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Opinions on Nexus 5 vs Note 3

I'm going to try and not sound like another "vs." thread but I'm genuinely curious about an N5. I had an N4 before upgrading to a Note 3 and after a few months I'm just not happy with the size of it (that's what she said). It just doesn't feel natural using this phone one-handed even after all this time. Also the ROM support for me is lacking (particularly PA which I dearly miss).
How many of you guys have tried both devices? Should I bother getting an N5 or should I wait for whatever is next that Google reveals? If there's one thing I'm leery on is the battery life. I do a lot of on site troubleshooting and I'm constantly hammering my battery with navigating and looking things up and this Note 3 holds up admirably. Can I expect the same out of the N5?
Sent from my hlte using XDA Free mobile app

I have a Note 3 Neo which is not too dissimilar to the flagship model. I switched to Nexus 5 and I couldn't be happier. It's not perfect for one handed use, but it's a lot more comfortable to hold than the Neo.
I can't really attest to the battery life because I've been using Franco kernel from day 1 without any noticeable battery worries. Neo probably lasted a bit longer but since you have the flagship with a better battery, the difference might be a bit more noticeable.
The Nexus community has the most active and innovative development I've come across. I used the Moto X before the Note 3, and despite all the praise it receives, I prefer the Nexus 5 much more because of all the modding options it offers.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I've had a Note prier to the G2 and now N5.
For me N5 is everything that I want in phone, it would hurt if it would be let's say 5.3" that's my ideal size, but I really don't miss more screen that much. Only on the day's I see my father heavy using his Note 3, or my mother with her G2.
The reason I was not happy with the Note 3, was because I've got tiered of hardware buttons and always weird noise making homescreen button (I have such luck that all of mine past Samsungs had something weird going on with the home button - or it's just me being paranoid )
Anyway the battery on Note is decent it gets me trough the day with normal to heavy usage ( without games ) when the Note would run on the same pace for a day and 3-5 hours more.
For me it was at first an easy jump to the G2 because of no hardware buttons, and then form the G2 to N5 because im just a phone junkie and I love pure experience, fast device, and everything open source out of the box. While G2 was near perfect after flashing PA or CM on it.. that was still not it, for me at least. N5 is a beast and since I'm using it there is no "devil" in me looking out for some other phone.
Well maybe the iphone, but I've owned 3gs and 4.. and I got bored the same week lol.
For you I would suggest G2 is the perfect option, it has the same if not better battery then N5 (I'm not joking) and Lg skin is not that bad as Samsungs.. but it's not better either.
G2 + dormiax (or what is the name of kernel) + cm, mahdi, or PA and you will be one happy camper!

Guys, we do not allow comparison threads... thread closed

New Phone time.

Well I've had my nexus 5 since late 2013.
wow is it that long :laugh:
New phone time
Choices are
Nexus 6
Note 4
LG G Flex 2
Nexus 6
Pro's
Pure regular updates Android by Google
Good specs, motorola build quality
Con's
the size
Encryption as stock
fixed storage
Fixed battery
Note 4
Pro's
Quality phone once de-bloated and TW laucher has been replaced.
user replaceable battery
expandable storage
Con's
Still a bit big
not pure android
Some samsung bloat
LG G Flex 2
Pro's
Top spec CPU
smaller 5.5 size
expandable storage
Toughest of the 3
Con's
Fixed battery
LG's records up updates
Unsure of its weird looks
Some reports of overheating CPU on bloated carrier test phones
So, forgetting the size, how are fresh Nexus 6's running 5.1 with Encryption on vs the Nexus 5?

Really awesome, haven't noticed the slightest of lags! But I might just be lucky :good:

The nexus 6 is a good device. However the rest you listed are also good. It's just preference. You will be used to the size in a matter of days. Try then out when you get to a store I'd say?

Yeah you don't even notice the size after a few days.

Nackers to it, nexus 6 is ordered
Should be here Thursday/Friday.

