Related
I'm trying to decide if price is playing a huge factor between these two phones. I will also do another post in the Verizon Note 2 forum and see if adding a sd card slot and removable battery to the DNA would get people to change their minds.
I much prefer HTC over Samsung. IMHO, everything from the radios to build quality is better. Having said that, if I hadn't liked what HTC came out with this fall, I would have bought a GS3.
For me it comes down to storage, the Droid DNA only has a 16gb model and no Micro SD, it writes the device off no matter how good it is.
If it had a Micro SD slot at least then both devices are pretty much equal and it all comes down to which one you like the look of and if an extra 0.5 inch matters to you in a screen. Tbh nothing makes the GN2 stutter so I don't care about specs at this point, though the Droid DNA is more powerful on paper. Cameras are about the same, speakers are the same, mics are the same. I personally prefer TouchWiz, Samsung add so many good features standard Android doesn't have and I feel like everyone is playing catch up to Samsung. I mean the Pen has great features like being able to pull it out mid call and write a phone number down, which is a feature I've always wanted, it makes it so seamless. I love the Picture in Picture TouchWiz has and I love the multiple Windows you can have open in the GN2.
You ain't gonna complain with either device tbh...
GN2 has a removable battery, 0.5 inch extra screen size, pen, large storage + Micro SD
Droid DNA has the latest specs but only 16GB and no Micro SD
Really when it comes to screen quality, you wont complain with either, I don't buy into the PPI hype, you don't notice any difference above 250PPI when held from a normal distance.
I would go for note 2 because of the battery... DNA lasts for just 5 hrs
Sent from my GT-I9001 using xda premium
I would still get the DNA: Not a fan of SAmoled screens, Note II would be too large, love HTCs phones and Sense.
yajur1995 said:
I would go for note 2 because of the battery... DNA lasts for just 5 hrs
Sent from my GT-I9001 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not completely true. It depends on usage.
Playing 5 hours straight or 1080p video will definitely kill the battery. But then again that's 5 hours of 1080p video, can't complain there.
Sent from my ADR6425LVW using xda premium
I vote Note 2.
The S-pen on the Note 2 is incredibly useful compared to the Note 1.
The Note 2 has true multi-window multitasking, you can watch a video, open up the browser and surf the web while looking at photos in the gallery. All on the same screen. It's actually quite awesome the first time you use it.
Note 2 has flash support in the browser.
The battery life on he Note 2 is hailed as probably the best in the business, lasts about twice as long as the DNA on a single charge.
removable battery is a plus on the Note 2 also.
expandable storage is another great feature of the Note 2. Slap in a 64GB card and you got 80GB of combined storage.
The screen on the Note 2 is quite beautiful, it is non-pentile so it is extra sharp and clear. Honestly I don't think you will be able to tell much difference between the two screens when using it day to day. Like someone said, it's hard to tell after 250ppi.
The Note 2's resolution should be much more compatible with more apps and games in the playstore. The 1080p on the DNA already has issues running many apps and games according to a few reviewers.
The DNA has a bettery cpu/gpu combo but it's pushing a lot more pixels, so I think that any performance advantage is cancelled out.
So it seems like the Note 2 is the much better device.
Everything is awesome about DNA except the battery. I'm a hardcore user i play lots of games. I don't understand HTC.. they didn't learn anything from One X. On the other hand Note 2 is very good but i don't like the Exynos cpu and 267 ppi pixel density is too low. So folks please help me what to choose. I'm driving myself insane.
This is the way I see it. Both phones doing extremely well on benchmarks so I wont comment about speed.
Note II Pros:
- Spen
- Multiwindow
- Battery life + removable
- MicroSD
- Bigger screen
- Available on all carriers
Note II Cons:
- too big, not comfy to hold
- looks ridiculous when held up for phone calls
- slippery plastic build quality
- amoled screen
- cell radio
DNA Pros:
- build quality
- excellent size, same width as SGS3 so its easy to hold
- 1080p screen + SLCD3
- wide angle front camera (pics with wife + video chat, very useful to me)
- best camera software
- waterproof rating is good (i've dropped 2 phones in the water)
DNA Cons:
- no microsd
- 16gb internal storage
- sense + verizon bloat (can both be fixed by roms and disabling)
- Verizon exclusive, works on some other GSM but no HSPA+ afaik
- battery not removable
For me personally I choose DNA. I've decided that the 16gb will do just fine for me since my current phone only has 8gb and is barely full. The rest of the Cons don't bother me at all as everything software side can be customized or fixed through roms. The battery is more than sufficient, especially if its better than SGS3 battery which most reviews seem to be saying.
The Note II is a great phone but the build quality, size, slippery feel and cell radio are things that cannot be changed. I sure as hell would not add a case to make it even bigger. I also would feel like an idiot holding that thing up to my face. Just my opinion though, I'm sure its a great phone for the right person, Lebron James.
Well its difficult to compare a phone and a phablet. Since DNA is almost the same size as S3 it would be like comparing S3 with Note 2.
That said. I dont know but everyone misses out on the Beats functionality in DNA. I have tried One X in ATT with beats headphones and my Nexus with beats head phones and for me the difference was huge.
DNA all the way for me. I've always been a fan of HTC, mainly because of their higher build quality and better radios. In this case, the screen is also better than the Note II, and for me that's among the most important pieces of the puzzle, since that's what you look at and poke with your fingers.
Guys you might want to see this: http://www.starkinsider.com/2012/11/oh-no-htc-droid-dna-battery-lasts-only-425-hours-in-test.html
Vadrieldur said:
Guys you might want to see this: http://www.starkinsider.com/2012/11/oh-no-htc-droid-dna-battery-lasts-only-425-hours-in-test.html
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That is nothing new, he was going off the info from The Verge's review. Doing that same test the SGS3 got around 20min LESS than the DNA.
pottersam said:
This is the way I see it. Both phones doing extremely well on benchmarks so I wont comment about speed.
Note II Pros:
- Spen
- Multiwindow
- Battery life + removable
- MicroSD
- Bigger screen
- Available on all carriers
Note II Cons:
- too big, not comfy to hold
- looks ridiculous when held up for phone calls
- slippery plastic build quality
- amoled screen
- cell radio
DNA Pros:
- build quality
- excellent size, same width as SGS3 so its easy to hold
- 1080p screen + SLCD3
- wide angle front camera (pics with wife + video chat, very useful to me)
- best camera software
- waterproof rating is good (i've dropped 2 phones in the water)
DNA Cons:
- no microsd
- 16gb internal storage
- sense + verizon bloat (can both be fixed by roms and disabling)
- Verizon exclusive, works on some other GSM but no HSPA+ afaik
- battery not removable
For me personally I choose DNA. I've decided that the 16gb will do just fine for me since my current phone only has 8gb and is barely full. The rest of the Cons don't bother me at all as everything software side can be customized or fixed through roms. The battery is more than sufficient, especially if its better than SGS3 battery which most reviews seem to be saying.
