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Hello Streakers! (even if it really really true... I'm not judging )
I am trying to decide if I should splurge on a Streak or not. Granted, it has a unique form factor unmatched by any handset currently available in the market. But with the plethora of new device coming out, some of them with double the technical specifications of the Streak, would you have Streak owner still make the same decision today?
The Streak was never officially released here in the Middle East; the only available models were being sold in the 'grey market'; they were being sold at exorbitant price. It just was not economically justifiable. Now, I got an option to get my hands on a second hand set - still at a somewhat expensive price. So now I have to ask you guys, do the Dell Steak satisfy still the sweet spot today as it did the day you brought it.
If I am to spend this much money on the Streak, I want it to last for another 2 years - from toady.
The 5" screen is so inviting. I want to converge all my online interactions to one device. Even if casually browsing the internet at the end of a hard day, while in bed. I don't want to pinch to zoom or excessively scroll because the screen is too small...
Thats why the Streak has been at the back of my ming for so long; pushing the boundaries between portability and useabilty!
So how do you guys rate the Streak? Do you still love it now that the honeymoon period is over? Is the build quality good? Hardware failure? Why is it so recommended that you buy an Otterbox casing?
I think it is safe to assume there are stable roms available a plenty? Truthfully, this will be my first Android device... (yeah, I know - great! Another noob is in the house...) I will start reading up on rooting, unlocking bootloaders, flashing...
but, if I do end up asking some silly questions; please find the patience to indulge me. I would really appreciate it!
Anyone got any 'stories' to share, given that the Streak is such a huge device, it must have raised a few eyebrows when attending to a phone call...
The rated call time and standby time mentioned looks good on paper; and I know, in Android it all depends on how you use the phone; but compared to other handsets - not person to person mind you; but the same person, same usage pattern but different handset - how would you rate the streak?
If you guys have any more titbits to share that will sell me on this device to me, go ahead!
I really do want this phone, but I am feeling somewhat cautious. This is a unique phone, so I want to know if it satisfies all your needs...
Thanks for your indulgence and hopefully, I will become a new member in the Streak forum soon!
My last phone has been a Samsung Galaxy S2. before that i have had a ZTE Blade and the Galaxy S. If i had to pick one now to keep it for sure would be the streak.
There are positive and negative things about it.
What i absolutely love about the streak is the battery, for me the streak is the only device that can last more than a day using it as what it is, a smartphone. Even with the display on, wifi and gps enabled it lasts easy a day. Try this with other devices. The battery on my SGS2 never lasted that long. The display is great, not as good as the one of the SGS2 but still good enough to use it even in sunlight.
The downside by my opinion. It is big, really big. It is heavy. It does not have the as much power as the SGS2 does. Sometimes it takes a second to switch the screen orientation. Does this really matter? It annoyed me at the start but now i simply don't care.
Your question answered short, yes i would buy it without a doubt again if i brick mine, if it gets stolen or something else happens to it. Even if there are devices out there with better specifications
Well, if you are a tech-guy who likes new phones with fast processor, the D.Streak is not for you since the dual-processor devices are definitely more powerful. But if you want a phone/tablet with which you will browse websites/watch photos & movies/listen to musics/play games and that you are NOT expecting the Streak to be a super-device, then you can definitely consider it.
I come from 4.3inches phones and I had doubts before buying the Streak. First, it was due to the form-factor - many websites say that it was not pocketable!!!!! This is totally bullsh*t as the Streak fits comfortably in my jeans/trousers/pants without any problem....well unless you wear a really tight jean, then it will not fit in. I also don't find it to be heavy as I hold it without any difficulty but if you are used to very light phones, then you may find it to be tough to hold.
Then, I was skeptical since many people say that it hangs/freeze and that it was fragile/break easily. But I can say that the official roms are really stable and I did not encounter any problems that users tend to describe here on the forums.
You were asking about the use of the Ottebox - then the reason is pretty simple : As you mentioned the Streak is a bit expensive, then it is normal that you protect your investment from any damages. If the Streak falls on the ground, the glass or anything inside have a high chance to be damaged in the process. With an Otterbox, you minimize the risk your phone will break, but still it's a 50/50 chance depending on the way/height/force/angle the phone will land on the ground. So better have it protected from unexpected falls........but if you are used in dropping your previous phones, then it's cautious to say the Streak will not survive many falls.
Regarding your question if it may last 2 years, then it's a big NO. By 2013 or even by the end of this year, there will be more phones with better screens that will be more powerful than the Streak and I'm sure you'll try to switch for another one. Most importantly, since the Streak does not have a good camera, this will probably be the main reason to switch to a device with a screen of 4.5-5 inches but with a better camera/processor.
At present, I still like my 2 months old Dell Streak and although I am planning to change device soon, it still serves its purposes. My biggest satisfaction is that browsing websites is definitely a joy and since the screen is large, typing using the virtual keyboard is extremely easy and fast. Watching movies/photos is very pleasant and people are always surprised when they see my device.
Lastly, every phone has its advantages/disadvantages as there is actually no perfect device, and it is best if you weight the pros/cons to ensure if it will serve your needs. The Dell Streak 5 is not a device for everyone due to its size/specifications and one must definitely like large screen phones to really appreciate its form factor. It will be better if you can try it before buying - Otherwise, you might end up to be disappointed afterwards.
What the Streak does now it will do just as well in two years time - you need to decide what it is you want from a device and if the Streak fits the bill then buy it.
Thanks for all your feedback!
Its a relief to see satisfied users who choose to stick by their product.
@Final5k: thanks for your honest answer. True, by the end of this year better specs phone will come out, but I can take refuge in the fact the Nexus S is similarly spec'd so the Streak will not become obsolete due to hardware constraints. In time Icecream Sandwich may be ported over!
Your selling points of the Streak are exactly why I want it. A device I could converge to for all my needs when I am on the move.
Even if it gets left behind by a new device, it'll still be functional. I have never been about the latest or the greatest. Neither am I comfortable being an early adopter. As long as the core functionality is still achievable, I think feel content.
One of the plus points is that the Streak is mature, so there are solution to most problem face by noobs doing something wrong. Also the guides available are more detailed as you people had more time to understand it and pass on the knowledge.
If anyone else feels like like giving a shout out, go ahead.
Thanks guys for sharing your opinions...
I love mine, the reason I got it was for the big screen, and I don't think I could have a phone now with a smaller screen, 5" to me is just right. Fits in your pocket perfect even really tight skinny jeans. any bigger and it wouldn't. So its the perfect size. Camera isn't the best, but works good in daylight. People say the screen breaks without even dropping it, which I think is bull****, I've dropped mine a few times and the last time I dropped it was from about 1 and a half metres and the lcd did break and leak. But thats quiet a distance really, don't think many phones would survive that. But bought a new screen from ebay for about £28 and replacement was easy. I'm looking forward to what dell can muster up next year when I'm ready to upgrade my phone.