There will always be something new and shiny. The Galaxy S6 almost makes me wish I would have waited a little longer before using my JUMP upgrade. Almost. The camera on that thing is amazing... and the display is a thing of beauty. Don't get me wrong, though... the 1440p Nexus 6 display is pretty damn gorgeous and the camera takes pretty damn good pictures still.
I've had every Nexus phone so far (except the 4) and I always go back to the Nexus devices. I had the Epic 4G, HTC EVO, Galaxy SII, and others... but I still kept selling them and getting the latest Nexus. Having a whole world of custom ROMs, kernels, theme options, and more... or even just pure vanilla Android goodness without any bloat... knowing that you're always going to get the newest OS before anyone else... it's hard to want any other phone.

Who came from a note 4

I want to know if you enjoyed the switch or did you like the note 4 better. Pros and cons

curly9 said:
I want to know if you enjoyed the switch or did you like the note 4 better. Pros and cons
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I came from the note 4 , loved that phone, and I have to say this phone is way better, I got tired of the size in my pocket . That was my biggest problem with note 4, sure I liked having the SD card and re movable bigger battery but I'll be honest with ya I'm not missing it one bit. I got a 64 gig black edge. The battery in the edge is doing great , I'm always by a charger if I need it and it literally charges to 100 in it feels like 30 minutes. Cell service is on par in my area with the note 4 also .
Really enjoying a smaller lighter phone tbh .

I am pretty sure I wanted it because of a spur of the moment the only other device I can't wait for is the g4

Sup did you pick up an edge or already have one? What do you think of it?

Yes I have the edge I do like it a lot. Just love to switch phones

I had the note and just about any other phone you could think of (see sig lol). I have to say that I'm extremely happy. I loved the note 4, but the size was exhausting after 3 phablet runs. I didn't realize how much I missed a "normal" phone.
Here are things note 4 had that I found workarounds for:
S Note, Photo Note - Can install apps via Galaxy App Store
Microsd - Dash Micro http://www.amazon.com/Dash-Micro-MicroSD-Android-USB-MicroUSB/dp/B00RA0B39A
External Battery - Wireless charger at desk or Zero Lemon battery case
This phone is lightning fast, faster than the Note 4 by far. This phone is way more ergonomic, has better materials, is better looking, and has a cleaner design. Add in features like the theme store, built in pop up sms, the same multitasking ability as note line and pop out apps, and this phone just kills everything. That includes the Note 4.

commandocon said:
I came from the note 4 , loved that phone, and I have to say this phone is way better, I got tired of the size in my pocket . That was my biggest problem with note 4, sure I liked having the SD card and re movable bigger battery but I'll be honest with ya I'm not missing it one bit. I got a 64 gig black edge. The battery in the edge is doing great , I'm always by a charger if I need it and it literally charges to 100 in it feels like 30 minutes. Cell service is on par in my area with the note 4 also .
Really enjoying a smaller lighter phone tbh .
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Click to collapse
note 4 all day!!

I have a note edge and a 64gb s6 edge... I love the s6 but I miss the note screen size... haven't decided which one I'm going to keep
Sent from my SM-N915V using Xparent Green Tapatalk 2

I came from Note 4. The ONLY thing I really miss is the size. The Note 4 was the best phone I've ever owned. I've had basically every flagship the last 4 years. I was planning on changing to the G4, but not now. This phone is the smoothest I've ever owned. I will upgrade in Sept to Note 5, or possibly G4 Note if rumors are true.

Considering upgrade to Note 4

I've had my Note 2 for 3.5 years now and I still like it but have recently been trying to decide whether it's time to move on and get something newer.
I think the only phone that I'd really consider is the Note 4 (the 5 isn't available in the UK ). I'd probably be looking at paying the same for an 18 month old phone as I did when I got my N2 (£30/m) and I got that the same month it was released.
Is it much of an upgrade over the Note 2 and does it still hold its own against newer phones released? I like the S Pen and screen size otherwise I might consider something else. Or I could just keep my N2 for another year.

