I need more excuses to get this phone.. I mainly want it because of the screen size, the S-Pen also looks like (although sort of gimmicky) and the processor/RAM combo.
What do you use the phone most for? What are you most impressed/disappointed with?
Thanks!
So I would stop carrying (and losing) small rite in the rain notebooks around.
I had the DNA. Great phone in its own right. Went to the AT&T store to play with the Note 2 before it came out on Verizon. The only advantage the DNA had was the 1080p screen and it wasn't even that noticeable.. you would really have to try hard to notice the difference.
The larger screen, larger battery, and the better accessory/dev support made it almost a no-brainier to switch. I don't have a large music collection or listen to it much but I know the SD card was a just plus for this phone too vs the DNA.
The S-pen is cool I guess but it really is kind of a gimmick in my mind. Its fun to doodle on sometimes though.
Haloman800 said:
I need more excuses to get this phone.. I mainly want it because of the screen size, the S-Pen also looks like (although sort of gimmicky) and the processor/RAM combo.
What do you use the phone most for? What are you most impressed/disappointed with?
Thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The s pen, to me, is not a gimmick. I use it for taking notes at work, games, and many other things. The screen and size as you mentioned are good but the antenna is was better than the s3. This phone is screaming fast. The battery is amazing.
I am most impressed with the factions of the s pen. I never thought I would use it as much as I do.
I'm seriously not dissapointed about anything with this phone.
Sent from my SCH-I605
I bought it for the screen size, battery, and spen...best smart phone ever hands down....GN2>GS3>DNA
droidstyle said:
I bought it for the screen size, battery, and spen...best smart phone ever hands down....GN2>GS3>DNA
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That sums it up. Battery was a huge factor for me. I wanted something that would last me through an entire busy day, without having to have a backup battery. The screen is awesome, and the s-pen is finding more and more use everyday.
Sent from my SCH-I605 using xda premium
Mostly the screen size, but if it had a bad battery or processor I would have gone with the DNA.
I will be getting this phone because it has a purpose. I'm not just getting a great phone, I'm getting a phone that I can draw with. I'm getting a phone I can multitask with. I'm getting a phone I can be productive with.
This is why I prefer the Note 2 over the DNA. The DNA looks sleeker and performs a little better, plus the size is more suited to me. But there's just something... lacking about it. It doesn't have a purpose. It's really a phone designed to be a phone (albeit a good one). Samsung had something more in mind with the Note 2. It's packed with features which, overall, aim towards making you more efficient at getting things done on the go. The DNA is not like that. It was inspired by Ferraris, says HTC, and that's basically what it is. It's a Ferrari, where the Note 2 is more like a pickup. The DNA looks good and performs well, where the Note 2 is just about getting stuff done.
I don't know about you guys, but I like getting stuff done. Note 2, I choose you!
If you call the note 2 a pickup then its a pickup and the motor as a couple of turbos and a shot of nitrous.
I wanted my S3, just more so, and this is it I also noticed once I had a larger phone I was using it more as my de facto tablet when it wasn't handy to have my ipad around. Also, I loved using Android more and more but no android tablet was nearly as good as the phones. Add in an actual digitizer and things really took off.
When the phone was announced I didn't think I'd bother, I thought the screen would be worse and the locked bootloader sucked. The 2nd part is true, but everything else is better than I imagined.
The s-pen is much more than a gimmick. I love it! The "air view" feature is really mouse hover-over functionality.
You can access drop-down menus on websites, get info on all kinds of things You hover the cursor over, not just within Samsung apps but I even just noticed it works in Titanium Backup.
I setup remote desktop to control my PC from anywhere and the s-pen is perfect for this, feels just like using the mouse in the way it behaves and the button works to right-click!
Your Samsung account also gives you Allshare Play which will stream music and video from your computer at home without lag (tried using RDP for this but very laggy)
..and after setting up and messing with all that stuff for hours today and also using multi-view to simultaneously watch YouTube and browse XDA, still 49% battery left!
This thing is a beast. I'm coming from a HTC Thunderbolt though so that may explain my enthusiasm
Sent from my SCH-I605 using xda app-developers app
I got it for the "my phone is bigger and can beat up your phone" status. haha
Just got the phone today, all I can say is Wow. It's pretty much just a bigger, better version of every other Android phone I've ever owned. it only froze up twice (my fault both times) and everything is just amazing, the screen, the battery (I was coming from a Razr MAXX so this was a concern), I can even see the potential for the S-Pen. This phone is a beast, I have absolutely no compaints.
I had always liked the Note original because of the size. In addition, I can't seem to own a phone for more than a year. I was fast approaching that. But the fact there was multiview, the S-pen, screen size, and processing power trumped my Galaxy Nexus.
nosit1 said:
I had always liked the Note original because of the size. In addition, I can't seem to own a phone for more than a year. I was fast approaching that. But the fact there was multiview, the S-pen, screen size, and processing power trumped my Galaxy Nexus.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Same here. I am a vzw user and droooled over the note. So when I heard this was coming out, I was interested but not sold. I was however sold when I saw how powerful this thing was, and how it is very close to the s3. However, because I do like a new phone every so often, to appease the wife (and because I have to pay retail due to my grandfathered unlimited data plan) I need an AT LEAST 1 year phone, 1.5-2 would be splended. I love bigger screens, dont mind the weight, since my phone is usually docked, and I dont talk for hours on end. The pen, Im not sold on because its real sensitive and seems like a burden but may use it more often if I can get it resolved.
Now hopefully we can unlock the bootloader, and I am yet again, gambling with the fact that I hope updates and custom roms will keep this thing afloat for a while, I know the hardware will keep up.
#1 reason: Battery size. (Life)
#2 reason: The main raw stats; quad-core processor and 2GB of RAM.
I was basically sick of my iPhone and it's little screen and locked OS. I will say it was reliable but too vanilla. I chose the Note 2 because it was faster, bigger screen, expandable memory and customizable. I've had I for about 2 weeks now and though it was a bit of culture shock for the first few days I can tell ya t is an outstanding device...stock. I 've been lurking in the dev forums watching the progress of the root for my VZW n2. Probably gonna root this thing and get even more satisfaction out it.
When I first laid my eyes on the original Note I knew I wanted this style of phone. I was was a big stylus user back in the windows mobile days and the idea of having a precision pointing device was a dream come true within Android. And the people that tell you otherwise are the same folks that prefer a game pad over a mouse and keyboard in a first person shooter; the s-pen is more accurate than my fat fingers. Combine that with the huge beautiful display, speed and Samsung's software enhancements over stock Android it's a winner.
My next option would have been the DNA but that device is just a phone. I want more than a phone with a pretty face.
I was satified with my GS3 until i walked into a Verizon store this week & saw the Note 2 & GS3 sitting side by side & i was like !! Long story short the GS3 is going back this week & the Note 2 is on the way. Plus the battery life is way better on the Note 2.
I haven't decided to buy just yet. I'm waiting to see what happens with the bootloader, and what effect porting cyanogenmod to this device will have on the SPen.
I've been using my Droid X for almost 2 and a half years, and I'm ready to upgrade. Reasons are the specs, the screen size, and the stylus.
I'm not sure I understand all of the comments from people who say the stylus is a gimmick; that's like saying a Wacom tablet is a gimmick. Some of the features that Samsung has built into the device that use the stylus might be gimmicky, but the stylus itself is quite useful for those of us who want a precision pointing device for drawing, note taking, etc.
