I have the Note 2 (international N7100) and the AT&T Note 3...
I can say that if you don't have an upgrade available it definitely IS NOT worth paying full retail price for the phone to go from a Note 2 to a Note 3.
I signed a new 2 year agreement to get it for $288.88 and I can turn around and sell my Note 2 for $350-400, easily making my money back...
The pros with the Note 3 are that the screen is absolutely beautiful! Besides the S4 this is the most amazing screen I have ever seen with my own eyes. Next, comes the software. There's a lot of new small changes that make things easier to use, however most of these things will be coming to a Note 2 via an update. If you're into aesthetics then this device looks more "premium" over a Note 2 and I almost don't want to cover it with a case.
As far as performance goes, you can notice it slightly. Apps open slighty faster, but it is nothing drastic. TouchWiz eats up over 1 gig of ram leaving a little more than 1 gig free for user apps. On my note 2 with my custom rom I would use about 600mb of ram leaving a little more than 1 gig free also. Not really any improvements here.
Some buggy things I've noticed so far are that my text vibration is very weak compared to others such as gmail. Also every app gives me a vibration alert even if I turned it off. Probably just app issues with 4.3.
There's a lot of bloat on here even for a carrier phone. Most of it is from Samsung it seems and can not be disabled or removed.
Besides the few "pros" I see with the Note 3, I would not recommend anyone to purchase it over a Note 2 unless you have an upgrade you can use. Especially an AT&T one with a locked bootloader, which forces you to keep all these useless apps running on your phone. However if you are coming from another device such as the S3, or any earlier phones it is a huge upgrade. I don't know if I would go from an S4 to the Note 3 though unless you just wanted a bigger screen and more battery life. They're basically the same phone just without the S-Pen.
I went from the S4 to the note 3. I think 4.3 is just the big difference to me.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N900A using Tapatalk 4
I have all 4 devices you mentioned, and the note 3 is starting to grow on me a little bit. I still prefer my note 2 as far as aesthetics go, but if root it is not achieved soon, I will return this thing
Raiderman said:
I have all 4 devices you mentioned, and the note 3 is starting to grow on me a little bit. I still prefer my note 2 as far as aesthetics go, but if root it is not achieved soon, I will return this thing
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can already root the note 3.
GamingSV said:
You can already root the note 3.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Note the AT&T version. The bootloader is locked just like on the S4
Ahhh, missed that and the forum im in.
mazdamiata210 said:
I signed a new 2 year agreement to get it for $288.88 and I can turn around and sell my Note 2 for $350-400, easily making my money back...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just wondering how you got it for that price?
ukic said:
Just wondering how you got it for that price?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Had an upgrade and Sam's Club and Walmart are selling it for that price.
Interesting.
I also upgraded from the n7100 (Note 1 before that) which I've had since it's release, but I feel the Note 3 to be a pretty decent improvement all the way around, enough to be worth the expense. That's just me though. My only complaint is the amount of bloat (a fair amount of which can be disabled thankfully), but knock on wood we'll have root at some point...though to be honest, I'd still like it even if that fails to appear.
Came from an S4 also which was my first Android phone. That thing ran warm and battery drained quickly but not in a problematic way.
Really like the Note 3 just wish there wasn't a tiny gap between bezel and glass around the top near the earpiece. I'm nit picking now. ...
Sent from my SM-N900T using Tapatalk 4
Limeybastard said:
Came from an S4 also which was my first Android phone. That thing ran warm and battery drained quickly but not in a problematic way.
Really like the Note 3 just wish there wasn't a tiny gap between bezel and glass around the top near the earpiece. I'm nit picking now. ...
Sent from my SM-N900T using Tapatalk 4
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No gap here. You might want to swap it out.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N900A using xda app-developers app
He said tiny and definitely meant tiny. It's truly tiny and I hope dust doesn't find its way in.
mazdamiata210 said:
No gap here. You might want to swap it out.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N900A using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Gap is so tiny not worth swapping out. Only reason I say it was because I was putting a screen protector on and being an old fart I needed a powerful table lamp and magnifying glasses.
Sent from my SM-N900T using Tapatalk 4
Limeybastard said:
Gap is so tiny not worth swapping out. Only reason I say it was because I was putting a screen protector on and being an old fart I needed a powerful table lamp and magnifying glasses.
Sent from my SM-N900T using Tapatalk 4
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Your phone is not unique. Every N3 has the gap.
farrenicus said:
Your phone is not unique. Every N3 has the gap.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
My Note 2 had a gap that you could push on the bezel and feel it moving, on my Note 3 I certainly don't see or feel that.
farrenicus said:
Your phone is not unique. Every N3 has the gap.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I was hoping to call it character
Sent from my SM-N900T using Tapatalk 4
I'm coming from an S4 to the Note 3 and I can definitely notice the differences other than the screen.
The N3 has 3GB ram whereas the S4 has 2GB. I've had 16 applications open (Gmail, E-mail, Chrome with 3 windows, a few games, etc) on the N3 and was able to switch between them with no lag whatsoever. The N3 dwarfs the S4 side-by-side yet only weighs about an ounce more (each with a case). The S-Pen is a lot more useful than I thought, I've used it to jot down notes, writing to text, written mms, captions, and just seems to make navigation on desktop-size webpages much easier. The S-Pen also works in most of the games I've play, which allows for more precise movements/selections.