The Note II is a great phone but the build quality, size, slippery feel and cell radio are things that cannot be changed. I sure as hell would not add a case to make it even bigger. I also would feel like an idiot holding that thing up to my face. Just my opinion though, I'm sure its a great phone for the right person, Lebron James.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have to agree with you HTC's phones all have amazing build quality and that is a major factor for me when buying a phone, unfortunately I hate sense. The S-pen and multiwindow is what does it for me, as for screens I can't really say until I can test both of them, I honestly can't tell the difference between a retina display and my Droid Incredible's Amoled screen (unless I hold it within an uncomfortable range of my eyes).
pottersam said:
That is nothing new, he was going off the info from The Verge's review. Doing that same test the SGS3 got around 20min LESS than the DNA.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's a relief.. I'm sticking with DNA then.
pottersam said:
This is the way I see it. Both phones doing extremely well on benchmarks so I wont comment about speed.
Note II Pros:
- Spen
- Multiwindow
- Battery life + removable
- MicroSD
- Bigger screen
- Available on all carriers
Note II Cons:
- too big, not comfy to hold
- looks ridiculous when held up for phone calls
- slippery plastic build quality
- amoled screen
- cell radio
DNA Pros:
- build quality
- excellent size, same width as SGS3 so its easy to hold
- 1080p screen + SLCD3
- wide angle front camera (pics with wife + video chat, very useful to me)
- best camera software
- waterproof rating is good (i've dropped 2 phones in the water)
DNA Cons:
- no microsd
- 16gb internal storage
- sense + verizon bloat (can both be fixed by roms and disabling)
- Verizon exclusive, works on some other GSM but no HSPA+ afaik
- battery not removable
For me personally I choose DNA. I've decided that the 16gb will do just fine for me since my current phone only has 8gb and is barely full. The rest of the Cons don't bother me at all as everything software side can be customized or fixed through roms. The battery is more than sufficient, especially if its better than SGS3 battery which most reviews seem to be saying.
The Note II is a great phone but the build quality, size, slippery feel and cell radio are things that cannot be changed. I sure as hell would not add a case to make it even bigger. I also would feel like an idiot holding that thing up to my face. Just my opinion though, I'm sure its a great phone for the right person, Lebron James.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just how many of you who really used note 2? Many of the cons you listed are not valid.
Note II Cons:[/B]
- too big, not comfy to hold : now this is subjective call. But I rarely see note 2 user who complaint about the phone being too big after using it for a couple if days. Testing the phone on the store won't do it justice, unless you really hate big phone.
- looks ridiculous when held up for phone calls : since I used note 1 last year, there is only a few people who told me how big my phone is. Of course it will be different on each neighbourhood. But big phones are common nowadays. You won't be looked ridiculous when you use note 2 for phone calls. Using 7 inches tablet however is a different story
- slippery plastic build quality : I very much agree on this. But for me personally, I'd take removable battery and micro sd over superior build quality any day of the week
- amoled screen : past amoled screens have burn ins and black crush. not with note 2. Check the poll results in note 2 thread.
- cell radio : no comment on this. I don't have this problem
That said, I never used DNA yet. So I might change my mind when i get my hands in it.
Judging from the reviews, it looks to me that DNA is One X with superior speeds.
I got a Note 2 because Samsung's software advancements. Plus I sold my tablet, the multi tasking caught my eye. I hwen't used a Samsung phone since the first Epic. Touchwiz is smooth for once compared to sense.
I upgraded from a HTC One S, even-though Sense is elegant it does not have as many productive settings to make your life easier like the S 3 or Note 2 I Find myself doing less steps to complete simple task than I did with my One S. Like making a phone call. Zooming in and out with motion. Sure I look like a fool moving my phone around in the air but it is simple.
The AMOLED burn-in issue is what worries me the most about this phone.
Sent from my SGH-T889 using Tapatalk 2
Note 2 is a great phone and I have nothing against it, had it been 5 inches and same dimensions as dna I would hands down get it. It is just simply too big for my hands I have held one and I wanted to put it down right away.
Now people talking about htc sense, sense has come a long was from being a system hog, it is no longer the same sense it used to be and much more efficient.
Although HTC has absolutely failed when it comes to multitasking, I mean can we please have some features similar to samsung or even LG, seems like HTC has settled in on sense and focused more on hardware design totally forgot about innovation on software side. I hope they are working on improving their multitasking.
It seems like HTC is learning a lesson when it comes to updating sense. They used to never update the sense version on the older phones and you used to have to get new htc phones to get improvements of sense interface, but it seems that they have learned a lesson and all the one series are being updated to sense 4+, its about time they learned from samsung that you cant just update the OS version and leave the new sense version out because that really doesn't count towards a great user experience.
azhurvadal said:
Just how many of you who really used note 2? Many of the cons you listed are not valid.
Note II Cons:[/B]
- too big, not comfy to hold : now this is subjective call. But I rarely see note 2 user who complaint about the phone being too big after using it for a couple if days. Testing the phone on the store won't do it justice, unless you really hate big phone.
- looks ridiculous when held up for phone calls : since I used note 1 last year, there is only a few people who told me how big my phone is. Of course it will be different on each neighbourhood. But big phones are common nowadays. You won't be looked ridiculous when you use note 2 for phone calls. Using 7 inches tablet however is a different story
- slippery plastic build quality : I very much agree on this. But for me personally, I'd take removable battery and micro sd over superior build quality any day of the week
- amoled screen : past amoled screens have burn ins and black crush. not with note 2. Check the poll results in note 2 thread.
- cell radio : no comment on this. I don't have this problem
That said, I never used DNA yet. So I might change my mind when i get my hands in it.
Judging from the reviews, it looks to me that DNA is One X with superior speeds.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yep, like I said in my post, It's all my personal opinion. I could get used to using a Note II for calls just like I can get used to using a Nexus 7 for calls, but it doesn't necessarily mean I want to. In my experience with using a Note II I could feel my hand straining a bit while I griped it, while the S3, One X and GNex felt nice. I would say I have average size hands, 6ft tall and can 1-hand grip a basketball.
I don't mean to sound offensive, but a phone nearly the size of a tablet does look a little interesting during calls. Here's a few examples:
Example 1
Example 2
Example 3
But again, just my opinion, maybe its because I'm in california where most people have iphones.
And regarding the amoled screen, as a photographer my main beef with it is color accuracy. If I didn't care as much about using the phone as a mobile portfolio, it wouldnt matter as much. I'm sure the colors could be tweaked, but afaik SLCD3 > Amoled
They're 2 completely different devices.
I don't know why people insist on comparing the DNA to the Note. The DNA is the phone, its not even 5mm taller than the S3. Compare it to that. Compare it to the Optimus G, the Nexus 4, etc.
Just cause it hit some magical 5in screen size its now a direct competitor to the Note? If the DNA were 4.9in would these threads even exist? When Samsung starts with their 5in phones will people be comparing the S4 to the Note? I'm guessing not, since by then it'll be common place.
The DNA is a phone, not a 'phablet', there is no direct competition to the Note at this moment, besides that LG thing.. Which isn't much competition.
I'm a Galaxy Note user who has had the note since September of 2011. When the Note 2 came out I decided to skip it because I didn't think it was that worthy of an upgrade. So the Note has been my primary device for almost 2 years.
