Handwriting recognition - Sony Xperia Z Ultra

I have owned a Galaxy Note for two years now, and I'm a happy owner. However, as with all tech it starts to show its age pretty fast. One feature that I really like about it is its handwriting recognition algorithms. It is very accurate, and the more I write the better it becomes. I write mainly in two languages and both are recognized just fine. However, I feel that the time to upgrade is upon me. The Note II is, in my personal view, a small evolutionary upgrade. Not worth the difference in money. The Xperia Z Ultra however, seems more revolutionary, hence I'm sorely tempted (quite easy, I admit) to part with major moola. The decisive point for me would be the handwriting recognition. If it isn't as good or better than the Galaxy Note, then all the other excellent features seem to dwindle.
Hence, I'm partculalrly interested in knowing how you perceive the HWR. Is this your first device with it, or have you used it before? How does it compare? That sort of thing. I would be most appreciative if you could share some of your experiences in this field.

Related

[Q] Anyone coming from an iPhone? I need advice

Hi everyone! First post so, very excited! This may be a bit long so please, bear with me.
I've been an iphone user for over three years. Love the thing, even though I'm still with a 3GS. It's time to upgrade, either by picking up the next iphone, or by switching to an Android flagship. My closest contact with an android phone has been with my sisters Galaxy mini, which I find unimpressive.
Anyway, I'm growing a bit tired of the lack of innovation from Apple. My current iOS experience is pretty much the same from 3 years ago and, to my eyes, Android has been speeding up incredibly. Apple is just sitting on its sucess, which I find annoying. And that's why I'm considering getting an S3. I know I'll be getting a new phone soon and it depends a lot on what is going to happen at the 11th of this month, with Apple's keynote. They should announce iOS6 and, if nothing seriously impressive comes out of it, then it's it, I'm selling all my istuff (ipad included) and I'm going Android!
That said, if Apple fails me (which I'm pretty sure it will), I'm gonna buy an S3. What I'd like to hear from you ios-to-android switchers is how is it going? Is that a meaningful improvement or just a different way to do the same awesome stuff? Are the apps equally better? Can I do the same stuff that I do on my iphone, or maybe even more?
Am I going to miss iOS? If so, what I'm going to miss more?
And finally, a more general question: Is the S3 going to last at least 2 years? I like to spend money on something as future-proof as it gets.
So yeah, this are my doubts. I'd say there's a 80% likelihood of me going Android in the next few weeks, so I need to get informed. Please inform me!
Cheers! And forgive my average English.
If you still holding on to 3gs, you will have the sgs3 with you when you get buried. It's a massive upgrade from that phone. My suggestions is that you get around and try one. The screen will be enormous when you are used to 3.5" . I always loved my iphone and it's a great phone but it's boring frankly . When your phone gets outdated and no more upgrades is available : you root. Cyanogenmod will make sure you are running latest software some years more.
I switched to an iphone 4 from my galaxy s2 because I missed the "smoothnes" but to my surprise it wasn't that smooth as I remembered .my sgs2 made stuff happen both smoother and faster so I had to switch back again, the sgs2 is a beast and still pretty future proof and sgs3 is that phone on steroids . I have had a lot of phones and tried a lot of different os, knowing now that no phone is perfect or close to bug free..this phone comes pretty ****ing close. It's The Hulk after you've made him really upset..like banging his girlfriend kind of upset.
Last, I welcome you to the world of android. Where you customize the phone to your needs, not settle or accept because it's restrictions .
Sent from my GT-I9300 using xda premium
You may miss iOS... all depends on what you are like as a person. Some people want to have a screen displaying a bunch of apps which they can launch. Simple, no fuss and it gets the job done. For simplicity iOS is a real winner.
Android has more options as I am sure you have heard. I look at this as a massive upside, others (like my mum) don't.
Whether you will miss iOS or not is such a personal thing that only you will know.
I've switched from the iPhone 3GS to the s3. Absolutely loving the android experience so far. I used iPhones since they were first released, and so this is my first Android experience.
Of course there is a learning curve, like with any new operating system. Everyday I'm finding out new things about what my phone can do. But as long as you have some patience the experience can be positive, exploratative one, rather than a negative, and frustrating one.
The only other thing I can think to mention is size. Handling the s3, after having only iPhones in the past is quite hilarious. It took me a while to adapt to the larger size, at first it felt quite cumbersome. However once your used to it, it's a pleasure to handle. I now get a rye smile on my face when I handle my wife's iPhone, because it feels so small and my hand looks giant.
To give you an impression on my current opinion here is my Facebook status from earlier today:
"apple will have to do something VERY special to ever make me use an iPhone ever again. So impressed with my S3 and a. Droid OS".
Hope this helps.
Sent from my GT-I9300 using xda premium
Jikul said:
Hi everyone! First post so, very excited! This may be a bit long so please, bear with me.
I've been an iphone user for over three years. Love the thing, even though I'm still with a 3GS. It's time to upgrade, either by picking up the next iphone, or by switching to an Android flagship. My closest contact with an android phone has been with my sisters Galaxy mini, which I find unimpressive.
Anyway, I'm growing a bit tired of the lack of innovation from Apple. My current iOS experience is pretty much the same from 3 years ago and, to my eyes, Android has been speeding up incredibly. Apple is just sitting on its sucess, which I find annoying. And that's why I'm considering getting an S3. I know I'll be getting a new phone soon and it depends a lot on what is going to happen at the 11th of this month, with Apple's keynote. They should announce iOS6 and, if nothing seriously impressive comes out of it, then it's it, I'm selling all my istuff (ipad included) and I'm going Android!
That said, if Apple fails me (which I'm pretty sure it will), I'm gonna buy an S3. What I'd like to hear from you ios-to-android switchers is how is it going? Is that a meaningful improvement or just a different way to do the same awesome stuff? Are the apps equally better? Can I do the same stuff that I do on my iphone, or maybe even more?
Am I going to miss iOS? If so, what I'm going to miss more?
And finally, a more general question: Is the S3 going to last at least 2 years? I like to spend money on something as future-proof as it gets.
So yeah, this are my doubts. I'd say there's a 80% likelihood of me going Android in the next few weeks, so I need to get informed. Please inform me!
Cheers! And forgive my average English.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You should find out what the return policy is with your provider. As an example Verizon in the US has a no questions asked 14 day return policy and cancellation of contract. If it's the same with whomever you're with that should be plenty of time to figure out what you want.
I can't answer most of your questions (it's down to taste, after all), but as for this one:
Jikul said:
Can I do the same stuff that I do on my iphone, or maybe even more?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
stock android ≈ jailbroken iphone
rooted android ≫ any iphone
For example, on stock android you can already use a custom keyboard (swype, swiftkey come to mind) or a custom launcher (e.g. launcher7 for a windows 7 type "home screen", apex or nova for general improvements on stock, or even espier launcher for an iphone clone). And, of course, you can side-load apps.
With a rooted android, you can replace the rom/kernel itself.
Jikul said:
Hi everyone! First post so, very excited! This may be a bit long so please, bear with me.
I've been an iphone user for over three years. Love the thing, even though I'm still with a 3GS. It's time to upgrade, either by picking up the next iphone, or by switching to an Android flagship. My closest contact with an android phone has been with my sisters Galaxy mini, which I find unimpressive.
Anyway, I'm growing a bit tired of the lack of innovation from Apple. My current iOS experience is pretty much the same from 3 years ago and, to my eyes, Android has been speeding up incredibly. Apple is just sitting on its sucess, which I find annoying. And that's why I'm considering getting an S3. I know I'll be getting a new phone soon and it depends a lot on what is going to happen at the 11th of this month, with Apple's keynote. They should announce iOS6 and, if nothing seriously impressive comes out of it, then it's it, I'm selling all my istuff (ipad included) and I'm going Android!
That said, if Apple fails me (which I'm pretty sure it will), I'm gonna buy an S3. What I'd like to hear from you ios-to-android switchers is how is it going? Is that a meaningful improvement or just a different way to do the same awesome stuff? Are the apps equally better? Can I do the same stuff that I do on my iphone, or maybe even more?
Am I going to miss iOS? If so, what I'm going to miss more?
And finally, a more general question: Is the S3 going to last at least 2 years? I like to spend money on something as future-proof as it gets.
So yeah, this are my doubts. I'd say there's a 80% likelihood of me going Android in the next few weeks, so I need to get informed. Please inform me!
Cheers! And forgive my average English.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
For sure you wouldn't miss anything with regards to the Apps. All are Same and will appear better in a bigger HD Screen.
You can never go back to iOS after using a great Android device unless you are forced to like I am from my work place phone with iP4S. Galaxy mini doesn't do any justice compared to any device ! Do not consider it.
Regarding the resale value of the device after its life time is a tricky question in current situation. Truly speaking a used 3GS now sells 2 times than the SGS and same goes with the iPhone 4 vs SGS2, at-least in Singapore its like that.