I too love mine even with its current situation "it does not recognize sim card" I keep it at home and use it instead of my company laptop and I am really missing. Now, I am thinking either to wait for the new model in 2012 or purchase another streak to last for 2-3 years. Although the number of mobiles I own is little, but I have never used or owned a device like streak. Really, if I decided to purchase another mobile it should be Streak2. Noway to go back to a smaller screen. I am using my streak to browse, email, citrix (to access company application such as SAP and this is rarely), youtube, etc... etc...
Simply it is the best phone/tablet. Frankly, I love it.
It's really cool! It seems that all streaker swears by their screen size; & no one is prepared to downgrade to a smaller screen.
The single defining feature is the most beloved. How come no one else capitalized on it?
I have been hitting up review on Youtube... can't resist anymore...
Came from iPhone
I upgraded from an iPhone 3GS and have never once regretted it. The Dell Streak's large screen and form factor does turn some heads (Is that a phone???). Browsing the web is a treat using Dolphin Browser Mini. I run Streakdroid 1.9.0 (usually, although I flash alot) and am able to use Netflix, Crackle, Plex, and a host of other services for streaming movies. Not to mention movies stored on the device. They look great and sound great. I sometimes play with coworkers' phones (IOS and android) and have never seen one that I would be willing to part with my Streak for. True, it is a bit cumbersome and very large, but the rewards greatly justify the costs. I do use an otterbox, mainly because it makes the device so much easier to hold. Without it I feel the Streak is too thin and slick lend confidence to my grip. I use a bluetooth headset with it almost always because of the size. I don't want to hold this thing up to my head for long, but honestly talking on the phone is probably the thing I do the least with my Streak. I found myself ignoring my laptop after I bought the Streak....it just wasn't necessary anymore. It is not a powerhouse by today's standards, but really...who needs a dual core processor and 1GB+ RAM? It's not like I'm converting or editing videos on the thing. But keep in mind when I say this, that I don't play games on it very much. All in all, I've never regretted my decision. Good luck and welcome to the forums!
I left my Samsung Vibrant for the Streak and felt like the few sacrifices I made were worth it. I will miss the camera and Amoled screen.
As far as up and coming phones if you could deal with a 4.5inch screen I would wait for the Samsung Hercules. If 4.5 inches is to small their are really no options other than the streak.
I sold my iphone 4(went through iphone withdrawal). Now I'm happy with my streak. I love the large screen, and the looks I get when I take it out of my pocket. It does what I need it to do.
Fellas! Thanks for all your feedback!
I am now officially a Streaker! (...and now, I'll forever feel awkward when taking off my pants...)
Well, I finally got me a Dell! I'm still at work so will have to wait till I get home to start giving it the love it deserve.
I'll play around with it some as is and read up on the forum before trying to root and flash with it...
I'll try to put up my impression of the device some time in the near future; maybe after the honeymoon period is over!
Thanks once again for the hand holding while I was trying to decide about the purchase...
The only negative is that I can't seem to find a suitable protective case for the device near my locale. Too bad the Streak was never picked up by the local retailers, so accessories are very rare to find here...
Look for the Otterbox Commuter or Defender case on Ebay - some sellers do sell them pretty cheap. The normal rubber cases do not offer much protection as they are too slim to protect the device from important impact - my friend's Streak broke after 2 falls with a rubber case on it, and after the replacement arrived, he has now opted for an Otterbox.
Final5k said:
Look for the Otterbox Commuter or Defender case on Ebay - some sellers do sell them pretty cheap. The normal rubber cases do not offer much protection as they are too slim to protect the device from important impact - my friend's Streak broke after 2 falls with a rubber case on it, and after the replacement arrived, he has now opted for an Otterbox.
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Thanks for the heads up!
I went from an iPhone 3G, to a Blackberry Storm, to a HTC Desire and now onto the Streak and IMO it is by far the best of the four phones. It runs just as well as the Desire with such a bigger screen, but it's thin enough to be useable and not inconvenient. I get a lot of comments about how big it is but most of the time it's actually thinner than the other persons phone which surprises them a bit. Plus the front facing camera is cool, and I only paid $250 for mine so the price was fantastic. And I can actually see the screen in day light unlike the Desire.
Definitely don't regret buying my Streak and probably won't upgrade until another 5" screen phone (or very close to that) comes out. I don't think I could go back to the smaller screen.
Cases are difficult because they'd add bulk to it, I'm kinda reluctant about getting one but if you pick one up please post your thoughts, it'd be pretty helpful for me too.
I've been in several discussions with users that have come from (or previously owned) the 5 inch HTC Advantage. I see Dell Streak users have a thread to compare/contrast to the Note, so I thought I would do the same for the Advantage. This may help some to decide to move from the Advantage to the Note - or not.
For those that don't know what the Advantage is, it came out 5 years ago - the first phone with a 5" screen. It also included a detachable keyboard, stereo speakers, video port, stylus/pen, and a 8 GB hard drive when most SD cards at the time were below 2 GB. It had its problems, too. Since it was so far ahead of its time it was fairly bulky and heavy even with the keyboard removed. It didn't have a private speaker for phone calls. It had room for a vibration motor internally but it was never implemented even in later models, presumably because it caused problems with the hard drive. The other references in the thread title are the development name, and model names/numbers used by various carriers. Here is the XDA forum for the Advantage: http://forum.xda-developers.com/forumdisplay.php?f=351
My personal reaction, as I've told several already, is the Note is by far a better phone. Physical stats, operating system, having things like a private speaker and vibration which the Advantage should have had, all add up. Not to mention that the Note costs 1/3 of what the Advantage did so you have far less to loose. The Note/Android has its deficiencies. I've had to install a half-dozen apps to add features which were built into Windows Mobile - things like incremental ring volume, ability to get more than a single system notification for things like texts and calendar appointments (miss the first one and you've missed your appointment!), or keeping the screen from timing out when it is plugged in or for specific apps. But at least you can extend/improve the OS with apps without unlocking/rooting or flashing to a whole new OS. Which many Advantage owners did including me.
All that said, the Advantage held a special place in my heart. In the 4 1/2 years I used mine, I often told my wife it was the best gadget I had ever owned and I meant it. Which is saying a lot with all the gadgets and computers I've owned since 1984. But the Note is so good that if IT had come out 5 years ago, I'm sure I would be saying the same thing about it right now. Buy one.
I have a x7501 for a few years, but haven't been actively using it in the last few years also (went to iPhone, Android etc). I am interested in the Note, but haven't decided to get one yet.
But I think one fundamental difference is that the Athena is a keyboarded device (you can use it without, but you also loose the stand at the same time). Its stereo speakers and other positioning makes it a mainly landscape orientation device.
I really don't care about its thickness, it's not that bad. It is a bit thick w/ its leather case, but it does that to any other devices anyway.
What I don't like about the Athena: battery life, speed (I'm shocked reviews that said it's fast), photo taken with camera (rear) has off (red) colour (no ROM can fix that). Especially the last piece, it's unforgivable for a $1,500. USD product! The 8GB HDD is both slow, and battery eating, and cannot be turned off.
I just can't say I like it as much as some of you do. I don't hate it, but I don't think it was worth the $1,000. I paid for. If I had paid $1,500. then, I'd have sued them (just kidding).