Chrissssssss said:
I've had my Note 2 for 3.5 years now and I still like it but have recently been trying to decide whether it's time to move on and get something newer.
I think the only phone that I'd really consider is the Note 4 (the 5 isn't available in the UK ). I'd probably be looking at paying the same for an 18 month old phone as I did when I got my N2 (£30/m) and I got that the same month it was released.
Is it much of an upgrade over the Note 2 and does it still hold its own against newer phones released? I like the S Pen and screen size otherwise I might consider something else. Or I could just keep my N2 for another year.
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note 4 is a great phone, but if i were u i would wait or consider upgrading to s7 edge

From Note 2? Its a HUGE upgrade dude. For almost everything. Just compare the specs in GSMA, and its easy. Some things though can't be reflected on specs, and even in those areas its a huge upgrade. Just go for it.

I went from Note 2 to Note 4, and it was almost everything I hoped. Custom roms aren't as previlent, is the only downside, but cm13 is coming along nicely.

It's a huge upgrade
Sent from my SM-N910T using Tapatalk

If software and half ass fingerprint reader isn't a problem, Note 4 is perfect and can still go toe to toe with current flagships.

whshkhalid said:
note 4 is a great phone, but if i were u i would wait or consider upgrading to s7 edge
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Wait for what? The S7 edge is a silly price and I don't really see much use for the edge display. And I'd use a case that would cover it up anyway.

ithehappy said:
From Note 2? Its a HUGE upgrade dude. For almost everything. Just compare the specs in GSMA, and its easy. Some things though can't be reflected on specs, and even in those areas its a huge upgrade. Just go for it.
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Thanks. If it lasts as long as my Note 2 has I'll be happy. I think I'll go for it

Last September did the same,had my note 2 for about 2,5 years. Gave note 2 to my wife and then compared with my note 4. Note 4 is much pretier and with better feel on the hand, the screen is a big difference,when we put side by side the qHD beats the hell out of the HD. Note 4 is of course faster,the camera is awesome. The only downside its the fingerprint reader,it fails me 4 out of 10. I rooted and wear lots of custom roms on the note 2. When oassed to my wife went with a note 4 port rom,but now on note 4 haven't felt the need to root,i like the stock and abilities of spen and stuff,that's why i bought the note series,so why would i change. I advise you to buy it. You will notice the change. I will only upgrade from note 4 when we have a newer note with foldable display or something really new,otherwise not worth it,they just make some tiny spec upgrade.

GPS is a let down on note 4 my only gripe

Had my note 4 for almost 2 years, use is as Sat Nav for almost all my journeys. battery is great and just got better with software update. I had one issue with my simcard reader but samsung sent someone to collect my phone and i had it back all working in a new housing with new battery and usb cable within a week. My next upgrade is hopefully going to be the note 6 if it has SD card support, if not then ill stick with my trusty note 4

sutty86 said:
GPS is a let down on note 4 my only gripe
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Here works fone and fast

The only thing I really miss from Note 2 is the FM radio receiver. There is also a question of size (the Note 4 is a bit taller and it shows when in pocket), durability (the plastic Note 2 held better the few dints and scratches than the metal Note 4) and the access to microSD card (blame Lollipop).
That said, it is a huge upgrade on most areas and a fantastic handset with both removable battery (I keep a spare always charged for a 2-minute 0% to 100%) and microSD card (to keep all those beautiful photos and videos it can capture and record, while also keeping a ton of media). The screen is beautiful and the quick charging ability is also of notice (for when you forget to bring the spare battery). The speaker is almost as week as the Note 2's, but it has great sound when coupled with decent headphones. For gaming, the Game Tuner app helps getting the balance between a good visual experience, frame rates and battery life (you just need to manually adjust the parameters). The S-Pen suite is also improved and the pen itself is leaps and bounds better (it comes with two spare tips as hard as the ones on Note 2 if you really want it).
Just go for it if you can't wait for Note 6 next September and are a Note fan.

Thanks everyone.
I hope I don't get GPS issues with the Note 4 and I do use that quite a lot on my Note 2. Is that something that shows up straight away if there's a problem or goes wrong after time?
I probably could wait 6 months but I'd have to wait 6 more after that as I'd probably renue my SIM only deal for another year if I kept the N2. Think I'll make the jump now. Very surprised there's nothing really catching my eye after 3.5 years.
Interestingly (maybe) EE don't actually sell the Note 4 directly anymore but loads of online places sell it with an EE contract.
I rarely use the FM radio on my phone so don't think I'll miss that. Is the SD card access the same as on a Lollipop CM ROM on this phone? And is Marshmallow out for the N4?