I currently use SGS3 and iP4S (Work Phone) and I can understand what you are saying, apple is still stuck with the same UI for the last half a decade and things are too complicated to do with iOS, example to switch on or off wifi/bluetooth /etc.. it takes like 7+ clicks and few scrolls which can be done in just 1 scroll and 1 click in Android ! Its that simple.
For sure you will be pleased and love Android like I did when I came from iOS. Point to be noted is, my complain is only about the ****ty iOS that is stuck with the same look and feel for long long time and not about the Hardware . I still consider iPhone 4/4S hardware as one of the best leaving out the tiny display
My Advice : Do not get addicted to flash ROMs every other day and become a flasaholic. The Stock ROM in SGS3 is super perfect that can run just fine any time than its predecessors.
Welcome to Android.
Well i went from an iPhone4 (32GB) to a Samsung Galaxy S3 and i must admit that i didn't do a bad choice it is so much better compared to the iPhone, i think it is a great upgrade had mine for 4 days soon and i love it.
Backsides of apple:
Unable to use the devide freely as you like to, and it is a closed operation system
to gain something out of it you have to jailbreak it, hated the iTuned and everything that begun with iXXXXX nothing bad about mac computers but that phone sucks.
What i liked about apple: was back in 2010 the retina display which still is pretty amazing and how many apps there is availble but it stops there.
The Samsung:
I like: the big 1280x720 hd ready amoled display and the real BLACK! i like the quick response from the UI (compared to the slow/lagging iPhone especially if you had 1500 pics/videos it got so slow) the freedom of being able to use the phone more freely and it is open source operation system and loads more it is worth every single $
Dislike: The limitations of the camera app, like below 15% you can not start the camera and if your in a call which i am often longer then 15-30min then you might
want to be able to use the camera if im in a call.
And what i hated the most about the iPhone is the antennas on the outside that meant if i held the phone in my left hand i lost the reception! and real issues with bluetooth.
So go and grab your self a new samsung handset you will not get disappointed!
This is some superb feedback, thank you very much!
norpan111 said:
... Last, I welcome you to the world of android. Where you customize the phone to your needs, not settle or accept because it's restrictions .
Sent from my GT-I9300 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is really something I am looking for. iOS just makes me do too many steps to accomplish some very simple tasks.
1234568 said:
You may miss iOS... all depends on what you are like as a person. Some people want to have a screen displaying a bunch of apps which they can launch. Simple, no fuss and it gets the job done. For simplicity iOS is a real winner.
Android has more options as I am sure you have heard. I look at this as a massive upside, others (like my mum) don't.
Whether you will miss iOS or not is such a personal thing that only you will know.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I like having options. Not having much options is what is making me change my mind. My phone is jailbroken, but still...
Starchini said:
... The only other thing I can think to mention is size. Handling the s3, after having only iPhones in the past is quite hilarious. It took me a while to adapt to the larger size, at first it felt quite cumbersome. However once your used to it, it's a pleasure to handle. I now get a rye smile on my face when I handle my wife's iPhone, because it feels so small and my hand looks giant.
To give you an impression on my current opinion here is my Facebook status from earlier today:
"apple will have to do something VERY special to ever make me use an iPhone ever again. So impressed with my S3 and a. Droid OS".
Hope this helps.
Sent from my GT-I9300 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It does help, thank you. Some days ago I went to a phone shop to see some Android devices up close and specially to check if the bigger size would be a problem. Well, it's not. I have big hands and only the Galaxy Note felt cumbersome. Everything else was fine, specially the HTC One X whose size I find perfect to my hands. The S3 seems to be about the same.
Hotobu said:
You should find out what the return policy is with your provider. As an example Verizon in the US has a no questions asked 14 day return policy and cancellation of contract. If it's the same with whomever you're with that should be plenty of time to figure out what you want.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is some excellent advice that I hadn't remembered before. After reading your post I checked with my provider and was happy to know that they have a 30 day return policy, no questions asked. This is fantastic for someone like me, who needs to use the device for some time in order to know if it's the right thing for me. Thanks!
thebobp said:
I can't answer most of your questions (it's down to taste, after all), but as for this one:
stock android ≈ jailbroken iphone
rooted android ≫ any iphone
For example, on stock android you can already use a custom keyboard (swype, swiftkey come to mind) or a custom launcher (e.g. launcher7 for a windows 7 type "home screen", apex or nova for general improvements on stock, or even espier launcher for an iphone clone). And, of course, you can side-load apps.
With a rooted android, you can replace the rom/kernel itself.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Rooting is something I may look into in the future. I feel like I need to get my head around the android for a few months, and then... puf, maybe root the thing to get even more out of it. My iphone knows I did this very same thing with it.
<<Raj$>> said:
For sure you wouldn't miss anything with regards to the Apps. All are Same and will appear better in a bigger HD Screen.
You can never go back to iOS after using a great Android device unless you are forced to like I am from my work place phone with iP4S. Galaxy mini doesn't do any justice compared to any device ! Do not consider it.
Regarding the resale value of the device after its life time is a tricky question in current situation. Truly speaking a used 3GS now sells 2 times than the SGS and same goes with the iPhone 4 vs SGS2, at-least in Singapore its like that.
I currently use SGS3 and iP4S (Work Phone) and I can understand what you are saying, apple is still stuck with the same UI for the last half a decade and things are too complicated to do with iOS, example to switch on or off wifi/bluetooth /etc.. it takes like 7+ clicks and few scrolls which can be done in just 1 scroll and 1 click in Android ! Its that simple.
For sure you will be pleased and love Android like I did when I came from iOS. Point to be noted is, my complain is only about the ****ty iOS that is stuck with the same look and feel for long long time and not about the Hardware . I still consider iPhone 4/4S hardware as one of the best leaving out the tiny display
My Advice : Do not get addicted to flash ROMs every other day and become a flasaholic. The Stock ROM in SGS3 is super perfect that can run just fine any time than its predecessors.
Welcome to Android.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks! About the apps, I always had this feeling that android apps were ugly. Now I'm starting to see some truly beautifully designed apps, which makes me happy. I like pretty stuff.
The resale value is one thing I always liked about Apple. Somehow I can sell my current used iphone for about 200€, when I payed 250€ for it 18 months ago, used but as new.
Hagis2k said:
Well i went from an iPhone4 (32GB) to a Samsung Galaxy S3 and i must admit that i didn't do a bad choice it is so much better compared to the iPhone, i think it is a great upgrade had mine for 4 days soon and i love it.
Backsides of apple:
Unable to use the devide freely as you like to, and it is a closed operation system
to gain something out of it you have to jailbreak it, hated the iTuned and everything that begun with iXXXXX nothing bad about mac computers but that phone sucks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm totally with you on this, I hate the damn itunes. It may be great on macs, but on windows? jeez, stupid, ugly thing. If I'm really going Android, something I'm really going to be happy about is finally getting rid of itunes.
This feedback has been great and I have to thank you all. I'd like to hear some negative feedback, something like "oh I had an iphone and got an S3 and I don't like it because of this and that" but, given how this is an android forum, I may not get something like that.
Anyway, for those who are interested, I'll make my decision on the 11th and, upon finally making the purchase, I'll keep updating this topic with my personal experiences. I feel it may be useful for the potential ios-traitors... which is something I am about to become. ahah

Nexus 10 vs Note 10.1 (Poll and Opinions)

Hi, I am looking for a highen tablet and the two that are considered the "best" are the Google Nexus 10 and the Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1. 60% of the time that I will be using this tablet is going to be for android app development and quick reference, ie googling a question. The other 40% is mostly going to be used for school and sometimes games . Any ideas which one I should get? Thanks.
RandomAwesomeGuy said:
Hi, I am looking for a highen tablet and the two that are considered the "best" are the Google Nexus 10 and the Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1. 60% of the time that I will be using this tablet is going to be for android app development and quick reference, ie googling a question. The other 40% is mostly going to be used for school and sometimes games . Any ideas which one I should get? Thanks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Unless you really need the wacom tablet features, for you I'd say the Nexus 10 without any hesitation. The Nexus line has developers as a target audience, and it'll be faster to get Android updates. As far as 10" tablets go, there simply is no better option for development. The higher resolution screen and A15 processor also make it more future proof than the Note 10.1.
RandomAwesomeGuy said:
Hi, I am looking for a highen tablet and the two that are considered the "best" are the Google Nexus 10 and the Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1. 60% of the time that I will be using this tablet is going to be for android app development and quick reference, ie googling a question. The other 40% is mostly going to be used for school and sometimes games . Any ideas which one I should get? Thanks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
nexus 10
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using xda premium
As long as you posted it in the n10 forum all the comments will say buy n10 because they already prefered it over other devices, same will happen when you post in the note forum , so the best way to know is to try both by yourself and decide, both are the best in market btw so don't go for anything other than them
Sent from my GT-N8000 using xda app-developers app
I can't really tell you which is better because both are "good" tablets. Neither is great in my opinion, though for me, I preferred the nexus 10 over the note 10.1 (and I own a note phone).
