Android General Discussion (all versions)

[3valatzy]

Android 14 is the worst Android version in history? Agree or is there another one even worse?

So. There are two devices:
1. Running Android 12 on a 3550 mAh battery with Qualcomm SM8150 Snapdragon 855 (7 nm)
2. Running Android 14 on a 5000 mAh battery with Qualcomm SM8550-AB Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 (4 nm)

The 1st can endure about 3 weeks of very light use / only phone calls / SMS.
The 2nd can endure about 1 week of same usage.

Is this normal?

General Android discussions are welcome here.

 

[3valatzy]

Comparison between:
1. Harmony OS (Huawei)
2. Android (Xiaomi)
3. iOS (Apple)

HarmonyOS​

Pros:

• Seamless Ecosystem: HarmonyOS is designed to integrate seamlessly with various devices, from smartphones to smart home appliances.
• Strong Performance: It offers smooth performance and efficient resource management.
• Privacy-Focused: HarmonyOS emphasizes user privacy and data security.
• Open-Source: Its open-source nature promotes innovation and community development.

Cons:

• Limited App Ecosystem: Currently, the app ecosystem for HarmonyOS is smaller compared to Android and iOS.
• Newer Operating System: As a relatively new OS, it may lack some of the mature features and stability of its competitors.

Android​

Pros:

• Vast App Ecosystem: Android offers a vast array of apps and games, catering to diverse user needs.
• Customization: Users can highly customize their Android devices to their preferences.
• Open-Source: Its open-source nature allows for flexibility and innovation.
• Wide Device Compatibility: Android is available on a wide range of devices, from budget-friendly phones to high-end flagships.

Cons:

• Fragmentation: Due to the diverse range of devices, Android can suffer from fragmentation issues, leading to inconsistent experiences.
• Security Concerns: Android devices can be more susceptible to malware and security threats compared to iOS.
• Bloatware: Many Android devices come pre-installed with unnecessary apps and bloatware.

iOS​

Pros:

• Seamless User Experience: iOS offers a smooth and intuitive user experience.
• Strong Security: Apple prioritizes security and privacy, making iOS one of the most secure mobile operating systems.
• Regular Updates: Apple provides timely software updates, ensuring devices stay up-to-date with the latest features and security patches.
• High-Quality App Store: The App Store offers a curated selection of high-quality apps.

Cons:

• Limited Customization: iOS offers less customization options compared to Android.
• Higher Cost: Apple devices tend to be more expensive than Android alternatives.
• Closed Ecosystem: iOS is a closed ecosystem, limiting user freedom and flexibility.

A Comparative Analysis: HarmonyOS vs. Android vs. iOS

HarmonyOS Pros: Seamless Ecosystem: HarmonyOS is designed to integrate seamlessly with various devices, from smartphones to smart home appliances. Strong Performance: It offers smooth performance and efficient resource management.

www.linkedin.com

 

[TechBuyingHavoc]

Android 14 is the worst Android version in history? Agree or is there another one even worse?

So. There are two devices:
1. Running Android 12 on a 3550 mAh battery with Qualcomm SM8150 Snapdragon 855 (7 nm)
2. Running Android 14 on a 5000 mAh battery with Qualcomm SM8550-AB Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 (4 nm)

The 1st can endure about 3 weeks of very light use / only phone calls / SMS.
The 2nd can endure about 1 week of same usage.

Is this normal?

General Android discussions are welcome here.

You know that even small hardware changes can completely change your power usage profile, right? You have to test on the same hardware otherwise there is no way to tell if the software version is the cause of lower battery life.

My Pixel 6 came with Android 12, and I have not noticed a significant battery life change with Android 13 or 14. Recently I upgraded to Android 15 and I have not noticed a battery life change either.

The worst Android ever? That was probably all the way back in pre-Android 4.0 days when Google tried to optimize the OS for the 4.0 release version. Some versions are not as big of a upgrade as others but it hasn't gone backwards in my opinion to date.

 

[3valatzy]

You know that even small hardware changes can completely change your power usage profile, right? You have to test on the same hardware otherwise there is no way to tell if the software version is the cause of lower battery life.

A 4nm chip Qualcomm SM8550-AB Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 must be more energy-efficient than a 7nm chip Qualcomm SM8150 Snapdragon 855. Its peak power consumption could be higher, but it must have more modern power saving and idle states.

My Pixel 6 came with Android 12, and I have not noticed a significant battery life change with Android 13 or 14.

What battery life change have you noticed? Not significant but how much? 5% lower, 20% lower? 10% higher?

Recently I upgraded to Android 15 and I have not noticed a battery life change either.

My guess is that my new device is plagued with bloatware which sucks the life out of my battery.

 

[TechBuyingHavoc]

A 4nm chip Qualcomm SM8550-AB Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 must be more energy-efficient than a 7nm chip Qualcomm SM8150 Snapdragon 855. Its peak power consumption could be higher, but it must have more modern power saving and idle states.



What battery life change have you noticed? Not significant but how much? 5% lower, 20% lower? 10% higher?



My guess is that my new device is plagued with bloatware which sucks the life out of my battery.

It is not as simple as a new chip vs old chip. The screen could be worse, there could be other chips on the phone/device that are sucking up power, a bad modem could cause the phone to try to find the cell network more often or less efficiently, etc, etc. Bloat ware is definitely a possibility. Even the manufacturer could have enabled or disabled different modes on the chip and firmware for power or performance reasons and these companies don't always get it right.

It's why people still need to read phone reviews and not just rely on the list of specs.

Regarding my Pixel, the difference is probably below 10% as I don't notice it usually. The battery life is less than it was brand-new but ALL batteries show degradation behavior over time used and I have been bad about discharging the battery completely several times which is not ideal battery charging parameters. The amount of apps has also steadily grown over time and my storage is now completely full. So the phone is probably spending more time moving data around on NAND or not storing new data ideally in blank space NAND, and there are more apps phoning home and waking the phone up for updates or to push data in and out.

In my case, the OS version has had no practical effect and I attribute all of the change to the battery physically aging and being used/abused by me as well as having more software being used. In sleep mode (screen is off, phone is not touched and not charging), the battery life seems identical to how it was in launch.

 

[3valatzy]

It is not as simple as a new chip vs old chip. The screen could be worse, there could be other chips on the phone/device that are sucking up power, a bad modem could cause the phone to try to find the cell network more often or less efficiently, etc, etc. Bloat ware is definitely a possibility. Even the manufacturer could have enabled or disabled different modes on the chip and firmware for power or performance reasons and these companies don't always get it right.

It's why people still need to read phone reviews and not just rely on the list of specs.

The reviews are excellent. The device outperforms most of its direct competitors.
The thing is that it drains the battery in all use cases:
1. Idle
2. When the screen is on. Despite it being 120 Hz.
3. When using some of the apps - browsing, installing updates...

I suspect the OS is to blame because when I tap the settings icon, it doesn't respond immediately, but takes half a second or so to load its contents. There is something wrong.
I don't feel the responsiveness of the "quad-channel" LPDDR5X-4266...