Related
Screen sizes are not significantly different (especially after the lost pixels due to the Honey bar), IMO, plus the Note will get ICS in the near future. Also, having experienced with both Wacom and N-trig digitizers, I generally favor Wacom (which is what the Note has). Of course there is a huge price difference between these two at this time, but the Note is also a phone right out of the box (unlocked version is about $650, and AT&T version with two year plan is $300).
So what do you think? Worth shelling out the extra money for the Note? Or remain faithful to the Flyer/View?
Get both! Its what I'm doing! BTW If you get a new two year contract you can take another $100 off the Note price, link through retailmenot
I guess it depends on whether you actually use the stylus for writing BC if you do, I think that the apparently small screen difference will probably be quite apparent. I've never tried out the note, so I could be wrong....but looking at the engadget review writing sample, it looks like I may be correct.
I use the stylus quite a bit. Honestly, for serious inking/annotating for professional purposes (I am a college professor), anything less than a 10-inch screen just looks too small to me, so I use my ThinkPad Tablet. For lighter inking/note-taking, the Flyer is better, also because it is significantly less bulky than the TPT. In this regard, I think the Galaxy Note may be a good substitute.
I'm intrigued by the idea of having both. But personally still on the fence about whether the Note is too big to be practical as a phone.
On a side note, I think its ironic that the stylus is coming back to smartphones (LG is copying the idea also). Everyone was all like "its so cool that the iPhone came out and you don't need the stupid stylus to poke the screen". Now people are realizing that they have some really useful and cool applications, and never should have gotten rid of them. Sure the stylus concept is updated, but the basic idea is the same.
redpoint73 said:
I'm intrigued by the idea of having both. But personally still on the fence about whether the Note is too big to be practical as a phone.
On a side note, I think its ironic that the stylus is coming back to smartphones (LG is copying the idea also). Everyone was all like "its so cool that the iPhone came out and you don't need the stupid stylus to poke the screen". Now people are realizing that they have some really useful and cool applications, and never should have gotten rid of them. Sure the stylus concept is updated, but the basic idea is the same.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah, I used to try so hard not to have to use the stylus on my Windows Mobile phones. Now I am like, huh...really...styluses are cool now.
Since I haven't touched either yet I don't have much to add. But I was just debating this before I recently ordered the Flyer. With the Note around $600 (no contracts for me) and the flyer at $200 it was just easier to take a chance on the Flyer. If the Note fails at taking notes then what did I just buy? If the Flyer fails my kids get a new toy. And I am hoping to do more writing than I think I'd want to do on 5".
The review of the Note on The Verge says that the Note has the better pen then the Flyer, accuracy etc. fwiw.
ive only had my note for two days, and i havent used the stylus much yet, but if im making a call id peg the flyer pen as more accurate
Pressure sensitive stylus are useful. The plastic stick palm pilots had allowed poor ui choices
I've been using both. The Note has far better accuracy in writing than the Flyer in my opinion. In addition, the ability to zoom in in portrait mode is much better for fine details. I still can't understand why the Flyer doesn't have this.
That being said, the Flyer's Evernote integration is still hands-down better. The fact that it seamlessly integrates with meetings and reminders as well as automatically syncs with Evernote makes it a lot easier to move between devices with. Also, having the erase button on the stylus is really convenient.
In the end, I'll probably end up replacing my Flyer with the Note just because the Note is a lot more convenient and I only have to carry around one device, but there are still some nice features to the Flyer that you can't find on the Note. Hopefully, Samsung can replicate some of the great functionality HTC worked into the Flyer.
I did take some comparison shots in case anyone was looking at it from a size standpoint. You can find them on my Google album -https://plus.google.com/photos/101248606811583627981/albums/5711273582828842705
Wow, those are great comparison shots. Thank you so much for posting them. I am receiving my Note tomorrow to replace my trusty old Nexus One. I am really pumped-up now!
I have both the Note and the Evo View. I use the Note as my main driver and a phone. My Evo View is used for times I need bigger screen to watch movies or surf the net or play games... I guess I can do all those on my Note but I baby my Note so it doesn't get abuse while my View gets toss around. My kids watch videos on the go on it. It's nice to have the 7" screen for kids to play on as well so that they don't touch my Note.
I do like the pen input better on the View since it's got a bigger screen to draw on and ink as well as better intergration of selecting options for the pen. As far as accuracy and lag... I think they are pretty similar... slight lag and okay accuracy.
Oh..and battery on the View last a lot longer since I have it in airplane mode and wifi on only. It last about a week with about 6 to 7 hour screen on time. During standby.. it only drops about 1% in 24 hours.
If I had to choose just only one device, then it would be the Note though since it can do everything that the View can do. But it is also a lot more expensive as well. My Note was $500 more than the View unless you get the Note on contract then it's only about $100 difference then. But if you just want a tablet with stylus input ability, then I would get the Flyer/View while they are on clearance.
I just tried the Note yesterday and here are my impressions:
1) TAKING NOTES: C-
The thing that struck me the most odd about the Note is that they call it the "Note" and yet have engineered it in such a way as actually taking "notes" on it is almost impossible.
If you are like me and like to rest your fat old palm on the screen as you are writing, the Note simply will not work for you. I assumed that the Engineers at Samsung would have done something clever like disabling the hard buttons at the bottom of the screen anytime the s-pen was within an inch of the screen. But no, they didn't. If you attempt to write notes and your palm hits the hard buttons at the bottom, literally all hell will break loose on the screen. You simply cannot take notes. It is impossible. With the View, after a while you sort of get the hang of resting your palm on the screen in such a way to not trigger the keyboard or menus, but with the Note this is simply not possible.
One HUGE benefit of using the View to take notes is the ability of the pen to quickly highlight typed text. I LOVE this. The s-pen on the Note does not have this ability (that I could tell anyway).
Horrible, horrible implementation by Samsung.
2) SPEED: B
The thing is slow. This REALLY shocked me given the specs but there is no way the Note I tried was nearly as quick as my View. When I scrolled webpages I even saw the dreaded checkerboard pattern occasionally. I was shocked.
3) FORM FACTOR: A+
The size is nice and it's light and thin. I use a bluetooth headset anyway so would never be holding it up to my face and looking like a dork.
Conclusion:
Overall nice device but needs some serious software tweaks to be a contender.
P.S., Guess, what? The Sprint Rep told me that he heard from TPTB that Sprint will be getting the Note this summer.
Did you try the Unlocked International version? Or the AT&T version?
Flaco05 said:
Did you try the Unlocked International version? Or the AT&T version?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
AT&T Version.
I have both the note and flyer. I use the two Devices interchangeably.
Aside from the clicks noise the pen makes on the flyer screen, it's pen is still better IMO. it has eraser on it - v convenient. Taking screenshots is more straightforward. When. Taking notes, u can just continue to write, page extends to accommodate writing. On the Note however, u must open up a new page after first is full. you must also save the first full page separately...as separate document. Being able to just continue writing on the Flyer is an advantage for note-taking at meetings. But, you need somewhere to put your pen, on the flyer, there's no stylus slot option..
Screen and camera - in some respects is leaps and bounds ahead on Note; brighter images. Although, flyer is still v good for brightened. Flyers have advantage though with regard to current quality control. In snore forums you will notice several concerns about pixilated dark images on stills and videos. Also, concerns about artifacts on some Note screens - visible on dark grey backgrounds.
Calendar - Note has more functionality and pen can be used to arrange calendar appointments - I don't think this can be done on flyer.
Seven screens on Note vs 5 on Honeycombed HTC flyer. However, the note will never be able to touch the Flyer for screen transition animation and weather animation. If you like your bling, it's got to be the flyer, no competition.
Battery...I have been finding the note battery much much better than my flyer battery. With note on low to moderate use, I can go for 2 days. With the flyer, it's only a day. Difference is really apparent when upping use to moderate.
