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Galaxy note 5 is the new Windows 8

I've owned Samsung galaxy Notes 2,3 and 4 but for the first time I'm going to give this next edition a miss.
No SD card or removable battery is like Windows 8 without the start button and will IMHO prove to be a similar disaster for Samsung.
However, it's not just this as the specs feel more like a downgrade and a stop-gap, the equivalent of a Note 4s.
So I'm in the market for a new phone from a different manufacturer and looking around at what's coming up.
Hopefully they'll 'take note' (pardon the pun) for Note 6!

Galaxaster said:
I've owned Samsung galaxy Notes 2,3 and 4 but for the first time I'm going to give this next edition a miss.
No SD card or removable battery is like Windows 8 without the start button and will IMHO prove to be a similar disaster for Samsung.
However, it's not just this as the specs feel more like a downgrade and a stop-gap, the equivalent of a Note 4s.
So I'm in the market for a new phone from a different manufacturer and looking around at what's coming up.
Hopefully they'll 'take note' (pardon the pun) for Note 6!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Lets wait until Unpacked before the "Samsung is going down/doomed/Note 5 sucks etc..." parade.
People posting around here like they have already used a Note 5 when we do not know the final spec yet and what else it may bring.

POLO_i780 said:
Lets wait until Unpacked before the "Samsung is going down/doomed/Note 5 sucks etc..." parade.
People posting around here like they have already used a Note 5 when we do not know the final spec yet and what else it may bring.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not sure under which rock you live but it has been raining and Samsung's roof is leaking. We already know that it's going to be using a 1440p screen, 4Gb DDR4 ram, Exynos 7422 SoC, same camera as the S6, and the same NAND as well. The only "new" thing they are going to introduce has something to do with audio quality. So no sd-card nor swappable battery. Note 5 is also going to be sporting the same ****ty touchwiz version as the S6/S6 Edge, that is even more flawed than the version for the Note 4 considering it is running on better hardware yet somehow performs worse.

Toss3 said:
Not sure under which rock you live but it has been raining and Samsung's roof is leaking. We already know that it's going to be using a 1440p screen, 4Gb DDR4 ram, Exynos 7422 SoC, same camera as the S6, and the same NAND as well. The only "new" thing they are going to introduce has something to do with audio quality. So no sd-card nor swappable battery. Note 5 is also going to be sporting the same ****ty touchwiz version as the S6/S6 Edge, that is even more flawed than the version for the Note 4 considering it is running on better hardware yet somehow performs worse.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No I haven't, but calling a phone that you have not used yet ****ty and so on is not exactly smart. The specs don't tell the whole story and it may have many improvements over the S6 and Edge in its TW by the time it gets released.
Unless you have played with a fully functional retail unit of the Note 5, I'd suggest reserving judgement.
Like I said, people acting like they have already used a Note 5 without knowing everything about it. A lot can be changed between now and release, especially in terms of software.

POLO_i780 said:
No I haven't, but calling a phone that you have not used yet ****ty and so on is not exactly smart. The specs don't tell the whole story and it may have many improvements over the S6 and Edge in its TW by the time it gets released.
Unless you have played with a fully functional retail unit of the Note 5, I'd suggest reserving judgement.
Like I said, people acting like they have already used a Note 5 without knowing everything about it. A lot can be changed between now and release, especially in terms of software.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There are leaks everywhere and even if the software is improved it's not going to matter considering android m is launching later this year, as the note 5 won't get the update until much later. The S7 is going to sport Samsung custom core SoC so support for the note 5 is going to be even shorter (note 6 being a larger version of the s7). Oh I also forgot to mention that the note 5 is going to have a SMALLER battery than the Note 4 (3000mAh) and no IR blaster.
I'd wager the note 5 is going to be Samsung worst selling galaxy device ever.

Toss3 said:
There are leaks everywhere and even if the software is improved it's not going to matter considering android m is launching later this year, as the note 5 won't get the update until much later. The S7 is going to sport Samsung custom core SoC so support for the note 5 is going to be even shorter (note 6 being a larger version of the s7). Oh I also forgot to mention that the note 5 is going to have a SMALLER battery than the Note 4 (3000mAh) and no IR blaster.
I'd wager the note 5 is going to be Samsung worst selling galaxy device ever.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well if the rumours are correct and the Note 5 has a limited release, then yes it will not sell the way others have, that is pretty obvious.
Oh wow, speaking of Note 6 already, you and I do not know how the mobile industry will be next year, Samsung may just have to change direction with the Note 6, maybe even make a diff. variant of it as they did Note Edge. Again, a few specs do not tell the story.
We are in 2015, yet people are as closed minded as they were decades ago.

