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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!
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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
Hey, Just curious what everyone think about screen sizes.
I love how samsung keeps pushing the envelope, I'm not sure if they were the first ones with 4.5 with some gs2 models, and then 4.65 with the nexus.
And they came out with our beautiful note! Everyone said it would fail, but as we all know, it became very popular, and the note 2 is getting alot of publicity now.
And other companies try and leech off of samsungs sucess, like lg with their piece of crap! and there are some other ones that the jury is still out on, like HTC's... but i heard its only going to be 5 inches... the note 2 will be 5.5!
And Then they announce theyre flagship phone at 4.8.
So;
the question is, how far can they go?
First of all, i already know that some people (probably very few) dont like the gs3 because its too big for them. Of course most people understand that we use our phones less and less for talking and more and moree for apps, games, web browsing, movies... so, bigger is better.
But, how much bigger can they go with the flagship phone? when the Galaxy S4 comes out? do you think itll be bigger??
And now, the note,
Samsung thinks, and i agree with them, that they are going to sell a ****load of note 2's. remember, the note 1, was only on att.
This time next year, when the note 2 is announced, what size do you think itll be, and the next one, and the next one....
I tr to picture myself sometimes using the galaxy tab as a phone. but no. thats too big, if it cant fit into a shirt pocket or pants pocket.... then it wont work...
so what do you think? will it stop at 6"? Bear in mind that for at least this year, next year and the year after, Apple will be sticking with 4 inches while everyone else heads up to 5.
Let me just finish by saying that i love the looks and comments i get when using my note in public the top 3 comments are get are "Wow! is that a/your phone?!" "Wow!what phone is that?!" and... youve all heard this.... "Is that a phone or a tablet!!"
And one more thing, I'm sorry you naysayers but, Make it thinner, a little narrower so its easier to hold, a little bigger screen, TWO GIG RAM, 1.6 GH QUAD CORE!, and an absolutely insane battery!! and hey, maybe all the extra software will be nice too,
I'm picking up one of these bad boys as soon as i can get my grubby paws on it!!!
So, who's next?
I'll race you. First to get their pre order in wins. Prize to be determined. Jumping all over note 2 day 1 pre order.
I think the Note 2's 5.5 non pentile size is about perfect t for me. For me, I like the 16:9 ratio much more than the Note 1's 16:10. The two camps seem split about 50/50 on ratio preference but as an avid movie watcher, the 720p screen is actually gonna give more usable real-estate for many things (smaller black bars during movies, etc)
I have a note 10.1 3g and man. This exynos quad is wonderfully smooth and battery life is GREAT. Can't wait to see an even higher clocked version on the Note 2. Only thing I was worried about was battery life but seeing a 3300MaH and seeing how efficient this exynos is, my fears have eased quite a bit.
I still fear LTE though.... H+ is plenty fast for me (1.5 - 2 megs per sec here) and WAY less demanding of battery. In all honesty if ATT offered a 3g and LTE version, I'd probably go with the 3g. I'd rather have 3g and 24+ hour battery than LTE and a 14 hour battery.
Either way Note 2 is a big big upgrade and I'll be all over it the second its available.
Oh and for those that think the screen is a downgrade, look at the android authority in-depth comparison between note 1 and 2 screen. In a nutshell the Note 2 screen dominates. If anyone hasn't read it or naysayers show up in the thread ill post the link.
Sent from my Galaxy Note SGH-I717 running The Collective's AoCP 2.1 ROM.
---------- Post added at 01:35 AM ---------- Previous post was at 01:30 AM ----------
I KNOW the Note 2's "screen is bigger with 13 DPI less, failzorz!!" naysayers are gonna pop up so here's the link to the screen comparison.
http://www.androidauthority.com/samsung-galaxy-note-2-display-comparison-112812/
Sent from my Galaxy Note SGH-I717 running The Collective's AoCP 2.1 ROM.
I'm not a naysayer but would like to see the article nonetheless.
As for my opinion, Samsung has my loyalty due to their screens. It started with the Captivate, where I fell in love with Samsung's amoled screens. I could care less about the pentile sub pixel arrangement, the colors on the screen and the truly black blacks meant more to me than the pixels.
After the Captivate was my Infuse, which again was a great phone, and Samsung blew me away again. Yes, it was a plus screen, so it had full sub pixel arrangement, but the benefits of the arrangement compared to the Captivate were marginal due to the difference in screen size.
Then came my Note. With the Note, away went any qualms with pentile, as the resolution is high enough that it really doesn't matter anymore. Plus, with the Note, I can hold my phone twice as far away as my Captivate and comfortably read, which makes the pixels indistinguishable. I also really enjoy the 16:10 aspect ratio for reading articles and forums on my phone in portrait mode.