The battery life on the S4 was good, and I averaged around 4 hours of screen time. My N3 is at 7% right now with 7 hours and 17 minutes of screen time (auto brightness on both). I don't find one-handed operation difficult, even without using the special features to resize windows. I have a lot of cases for my S4, and as soon as I can verify AT&T gave me the proper unlock code, hope to get over $400 for it. I've enjoyed the Galaxy series of phones, but I have to admit the N3 is the most enjoyable phone I've had since I first discovered Android years ago.
I tend to switch phones within a year, and I have the luxury of having 2 lines in which I swap upgrades, but the N3 is the first phone that I can see myself keeping longer than a year. The Note series is definitely love at first sight.
Note 8.0
I have Note 3, I like its all features. Now I just seen review about Galaxy note 8.0 in LuLu Good Life website,it is so awesome.
mazdamiata210 said:
My Note 2 had a gap that you could push on the bezel and feel it moving, on my Note 3 I certainly don't see or feel that.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's certainly extraordinarily minor in comparison. I can't feel it with my nail but can see it at an angle. It may actually be a bit of transparent epoxy just the length of the receiver speaker (the rest being black).
I think manufacturers.call them within tolerance levels.
Sent from my SM-N900T using Tapatalk 4
Related
This SGIII is likely a mid spring release.
I'll likely be snatching this up anyway....using concurrently til Note2 breaks sigh....cause, well, the Note IS my lifetime thing now!
http://www.phonesreview.co.uk/2012/01/24/forget-sgs2-nexus-samsung-galaxy-s3-is-exciting/
Only real advantage I see so far is the quad core, anything anyone else able to find any other real advantages?
Damn, I haven't even had the note for a month yet. And I consider myself an early adopter.
If I can wait a couple of months, or until next year, maybe I can buy the note 3.
DPMAce said:
Damn, I haven't even had the note for a month yet. And I consider myself an early adopter.
If I can wait a couple of months, or until next year, maybe I can buy the note 3.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So true! Seems we can't keep up since they launch internationally! Can't wait to see what comes out at MWC...
SGS III...Well looks like I won;t be getting a Note now....waiting is a good thing sometimes..although Notes should be going cheap by August,
tbong777 said:
SGS III...Well looks like I won;t be getting a Note now....waiting is a good thing sometimes..although Notes should be going cheap by August,
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I am sure the GNote will become and remain the Samsung flagship product with respect to specs. Surely the GNote II will out spec the SGSIII...
planoman said:
I am sure the GNote will become and remain the Samsung flagship product with respect to specs. Surely the GNote II will out spec the SGSIII...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Samsung has no right to announce Note 2 until I say so. Maybe in 2 years time after my contract ended
Sent from my GT-N7000 using XDA App
That's alright. I'm salty now. But my note will hold me over until the note 5 comes out. Then I'll be bragging about that one like crazy.
The best part about the release of a Note2 is Note Ones will be selling cheap in the Summer before release. Make a great addition/backup to the SGS III.
Once you go 5.3 inches, you can't go back. I would only consider a super speedy mind blowing note 2
sky|ined said:
Once you go 5.3 inches, you can't go back. I would only consider a super speedy mind blowing note 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
+1 ! Even thought I have a skyrocket, I dread switching back from my GNote.
So true. It's amazing how the 'huge' 5.6" Nexus looks undoable to me!
I'm a big camera freak...so the impending resolution increase looks sweet to me. This'll be huge with the SGS2 crew and Samsung'll followup in style with the Note2! You know the stylus and entire handwriting tech will get jacked too.
Sweet stuff to look forward to for Note owners!
sky|ined said:
Once you go 5.3 inches, you can't go back. I would only consr a super speedy mind blowing note 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Has anyone cross their mind sammy would produce SG mini Note? Lol..it suddenly cross my mind same function like our Note, only smaller screen ;P
Sent from my GT-N7000 using XDA App
naimmkassim said:
Has anyone cross their mind sammy would produce SG mini Note? Lol..it suddenly cross my mind same function like our Note, only smaller screen ;P
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've wondered that too. SGS3 with a stylus... and how about a qwerty keyboard too ;-)
Honestly couldn't careless about sgs 3 . I came from sgs 2 but man, can't go back with anything less than 5.3" now lol, size does matter haha.
Will wait until note 2 come out and hope will have better screen better battery
Sent from my GT-N7000 using XDA App
darkinners said:
Honestly couldn't careless about sgs 3 . I came from sgs 2 but man, can't go back with anything less than 5.3" now lol, size does matter haha.
Will wait until note 2 come out and hope will have better screen better battery
Sent from my GT-N7000 using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Agree completely. Only a note 2 release would get me excited. No way I'm going back to puny penless phones.
Sent from my superior GT-N7000 using Tapatalk
after i got my note..a 4.3" phone looks like a nokia 5800 lol afterall size does matter..iam definitely waiting for note 2..no way going back to small screen
Same here, only I came from a 3.5" screen, so it was an even bigger gap.
Still, going back to something smaller than 5.3" would definitely be a no-go.
It's the same with tv's and monitors.. Once you're used to a high resolution, or a larger screen, switching back to something even a bit smaller will irritate you.
I'm not saying I'm defo getting a note 2, I love my note and loved my dell streak before it, I love a big screen. However I'm still under the impression that I could still go bigger the note easily fits in my pocket, another inch maybe even 2 if there was no bezel at all on the front of the phone, ics on screen buttons have got to Be the reason behind this so they can have phones with just screen. Who knows what will happen in a years time!
http://news.mk.co.kr/english/newsRead.php?rss=Y&sc=30800011&year=2012&no=360619
The next Note will have an even larger screen with flexible AMOLED, which is unbreakable! Sounds amazing if true! I want one!