My Note was getting slow and generally couldn't keep up with what I was trying to do (Screen recording, Multiple apps running without closing, running out of RAM...etc) Like you, I discovered the Mega 6.3 and began reading up on it and watching video reviews online. My initial worry was that it wouldn't be as fast as the current flagships and that I'd regret buying a device with last years specs.
My reasoning to go ahead an purchase the Mega was based on the fact that to me it would feel like an upgrade since I was coming from my old Note.
After using the Mega all my fears of it being underpowered and slow were gone. The device has a large bright crisp LCD display which I can now see clearly in daylight! The 1.5 GB RAM is handling my multitasking very well as I've yet seen a launcher redraw occur. The device is very snappy and has had no issues playing large MKV files. One of the coolest features that I was excited about was the IR port. Now you can control all your living room devices with your phone. Camera is on par with the Note which is no slouch even after 2 years.
The big win with this phone is the sheer amount of real estate you get. The original Note fits within the Mega 6.3's display area. You aren't just getting a phone when you get a Mega 6.3 you are also getting a small tablet. This device is a true Phablet. While the Note 1 and 2 were big devices the Mega elevates the browsing and media viewing experience to a true tablet level experience. If this is what you are interested in then I highly recommend you pickup this device. So to recap, this device has a great display, versatile form factor, decent camera and great performance.
If you are trying to win the antutu, quadrant wars then I suggest you stay away from the Mega as the S4 is the current flagship which is putting up crazy benchmark numbers.
If you are looking for a large crisp display with last years flagship specs then the Mega 6.3 is your device. The only thing holding you back from this purchase is whether you want to wait for the Note 3 which will have the S-Pen and a 1080P display. The Mega 6.3 I picked up was sub $440. The note 3 will start at low $700's most likely.
My Mega 6.3 is running on AT&T HSPA
I've attached some camera samples
Repost
inurb said:
I'm a Galaxy Note user who has had the note since September of 2011. When the Note 2 came out I decided to skip it because I didn't think it was that worthy of an upgrade. So the Note has been my primary device for almost 2 years.
My Note was getting slow and generally couldn't keep up with what I was trying to do (Screen recording, Multiple apps running without closing, running out of RAM...etc) Like you, I discovered the Mega 6.3 and began reading up on it and watching video reviews online. My initial worry was that it wouldn't be as fast as the current flagships and that I'd regret buying a device with last years specs.
My reasoning to go ahead an purchase the Mega was based on the fact that to me it would feel like an upgrade since I was coming from my old Note.
After using the Mega all my fears of it being underpowered and slow were gone. The device has a large bright crisp LCD display which I can now see clearly in daylight! The 1.5 GB RAM is handling my multitasking very well as I've yet seen a launcher redraw occur. The device is very snappy and has had no issues playing large MKV files. One of the coolest features that I was excited about was the IR port. Now you can control all your living room devices with your phone. Camera is on par with the Note which is no slouch even after 2 years.
The big win with this phone is the sheer amount of real estate you get. The original Note fits within the Mega 6.3's display area. You aren't just getting a phone when you get a Mega 6.3 you are also getting a small tablet. This device is a true Phablet. While the Note 1 and 2 were big devices the Mega elevates the browsing and media viewing experience to a true tablet level experience. If this is what you are interested in then I highly recommend you pickup this device. So to recap, this device has a great display, versatile form factor, decent camera and great performance.
If you are trying to win the antutu, quadrant wars then I suggest you stay away from the Mega as the S4 is the current flagship which is putting up crazy benchmark numbers.
If you are looking for a large crisp display with last years flagship specs then the Mega 6.3 is your device. The only thing holding you back from this purchase is whether you want to wait for the Note 3 which will have the S-Pen and a 1080P display. The Mega 6.3 I picked up was sub $440. The note 3 will start at low $700's most likely.
My Mega 6.3 is running on AT&T HSPA
I've attached some camera samples
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I too came from the original Note and skipped Note 2 because the screen became narrower and the resolution was lower. The main reason I got the Note was that it has the biggest display phablet and not because of the S pen which lost it's appeal after a week. The downside of the Note was the screen issues like black crush (blacks artefacts) on videos, yellowish/bluish whites, black spots on dark backgrounds, and short lifespan/noticeable degrading screen quality overtime due to the pentile AMOLED screen.
Fortunately, the Mega does not exhibit any of the Note's screen problems plus it's brighter and has more accurate colour reproduction. The sheer increase in size and the increase legibility setting is heaven for my crappy eyesight when reading text and browsing the web. It's not perfect though, the super clear LCD shows ripples in places when tapped too hard. I thought it was just me but I have tried ones on display at a phone shop and they too have it.
The Note lasted with me longer than my previous phones because smaller screens did not interest me even if they had better specs. Benchmarks don't impress me much because in actual daily use the Note was smooth and I was using tweaked ROMs. I wanted the biggest possible screen in my pocket to take with me as my main device and the Mega delivers. Playing games is a joy as my fingers don't dominate the screen and the weight/size is more manageable than my Nexus 7 on long hours of use specially at night when I usually hit my face with it while dozing off to sleep.
I personally like Samsung's design language which focuses on function. I like the off screen buttons which let's me enjoy the full screen with little wasted bezel space. I like the plastic body that doesn't block GSM/3G/4G/GPS signals and more scratch proof than metal. I also like the removable battery and SD card slot. Unless other manufacturers have these qualities I will stick to Samsung phones. The only phone I am waiting for now is a high end Mega 2, hopefully with a bigger screen (6.5 @ 1080p maybe?) in a same sized body (less to zero bezel) with better camera (optical stabilisation + better lens), better specs (quad core + latest GPU), front/side facing stereo speakers, and a bigger battery (4000mah or more).
I also attached unedited camera samples direct from my Mega 6.3.
a very good summary in these two posts! gx3k, you've described my wishes exactly about the Mega 2 specs. The only correction i would make is probably a next gen dual core with a more powerful architecture (A15?), smaller manufacturing process (consumes less power) and higher clock speed. Although a quad core would be fine to, if we could disable/enable the extra cores when we need them. Sounds nice
I am a note 1 user and I dismissed the Mega as a mid-range phone. However when I stepped into the Samsung Shop and saw the Mega the only think that held me back from making a purchase was the screen resolution, I am sure that the Note 3 will have a higher resolution, and the lack of S-pen I do love my S-pen. Otherwise I think the Mega is a surprisingly nic piece of Kit and I found the size quite okay to deal with.
darthmaul40 said:
I am a note 1 user and I dismissed the Mega as a mid-range phone. However when I stepped into the Samsung Shop and saw the Mega the only think that held me back from making a purchase was the screen resolution, I am sure that the Note 3 will have a higher resolution, and the lack of S-pen I do love my S-pen. Otherwise I think the Mega is a surprisingly nic piece of Kit and I found the size quite okay to deal with.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Was that one of the new Samsung Experience Shops that they have been advertising recently? I might stop by a Best Buy if there is one up and running around me so I can check out the Mega 6.3. My gut feeling is that I would prefer the Note III, but my problem has always been being impatient, and the next Note is so far away.
inurb said:
I'm a Galaxy Note user who has had the note since September of 2011. When the Note 2 came out I decided to skip it because I didn't think it was that worthy of an upgrade. So the Note has been my primary device for almost 2 years.