Same story with my Nexus now. The arrangement is pentile, but I could care less due to the high resolution in such a small package. I have a tough time deciding between my Note and Nexus as to which I want to carry each day. I feel spoiled with the screens on these two phones.
Due to how great the screens on the Nexus and Note are, the screen on the Note 2 isn't improvement enough for me to upgrade. I'm sure its great, and probably better than both my Note and Nexus, but the screen alone won't sway me.
As for the processor and RAM improvements, again, nice upgrades, but I don't game much on my phones and the Note and Nexus are plenty fast for my uses, especially with the great dev community we have. The increased battery life would be nice with that 3000+ mAh battery, but in the course of a day there's no way I could deplete both batteries for my Note and the one in my Nexus.
The way I see it, the screen technologies overall are to the point where most improvements are going to be marginal from here forward...1080p maybe or a more efficient screen...and Samsung's amoled technology puts them on top of all OEMs. My next phone will either be the next Nexus (if it has an amoled screen, hopefully made by Samsung) or the Note 3, and if not either of those two, some beast of a phone that Samsung has up their sleeve.
Hands down, IMO, Samsung makes the best screens out there, and since the screen is what you interact with most on a smartphone, I will stay loyal to Samsung as long as they're on top of the screen game. It will take something better than amoled, truer blacks (somehow?), and better color gamut/representation to end my loyalty.
Edit: I know my post was already long, but I guess I didn't talk about screen size all that much. I could see myself using a 6 in screen if it had a 16:10 aspect ratio, and smaller bezels to keep the overall size down. Give me that with 1080p (slightly more with the 16:10), amoled, and you have my perfect, maximum sized phone screen. With my Note I have no need for a tablet, and a 6 inch Note would make that need even less.
That being said, compared to my Note, I also appreciate the size of all of my other phones. The Nexus is a great size overall, I just can't run tablet mode as nicely. The Infuse was basically the same size phone as the Nexus overall, and I loved that as well. Sometimes that smaller size is nice. As for my Captivate, I still love playing with it whenever I'm with my dad (who uses it now), and think even that was a great size for a phone. I would love to see a phone with a 4 inch 720p screen and great internals. The great thing about Android, is that there are so many choices for screen size, and all sizes have their merits.
I just really hope that OEMS don't go completely 4.7+ inch phones from now on for their flagships, and somebody produces smaller, still top notch spec phones. I know many people that would love a phone that runs as smoothly as my Nexus or a GS3, only with a smaller screen. My gf is 5 foot flat with tiny hands. I would love to guide her to an Android with top notch internals and an iPhone sized screen.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk 2
I didn't quote respond because that'd be even longer lol. I posted the link to the screen comparison above in case ya missed it.
My fiancé is 5'1 with teenie hands so she can't handle the Note either lol.
I agree - Samsung displays are wonderful. Samsung devices in general are wonderful. I actually like the plastic builds - they are high quality but arguably hold up a lot better than metal/glass. Sure there are odd stories of minor falls seriously buggering up a device but that's the same with most phone makers. There are some "duds" that aren't as durable but I've loved my Samsung devices.
Sent from my Galaxy Note SGH-I717 running The Collective's AoCP 2.1 ROM.
I prefer plastic and light weight over metal and heavy bricks anyday of the week. Phones aren't made for physical abuse and if so, there are cases and screen protectors for protection. This is my third Samsung device and so far, no disappointment. I would agree that the Galaxy Note is NOT a smartphone, it's a SuperPhone!
-Once you go NOTE, you'd say 4 inches a Joke
[Lady]: "How do you carry that huge phone in your pocket?"
[Note User]: "I'm used to having huge stuff in my pants"
To a "large" extent I think smartphones need some portability. Screen size of 6" would push the limit on "my" ability to pocket the phone as I maneuver through the day. I could care less about the requirement of many that say they need one-hand ability to work their smartphone...I think that is just an excuse to sooth their jealousy. However, I do find myself moving my Note from front pocket (for sitting) to back pocket (for walking) or laying it on the seat or tabletop at a restaurant.
My favorite thing about my Note is the ability to go larger font size and still fit a decent amount of text on the screen. Hey, I'm getting older and I can't dig the super small print without glasses. That's why I avoid those very nice ROMs that allow tablet, phablet mode, etc.
Personally, I'd like for Samsung to figure out how to eliminate the bezel and have an all glass front. Maybe then they can increase the display and keep the same size xy dimensions of the total Note smartphone. For example, even though the Note II is taller than my Note...it is narrower and thinner so I am considering the possible move to the new one.
Note 1 screen is a winner ....
Note 2 screen is a winner as well.