They are both good in own ways. If u can get flyer dirt cheap, buy it alongside the note. If not, stick with Note. Note wins as it easily works as multifunction device. But Flyer is more of a Web-surfing, video and brief note device. Even for the 32GB 3g flyer, phone functionality is difficult (pls correct me if I've got this wrong - as I have wifi-only Flyer but have read moans on 3g threads). So if phone accessibility and quality is important, go for Note. But of you're floored by minor quality control flaws, go for the HTC.
Sent from my 32GB GT-N 7000 using xda premium
whmcal said:
But Flyer is more of a Web-surfing, video and brief note device
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've had my note for a couple of days, and the above review is pretty much spot on. I'd like to also add that the Note, despite its size, still feels like a phone, with additional note-taking capabilities and a nice screen. The Flyer, on the other hand, feels more like a small tablet (which is exactly what it is!)
Since I had them both, I would prefer using view than note. I bought note when it first released in my town. And I became so frustated after several days using it due to its form factor isn't note taking friendly. So I gave my note to my wife, and I bought the view. and yes, I am very satisfied with the view.
I know I'm posting this in the AT&T Note forums, so the responses might be a bit biased, but here goes anyways. I was very interested in the Note from the first time I heard about it. Today I finally got around to going to an AT&T store and comparing a few phones. I was very impressed by the Note's screen, but I found it to be just slightly too big. It almost seemed like it would be perfect if it were 5.0 inches, not 5.3. Anyways, I was also very impressed by two other phones: the LG Nitro HD and the Samsung Galaxy S II Skyrocket. I've compiled a list of pros, cons, and prices, focusing directly on comparisons between the three phones. Pros are "+" and cons are "-".
Samsung Galaxy Note ($299)
+ Dat screen! Beautiful large Super Amoled display
+ Great battery life
+ Good development support
- Slightly awkward to type with
- Pen not as accurate as I hoped (perhaps problem with it being a worn out display unit)
- Phone was just too big for my hands.
Samsung Galaxy S II Skyrocket ($199)
+ Much nicer screen than expected, I was worried the low resolution would be a negative but it was hard to tell to my naked eye
+ Great development support
- Slightly too small
- HD Version coming soon
LG Nitro HD ($99)
+ Very nice sharp, colorful 720P IPS screen
+ $200 cheaper than the Galaxy Note
- Slightly too small
- Poor battery life
- Poor development
I dismissed the HTC One XL because it lacked a removable battery and SD card slot, but I might reconsider it because it seems like it would fit the screen size I'm looking for. I've just been waiting for so long before I was eligible for an upgrade, and the waiting is getting annoying. Is the Samsung Galaxy Note worth the extra cost and getting over the awkwardness? I was convinced I would fall in love with it when I finally got to use it, but that wasn't really the case, so I'm a bit hesitant. Let me know what you think.
Put it this way I paid 650 full price, so I'd say yes lol. Deff worth the extra "upgrade" price compared to those others you listed.
I had the skyrocket, it was a great device, but still prefer the galaxy note. So yes its worth the extra money. The battery life is longer, the screen is just goregous, you can definately notice the difference in screen quality from the 2 especially after using the skyrocket for a few months. My s-pen is accurate as long as i dont have it leaned too far sideways. also got use to the screen size in a day or 2, i can actually 1 hand text with ics keyboard
Wait for the HTC one x if you can. Sounds like that screen size will fit you perfect
I got the note and I m waiting got the one x
Personally, price for me wasn't even a thought. Not that I'm rolling in money... actually the note broke the bank for me. But this is something I use all day every single day. With something like that I don't consider price. It's more a matter of which phone you will enjoy the most and which will be most useful to you.
I am torn as well. I owned the skyrocker prior...the nitro is on sale for 49.99 and you can get the skyrocket refurbs for that price.. .hell the vivid refurb is a penny.
I have a ton of obligations i could put the money towards if I take the note back
I really like it but is it worth it....decissions decissions
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I717 using XDA App
100 bucks extra over the lifetime of the phone comes to $4.16 a month. But for me, it was worth 100 just to play with it in the last month. Love this phone!
jpeg42 said:
100 bucks extra over the lifetime of the phone comes to $4.16 a month. But for me, it was worth 100 just to play with it in the last month. Love this phone!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I thought I was slow to upgrade. Don't remember the last phone I kept active for two years. Lol.
Disclaimer: This is not advice. It is just something that fell from between my ears.
Thats the other thing i keep telling myself....i have more upgrades coming up lol
biglittlegato said:
I thought I was slow to upgrade. Don't remember the last phone I kept active for two years. Lol.
Disclaimer: This is not advice. It is just something that fell from between my ears.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I717 using XDA App
One word yes!
Sent from the TermiNOTEr! ;-)
Similar to what JPEG is alluding to, the answer to "Is $100 worth it?" is heavily dependent on how you evaluate the situation. I use my phone so frequently and for so many things that $100 is well worth the increased productivity and avoided frustration. Those other phones may be cheaper up front but the cost of the frustration and decreased satisfaction from a cheaper phone every time you use it for the next two years is far larger than the $100 you pay. This is a top shelf phone with a top shelf price.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I717 using xda premium
Is the Samsung Galaxy Note worth the extra price?
Absolutely to me
Is it worth it.....Hell yeah..... Besides all the great functions other memebers have listed, the ease of quickly pulling up the S note app has gotten me 2 really sexy ladies numbers....LOL.... I love this phone
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I717 using XDA Premium App
I got the phone for $150, but I think it'd definitely be worth full price as well. The screen is amazing and you adjust to the large size in just a few days.
tdude51 said:
Samsung Galaxy Note ($299)
+ Dat screen! Beautiful large Super Amoled display
+ Great battery life
+ Good development support
- Slightly awkward to type with
- Pen not as accurate as I hoped (perhaps problem with it being a worn out display unit)
- Phone was just too big for my hands.
Is the Samsung Galaxy Note worth the extra cost and getting over the awkwardness? I was convinced I would fall in love with it when I finally got to use it, but that wasn't really the case, so I'm a bit hesitant. Let me know what you think.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't work for AT&T - and your money is your money so I can't tell you how to spend it. But I can address your cons from my perspective.
I agree that it seems slightly awkward to type with... or it did. I tried a bunch of keyboards and settled on Smart Keyboard Pro. I'm now just as fast on the Note as I was in the iPhone 4S. Spend a little time and you'll find the right fit for you and the screen (which may not be the same keyboard you used to use).
Pen accuracy - it'll improve as you adjust to the device. My first couple days with the phone I thought the pen was a gimmick. Now I've come to find it's a great tool and I take a ton of notes with it.
In the store the phone felt stupid big to me. And like you I felt it was just too big for my hand size. Reality is (and many here will tell you) - you adjust to the size and it takes on an almost normal feel. I think your hands are accustomed to the size of your current phone and so anything larger feels, well larger and out of place. Sure no matter what (unless you have Shaq hands) the far side of the screen is going to take an adjustment to reach, but the act of holding and interacting with the device will normalize in a short period of time. For me it was about a week and it stopped feeling awkward. Now after about 2 and half other phones just feel (and look) foolishly tiny.
The short period of time (even if it was an hour or two) in the store with the phone is (for me) - not enough to really get used to the Note or determine how you're going to feel about it. Its a fabulous device that's worth getting to know. Take the 30 days and if you don't like it pay the restocking fee. But I know for me - there's very little chance mine's going back to AT&T to get put back on the shelf.
