Best phones of 20xx

[admin]

Here are the best smartphones that we’ve tested, with the top Android phones and iPhones, and our favorites for budget shoppers.

Best phones of 20xx : Read more

 

[49rover]

I have a Pixel 8 Pro and have been satisfied with it. But recently it has self installed an AI program that monitors everything I say and makes unwanted and unnecessary comments on what it hears. For instance, if I happen to tell someone "I'm tired", my phone chimes in with a description of what tiredness is and who or what I should see or do to fix it. I cannot stop it working. All I can do is say "turn to microphone off" and that works for a while (depriving me of the use of the mic) but after a time the AI turns the mic back on. I believe we should be the ones who determine what programs or apps are on our phones. I've had some techies turn if off temporarily but it turns itself back on, Just about everyone I demonstrate this to is amazed and we've had a lot of laughs from the ridiculous suggestions it makes. The majority have suggested I should get an iphone.
If there is no way to turn this off, I would suggest that everyone consider buying from a different manufacturer.

 

[COLGeek]

I have a Pixel 8 Pro and have been satisfied with it. But recently it has self installed an AI program that monitors everything I say and makes unwanted and unnecessary comments on what it hears. For instance, if I happen to tell someone "I'm tired", my phone chimes in with a description of what tiredness is and who or what I should see or do to fix it. I cannot stop it working. All I can do is say "turn to microphone off" and that works for a while (depriving me of the use of the mic) but after a time the AI turns the mic back on. I believe we should be the ones who determine what programs or apps are on our phones. I've had some techies turn if off temporarily but it turns itself back on, Just about everyone I demonstrate this to is amazed and we've had a lot of laughs from the ridiculous suggestions it makes. The majority have suggested I should get an iphone.
If there is no way to turn this off, I would suggest that everyone consider buying from a different manufacturer.

This is not where you ask for help on a technical matter. Start a thread in this section:

Android Smartphones

forums.tomsguide.com

Have you performed a factory reset on the Pixel?

 

[49rover]

Thanks for that - I will do the factory reset as you suggest and if that doesn't work, I will re-post in the correct section. Appreciated!

 

[horrido]

Since Apple still sells the iPhone 15, I would argue that it's the best iPhone value.

As you pointed out, Apple Intelligence is nothing to crow about. In fact, it's a massive disappointment. The generative AI features are pure gimmickry, and everything else is unreliable. Even with the iPhone 15, you still have access to ChatGPT, Gemini, and other third-party AI software. Apple Intelligence is not a selling point for iPhone.

As for the other headline feature, the Camera Control button, it's also a disappointment. It's superfluous and awkward to use.

In other words, the iPhone 16 offers very little over the iPhone 15. And you can save a hundred bucks with the iPhone 15 which makes it a true bargain.