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Hello Streakers! (even if it really really true... I'm not judging )
I am trying to decide if I should splurge on a Streak or not. Granted, it has a unique form factor unmatched by any handset currently available in the market. But with the plethora of new device coming out, some of them with double the technical specifications of the Streak, would you have Streak owner still make the same decision today?
The Streak was never officially released here in the Middle East; the only available models were being sold in the 'grey market'; they were being sold at exorbitant price. It just was not economically justifiable. Now, I got an option to get my hands on a second hand set - still at a somewhat expensive price. So now I have to ask you guys, do the Dell Steak satisfy still the sweet spot today as it did the day you brought it.
If I am to spend this much money on the Streak, I want it to last for another 2 years - from toady.
The 5" screen is so inviting. I want to converge all my online interactions to one device. Even if casually browsing the internet at the end of a hard day, while in bed. I don't want to pinch to zoom or excessively scroll because the screen is too small...
Thats why the Streak has been at the back of my ming for so long; pushing the boundaries between portability and useabilty!
So how do you guys rate the Streak? Do you still love it now that the honeymoon period is over? Is the build quality good? Hardware failure? Why is it so recommended that you buy an Otterbox casing?
I think it is safe to assume there are stable roms available a plenty? Truthfully, this will be my first Android device... (yeah, I know - great! Another noob is in the house...) I will start reading up on rooting, unlocking bootloaders, flashing...
but, if I do end up asking some silly questions; please find the patience to indulge me. I would really appreciate it!
Anyone got any 'stories' to share, given that the Streak is such a huge device, it must have raised a few eyebrows when attending to a phone call...
The rated call time and standby time mentioned looks good on paper; and I know, in Android it all depends on how you use the phone; but compared to other handsets - not person to person mind you; but the same person, same usage pattern but different handset - how would you rate the streak?
If you guys have any more titbits to share that will sell me on this device to me, go ahead!
I really do want this phone, but I am feeling somewhat cautious. This is a unique phone, so I want to know if it satisfies all your needs...
Thanks for your indulgence and hopefully, I will become a new member in the Streak forum soon!
My last phone has been a Samsung Galaxy S2. before that i have had a ZTE Blade and the Galaxy S. If i had to pick one now to keep it for sure would be the streak.
There are positive and negative things about it.
What i absolutely love about the streak is the battery, for me the streak is the only device that can last more than a day using it as what it is, a smartphone. Even with the display on, wifi and gps enabled it lasts easy a day. Try this with other devices. The battery on my SGS2 never lasted that long. The display is great, not as good as the one of the SGS2 but still good enough to use it even in sunlight.
The downside by my opinion. It is big, really big. It is heavy. It does not have the as much power as the SGS2 does. Sometimes it takes a second to switch the screen orientation. Does this really matter? It annoyed me at the start but now i simply don't care.
Your question answered short, yes i would buy it without a doubt again if i brick mine, if it gets stolen or something else happens to it. Even if there are devices out there with better specifications
Well, if you are a tech-guy who likes new phones with fast processor, the D.Streak is not for you since the dual-processor devices are definitely more powerful. But if you want a phone/tablet with which you will browse websites/watch photos & movies/listen to musics/play games and that you are NOT expecting the Streak to be a super-device, then you can definitely consider it.
I come from 4.3inches phones and I had doubts before buying the Streak. First, it was due to the form-factor - many websites say that it was not pocketable!!!!! This is totally bullsh*t as the Streak fits comfortably in my jeans/trousers/pants without any problem....well unless you wear a really tight jean, then it will not fit in. I also don't find it to be heavy as I hold it without any difficulty but if you are used to very light phones, then you may find it to be tough to hold.
Then, I was skeptical since many people say that it hangs/freeze and that it was fragile/break easily. But I can say that the official roms are really stable and I did not encounter any problems that users tend to describe here on the forums.
You were asking about the use of the Ottebox - then the reason is pretty simple : As you mentioned the Streak is a bit expensive, then it is normal that you protect your investment from any damages. If the Streak falls on the ground, the glass or anything inside have a high chance to be damaged in the process. With an Otterbox, you minimize the risk your phone will break, but still it's a 50/50 chance depending on the way/height/force/angle the phone will land on the ground. So better have it protected from unexpected falls........but if you are used in dropping your previous phones, then it's cautious to say the Streak will not survive many falls.
Regarding your question if it may last 2 years, then it's a big NO. By 2013 or even by the end of this year, there will be more phones with better screens that will be more powerful than the Streak and I'm sure you'll try to switch for another one. Most importantly, since the Streak does not have a good camera, this will probably be the main reason to switch to a device with a screen of 4.5-5 inches but with a better camera/processor.
At present, I still like my 2 months old Dell Streak and although I am planning to change device soon, it still serves its purposes. My biggest satisfaction is that browsing websites is definitely a joy and since the screen is large, typing using the virtual keyboard is extremely easy and fast. Watching movies/photos is very pleasant and people are always surprised when they see my device.