Now, for one other recommendation: If you get the white - get a case or order the black back from Samsung fulfillment. The white back is slick as snot. I put the black one on and the grip is excellent.
netsyd said:
I don't work for AT&T - and your money is your money so I can't tell you how to spend it. But I can address your cons from my perspective.
I agree that it seems slightly awkward to type with... or it did. I tried a bunch of keyboards and settled on Smart Keyboard Pro. I'm now just as fast on the Note as I was in the iPhone 4S. Spend a little time and you'll find the right fit for you and the screen (which may not be the same keyboard you used to use).
Pen accuracy - it'll improve as you adjust to the device. My first couple days with the phone I thought the pen was a gimmick. Now I've come to find it's a great tool and I take a ton of notes with it.
In the store the phone felt stupid big to me. And like you I felt it was just too big for my hand size. Reality is (and many here will tell you) - you adjust to the size and it takes on an almost normal feel. I think your hands are accustomed to the size of your current phone and so anything larger feels, well larger and out of place. Sure no matter what (unless you have Shaq hands) the far side of the screen is going to take an adjustment to reach, but the act of holding and interacting with the device will normalize in a short period of time. For me it was about a week and it stopped feeling awkward. Now after about 2 and half other phones just feel (and look) foolishly tiny.
The short period of time (even if it was an hour or two) in the store with the phone is (for me) - not enough to really get used to the Note or determine how you're going to feel about it. Its a fabulous device that's worth getting to know. Take the 30 days and if you don't like it pay the restocking fee. But I know for me - there's very little chance mine's going back to AT&T to get put back on the shelf.
Now, for one other recommendation: If you get the white - get a case or order the black back from Samsung fulfillment. The white back is slick as snot. I put the black one on and the grip is excellent.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for your advice! I'm glad to know that it just takes a little bit of getting used to. I'm very excited about this device, I was just surprised once I finally got my hands on it. I don't really have much to lose with the 30 day return window so I think I'm going to go for it. The development seems to be getting better every day, and I love tweaking my devices and getting the most out of them. I also am in big need of a new device for watching movies, listening to music and playing games (mostly on emulators). I think I will really enjoy doing that with the Note.
I was struggling with the same problem as the OP, just wasn't sure which to go with. I ended up deciding, mostly because I'm signing a 3 year contract, that I would go with the device with the best hardware, being the Note. I was worried about the size possibly making it awkward, but what I've found after owning it for just about a month now is that It's actually perfect.. My hands aren't small, but they're not huge either, and I can use it one handed for 90% of what I use it for, but I love tilting it on it's side and typing with two hands. I owned an HTC Touch Diamond prior to this, it has a stylus as well, and I found I'd always use the stylus for some of the smaller icons, well on the Note I hardly ever have to use the Stylus, just use it for editing photos really. The stylus is hardly noticable, if you use it great, if not then hey it's just an extra.
I think you'll get used to the size very quickly, and once you do, you'll have a super hard time going back to any other phone. I still have my Diamond Touch, use it as an alarm clock hah, and I get SO frustrated trying to manage it's tiny screen, and I remember when I first got it thinking it was perfectly sized haha... Oh how times change.
Imo phones like the Note are the future. I have a samsung laptop as well, 17" beast that I carry around a lot, and they make an awesome pair. It's kind of funny too, as they're both Samsung units, the stock back piece for the Note matches the edges of my laptop. Very esthetic combo. (RF711 laptop if anyone cares. )
( Also I type roughly 100wpm on a regular keyboard, so texting on phones has always been super tedious for me. When I tilt the Note on it's side and use the larger keyboard I can type faster then I ever have on a phone before. It's actually amazing I love it hah. )
I think the note has ruined me!!!! I've been using it for 7 days short of a month now and I have to say I loooooove it!!
I was skeptical of leaving IOS for android. I've played with android b4 setting up my GF's rooted nook color as a tablet
and its really buggy at times, I kept thinking to myself hmmm if the phones are this buggy then I'm gunna hate it!!!
But I took the plunge and haven't looked back since its very smooth and very few bugs. the size was giant to me
at first, but It has really become normal to me now. I pick up my old 3gs and I'm feel like its a tiny little toy!!!! LOL
So I say yes it is worth the price!!! I'm a photographer and I love showing off my photos on this phone!!!
I dont have a note so I cant speak on that front, but I can tell you the LG Nitro is what I would NOT go with. Played around on it a handful of times and every time it was slow and somewhat unresponsive.
If HTC one x is going to be unavailable for your network then go for Note. I moved 4s to nexus galaxy to Note and must say would not swap this device for any othrr device. Of course when One X is available that's a different story.
Sent from my GT-N7000 using Tapatalk
Here is my LONG and slightly biased review of the 3 top devices right now.
I had a DNA, Nexus 4, and Note 2 all at the same time and here is a summary of my thoughts on how they compare.
The DNA and Note 2 were my personal phones, the Nexus 4 belonged to my company and was purchased for a tear down analysis. I got to use it for about a week.
I have been following the HTC J Butterfly ever since it was announced in Japan. Although I was 100 percent satisfied with my Note 2, I was quite intrigued with the phone's full 1080 progressive display. So many pixels crammed in 5" of screen real estate must be amazing I figured. I wanted to see if this phone would give me second thoughts and sway me away from my beloved Note 2.
Screen:
1. DNA
2. Note 2
3. Nexus 4
The crown jewel of the HTC DNA is the display, while quite amazing in person, it reminds me a lot of the iPhone 5's Retina display, just bigger. I know the DNA has a much higher ppi density, but in reality you really can't tell the difference once the resolution gets so high in a 4-5" screen. Only situation where I could clearly distinguish the difference was in text, and when zoomed all the way out and the texts are all microscopic but still legible if you put a magnifying glass to it.
The novelty of the 1080P screen wears out QUICK. I showed a few of my co-workers and friends/families and they couldn't really see what the big fuss was all about. They say their iPhone 4S/5 ect. looks the same. Oh well, I should have brought with me a magnifying glass to brag about the difference I suppose. Once the novelty wears off, the beautiful screen becomes more of a curse. A LOT of games/apps don't work right with the 1080p display. I know developers will eventually update their apps, maybe, to support the 1080p resolution but in the meantime it's a waiting game. I hate waiting...and it seems like I'm missing out on a lot of good games and apps while other phones get to enjoy it RIGHT NOW.
Next, The high ppi count combined with HTC sense lags this phone. You can tell it taxes the GPU/CPU pushing all those pixels. If you claim your DNA doesn't lag, then you either don't know what lag is, or never experienced a phone that is lag-free. The iPhone 5 is lag free, the Nexus 4 and Note 2 are "almost" lag free but those two still offer much smoother UI performance as a whole than the DNA.
The Nexus 4 screen is "nice" but it's nothing to write home about, nor is it super uber amazing like some Nexus fans might lead you to believe. The viewing angles and resolution are above average but the color is quite disappointing. Everything looks washed out and drab on the screen next to the DNA and Note 2, no real pop or anything to make it stand out. It reminds me a lot of the display on my LG G2X, just higher resolution.
Note 2's screen, don't be fooled by the "only" 267ppi count. This screen is by far one of the best displays I've seen on a smartphone, and I've had pretty much most all high end smartphones due to the line of work I do and frankly, my addiction. The lame background that Samsung loads on this phone default from the factory does not do the phone justice. I can see how a person would think the screen isn't anything special when they first turn it on. Com'on Samsung, load a high resolution default background to show off that beautiful screen, not some low resolution, plain blue background with a feather in the back.
This display is not like the other Samsung AMOLEDs of the past like the Note 1, Galaxy S, Nexus, Galaxy S3. Those are all Pentile matrix. Those are not comparable to the Note 2's screen.
