More Camera Modes
Google loves to boast about the camera prowess of the Pixel series. Indeed, Pixel phones do have some of the best cameras you can find in a smartphone. However, the camera software on Pixel phones is a bit lacking.
The Google Camera app on Pixel phones doesn’t have many extra features. On the other hand, Samsung Galaxy devices have “Pro” modes that give you granular control over focus, ISO, exposure, and other things. They also have nifty modes like “Portrait Video.”
Compare that to the Google Camera which has the basic set of modes, including panorama, slow motion, time-lapse, and Night Sight. Samsung doesn’t shove all the extra features in your face. The overall experience is simple, but there are more options if you’re interested.
Secure Folder
Secure Folder is a Samsung feature that doesn’t get enough attention. People assume it’s just for people who need super hardcore security, but it’s far more useful than that.
With Secure Folder, you can essentially have a completely separate second phone on your Galaxy device. Apps in the Secure Folder are independent of the apps in the main area of your phone. Photos, videos, and files are separate as well. There’s even a separate version of the Play Store in the Secure Folder.
Pixel phones can use the “Locked Folder” in Google Photos or the “Safe Folder” in the Files app, but that’s it. If you want multiple instances of the same app on a Pixel phone, you need to use third-party methods.
Samsung DeX
Samsung “DeX” is a weird name that comes from “desktop experience.” It transforms the interface of a Samsung phone or tablet into something that looks closer to a Windows PC or Mac desktop. This happens when you connect the phone to a larger display.
Google Pixel phones simply have no equivalent to this. Android has had a barebones desktop mode built-in for a few years, but Pixel phones have never supported HDMI-out to use it. That’s a bummer.
Google already has added phone integration to Chrome OS. Taking it a step further for something more than just notification syncing would be very cool. Imagine if your Chromebook could also display your phone’s screen in a desktop UI?