Reasons: Nexus 10 resolution is fantastic but the contrast compared to a superAMOLED screen is pittiful. Nexus 10 displays blacks like greys. Still, the resolution makes up for it because even with my eyeball one inch from the screen, I cannot see a pixel.
Another negative that nexus is probably not so good for developing is 4.2.1. At least half my apps crash on the nexus, or are simply not optimized for the crazy high resolution. While developing for 4.2.1 would be smart, keep in mind that most devices are still on ICS or gingerbread still. When I go to an app in the market half of the 1 star reviews are from people saying it crashes on xxx device running 4.0/2.3 android.
So pick you poison. Luckily the note 10.1 can be found on "deals" for less than the $500+ nexus 10.
LxMxFxD said:
I can't really tell you which is better because both are "good" tablets. Neither is great in my opinion, though for me, I preferred the nexus 10 over the note 10.1 (and I own a note phone).
Reasons: Nexus 10 resolution is fantastic but the contrast compared to a superAMOLED screen is pittiful. Nexus 10 displays blacks like greys. Still, the resolution makes up for it because even with my eyeball one inch from the screen, I cannot see a pixel.
Another negative that nexus is probably not so good for developing is 4.2.1. At least half my apps crash on the nexus, or are simply not optimized for the crazy high resolution. While developing for 4.2.1 would be smart, keep in mind that most devices are still on ICS or gingerbread still. When I go to an app in the market half of the 1 star reviews are from people saying it crashes on xxx device running 4.0/2.3 android.
So pick you poison. Luckily the note 10.1 can be found on "deals" for less than the $500+ nexus 10.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I pretty agree with this, but my apps don't crash on 4.2.1, none, and nexus 10 costs 400$ and 500$, not only 500$.
I would go for the nexus 10. Better screen, better support, fast updates, and no stupid Samsung UI. Oh and the nexus has one of the newest exynos processors.
Sent from my Nexus 10 using xda app-developers app
specter491 said:
no stupid Samsung UI.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The "pure Google" thing is getting funny. What could possibly be better about having less features rather than more? Back in the days of 512K of RAM when SoCs were slow and overlays crude, poor performance drove people to AOSP/AOKP and de-bloated custom ROMs. That's not really the case anymore. The h/w is now more capable than the UI and apps running on it.
I played with a friend’s N10 over the holidays and, feature wise, it was a barren wasteland compared to the Note. The phone UI on a 10" tablet is bizarre. Similarly he was amazed at what the Note could do that his N10 couldn't. The N10 has a faster SoC than the Note but when you factor in the PPI it's pushing and that memory bandwidth is hard-partitioned to support the display it's certainly not any faster. And with app incompatibility because of the resolution some apps behave poorly or don’t work at all.
The Note has IO accessories available to match the N10's ports, takes up to a 64GB exFAT SD card for expansion, has an IR port, larger speakers than the N10, and gets significantly better battery life and charges 1/3 faster. It also doesn't have light bleed. Without question the N10 will get updates ten times faster than the Note. But so what, it'll still do 1/3 of the things the Note can do right now. It'll just be Google's barren OS with updates. I've disabled Google Now because I don't use any of their native apps that it depends on to harvest data and for some reason it thinks I work at a McDonalds because I stop at one frequently. As a value-priced consumption device with a great display the N10's a solid choice. For people interested in creating and managing content the Note's a better choice. Its 147PPI display is fine for pics and videos and doesn't require upscaling like the N10's display does. It's obviously not as good for text and computer generated content like the UI and that's a compromise you have to make to get the additional features. So for people looking for something beyond consumption I wouldn't be so quick to dismiss the Note. It's already sold 5MM units and I'd be surprised based on its limited distribution if the N10's sold 1MM.
OP, if the things in this video mean anything to you consider the Note. If all you care about is consumption and the display the N10's a better choice.
BarryH_GEG said:
The "pure Google" thing is getting funny. What could possibly be better about having less features rather than more? Back in the days of 512K of RAM when SoCs were slow and overlays crude, poor performance drove people to AOSP/AOKP and de-bloated custom ROMs. That's not really the case anymore. The h/w is now more capable than the UI and apps running on it.
I played with a friend’s N10 over the holidays and, feature wise, it was a barren wasteland compared to the Note. The phone UI on a 10" tablet is bizarre. Similarly he was amazed at what the Note could do that his N10 couldn't. The N10 has a faster SoC than the Note but when you factor in the PPI it's pushing and that memory bandwidth is hard-partitioned to support the display it's certainly not any faster. And with app incompatibility because of the resolution some apps behave poorly or don’t work at all.
The Note has IO accessories available to match the N10's ports, takes up to a 64GB exFAT SD card for expansion, has an IR port, larger speakers than the N10, and gets significantly better battery life and charges 1/3 faster. It also doesn't have light bleed. Without question the N10 will get updates ten times faster than the Note. But so what, it'll still do 1/3 of the things the Note can do right now. It'll just be Google's barren OS with updates. I've disabled Google Now because I don't use any of their native apps that it depends on to harvest data and for some reason it thinks I work at a McDonalds because I stop at one frequently. As a value-priced consumption device with a great display the N10's a solid choice. For people interested in creating and managing content the Note's a better choice. Its 147PPI display is fine for pics and videos and doesn't require upscaling like the N10's display does. It's obviously not as good for text and computer generated content like the UI and that's a compromise you have to make to get the additional features. So for people looking for something beyond consumption I wouldn't be so quick to dismiss the Note. It's already sold 5MM units and I'd be surprised based on its limited distribution if the N10's sold 1MM.
OP, if the things in this video mean anything to you consider the Note. If all you care about is consumption and the display the N10's a better choice.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just like stock doesnt work for you, Touchwiz simply doesnt work for others. Some dont like it because its ugly, some dont like it because it introduces compatibility problems with apps (a really big concern for this post considering OP is a dev), some dont like them because they slow down the device (more so with Motorola's skins). The only advantage I see with Touchwiz over stock is the multiwindow stuff, and then its nothing that others, be it Google themselves or devs here, couldn't replicate.
Jotokun said:
Just like stock doesnt work for you, Touchwiz simply doesnt work for others. Some dont like it because its ugly, some dont like it because it introduces compatibility problems with apps (a really big concern for this post considering OP is a dev), some dont like them because they slow down the device (more so with Motorola's skins). The only advantage I see with Touchwiz over stock is the multiwindow stuff, and then its nothing that others, be it Google themselves or devs here, couldn't replicate.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It also has S-Pen features, but as you said, it really goes both ways.
Also, it's not a question of "can" they do it. It's more of a question of "will" they do it. Just because Google or some dev "can" replicate it, doesn't mean it'll come to the N10.
I'm not siding with either one here, but they both have their merits and faults.
As for app development, I'd think the N10 is a better choice for you mainly because it'll be up to date software-wise for a long long while and you can continue to develop apps.
Jotokun said:
Just like stock doesnt work for you, Touchwiz simply doesnt work for others. Some dont like it because its ugly, some dont like it because it introduces compatibility problems with apps (a really big concern for this post considering OP is a dev), some dont like them because they slow down the device (more so with Motorola's skins). The only advantage I see with Touchwiz over stock is the multiwindow stuff, and then its nothing that others, be it Google themselves or devs here, couldn't replicate.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You're absolutely right - it's a matter of individual choice. With h/w having reached the state it has performance increases are measured in milliseconds. For people that are more interested in benchmarks and picking up 1/10 of a second in screen transitions than actually getting stuff done a Nexus device is an excellent choice. By the time you add (if they exist) non-integrated third party apps from developers ranging from excellent to sketchy to replicate the Note's features you have as much (if not more) bloat on it and the apps don't work as well together. Can you wireless transmit content from your N10 to any HDMI-equipped output device? By the time Miracast reaches critical mass the N10 III will be out. Someone above mentioned Nexus as a developers platform. Those days are gone too. With value-based starting prices for the N4/N7/N10 of $299/$199/$399 respectively and a decidedly lower focus on build quality Nexus is now a mainstream consumer product with its lead feature being price/value. The GN which was a revered device on XDA only sold 750K copies. That sort of says something about what's really important to making a device commercially successful and being “pure” and getting “fast updates” doesn’t seem to be it.
BarryH_GEG said:
The GN which was a revered device on XDA only sold 750K copies. That sort of says something about what's really important to making a device commercially successful and being “pure” and getting “fast updates” doesn’t seem to be it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The GN was banned at least once in the US from my knowledge, and given the short lifespan of smartphones, it's only natural that the GN was already superseded by the imminent S3.
lKBZl said:
I pretty agree with this, but my apps don't crash on 4.2.1, none, and nexus 10 costs 400$ and 500$, not only 500$.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Nexus 10 16GB is $444 with shipping & tax, Nexus 10 32GB is $553 with shipping and tax.