I lugged the keyboard around for 1 1/2 years, but finally left it on my work desk permanently. Only used it there when I was streaming XM.
I never had a problem with battery life, it would last me much longer than the 12 hours I would go between unplugging in the morning and plugging it back in when I got home. Never had a problem with the camera, either. Good colors all around, not that the quality was that great.
I think you'll like the Note, all the advantages (pun intended) of the 7501 and none of its problems. After you add some apps to tweak the downfalls of the OS.
i'm one, see my siggie
i've had still have that gigantic heavy monstrous HTC 5" for the longest time
still trying to get Android installed on it someday
I had the x7501, then the x7510, and the note is 1/2 as thick, has a "phone" speaker, and besides all of the obvious spec advantages, is lighter and easier to hold. The screen is far more responsive than the old tft pressure technology without the inaccuracy of the iphone/android capacitive blunt-object to write/draw with issue.
all thumbs up for the note... though the Advantage was WAY ahead of its time.
I don't understand these threads. I get that the advantage was way ahead of its time, but it's 5 years old. 5! Would anyone seriously pick the advantage over the note?
I sold my x7501 long ago. Good times, lol.
nstong said:
I don't understand these threads. I get that the advantage was way ahead of its time, but it's 5 years old. 5! Would anyone seriously pick the advantage over the note?
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I guess sometimes people can't let their old devices go.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I717 using XDA
This isn't about keeping the Advantage. Its about comparing one to the other for those that are familiar with the Advantage and loved all of its features.
I think it is not about keeping the Advantage / Athena, may be it's partly nostalgia, partly comparing what's missing on current devices (bad things are not missed, I'm talking about things that users might like or prefer):
1. Stereo speakers. How hard can that be? But so far, iPhone doesn't have it, none of my Android phones up to 4.65" have it, my Tablet P by Sony has a tiny mono speaker. Only the Playbook (once had, now sold), and the Samsung Q1 have stereo speakers and good sound.
2. The metal case has pros and cons. It can get dented and discolouring when bumped / scratched, but it made it more sturdy as it is metal. But at least it is unique, and also makes it feel more premium (until it gets dented, like mine, from dropping, that is). Now everything besides iPhones are just plastics.
3. Magnetic keyboard. Now, no more, never seen and all give way to on screen ones, except a few. But those few, including Blackberry, do not want to do a magnetic keyboard, may be it's the cost, or fear of bad contacts. But again, this is very unique and hasn't been replicated. The see thru window to mimic the status bar on it makes it even cooler.
4. External connections for: USB host (only very lately, there are USB OTG for Android devices, before this, support was very poor, mostly only HID stuff), VGA out, cellular antenna, GPS antenna. Granted, the last 3 are not as needed today, and some Android devices have HDMI outputs that replace VGA more or less.
right now, few Android phones can stand on a desk unless with a kick stand case (which is usually the kind I buy, as I want it stand similar to what Advantage can do w/ the keyboard).
I think some clamshell MIDs like UMID / Viliv had come close to the design of Advantage but physically not as cool, no magnetic keyboard etc.
I guess the problem with modern design is that nobody would make a $1,500. device unless it is for industrial or military use, so they have to save cost and won't engage in fancy design and materials. In the case for Advantage, it's HTC flagship product, so they went all out.
Looking at current HTC products now, there aren't anything really special (I'm talking strictly from the physical point of view, since operating systems are all the same across the manufacturers anyway).
People are often amazed when I tell them that the Note is my third 5" phone. I loved the Advantage and the Dell Streak I had before the Note. No way I can go to a smaller screen. Very happy that the rest of the world is catching on to the benefits of a large screen device. And there are things I miss from Windows Mobile. I found it easier to flash ROMs and change the look and feel of the device.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I717 using xda premium
After getting one last week, I couldn't be happier with it. The screen is beautiful and the UI is quite fast. The design also is unique and stands out and even though people immediately dismissed it because it was thick, they looked again and saw that the design was great.
The universal remote is a godsend and works perfectly. Also, it's a feature no other tablet has. The full sized SD card comes in handy too.
So I ask myself, why isn't this tablet doing as well as others? It seems to be really underestimated. After using the iPad 2,3 and SG tab, I would rate this 2nd after the iPad 3.
Marketing...Not enough marketing. That and people seemed to be obsessed with thinness instead of ergonomics. That being said, since sony went big with the tablet, I'm a little disappointed they didn't take this opportunity to shove in a massive battery. A lot of wasted internal space. Oh well.
It wasn't offering enough at $500/$600. With the current pricing/incentives and the fact ics is running like butter it should do very well the next couple ofmonths before the quad cores and sub $300s start making their big push.
They are not blowing their trumpets loud enough.
An i-pad owner I know dismissed it out of hand until he actually picked it up, saw flash workng and saw how seamlessly it integrated with my AV equipment both from a control and media management point of view.
The i-pad is slicker and looks nicer but I find it painful to hold after a while. If Sky pull their finger out and get Sky go running on the Tablet S then it's a perfect 10.
I’ve been in love with electronic gadgets for years. I had the first Palm Pilot and the HTC Blue Angel, a great windows mobile phone with a keyboard. Many of you are probably too young to be familiar with these devices. Each year, and sometimes twice a year, I would get so excited to see the new devices come out sporting new tech. I would buy two new phones a year, usually from Samsung as the new Galaxy S and Note models came out. I HAVE NEVER BEEN AS DISAPPOINTED WITH THE CELL PHONE MANUFACTURERS AS I AM TODAY. Let me explain why.
Apple is one of the most successful cell phone manufacturers. The I-Phone (the I stands for Idiot) has not been successful because of its great design or software; but because so many people were already hooked on the I-Pad and I-Tunes for their music and media. Another feature that has kept Apple high on the sales charts is I-Message. Though the Apple has good (not great) hardware, its software is for idiots (this is good because there are so many of them) and its feature set is very weak. My primary disgust with current phones is that all the Android manufactures are chasing Apple and removing features that made their cell phones great.
Let’s look at some of these features.
Removable Battery.
A phone is no good if the battery is dead. HTC and Samsung started out right with a replaceable battery. The idiot Apple loving pundits in this industry have reported gleefully that the removeable battery is gone forever. I hope not. No matter how fast a cell phone charges, there’s always times when you just don’t have time to charge. There are so many times when you realize your battery is almost dead and you need to be somewhere else NOW. I’m currently using the last of the great phones with a replaceable batter – the LG V20. I am an extremely heavy cell phone user. I have four batteries (one came with the phone) and three chargers. I keep a charged battery in my pocket and two in the chargers. I never have to plug in my phone. For each of my three sets of battery and charger I paid $22. So for $66, I never run out charge.
I laugh when I see others tell me – “Wait, I cannot go yet, my phone’s dead.” The most idiotic thing is Samsung making a phone that can share a charge with others. Who the heck is going to do that? What Samsung and other manufactures should do is sell a charger and battery set direct for $29 or less. They charge $29 for their wireless chargers and you end up needing two or three so you can have one at the office and a couple at home anyways.