The Note 2 is an RGB matrix OLED HD NON-PENTILE display, the highest resolution one that Samsung has ever put on a phone. And it's a spectacular display, which blows the other Samsung SuperAMOLED's out of the water. Everything looks sharper on a non-pentile display. Don't be fooled by the ppi count on AMOLED's when comparing pentile to non-pentile, the S3 might have a higher ppi density but the Note 2 offers a superior viewing experience. Text, images, ect. all look much more clear, sharper and cleaner on the Note 2.
It doesn't quite match the DNA's overall brightness and resolution but it's a solid, high resolution beautiful screen. Better than the Nexus 4's screen by far.
Camera:
Camera quality wise I would rank them as follows.
1. Note 2
2. DNA
3. Nexus 4
The Note 2 takes the best pictures in all light conditions, the DNA takes good pictures in good lighting but they produce a LOT of noise and it gets worse as the lighting drops. Noise is very apparent when you blow the picture up to 100 percent crop. The Nexus 4 is last place, I could not take a decent picture with that thing especially low light. The Note 2 takes really high quality pictures without a lot of noise, I am very impressed with it.
Build:
Build quality and feel.
1. Nexus 4
2. DNA
3. Note 2
I got to hand it to LG and Google on the Nexus 4, this thing feels like a million bucks in your hand. Glass front and back, rubber surround between. It just feels very premium. Like German Engineered. =) It just feels really good in your hand. Just don't drop it.
The DNA feels... Japanese. Very well built, gives the impression that it should last for a long time and fare well in drop survival . Doesn't quite match the Nexus for that extra premium feel. Very ergonomic to hold, I think it was my favorite thing about the DNA. It felt really nicely balanced in your hand for it's size.
Sadly the Note 2 feels like a GM product. Plastic, plastic, plastic. Even the simulated metal surround is just painted plastic. Upside is it's relatively light for it's size but don't expect it to have a premium feel to it, it's not bad, it's actually very solid but just not premium feeling like the other two. Feels better in the hand than the Note 1, which was kinda ridiculous and shaped more like a tablet. The Note 2 feels like a phone, just a large one. Not the most comfortable phone to hold for a long time one handed but definitely not that bad.
Software.
1. Note 2
2. Nexus 4
3. DNA
The Note 2 is on a whole different planet when it comes to functionality and software. I know many people scoff at Touchwiz and Sense, or any UI overlay that messes with the pure Android experience. I too was one of those people. My mind was blown when it came to the Note 2. It's been a month since I had my international Note 2, and about a week with my T-Mobile Note 2. I am still finding out new incredible things the software and S-Pen can do on this phone. Touchwiz is truly great on this phone, also it is butter smooth in operation. I can't believe I'm saying this but Touchwiz on the Note 2 makes pure Android 4.2 on the Nexus 4 seem rather lame and boring. It seems like Samsung really took their time, did their homework to really optimize the operation of their UI on this phone. Rooting and Installing custom roms is as easy as they get on the Note 2. Flash 1 simple file, and bam you got a custom recovery. Root and install custom roms and kernels till your hearts desire!
HTC Sense, now this is one beautiful looking UI. Unfortunately DNA is loaded to the gills with bloatware, OMG I've never seen so much bloat on a phone. You can tell the UI really taxes the phone's CPU and GPU. The performance definitely do not match the benchmarks. Don't get me started on unlocking the bootloader on this thing, have you guys seen the instructions? Seems more complicated than brain surgery with the risk of bricking your phone the whole process.
What can I say about the Nexus 4? It has pure 4.2 Android and is very smooth. On par with the Note 2. Pure Android feels sorta naked, with not much stuff to discover. It's plain jane, what pisses me off is Google decided to take out the AOSP browser and made Chrome the default browser. No flash support and performance isn't that great. I'm surprised that Chrome is actually pretty decently smooth on the Nexus 4 but still not as good as the stock AOSP browser. I did not like the on screen buttons which took a lot of screen real estate away.
I always found the S-Pen on the original Note kinda gimmicky, not so much on the Note 2. It is incredibly useful on the Note 2 and I find myself using it ALL THE TIME and I'm not a pen/tablet kinda guy. It's literally 10 times more accurate and functional on the Note 2 loaded with all kinds of great features. Air view is one of them and awesome!
Battery life:
1. Note 2
2. DNA
3. Nexus 4
Okay this is no contest. I am a HEAVY user with a lot of screen on time, I hardly charge my phones. The Note 2 gets me through the day with Heavy Usage, 10+ hours and I still have 25 percent reserve. Same type of usage, the Nexus 4 is dead in 3 1/2 hours flat The DNA is slightly better but still dead in about 4-5 hours of the same type of usage. With light to moderate use, the Note 2 got me through a weekend of camping with no charger in sight, that's with browsing the web, checking email, doing some work related stuff, streaming a few Youtube videos for my daughters. I would never attempt that with any other phone. Impossible with the Nexus or DNA. The Note 2's battery life is simply unbelievable. What's even better than the Note 2's amazing battery life? The ability to carry MORE if needed, since it's removable! The Nexus 4 battery blows! I'm at 60 percent just browsing the web on that thing for 45 minutes, hopefully with the next few updates Google will find a way to make the battery last longer.
Storage:
1. Note 2
2. DNA/Nexus 4
Again, No contest.
I had a 64GB Sandisk from my GS3, popped it into my Note 2 and now I have 80GB of combined storage. It's perfect for putting in literally my whole movie collection and mp3 songs on the go. My daughters could browse through the movie collection and find the ones they want to watch anywhere to keep them quiet, no need to plan ahead and only put in only 1 or 2 choices due to storage limitations. I could carry along more SD cards as I wish, basically limitless storage capacity is priceless to have.
After having owned and used all 3, I returned the DNA pronto.
There is absolutely no device that has satisfied me in all areas like the Note 2, it's basically the Swiss army knife of phones. It's a no contest comparing the DNA or Nexus 4 to the Note 2. They don't stand a chance. This is the ONE and ONLY device that has ever stopped my urge and yearning to try something different because I know there is no other phone out there that can measure up to it. Literally and figuratively.
I wouldn't put the fragile Nexus 4 at the top of build quality when the glass cracks easily. There's even been reports that temperature change (it being warn in your hand and then sat on a counter top) cracks it. Plastic is better build quality because it's built to last.
Thanks.. Well written comparison between the three phones and i think it's fair for the most part.
Highly biased towards the note 2 but that's your opinion
Sent from my HTC6435LVW using xda premium
Unless the DNA overheats or I use chrome, I don't see low framerate. I got it to overheat and used chrome at the same time today.
Wasn't pretty.
I wish people would stop calling low framerate lag. Lag is not even a relevant term.
LOL This sounded like a "Gather around kids, let me tell you about these phones, I had all 3!" "ooohhhhhhh aaaahhhhh"
Seriously though I have to agree with the OP on Touchwiz. I have a Note 10.1 tablet and I had a Galaxy SIII. I traded my S III to my sister for her upgrade so I could get the Note 2 on Verizon when it came out. Got tired of waiting and got the DNA. The DNA is a great phone, don't get me wrong, but after playing around with the S III and the Note 10.1 I found Sense to be just . . . boring. The whole 1080p thing really gets boring quick and I was just left with a skin that doesn't do all that much.
Today a friend was showing me that she bought the S III I recommended her to buy and I was showing her all these little things I liked and I kept having to say "no, my new one doesn't do that... but look at the screen!".