But I'm always Leary of new device hype, and tend to wait until the rubber hits the road so to speak.
We'll have to wait until these new phones get going, before any grand claims about how much better the screen is etcetera.
Often times the reports and specifications are stretched to a maximum, just to gain market share.
Not unlike the claims made about the note 1, that performs at about 80% of it's rated performance.
And I'm thinking that the note 2 will be the same. A good device, but hyped beyond reality ....
This is simply my opinion .....g
gregsarg said:
Note 1 screen is a winner ....
Note 2 screen is a winner as well.
But I'm always Leary of new device hype, and tend to wait until the rubber hits the road so to speak.
We'll have to wait until these new phones get going, before any grand claims about how much better the screen is etcetera.
Often times the reports and specifications are stretched to a maximum, just to gain market share.
Not unlike the claims made about the note 1, that performs at about 80% of it's rated performance.
And I'm thinking that the note 2 will be the same. A good device, but hyped beyond reality ....
This is simply my opinion .....g
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I might agree with you Greg but there is one thing that makes me disagree.
My note 10.1 has virtually identical specs to the Note 2 and it meets (and sometimes exceeds) the same performance claims made by Samsung about the note 2.
The note 1 was about 80% of its claimed performance but there wasn't something else on the market to really compare it to. With the note 2 we already have the note 10.1 with identical specs except for a 200mhz slower processor clock. The only "unknown" factor of the note 2 is the screen, which, knowing Samsung and early reviews, will NOT be a disappointment.
What I'm saying is if I put the 5.5 inch note 2 screen on my note 10.1, I'd have a note 2. My note 10.1 performs as well as the claims made about the note 2 and I'm not even running jellybean yet. Jellybean provides a huge performance boost with the oem implementation (most jb roms have seen a decrease in performance whereas oem jb builds have greatly boosted performance by 40% in some cases)
I have no doubt the note 2 will 100% live up to the performance hype. We basically already have a 10.1 inch note 2 with a slightly larger resolution to predict how the note 2 will perform.
I'll bet you anything the note 2 in the US does indeed have a quad exynos, LTE, 2GB RAM, and the other claimed stats. Wait and see
Sent from my Galaxy Note SGH-I717 running The Collective's AoCP 2.1 ROM.
Err0xx said:
My fiancé is 5'1 with teenie hands so she can't handle the Note either lol.
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Click to collapse
Heh heh... I'm 5'1/2", yes, half an inch, and I handle my Note just fine. Eh, maybe my hands are a bit bigger or something.
Anyway... I think 6" is probably the biggest that phones can get without just being tablets that can make calls. I don't think they'll get bigger than 5.5 though, to be honest.
I get a lot of "omg what is that?!" comments when I pull my note out too. I've gotten completely used to the size, it looks & feels just normal to me now, but apparently it looks huge to everyone else.
My sig.
-Once you go NOTE, you'd say 4 inches a Joke
[Lady]: "How do you carry that huge phone in your pocket?"
[Note User]: "I'm used to having huge stuff in my pants"
I just wanted to chime in and say the as great as it is was not the first five inch phone the I have used. I had the Dell Streak and we had some great devs. The Note was an obvious next phone and really is a great unit.
I used in tablet mode most of the time as this is how I used the dell streak.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I717 using xda premium
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...
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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.
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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
Sorry for the stupid topic, but I gots ta know (credit: Dirty Harry). For those who have switched, how do you like the 6.3 over the Note 2?
Just came home with a Rogers Mega 6.3 (i527M), still have my Note 2 for the time being. Have had the Mega for 30 mins., bought it full price $550 from Rogers so can use it 2 weeks and return it for full refund (won't use the phone side during testing so no issue there). I normally always buy used but best used deals for the phone are between 475-525 so figured I'd rather have a warranty for an extra $50 or so.
Thoughts/Opinions:
- can still get 425-450 used for my Note 2 so feel I should get out while the gettin's good, net cost of Mega approx $100-125
- I'm a bigscreen-aholic so giant screen is great for me, email & web mostly, if new nexus 7 had a phone I'd have it instead!
- really is VERY big...and slippery as a fish...hope I don't drop it during test period (or any other time)
- couldn't care less about lower dpi, mega screen looks fine (and I'm in the TV graphics business!)
- couldn't care less about fancier phones' hyper specs, this phone runs great
- happy to finally get 4.2 for lockscreen notifications
- almost never use S-Pen (though I do like it anyway)
- really like the upcoming HTC One Max but it will be stupid expensive ($700+?) and I am trying to reduce my phone addiction costs
- not too overwhelmed by Note 3, screen size not much bigger than Note 2 (and don't care about 1080), and it too will be expensive ($700+?)
Can't think of much else right now, give me a day or two to play with it.