One of the most important things about the removeable battery is the ability to extend the life of the phone. The life of batteries decreases after a short period. It’s ridiculous and costly to have to send in your phone to have the battery replaced.
Build Quality/Cellular Connectivity
On any given day, you can find a reviewer of a cellular device touting “build quality.” Are they just stupid or Apple lovers? Samsung’s build quality was berated by reviewers because they had cheap plastic frames and plastic backs on their phones. This cheap plastic was great. The plastic back allowed easy access to the battery, SIM card, and SD card. Furthermore, plastic frames have better cellular connectivity than aluminum frames do. They are also much cheaper to make and are lighter. Most use a phone case to protect their phones anyway.
So because the industry has chased Apple, we Android users have no replaceable battery, no easy access to SIM and SD cards, heavier phones, and a much higher cost – now over $1,000. My Samsung Note 9 is so heavy that I get fatigued just holding it up in bed. The Note 2 made years ago was a masterpiece in terms of manufacture and feel. It was light and had nice curved corners. It felt great in the hand.
Screen & Screen Dimensions.
Most cell phone manufactures have a great screen. However, somewhere along the way, Samsung decided that a curved screen was a good idea. It’s just a stupid and useless sales gimmick. A flat screen can be easily protected with a case the edges of which extend above the screen. Such a case not only protects the screen but allows one to grip the device without touching the screen.
My next screen grip is the narrow screen. We cannot blame this trend on Apple. As I’ve aged, I need to use reading glasses. When the screens were wider (3 inches and above), I could read almost everything without my reading glasses. With my Note 9, I must use my glasses all the time. I have a LG Stylo 3 too. It has a wide screen that is easy for me to read. Also viewing videos on the wider screen is much better for everyone.
I get it that some people have small hands and need a slimmer phone. But there’s lots of people out there with big hands. You’d think that with all the Android phone models designed each year, someone could make a phone for us men. LG, you’ve got a ThinQ line. How about a FatQ line?
Camera.
Most of the cameras on today’s higher end phones are great and they need to be. I’d like to see more optical magnification.
3.5mm Jack.
Samsung, don’t you get it? People want the 3.5mm jack. Yes, they all have Bluetooth headsets. But sometimes you forget to charge them or need to use a wired headset for other purposes. I bought the Note 9 but will NOT be buying the Note 10 primarily due to the lack of a headphone jack.
IR Blaster/FM Radio.
These are two features I really miss on phones. I love not having to search for my TV’s remote control. This was a great feature now missing on almost all phones. I guess if Apple doesn’t have it, then no one needs it.
The FM radio may seem outdated to some. However, us older guys listen to talk radio and a bunch of other stuff that makes us smarter not dumber like the music you listen to on Spotify, etc. Furthermore, FM radio doesn’t suck the life out of the battery like I-Heart radio. What’s really nice about the FM radio is that you can get reception even where you don’t have cell service. This could be important in an emergency where cell service is down. I use the FM radio at our cabin where the cell signal is weak.
FM radio is available on almost all chips my by Qualcomm and Samsung. Yet, many manufacturers, including Google, make their phones so the FM radio is not functional. Shame on them.
Conclusion.
Android phone manufacturers are giving us phones that have less features, are less useful, are heavier and cost more. What’s the advantage of buying a new phone? Is it any wonder that the sales of flagship cell phones are decreasing? Quit chasing Apple and start adding back in real features that add value.
NeutronBomb said:
Nobody gives a **** that you miss the removable battery or that you don't like the phone. Save it for your diary.
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I give a **** that he misses the removable battery!
Neo3D said:
I give a **** that he misses the removable battery!
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Click to collapse
As do I. It should never of been removed as an option.
Form over function. Design over usability.
These are the priorities that Apple promoted and all other manufacturers followed, sadly.
Bollocks!
"a phone is no good if the battery is dead" = A car is no good if its gastank is empty. Do you carry additional gastanks with you to extend the mileage, or do you have the discipline to stop for gas when it is needed?
You are complaining about the lack of removable battery because you like to extend the phone's life by buying additional batteries. But you are buying two new phones every year? In my opinion that doesn't make any sense unless you're collecting them for a personal museum-like use.
If I could use to choose between removable battery or waterproof housing back in the days (let's say around the Note 2 era) I would have chosen waterproof housing. These days I cannot imagine why someone is not been able to charge there phones on a regular (daily) basis. So carrying extra batteries all day sounds stupid to me, and is the main reason powerbanks exist.
- 3,5mm jack?...Old technology....forget about it en move on.
- Rounded glass, metal frame not good? Millions of devices are bought by customers who are drooling about their shiny metal and rounded devices. Why in the hell would a manufacturer not jump in that gap and keep using ugly plastic screens and bodies? People are willing to pay the high prices for it...it is just a simple matter of demand.
- IR blaster? Seriously? In an era where we could controle devices with wifi/BT, even with voice commands etc.
- FM radio? There are dozens of apps out there where you could listen to thousands (if not more) radiostations, in the most cases in digital quality.
Your post, I mean rant, is nothing but a whining post about features that have had their time. Technology is moving on, I suggest you do too. Maybe you get a revelation and see that (not all ) I-Phone users aren't idiots. Those who keeps complaining about "it was way better back then" are...
jabberwock said:
Bollocks!
"a phone is no good if the battery is dead" = A car is no good if its gastank is empty. Do you carry additional gastanks with you to extend the mileage, or do you have the discipline to stop for gas when it is needed?
You are complaining about the lack of removable battery because you like to extend the phone's life by buying additional batteries. But you are buying two new phones every year? In my opinion that doesn't make any sense unless you're collecting them for a personal museum-like use.
If I could use to choose between removable battery or waterproof housing back in the days (let's say around the Note 2 era) I would have chosen waterproof housing. These days I cannot imagine why someone is not been able to charge there phones on a regular (daily) basis. So carrying extra batteries all day sounds stupid to me, and is the main reason powerbanks exist.
- 3,5mm jack?...Old technology....forget about it en move on.
- Rounded glass, metal frame not good? Millions of devices are bought by customers who are drooling about their shiny metal and rounded devices. Why in the hell would a manufacturer not jump in that gap and keep using ugly plastic screens and bodies? People are willing to pay the high prices for it...it is just a simple matter of demand.
- IR blaster? Seriously? In an era where we could controle devices with wifi/BT, even with voice commands etc.
- FM radio? There are dozens of apps out there where you could listen to thousands (if not more) radiostations, in the most cases in digital quality.
Your post, I mean rant, is nothing but a whining post about features that have had their time. Technology is moving on, I suggest you do too. Maybe you get a revelation and see that (not all ) I-Phone users aren't idiots. Those who keeps complaining about "it was way better back then" are...
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OMG! Chill, guys. He was only expressing an opinion, not attacking your mother.
kat3k said:
OMG! Chill, guys. He was only expressing an opinion, not attacking your mother.