Lastly, every phone has its advantages/disadvantages as there is actually no perfect device, and it is best if you weight the pros/cons to ensure if it will serve your needs. The Dell Streak 5 is not a device for everyone due to its size/specifications and one must definitely like large screen phones to really appreciate its form factor. It will be better if you can try it before buying - Otherwise, you might end up to be disappointed afterwards.
What the Streak does now it will do just as well in two years time - you need to decide what it is you want from a device and if the Streak fits the bill then buy it.
Thanks for all your feedback!
Its a relief to see satisfied users who choose to stick by their product.
@Final5k: thanks for your honest answer. True, by the end of this year better specs phone will come out, but I can take refuge in the fact the Nexus S is similarly spec'd so the Streak will not become obsolete due to hardware constraints. In time Icecream Sandwich may be ported over!
Your selling points of the Streak are exactly why I want it. A device I could converge to for all my needs when I am on the move.
Even if it gets left behind by a new device, it'll still be functional. I have never been about the latest or the greatest. Neither am I comfortable being an early adopter. As long as the core functionality is still achievable, I think feel content.
One of the plus points is that the Streak is mature, so there are solution to most problem face by noobs doing something wrong. Also the guides available are more detailed as you people had more time to understand it and pass on the knowledge.
If anyone else feels like like giving a shout out, go ahead.
Thanks guys for sharing your opinions...
I love mine, the reason I got it was for the big screen, and I don't think I could have a phone now with a smaller screen, 5" to me is just right. Fits in your pocket perfect even really tight skinny jeans. any bigger and it wouldn't. So its the perfect size. Camera isn't the best, but works good in daylight. People say the screen breaks without even dropping it, which I think is bull****, I've dropped mine a few times and the last time I dropped it was from about 1 and a half metres and the lcd did break and leak. But thats quiet a distance really, don't think many phones would survive that. But bought a new screen from ebay for about £28 and replacement was easy. I'm looking forward to what dell can muster up next year when I'm ready to upgrade my phone.
I too love mine even with its current situation "it does not recognize sim card" I keep it at home and use it instead of my company laptop and I am really missing. Now, I am thinking either to wait for the new model in 2012 or purchase another streak to last for 2-3 years. Although the number of mobiles I own is little, but I have never used or owned a device like streak. Really, if I decided to purchase another mobile it should be Streak2. Noway to go back to a smaller screen. I am using my streak to browse, email, citrix (to access company application such as SAP and this is rarely), youtube, etc... etc...
Simply it is the best phone/tablet. Frankly, I love it.
It's really cool! It seems that all streaker swears by their screen size; & no one is prepared to downgrade to a smaller screen.
The single defining feature is the most beloved. How come no one else capitalized on it?
I have been hitting up review on Youtube... can't resist anymore...
Came from iPhone
I upgraded from an iPhone 3GS and have never once regretted it. The Dell Streak's large screen and form factor does turn some heads (Is that a phone???). Browsing the web is a treat using Dolphin Browser Mini. I run Streakdroid 1.9.0 (usually, although I flash alot) and am able to use Netflix, Crackle, Plex, and a host of other services for streaming movies. Not to mention movies stored on the device. They look great and sound great. I sometimes play with coworkers' phones (IOS and android) and have never seen one that I would be willing to part with my Streak for. True, it is a bit cumbersome and very large, but the rewards greatly justify the costs. I do use an otterbox, mainly because it makes the device so much easier to hold. Without it I feel the Streak is too thin and slick lend confidence to my grip. I use a bluetooth headset with it almost always because of the size. I don't want to hold this thing up to my head for long, but honestly talking on the phone is probably the thing I do the least with my Streak. I found myself ignoring my laptop after I bought the Streak....it just wasn't necessary anymore. It is not a powerhouse by today's standards, but really...who needs a dual core processor and 1GB+ RAM? It's not like I'm converting or editing videos on the thing. But keep in mind when I say this, that I don't play games on it very much. All in all, I've never regretted my decision. Good luck and welcome to the forums!
I left my Samsung Vibrant for the Streak and felt like the few sacrifices I made were worth it. I will miss the camera and Amoled screen.
As far as up and coming phones if you could deal with a 4.5inch screen I would wait for the Samsung Hercules. If 4.5 inches is to small their are really no options other than the streak.
I sold my iphone 4(went through iphone withdrawal). Now I'm happy with my streak. I love the large screen, and the looks I get when I take it out of my pocket. It does what I need it to do.
Fellas! Thanks for all your feedback!
I am now officially a Streaker! (...and now, I'll forever feel awkward when taking off my pants...)
Well, I finally got me a Dell! I'm still at work so will have to wait till I get home to start giving it the love it deserve.
I'll play around with it some as is and read up on the forum before trying to root and flash with it...
I'll try to put up my impression of the device some time in the near future; maybe after the honeymoon period is over!
Thanks once again for the hand holding while I was trying to decide about the purchase...
The only negative is that I can't seem to find a suitable protective case for the device near my locale. Too bad the Streak was never picked up by the local retailers, so accessories are very rare to find here...