And spare tips for the pen sounds good. My daughter bit the end off my pen so I had to buy a new one

So The Note 4, it's excellent, the Camera rocks and removable battery and sdCard.
The s7 edge? From a Note? Don't do it - I did The s6edge+ fantastic, kept The Note.
You'll love it. Or wait for this years Note6 of that's an option.
The Note4 remains a fabulous phone.
Sent from my LG-H818 using XDA Premium HD app

Chrissssssss said:
And spare tips for the pen sounds good. My daughter bit the end off my pen so I had to buy a new one
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I dont have any gps issues,marsmallow already came out for spring variant so ours should have it soon. And mine came with 3 black tips and 2 white ones and a small plier to exchange it. And again believe in me i also changed N2 for N4 and i never regretted or felt disappointed

Chrissssssss said:
Thanks everyone.
I hope I don't get GPS issues with the Note 4 and I do use that quite a lot on my Note 2. Is that something that shows up straight away if there's a problem or goes wrong after time?
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I don't get the GPS issues on my phone either. Although GLONASS accessibility is an exclusively available thing in India. But if I remember right, Note 2 indeed was faster to have sat locks, I mean I don't remember much, cause its 3 years since I have used the Note 2 but it was almost instant outside and even in indoor it was 30 seconds if not less. This Note 4 on other hand takes around 30-60 seconds for outside lock sometimes for me (especially when my data is off), and in indoor in takes around a couple of minutes (again, if Data or WiFi is off). What I gather from these new phones is that they depend on your A-GPS setting quite a lot, which I don't think was the case with Note 2. In any case its no deal breaker at all. Just a little more waiting time, that's all. Accuracy is immaculate, far better than Note 2 anyway
In any case if problem should happen then there's an app called TopNTP, do install that, it made my otherwise half dead GPS response of my Note 3, somewhat half-awake. They keep some special NTP servers or something. Nifty app.
Chrissssssss said:
And is Marshmallow out for the N4?
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Click to collapse
Yes, for ONE carrier, in ONE country, Sprint or something. But I am sure the international release will happen soon.

Well my Note 4 has now been ordered. Got an email asking me to ring to give them some extra info or something but they're shut now.
Excited now No other phones I want, Note 5 not available over here (and no SD card ), Note 6 (if it does come to the UK) will probably be silly price, and I'm sure I'll be happy with the Note 4.
Thanks everyone

I got a note 4 off my brother and love it. It's quick, reliable and good battery life considering its nearly 2 years old.
Should you consider it is another question.
Pros:
Screen on par with most new phones, enough power and battery life is good enough considering the screen size and remember this was one of the first with qhd. Has everything the new Samsung phones have.
Cons - it's not 64bit and marshmallow update will probably be the last official update. There are only few custom roms which are up to date although you do have cm13 roms out there is you decide to give up on the spen features. If you looking to future proof yourself I would probably get a note 6 or find a note 5 on ebay. At least that way you'll get android n and more chances of newer custom roms.
If you not all interested in the updates you should definitely consider a note 4(there are note 5 ports which make your feel newer and echoerom online is excellent). Looks good and performance is as good as you can get out there. Plus it's a lot better than the note 2.

Nexus 6 or Note 4?

Hey guys,
I just sent my note 7 back and I need a "new" phone. :crying: I am using the G5 atm but I am not a fan of it and will return it.
So now I am on the fence between these two phones. I just need a good, reliable one to tide me over till the s8 comes out.
Which one should I get? I could get either one new for like 300.
I am leaning towards the Nexus 6 since the Note 4 isn't being updated anymore.
The only thing that bothers me is the lack of an Sd slot but I can live without that.
What do you think? Nexus 6 or Note 4?
Thank you for your help

If you're familiar with the Note 7, going with the Note 4 might be best, since you're likely used to using the S-Pen. However, as you note there isn't any more support for it, even though I'm sure custom ROMs can take up some of the slack.
Is the S-Pen more important than the Nexus 6 receiving an update to Android 7.1 in the near future?