I got mine on a "deal" from staples because I had a $10 off coupon and shipping was free. After tax it was still $533. Google charges tax to every state in USA as far as I know, except the states without a sales tax. New Hampshire?
As for apps crashing... HDhomerun 2 crashes constantly, chrome has completely locked up my device, and other apps just randomly force close. I've only had the device for 2 days and its running completely stock. I know that over time things will crash less so i'm not complaining a whole lot. But its quite annoying.
404 ERROR said:
The GN was banned at least once in the US from my knowledge.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It was banned very late in its lifecycle when sales were already down to a trickle because better spec'd devices had been out for a while. The point that I was making is that the GN was available at subsidized prices similar to other phones with overlays from the U.S. carriers. Its "pureness" and "fast updates" didn't sway mainstream consumers for it to have sold so poorly during its peak selling period. Outside of XDA, people like overlays because they make devices easier to use which is why the OEMs offer them.
Here's an article talking about it...
Google just can't catch a break with its Nexus phones. While the "pure Google" experience of the company's Nexus phones tends to generate fanatical loyalty from extreme Android frothers, it seems to appeal to almost no one else. In a federal court today, a Samsung lawyer said the sales of its latest Galaxy Nexus phone were "so miniscule" that it isn't a threat to anyone. Samsung's lawyers said the company took in about $250 million from the Galaxy Nexus during the first two quarters [where revenue is in the billions] it was on sale. That isn't nothing, but it's far short of a hit. Available on Verizon, Sprint, and in an unlocked model for T-Mobile and AT&T, the Nexus managed to sell at about the level of T-Mobile's Galaxy S 4G when it had its two best quarters. It fell far short of a hit like Sprint's Epic 4G or Verizon's Fascinate, according to court documents from Samsung's big California patent case against Apple.​
http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2408712,00.asp
BarryH_GEG said:
It was banned very late in its lifecycle when sales were already down to a trickle because better spec'd devices had been out for a while. The point that I was making is that the GN was available at subsidized prices similar to other phones with overlays from the U.S. carriers. Its "pureness" and "fast updates" didn't sway mainstream consumers for it to have sold so poorly during its peak selling period. Outside of XDA, people like overlays because they make devices easier to use which is why the OEMs offer them.
Here's an article talking about it...
Google just can't catch a break with its Nexus phones. While the "pure Google" experience of the company's Nexus phones tends to generate fanatical loyalty from extreme Android frothers, it seems to appeal to almost no one else. In a federal court today, a Samsung lawyer said the sales of its latest Galaxy Nexus phone were "so miniscule" that it isn't a threat to anyone. Samsung's lawyers said the company took in about $250 million from the Galaxy Nexus during the first two quarters [where revenue is in the billions] it was on sale. That isn't nothing, but it's far short of a hit. Available on Verizon, Sprint, and in an unlocked model for T-Mobile and AT&T, the Nexus managed to sell at about the level of T-Mobile's Galaxy S 4G when it had its two best quarters. It fell far short of a hit like Sprint's Epic 4G or Verizon's Fascinate, according to court documents from Samsung's big California patent case against Apple.​
http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2408712,00.asp
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I thought it was much earlier, but regardless, you're right in that fast updates and pureness don't sell. But I sincerely doubt that hardware itself is also what makes sales soar. Yeah, the S3 sale is simply outstanding, but I'm sure the majority of S3 owners only bought the S3 because it's something new (among the iPhones) and because they "heard" from nearly everywhere that it's a smartphone that can compete well against the iPhone. And yes, the hardware helps with that definitely, but the majority don't care if it has an Exynons 4412 SoC inside clocked at 1.4 gHz.
What I consider as the best reason for poor Nexus sales is that Google just sucks at advertising. I never saw once in my life a billboard or a TV commercial about the Galaxy Nexus on it. I only knew about it because I like tech and try to keep up with what's new. I see Google doing a better job with the recent Nexus line though, but now that Samsung has gained so much popularity with its own flagship line, people are going to keep their eyes on any new pure Samsung products (the S4 and Note III).
So how does this relate to the OP - it really doesn't .
I will have to agree that anything in the Nexus line is a better developer platform. Yes, it's commercialized as an average consumer product, but the long support from Google will give it the advantage in development because you can continue to develop apps without having to worry about breaking compatibility in newer devices. Also, you won't have to deal with ROM ports that may work but also may also not work completely.
Google Nexus 10 or Note 10
I think that is one hard question to ask? I think Galaxy Note 10 is really awesome phablet, i mean, tablet if you really like writing or drawing stuff on the go, but the size can be the problem if you want to carry it to public area.
So maybe you should pick up Note 5.5-inch instead.
Google Nexus 10 is also one great device, especially with its eye-pleasing screen and fast performance. I also like when Google Earth is run on this device.
Yeah, it's hard question.
Hi all, thank you for your responses. My next question is: I been going to stores looking for the tablets on display, but no luck for finding a Nexus 10. Does it feel cheap? Also from going to the stores, I really like the feature on the Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1 that has the navigation controls on the bottom left and the toggles/notifications menu on the right, but the nexus has only the navigation controls in the center. Is it bothersome or does it feel normal to use. Note: I have been using an iPhone and iPad for regular use/programming, and I only had contact with an android device at the stores and using the strictly developer use only android tablets at school, they are all 7-inch tablets, and you get in a lot of trouble if you play with them. Thank you, again.
First thing you'll notice is the screen on the N10 is miles better than the Note 10.1. When the Note gets a SAMOLED I'm getting one. Until then the N10 is the better machine. Plus the faster CPU, and they're both Samsung, why would anybody choose a Note 10.1 instead? Only the stylus. So make that your pivot question. Do you need a stylus or not.
RandomAwesomeGuy said:
Hi all, thank you for your responses. My next question is: I been going to stores looking for the tablets on display, but no luck for finding a Nexus 10. Does it feel cheap? Also from going to the stores, I really like the feature on the Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1 that has the navigation controls on the bottom left and the toggles/notifications menu on the right, but the nexus has only the navigation controls in the center. Is it bothersome or does it feel normal to use. Note: I have been using an iPhone and iPad for regular use/programming, and I only had contact with an android device at the stores and using the strictly developer use only android tablets at school, they are all 7-inch tablets, and you get in a lot of trouble if you play with them. Thank you, again.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The Nexus certainly does not feel cheap. The plastic has an almost rubbery feel, not at all cold like metallic tablets and not rigid or creaky like most other Android tablets. IMO its one of the best feeling tablets out there.
The buttons on left, notifications on right are how things were done on Android tablets from 3.0 through 4.1. The new layout doesn't quite feel as natural in landscape, but it was done in the name of consistency with phones and probably is the right move for the future. While Samsung might stick with the traditional layout, there's also a very good chance that in a future firmware update the Note 10.1 could adopt the N10's button layout. I wouldn't say its bad, far from it. The old layout is just a little more comfortable, since if you're holding your tablet with both hands you dont have to let go on one to do something (home/back/etc.).
Jotokun said:
The Nexus certainly does not feel cheap. The plastic has an almost rubbery feel, not at all cold like metallic tablets and not rigid or creaky like most other Android tablets. IMO its one of the best feeling tablets out there.
The buttons on left, notifications on right are how things were done on Android tablets from 3.0 through 4.1. The new layout doesn't quite feel as natural in landscape, but it was done in the name of consistency with phones and probably is the right move for the future. While Samsung might stick with the traditional layout, there's also a very good chance that in a future firmware update the Note 10.1 could adopt the N10's button layout. I wouldn't say its bad, far from it. The old layout is just a little more comfortable, since if you're holding your tablet with both hands you dont have to let go on one to do something (home/back/etc.).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks, from my knowledge, the Nexus 10 has two pull down menus from the top, is this correct? And what is each one? Also, Does any one know if there is a rom/mod that enables the old layout? Thanks, again.

The Nexus 6P as the definitive (and possibly my last) Android phone?

So, I've owned only Android devices since I began buying smartphones and tablets, but I really feel like very little has changed with regards to Android's performance ever since the Snapdragon 800 in 2013. Even the addition of more RAM and higher-spec processors hasn't really changed much about the AOSP experience, and my old (GPE-converted) Galaxy S4 still feels like I could throw most anything at it.
With the Nexus 6P finally bringing the last few things I really wanted in a mobile phone (the fingerprint sensor, metal, 1440p AMOLED, pure Android without compromising the camera, USB-C), I'm really thinking that this may be my last Android phone for a long while. I feel like, while equally unnecessary, the N6P will offer the pinnacle of stock Android, while rounding out the feature set of all I look for. I was debating whether to cheap out and buy a N5X for dev and general mucking about, but I think I will instead commit to getting the 6P for the above reasons.
My last upgrade to the G3 was almost unnecessary, even though I love the phone. I only upgraded, since my S4's power button broke and headphone jack got a bit wonky. Had that not happened, I think I'd be still using it today as my DD. I didn't even feel the itch to upgrade to any of this year's devices (except the Nexus phones and the buzz around the fp sensor and camera), and I've already had the device for more than a year.