My Note was getting slow and generally couldn't keep up with what I was trying to do (Screen recording, Multiple apps running without closing, running out of RAM...etc) Like you, I discovered the Mega 6.3 and began reading up on it and watching video reviews online. My initial worry was that it wouldn't be as fast as the current flagships and that I'd regret buying a device with last years specs.
My reasoning to go ahead an purchase the Mega was based on the fact that to me it would feel like an upgrade since I was coming from my old Note.
After using the Mega all my fears of it being underpowered and slow were gone. The device has a large bright crisp LCD display which I can now see clearly in daylight! The 1.5 GB RAM is handling my multitasking very well as I've yet seen a launcher redraw occur. The device is very snappy and has had no issues playing large MKV files. One of the coolest features that I was excited about was the IR port. Now you can control all your living room devices with your phone. Camera is on par with the Note which is no slouch even after 2 years.
The big win with this phone is the sheer amount of real estate you get. The original Note fits within the Mega 6.3's display area. You aren't just getting a phone when you get a Mega 6.3 you are also getting a small tablet. This device is a true Phablet. While the Note 1 and 2 were big devices the Mega elevates the browsing and media viewing experience to a true tablet level experience. If this is what you are interested in then I highly recommend you pickup this device. So to recap, this device has a great display, versatile form factor, decent camera and great performance.
If you are trying to win the antutu, quadrant wars then I suggest you stay away from the Mega as the S4 is the current flagship which is putting up crazy benchmark numbers.
If you are looking for a large crisp display with last years flagship specs then the Mega 6.3 is your device. The only thing holding you back from this purchase is whether you want to wait for the Note 3 which will have the S-Pen and a 1080P display. The Mega 6.3 I picked up was sub $440. The note 3 will start at low $700's most likely.
My Mega 6.3 is running on AT&T HSPA
I've attached some camera samples
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
With regards to the IR, how do you use/activate it? I simply cannot get it to work.
Geminik said:
With regards to the IR, how do you use/activate it? I simply cannot get it to work.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Use the WatchOn app. It will guide you to set the remote (tap icon on upper right corner).
I have a feeling that samsung won't make the note 3 as large as the mega 6..3
after using the Mega I think it's a perfect size and don't think mobiles should go any larger. If the note 3 isn't the same size as the mega 6..3 then I won't get it. I think mega will be Samsung's new Phablet line whereas the note line will no longer be just about screen size anymore. I think they are going to focus on s pen functionality and features. You'll probably see a flagship spec mega sooner rather than later.
I think that is what samsung is up to.
inurb said:
I have a feeling that samsung won't make the note 3 as large as the mega 6..3
after using the Mega I think it's a perfect size and don't think mobiles should go any larger. If the note 3 isn't the same size as the mega 6..3 then I won't get it. I think mega will be Samsung's new Phablet line whereas the note line will no longer be just about screen size anymore. I think they are going to focus on s pen functionality and features. You'll probably see a flagship spec mega sooner rather than later.
I think that is what samsung is up to.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Reports indicate that the Note 3 will have 5.7" screen in more or less the same body. I agree that the Mega's size is probably the biggest they can get for pocketability and I'm sure Samsung can squeeze in a 6.5" screen on the same body. I don't care much about the S pen and phones smaller than 6.3" doesn't excite me now. Galaxy Mega 6.5 for 2014 is my next phone
I have used my Note 1 since October 2011 and I just bought the Mega 5.8 Duos - taking 2 SIM cards. So far, it is great. The only reason I may buy the Note 3 is if it has dual SIM as well. For me, the S-Pen is a key productivity tool with apps like SIGNificant, as I now hardly sign work documents on paper. My staff send me documents that need my signature as .pdf files and I just sign with the S-Pen!
Upgraded from Note 2 to Mega and here's some thoughts after using it for nearly a week. This is based on the unrooted stock rom.
Likes:
1. Bigger, brighter, and whiter screen on the Mega. It makes watching video on the phone a real pleasure. The white colors on my Note 2 are always yellowish and blacks are clipped.
2. More natural color compared to the Note 2. My favorite screen mode is "standard".
3. Handles videos well. Played 720p mkv action movies with DTS audio and it handles them without a single hiccup. I used Archos Player to do that. Didn't test the stock video player since it doesn't support DTS audio
4. Easier to grab compared to Note 2.
5. The power button and the volume rocker are easier to press.
6. Higher DPI. It seems Samsung is using higher DPI for fonts, which makes the phone feel more like a tablet than a phone.
Dislikes:
1. No S pen. If you use that a lot, then you are going to miss it. I use it sometimes but I can manage the life without it.
2. No AC3 support. Sammy wants to save money here therefore you will have to buy a third party player with AC3 and/or DTS decoding. Of course if you don't mind, you could always re encode mkv movies to MP4 with AAC or mp3 audio which is then supported. I am just lazy.
3. Not enough accessories on the market. This is not he most popular phone so not so many accessories are available yet. Hope there will be more.
4. The rear camera lens: why does it have to stick out so much from the back??? Look at the iPhone, and some Sony phones. They don't have that ugly protrusion at the back!
5. Although easier to grab compared to Note 2, it is still a slippery phone. I am getting a rubberized back case to improve that.
6. When I am typing, the predicted words comes up later than on the Note 2. It's noticeable but not annoying yet because I don't type that fast. You may not like it if you are a turbo texter.
Everything else is pretty much the same as my Note 2. The Mega may not have the fastest CPU in the world, and it doesn't have 3 Gb of ram, but I didn't experience much lag at all.
Games:
I don't play games so I asked my 8 year old boy to test it for me. His answer is "no lags". Of course he didn't test all those CPU and GPU intensive games so don't quote me on that.
Battery life:
At full blast which means full brightness, all radios on, it lasts between 5 to 6 hours. I am quite impressed.
Screen sharpness:
being a 720p phone with the largest screen (am I right? ), I was worried that I will see a lot of pixelation. In reality I hardly notice that at all. I am sure a 1080p screen will look nicer. Maybe we will see that in Mega 2? Let's hope for one. And I don't mind if they make the screen even larger. If they can narrow the bezel like they did with the Note 3, they can make a 6.5 inch screen without making the phone larger.
Pocketability: it fits in my pant pockets but I have to admit it reaching the limit.
Final thoughts: Obviously there's a limit how big a phone can be. With the Note 3 being nearly physically identical to the Note 2, it looks like Samsung has decided that's the largest size they are willing to go if they wanted to keep the Note series popular. Hence the Mega looks like their experimental device: let's throw everything on the wall and see what sticks. It will be interesting to see how the market responds to the Mega within the next few months.
Conclusion: I am keeping the Mega and selling my Note 2.
-----------------------
Sent from my AT&T Galaxy Mega
I must add that the viewing angle of the Mega is less than the Note 2.
-----------------------
Sent from my AT&T Galaxy Mega
I was strongly considering one (or a voice capable 7" Tab 3 for less!) but found a T-Mobile Note 2 at a really good price. The screen resolution never bothered me; my 7.0+ has the same resolution in a larger device and it looks just fine. It all came down to the deal I could get. I still might get a T211, though I'm not thrilled about it's camera.