Look for the Otterbox Commuter or Defender case on Ebay - some sellers do sell them pretty cheap. The normal rubber cases do not offer much protection as they are too slim to protect the device from important impact - my friend's Streak broke after 2 falls with a rubber case on it, and after the replacement arrived, he has now opted for an Otterbox.
Final5k said:
Look for the Otterbox Commuter or Defender case on Ebay - some sellers do sell them pretty cheap. The normal rubber cases do not offer much protection as they are too slim to protect the device from important impact - my friend's Streak broke after 2 falls with a rubber case on it, and after the replacement arrived, he has now opted for an Otterbox.
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Thanks for the heads up!
I went from an iPhone 3G, to a Blackberry Storm, to a HTC Desire and now onto the Streak and IMO it is by far the best of the four phones. It runs just as well as the Desire with such a bigger screen, but it's thin enough to be useable and not inconvenient. I get a lot of comments about how big it is but most of the time it's actually thinner than the other persons phone which surprises them a bit. Plus the front facing camera is cool, and I only paid $250 for mine so the price was fantastic. And I can actually see the screen in day light unlike the Desire.
Definitely don't regret buying my Streak and probably won't upgrade until another 5" screen phone (or very close to that) comes out. I don't think I could go back to the smaller screen.
Cases are difficult because they'd add bulk to it, I'm kinda reluctant about getting one but if you pick one up please post your thoughts, it'd be pretty helpful for me too.
Got mine last night from Best Buy (Ordered 12/23). Here are my first impressions.
Ill preface this by saying Ive never had a tablet and dont even know if Ive ever even used one for more than 5 seconds. I had been thinking about getting one, and when I saw that Best Buy was taking orders, I jumped on it figuring I could always return it. I was a little worried reading about all the issues on the forums before I got it.
Build quality is nice, Im impressed. I havent had any ports fall out or cables breaking. The thing just looks nice, and feels quality in your hands. I did notice people complaining that the screen was coming off in the top left. Mine has this "issue", though I dont think its really an issue. The little gap that seems "unglued" is directly above the volume rocker and HDMI port. The screen isnt coming up here if you look at it from the side, but if you push on it theres a little give. I think this is just the way its built, there probably isnt anything to adhere the screen to in that little spot where the buttons are. No big deal to me, I think everyones overreacting about it. I havent seen any backlight bleeding issues either, and I was looking for it. Another issue people have been talking about is the Asus logo "glitching" on the boot screen. I looked for this too and it doesnt happen on mine.
The screen is amazing. Not much else to say about it. Its super clear and bright.
My wifi works fine. I get a crappy signal because I live in a basement, but the speeds were very close to what I was getting on my HTC Incredible and Macbook Pro all side by side. I tried using the GPS for about 1 minute, unsurprisingly I didnt get a signal because Im in a basement. Ill test it more later, but honestly if this thing didnt come with GPS at all I wouldnt really care.
I played some GTA III on it, it was awesome. The controls are much better than I would have expected, though I think it would still suck on a small phone screen. Really badass that a full game like this can be played on a tablet, I hope more stuff like this comes out.
I only briefly toyed with the camera, seems more than adequate. Pretty quick shutter speed.
Asus gives you a little microfiber in the box, and it wiped off all finger prints and smudges quickly and easily.
The keyboard is pretty annoying to use in landscape as you might expect. I picked up SwiftKey Tablet X for like $5, and its a big improvement. The split keyboard is great, and visually the keyboard is much nicer looking than the stock stuff.
As far as speed and performance, it seems nice to me but as I mentioned before this is the first tablet Ive ever used. Its a little laggy at times, but nothing terrible at all and could just be the nature of Honeycomb. I cant wait to get ICS on this thing, its only going to get better!
Overall Im really impressed. This is a badass gadget. I dont think Ill be returning mine
sectachrome said:
Got mine last night from Best Buy (Ordered 12/23). Here are my first impressions.
Ill preface this by saying Ive never had a tablet and dont even know if Ive ever even used one for more than 5 seconds. I had been thinking about getting one, and when I saw that Best Buy was taking orders, I jumped on it figuring I could always return it. I was a little worried reading about all the issues on the forums before I got it.
Build quality is nice, Im impressed. I havent had any ports fall out or cables breaking. The thing just looks nice, and feels quality in your hands. I did notice people complaining that the screen was coming off in the top left. Mine has this "issue", though I dont think its really an issue. The little gap that seems "unglued" is directly above the volume rocker and HDMI port. The screen isnt coming up here if you look at it from the side, but if you push on it theres a little give. I think this is just the way its built, there probably isnt anything to adhere the screen to in that little spot where the buttons are. No big deal to me, I think everyones overreacting about it. I havent seen any backlight bleeding issues either, and I was looking for it. Another issue people have been talking about is the Asus logo "glitching" on the boot screen. I looked for this too and it doesnt happen on mine.
The screen is amazing. Not much else to say about it. Its super clear and bright.
My wifi works fine. I get a crappy signal because I live in a basement, but the speeds were very close to what I was getting on my HTC Incredible and Macbook Pro all side by side. I tried using the GPS for about 1 minute, unsurprisingly I didnt get a signal because Im in a basement. Ill test it more later, but honestly if this thing didnt come with GPS at all I wouldnt really care.