While it may be an unpopular opinion around these parts, I think I may switch to an iPhone (probably the 7+) when my contract is up just to see how that platform improves over the next couple of years. A second GB of RAM totally changed that phone, which shows just how behind they are in some aspects, and where potential lies. I just don't see Android making any earth-shattering changes, mostly because it doesn't need to anymore. OEMs drive their own crap update cycle by bogging down their updates and the like, a problem which never existed on my GPE-converted S4, and won't exist on the Nexus.
Don't really know why I felt like making this post, but I did. :silly:
I agree with you on certain points.
But remember,
my old (GPE-converted) Galaxy S4 still feels like I could throw most anything at it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You did something to your phone in order to be fast / smooth / etc. While we as a community continue to do this and find ways to improve everything.. Android (stock) has come a long way.
I'm really thinking that this may be my last Android phone for a long while.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You reasoning for this is there is nothing really new on Android and Android phones haven't really evolved much but the same goes for iOS. This coming from someone who keeps going back and forth from Android to iOS. iOS is much more polished and needs less specs to run smooth, but you also have to remember they only have to worry about support their own hardware. And while yes, there has been phone upgrades from Apple (bigger screen, etc.), this is stuff Android has been doing for a long time.
It's kind of hard honestly.. after a certain point.. development / upgrades happen slower.. when jumping from phone to phone now, things don't seem like much of an upgrade. I think that's because we upgrade phones so often now, we don't notice the differences as much. But say you had to keep your S4 for another year without the ability to root / install a custom ROM, I'm sure you'd be all over the N6P.
While XDA has made Android development much bigger and contributed in a positive way, it has also kind of spoiled us and made us think the way you are.
For me the big things that keep me on android are customization and the ability to do what I want with the phone (not what Apple or anyone else wants me to do). I would love to say this would be my last phone for a while but 2 things will prevent that....
1. I'm a tech junkie
2. Android support is 2 years
Well, the LG G3 isnt the best phone... you'll probably like the Nexus 6P a LOT!
I said that with the Nexus 6. I might still keep the Nexus 6 but I'm at least going to give the 6P a shot.
Sent from my Nexus 6 using XDA Free mobile app
I'm not far behind but not because Android vs Apple but because my life centers around MS products. I work in IT, exclusively with MS products. Why is my mobile device on a different ecosystem?
I'm excited for what MS has in store for their APIs that allow ios and Android apps to behave as if they're in their natural environment. I think this approach is going to flatten the playing field and OS will no longer matter.
Now if they could just make tech without built in obsolescion the market will start filling with devices that have purpose instead of purely consumerism. There WILL be a threshold of device waste that will force our hand.
Excel made some good points. And I too felt the same about not seeing much improvement from my phone but the continuous development thru ROMs makes it seems like the progress is small but it not....if you tally up the progress over the 1 year iPhone life cycle it is a lot of progress.
Google has too many things going on and unfortunately doesn't take the time to perfect their products except their search engine. They rather create a new product versus refining an existing one.
Imagine if google only had drive, no gmail, no G+, a tablet, one PC, and Android that ran on a single phone from one manufacturer....say LG. And Kept that same phone and just improved the hardware each year and the software as well....and diverted all other efforts towards perfecting that single device. That phone would be light years ahead of apple. Instead google has close to 200 products and services they wear themselves thin with. And tackling the immense task of attempting to make android run seemless and smooth on
Almost 19,000 devices instead of on just a handful of devices plus one phone is the difference between google and apple.
With that said and even with google continuing to expand like they do....I still think Google's android os running on top tier android devices will surpass IPhones in all aspects in couple years.
Sent from my Nexus 5 using XDA Free mobile app
Exel said:
You did something to your phone in order to be fast / smooth / etc. While we as a community continue to do this and find ways to improve everything.. Android (stock) has come a long way.
You reasoning for this is there is nothing really new on Android and Android phones haven't really evolved much but the same goes for iOS. This coming from someone who keeps going back and forth from Android to iOS. iOS is much more polished and needs less specs to run smooth, but you also have to remember they only have to worry about support their own hardware. And while yes, there has been phone upgrades from Apple (bigger screen, etc.), this is stuff Android has been doing for a long time
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Partially correct on the first point. It is fundamentally still "stock" (no kernel mods/custom features) on GPE firmware, but yes, I haven't tried stock since the original shipping firmware. I haven't rooted my phones since putting GPE on the S4. My Nexus 9, the G3, and the S4 all run unrooted, the former two of which are on stock firmware. The biggest pain about Android is debloating carrier crapware, a problem nonexistent on Nexus devices.
I feel like Android has matured to the point that there is little left to give. As far as supporting their own stuff, that's why I feel like the N6P would be the ultimate.
WoodroweBones said:
For me the big things that keep me on android are customization and the ability to do what I want with the phone (not what Apple or anyone else wants me to do). I would love to say this would be my last phone for a while but 2 things will prevent that....
1. I'm a tech junkie
2. Android support is 2 years
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I agree, but customisation is so easy to do on Android without mods or root. The only other phone I was considering was the S6 edge +, which is also comparably restrictive. I just haven't felt the need to root since the S4.
An iPhone, on the other hand, I would be keen to jailbreak instantly. Quite a lot of interesting tweaks come out of Apple's "crack R&D team" (like swipeselection....), and jailbreaking is the only way to stay on that edge and get appropriate customisation.
I would also be using pretty much solely Google apps there anyway, since the default apps are kinda terrible.
bsg411 said:
Google has too many things going on and unfortunately doesn't take the time to perfect their products except their search engine. They rather create a new product versus refining an existing one.
Imagine if google only had drive, no gmail, no G+, a tablet, one PC, and Android that ran on a single phone from one manufacturer....That phone would be light years ahead of apple. Instead google has close to 200 products and services they wear themselves thin with.
With that said and even with google continuing to expand like they do....I still think Google's android os running on top tier android devices will surpass IPhones in all aspects in couple years.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
But the diversity is the beauty of Google. The fact that they move the ecosystem forward and have a constant stream of novelty across their business is what helps them succeed. Android itself doesn't really need more improvement, is my argument. It's already there, and their job is to create new services to drive the platform.
Android as an OS already far exceeds that of iOS IMO, especially with Google Now. What I want to see is how Apple catches , since their platform seems to still be in flux (as far as performance and service delivery goes).
You'll change your mind when they release the Nexus 14z, which will project it's 16k display directly to your brain, and be able to read your thoughts instead of having to speak "OK Google".
I'm serious, because Google will have perfected mind control by then and we'll all be drones.
All hail Masters Page and Brin, our merciful overlords!
---------- Post added at 09:33 PM ---------- Previous post was at 09:31 PM ----------
Seriously though, I admire your pragmatic upgrade preferences on smartphones.
TemporaryTester said:
But the diversity is the beauty of Google. The fact that they move the ecosystem forward and have a constant stream of novelty across their business is what helps them succeed. Android itself doesn't really need more improvement, is my argument. It's already there, and their job is to create new services to drive the platform.
Android as an OS already far exceeds that of iOS IMO, especially with Google Now. What I want to see is how Apple catches , since their platform seems to still be in flux (as far as performance and service delivery goes).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I agree with you the software is better but implementing all the services via the OS on a multitude of devices is a difficult task. However starting with this 6P nexus devices I think are on par with iPhone (hardware and software) and I bet will surpass the iPhone 7 next year.
I just wish they worked with one manufacturer to help perfect the hardware and built on a good hardware design instead of going back and forth with with hardware features and designs .....kinda like the 5x with 6P features.
Sent from my Nexus 5 using XDA Free mobile app
If the 6P lives up to the hype, the improvements left are physics stuff: battery life, moar camera, lighter/thinner/stronger, waterproof, sapphire display.
That said, iPhones have been such a bitter disappointment since the Gingerbread days. I'm on Apple for the most part (MBr, iMac 5k) and would consider switching to iOS but the differentiators that custom Androids offer simply aren't there, or even possible. The current crop of crippled hardware is missing too much. When Apple makes a real retina display (eg AMOLED 2k) and loses the oversized HTC-ish bezels it'll be worth another look. Assuming Apple gives out widgets, call recording & MinMinGuard too.
WoodroweBones said:
2. Android support is 2 years
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
For a Nexus device the support window is 3 years. N5 is 2 years old and just recieved Android 6.0. It will continue to get updates for atleast another full year. Unfortunately that is likely to end when android N comes next fall.
Interesting that this phone has everything you ever wanted. Did you know you wanted a 1440p phone with a fingerprint scanner 2 years ago? Probably not. I'm sure innovation will continue, though maybe slowly. I'd like to see better battery tech.
This is how the technology cycle is. You cant have the same level of developments every year throughout the products/os cycle.
I believe many of the features we see added are already developed. They just hold back so they can have a balance of Big n small changes each year & also market couple of features as exclusives for the latest version.