I hope this is true but will put me in a dilemma as I was thinking of getting the note 10.1!
I will get Note 10.1! ..if they will ever release it
If it only was true.....
The note 1 is supposed to have gorilla glass, scratch proof etc. etc. How many have already their screen scratched ?? Battery life improvement with a bigger lcd ?? If we don't use our devices they will last at least a week, that's true !!
I never had the expected battery life they anounced using the phone normally, in fact the ics update made things worse... What's the point of anouncing things that aren't (yet) possible ??
After the latest problem with the update (that they already knew from earlier devices, nexus for example) they still insist in errors from tha past that shouldn't even be possible....... Well i really like my note i just don't like samsung. If they don't solve the problems with the first note before launching the second one .......... But it's all to be in the race with apple...
I'm starting to think i should have bought a zte or an lg.......
becosemsaida
Damn ppl gorilla glass is scratch resistant not proof ...
Galaxy note Paranoid Android 1.7ghz goodness
DJsCrIBbLe said:
Damn ppl gorilla glass is scratch resistant not proof ...
Galaxy note Paranoid Android 1.7ghz goodness
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So is the windshield of my car....... no big advertisement here.
I will not flash a rom untill the bug is solved. Yes i will miss my note if it bricks since the average repair time seems to be 2-3 weeks and still will come with the same problem.
How about the glass that covers the screen and the digitizer?
Sent from my SGH-T989 using xda premium
becosemsaida said:
So is the windshield of my car....... no big advertisement here.
I will not flash a rom untill the bug is solved. Yes i will miss my note if it bricks since the average repair time seems to be 2-3 weeks and still will come with the same problem.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ever noticed how many scratches your windshield has in direct sunlight ??
Here is the mock up image http://i.imgur.com/kZuwC.jpg and source http://www.motoringcrunch.com/news/mobile-tech/10946-samsung-galaxy-note-2-s3-rumors
Hope they stick with current screen size. It is perfect.
I bought mine on last sunday, i say i wont replace it for years! It's the best phone i ever had... and dude... i had lots! I was addicted to apple products, then i bought galaxy nexus 2 months ago and now i have the note. Its awesome...
Got my note upon first release in November, I love it dearly, but I want to move on. I think I want something bigger.... I'm waiting to hear about the Nexus Tablet... hopefully that thing is all I expect it be be, and I will use that as my phone
Oh boy... and here comes the speculation....
-Sent from my Samsung Galaxy Note.
Sorry for the offtopic OP:
friedje said:
Ever noticed how many scratches your windshield has in direct sunlight ??
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yep, if it wasn't for insurance...... Can't find a screen protector with the right size for it
What I love is the fact that people equate flexible to unbreakable.
I bet if you sit on a flexible screen the wrong way so as to fold it it would break. Reminds me of all the talk when CD's first came out, they said they were unbreakable, my car and the sun proved them wrong in the first week of owning one.
I will be happy if they have a flexible display as I wont be tempted to upgrade.
But like I posted elsewhere I cannot see it happening. What makes the Note unique (besides its size) is its S-pen, as the s-pen requires sensors behind the screen to detect the button presses I can not see how they would incorporate that is a flexible screen.
But I may be wrong
From how I read it the only reason they are using the flexible screen tech is because its much thinner, this will either allow a thinner device then the current note or keep the dimensions giving room for a larger battery. That mockup prototype has nothing to do with the note 2 and I cant ever see a phone design like that. If you put any decent force on it in that folded position the thing would break unless it was made of rubber.
I dont expect it to actually have a flexible screen unless its some type of flip foldout multiscreen design which I doubt it will have, this would make it a true phone tab hybrid if its in the note form factor but could extend out to a tablet. This will probably be the note 3 that does this I wouod think and not something out in october.
Note 2 will likely have a 5.5-5.7 inch screen hopefuly around 1080p with a 3000mah battery or slightly larger if possible. The physical size wont be much larger then the current note but heavier due to the larger battery as larger capacity equals more weight. Being a note it will have a stylus for sure and the phone going by this release will have the same quad as the gs3 maybe slighlty higher clocked, not the faster arm v15 duel core.
Sent from my GT-N7000 using xda premium
guys i dont want an unbreakable screen and stuff....i just want sammy to not foolishly waste the marvels they create!!example: the note:its by far THE BEST phone ive ever used...screen unbelievable: the day i bought it, another guy was buying the s3 and i didnt even feel bad, my phone was looking way better than his..
but i say waste their marvels coz: that ungodly black crush issue. heck almost every note had it in that store and moreover their dealers denied it, saying it was absent when all you had to do was open the calculator app and see the ugly banding right there..they refused to accept and said it was 'the design'..
and photos taken in the dark have this issue too...
other than this this phone ROCKS!!!!! I mean the size is just coooool..never slows down under any kind of multitasking, never heats up, battery is superb..
just wish for note 2, they COMPLETELY get rid of this issue!!! note rocks!!
my note2 = note - black crush + stable ics !!!! ( dont get better than that!!!)
I will never waste more money on another updated note...its never worth it lol this note is perfeft size. Any bigger would be stupid but tk each their own. I got my note sim free so i paid a gud amount for it. I wont be sucked in with tiny updates and 12 mp camera, just another stunt to make folks spend more money.
Sent from my GT-N7000 using XDA
Boy124 said:
Hope they stick with current screen size. It is perfect.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
agree with you mate
I'd love a slightly larger screen. It'll likely be 5'5"...but anything short of 6" would be fine with me.