I played some GTA III on it, it was awesome. The controls are much better than I would have expected, though I think it would still suck on a small phone screen. Really badass that a full game like this can be played on a tablet, I hope more stuff like this comes out.
I only briefly toyed with the camera, seems more than adequate. Pretty quick shutter speed.
Asus gives you a little microfiber in the box, and it wiped off all finger prints and smudges quickly and easily.
The keyboard is pretty annoying to use in landscape as you might expect. I picked up SwiftKey Tablet X for like $5, and its a big improvement. The split keyboard is great, and visually the keyboard is much nicer looking than the stock stuff.
As far as speed and performance, it seems nice to me but as I mentioned before this is the first tablet Ive ever used. Its a little laggy at times, but nothing terrible at all and could just be the nature of Honeycomb. I cant wait to get ICS on this thing, its only going to get better!
Overall Im really impressed. This is a badass gadget. I dont think Ill be returning mine
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Cool. Thanks.
Hi all. I am thinking about buying a Titan to replace my Focus but i haven't followed this phone too closely and i would love some input.
The Focus is a great size and Windows Phone is fantastic but it feels like a Samsung, meaning cheap and plastic. Also I would like a front facing camera.
Most of my phones have been HTC and I miss the quality feel of an HTC device. I'm concerned about the size of the device and whether it will fit well in my pocket. Spec wise it isn't much bigger than the HD2 but that doesn't always tell the whole story.
Anyway the reason for posting is to ask whether there are any known issues to be aware of, are there any model or versions to look for when buying second hand and is there a working unlock for this device?
Lastly has anyone made the move from the Focus to the Titan and if so what are your thoughts?
I think alot of people with the AT&T Titan is having issues. The only issue I have right now is that the WiFi randomly loses the connection so I gotta go into settings>wifi and just let it search, it finds the hotspot and automatically connects to it again. Annoying.
I have a Titan on AT&T, as does my girlfriend. We have had zero issues so far. Call quality could be a little better, but overall I have no complaints about the device. It definitely feels solid and quality built when handling it, and has a decent heft to it that you obviously don't get with plastic devices.
I'd say if you are looking to make the switch, go ahead and do it. From what I have experienced, it's a great device. I came from a GS2 on Sprint and the size of this phone actually does not bother me. I am 5'9" tall with "normal" sized hands and I can still perform all functions on this device with one hand.
I have the same experience: came from the Focus and haven't looked back. I don't have the connection issues many experience, but I agree that the call quality is horrible. I've never had so many people have trouble hearing me - it's almost unusable on speaker phone because nobody can understand me. Fortunately, I hate being on the phone.
Another thing is that my wife has dropped her Focus hundreds of times and it always breaks apart on impact with minimal damage. I don't drop my phone often, but I had the same experience with my Focus. Of course, when I was getting used to the size of my Titan, I did drop it once, just one day before my case arrived. Naturally, there was a huge gouge in the metal body. It's solid, but it's not as forgiving as the "cheap, plasticky" Focus.
Oh, so one other point: the Titan is huge, initially, but you get used to it really quickly. I laugh when people talk about how 4.7 is too big, and that it might as well be a tablet, that phones will start shrinking again. (http://www.pocket-lint.com/news/44717/nokia-big-screens-are-stupid) I'm not so sure...this phone, because of its thinness, is easy to get used to. It now feels "normal" size and my wife's Focus feels "dinky." ...and the Focus screen wasn't all that tiny either!
Here are some of my early gripes with the Titan, but it's pretty much outdated at this point, because I really have very few gripes anymore about this awesome phone. And at a penny (same price I paid on Black Friday), you canNOT go wrong.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1372056
Thanks. If the price is right I’ll probably pick one up.
One other thing I’m curious about. I started with WP7 using the original dft rom on an HD2 and I thought the screen response and especially the keyboard were outstanding. I’m less impressed with the responsiveness of the Focus. I’ve seen mixed comments about the Titan, anyone have current thoughts about this?
Will_nonya said:
Thanks. If the price is right I’ll probably pick one up.
One other thing I’m curious about. I started with WP7 using the original dft rom on an HD2 and I thought the screen response and especially the keyboard were outstanding. I’m less impressed with the responsiveness of the Focus. I’ve seen mixed comments about the Titan, anyone have current thoughts about this?
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I think the screen of the Titan is a bit unresponsive/slow compared to my iPhone in terms of tracking the finger. iPhone tracks it 100% correct and fast while the Titan seem to either struggle or have a speed limit on the screen.
Will_nonya said:
Thanks. If the price is right I’ll probably pick one up.
One other thing I’m curious about. I started with WP7 using the original dft rom on an HD2 and I thought the screen response and especially the keyboard were outstanding. I’m less impressed with the responsiveness of the Focus. I’ve seen mixed comments about the Titan, anyone have current thoughts about this?