It is the same with iOs as well. You will not see a lot of big changes. Many of them will be hardware based. As os's get more refined hardware dependency will reduce. Today you can get excellent performance from a mid range android device. Tomorrow it will spread to lower end devices aswell. In principal its a good thing.
Right now the top most focus for any R&D of software or hardware company is battery life. The company that cracks it will play a major role.
CrashTestDroid said:
If the 6P lives up to the hype, the improvements left are physics stuff: battery life, moar camera, lighter/thinner/stronger, waterproof, sapphire display.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Really? People are still hung up on sapphire? Sapphire is brittle. I want foldable screens. I still believe Nokia's concept of a phone that trifolds and then bends to fit as a watch is the future. No more carrying a giant brick in my pocket.
Spaderess said:
For a Nexus device the support window is 3 years. N5 is 2 years old and just recieved Android 6.0. It will continue to get updates for atleast another full year. Unfortunately that is likely to end when android N comes next fall.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
True... I guess for me I mean 2 years of getting a new android version but yeah technically 3 years support I suppose.
warplane95 said:
Well, the LG G3 isnt the best phone... you'll probably like the Nexus 6P a LOT!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
A G3 running BlissPop ROM is truly a thing of beauty! It's incredibly compact and lightweight for a 5.5" phone, and it flies without the LG software on it. It has a great camera (a step behind the current best, but I've had very few pictures I wasn't very happy with), and the screen as much better than it's reputation indicates it should be ... mostly, I think, because the default brightness is quite low. And the battery life is quite good ... I end most days with 50% after about 1.5 hours of SOT.
I'm mostly upgrading to the 6P because I usually buy a new phone every 6-9 months, but it's been 14 months and I need a new shiny object to fondle. I'm honestly not expecting it to be a whole lot better than the G3 for me ... better screen, better speakers (I hope) and a fingerprint reader may or may not be enough to compensate for the substantial increase in bulk. I had a Note 5 for a week, and it just didn't feel like much of an improvement so I sent it back, which I have never done before.
And my G3 has a replaceable battery, and I could probably be happy with it for 5 more years, if I wasn't such a gadget whore.
Of course I certainly don't think an iPhone is the answer .... that's just ridiculous!
Whoops double post
Here's an idea...try to find a friend with an iPhone who would be willing to trade with you for a week or something. Wipe the phones, trade your SIMs and see how the other side lives.
Sent from my LG-V410 using Tapatalk
Though it had it's issues, the Nexus 6 strong enough in all the categories that I stuck with it for a full year. The only thing strong enough to pull me away now is the 6P. I fully expect it to keep me locked in for the next year as well. However, it could be good enough that I don't feel the need to upgrade to next year's nexus. Only time will tell.

Iphon ed vs android

I wish I had an iphone. All I have is a galaxy s6 and the LG g5 doesnt look too good. If it was a iPhone e it would be Considered great. Who how is better android of apple and shy?
It's subjective, they both have pros and cons.
I prefer Android as it offers more freedom and customization. IPhone lacks any kind of customization and with the very limited color selection, you end up with the exact same phone and layout as half the planet. The lack of homescreen widgets is also a negative.
The only real benefits to an IPhone, for me, are that Apple doesn't cater to carriers and let them bloat the phone with their bloatware/custom UI's, which leads to the second benefit of immediate updates. I also like that they support all bands, so you don't need to buy a new device when jumping carriers.
There is no best with phones. There is only better for you. Some users (like myself) prefer android. It allows me to customize and do things I cannot on the iPhone. Some users love the UI of iOS and love how simple it is and hate android because of how complex it can be. I find the best way to make a ex iPhone user happy with android is to go Nexus. It is similar in simplicity and provides a familiar ease. My wife just did that and she hated android before but not loves it with her Nexus 5X.
Really it depends on the person. These debates can be irrelevant and get heated for no reason because people will argue points that are better for them and not the other person in the debate. I find as time passes the gap between iOS and android is closing in. The non-stock android devices are becoming closer to stock and slimming down their skins and it is helping iOS users to come over. I have owned a lot of iOS and Android devices (see my signature) but eventually I find the iPhone to be boring and want more features. But once again the features that I use and the features that you use will differ so there is no reason for me to state android is better.
I do think that Apple really needs to shake up the market. They have been dry the last couple of years and allowed android to take off with the market. They could easily lock up the market permanently if they just add some of the features android users love (quick charge, front facing speakers, slimmer bezels, larger batteries, wireless charging and the list goes on)
This is my unbiased opinion, hope it helps
If you wish you had an iPhone, get an iPhone.
joshuadjohnson22 said:
There is no best with phones. There is only better for you. Some users (like myself) prefer android. It allows me to customize and do things I cannot on the iPhone. Some users love the UI of iOS and love how simple it is and hate android because of how complex it can be. I find the best way to make a ex iPhone user happy with android is to go Nexus. It is similar in simplicity and provides a familiar ease. My wife just did that and she hated android before but not loves it with her Nexus 5X.
Really it depends on the person. These debates can be irrelevant and get heated for no reason because people will argue points that are better for them and not the other person in the debate. I find as time passes the gap between iOS and android is closing in. The non-stock android devices are becoming closer to stock and slimming down their skins and it is helping iOS users to come over. I have owned a lot of iOS and Android devices (see my signature) but eventually I find the iPhone to be boring and want more features. But once again the features that I use and the features that you use will differ so there is no reason for me to state android is better.
I do think that Apple really needs to shake up the market. They have been dry the last couple of years and allowed android to take off with the market. They could easily lock up the market permanently if they just add some of the features android users love (quick charge, front facing speakers, slimmer bezels, larger batteries, wireless charging and the list goes on)
This is my unbiased opinion, hope it helps
If you wish you had an iPhone, get an iPhone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Everyone that I know says that their iphone is better. The iphone does look nice and it is faster and doesn't lag or get stuck like android phones do. It also has better features and I would buy one but i can't afford the iphone.
Dgball40 said:
Everyone that I know says that their iphone is better. The iphone does look nice and it is faster and doesn't lag or get stuck like android phones do. It also has better features and I would buy one but i can't afford the iphone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It doesn't matter what "everyone" says... I know a lot of people who would disagree with your "everyone". By the statement you made and my comment above , clearly if they own an iPhone then they prefer iOS to android and it is better for them. But it does not mean it is better for everyone. My 6P and my wife's 5X do not have any lag. In fact I had more lag on my iPhone 6 than I have on these devices. So you may buy an iPhone and still get frustrated with issues. My wife's iPhone had issue after issues which led her to get an android after everything lagged and would crash.
Well either save up and buy one or sell your phone and buy an older iPhone. I do not get the point of this thread if you asked for which is better but then you stated you have already made up your mind. This thread is irrelevant now unless your plan was to public state how you think iOS is better. I have owned many iPhones in my life and I have never had a better phone than my 6P. It is crazy fast and handles any task I toss at it. Future android phones will be similar.
EDIT: oh @Dgball40 I will admit that the S6 is a laggy mess with horrible battery life so if you are judging your android experience on that phone try a real phone.
joshuadjohnson22 said:
These debates can be irrelevant and get heated for no reason because people will argue points that are better for them and not the other person in the debate..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This guy nailed it.
Thread closed.
-XDA Staff

[Q] Tab S6 or Tab S7 - By experience

Hi everyone,
Question for you on this, which one would you suggest, by experience? I do understand both devices have minor differences, like the "correct" camera position at S7, 120Hz, but as well the poorly LCD screen on Tab S7.
As someone who owns a S4 Tab (which is very unpopular on XDA community overall), what would you suggest personally? I want to upgrade mostly due low RAM, bad placement for S-Pen, keyboard constant disconnect, but mostly due 0% of someone starting a LineageOS development (LineageOS GSI has several issues, and I'm not expert enough on Android development to start my own).
Seems like S5E and S6L has already lot of development around LineageOS, and is likely S6 and S7 tab could receive something as well.
As far I read most of QA comments, seems like most people owns a S7+ due better screen mostly, but personally is out my budget and too big from my perspective.
Many thanks!
If you want to know which tablet is the right for you:
You've give yourself the answer in the last sentence
The s7 has one of the best displays available, although it is not an OLED. I would not care about the OLED /LCD displayfight.
It's like the ultra highres and 120Hz discussion: most people love the crispness and fluety, not realizing both is deactivated due to performance or battery savings. Go in a shop and try it, you can deactivate it and see yourself. There even are people praising it in forums, not knowing the program they are using not even support it.
When it comes to professionalism you have to avoid OLED due to the lack of color calibration and color acurracy. That's the reason its a pure consumer thing. And for the latter, marketing always try to make things essentiall you actually do not need.
But as soon it comes to proffesionalis (this) android tablet is not for you at all. From an artist perspective major apps are missing (although getting better) and the s-pen technique is a big draw back, beside the form factor. Same for office work: Dex still is a pain, the office packages are working not like on a Desktop and yes: you'll hate the keyboard at the end of a working day (so use a standard BT one instead). Or even better: spend much more money and buy a surface PC.