It's pretty clear that the Galaxy Alpha is not being positioned "above" the Galaxy S 5...it's just different. It's smaller, much thinner, but has a lower resolution display (720p vs 1080p) and a smaller battery (1860mAh vs 2800mAh).
So who is this phone for? Would you consider it over the Galaxy S 5, or even the Nexus 5/HTC One M8 for that matter?
Sound off! :victory:
Nope although I love that form factor it lacks some of essential features such as full HD and SD card support.
Also I think the price tag is way too high for the mentioned features.
The mentioned one's aren't alternatives I'll be waiting for the g3 with the snap Dragon 805 maybe they are going to release a smaller one too
The phone is for iPhone users coming over from Apple and direct compression for the z1 compact.
I personally think this is the best looking Samsung phone ever and I want it baaaaadddddd, I know the 720p screen and tiny battery are major drawbacks for most people but I can deal with it, I am by no means a power user. I just think its a great looking powerful phone that's perfect for me I just really hope it has some sort of development here
kayslay21 said:
I personally think this is the best looking Samsung phone ever and I want it baaaaadddddd, I know the 720p screen and tiny battery are major drawbacks for most people but I can deal with it, I am by no means a power user. I just think its a great looking powerful phone that's perfect for me I just really hope it has some sort of development here
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
"B***h, please", you tell those "most people". I challenge your eyes to see single pixels with pixel density above 300 ppi. Also, the less pixels to push around = the GPU has it easier = it's easier on the battery... and battery is STILL bigger than any iPhone battery to date. And with the coming of L, battery life is expected to rise even more.
sirobelec said:
"B***h, please", you tell those "most people". I challenge your eyes to see single pixels with pixel density above 300 ppi. Also, the less pixels to push around = the GPU has it easier = it's easier on the battery... and battery is STILL bigger than any iPhone battery to date. And with the coming of L, battery life is expected to rise even more.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Considering this is using the Exynos 5430 using 20nm, it should have have battery life between the 801 and 805 if it was 1080p/1440p. if it's only 720p This device will last more than a day easily.
For that reason alone I'll be picking it up. and the fact I hate QHD on phones.
I would get one only if i dont have to throw a extra penny on xchange wid my 1month old nexus 5...
Comparing it to nexus 5
Pros
Slimmer
Metallic body
Better camera
Touchwiz ui (lol pro??)
Better gpu (yes its btr than a330)
Better battery (newer 20nm )
Cons
Touchwiz
Not full hd (i don't give a **** as i find display of 720p grand 2 to be same as that of my n5 wid naked eyes)
Expect late updates and poorer custom rom support.
I would make the sacrifice wid my n5 only if L doesnt makes it a overkill
Considering @svetius ' interest in alpha i guess he would get one tooo...
svetius said:
So who is this phone for? Would you consider it over the Galaxy S 5, or even the Nexus 5/HTC One M8 for that matter?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ummm... me. I'm trim and of average height, not tall or big-boned, etc. I don't have huge hands. I wear 501s much of the time. The S5, G3 and One M8 are a bit too large for my pocket and for one-handed use. A phone is like a sidearm; while the zealots always want bigger and more powerful, if it's inconvenient to carry or use, and so you don't, it's no good even compared to an old flip phone.
But... the Alpha lacks a microSD slot, so it actually fails my requirements. Don't tell me you're selling me a Porsche - small, powerful, expensive - and then cut out the top gear. Charge me another $100 and put in the top gear, and call it a Porsche Xtreme or something silly like that.
As per a report it costs $689 dollars...
Plz throw it in the dustbin ...i am happy wid my sexy nexy...:silly:
I'm interested in getting it. The lack of a microSD card slot (and the price, too, I guess) is a bit of a bummer but who knows...
Deletive said:
Considering this is using the Exynos 5430 using 20nm, it should have have battery life between the 801 and 805 if it was 1080p/1440p. if it's only 720p This device will last more than a day easily.
For that reason alone I'll be picking it up. and the fact I hate QHD on phones.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
People say that QHD displays are just a gimmick but my g3 is hella crisp and as for battery life its fantastic, easily last all day.
Sent from my LGLS990 using XDA Free mobile app
generalkrank said:
People say that QHD displays are just a gimmick but my g3 is hella crisp and as for battery life its fantastic, easily last all day.
Sent from my LGLS990 using XDA Free mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No SD card support..... I'd rather get the G3.
I will get one, if the battery is good enough.
Alpha is almost there
Wotta said:
Ummm... me. I'm trim and of average height, not tall or big-boned, etc. I don't have huge hands. I wear 501s much of the time. The S5, G3 and One M8 are a bit too large for my pocket and for one-handed use. A phone is like a sidearm; while the zealots always want bigger and more powerful, if it's inconvenient to carry or use, and so you don't, it's no good even compared to an old flip phone.
But... the Alpha lacks a microSD slot, so it actually fails my requirements. Don't tell me you're selling me a Porsche - small, powerful, expensive - and then cut out the top gear. Charge me another $100 and put in the top gear, and call it a Porsche Xtreme or something silly like that.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes. I am in a similar situation -I am what you would call a Power User and need the Phone and nice
Camera for Business but am athletic, active and need the smaller form factor.
I want an Alpha Pro which is thicker with a larger Battery and Larger Camera Sensor like Note 4 ,SD Card for $ 100 more.
Alpha is a fashionable Device.
Alpha Pro would be for Note 4 types who don't want a huge phone.
The "Thinness Race" is surprising to me - I would MUCH prefer a thicker phone with SD Card and larger Battery and less breakable.
This size about 5.2" Tall with 4.7"
screen is perfect for me- and this Camera will be very good for Interior Designers , Real Estate Pros, Artists etc. not replacing a DSLR, but very useful.
Larger screens to me are impractical to carry and more likely to break, but I love the power of a Laptop in my pocket.
The Alpha is close.
The Sony Z3 Compact is close.
I prefer a removable Battery.
If Devs can create an APP that allows direct Storage to USB Stick ,
I could live without SD Card.
Two to Five Millimeters thicker and the Alpha Pro could be the Flagship Compact.
Remember you put a Rigid Case on a 5.6" Tall S5 and it's large and still fragile.
Put a rigid case on the Alpha and it's still pocket sized and less likely to break .
I don't know why it needs to be only 6.7 mm thick and 4 ounces-lol.
Give me the thicker Alpha Pro- a Device I am making up in the hopes it happens....
720p on 4.7" is decent. Even iPhone 6 doesn't have 1080p on their 4.7".
Hmmm I'm divided! I just had the S5 mini for a few days, and the screen on that one is bad. I meen the 720p resolution just doesn't cut it! Even thou the screen is small. It's just as bad as the S4 Mini. You can't read small fonts or read Web pages without zooming.
Soooo....... Does the Alpha has the same problem? I would guess. Even bigger screen with the same resolution. I hope I'm wrong and that Samsung just used a sub par display in the S5 mini. But I'm sceptical of course.
Also not sure if I want to live without the brilliance of a IR blaster in my phone. I use it everyday.
And then finally there is the potential issue about the battery size. Maybe it will be fine, if Sammy has optimized the Alphas HW correct.
So bottom line, I really want to get one, but I'm not to sure! LOOOOOOVE the esthetics!