I have been using my nexus 4 on at&t's network for a little over a month now and I cannot find one downfall of this phone... I applied a Dbrand black leather sticker on the back glass and that just made the phone feel more professional.. almost like a blackberry 9900. (but more functional) My question is, has anyone found a phone that can shake a stick at the nexus 4 as far as fit and function. I have a Htc One and i am thinking of returning it because I see myself using the nexus 4 and leaving the one at home more often then not.
chambers7867 said:
I have been using my nexus 4 on at&t's network for a little over a month now and I cannot find one downfall of this phone... I applied a Dbrand black leather sticker on the back glass and that just made the phone feel more professional.. almost like a blackberry 9900. (but more functional) My question is, has anyone found a phone that can shake a stick at the nexus 4 as far as fit and function. I have a Htc One and i am thinking of returning it because I see myself using the nexus 4 and leaving the one at home more often then not.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm a fan of the N4 but you have to be realistic. There are plenty of phones now which can easily be considered better than it (e.g. HTC One, S4, LG OG Pro, Xperia Z) and while none of them are anywhere near as good a deal as the N4, most are better phones for the majority. Only a few people actually care about updates outside of XDA and don't really know how awesome stock Android is compared to other UIs.
chambers7867 said:
I have been using my nexus 4 on at&t's network for a little over a month now and I cannot find one downfall of this phone... I applied a Dbrand black leather sticker on the back glass and that just made the phone feel more professional.. almost like a blackberry 9900. (but more functional) My question is, has anyone found a phone that can shake a stick at the nexus 4 as far as fit and function. I have a Htc One and i am thinking of returning it because I see myself using the nexus 4 and leaving the one at home more often then not.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes it's too good
I wasn't really impressed with the S4 or the HTC one tbh. Overpriced for basically the same specs you get with the N4. Samsung phones are loaded with bloat now,and feel like a hollow plastic toy. You can hardly tell its android anymore with the TW bloat interface. Yea the HTC one has a nice build quality, but is it really worth shelling out almost 700$ for? I don't think so. I will never buy another non nexus device again. (All personal opinion) I am extremely happy with my N4. I haven't had 1 single issue with it. I get 2.5 days of heavy use and about 5 hours screen on time with my ROM kernel combo. And for 350$ you cant beat it.
Keep the Nexus, return the One.
Galaxy note 2. Phones a monster
Sent from my free candy van
nighthawk626 said:
Galaxy note 2. Phones a monster
Sent from my free candy van
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Waaay to big. It looks comical when i see someone using one.
ScumDroid said:
Waaay to big. It looks comical when i see someone using one.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Now the rumors of the Note 3 being like 6 inches or so, now that's comical.
The current 5.5 is fine to me.
I Am Marino said:
Now the rumors of the Note 3 being like 6 inches or so, now that's comical.
The current 5.5 is fine to me.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yea don't get me wrong, it is a really nice phone. The screen is large and vibrant. The specs are great. I just think its too large, by the time you get a case on it, its even bigger. It would drive me nuts in my pocket.
I already got 2 S4 coming, but question is, I keep reading around in different threads that maybe the Note 2 is a better device than the S4, a few people who've already got their S4 are saying that the S4 does not compare to the Note 2, my wife wanted the note 2, and I talked her out of it....man I am in deep shi$ if she gets wind of any of this....and she reads a few areas here in xda...I smell the dog house coming
Throw out a few opinions...PLEASE! save me
TheAxman said:
I already got 2 S4 coming, but question is, I keep reading around in different threads that maybe the Note 2 is a better device than the S4, a few people who've already got their S4 are saying that the S4 does not compare to the Note 2, my wife wanted the note 2, and I talked her out of it....man I am in deep shi$ if she gets wind of any of this....and she reads a few areas here in xda...I smell the dog house coming
Throw out a few opinions...PLEASE! save me
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have never used a S4 (I do own a Note 2) and based on specs alone the S4 wins (full hd display with almost twice the pixel density and dual quad core processors). Good news is, if your wife really wants a Note 2 you should be able to easily sell your S4, buy a Note 2 and pocket a few hundred bucks.
Sent from my SGH-T889 using xda app-developers app
JB910 said:
I have never used a S4 (I do own a Note 2) and based on specs alone the S4 wins (full hd display with almost twice the pixel density and dual quad core processors). Good news is, if your wife really wants a Note 2 you should be able to easily sell your S4, buy a Note 2 and pocket a few hundred bucks.
Sent from my SGH-T889 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you for that advice, spec wise is what I sold her on, but there a few people out there bashing the S4.
I am going to keep her out of the forums until she gets the S4 in her hand, she has a note 1 now.
My wife has a note 2 and the only thing to be envious about is battery life. After using the s4 for a week or two now, I'm always taken back on the screen quality of the note 2. It's no where near as good as the s4. Same goes for ergonomics, camera and so on. You made the right choice, don't listen to trolls and ask yourself, if the note 2 is so much better, why are their fan base posing in the s4 section?
Sent from my Galaxy S4 using Tapatalk 2
robstunner said:
My wife has a note 2 and the only thing to be envious about is battery life. After using the s4 for a week or two now, I'm always taken back on the screen quality of the note 2. It's no where near as good as the s4. Same goes for ergonomics, camera and so on. You made the right choice, don't listen to trolls and ask yourself, if the note 2 is so much better, why are their fan base posing in the s4 section?