I carry 2 phones with me at all times. My Serious "work" phone (Verizon) because I need a phone that will work wherever I travel and my "Just for fun" phone (T-Mobile prepaid).
There is a lot I do like about the DNA, call quality is great, display really is amazing, I love the looks of it and it just feels reliable. So I made the decision that I'm going to keep the DNA on Verizon and instead I'm going to replace my Galaxy Nexus on T-Mobile with the Note 2. I think it makes sense, Verizon is my Reliable line and I think the DNA will be the most reliable PHONE, T-Mobile is my for fun line so I think the Note 2 will be the most fun phablet for it.
That's a whole bunch of hardware to carry around lol.
It really is an addiction LOL, I carry a manbag (IT'S NOT A PURSE!) with my Galaxy Note 10.1 and my Nexus 7 and my Bluetooth keyboard and a bunch of cables and a portable hard drive and chargers and then I carry my 2 phones around and I don't do **** with any of it. It's always a "Just in case" thing. It's that Ti and Ne kicking in.
People always slagged off Touchwiz but I tried Android on a phone in store in 2010 and I hated it, I then decided to go for the iPhone 4. When it came to the GS2 launching I had gotten so fed up of how restrictive IOS is that I sold my iPhone 4 and got the GS2 last year. It was so much better than the Android I used before and I messed around with lots of roms after people saying how stock is much better and I hated it, stock just lacked so many features that TouchWiz had. I also thought the apps Samsung had on the phone all just worked, where the stock apps felt rather dated. Then using the Note 2 in store I just the added functionality of the pen, especially being able to quickly write numbers down while on the phone without having to go through menus. PiP and the multiple windows open is just something I so badly want now and I loved how Samsung have improved TouchWiz so much since the GS2.
I would buy the Note 2 if the specs were more impressive, however the Mali 400 is a real let down, it struggled a bit on the GS2 and it would be even worse on the Note 2.
Though I've tried The Nexus 4 at work as my mate has one and I still think stock Android is **** compared to Touchwiz.
I truly appreciate this, thank you very much! I agree with everything you said as well (as far as the DNA and N2 go, I haven't used the N4). You've made the decision to return the DNA in for the Note 2 that much easier!
DNA has no screen stuttering when navigating the launcher or any of the apps... there will be some moments when its loaded up with apps that ive been using where it might have a very slight stutter but it usually corrects itself ... I personally love sense compared to anything else... the rest of my family all got GS III's and i hate touchwiz so much... the entire UI stutters from opening apps navigating screens and settings.. haven't played with a note II yet so i cant really go into detail with that...
Don't know what your whole family did to their S3's but I'm pretty sure I'm not alone in saying the S3 is quite smooth. Of course its not nexus 4 quick though
Sent from my SGH-T999 using Tapatalk 2
I had the note2 on T-Mobile for two weeks and now the DNA for one week. They are both great phones! Personally I don't care for sense or touchwiz, but then again that's why we are all here....you can get your android os anyway you like. I settled on the DNA because, I have always used HTC, even pre android, and think that they have the finest build quality in the android world. Also the note2 felt just slightly to big.
I think it really comes down to those little personal preferences when dealing with these power house phones! You won't be sorry with any of these.
I really wanted to like the S3, but nothing about it was 'woah' for me. It didn't look that good, and I didn't mind waiting to see what else was around the corner. So I got the DNA, and I'm blown away. I really don't care about comparing Touchwiz vs. Sense vs. Pure Android, because regardless of what skin I have, I'm going to either find an AOSP ROM or I'll be uninstalling all the bloat ware and using a different launcher.
The S3 is a good phone, and I would recommend it, but I love my DNA a lot more. The screen isn't a novelty for me really, its just beautiful and not Pentile.
The note2, I feel like that's not considered on the same category. I've never gotten to play with one, but if we are looking at $200 on contract, DNA is the way to go and not go to up for the Note2.
Pretty insightful, especially since I'm deciding between the DNA and Note 2. I haven't tested either phone in the store yet, but I plan on doing that soon. Swaying to the DNA because of the awesome design (IMHO) and the screen. Note 2 is looking good because of the removable battery and expandable storage. 6+GB of music will fill the DNA FAST since I can't really use cloud storage (NYC subway has no service). I have only 2 problems with the Note 2 from all the videos I've seen: 1. That sore thumb of a logo on the home button 2. Doesn't seem like the S-Pen works with AOSP roms like CM/AOKP/PA, based on what I've seen with the Note. Sort of a problem since I'm sure the S-Pen is a considerable amount of the final cost of the phone.
How clear would you say the screen on the Note 2 is? I've really only experienced the screen on my GNexus and a few of the first Galaxy S phones. I actually love my Nexus's screen, but at 5.5", I can't think of it being as nice.
Talked to a friend of mine who has tested both. He feels the Note 2 is no faster than the DNA even at lower resolution.
.torrented said:
DNA has no screen stuttering when navigating the launcher or any of the apps... there will be some moments when its loaded up with apps that ive been using where it might have a very slight stutter but it usually corrects itself ... I personally love sense compared to anything else... the rest of my family all got GS III's and i hate touchwiz so much... the entire UI stutters from opening apps navigating screens and settings.. haven't played with a note II yet so i cant really go into detail with that...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I agree here 100% I hated...HATED! Sense on my thunderbolt but this is a whole new sense.. I'd almost venture to say I prefer this newest sense to stock android... Just my input on that
This is very good thread, not biased at all to be honest. I was in love with the DNA display for the first few days, and guess what it wore off, lol. Now I can't tell a difference between 1080p and 720p lol. I now tell people hey you won't be able to tell after 2 days, lol.
I am about to go tomorrow to check out the note 2 and see if the narrow design fits my hands. I might switch it out but I am not going in with the mindset to pick one up, I however will be ready to exchange it if I am impressed. I am really tired of sense I like other launchers and for some reason they don't seem to run as fast on the 1080p screen.
Sense is so unproductive it looks nice but seriously why the hell do I have to go in to settings to change a wallpaper, the long press on home screen just lets you add widgets, so stupid. HTC seems to have made it worse.
I love the DNA but if I am as impressed by the note 2 I might exchange it out tomorrow.
---------- Post added at 06:11 AM ---------- Previous post was at 06:05 AM ----------
adrynalyne said:
Talked to a friend of mine who has tested both. He feels the Note 2 is no faster than the DNA even at lower resolution.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Trust me unless your friend was a robot he wouldn't know. They are both fast phones, if someone says they can see the difference when they use it, they are most likely lying, lol.
I could be wrong but regarding battery category,
Is your Notes 2 using TMobile's network ? since Verizon's Note 2 is only available tomorrow, I guess the Notes 2 you own is GSM version.
Verizon's DNA is running on LTE.
So I would give it some kudos for running on LTE doing the heavy usage you had for 4-5 hours with 2020 mAH battery, (note 2 has a 1.5 bigger battery inside.)
Thanks for the review - and thanks for trying out phones that you know you are going to return. Helps everyone out when our carrier has to handle RMAs for people that want to try phones just to review them.
*sighs*
-D
I would like for us to share tips on how to make using this larger device easier, especially one handed...
I will edit this post as people make suggestions. I just ask that you keep them in a list form (or otherwise organized manor) to make it easy for me to copy/paste into this post.
Ditched the stock launcher for Nova Launcher... (or other custom launcher)
Add a row and column of icons so the vast real estate of this phone can be much better utilized. How can this help with one handed use? Well now that you have more icons, closer together.. you can put them along one side of the phone to get at them more easily if you wish.
If the launcher offers gestures... set up a couple gestures. When not in an app, have a "down" gesture to open the notification panel. Prevents having to reach up and drag your thumb down to get at the panel. HUGE help!