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Agreed! One thing I really don't understand...why manufacturer's follow apple? Unless apple pays other manufacturers To me it is the same thing if someone jumps from the bridge, then I would be doing it as well. Why not to do the opposite...Apple removed headphone jack, we(android people) keep it. When manufacturers follow apple, it shows users that apple is smart and go ahead buy their products. There are so many manufacturers around the worlds and once a notch on the phone became a thing, many started to copy. Small camera cutout is fine, but not the big notch!
rambo6 said:
Though the Apple has good (not great) hardware, its software is for idiots (this is good because there are so many of them) and its feature set is very weak.
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Apple actually has great hardware. Their SOC is something that Qualcomm just can't match. As for their software, it's not "for idiots". It's for average users that only care about the standard smartphone experience. It's not for enthusiasts. Calling every IPhone user an idiot just shows how dumb YOU are.
rambo6 said:
Removable Battery.
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Get a powerbank. They're cheap enough and occupy basically the same space a spare battery would.
rambo6 said:
Most cell phone manufactures have a great screen. However, somewhere along the way, Samsung decided that a curved screen was a good idea. It’s just a stupid and useless sales gimmick. A flat screen can be easily protected with a case the edges of which extend above the screen. Such a case not only protects the screen but allows one to grip the device without touching the screen.
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There are still plenty of phones with flat screens. I personally like the curve. It's a subjective matter. Just buy a different phone that suits your taste.
rambo6 said:
Most of the cameras on today’s higher end phones are great and they need to be. I’d like to see more optical magnification.
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Sure thing. Would you like a giant, thick, ugly as all hell sensor to go with that?
rambo6 said:
IR Blaster/FM Radio.
These are two features I really miss on phones. I love not having to search for my TV’s remote control. This was a great feature now missing on almost all phones. I guess if Apple doesn’t have it, then no one needs it.
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Apple never had it in the first place (at least the IR blaster) so your reasoning why it was removed is pretty silly. You can buy a universal remote for 3$. As for FM radio, again, a ton of devices still have it. Just buy something that suits you.
Good grief.
Guys, calm down, man expresses his opinion here, it's not illegal
What worries me about Samsung, Samsung should work on a larger battery.
Flagships have smaller batteries, and are mid-priced have larger batteries, the battery on the N10 needed to be bigger (e.g. 4000mAh).
IMO IR-blaster is worthless on a touch device. I want physical buttons I can find and press without having to look at the remote, so good riddance to this feature.
"Cell phone"...that's a word I haven't heard in a while
LMFAO. The list of grievances here is just stupid. I don't give two ****s about removable battery, the goddamn 3.5mm jack is DEAD so get over it, and the rest are really not a problem. You act like features have ONLY been removed all while features like improved cameras, fingerprint reader on-screen, active wake word support for voice assistants, incredible screen improvements, better battery life, and inking support have all been added. You'll clearly never be happy with technology so just stop using it.
I returned my note 10 plus and got a huawei mate 20 x. It's a beast no pen. Better in other regards. 1080p is good enough for me on a phone. Older 4g version.
rambo6 said:
I’ve been in love with electronic gadgets for years. I had the first Palm Pilot and the HTC Blue Angel, a great windows mobile phone with a keyboard. Many of you are probably too young to be familiar with these devices. Each year, and sometimes twice a year, I would get so excited to see the new devices come out sporting new tech. I would buy two new phones a year, usually from Samsung as the new Galaxy S and Note models came out. I HAVE NEVER BEEN AS DISAPPOINTED WITH THE CELL PHONE MANUFACTURERS AS I AM TODAY. Let me explain why.
Apple is one of the most successful cell phone manufacturers. The I-Phone (the I stands for Idiot) has not been successful because of its great design or software; but because so many people were already hooked on the I-Pad and I-Tunes for their music and media. Another feature that has kept Apple high on the sales charts is I-Message. Though the Apple has good (not great) hardware, its software is for idiots (this is good because there are so many of them) and its feature set is very weak. My primary disgust with current phones is that all the Android manufactures are chasing Apple and removing features that made their cell phones great.
Let’s look at some of these features.
Removable Battery.
A phone is no good if the battery is dead. HTC and Samsung started out right with a replaceable battery. The idiot Apple loving pundits in this industry have reported gleefully that the removeable battery is gone forever. I hope not. No matter how fast a cell phone charges, there’s always times when you just don’t have time to charge. There are so many times when you realize your battery is almost dead and you need to be somewhere else NOW. I’m currently using the last of the great phones with a replaceable batter – the LG V20. I am an extremely heavy cell phone user. I have four batteries (one came with the phone) and three chargers. I keep a charged battery in my pocket and two in the chargers. I never have to plug in my phone. For each of my three sets of battery and charger I paid $22. So for $66, I never run out charge.
I laugh when I see others tell me – “Wait, I cannot go yet, my phone’s dead.” The most idiotic thing is Samsung making a phone that can share a charge with others. Who the heck is going to do that? What Samsung and other manufactures should do is sell a charger and battery set direct for $29 or less. They charge $29 for their wireless chargers and you end up needing two or three so you can have one at the office and a couple at home anyways.
One of the most important things about the removeable battery is the ability to extend the life of the phone. The life of batteries decreases after a short period. It’s ridiculous and costly to have to send in your phone to have the battery replaced.
Build Quality/Cellular Connectivity
On any given day, you can find a reviewer of a cellular device touting “build quality.” Are they just stupid or Apple lovers? Samsung’s build quality was berated by reviewers because they had cheap plastic frames and plastic backs on their phones. This cheap plastic was great. The plastic back allowed easy access to the battery, SIM card, and SD card. Furthermore, plastic frames have better cellular connectivity than aluminum frames do. They are also much cheaper to make and are lighter. Most use a phone case to protect their phones anyway.
So because the industry has chased Apple, we Android users have no replaceable battery, no easy access to SIM and SD cards, heavier phones, and a much higher cost – now over $1,000. My Samsung Note 9 is so heavy that I get fatigued just holding it up in bed. The Note 2 made years ago was a masterpiece in terms of manufacture and feel. It was light and had nice curved corners. It felt great in the hand.
Screen & Screen Dimensions.
Most cell phone manufactures have a great screen. However, somewhere along the way, Samsung decided that a curved screen was a good idea. It’s just a stupid and useless sales gimmick. A flat screen can be easily protected with a case the edges of which extend above the screen. Such a case not only protects the screen but allows one to grip the device without touching the screen.
My next screen grip is the narrow screen. We cannot blame this trend on Apple. As I’ve aged, I need to use reading glasses. When the screens were wider (3 inches and above), I could read almost everything without my reading glasses. With my Note 9, I must use my glasses all the time. I have a LG Stylo 3 too. It has a wide screen that is easy for me to read. Also viewing videos on the wider screen is much better for everyone.
I get it that some people have small hands and need a slimmer phone. But there’s lots of people out there with big hands. You’d think that with all the Android phone models designed each year, someone could make a phone for us men. LG, you’ve got a ThinQ line. How about a FatQ line?
Camera.
Most of the cameras on today’s higher end phones are great and they need to be. I’d like to see more optical magnification.
3.5mm Jack.