Sent from my Galaxy S4 using Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Once the S4 gets some stable custom roms out with custom kernels I am sure the S4's battery life issues will be a non factor. I run Jedi Master 13 with Saberkernel 23 on my Note 2 and the speed and battery life of the rom blows the Note 2 stock rom out of the water. You are right, people are just trolling. Based on the S4s specs it is a superior phone.
Sent from my SGH-T889 using xda app-developers app
Thanks guys, I kinda knew the G4 had better graphics, on the battery side, the Note gets her some serious time. I think I made the right choice, seen a few posts where some of the G4 users are selling them off now. wow. Don't remember, but I think this issue came up when the G3 was released also. man, I can not wait till I have that phone.
thanks, much appreciated!!!!
TheAxman said:
Thanks guys, I kinda knew the G4 had better graphics, on the battery side, the Note gets her some serious time. I think I made the right choice, seen a few posts where some of the G4 users are selling them off now. wow. Don't remember, but I think this issue came up when the G3 was released also. man, I can not wait till I have that phone.
thanks, much appreciated!!!!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Really, only get the Note if you need the s-pen features and plan to actually, you know, take notes on the thing. Otherwise, go for the newest shiny.
burhanistan said:
Really, only get the Note if you need the s-pen features and plan to actually, you know, take notes on the thing. Otherwise, go for the newest shiny.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's exactly what my wife and I discovered. She came from the LG Lollipop to the Note2, and she was ecstatic about this thing, even though she "hated touchscreen phones" (mostly due to her experiences a long time ago with the Motorola Backflip, and the HTC Pure ... I don't blame her). She loves the Note2 because of the huge screen and low DPI (yet the picture is very clear and sharp at 720p) - excellent for texting and navigating around. She has no problems with a touchscreen now! Oh, and the camera is pretty good on the Note2 as well, with a snappy shutter time and extras like slo-mo video and such.
When she saw my S4, she was actually somewhat jealous! We've been comparing the devices side-by-side for a couple weeks now, and we've determined that the S4 is overall a much better phone. The primary exclusion to this statement is that the Note2 has the S-Pen, which is a really, really nice feature - for those who really use it. She uses it rarely to doodle or take some notes when she doesn't feel like dealing with the onscreen keyboard, so it would not be a huge loss for her if it were gone.
The sacrifice of .5in of diagonal screen space is noticeable by comparison, but the 5" screen the S4 has will still outshine nearly any other smartphone - especially at 1080p.
Lastly, I will comment on the covers. We purchased the official Samsung flip cover for her device, primarily because it was too difficult to find a third-party cheap-knockoff that actually included the NFC antenna. They exist now, but they were hard to come by when we were shopping. At least the S4 doesn't include the NFC antenna as part of the battery cover. >_<
I purchased the S-View cover at the nearest corporate AT&T store (30mi away or so in the next town) because I wanted it on Day-One (I had my phone on Day-Negative-One, and I was eager to buy the silly cover). After shelling out $60, I drove home with the shiny S-View cover, and I once again made my wife jealous. While she'll admit that the S-View window is a tad gimmicky, she both finds it "really cool!" and actually kinda useful for every-day use.
So, just as burhanistan stated: if you have a great need for the awesome S-Pen that the Note2 provides, buy it. Otherwise, the S4 certainly competes to be the best phone ever created to-date (IMHO).
She has been reading this thread at work, the pen she said is a plus, I think I got her leaning toward the G4, you guys are helping a bunch. I like the idea of the earlier reply, sell the G4 if she is not happy, get her the note 2 and save some $$$.
Or just keep it, and pass it on to some devs to help out with the rom progress, that would be my contribution to the cause.
This seriously is helping, cause she is seeing it from other people who have the phone and have been using it already.
Thanks
Aou said:
That's exactly what my wife and I discovered. She came from the LG Lollipop to the Note2, and she was ecstatic about this thing, even though she "hated touchscreen phones" (mostly due to her experiences a long time ago with the Motorola Backflip, and the HTC Pure ... I don't blame her). She loves the Note2 because of the huge screen and low DPI (yet the picture is very clear and sharp at 720p) - excellent for texting and navigating around. She has no problems with a touchscreen now! Oh, and the camera is pretty good on the Note2 as well, with a snappy shutter time and extras like slo-mo video and such.
When she saw my S4, she was actually somewhat jealous! We've been comparing the devices side-by-side for a couple weeks now, and we've determined that the S4 is overall a much better phone. The primary exclusion to this statement is that the Note2 has the S-Pen, which is a really, really nice feature - for those who really use it. She uses it rarely to doodle or take some notes when she doesn't feel like dealing with the onscreen keyboard, so it would not be a huge loss for her if it were gone.
The sacrifice of .5in of diagonal screen space is noticeable by comparison, but the 5" screen the S4 has will still outshine nearly any other smartphone - especially at 1080p.
Lastly, I will comment on the covers. We purchased the official Samsung flip cover for her device, primarily because it was too difficult to find a third-party cheap-knockoff that actually included the NFC antenna. They exist now, but they were hard to come by when we were shopping. At least the S4 doesn't include the NFC antenna as part of the battery cover. >_<
I purchased the S-View cover at the nearest corporate AT&T store (30mi away or so in the next town) because I wanted it on Day-One (I had my phone on Day-Negative-One, and I was eager to buy the silly cover). After shelling out $60, I drove home with the shiny S-View cover, and I once again made my wife jealous. While she'll admit that the S-View window is a tad gimmicky, she both finds it "really cool!" and actually kinda useful for every-day use.
So, just as burhanistan stated: if you have a great need for the awesome S-Pen that the Note2 provides, buy it. Otherwise, the S4 certainly competes to be the best phone ever created to-date (IMHO).