Set up a "up" gesture to open the most recent apps list. Another shortcut allowing to reach less with the thumb.
You can set up all kinds of gestures.. use them to your one handed advantage!
We can also discuss the Note II overall/in general if you want. The pitfalls and perks... maybe even the Pro/cons of other potential high end devices that some may be interested in if they find the Note II just too large.
Why did I start this thread?
Well to get some tips for myself... and to allowed them to be shared. Plus I am very much on the fence with this device. I never really wanted a large phone. I thought my Galaxy Nexus was a little too big, but at least I was able to do most things one handed without feeling like my grip on the device was only poor at best. But my fiance wanted the Note II and wants us to have the same phone. (because if she has issues, usually after rooting and flashing custom ROMs, I know how to fix them most times, and I keep up with updates to ROMs and news better for my own device)
I love just about everything about this phone... The quad core really makes this phone run smooth, and the screen is the first AMOLED that I actually like, and the battery life is great, even if it didn't have a huge battery... but the size is proving difficult to adjust to. I went from a 3.7 inch MT4G to a Rezound with much less trouble.
So now I am looking at alternatives to the Note II and I see slim options. (on Verizon anyway)
The Droid DNA: Very nice screen... S4 Pro CPU thermal issues and battery life issues... and Sense... ugh Sense... I learned quickly when I switched to Verizon that Sense is a pain to get rid of, due to not being able to directly compile RIL from source like GSM. Not that I mind Sense as an overlay, its reasonably responsive... it just kills battery life compared to stock Android. Plus I just prefer AOSP based.
Droid Razr M: I would say it is about as close to the perfect sized phone there could be. (for me at least) Plenty of useful screen for a phone without the bulk... But the Pentile screen... ew... AMOLED has enough issues with colors being wrong or whites getting yellowed at lower brightness... don't make it worse with Pentile! The resolution may not be "high end" 720p or better, but qHD isn't bad on a phone. With pentile the graininess makes my eyes bleed. Its only dual core, but its still a decent CPU... but its dual core... A problem most other Android devices share right now.
Droid Razr HD (and Maxx): Pentile... once again... Even with the HD display, I still see it... I seen it on my GNex as well. (If you haven't noticed, I don't like Pentile displays)
The only viable Non-Android options...
HTC 8X: Very nice size and handy feeling phone... Windows Phone 8... its not as customizable as Android but not as limiting as iOS... and the interface is pretty slick. The aesthetics are a little odd, but the OS is fluid and smooth... The jury is still out on battery life... it has no built in turn by turn navigation, and the options to get it are limited in the market right now. The whole market is limited ATM... Some things do not feel as refined as they could be (like the keyboard) So it could be like an exciting beginning like Android was back in the day, or I could be spoiled by Android's current refinement level and be wholly annoyed... Dual core, but not limiting on a Windows phone really, it runs very smooth as I said. Its the little things that add up to me not really liking the phone, like navigation and keyboard I mentioned earlier.
iPhone 5: (hiss spit) The dreaded iPhone! Despite the general dislike of iPhones by Android users, it is a competent device... limiting... but competent. My multitasking is limited anyway, so that may not prove an issue... its the lack of customizing that gets me... Its is a really good size though... the 4 inch screen works well for one handed use, like the very similarly overall sized Razr M and its 4.3 inch screen. Compared to the prior iPhones, the size is an improvement... I just find the iPhone (mostly iOS it runs on) boring, very bland and boring. (the physical device itself is nice though) The only real benefit to switching to the iPhone 5 would be that if I chose to sell it in a few months because an Android device came along I really like on Verizon, I can sell it to someone wanting to upgrade but still in contract, and make enough to almost pay for the new phone.
So... there it is... the options as i see them. Feel free to comment and share your tips on using the Note II.
Seems to me that you've already decided to get a different phone rather than give this one a chance.
I have large hands so I dont have any trouble.
/sent from my Gnote2 using tapacrap\
Gnex is an amoled screen not pen tile. I just came from a gnex..at first I thought my gnex was big...then I got an extended battery for grip and the phone was perfect...now ive given my wife the 4.2.1 gnex and got the note 2 for myself...well seidio hasnt come out with a convert extended case or battery yet so I can agree that the phone is cumbersome to hold and I dare not hold it upto my ear like a brick lol. Blue tooth only. But I am adjusting I've had the phone for four days lol. If any thing there needs to be a case with finger perches smack dab in the back middle of the phone so you can grip it and still articulate your thumb acroas the screen one handed without the phone being pushed all the way up in your palm
Sent from my SCH-I605 using xda app-developers app
Battery life on DNA is fine...I had it for 2weeks.
I have normal sized hands I would say I don't really have any issues when I'm not texting I hold the phone in the middle so I can reach the whole device and I use the one hand keyboard for texting so that's not a big deal
Sent from my SCH-I605 using Tapatalk 2
If I had given up on it... I would have already taken it back... I was at the Verizon store today returning the flip cover as I didn't care for it. Asked about the proccess to swap devices... didn't.
To be honest... the limited number of good options available, and the thought of "possibly" getting an iPhone made me physically ill... Ugh nausea over a phone... something is wrong with me.
Deckoz2302 said:
Gnex is an amoled screen not pen tile.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It is AMOLED with Pentile... Anandtech confirms Gnex pentile (plus I can see the pixels... as I have very good eyes)
Dude, get a flygrip and call it a day
Sent from my SCH-I605 using xda premium
sleevasteve said:
Dude, get a flygrip and call it a day
Sent from my SCH-I605 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Interesting... but I think I would dislike it overall. It sticks to the back of the phone and looks cumbersome. Anything that I have to manipulate to make it work will not be useful when I am stuffed under an instrument panel of an airplane. LOL
I think as your post illustrates, there are just so many different phones for different use situations now. There's no reason to try to force one to be everything to everyone (yourself). It's a big phone. No one can make it seem like it's not, that's it's feature if you will. It's a notepad and a powerful mobile computing platform. It stands in for anyone who wants a multi use device to bridge the gap between a tablet/pc/phone.
I went from the iPhone to a much larger S3 and I never looked back. It was way larger, but I adjusted such that I couldn't look at a smaller screen and feel comfortable. It was large enough where I imagined using a phone just a bit larger that would take away some of that time I was wishing I had my tablet with me for reading and writing. Amazingly, that device exists and it looks like a larger version of the best phone I ever used, the S3. Hooray.
My point is this, think only of how you use the phone or how you want to use it. If comfort in the hand is primary, don't buy the Note 2. It's an amazing phone, but all those phones you listed are good. You have the option to break it down however you like. I considered the DNA for the beautiful screen, but I want expandable storage and battery, I wanted the option of the stylus. If it were about fitting in my pocket or hand most of all, I would never have left the S3.
Yeah, other than size its got the features I wanted. I am hoping I can adapt... if anyone has some tips to help that along. I also have a TPU case coming in the mail sometime that may add some texture and keep the phone from feeling too slick.
The screen is very important to me... the quality anyway. If the screen is poor, then I am unhappy with the phone. Which is why I eliminated many options, including the SIII.
here is an unboxing/preview of the flygrip.
http://www.examiner.com/article/unboxing-flygrip-kickstand-and-one-handed-phone-grip
Looks great, works great.
In and out of pocket isn't an issue.
Deckoz2302 said:
Gnex is an amoled screen not pen tile.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The GNEX is an Super Amoled screen that uses pentile technology.
First.. the Nexus DOES use a Pentile display. That has been beaten to death in various forums.