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Is a penny the right price? ATT has it on sale again. I had a Focus. I moved to the Titan. I had all the issues mentioned,lol. I did all the fixes mentioned in this forum and I'm tickled pink. I gave my Focus to my girlfriend. Had my Titan since December. Yesterday my girlfriend wanted my to add something to her phone. When I grabbed the Focus, I couldn't believe how tiny it looked. I had trouble typing on the keyboard because the letters looked so small. Titan has ruined me! I can't get a smaller phone,lol.
ArtieQ said:
I think the screen of the Titan is a bit unresponsive/slow compared to my iPhone in terms of tracking the finger. iPhone tracks it 100% correct and fast while the Titan seem to either struggle or have a speed limit on the screen.
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ArtieQ, my experience with the iphone obviously differs from yours but ill take the point as "it could be better"
I went and played with a Titan today and i was pretty impressed with it until i changed it to the same green theme in had on the Focus. The colors were completely different. Ive always thought that the Focus was a bit much but in a direct comparison the Titan seems to go to the opposite extreme.
Sent from my Transformer TF101 using XDA
I went from the Arrive to the Titan. I haven't looked back. I'm 5'10" and comfort isn't an issue. I don't even notice the phone in my pocket (I never use a case except at work). I have had zero issues that most people express except for the occasional keyboard problem (minor issue compared to the text limit of the Arrive). Build quality is right on par from what I expect from HTC. No plastic feeling here. I agree with bennyj71, I'm amazed how tiny the wife's 4.3" phone seems after using this phone the last 4 months.
Thats cause the focus uses a super amoled screen colors tend to be better QUOTE=Will_nonya;23348196]ArtieQ, my experience with the iphone obviously differs from yours but ill take the point as "it could be better"
thats because the focus uses a super amoled screen colors tends to be more vibrant
I went and played with a Titan today and i was pretty impressed with it until i changed it to the same green theme in had on the Focus. The colors were completely different. Ive always thought that the Focus was a bit much but in a direct comparison the Titan seems to go to the opposite extreme.
Sent from my Transformer TF101 using XDA[/QUOTE]
Sent from my PI39100 using XDA Windows Phone 7 App
The only issues I ever had with my Titan are the WP7.5 ones with disappearing keyboard etc that the latest update has gotten rid of.
The handset feels great to hold and use and fits easier in your pocket than you might think, forget about any docking stations except the specific one though! I like the battery cover being one whole side of the phone too, makes it seem more solid.
The camera is really really good, useful having the front facing one too and to help with photos, the screen quality is miles better than my old phone the HTC HD7.
Literally the only thing I can think of that annoys me is that there aren't more theme colours!!!
In all it's a great phone to have and people although mocking, will actually be jealous of the screen size!
I love HTC hardware. It just feels so much better in your hand than Samsung was certainly no exception. It also seemed to perform very well.
The only thing that gives me pause is the washed out look of the screen. Some colors that are briaght and vibrant, and arguably over saturated, on the Focus were washed out and not even close to the same shade.
The only other consideration is how the Lumina 900 will compare. Assuming that it is well build I'm honestly more interested in the Nokia software but i have a long history with HTC.
Will_nonya said:
I love HTC hardware. It just feels so much better in your hand than Samsung was certainly no exception. It also seemed to perform very well.
The only thing that gives me pause is the washed out look of the screen. Some colors that are briaght and vibrant, and arguably over saturated, on the Focus were washed out and not even close to the same shade.
The only other consideration is how the Lumina 900 will compare. Assuming that it is well build I'm honestly more interested in the Nokia software but i have a long history with HTC.
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Can't disagree with the build quality, but I do disagree about the screen. Nothing about it is washed out to me, and I also came from the Focus. I also have heard that the Focus S is even MORE saturated, and I've definitely come to prefer the Titans more realistic colors. More under "screen colors" here: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1372056
Go and get the Titan. you won't be disappointed.
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My contract is already up,and I have some questions about the note. For those of you using the note for a while. Is the note's size an issue or is it totally worth having even though the note is a very big phone? Screen quality how is it? Is it a fast phone? If you didn't have the note, would you buy it again? Call quality? I'm thinking about buying one tomorrow, and I wanted your input on the phone. Feel free to add any info that could be useful about the phone. Thanks guy's.
lildoggs said:
My contract is already up,and I have some questions about the note. For those of you using the note for a while. Is the note's size an issue or is it totally worth having even though the note is a very big phone? Screen quality how is it? Is it a fast phone? If you didn't have the note, would you buy it again? Call quality? I'm thinking about buying one tomorrow, and I wanted your input on the phone. Feel free to add any info that could be useful about the phone. Thanks guy's.
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The size is really overblown on a lot of web reviews. It is comfortable to hold, fits into all of my pants pockets just fine, is really awesome when browsing the web, and the size allows for the larger battery.
I have had the Note for a month now and do no ever see myself returning to a smaller screen.
The resolution is beautiful, but there are some issues with gradients and dark scenes in movies so be sure to walk into a store when buying it so that you can run some tests on the phone they are going to sell you. There is a thread here about black clipping with a lot of great tests to try out. Some Notes are worse than others.
I love the call quality on the Note. The only downfall is that you really have to lower the volume while in a call unless you don't mind folks around you hearing it. The ear speaker is very loud.
