In the past, I didn’t quite understand the hype surrounding stock Android. Many tech enthusiasts praised the Nexus and “pure Android” experience in the mid-2010s, but I wasn’t convinced. While it was fast and free of bloatware, which couldn’t be said for many Android skins at the time, I still found it lacking and overrated compared to software overlays from other brands like LG, Samsung, HUAWEI, and Xiaomi. Fast updates weren’t even guaranteed for stock Android phones back then, despite being advertised as a benefit for Android One phones. However, things have changed recently. Stock Android has finally won me over in the last few years, and here’s why.
I have realized that stock Android has quietly improved significantly over time. The last time I used a stock Android phone was with HMD’s Nokia phones in 2017 or 2018, and it was a basic experience compared to other brands. But stock Android has since added many missing features, such as scrolling screenshots, screen recording, file lock functionality, a system-wide dark mode, Wi-Fi sharing, and a desktop mode. It now offers a range of useful additions like camera/mic indicators, a one-handed mode, easily accessible notification history, and notification permission. These improvements have made stock Android feel robust and feature-rich, removing the need for compromises in features when considering a stock Android phone.
While stock Android has come a long way, there are still features from third-party Android skins that I would like to see integrated into stock Android, such as per-app volume controls and an official desktop mode. Brands like Samsung are ahead of Google in certain areas like foldable-specific multi-tasking and dual-screen functionality. Additionally, integrating more Pixel features like the Now Playing lock screen ticker and the ability to copy content from the Recents menu would further enhance the stock Android experience. As someone who previously avoided stock Android for personal use, I can now say that I would be open to using a phone with this software in 2024.