Should be getting mine this coming Saturday, but stuck deciding what colour to go for...
---------- Post added at 03:17 PM ---------- Previous post was at 03:12 PM ----------
robertkoa said:
Yes. I am in a similar situation -I am what you would call a Power User and need the Phone and nice
Camera for Business but am athletic, active and need the smaller form factor.
I want an Alpha Pro which is thicker with a larger Battery and Larger Camera Sensor like Note 4 ,SD Card for $ 100 more.
Alpha is a fashionable Device.
Alpha Pro would be for Note 4 types who don't want a huge phone.
The "Thinness Race" is surprising to me - I would MUCH prefer a thicker phone with SD Card and larger Battery and less breakable.
This size about 5.2" Tall with 4.7"
screen is perfect for me- and this Camera will be very good for Interior Designers , Real Estate Pros, Artists etc. not replacing a DSLR, but very useful.
Larger screens to me are impractical to carry and more likely to break, but I love the power of a Laptop in my pocket.
The Alpha is close.
The Sony Z3 Compact is close.
I prefer a removable Battery.
If Devs can create an APP that allows direct Storage to USB Stick ,
I could live without SD Card.
Two to Five Millimeters thicker and the Alpha Pro could be the Flagship Compact.
Remember you put a Rigid Case on a 5.6" Tall S5 and it's large and still fragile.
Put a rigid case on the Alpha and it's still pocket sized and less likely to break .
I don't know why it needs to be only 6.7 mm thick and 4 ounces-lol.
Give me the thicker Alpha Pro- a Device I am making up in the hopes it happens....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I get what your saying I thought about it too, but something draws me to this device it just looks good and I think its a combination of the thinness and metal frame, anything thicker here I think would detract from its appeal. As long as I can get from 5am to 11pm with some juice left if I need it im happy
No but I would have if a) I was an at&t customer rather than t-mobile customer (for an on-contract deal) or b) it wasn't $192 more to import than the Xperia Z3 Compact. Who knows, if their resale values converge, I may end up having a green Alpha.
I like the style of the phone and hope Samsung uses this as the inspiration for all of their android devices over the next 6 months. I hope the phone sells well as the future of powerful sub 5" androids depends on this and the Z3C succeeding. I really look forward to seeing a January 2015 Tab Alpha 8.4 with the corners like this (and a snapdragon 810 or intel Broadwell). Similarly, I hope the Alpha sets the stage for a different direction for Samsung's phones (Android 5.0 should be more power efficient in a way that makes smaller batteries more viable).
The Alpha is coming to AT&T this Friday
The Alpha is coming to AT&T this Friday ,
And I'm getting one. I'm looking forward to the form factor, but I especially like, that it is not as huge as most phones out there and still has decent specs. I really wish I could have it all. Until then, I'm looking to have a new toy.
In my eyes, The Galaxy Alpha is Samsung’s most beautiful phone ever. Much more beautiful than the galaxy s5, but the size of its 1,860mAh battery worries me. In conclusion, I will choose the HTC M8 as my next flagship phone.
I sold my S5 for the Alpha a couple of days ago and don't regret it at all! It's a small and very powerful phone and probably one of Samsung's better in many years IMO ☺
Skickat från min SM-G850F via Tapatalk
Yes, yes, it's possible to love a phone. Heck, you sleep next to it, don't you? Rate this thread to indicate your love for the Samsung Galaxy Note 10+, all things considered. A higher rating indicates that the Samsung Galaxy Note 10+ is an incredible phone that you enjoy tremendously. You love it.
Then, drop a comment if you have anything to add!
So perhaps this review might be slightly contradictory to my other thread (Samsung Giving up or....). Only way to find out is to dive right in......
So I'm not here to praise or affiliate myself with a particular brand, what I mean is that some very much love Samsung and don't like any criticism, or others may disagree and that's fine (my words are just from my perspective). Everyone has there own likes, things they find useful, basically we are all different and that is just fine. Opinions from others that may follow are to be respected as we all won't share the same experience or views.
The Galaxy Note 10 got released in two variants oh wait no make that three, and yes I think this is a good idea (although price points i am not agreeable on).
However as the title suggests this little review is based on the model I have SM-N976b that's the Exynos 9825 5G variant.
Display: What we have is a 6.8" Dynamic Amoled Display and there is very little disputing it's best in class. From the vibrant colours to the deep blacks it really is a stunning screen. The punch-hole is symmetrical and really doesn't get in the way or my enjoyment (however some might not like, and find it distracting). I tend to appreciate larger displays (having recently purchased the Mate 20 X 5G 7.2") I was particularly pleased that Samsung decided to make the Display larger on the + variant. With it being a note , that is aimed at productivity and media 6.8" was/is a delight for me personally.
Performance: The performance of the 9825 is marginal if anything above the 9820 (used on the S10, S10+). However I get tired of the complaints, yes perhaps the 855 is marginally better in certain areas, it's not a huge gulf between the two that is going to dramatically affect the user experience. I have found it to be very fast and fluid and hasn't hindered my experience. Basically it performs as a flagship processor should. Very little complaints from me.
Functionality: We have the good old S-Pen and without a doubt it's still industry leading (Perhaps because not many oem's have decided to compete) however as a productivity tool it's fantastic (wether you use it not). I am not sold on the Harry potter waving the pen around, it's just a feature that I think Samsung could have left out & focused that time and resources in another area. However I get that they wanted to add something else to the pen, but I don't think many will be using it.
You have here with the Note 10+ a device that offers up great features as in improving DeX to be used as a virtual environment on a laptop (Some may benefit from this) link to Windows to provide that ecosystem and connection with your PC/Laptop. We also have Gamelink (Conning Soon) along with all the other things like app edge, dual window. So it really does offer up that fantastic functionality.
Battery: Well I have the Mate 20 X and with the 7.2" Display (all be it 1080p) it without a doubt lasts longer than the Note 10+, wouldn't say by a huge margin, I usually and can easily get 7hrs on the note, but with the X it can be 8+, but EMUI is more restrictive in app management. I think the Note could be better optimised and I'm sure with updates it will.
Camera: The cameras on the Note all be it just little improvements over the S-Line, they perform well in most areas, fall short in others. Yes you can say the P30 Pro or pixel are better, some areas yes they most certainly are, but even they fall short in let's say the video department, so as a balanced camera then yeah it's great and that is what I look for, if you want the best if everything Also buy the P30 Pro & Pixel and carry around 3 devices
Design: I think this is where Samsung spent a chunk of time, with the Display & rearrangement, all be it most certainly Q's from Huawei but that's not a negative thing and I absolutely love what Samsung have done here. It's a stunning device.
My Honest opinion: I was complaining slightly that Samsung perhaps could of should of done more and I still stand with that in certain areas. These are in the camera software, perhaps that 90hz (yes I don't think this was possible, due to the S-Pen), but would have been a nice option, but when you look at it, its an iterative improvement, but the areas of focus have been done well, and here we have a stunning productivity device that will make many users happy, but leave some disappointed as expectation, left us without some of the little things we are seeing from others not here on the note.