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You have a pic or a link to the cover?
I had both but returned my S4 & switched back to my GN2 since I'm changing carriers. At first it was hard to get use to since I was so use to the GN2.
I rarely use the spen but the big screen & not having to charge every night with the GN2 is awesome.
I was getting about 20-22hrs w/ 5-7hrs screen time with my S4.
I do admit being able to use the phone with one hand is cool but typing was a little awkward since I'm so use to typing with 2 hands on my GN2.
Now that I'm back to my GN2, I'm not sure if I want to get the S4 when the 32gb for TMO comes out but knowing my habit of always wanting the latest gadgets, I'll probably do get it. Lol.
-Sent from my Samsung Galaxy Note II using Tapatalk 2
TheAxman said:
You have a pic or a link to the cover?
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Click to collapse
This YouTube video shows it in action, but I think it's French or something (dun car, not English). Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g8mQOrk2DBg
Here' my experience with the S-View cover:
If you do not have a password/pattern/number lock on your lock screen (simply set to swipe-to-unlock), just opening the S-View cover will turn on and unlock the device. You open it, and it's ready-to-use immediately.
Closing the lid will lock the device for the most part, and for the next 10 seconds or so, it will show the time and notification icons (and battery/signal/etc) through the little window. After 10 seconds, the device shuts off. You can power it back on like this with the power button, but it doesn't unlock it until you open it again.
The window itself appears to be made of glass. It's fairly nice - I was half expecting it to be crappy plastic. If it's not glass, it's really nice plastic.
You can answer or decline incoming calls through the glass when it rings with a swipe of a little round icon one way or the other. Pretty neat, but if you have the touch sensitivity all the way down, you might have a slight trouble using this feature. I haven't tried it since the OTA update, so they may have improved that!
You can hang up an existing call in a similar fashion.
The flip cover itself needs some time to "break in". When you first put it on, it will not lay flat onto the glass of your phone without some convincing, or being held in place by your pocket. After enough use, or a day or two, it gets much better. Don't think the cover is defective from this, it's just too tight in the "hinge" at first, but will loosen up with use.
Occasionally, if I have the cover flipped backwards for long periods, it somewhat emulates the same effect as the above point. It will shy away from the screen for a brief while, and then return to normal. I suspect after several more weeks, this will go away entirely at this rate.
One thing that I really do like about this cover: Because it replaces the battery cover of your phone, it adds virtually no bulk to the phone. It is very slightly thicker, and I can tell you that I appreciate it for one reason: The normal battery cover is inset, such that the camera lens sticks out the furthest, and when placing the device on a flat surface, it rests on the edge of the camera lens. On the S-View flip cover, the new back sticks out just a hair past the camera lens, so it no longer rests on the camera anymore. I take a lot of pictures, so I like to keep my camera lens immaculate.
The glass window will get rather dirty, especially if you shove the phone against a greasy head. Not a big deal, just use a microfiber cloth once in a while and some screen cleaner to get it shiny again.
The normal covers have no window, and so when you open it all the way (flipped around backwards), you can't use the rear-facing camera! With the S-View cover, it lines up such that you can use the camera straight through the glass on the cover. A nice touch, really. Because I take a lot of close-up shots and other detailed pictures, I choose not to flip the cover all the way around, because sometimes the window is dirty. So I just flip it downwards or whatnot.
The flip cover, even when purchased through AT&T, does not have AT&T's logo on the back, like the normal battery cover. I like it that way better. Even better: the front shows "Galaxy S4" near the bottom, and makes it a lot easier to show that you have a really, really cool phone.
I hope this all helps if debating whether to drop $60 on the S-View cover or not. Generics are starting to become available, but I don't know anything about the quality, etc.
---------- Post added at 12:37 PM ---------- Previous post was at 12:30 PM ----------
RMXO said:
I had both but returned my S4 & switched back to my GN2 since I'm changing carriers. At first it was hard to get use to since I was so use to the GN2.
I rarely use the spen but the big screen & not having to charge every night with the GN2 is awesome.
I was getting about 20-22hrs w/ 5-7hrs screen time with my S4.
I do admit being able to use the phone with one hand is cool but typing was a little awkward since I'm so use to typing with 2 hands on my GN2.
Now that I'm back to my GN2, I'm not sure if I want to get the S4 when the 32gb for TMO comes out but knowing my habit of always wanting the latest gadgets, I'll probably do get it. Lol.
-Sent from my Samsung Galaxy Note II using Tapatalk 2
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Click to collapse
I didn't mention battery at all, but you bring up a point. The Note2 has excellent battery life, there's no doubt about that. The S4 has "good" battery life in my experience, especially coming from the S2. People are saying that battery life has improved with the OTA update recently, but I haven't had a good chance to test that out. Freezing bloatware has really been a big help to increasing the battery life, regardless.
My S4 easily lasts the day, and can last two days with moderate/intermittent usage. I think the OTA update may have improved the battery life significantly, but I will have to test this out over the next couple days. Also, keeping it on Wi-Fi where available seems to be the best way to conserve battery life in my area.
Went from the note 2 to s4 pre update, ui fluidity was the only issue. I addressed it with nova launcher and the options in the developers setting, which made the ui very fast. Update addresses that issue and everything else on the s4 is better and my battery life is very comparable. I get 20+ hours with 4+ hours of screen time easily and I'm sure it will increase with roms and kernels.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using xda premium
porkaysi said:
Went from the note 2 to s4 pre update, ui fluidity was the only issue. I addressed it with nova launcher and the options in the developers setting, which made the ui very fast. Update addresses that issue and everything else on the s4 is better and my battery life is very comparable. I get 20+ hours with 4+ hours of screen time easily and I'm sure it will increase with roms and kernels.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using xda premium
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Click to collapse
Thanks, I needed this one....