There are two versions of the Note 4, the Exynos one and the Snapdragon one. There are no custom roms for the Exynos.
Sent from my Nexus 6 running Nougat using Tapatalk

@istperson: True about Exynos, and I admit forgetting that. However he should answer, at least for himself, the question I asked above. If the S-Pen is more important than updates, he'll want a Note 4. Otherwise he'll want a Nexus 6.

I have to say the N6 is a great phone in my opinion. It's fast and the stock ROM is pure android. You get nougat too if that's important to you. Plenty of ROMS to play around with. I'm running pure nexus 6.0.1. from August and it's damn near perfect. The screen is large and the dual front speakers sound good. Quickcharge is great if you use it alot. Wireless charging is pretty much crap. Lack of SD card sucks. It's heavy and huge. For gaming it's great and battery life is good (not great). It can be had on Swappa for around $175 if you want to save some money. I've long been a gadget geek and part of that is me swapping phones often. I've had many different ones, but I can't seem to find something that justifies giving up the N6. I really want to buy a new phone but the N6 is so good, I can't seem to find something that is worth spending more money on.

N6 hands down....come get ya some Nougat!

Nexus 6 hand down, the repair shop I help manage have been getting the n6 for less than 200. I got our sales guy to get one, and now he and I have convinced over 10 people to buy them this month nexus 6s to people in the last month. We are getting 4 more in to sell as well lol People see my phone and they love it!

Thanks for all your replies, guys! I seriously appreciate all the input. I am going to get the Nexus 6 used first, and my colleague will let me borrow his old Note 4. I will update back later on which device I decided for permanently

So I just got the Nexus 6 and the Note 4. I was immediately more impressed by the N6. It's so huge and looks so amazing. I also just downloaded Nougat. I feel like the Nexus charges faster than the Note. I am gonna pop a sim card in and use both phones for the next week.

rivethead23 said:
I have to say the N6 is a great phone in my opinion. It's fast and the stock ROM is pure android. You get nougat too if that's important to you. Plenty of ROMS to play around with. I'm running pure nexus 6.0.1. from August and it's damn near perfect. The screen is large and the dual front speakers sound good. Quickcharge is great if you use it alot. Wireless charging is pretty much crap. Lack of SD card sucks. It's heavy and huge. For gaming it's great and battery life is good (not great). It can be had on Swappa for around $175 if you want to save some money. I've long been a gadget geek and part of that is me swapping phones often. I've had many different ones, but I can't seem to find something that justifies giving up the N6. I really want to buy a new phone but the N6 is so good, I can't seem to find something that is worth spending more money on.
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I use a 3 coil wireless charger and have had no issues. Yes it charges slower, it also keeps the USB port from getting banged up that much faster.

So I am ending my project prematurely. The Note 4 is hella laggy and just pure **** software wise. I bet it would run flawlessly if Samsung supported it but I don't have the nerve to deal with this overheating, laggy mess.
The Nexus 6 is really nice, the only thing that bothers me is the awful front camera, the kinda average battery life and the below average rear camera.
I really like Nougat and I think the Nexus 6 runs flawlessly. I wish Google would extend the OS updates. It's marvelous. I love the huge screen. I regret not getting this phone earlier lol. It feels so good having the latest Android.