As far as speed goes...that really depends on your phone. I have seen posts where people are experiencing lag even though I haven't personally experienced any of it.
I started off with the white Note, but returned it due to the soft keys having bad light bleeding at night. They can be turned off, but it bugged me so now I have the black/blue one.
Also, try out the stylus. I didn't realize it until I exchanged my Note, but the stylus on the first one was really laggy and unresponsive. I thought it just sucked until I got the second Note. It should be snappy and precise.
I am now running DAGr8's ICS rom and have turned the DPI down to 240. It really enhanced the phone by making the resolution smaller which in turn gives you more space for widgets, icons, etc.
lildoggs said:
My contract is already up,and I have some questions about the note. For those of you using the note for a while. Is the note's size an issue or is it totally worth having even though the note is a very big phone? Screen quality how is it? Is it a fast phone? If you didn't have the note, would you buy it again? Call quality? I'm thinking about buying one tomorrow, and I wanted your input on the phone. Feel free to add any info that could be useful about the phone. Thanks guy's.
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Yes, yes, yes, yes, and yes. The Note is large, yes, but very easy to hold and get used to due to how thin it is. Screen quality is unmatched by anything out there in my opinion. The combination of Gorilla Glass, Super AMOLED, and 720p resolution are really awesome. Some people say they have lag, but I have not had or used a faster Android device. Also, if you are in an LTE area, you get that awesome speed too. If I didn't have it, I would still be drooling over it. I got lucky and got it for half off, but if I hadn't, I would still be waiting a couple months until summer to buy it, which I definitely would again. Call quality is also great, and speakerphone is also loud and clear.
Now for the other things I highly commend the Note for. The SPen is awesome. You may think it's gimmicky, but you would be wrong. It's great for jotting down quick notes while on a call. Great for making funny captions on pictures before you send them. Great for navigating the phone. Great for Swyping with the tablet Swype beta. Great for taking screenshots. Also, we now have ICS, which brings some new and exciting features, my favorite being face unlock. I really can't recommend this phone enough. People may say, wait for the gs3 or one x, but I don't see the attraction. We already have ICS, and those other phones are small compared to the Note, and won't have the SPen. You may think the size is too big, but you get used to it really easy, and my nope had now ruined any smaller of a device. Also, battery life is the best I've experienced on any Android, besides the RAZR MAXX, but who wants a Moto phone anyways?
Really, the only way I would upgrade to another phone is when the Note 2 comes out. I don't have a single complaint, and this screen is killer.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I717 using Tapatalk
To answer your questions.
Is the note's size an issue or is it totally worth having even though the note is a very big phone?
I came from a Streak, I'm a BIG guy and the phone sits well in my hands. My gf has freakishly small hands and she says it's too big for her hands, but loves the fact that she can put it into her purse and can easily find it. It does look silly holding up to your head and talking though.
Screen quality how is it?
Personally I think the screen quality is great for a 5.3" device. A lot of people are complaining about black crush (there's a good thread on it) and while it's there, personally it isn't enough to bug me, I've watched low res videos for a long time and it just doesn't bug me anymore.
Is it a fast phone?
A lot of people are complaining about lag on their phones and yes I can see it there from time to time but I run 2 RSS feed readers, 5 email accounts, 2 weather widgets, and quite a few other things. The device is speedy, I can play games like shadowgun without the hint of lag, when i tell the phone to do something it might think about it for an 1/16 of a second then away it goes. So is the phone fast? I say yes it is.
If you didn't have the note, would you buy it again?
In a heartbeat
Call quality?
I love it, it's clear and easy to hear people, except my gf, she has the original droid and that thing has a TERRIBLE mic and speaker. a lot of our fights have been caused by her phone . Again it does look silly when you hold it to your head, but I've never been one to shy away from looking silly.
In short, depending on what you want to do/replace with the phone I'd say buy it. I use mine to manage 100 servers and RDPing into them while on the move which it does a great job on. I can read docs on the go and pull up webpages to prove people wrong and they can read them without having to hold my phone.
Lastly, if you're in one of those great states that charge you tax on the full price of the phone (in this case 700 smackers), look for a Sam's Club. I bought my phone on release day from them for 260 and with tax it was under 300.
Thanks for posting these questions. I have my upgrade available later this month and I am strongly considering the Note.
What I want to know is, as far as anyone can tell, is there a color or build location that seems to have fewer problems overall? I have seen a few places that people seem to think the white ones are less laggy. There was some speculation that the China Notes have less black crush. I'm pretty color neutral on these. I just want to be able to look at the box and get a sense that the one they give me has a better chance of being issue free.
How in the hell would the color of the plastic around the phone affect performance? :what:
That's like painting flames on your car to make it go faster.
Black crush is fixed in ics
studacris said:
How in the hell would the color of the plastic around the phone affect performance? :what:
That's like painting flames on your car to make it go faster.
Black crush is fixed in ics
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First, Black Crush is not fixed in ICS, they just lowered the point of full black so it would appear better. The dropoff is still severe, but it is less noticeable. I don't own the device but I have been following these things very closely.