I had the Note 2 for a week before I traded it for the S4. They are both awesome devices, but imo the S4 was the right choice for me. Much easier to carry it in your pocket. Battery life not as good, but that was expected. Cant go wrong either way. Go to the store and play with them both.
qbanlinxx said:
I had the Note 2 for a week before I traded it for the S4. They are both awesome devices, but imo the S4 was the right choice for me. Much easier to carry it in your pocket. Battery life not as good, but that was expected. Cant go wrong either way. Go to the store and play with them both.
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funny you said that.. we just got back from the mall...saw them both....the wife agreed on the S4...so I am safe..for now....she will be ok when it arrives Monday. thanks...I showed her a few of the posts here...thanks to you all....very good imput.
TheAxman said:
funny you said that.. we just got back from the mall...saw them both....the wife agreed on the S4...so I am safe..for now....she will be ok when it arrives Monday. thanks...I showed her a few of the posts here...thanks to you all....very good imput.
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Click to collapse
She made a wise choice, I have a Note 2 and would gladly trade it for a S4. I don't even use my Spen, I got it last September because it had the best guts and it's a Samsung. Never buy a HTC. PITA software and very unforgiving. Buy Sammy, Odin is your friend. Enjoy your S4's!
Sent from my SGH-T889 using xda app-developers app
JB910 said:
She made a wise choice, I have a Note 2 and would gladly trade it for a S4. I don't even use my Spen, I got it last September because it had the best guts and it's a Samsung. Never buy a HTC. PITA software and very unforgiving. Buy Sammy, Odin is your friend. Enjoy your S4's!
Sent from my SGH-T889 using xda app-developers app
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Click to collapse
I had a htc hd2...it was a nightmare..to flash roms...a win phone..dual boot crap..rock solid...hard to deal with...hehe i ask her..how much are you really use that pen..also the res on the s4 was SWEET...they had the perfect wallpaper on that demo...i showed her she said ok. so when she gets that new rom on it...she won't even mention the note. its on now.
as far as the G3...i love the damn thing..my son is keeping his...so i will be hanging around here for awhile still...sold 2 keeping 1...
Just dropped by the Galaxy Experience Store on Prince street in New York City. All the assistants were toting GS6 or GS6 Edges. Got to look at them both, and LOVED them. The Edge by far had the edge (clears throat) - felt absolutely tiny in hand compared to my Note Edge, and looked drop-dead. If you're in town, I'd definitely recommend dropping by. They even hinted the Sprint edition was already in stock with them ?? AT&T hopefully by launch date of 11 April. Counting down the days...
alexkaye said:
Just dropped by the Galaxy Experience Store on Prince street in New York City. All the assistants were toting GS6 or GS6 Edges. Got to look at them both, and LOVED them. The Edge by far had the edge (clears throat) - felt absolutely tiny in hand compared to my Note Edge, and looked drop-dead. If you're in town, I'd definitely recommend dropping by. They even hinted the Sprint edition was already in stock with them ?? AT&T hopefully by launch date of 11 April. Counting down the days...
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How were the colors in person? Which did you like now that you've seen it live?
eyc said:
How were the colors in person? Which did you like now that you've seen it live?
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Awesome question - i really liked the blue shimmer on the black one, the green emerald I think might have to get my vote though. I'd also say the S6 Edge felt significantly smaller/better in-hand than the regular S6....
alexkaye said:
Just dropped by the Galaxy Experience Store on Prince street in New York City. All the assistants were toting GS6 or GS6 Edges. Got to look at them both, and LOVED them. The Edge by far had the edge (clears throat) - felt absolutely tiny in hand compared to my Note Edge, and looked drop-dead. If you're in town, I'd definitely recommend dropping by. They even hinted the Sprint edition was already in stock with them ?? AT&T hopefully by launch date of 11 April. Counting down the days...
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Click to collapse
I this a standalone store or in a Best Buy?
equake said:
I this a standalone store or in a Best Buy?
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Click to collapse
Standalone store on Prince Street!
Can you phrase verify the extinction of the recent apps lag?
mikesnav said:
Can you phrase verify the extinction of the recent apps lag?
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I did try that, didn't see any lag. In fact, didn't get any lag whatsoever in my brief time with it. Silky smooth. Of course, my Note Edge started silky smooth and then went downhill a bit, so that could just be the newness of the unit!
alexkaye said:
I did try that, didn't see any lag. In fact, didn't get any lag whatsoever in my brief time with it. Silky smooth. Of course, my Note Edge started silky smooth and then went downhill a bit, so that could just be the newness of the unit!
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Click to collapse
Thanks! It's so frustrating looking for a new phone. Had a note 4 that i sold after several months of use out of frustration. Recent apps lag, animation stutters, etc. Have a z3 now which is so darn smooth, but camera is mediocre. Hoping S6 can get best of both worlds
I had the chance to hold the new s6 in my hands a couple of days ago at a store in my country and I have to say it really is an amazingly good looking phone from all aspects. No lag or stutter. Premium quality materials. In white it is not a fingerprint magnet at all. I think I'm in love. I really like my note 4 but the s6 is in a different level. The only thing that is holding me back from getting one is that I need to see some proper battery tests with a finalized firmware. Cheers.