Anyone else have anything good or bad to say about their migration?
Cheers
The only thing I miss is the spen. I used it to draw penises on snapchat pictures, now I have to use my finger and they look less good.
cbass said:
The only thing I miss is the spen. I used it to draw penises on snapchat pictures, now I have to use my finger and they look less good.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yeah that's a biggie
I came from the note 1 to the mega 6.3 and I am very happy with the mega screen size and looks better than my note 1 that has the same screen resolution as this mega..but the mega has a brighter screen and whiter whites and more natural color than the note 1..and the note 1 has the anoled screen.
Maybe viewing angles are a little better on my note 1..but that is all that is better..but the mega 6.3 is one awesome phone in my books.
Sent from my SGH-I527M using xda app-developers app
I'm looking to get one of these majestic beasts for its USB 3.0 port to test with PC VR with the increased transfer rates. How does its variant of the snapdragon 800 hold up in the modern day and age? Would you say it's comparable to a snapdragon 615//415/808? Also with camera quality. It doesn't have to be much better than "pretty good"
After having the Note 7 for almost 2 months, I don't miss it one bit. I had to give it up of course so I just went back to my Note 3. With root I am completely satisfied and was never that impressed with the 7 other than the camera. The speeds honestly weren't that much different IMO.
I rolled back to the note 3. This phone was the last Note for Sprint that could use data and cellular service at the same time.
Holding Up Great!
Running CM 14, Pixel XL Rom
with Assistant working.
On T-Mobile. Giving my S6 away as a Xmas present.
It's a pain in the ass to have the lte radio stick on note 7 6.0.1 mm ports, but if you're lucky that it does, it's great.
Unfortunately, the usb 3.0 support varies on the rom. The note 7 ports do NOT have 3.0 support. The rest, I'm not sure. Samsung had the pleasure to leave the note 3 with lp 5.0..
I don't use the camera often, but I tested it at a concert last month to record video and impressed my apple-fanboy brother with the quality.
mid3vil said:
I rolled back to the note 3. This phone was the last Note for Sprint that could use data and cellular service at the same time.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I learned that one the hard way after falling for the old upgrade deal with the note 5 while on a sales call following my gps and it stopped updating and I missed my exit. Note 3 is the last good note with all the features that a power user could want besides another gig or so of RAM I suppose. External charger and spare batteries are still faster than any quick charging too. Ended up giving the note 5 upgrade to mom after a week or two. It was nice to have my IR blaster universal remote, sd card and usb 3.0 back. I can't stand the direction samsung went after the note 3. Unknowingly giving up simutaneous voice and data on Sprint was the biggest deal breaker of all. A sealed glass back is just dumb and more breakable...plastic construction was always better with weight and durability. Could care less if the fake chrome bling gets scratched or plastic marred as long as it holds up like it has all these years.
I have to say I love my note 3. I've dropped it I don't know how many times. Sometimes while standing, I'll go to put it in my pocket and it'll slip and hit the concrete. Screen fine, chrome siding dinged. I have a s7 edge that was in a case, fell from half the height my note 3 did, hit my rubber shoe. Screen cracked, rear glass plate cracked. Thought these had a higher version of gorilla glass. Obviously they don't or gorilla glass isn't what it used to be.
I've had my note 3 since release almost. I'm looking at getting it replaced under Sprint claim. Wonder if they still have note 3's because I don't want anything newer.
I can't believe Samsung hasn't gone back to this device and build up from it. All note devices after the 3 have sucked in one way or the other. Good going Samsung, instead of moving forward, you're moving backwards.
The Note 3 is still great in 2017. It's not my daily driver but my mom's. Still excellent battery, fast & smooth, and the battery can be replaced later.
Sent from my SM-G935P using Tapatalk
im on the note 5 right now and pretty pissed that for exactly 1 year there has been only 1 rom called moar. There are 1 or 2 more, but no where as good as moar and im pissed for the lack of development. Fast charge is great, wish note 3 would have same feature, but the unaccesable battery in the note 5 had the glass screen ripped and crushed to replace battery. Been only a year but i tested the battery and it dropped to 2300 mah out of 3000 and took longer to fast charge and discharged faster than normal. And i didnt want the note 5 either but i got it for a dollar from samsclub black friday deal. I wasnt happy at all when the note 5 came out due to simple fact it was designed and had the exact same hardware as s6. same camera, same chips, same resoulution etc. Im using the note 3 as an pad now, and it was very sad there was a note 3 marshmellow rom before moar updated to marshmellow. And same problem right now, moar fell behined 6 to 8 firmware updates, the last update took 4 months before it was every 2 weeks. I downloaded the dark horse rom and boy am i rejocying, its a lot like my note 5.