Samsung, don’t you get it? People want the 3.5mm jack. Yes, they all have Bluetooth headsets. But sometimes you forget to charge them or need to use a wired headset for other purposes. I bought the Note 9 but will NOT be buying the Note 10 primarily due to the lack of a headphone jack.
IR Blaster/FM Radio.
These are two features I really miss on phones. I love not having to search for my TV’s remote control. This was a great feature now missing on almost all phones. I guess if Apple doesn’t have it, then no one needs it.
The FM radio may seem outdated to some. However, us older guys listen to talk radio and a bunch of other stuff that makes us smarter not dumber like the music you listen to on Spotify, etc. Furthermore, FM radio doesn’t suck the life out of the battery like I-Heart radio. What’s really nice about the FM radio is that you can get reception even where you don’t have cell service. This could be important in an emergency where cell service is down. I use the FM radio at our cabin where the cell signal is weak.
FM radio is available on almost all chips my by Qualcomm and Samsung. Yet, many manufacturers, including Google, make their phones so the FM radio is not functional. Shame on them.
Conclusion.
Android phone manufacturers are giving us phones that have less features, are less useful, are heavier and cost more. What’s the advantage of buying a new phone? Is it any wonder that the sales of flagship cell phones are decreasing? Quit chasing Apple and start adding back in real features that add value.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
rambo6 said:
I’ve been in love with electronic gadgets for years. I had the first Palm Pilot and the HTC Blue Angel, a great windows mobile phone with a keyboard. Many of you are probably too young to be familiar with these devices. Each year, and sometimes twice a year, I would get so excited to see the new devices come out sporting new tech. I would buy two new phones a year, usually from Samsung as the new Galaxy S and Note models came out. I HAVE NEVER BEEN AS DISAPPOINTED WITH THE CELL PHONE MANUFACTURERS AS I AM TODAY. Let me explain why.
Apple is one of the most successful cell phone manufacturers. The I-Phone (the I stands for Idiot) has not been successful because of its great design or software; but because so many people were already hooked on the I-Pad and I-Tunes for their music and media. Another feature that has kept Apple high on the sales charts is I-Message. Though the Apple has good (not great) hardware, its software is for idiots (this is good because there are so many of them) and its feature set is very weak. My primary disgust with current phones is that all the Android manufactures are chasing Apple and removing features that made their cell phones great.
Let’s look at some of these features.
Removable Battery.
A phone is no good if the battery is dead. HTC and Samsung started out right with a replaceable battery. The idiot Apple loving pundits in this industry have reported gleefully that the removeable battery is gone forever. I hope not. No matter how fast a cell phone charges, there’s always times when you just don’t have time to charge. There are so many times when you realize your battery is almost dead and you need to be somewhere else NOW. I’m currently using the last of the great phones with a replaceable batter – the LG V20. I am an extremely heavy cell phone user. I have four batteries (one came with the phone) and three chargers. I keep a charged battery in my pocket and two in the chargers. I never have to plug in my phone. For each of my three sets of battery and charger I paid $22. So for $66, I never run out charge.
I laugh when I see others tell me – “Wait, I cannot go yet, my phone’s dead.” The most idiotic thing is Samsung making a phone that can share a charge with others. Who the heck is going to do that? What Samsung and other manufactures should do is sell a charger and battery set direct for $29 or less. They charge $29 for their wireless chargers and you end up needing two or three so you can have one at the office and a couple at home anyways.
One of the most important things about the removeable battery is the ability to extend the life of the phone. The life of batteries decreases after a short period. It’s ridiculous and costly to have to send in your phone to have the battery replaced.
Build Quality/Cellular Connectivity
On any given day, you can find a reviewer of a cellular device touting “build quality.” Are they just stupid or Apple lovers? Samsung’s build quality was berated by reviewers because they had cheap plastic frames and plastic backs on their phones. This cheap plastic was great. The plastic back allowed easy access to the battery, SIM card, and SD card. Furthermore, plastic frames have better cellular connectivity than aluminum frames do. They are also much cheaper to make and are lighter. Most use a phone case to protect their phones anyway.
So because the industry has chased Apple, we Android users have no replaceable battery, no easy access to SIM and SD cards, heavier phones, and a much higher cost – now over $1,000. My Samsung Note 9 is so heavy that I get fatigued just holding it up in bed. The Note 2 made years ago was a masterpiece in terms of manufacture and feel. It was light and had nice curved corners. It felt great in the hand.
Screen & Screen Dimensions.
Most cell phone manufactures have a great screen. However, somewhere along the way, Samsung decided that a curved screen was a good idea. It’s just a stupid and useless sales gimmick. A flat screen can be easily protected with a case the edges of which extend above the screen. Such a case not only protects the screen but allows one to grip the device without touching the screen.
My next screen grip is the narrow screen. We cannot blame this trend on Apple. As I’ve aged, I need to use reading glasses. When the screens were wider (3 inches and above), I could read almost everything without my reading glasses. With my Note 9, I must use my glasses all the time. I have a LG Stylo 3 too. It has a wide screen that is easy for me to read. Also viewing videos on the wider screen is much better for everyone.
I get it that some people have small hands and need a slimmer phone. But there’s lots of people out there with big hands. You’d think that with all the Android phone models designed each year, someone could make a phone for us men. LG, you’ve got a ThinQ line. How about a FatQ line?
Camera.
Most of the cameras on today’s higher end phones are great and they need to be. I’d like to see more optical magnification.
3.5mm Jack.
Samsung, don’t you get it? People want the 3.5mm jack. Yes, they all have Bluetooth headsets. But sometimes you forget to charge them or need to use a wired headset for other purposes. I bought the Note 9 but will NOT be buying the Note 10 primarily due to the lack of a headphone jack.
IR Blaster/FM Radio.
These are two features I really miss on phones. I love not having to search for my TV’s remote control. This was a great feature now missing on almost all phones. I guess if Apple doesn’t have it, then no one needs it.
The FM radio may seem outdated to some. However, us older guys listen to talk radio and a bunch of other stuff that makes us smarter not dumber like the music you listen to on Spotify, etc. Furthermore, FM radio doesn’t suck the life out of the battery like I-Heart radio. What’s really nice about the FM radio is that you can get reception even where you don’t have cell service. This could be important in an emergency where cell service is down. I use the FM radio at our cabin where the cell signal is weak.
FM radio is available on almost all chips my by Qualcomm and Samsung. Yet, many manufacturers, including Google, make their phones so the FM radio is not functional. Shame on them.
Conclusion.
Android phone manufacturers are giving us phones that have less features, are less useful, are heavier and cost more. What’s the advantage of buying a new phone? Is it any wonder that the sales of flagship cell phones are decreasing? Quit chasing Apple and start adding back in real features that add value.
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Click to collapse
A mid spec device will have more of the features you want than the current flagship devices, which are advancing in areas that you don't understand.
How I miss the removable batteries, sd card support, 3.5mm jacks. I hate my iPhone (and newer Android's) but love it too
skally said:
A mid spec device will have more of the features you want than the current flagship devices, which are advancing in areas that you don't understand.