Second.. Flygrip? Really? I looked at their website and to me that thing is aweful. I do NOT want some big bulky thing protruding off the back of my phone. What is the purpose of it? To "hang" the phone off your fingers? Is this because you don't have a strong enough grip to hold the phone while manipulating it? Just seems very big and clunky to me.. and a nightmare to use with pants pockets.
I bought the standard shell case at Verizion that comes with a little fold out kick stand. If you are worried about the phone falling out of your hand and want the "hanging" thing that the flygrip offers, I verified that you can extend the kickstand on my verizon case and then slid a finger in the triangular gap.. so the weight is supported and the grip feels secure. Works pretty good! Not bad for a $15 case.
As for my Note 2. I'm a big guy (6'8") so this phone is PERFECT for me, proportionally speaking.
My wife has the Rezound (4.3" display).. it was funny to test our phones by putting it in our palm and reaching across with our thumbs. Her thumb extended past the edge of the screen a fraction of an inch farther than me.. so really, my GIANT note is really no bigger than her Rezound, when in the hand.
It's a big phone. Period.
I have done a few things to help when it comes to one handed use. There aren't many frustrations for me, but one of them is getting at the notifications, via the pull down menu.
I ditched the stock Sense launcher for Nova Launcher.. MUCH more customizable.
In Nova, I added a row and column of icons so the vast real estate of this phone can be much better utilized. How can this help with one handed use? Well now that you have more icons, closer together.. you can put them along one side of the phone to get at them more easily if you wish.
In Nova, I set up a couple gestures. When not in an app, I have an "down" gesture to open the notification panel. That right there solved my biggest frustration.. having to reach up and drag my thumb down to get at the panel. HUGE help!
The other gesture I set up was a "up" gesture to open the most recent apps list. Another shortcut allowing me to reach less with the thumb.
With Nova Launcher, you can set up all kinds of gestures.. use them to your one handed advantage!
I think having a case is a huge help. I don't really like the glossy back that Sammy chose for the phone. I highly suggest a case that has a soft or rubbery feel. I can't stand silicone cases as they stick in my pockets.. but most of the hard shell type cases the phone snaps into seem great. There are some really low profile cases out there that add almost no bulk.
I also, sadly, ditched the stock keyboard for swift key. I LOOVVVEEED the stock keyboard at first with the dedicated number row. But seriously.. no autocorrect?? WTF? I need that. so I went to swift key and have really enjoyed it so far.
That's about all I have for now..
After 5 days with this phone you couldn't pry it from my average size hands!
Sent from my rooted SGH-1605
Some good suggestions Gnome.
Not sure if they will solve all my issues, but they may help some.
I don't normally have to use this device one handed... but what advice can I give? Use Nova Launcher and Swipepad.
Nova gives you many one handed and two handed gestures. This helps a lot for the hard to reach areas like notifications.
Swipepad gives you 12 shortcuts (and an add on you can buy for more) to any app you want as well as shortcuts with the swipe of your finger from whatever edge of the screen you would like. I set it on the mid right edge and swipe in with my thumb and tada!
Hope this helps!
Sent from my SCH-I605 using xda app-developers app
I prefer having things larger across the screen, but there are one hand settings that make the dialer, stock keyboard, etc stay to one side that you choose. If your thumb can't make it all the way over, turn this on.
Typing in landscape with both thumbs is MUCH faster anyways though. Two fingers is going to be faster than one.
Even with one handed mode it can be difficult.
I am getting better at it, but still not sure.
A case that has a good grippiness to it or a ridge/groove in the middle would allow some grip when using one handed where your hand can't wrap around the phone.
gnome_sayin said:
Is this because you don't have a strong enough grip to hold the phone while manipulating it?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's not about strength at all. My fingers are stupid short and if I'm holding the phone securely in my palm, I can just BARELY reach the middle of this beast. I almost got a flygrip but, like you, I opted for the rubberized case from Verizon with the kickstand, and I have found that to be a perfectly viable, AND FLAT when not in use, flygrip alternative.
I hold my phone with other my 4 fingers, not my palm. This is more comfortable and just as secure.
Got my DNA roughly a week ago and have been comparing it with some of the newest phones that colleagues and co-workers have. I knew I'd be impressed with the device after reading the specs and reviews of this beast when compared to the s3, but I really never expected out to be this amazing.
The screen is large, yet the phone is comfortable in the hand. The contour and taper of the rear polycarbonate is among the most, of not the most, comfortable phone I've picked up. A lot easier to handle than Samsung's s3 and note 2. The only real downside is that the back absorbs skin oils very easily and van be a core to clean. I just got through cleaning mine out and it looks as awesome as the day I got it though I know that will change by tomorrow night.
Comparing it to the s3, the note 2, the optimus g, and the evo 4g lte, I was delightfully surprised to see that the only things it was lacking in comparison to its competitors were things that didn't bother me at all, namely battery and sd slot. I was also mildly disappointed with the camera clarity when compared to the optimus g, but my eyes are better than most and other people I showed the comparison couldn't see the same lack of crispness, so I'll not list that as a downfall. The DNA blew everything that wasn't the optimus g away in the benchmark tests, we decided on and really brought to light the superiority of the HTC device over its Samsung rivals. Audio quality was really no contest with the dna's beats audio. Surfing and other everyday routines were personal preference for the most part with some of us absolutely hating the sense ui. I personally prefer sense to any other android ui at the moment. In terms of feel and ergonomics, the almost universal consensus was in favor of the DNA.
At the moment, my phone is the envy of the workplace with some co-workers still running devices as old as the iPhone 3gs. The unlocked SIM slot makes it one of the only stock international capable phones in the store (we sell phones where I work) and is the only 1080p phone in the store.
As amazing as the phone is though, there are definitely some issues with it. Compatibility issues with the phone run rampant and can get very irritating. Battery life, while more than sufficient for typical use, needs to be watched like a hawk over periods of extended use. Pre-installed Verizon apps feel cluttering on grid. SIM card slot is not very easily accessible. The SIM card comes pre-installed and did cause issues upon arrival. And probably most annoyingly of all, the cover for the usb port is just horrible. It falls apart way too easily even worth mild, careful use. Running my finger along the edges of the phone, I can feel a very deliberate bulge where the "door hinge" is at on an otherwise flat surface. It is incredibly annoying to someone like me where the look and feel of the device is just as important as its functionality.
All in all though, this droid has very much impressed me, which I think it's a big thing considering how much I thought I knew I was getting coming in. It's exceeded my expectations in ways I've never even thought of and will likely continue to do so for quite some time now.
On an unrelated note, I was actually somewhat disappointed in the widely respected diztronic case for the DNA. It came in a few days later than expected (ended up having to wait over the weekend), it blocked of the notification light (though I already knew this going in), it made the power button harder to press (the complete opposite of what I'd heard), and it leaves an imprint of their logo on the back of your phone when you take it off (though I've had good luck getting it out thus far). I'll definitely only be keeping it on at work when I'm selling people on phone cases lol.
Sent from my HTC6435LVW using xda app-developers app
Nice thoughts, largely agree, particularly about the case though I just took it off and enjoy the bare phone in my hand.
I keep my phone of at home and at this point only use it to not look like an assy salesman when I try to sell people on cases. Not to say cases are horrible, they're just horrible for this phone. I'd probably put an impact resistant case on something as squishy as an s3 and would definitely use out to cover up the twilight sparkles of the optimus g and the nexus 7. To me, the look and feel of the phone matters just as much as its functionality. With the DNA, it just looks and feels perfect as is. Not too much on any modern Verizon phone right now. Only one that comes close is the wp8x imo.
Sent from my HTC6435LVW using xda app-developers app