After using it now for 5 days I fully appreciate a nice and solid device that covers most areas well, but like any device falls short in others. I'm very happy with my purchase and I hope you all are to
Please feel free to add to this, or add in constructive criticism, it's all appreciated, just be respectful, and don't disregard others opinions (unless they are just rediculous).
Duncan1982 said:
So perhaps this review might be slightly contradictory to my other thread (Samsung Giving up or....). Only way to find out is to dive right in......
So I'm not here to praise or affiliate myself with a particular brand, what I mean is that some very much love Samsung and don't like any criticism, or others may disagree and that's fine (my words are just from my perspective). Everyone has there own likes, things they find useful, basically we are all different and that is just fine. Opinions from others that may follow are to be respected as we all won't share the same experience or views.
The Galaxy Note 10 got released in two variants oh wait no make that three, and yes I think this is a good idea (although price points i am not agreeable on).
However as the title suggests this little review is based on the model I have SM-N976b that's the Exynos 9825 5G variant.
Display: What we have is a 6.8" Dynamic Amoled Display and there is very little disputing it's best in class. From the vibrant colours to the deep blacks it really is a stunning screen. The punch-hole is symmetrical and really doesn't get in the way or my enjoyment (however some might not like, and find it distracting). I tend to appreciate larger displays (having recently purchased the Mate 20 X 5G 7.2") I was particularly pleased that Samsung decided to make the Display larger on the + variant. With it being a note , that is aimed at productivity and media 6.8" was/is a delight for me personally.
Performance: The performance of the 9825 is marginal if anything above the 9820 (used on the S10, S10+). However I get tired of the complaints, yes perhaps the 855 is marginally better in certain areas, it's not a huge gulf between the two that is going to dramatically affect the user experience. I have found it to be very fast and fluid and hasn't hindered my experience. Basically it performs as a flagship processor should. Very little complaints from me.
Functionality: We have the good old S-Pen and without a doubt it's still industry leading (Perhaps because not many oem's have decided to compete) however as a productivity tool it's fantastic (wether you use it not). I am not sold on the Harry potter waving the pen around, it's just a feature that I think Samsung could have left out & focused that time and resources in another area. However I get that they wanted to add something else to the pen, but I don't think many will be using it.
You have here with the Note 10+ a device that offers up great features as in improving DeX to be used as a virtual environment on a laptop (Some may benefit from this) link to Windows to provide that ecosystem and connection with your PC/Laptop. We also have Gamelink (Conning Soon) along with all the other things like app edge, dual window. So it really does offer up that fantastic functionality.
Battery: Well I have the Mate 20 X and with the 7.2" Display (all be it 1080p) it without a doubt lasts longer than the Note 10+, wouldn't say by a huge margin, I usually and can easily get 7hrs on the note, but with the X it can be 8+, but EMUI is more restrictive in app management. I think the Note could be better optimised and I'm sure with updates it will.
Camera: The cameras on the Note all be it just little improvements over the S-Line, they perform well in most areas, fall short in others. Yes you can say the P30 Pro or pixel are better, some areas yes they most certainly are, but even they fall short in let's say the video department, so as a balanced camera then yeah it's great and that is what I look for, if you want the best if everything Also buy the P30 Pro & Pixel and carry around 3 devices
Design: I think this is where Samsung spent a chunk of time, with the Display & rearrangement, all be it most certainly Q's from Huawei but that's not a negative thing and I absolutely love what Samsung have done here. It's a stunning device.
My Honest opinion: I was complaining slightly that Samsung perhaps could of should of done more and I still stand with that in certain areas. These are in the camera software, perhaps that 90hz (yes I don't think this was possible, due to the S-Pen), but would have been a nice option, but when you look at it, its an iterative improvement, but the areas of focus have been done well, and here we have a stunning productivity device that will make many users happy, but leave some disappointed as expectation, left us without some of the little things we are seeing from others not here on the note.
After using it now for 5 days I fully appreciate a nice and solid device that covers most areas well, but like any device falls short in others. I'm very happy with my purchase and I hope you all are to
Please feel free to add to this, or add in constructive criticism, it's all appreciated, just be respectful, and don't disregard others opinions (unless they are just rediculous).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not too much to add here.
Really great package!
Terrible speakers
Worst cellular connection to date
Bloatware
tethering feature is broken/lags
Pretty much fantastic in every aspect, minus four:
- terrible battery life (the worst I've ever had to my opinion, compared to Mate 9, Note 4 and Xperia Z1...)
- no high refresh rate display (and still annoying OLED motion blur)
- slow/unsecure unlocking (UDFS/front camera)
- Samsung's "OneUI" software is good overall, but has still strong geographic differences (in term of app availability, see goodlock software for exemple), and doesn't allow you to tweak your terminal to the extent to it should be possible (Galaxy Theme store (yerk!) should basically be Substratum (lite) + Synergy))
darkphoenix2012 said:
Terrible speakers
Worst cellular connection to date
Bloatware
tethering feature is broken/lags
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It is really amusing to see how some complain about mainly, battery, speakers, camera and signal, to the grade of "terrible", "worst" etc, I have no complain at all, I come from a note 8, which indeed was an excellent device, and this note10+ is way better, in all aaspects, I did not have the 9, but I have heard always that it was just a little increment over the 8, any way, I am really, really pleased with my note10+, the best device I have had
winol said:
It is really amusing to see how some complain about mainly, battery, speakers, camera and signal, to the grade of "terrible", "worst" etc, I have no complain at all, I come from a note 8, which indeed was an excellent device, and this note10+ is way better, in all aaspects, I did not have the 9, but I have heard always that it was just a little increment over the 8, any way, I am really, really pleased with my note10+, the best device I have had
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ditto x10!
Sent from my Note 10+ using Tapatalk
And would you guys say note 10+ over note 10?
tileeq said:
And would you guys say note 10+ over note 10?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
As far as i'm concerned yes...
- battery life
- microSD
- TOF, even though still beta-like software for 3D scan, but works very well for blurring background photos (you can see it when comparing front cam and rear cam)
- larger screen, cause i love this (better for watching videos or multitasking)
I would always feel like i have a sub phone if i went note10 route but that's juste me
Downside is the weight of note10+, i find it kinda heavy in the hand.
Yeah, I absolutely love my note10+
I absolutely love my Note 10+. I wish I had pre-ordered, but I wasn't ready for an upgrade from my Note 8 yet.
I got the Aurora Glow (Snapdragon, Verizon US), mainly because it was the one that was readily available and I wouldn't have to wait. I thought I'd just slap a case on it and never have to look at it, but it turns out I love that crazy rainbow bastard and got a nice clear case. I'm averaging 7hrs of SOT (at highest resolution, no power savings, wifi/data, etc), I haven't had to "top up" during the day once since I got it. Sleep drain is almost non-existent...maybe 4-5% overnight (6-7hrs) with WiFi and bluetooth on. I do a lot of artwork on the fly, and this is even more of a workhorse than my Note 8 was. I do multi-layered (usually 12-20 layers) drawings in Medibang Paint at at least 600dpi and this glorious phone doesn't even stutter. AND (and I know a lot of you don't like it) I was psyched to see a screen protector pre-installed. I know it's a crappy one, but it was great to have while waiting for my "real" one to show up. Really small, but well-appreciated, inclusion. I don't even mind the loss of a headphone jack as much as I thought I would. My portable battery has the wireless charging built in (not that I've needed to use it yet), and I think the sound in the USB C headphones included is better than the ones I got with my Note 8.