Second, I did not come up with the color thing. It is based off what I was reading. In this case it is not at all like painting flames and expecting something to go faster. They very well might come off different assembly lines with different QA and different physical runs of parts. I know its a longshot, but that is why I am asking if anyone can verify. I realize it is more likely that the Chinese vs. Korean Notes may exhibit some differences. Again, I am asking in the Q&A section to be sure.
knight4led said:
First, Black Crush is not fixed in ICS, they just lowered the point of full black so it would appear better. The dropoff is still severe, but it is less noticeable. I don't own the device but I have been following these things very closely.
Second, I did not come up with the color thing. It is based off what I was reading. In this case it is not at all like painting flames and expecting something to go faster. They very well might come off different assembly lines with different QA and different physical runs of parts. I know its a longshot, but that is why I am asking if anyone can verify. I realize it is more likely that the Chinese vs. Korean Notes may exhibit some differences. Again, I am asking in the Q&A section to be sure.
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From what I've read the only issue that seems different between the white and black is the micro crack that people have in the white ones. It seems spread wide on who has a good one and who has a bad one. So to be fair I can understand where studacris is coming from on the color. As for the black crush, I can't say either way as I'm running completely stock non-rooted, but I'd imagine that if it's hardware related then no it wouldn't be fixed with ICS, if it's software related, other phones would be experiencing the same issue. Lastly I guess a good question would be who bought their phone where and if it's running poorly or not to see if there's a correlation with the batches.
Hey guy's thank-you for posting your opinions and thoughts about this phone. If you have anything else to post please do so and I'll be here checking out this thread as the day rolls on.
I had a Streak for over a year, and I wouldn't have replaced it with a device with a smaller screen. Think about what you do/want to do with your mobile device. If you mostly use it for talking on, than maybe the Note is not for you. But if you do a lot of email, Web surfing, navigation, playing games, etc. than after you've used a Note for a week you'll never want to use a smaller device again, and you'll wonder how you ever did before
I have a white one and my phone rarely shows any lag, and my quadrant scores ate just as high as anybody's...not that wouldn't means much, but people seem to obsess over it. There isn't any difference between the two except that micro crack thing, although I'm sure that could also be a problem with the black version. I say that, because a similar crack would be nearly impossible to see in black plastic. When I had my old iPhone 3g, I exchanged it multiple times due to the problem that they had with cracking around all of the ports, and it was really only visible with the white ones. I looked at multiple black ones that friends had, and they all had the cracks, but you basically had to look at them with a magnifying glass in the right light to see the cracks. Therefore, I think it may be the same case with the Note.
Really, I can't recommend this phone enough. I dare a manufacturer to try and top it, because that would be a hell of a feat in my eyes.
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I have been on the fence for a while. I've watched literally every video I can find and read every review. I'd like to know how you feel about your Ultras in day-to-day use. Any regrets, etc. If you wouldn't mind taking the time to answer some or all of the following questions:
For reference, I have had a lot of different smartphones over the last few years and I currently own a Lumia 1520 and Note 3, so I'm fairly versed in the "big phone" category, though this is the biggest.
How is the size working for you? Issues with pocketability, etc? I know it's not a one-handed phone by any means, but do you wish for something smaller at times?
Does the pre-installed screen protector bother you at all? How is the screen overall, in your estimation?
Do you regret not having a better camera when you need to take photos, especially in the dark?
Do you feel that having a such a large screen to consume media justifies lugging around a phone this big for everyday use?
If you could change just one thing about the device, what would it be?
Lastly, does the phone have burst mode? I haven't been able to confirm this anywhere. I know about time shift, but I'm talking about the hold for burst setting. If so, how fast is it?
Thanks for any feedback, guys. I'm really intrigued by this phone and I'd just like to know how some real owners feel about it.
greyhulk said:
I have been on the fence for a while. I've watched literally every video I can find and read every review. I'd like to know how you feel about your Ultras in day-to-day use. Any regrets, etc. If you wouldn't mind taking the time to answer some or all of the following questions:
For reference, I have had a lot of different smartphones over the last few years and I currently own a Lumia 1520 and Note 3, so I'm fairly versed in the "big phone" category, though this is the biggest.
How is the size working for you? Issues with pocketability, etc? I know it's not a one-handed phone by any means, but do you wish for something smaller at times?
Does the pre-installed screen protector bother you at all? How is the screen overall, in your estimation?
Do you regret not having a better camera when you need to take photos, especially in the dark?
Do you feel that having a such a large screen to consume media justifies lugging around a phone this big for everyday use?
If you could change just one thing about the device, what would it be?
Lastly, does the phone have burst mode? I haven't been able to confirm this anywhere. I know about time shift, but I'm talking about the hold for burst setting. If so, how fast is it?