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I do realize that there's more and more tech added to the new flagships, but is it really that useful? Take for instance the new bluetooth stylus or the in screen fingerprint scanner. I do use the stylus of my Note 9 as a remote for the camera, but it's really not as useful as the removable battery or head phone jack. The same goes for the in screen fingerprint scanner. It's cool, but is it necessary. Part of my job is to design products with useful features. The gimmicks the phone designers may be cool and high tech. I hope they keep it up, but they need to develop some high end phones with REALLY USEFUL features. The mid-range phones don't cut it in speed though some come close.
Neo3D said:
I give a **** that he misses the removable battery!
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You must work for Samsung or one of the other phone manufacturers.
rambo6 said:
You must work for Samsung or one of the other phone manufacturers.
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That statement has 0 logic
Neo3D said:
That statement has 0 logic
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You want logic, try this: The reason the new cell phone sales are tanking is because they are too high priced for the features offered.
rambo6 said:
You want logic, try this: The reason the new cell phone sales are tanking is because they are too high priced for the features offered.
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Click to collapse
This statement is a straw man's fallacy
---------- Post added at 03:39 PM ---------- Previous post was at 03:30 PM ----------
Tundrok said:
LMFAO. The list of grievances here is just stupid. I don't give two ****s about removable battery, the goddamn 3.5mm jack is DEAD so get over it, and the rest are really not a problem. You act like features have ONLY been removed all while features like improved cameras, fingerprint reader on-screen, active wake word support for voice assistants, incredible screen improvements, better battery life, and inking support have all been added. You'll clearly never be happy with technology so just stop using it.
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Click to collapse
I do give 10 ****s about not having a removable battery.
This phone has a fast SOC, 12GB RAM, 256GB storage, and 256GB micro SD... You think it will be outdated in 2 years? Of course not and Samsung f?kcing knows that!!!
That is exactly why they sealed in the battery, so when the battery is shot to hell in 2 years, then you'll be forced to upgrade.
As SOCs get even more powerful every year and phones get more and more RAM and storage, this PLANNED OBSOLESCENCE STRATEGY becomes more and more true.
Customers never had to replace their laptops every 2 years. Yet, Samsung and Apple are getting away with forcing people to do this with their $1000-$1500 phones which ironically cost as much as a laptop!
I saw that earlier this morning .. I thought it was funny. I also like that they are starting to promote the Fold. That's usually a good sign.
It's interesting that they haven't been pushing it much at all; I was expecting more for their inaugural outing.
krabman said:
It's interesting that they haven't been pushing it much at all; I was expecting more for their inaugural outing.
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Rather weak. So you can flip it open... is that all you got? Your target market is the woke happy-happy, joy-joy California zombies? wtf?
Like all folds it's biggest claim to fame is also it's greatest liability. From normal physical wear to firmware/software that doesn't properly integrate with the large odd shaped display. Google doesn't even attempt to allay these real concerns.
I would wait 6 months to see how it pans out before buying. Then see what the users not the reviewers are saying.
krabman said:
It's interesting that they haven't been pushing it much at all; I was expecting more for their inaugural outing.
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My guess is that they were waiting till closer to the actual physical release to push it. They probably wanted to see what the pre-order sales from I/O and word-of-mouth would get them before they start pushing it
blackhawk said:
Rather weak. So you can flip it open... is that all you got? Your target market is the woke happy-happy, joy-joy California zombies? wtf?
Like all folds it's biggest claim to fame is also it's greatest liability. From normal physical wear to firmware/software that doesn't properly integrate with the large odd shaped display. Google doesn't even attempt to allay these real concerns.
I would wait 6 months to see how it pans out before buying. Then see what the users not the reviewers are saying.
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Click to collapse
Google worked closely with Samsung on android 12L (for larger screens) and then started to incorporate it in to android 13 and now 14. I think although it won't be as polished as oneui5 it will have most of the software as the z fold(apart from Samsung exclusive). With Google now working with developers hopefully more 3rd party apps will work better on a big screen. Still can't believe Instagram won't scale properly on a folding screen
andy242 said:
Google worked closely with Samsung on android 12L (for larger screens) and then started to incorporate it in to android 13 and now 14. I think although it won't be as polished as oneui5 it will have most of the software as the z fold(apart from Samsung exclusive). With Google now working with developers hopefully more 3rd party apps will work better on a big screen. Still can't believe Instagram won't scale properly on a folding screen
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Click to collapse
Both Google and Samsung since the release of the folds have failed to deliver firmware/software innovations for that format. This lackluster behavior continues. Samsung is a mess right now, the result of 4 plus years of poor leadership.
I don't think Google's doing any better; they've made a mess of Android in my opinion. Both got more than they bargained for with the fold project. It's been a heavy, constant money and resource drain from its inception. No end in sight just promises as their beta product slowly evolves
The whole "it folds" is the same old story, again.
No expandable storage, sky high price points and you know right where it folds is where the trouble will start, sooner rather then latter. They can warranty it but you still lose time screwing with the claim, not having it, then reloading the bloody thing. Repair downtime is not why you buy an expensive flagship phone.
This N10+ has had in its over 8k hours of operation; with one replacement battery done in 1 day, it's only repair (routine maintenance as Li's don't last forever) in almost 4 years. It's last reload was over 3 years ago, no firmware upgrades or updates in all that time.
Minimal maintenance and no malware. Personally I'm sick of Google's constantly changing platform. I don't want to be constantly chasing down gremlins and optimizing new firmware on a stock device.
I've seen a lot of hyperbole in the last 3 years from both Google and Samsung. Sorry fact is they both haven't improved SOT; just slammed bigger, heavier batteries in. 4 year old hardware/firmware shouldn't get better SOT (with a smaller capacity battery) and be nearly as fast in actual usage as a new flagship. Google's insistence on cloud storage vs expandable has became a wretched handicap that reduces reliability, redundancy and eats power needlessly.
Scoped storage is another mess they added.
So yeah, another fold offering. Same old cake with different icing on it with a few new enticing trinkets sprinkled on top. Where it folds will remain it's Achilles heel and continue to cause user issues.
TLDR: This will be my 4th folder, love em. I'd suggest they aren't for you, which is fine; takes all kinds.
As for longevity, I've broken a whole lot of rectangles. I've also had many with firmware issues.
My fold 1 was sketchy, no question about it. The 2 however is still going strong and is currently in the hands of one of my grandkids at almost 3 years old. I wanted a better form factor and switched to the X Fold which is also still going strong at 1 year and change. All of them were dropped, slept on, etc. No kid gloves.
I like the folding form factor. It makes it much easier to format emails and that sort of thing. Enough so that I no longer carry a laptop or tablet with me. It also works well with desktop sites which is my preferred browsing mode. They're great for consuming media. I imagine gaming is problably better but i don't game on the phone so I can't comment on it.
Bottom line with all that is that It isn't just a gimmick. You don't fold it open a few times, the novelty wears off, and you use the front screen after that. It literally makes my portable phone usage better every day, all day. That's what you're missing. The fold out into tablet mode is the game altering paradigm. It needs to do that and nothing more and you already have a win. Software better utilizing it is just the gravy that makes it all taste better.