My ONLY complaint is the camera. Photos look overly soft, and faces seem flattened out. My Note 8 took much better photos out of the box. At least, in my case, it definitely seems to be a software issue...because using GCam improves the photos dramatically. And it seems that Sammy has already released an update to address photo quality...I just have to wait for Verizon to push out the damn thing. I don't take pro photos or anything, 90% of my picture taking is my kids...but my Note 8 gave me much clearer photos of them running around than I've gotten from my 10+. That being said, I know there's a fix on the way so I'm not going to piss and moan too much about it. I look forward to really using the hell out of the camera once it's updated, especially night mode...I didn't have that on my Note 8.
All in all, nothing but love for this phone.
I perceive the photos to be better than those of my note8, yesterday an update mainly for the fingerprint and camera, became available for my note10+, I am yet to see what improvements it may yield
I was looking at a new Chinese flagship (Realme X2 Pro) but then got to play with Dex on a 10 - bought the Note 10+ dualSIM right there, coming from an S8+. Dex is just fantastic, on my Windows or Mac computers, with an additional 95W wall charger and a 100w USB C hub. Now the phone is fully integrated in my desktop workflow and part of the hub with other devices I own, and I love the ability to cut&paste from/to the phone from my main Windows machine. All other elements one comes to expect from a Samsung flagship are there of course, and video quality is excellent. Writing with the S-Pen on the Nebo App is enough for note taking - I can leave the iPad Pro at home for meetings. And Amazon Germany gave a unexpected $120 rebate, plus tax return from Amazon upon leaving the EU, got a great deal altogether. My S8+ lasted three years and thanks to this community is updated well, will now go to my wife.
3 Stars. The magic is lost. Nothing is special about the series anymore.
Call me jaded as someone who's owned every iteration since the Note 2, but this is not the best from the best that previous Note series enjoyed. Same cameras from S10. Would have liked a better tech that includes a seamless uninterruption of the screen. I can do without a social media whore cam or have a motorized selfie cam for those selfie whores. Also, could have used a speedier screen refresh rate found on the the cheaper One+. Otherwise, speed, battery life, features, all the best android has to offer. Nothing earth shattering and futuristic like the first time we saw the Note Edge or Note 5 or BT pen from note 9. Still has a hole in the screen. Still has a "just a refreshed design until next iteration" look. Screen size increased by a hair. Even diluted the brand by making a smaller Note. I usually go for the best but since I had the blue Note 9, I wanted something different and the Aura Blue is gorgeous but disappointed it only comes in 256gb, another ding against Samsung. Overall, 3 stars because the Note series is known for cutting edge and when you have a camera stolen from an older phone and when you decide to toss in a gimmicky AR camera that everyone used for the first minute and forget about but failed to work on the thing that everyone uses 90% of the time, the screen, like incorporate a 120 refresh rate or do away with the hole or notch, then you aren't living to the high standard that the Note series are known for and that its fanbase expects. You used to be able to say, look what my phone has that you don't. Reverse charging? woopty do. My S10 had that before you. 3 cameras? "Stereo" speakers? Well, my phone has a built in BT stylus. So, my cheaper Note 10 does too! *facepalm* We no longer have something special. Used to be we had it first and then it trickled to other devices. Now, it's the other way around.
The one and only phone, not a tablet, that has this unique feature, the spen, there is the "magic"
winol said:
The one and only phone, not a tablet, that has this unique feature, the spen, there is the "magic"
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Pay attention. You're wrong. We're reviewing the Note 10+. So this isn't the only phone with the s pen. If you pay attention, the diluted note 10 also has one as well as the upcoming note 10 lite. So it still stands, the magic is lost.
As this thread is about the 10+, I am referring to the note10+, so, you pay attention
winol said:
The one and only phone, not a tablet, that has this unique feature, the spen, there is the "magic"
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
winol said:
As this thread is about the 10+, I am referring to the note10+, so, you pay attention
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
mod edit: removed unnecessarily rude comment
skoobz said:
mod edit: removed unnecessarily rude comment
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Please check your private messages. Remeber folks this is a fun hobby for us all. There's never a need to get fired up and taking jabs and low blows. If you're starting to get heated just log off and go do something else or keep scrolling.
Let me preface this by saying I am picky about my phones and this is one of the worst I have seen in years! If you have an old phone I can understand some of the upgrade but here are my thoughts coming well staying with a Note 10+. Never bought and returned a phone this quick. Returning before it is even released on Friday!!
Let's start with the good, well somewhat......
Screen: Once again Samsung delivers a world class screen. Best in brightness, color accuracy, etc etc everything like normal that they always produce in their flagships. Now for the downsize, the infamous 120hz screen refresh rate. Not worth it here. Smoother scrolling, sure but barely. I honestly don't even mind the 1080p and 120 hz just the need for the 120hz on a phone is overkill. Was gaming smoother sure, do I game much on my phone, no not really. The 240 touch response I can tell more of a difference and a worthy difference then the 120 hz refresh
Processing power: Phone is fast, minus animations. Photo processing, night mode shots are a big difference. Much faster in that aspect. Wish we saw little more ram and more storage though at this price
Battery: 5000 mah in this device makes it a little thicker but in my short one day of use it stood up pretty well to transferring apps and everything over and hard use for a few hours last night. Couldn't kill it
and now the bad
Camera: throw all the numbers at it and it will be great.... well not so fast. Main shooter in 12 or 108 mp mode cannot focus on anything. Piece of paper on desk in front of you, good luck. Zoom a few feet away from you, also good luck. 5x/10x/30x zoom is better then Note 10+ of course but how often are you going to use this? Everyday? Once a week? Once a month? Still not great quality (usable) at 10x or 30x really so no point in my book. 5x is crisp but falls off too much after that for me to use. Wide angle is same as note so no real improvement here. Camera also seems to make everything more saturated then I like as well almost to the point of unrealistic. The one and only thing the iPhone can do well and the note seems to be closer to that realistic representation then the Ultra.
Design: not that the design is bad but feels a tad on the chunkier side. Rounder edges do help but does not feel as sleek as nice to hold as note or even s10. Thicker as well to house that battery and camera module. Also worried about how scratched the module bump will become after months of abuse.
UI: Let me first say I hate Android 10/Samsung UI 2.0, I am still using 9 and the Ultra reminded me why. App animations are slow (yes can fix in dev options but still), quick replying to text or message in status bar is not instant like prior android generations. Don't know if this is an android 10 or Samsung UI 2.0 problem but seems like it should be an upgrade not a downgrade
Price: $1400 is a lot even for 2020. That is also only for 128 gb and 12 gb ram model. So no upgrade to ram compared to Note and a loss of half the storage compared to entry level note. Plan was to trade in note 10+ and pay $800 and it isn't worth that tp be honest. Not even close. Only foreseeable upgrades are little brighter screen and zoom lens. The rest is a downgrade to me or the same.
I will continue to use note 10+ until Note 20 maybe? Needs to have something better for the money it is going to cost though