I had both, Nexus 6 HANDS DOWN!
I just switched from the Note 4 (snapdragon) to Nexus 6.
First off, 2 years ago i was deciding between these two devices and I chose the note 4 because I didn't want to give up the s pen or and the LED notification light. However as android evolved from kitkat to marshmallow, I ran into major problems with rooting. Note 4 ran best on kitkat. Once I went lolipop I had to disable SecurityLogAgent via systemapp remover in order to salvage my root otherwise knox would bootloop. I also found that once I went MM, I ran into some pretty big problems such as mmc read fail errors, boot loops, screen not waking up, the list goes on. I bought a few new batteries as well to rule out that possibility. Now some of these could have been hardware related as I did wipe out on my bike quite a few times with the phone in my pocket (otterbox commuter case), but from what I've been reading, I wasn't the only note 4 user with these issues. I honestly believe the knox bootloader and knox software deliberately screws up your device if you root. It got to the point where I smashed my note 4. My note 4 wouldn't even wake up and activate my alarm clock, to wake me up! unreliable! No matter what I tried, even running it on bone stock, the same problems kept happening. I did not bother downgrading back to loli, or kitkat because I wanted to keep the latest security updates.
Performance & First Impressions
I got the Nexus 6 as a temporary phone since I was considering going Asus Zenfone 3 Ultra. Yet once I held the Nexus 6, and analyzed how it is bone stock, I instantly fell in love with the device. I like the slight bulk at the back of the phone which adds a good feel in my hand. I don't like thin phones. They are very slippery. A plus to Motorola for this ergonomic design. Good weight and a great feel.
Not only are the direct OTA updates from google so CLEAN, but you get the latest of the latest! Android 7 Nougat is bloody amazing!!! holy %#$#$^%! You can't get any cleaner stock rom than the google OTA releases. Literally half a page of apps installed in your app drawer.
The true beauty of this device is how easy it is to root/modify/customize. Once you unlock the bootloader, you're good to go. No knox or any 3rd party app screwing with your stuff.
Both are snapdragon 805 but the Nexus is clocked way higher. The Nexus also has a better screen. Larger, higher PPI and I think it's brighter too. Front facing stereo speakers are quite nice. The little speaker on the back of the note 4 is no comparison. Games run better on the Nexus 6 due to a higher clocked CPU.
With root, you can activate the hidden LED notification light behind the top speaker. You cant get it to blink though, but I'm okay with a solid light.
So what does the Note 4 have over the Nexus 6?
Note 4 battery life is definitely better. Note 4 camera is also better. Nexus 6 has zero image stabilization. The Note 4 also has external storage (micro SD slot) where the Nexus 6 relies on 32gb (or 64gb model) internal storage only plus whatever space you have on your google drive. Note 4 has removable back, easier to replace the battery although it isn't too hard to do on the Nexus 6.
Repairing
I've taken my Note 4 apart at least 3 times and boy what an annoying task it is. You see, samsung designs their phones in ways where if the user attempts to open them, you risk severely damaging your samsung phone. The older samsung models didn't have this problem. For the note 4, you risk tearing a a few ribbons and your antenna if you don't pry the screen from the bezel properly and very carefully. You have to know where these ribbons are prior to opening the Note 4. Note 4 screen replacement is also very annoying and you need new adhesive to re-seat the screen properly after disassembly. So basically, You really don't want to take your Note 4 apart unless you really have to.
The Nexus 6 however, is super easy. The back is just a sticker held by adhesive. Once that comes off it's just like the older phone designs. After few screws you have easy access to the battery, and very easy screen replacement. The only ribbon you have to worry about when prying off the back sticker is the one connected to the battery. You have to be in pretty deep to hit it though in my opinion.
Conclusion
When I was choosing between these two devices two years ago, I should have gone with the Nexus 6 instead, period. I plan to use a custom kernel with CPU governor in attempts to de-clock the CPU for certain profiles in order to gain more battery life. Nexus 6 battery life is quite bad within heavy usage. Other than that, the Nexus 6 is the best power-user phablet you could possibly own as of this day.

@d4ndr0id: A few screws? Try 22 of them.

Strephon Alkhalikoi said:
@d4ndr01d: A few screws? Try 22 of them.
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I laughed when I read that, especially that 4 screws got stripped when I was taking them out. Luckily a t4 bit was able to get them out easily. I haven't really had any problems with Samsung screws getting stripped when I repair them at work.

I have both phones, both with root access/unlocked bootloaders. I switch between the two frequently mainly because the Note 4 has better cameras and wifi calling (Verizon) and the Nexus has no wifi calling (for Verizon). I live in an area with very low signal and drop calls often.
But with that said, I use the N6 most mainly because it "feels" faster to me. The Note 4 is a fantastic phone though and I would be perfectly fine using it, especially now that it has an unlocked bootloader.