In many respects you're not wrong though, this phone is one I'd recommend to few people. Right off the bat you need to be an enthusiast or have plenty of discretionary income to swallow the buy-in. It's also early days and better products are coming. Possibly not even a folder, it could be rollables rule the roost in the future. Whatever it is I'll be there because I'm both: I love my gadgets and I'm old and have all the coffee tables a man needs in one life.
krabman said:
My fold 1 was sketchy, no question about it. The 2 however is still going strong and is currently in the hands of one of my grandkids at almost 3 years old. I wanted a better form factor and switched to the X Fold which is also still going strong at 1 year and change. All of them were dropped, slept on, etc. No kid gloves.
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Click to collapse
Was that a test of durability to see exactly how long the Fold 2 will last under the supervision of an 'almost 3 year old'?
At, not an, the subject is the phone, not the granddaughter. Lol. That one came out in the later summer and will be hitting its 3 year mark soon. That granddaughter came out 9 years ago, so past the (more) destructive ages.
krabman said:
TLDR: This will be my 4th folder, love em. I'd suggest they aren't for you, which is fine; takes all kinds.
As for longevity, I've broken a whole lot of rectangles. I've also had many with firmware issues.
My fold 1 was sketchy, no question about it. The 2 however is still going strong and is currently in the hands of one of my grandkids at almost 3 years old. I wanted a better form factor and switched to the X Fold which is also still going strong at 1 year and change. All of them were dropped, slept on, etc. No kid gloves.
I like the folding form factor. It makes it much easier to format emails and that sort of thing. Enough so that I no longer carry a laptop or tablet with me. It also works well with desktop sites which is my preferred browsing mode. They're great for consuming media. I imagine gaming is problably better but i don't game on the phone so I can't comment on it.
Bottom line with all that is that It isn't just a gimmick. You don't fold it open a few times, the novelty wears off, and you use the front screen after that. It literally makes my portable phone usage better every day, all day. That's what you're missing. The fold out into tablet mode is the game altering paradigm. It needs to do that and nothing more and you already have a win. Software better utilizing it is just the gravy that makes it all taste better.
In many respects you're not wrong though, this phone is one I'd recommend to few people. Right off the bat you need to be an enthusiast or have plenty of discretionary income to swallow the buy-in. It's also early days and better products are coming. Possibly not even a folder, it could be rollables rule the roost in the future. Whatever it is I'll be there because I'm both: I love my gadgets and I'm old and have all the coffee tables a man needs in one life.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Apart from both Google and Samsung still not injecting true innovation and functionality that would make full use of the real estate in both firmware and software... there's one nagging little detail.
That being no known plastics or adhesive systems are up to being bent and repeatedly full cycled 0-180° flexed at that acute of an angle. Torsional loading only exacerbates the issue as invariably the display elements bear some of this. The display is not fully isolated like on a laptop.
Flexing both the display's active matrix and some of the pixels means a higher display failure rate over it's lifespan. The fact that there's multiple laminations introduces new stress and wear factors and more complex assembly processes.
A lot more things to go wrong especially if QC is not exceptional.
The design is inherently flawed because on this.
Cool. Sounds like it's not a buy for you; nothing wrong with voting with your wallet.
krabman said:
Cool. Sounds like it's not a buy for you; nothing wrong with voting with your wallet.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I refuse to part with having a dual drive device with up to 1.5tb of storage* and a integrated spen. Not getting anything that gets worse SOT per mAh. I want less downtime and more play time.
*if used right it adds redundancy and flexibility. Every device I own is dual drive. Invariably any that were not caused issues.
blackhawk said:
Apart from both Google and Samsung still not injecting true innovation and functionality that would make full use of the real estate in both firmware and software... there's one nagging little detail.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Even though Google has been the leader in the field of artificial intelligence. Its AI research has led to the development of many new and groundbreaking technologies, such as self-driving cars, machine translation, and image recognition. Google's AI research is helping to shape the future of technology, but it's too bad that they haven't been able to apply that same type of energy towards the OS.
I suppose that Project Butter, Material Design and Project Treble just doesn't seem to compensate for the lusterless of said device.
rodken said:
Even though Google has been the leader in the field of artificial intelligence. Its AI research has led to the development of many new and groundbreaking technologies, such as self-driving cars, machine translation, and image recognition. Google's AI research is helping to shape the future of technology, but it's too bad that they haven't been able to apply that same type of energy towards the OS.
I suppose that Project Butter, Material Design and Project Treble just doesn't seem to compensate for the lusterless of said device.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well that's a cheap shot.
We're not talking about all their vast corporate endeavors, just what applies to this form factor.
So let me help bring it in focus instead of all over the place like the Titan crew...
Google is well known to abandon technologies, products... and leaving the end users boned. Remember that.
Here's a not so glowing review by a user that wanted to see the fold as a viable everyday phone. That didn't go so well.
Aspect ratio continues to be an issue after multiple generations of firmware. Do you buy square computer monitors? Extra display area doesn't mean usable display area. Can't fix that; it is a problem of the actual display dimensions.
Apps that display on one or both displays continue to not fully utilize the real estate available to them. How many developers are going to want to make special apps for this niche market when even Google and Samsung have trouble doing it?
It's been a bottomless money sinkhole for Samsung that's diverted huge amounts of revenue from their other flagship lines for years.
Current sales still don't justify it. I think it's no coincidence that the N10+ was their zenith point.
After that project Samsung became increasingly fragmented and the fold project exacerbated this exponentially. Consequences.
blackhawk said:
Well that's a cheap shot.
We're not talking about all their vast corporate endeavors, just what applies to this form factor.
So let me help bring it in focus instead of all over the place like the Titan crew...
Google is well known to abandon technologies, products... and leaving the end users boned. Remember that.
Here's a not so glowing review by a user that wanted to see the fold as a viable everyday phone. That didn't go so well.
Aspect ratio continues to be an issue after multiple generations of firmware. Do you buy square computer monitors? Extra display area doesn't mean usable display area. Can't fix that; it is a problem of the actual display dimensions.
Apps that display on one or both displays continue to not fully utilize the real estate available to them. How many developers are going to want to make special apps for this niche market when even Google and Samsung have trouble doing it?
It's been a bottomless money sinkhole for Samsung that's diverted huge amounts of revenue from their other flagship lines for years.
Current sales still don't justify it. I think it's no coincidence that the N10+ was their zenith point.
After that project Samsung became increasingly fragmented and the fold project exacerbated this exponentially. Consequences.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I suppose that at the end of the day, the foldable market will find a small group of admirers and/or enthusiasts who might find such devices feasible in the world of daily driving.
rodken said:
I suppose that at the end of the day, the foldable market will find a small group of admirers and/or enthusiasts who might find such devices feasible in the world of daily driving.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't have high expectations. Samsung blew the roll out years ago. Most of the same issues persist although they fixed the hinge. I expect a flagship to last, be usable for years and to stay in excellent condition if properly cared for. If so the only repair should be the Li every 1-3 years.
Because of it's square unfolded form factor some format issues can't be resolved.