.

 

[domoarigato]

I'd say it works as well as any other Android does without using those services, probably still better than most.

Thanks Hardron. Have you personally used the Pixel or the Pixel 2?

 

[Hadron]

I own a Pixel 2. I use the Play Store, I have Google calendar and a Gmail account but don't use the Google apps for these. I use Maps but also other map/navigation apps, I have Assistant completely disabled, I don't use Google music/movies/etc. Basically if you don't use Google's services it still works as an Android phone, and you can still use others.

It doesn't have an option for "phone only" contacts, but you can turn contact sync off before loading your contacts, and it does support sync with other types of account (if the account is set up). It will come with Google Photos, which backs up to Google Drive by default, but you can turn that off and can use other apps. That's basically the story everywhere, the stuff is there but you can just not use it, and most can be disabled if desired.

 

[domoarigato]

I own a Pixel 2...

All that info is extremely helpful to me. Thank you. I'm looking at getting an original Pixel, but the reviews on Amazon are kinda scary.

Still, I want something with a high quality camera, and the Pixel seems to have the best camera for the price.

I found the Samsung and Motorola cameras unreliable if you try to take a bunch (100+) of photos in quick succession (but not using the auto-repeat functionality). Do you find the built-in camera app that the Pixel uses to be reliable in such a situation?

BTW, which camera app does it use by default? Is it available on the Play Store?

 

[Hadron]

By default it uses Google's Camera app. I don't think it is available on the play store: people have ported it so it can be used on other (sufficiently recent) phones, so a web search should find that version. I know people use it on the Essential phone and last year's HTCs, but don't know what other devices it's compatible with (e.g. those I know it works with use the same SoC as the Pixel 2 and have recent Android software, so I don't know what the minimum requirements are).

I never take that many photos in quick succession, not even with my SLRs never mind a phone, so can't advise on that.