From a consumer perspective OLED are great, love it on my mobile especially in pitch dark. But honestly: 99% of the time you're not realizing it and the battery saving bla bla is not worth the discussion. If I would have welcomed it on the s7: sure. But I would not have spend 100 € more for it.
Consider your use case. For a simple multimedia device: wait for the s7 light. If you need a device primary for note taking and some more sofisticated multimedia stuff, the s7/s7+ is for you. The RAM and CPU are great for painting (as long it's on concept /sketching level) and a good alround device on the go.
The s6 was out of focus for me due to: the pen form factor, the camara position, and especially not having an update option in 3 years. If you can deal with all: go for it.
To make it short: consider what you want. If the s7: wait for a good deal. In case you need 8GB of Ram and a bigger screen spend the extra money for the s7+.
Oh well broke my Pixel C Tablet today changing the battery . I been living with the Pixel C Tab and my Nexus 6 phone running LineageOS for years just looking for some feedback on what might be a fun and logical upgrade that should have good LineageOS Rom support going forward ?
Have s4 s6 and now s7+ only the people who compromised for the lcd s7 over the oled s7+ will tell you oled doesn't matter, just like tvs. Either get s6 or s7+ the oled is amazing.
gottahavit said:
Have s4 s6 and now s7+ only the people who compromised for the lcd s7 over the oled s7+ will tell you oled doesn't matter, just like tvs. Either get s6 or s7+ the oled is amazing.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Problem is no rom or LineageOS support for the Tab S7+ your on your own once the updates stop
Markeee said:
Problem is no rom or LineageOS support for the Tab S7+ your on your own once the updates stop
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
By that time the s8 will be out and I'm sure there will be roms soon, but honestly very little need, these days I find very little need to root and only look for roms if I really need an OS update which hasn't happened since my old tab s 8.4 which is still going strong on lineage.
Don't get me wrong rooting and ROMing are great to have, but I find current Android customizable enough for most things and don't pick my devices based on that. I'd rather root my phone than my tab and I wouldn't sacrifice oled for root or roms
gottahavit said:
By that time the s8 will be out and I'm sure there will be roms soon, but honestly very little need, these days I find very little need to root and only look for roms if I really need an OS update which hasn't happened since my old tab s 8.4 which is still going strong on lineage.
Don't get me wrong rooting and ROMing are great to have, but I find current Android customizable enough for most things and don't pick my devices based on that. I'd rather root my phone than my tab and I wouldn't sacrifice oled for root or roms
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well said I would love to get the S7+ its the best out there now my first choose but at the end of the day its also important for me to have some good rom support and the fact that the the S7+ has absolutely none right now leaves me worried we may never see any materialize ?
So thinking maybe last years Tab S5e is the best possible compromise considering it has official LineageOS support and blessings its just missing the 120Hz display not quite as big and not as nice of a upgrade power wise.
Sucks I'm torn and can't decide ?
TAB S7 PLUS VS TAB S5e | PROS AND CONS
https://youtu.be/5qff9-2Yiw8
gottahavit said:
Have s4 s6 and now s7+ only the people who compromised for the lcd s7 over the oled s7+ will tell you oled doesn't matter, just like tvs. Either get s6 or s7+ the oled is amazing.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well, sorry no. Your marketing talk even is obsolete as Micro- and Q-LED is the new hype
To make it short.
For simple consumers: go to a shop and see yourself. If you like perfect blacks, oversatturation and high contrasts: go for OLEDs. You definitely will see the difference next to a s7.
If you would be in (photo-)graphics or arts on a professional level: you would not even ask that question. You would know that's OLEDS will never be an options (color accuracy, calibration, etc.).
Just keep in mind: OLEDs show the strongest burn-in. But: as long you do not work all day long with a single programm (office, photoshop, eclipse, etc.) or use it as a display device with areas showing almost static output (e.g. home automation at a wall, infotainment in cars), this will not be a problem. Typing this on a 3.5 year old galaxy s8, with still no real notable burn in. Only the color shifted over the years. But thats s.th. you can adjust for.
And: I would have taken the s7+, but the OLED is a no go for me.
---------- Post added at 12:02 PM ---------- Previous post was at 11:36 AM ----------
Markeee said:
Well said I would love to get the S7+ its the best out there now my first choose but at the end of the day its also important for me to have some good rom support and the fact that the the S7+ has absolutely none right now leaves me worried we may never see any materialize ?
So thinking maybe last years Tab S5e is the best possible compromise considering it has official LineageOS support and blessings its just missing the 120Hz display not quite as big and not as nice of a upgrade power wise.
Sucks I'm torn and can't decide ?
TAB S7 PLUS VS TAB S5e | PROS AND CONS
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What's the reason you want to have good rom support?
Just wondering. Same for 120Hz: you know that apps have to support it specifically? Most don't, for obvious reasons...
One UI is a great enhancer when it comes to tablet support on Android. My pretty old Note 10.1 sucks without. You'll notice it, when missing.
The best option for me is a rooted s7 stock rom. Just kept it unrooted for guaranty reasons, in half a year... .
Best tablet UI but open for adjustment. Of course, you should not put your bank account on it. But frankly, all other features missing with root I would preferably have on my phone than this device.
basthet said:
Well, sorry no. Your marketing talk even is obsolete as Micro- and Q-LED is the new hype
To make it short.
For simple consumers: go to a shop and see yourself. If you like perfect blacks, oversatturation and high contrasts: go for OLEDs. You definitely will see the difference next to a s7.
If you would be in (photo-)graphics or arts on a professional level: you would not even ask that question. You would know that's OLEDS will never be an options (color accuracy, calibration, etc.).
Just keep in mind: OLEDs show the strongest burn-in. But: as long you do not work all day long with a single programm (office, photoshop, eclipse, etc.) or use it as a display device with areas showing almost static output (e.g. home automation at a wall, infotainment in cars), this will not be a problem. Typing this on a 3.5 year old galaxy s8, with still no real notable burn in. Only the color shifted over the years. But thats s.th. you can adjust for.
And: I would have taken the s7+, but the OLED is a no go for me.
---------- Post added at 12:02 PM ---------- Previous post was at 11:36 AM ----------
What's the reason you want to have good rom support?
Just wondering. Same for 120Hz: you know that apps have to support it specifically? Most don't, for obvious reasons...
One UI is a great enhancer when it comes to tablet support on Android. My pretty old Note 10.1 sucks without. You'll notice it, when missing.
The best option for me is a rooted s7 stock rom. Just kept it unrooted for guaranty reasons, in half a year... .
Best tablet UI but open for adjustment. Of course, you should not put your bank account on it. But frankly, all other features missing with root I would preferably have on my phone than this device.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Wow I hope you were joking about QLED/nanopixels being the best thing right now! You know that's just fake logos that say "we can't make OLEDs but we want you to think we do"?
As for color accuracy, I actually do a lot of drone footage and photo, but admittedly I'm no PRO and I don't edit on my tablet(I edit on my 28" 4k IPS HDR), but I did read the reviews and comparisons which put the S7+ above the S7 and the Ipad Pro when in Natural color mode. You can also calibrate yourself. I prefer the amoled for reviewing my video since most video is produced to HDR for display on an OLED TV. I find if it looks good on my tablet it will look close to the same on my LG OLED.
I guess it all depends what you want to do with the Tablet and what you are producing and for what target. I was not trying to say there is no place for the LCD(although I don't have one), just that some people on the forum are telling others not to worry the LCD is just as good as good as beautiful as AMOLED and that's just not true.
Also I have every Tab S Amoled made except the s5 and not one of them has Burnin or any significant loss of vibrancy. Personally if I couldn't deal with the 12" I would have stuck with my s6 over the s7 LCD.
gottahavit said:
Wow I hope you were joking about QLED/nanopixels being the best thing right now! You know that's just fake logos that say "we can't make OLEDs but we want you to think we do"?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well... that's because Samsung does not sell QLED but half backed solutions only calling them QLED - there are even ads with references clarifying, what SAMSUNG means by "QLED".
I was referring to real quantum dot emitters, not having these color-offsets and color depended life time problems the (AM)OLED still has. Still hoping for next year...
gottahavit said:
As for color accuracy, I actually do a lot of drone footage and photo, but admittedly I'm no PRO and I don't edit on my tablet(I edit on my 28" 4k IPS HDR), but I did read the reviews and comparisons which put the S7+ above the S7 and the Ipad Pro when in Natural color mode. You can also calibrate yourself. I prefer the amoled for reviewing my video since most video is produced to HDR for display on an OLED TV. I find if it looks good on my tablet it will look close to the same on my LG OLED....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well - there you got it. Everybody here replays this marketing bla bla from sellers and samsung or reviewers (most likely from YouTube) putting the AMOLED superior to the LCD.