Thanks for any feedback, guys. I'm really intrigued by this phone and I'd just like to know how some real owners feel about it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i'd like to add in, how well does the device work laying on my side on the bed? i always watch movies on the bed on my side holding the phone with 1 hand (no jacking off lol) , is that possible?
greyhulk said:
I have been on the fence for a while. I've watched literally every video I can find and read every review. I'd like to know how you feel about your Ultras in day-to-day use. Any regrets, etc. If you wouldn't mind taking the time to answer some or all of the following questions:
For reference, I have had a lot of different smartphones over the last few years and I currently own a Lumia 1520 and Note 3, so I'm fairly versed in the "big phone" category, though this is the biggest.
How is the size working for you? Issues with pocketability, etc? I know it's not a one-handed phone by any means, but do you wish for something smaller at times?
Does the pre-installed screen protector bother you at all? How is the screen overall, in your estimation?
Do you regret not having a better camera when you need to take photos, especially in the dark?
Do you feel that having a such a large screen to consume media justifies lugging around a phone this big for everyday use?
If you could change just one thing about the device, what would it be?
Lastly, does the phone have burst mode? I haven't been able to confirm this anywhere. I know about time shift, but I'm talking about the hold for burst setting. If so, how fast is it?
Thanks for any feedback, guys. I'm really intrigued by this phone and I'd just like to know how some real owners feel about it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
1. The size is just fine now. I've had mine since its European release back in September, so i've used it for awhile now. It was a incredible big in the hands the first week i had it, but you know how things seem to "shrink" the more you use it and getting used to it? That'll also happen with the Ultra. It's not that big anymore.
2. It doesn't bother me, but i'd rather not have it on. You can't see it or even notice it though, so it won't bother you from day to day. It scratches easily though, so keep that in mind. You may want to add a second protector on top of the pre-installed one, or remove the pre one and use it naked (without any protection) or add a third party protector. It's up to you.
3. I take about 5 photos a year, so that's a no. I knew the camera wasn't good long before i bought it, so i don't really care. It would've been nice to have a LED though, but again, i don't really care that much. The quality is okey if you keep the ISO low in brightly lit environments though, but don't expect amazing results.
4. Absolutely. It's incredible thin, so it's not hard to take it with you, but you can't exactly put it in your pants pocket and expect it to still be straight after you've been sitting down. You'll learn to take it out of your pants pocket before you sit down. The Ultra is also as wide as a passport, so it fits perfectly in inner blazers pockets.
5. Easy. Camera. I don't use it much (as mentioned), but it's still nice to have a good camera when you want to take a few pics.
6. Yes, it does have burst mode. I believe it can take 10 photos per second. It's very very very quick.
anonapersons said:
i'd like to add in, how well does the device work laying on my side on the bed? i always watch movies on the bed on my side holding the phone with 1 hand (no jacking off lol) , is that possible?
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Click to collapse
Yeah, that's totally possible. The better thing to do (like i do), is to get the DK30 dock and use it on your nightstand/night table (if you have one). It'll stand on its own and act like a mini Bravia TV It's perfect.
Size is effectively the biggest pro on this phone (duh). You can easily put it into your coat/jacket pocket, and also in a lot of jeans pockets, but like Lord said, you'll have to get used to take it off any pocket (except jacket I guess) and put it on the table when you sit down.
I use it as my principal phone, so the size is no problem at all. Also, I have big hands and can use it one handed lots of times.
I installed a screen protector as soon as it came out of the box, used it with a matte and clear one, clear one is better for the screen. If the film put by Sony bothers you, you can just take it off (with sweat and pain).
Yeah, sometimes I do. But I knew what I was buying, and if I do have to take good photos, I either have my camera or the QX10 with me, so I don't regret it anymore.
Well, that depends on how important that thing is for you. You may get it for media consumption, but you'll end up using it for everything else too, asking yourself how could you go back to anything smaller.
I'd say camera.
As for burst mode, it has one, it's fast, and timeshift is even better.
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1) I got it because of the size. I was on iPhones for the preceding 6 years but got hold of a Nexus 7 at the end of last year. Within a week I flogged them both to get an XZU. It was frustrating having 2 devices so functionally similar - what device shall I check my Evernote account on now? for instance - so I thought this would be the best compromise. If anything it could be a little bit bigger (but I am very tall with presumably corresponding hand size!).
2) The screen protector is pretty good IMO. I'm sure if I shave it off like so many people on this forum have it will look even better though:silly: I never used protectors on the iPhones and this seems to be as responsive to touch as they were.
3) Camera isn't too important to me but I'm old. If I were a young man out raving and partying I think I would need one but I only use it to take pix of my dog these days so not a biggie.
4) ABSOLUTELY!!!!!!! I use this a hell of a lot more like a computer than a phone. With some apps you might need to faff about in Xposed to get the best real estate value but this is basically a tablet.
5) Other than the camera a better magnetic charger. It works well in dock but I've tried 3 cables from eBay and they just don't work.
Caveat to the above: I use it with a SBH 52 and a smartwatch 2. Without these 2 it would be more fiddly to use. I'd be less inclined to take it out every few seconds like I did with my iPhone, but if my notifications are all in ear or on wrist I don't need to so...
I got it because with stock version when I paired it with xb90 earphone then, the sound output it gave was mind blowing. But, with the latest update things seems to have become disappointing
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