Funny thing is that my first smartphone was an iPhone but after replacing it 3 times because of dead pixels, I switched to a Samsung Galaxy S3 or 4, can't remember. You're right that the Pixels are lacking in build quality but I think your experience is a bit unlucky like my own experience with iPhones.
I'm a bit behind on the times, but it seems to me that for build quality Samsung is still the best. They've always been ahead with stuff like Super AMOLED, thin bevels (even curved edges), microSD slot, etc. But software matters more to me these days which is why I like the Pixel 3a. It was dirt cheap and has decent microG support. In my own very personal, biased, subjective experience, iPhones have had mediocre build quality and the worst software.
I'm a bit behind on the times, but it seems to me that for build quality Samsung is still the best. They've always been ahead with stuff like Super AMOLED, thin bevels (even curved edges), microSD slot, etc. But software matters more to me these days which is why I like the Pixel 3a. It was dirt cheap and has decent microG support. In my own very personal, biased, subjective experience, iPhones have had mediocre build quality and the worst software.