Please do not feel offended, I do not try to argue with you. All I want to say is that the quality of a display is not defined by simple "blackness" and slangs like "vibrancy". Even the slang "Natural color" is a hoax - OLED just cannot produce them. Samsung (like LG, Sony, etc.) tries to manipulate it towards, and might get quite close, but after a while, colors shift away. A nightmare for people have to relay on color accuracy.
Same for their algorithm to reduce the burn-in effect. I also have an OLED (older than 3 years). No notable burn-in - but the price you pay is pixel shift and out-greying. If you are sensitive to one: OLED is not for you. If you don't care or not even notice it: great!
To make it short: It's hard to say in general, if the LCD of the s7 is worse compared to the s4/s6 and even the s7+ OLEDs. Best is to grep one and see if it fits you needs. For a LCD the s7 is really good and same goes for the s7+ as an AMOLED. Both (techniques) have their strengths but also weaknesses. I was rather happy, when I found the s7, as I do not have to spend my soul for an iPad Pro + I do not have to care about unexpected color reworks as soon as I switch back to my PC.
However, still hating Samsung for their crappy S-Pen technique... But well - you get what you pay for
Thanks for the replies I appreciate the discussion and feedback .
I'm coming from an old Pixel C Tablet I just broke the thing trying to replace the battery. That unit lost android update support years ago but managed to stay alive through roms and LineageOS which was nice I looked forward to kind of lived for those updates like most nerds otherwise I probably would of replaced it long ago. I'm still running with my Nexus 6 on LineageOS updates.
So I wasn't really even thinking about replacing it but now that it gone may as well have some fun get something new and considering I usually keep my **** so long like 5 yrs I may as well try get the latest and the greatest.
At first didn't know what to get but didn't take long to realize there's really no new android tablet options out except Samsung which kind of sucks coz rooting flashing Samsung bit more complicated not as straight up easy for me as dealing with the pixel which is super easy. With Samsung knox I have to re-learn that mess not looking forward to that and seems alot of people having issues dealing with it
Anyways I only really use the tablet for watching videos it will never leave my house leaning towards the S7+ just trying to snag a deal is all
basthet said:
Well, sorry no. Your marketing talk even is obsolete as Micro- and Q-LED is the new hype
To make it short.
For simple consumers: go to a shop and see yourself. If you like perfect blacks, oversatturation and high contrasts: go for OLEDs. You definitely will see the difference next to a s7.
If you would be in (photo-)graphics or arts on a professional level: you would not even ask that question. You would know that's OLEDS will never be an options (color accuracy, calibration, etc.).
Just keep in mind: OLEDs show the strongest burn-in. But: as long you do not work all day long with a single programm (office, photoshop, eclipse, etc.) or use it as a display device with areas showing almost static output (e.g. home automation at a wall, infotainment in cars), this will not be a problem. Typing this on a 3.5 year old galaxy s8, with still no real notable burn in. Only the color shifted over the years. But thats s.th. you can adjust for.
And: I would have taken the s7+, but the OLED is a no go for me.
---------- Post added at 12:02 PM ---------- Previous post was at 11:36 AM ----------
What's the reason you want to have good rom support?
Just wondering. Same for 120Hz: you know that apps have to support it specifically? Most don't, for obvious reasons...
One UI is a great enhancer when it comes to tablet support on Android. My pretty old Note 10.1 sucks without. You'll notice it, when missing.
The best option for me is a rooted s7 stock rom. Just kept it unrooted for guaranty reasons, in half a year... .
Best tablet UI but open for adjustment. Of course, you should not put your bank account on it. But frankly, all other features missing with root I would preferably have on my phone than this device.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
@Markeee
Keep in mind that - unfortunately - the situation for android tablets is a bit different nowadays.
Almost all new tablet specific features come from Samsung (Dex, etc.). Google and the other brands dropped tablet support almost completely. That implies also lineageOS - relaying on google - will most likely not offer new tablet specific features in the future. Hence, putting a custom rom on it will result in a draw back compared to One UI.
The good: with a s7/s7+ you will get all the new tablet specific stuff for 3 years and be up to the notch. As Samsung still tries to catch up to Apple that's the best you can get.
The bad: after 3 years you most likely will been stucked - or forced to make the step back to linageOS if you want Android 14+. Samsung managed to make porting their One UI features quite difficult.
However, time will tell. If google rediscover their tablet love, being again the driving android force for tablets, this situation will be totally different in 3 years.
When it comes to custom roms and video watching only: all I'm talking about will not be such of an issue, as all the mentioned features are more in the direction of writing, drawing, UI-integration, etc.
However, keep in mind that Netflix and other streaming portals suppress usage with rooted devices. Here the Knox counter is a big problem you might come over (e.g. via Magisk), but that needed to be supported by s.o. . Time will tell if the community will do, or not.
Moreover, reconsider the s7/s7+ completely. Both are rather expensive and target people using the Pen heavily (e.g. drawing, painting). Here you still need the fastest processor, as mush Ram as possible and a digitizer - and you have to pay for it. Have you considered going with a tablet w/o S-Pen?
If the question is only the ease to put custom rom on: well I'm rather sure here you will find the first noteworthy solution. And: simplifications of that will come later. But for Custom rom support I am not so optimistic: most owner would probably think like me, that most (unofficial) linageOS ports will lack the tablet features One Ui offers. Hence consider rooting and flashing not worth the hazel...
For better or worse I just pulled the trigger and ordered the Tab S7+, 256GB, sometimes just want to say WTF least I was able to snag a deal $582.61 before tax's free shipping. I'm sure I won't use take advantage of the pen but still nice to have all these premium features for a change.
Spending extra will be negligible considering how long i plan on keeping this thing. Hopefully years down the road when support ends there will me some other options to keep this thing alive .
Here's the slickdeals link below still an active deal if anyone's interested
https://slickdeals.net/forums/showpost.php?p=143059996&postcount=732
basthet said:
@Markeee
Keep in mind that - unfortunately - the situation for android tablets is a bit different nowadays.
Almost all new tablet specific features come from Samsung (Dex, etc.). Google and the other brands dropped tablet support almost completely. That implies also lineageOS - relaying on google - will most likely not offer new tablet specific features in the future. Hence, putting a custom rom on it will result in a draw back compared to One UI.
The good: with a s7/s7+ you will get all the new tablet specific stuff for 3 years and be up to the notch. As Samsung still tries to catch up to Apple that's the best you can get.
The bad: after 3 years you most likely will been stucked - or forced to make the step back to linageOS if you want Android 14+. Samsung managed to make porting their One UI features quite difficult.
However, time will tell. If google rediscover their tablet love, being again the driving android force for tablets, this situation will be totally different in 3 years.
When it comes to custom roms and video watching only: all I'm talking about will not be such of an issue, as all the mentioned features are more in the direction of writing, drawing, UI-integration, etc.
However, keep in mind that Netflix and other streaming portals suppress usage with rooted devices. Here the Knox counter is a big problem you might come over (e.g. via Magisk), but that needed to be supported by s.o. . Time will tell if the community will do, or not.
Moreover, reconsider the s7/s7+ completely. Both are rather expensive and target people using the Pen heavily (e.g. drawing, painting). Here you still need the fastest processor, as mush Ram as possible and a digitizer - and you have to pay for it. Have you considered going with a tablet w/o S-Pen?
If the question is only the ease to put custom rom on: well I'm rather sure here you will find the first noteworthy solution. And: simplifications of that will come later. But for Custom rom support I am not so optimistic: most owner would probably think like me, that most (unofficial) linageOS ports will lack the tablet features One Ui offers. Hence consider rooting and flashing not worth the hazel...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hello Markeee
I am in a similar situation like you.
Fortunately my pixel C is still working.
Nevertheless I am starting looking for a replacement.
How do you like the Samsung so far?
Did you root it?
I am really sceptical bec of all that Samsung bloatware and this other Samsung stuff, as well as the lack of custom ROMs. The hardware is for sure much better...
My use cases are mostly watching videos, web surfing, emailing. I love the external keyboard for my pixel c, i wonder if there is something similar in the Samsung world...
Greetings from Vienna!
Markeee said:
For better or worse I just pulled the trigger and ordered the Tab S7+, 256GB, sometimes just want to say WTF least I was able to snag a deal $582.61 before tax's free shipping. I'm sure I won't use take advantage of the pen but still nice to have all these premium features for a change.
Spending extra will be negligible considering how long i plan on keeping this thing. Hopefully years down the road when support ends there will me some other options to keep this thing alive .
Here's the slickdeals link below still an active deal if anyone's interested
https://slickdeals.net/forums/showpost.php?p=143059996&postcount=732
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
From personal experience I find the screen on the Tab S7 to be brighter, more vibrant and with truer colors than on the Tab S6. I compared my S6 side by side with my wife's S7 while watching a video and the S7
's screen was much more pleasing to watch. The S6's screen was simply too dark so I lost detail in the shadows and the colors seemed muted even with the display set to Vibrant.
This sort of surprised me based on the comparison reviews I've seen that said the S6 had the better display.

Categories

Resources