Sent from my SM-N910C using XDA Free mobile app
alexkaye said:
Awesome question - i really liked the blue shimmer on the black one, the green emerald I think might have to get my vote though. I'd also say the S6 Edge felt significantly smaller/better in-hand than the regular S6....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Still wanting black one!
perikach said:
I had the chance to hold the new s6 in my hands a couple of days ago at a store in my country and I have to say it really is an amazingly good looking phone from all aspects. No lag or stutter. Premium quality materials. In white it is not a fingerprint magnet at all. I think I'm in love. I really like my note 4 but the s6 is in a different level. The only thing that is holding me back from getting one is that I need to see some proper battery tests with a finalized firmware. Cheers.
Sent from my SM-N910C using XDA Free mobile app
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Click to collapse
Did the smaller screen size compared to the note 4 bother you at all?
To be honest, just a bit. But I am willing to downgrade on the screen size. Moreover, having instant access to accessories like waterproof case and battery case is a big deal for me. With note it is almost impossible to have that.
Sent from my SM-N910C using XDA Free mobile app
---------- Post added at 03:10 AM ---------- Previous post was at 03:07 AM ----------
omersak said:
Did the smaller screen size compared to the note 4 bother you at all?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
To be honest, just a bit. But I am willing to downgrade on the screen size. Moreover, having instant access to accessories like waterproof case and battery case is a big deal for me. With note it is almost impossible to have that.
Sent from my SM-N910C using XDA Free mobile app
perikach said:
To be honest, just a bit. But I am willing to downgrade on the screen size. Moreover, having instant access to accessories like waterproof case and battery case is a big deal for me. With note it is almost impossible to have that.
Sent from my SM-N910C using XDA Free mobile app
---------- Post added at 03:10 AM ---------- Previous post was at 03:07 AM ----------
To be honest, just a bit. But I am willing to downgrade on the screen size. Moreover, having instant access to accessories like waterproof case and battery case is a big deal for me. With note it is almost impossible to have that.
Sent from my SM-N910C using XDA Free mobile app
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Click to collapse
I see. It's a bit of a concern as I'll be coming from a 5.5" screen and the 4.96" minus on-screen buttons Nexus 5 display seems a bit tiny now.
Please make the wait go away.
omersak said:
I see. It's a bit of a concern as I'll be coming from a 5.5" screen and the 4.96" minus on-screen buttons Nexus 5 display seems a bit tiny now.
Please make the wait go away.
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Click to collapse
Totally agree on the comments, I'm sort of over the large Note screen size now
, and don't use the pen as much as I thought I would... Kinda looking
Forward to a smaller, hand sized screen
alexkaye said:
Totally agree on the comments, I'm sort of over the large Note screen size now
, and don't use the pen as much as I thought I would... Kinda looking
Forward to a smaller, hand sized screen
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Totally agree on that. That is why I want to go for the s6.
Sent from my SM-N910C using XDA Free mobile app
Thinking about taking a train to NYC on Monday Evening to check the edge out. I live just a trip ride away so it's not an issue. My only gripe is that I only have 850 budget.. I want the 64GB edge...
osmosizzz said:
Thinking about taking a train to NYC on Monday Evening to check the edge out. I live just a trip ride away so it's not an issue. My only gripe is that I only have 850 budget.. I want the 64GB edge...
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Click to collapse
I was basically all set on the Edge until I went to see the S6 in store. I have esentially completely changed my mind and am going for the regular S6 now. Don't get me wrong, the edge is cool and the engineering behind it is phenomenal but I found issues with the ergonomics and that combined with the additional cost makes the regular S6 feel like the better buy to me.
Sent from my SM-G900W8 using Tapatalk
msavic6 said:
I was basically all set on the Edge until I went to see the S6 in store. I have esentially completely changed my mind and am going for the regular S6 now. Don't get me wrong, the edge is cool and the engineering behind it is phenomenal but I found issues with the ergonomics and that combined with the additional cost makes the regular S6 feel like the better buy to me.
Sent from my SM-G900W8 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for that, my one biggest concern about the Edge. I can make a trip to NYC by train or bus in about 1 hour but Best Buy will have them the end of next week. What am I going to do anyways since they will not be released till the 10th so I probably will not go into the city. It will make the wait even more excruciating to get my hands on the one I end up wanting to own and I really will have enough time to decide when Best Buy gets them.
msavic6 said:
I was basically all set on the Edge until I went to see the S6 in store. I have esentially completely changed my mind and am going for the regular S6 now. Don't get me wrong, the edge is cool and the engineering behind it is phenomenal but I found issues with the ergonomics and that combined with the additional cost makes the regular S6 feel like the better buy to me.
Sent from my SM-G900W8 using Tapatalk
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Click to collapse
Have you been living under a rock?
To hell with functionality. It's all about design. Keep up with the times, bro.
perikach said:
I had the chance to hold the new s6 in my hands a couple of days ago at a store in my country and I have to say it really is an amazingly good looking phone from all aspects. No lag or stutter. Premium quality materials. In white it is not a fingerprint magnet at all. I think I'm in love. I really like my note 4 but the s6 is in a different level. The only thing that is holding me back from getting one is that I need to see some proper battery tests with a finalized firmware. Cheers.
Sent from my SM-N910C using XDA Free mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Aha...see, precisely why I went for the white version...fingerprint smudges are much less visible than on the other versions. Coming from a Note 4 (black) as well. I'm very sure I will adapt in no time to the smaller screen. Counting the days until April 10th!