POLO_i780 said:
Well if the rumours are correct and the Note 5 has a limited release, then yes it will not sell the way others have, that is pretty obvious.
Oh wow, speaking of Note 6 already, you and I do not know how the mobile industry will be next year, Samsung may just have to change direction with the Note 6, maybe even make a diff. variant of it as they did Note Edge. Again, a few specs do not tell the story.
We are in 2015, yet people are as closed minded as they were decades ago.
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Click to collapse
I dont think its close mindedness, but more like a major letdown to the fans of the Note series.
Aside from the s pen, folks loved the note for its flexibility in storage, and its ease of using it for days with spare batteries and such. Sure the giant screen was part of it, but those other things turned out to be important parts of what made the note series such a "cult" hit..
Now, with alot of those things disappearing, its easy to understand why so many folks are going to abandon the Note series.
It doesnt mean they are closed minded, they are just upset that some of the major features that kept them coming back to the Note series wont be there any more.
And you cant blame people for that..

wase4711 said:
I dont think its close mindedness, but more like a major letdown to the fans of the Note series.
Aside from the s pen, folks loved the note for its flexibility in storage, and its ease of using it for days with spare batteries and such. Sure the giant screen was part of it, but those other things turned out to be important parts of what made the note series such a "cult" hit..
Now, with alot of those things disappearing, its easy to understand why so many folks are going to abandon the Note series.
It doesnt mean they are closed minded, they are just upset that some of the major features that kept them coming back to the Note series wont be there any more.
And you cant blame people for that..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There are now cases that can bring MicroSD support and so on, but I say lets wait and see what happens at Unpacked.
These rumours have gone up and down, 1st it had a 4100mAh battery and now its 3000mAh, some report Exynos 7422 and others 7420, but I guess the 7422 will be international and 7420 will be USA. Some report the Dual Sim variant will have a MicroSD slot yet the S6 Duos never had a MicroSD slot, and then there's the software which can be subject to major change between now and release.
What I am saying is, leave your mind open up until Unpacked. I remember last year when everyone was convinced we would get a Galaxy S5 Prime with metal build, instead we got a Note Edge.
EDIT:
Another rumour
https://www.thegioididong.com/tin-tuc/thong-so-ky-thuat-cua-galaxy-note-5-va-s6-edge-plus-681235
Claiming:
4100mAh battery
32GB internal with MicroSD support
AND IR Blaster
LOL, Unpacked must just come and put and end to this madness.

Losing the SD card and replaceable battery is bad enough IMO
Sent from my SM-N910V using Tapatalk

Toss3 said:
There are leaks everywhere and even if the software is improved it's not going to matter considering android m is launching later this year, as the note 5 won't get the update until much later. The S7 is going to sport Samsung custom core SoC so support for the note 5 is going to be even shorter (note 6 being a larger version of the s7). Oh I also forgot to mention that the note 5 is going to have a SMALLER battery than the Note 4 (3000mAh) and no IR blaster.
I'd wager the note 5 is going to be Samsung worst selling galaxy device ever.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You said the Note 5 was going to have a smaller battery than the Note 4, at 3000mAh, yet as is typical of rumors, they conflict, I up you one with a very recent image of a Note 5 retail box that claims 4100mAh battery:
http://www.phonearena.com/news/Is-this-the-box-for-the-Samsung-Galaxy-Note-5_id72423
This is my problem with prejudging before a phone is even announced, I am still unsure what to believe. You had already made your mind up that it is a 3000mAh battery, due to another rumor. There have been multiple rumors that claim either 3000mAh or 4100mAh, and I also posted a link of a spec sheet which claimed IR Blaster, but another rumor claimed no IR Blaster, and we are not even sure if the Note 5 images we have been seeing are not early prototypes.
I cannot understand how people can draw a conclusion based solely on rumors. One thing it does do is keep the stock market an interesting place though, I've made and lost money due to rumors, lol.

Well, I don't think going from the sd805 to the exynos 7420/7422 is a minor upgrade (considering how fast the s6 with it is)

So much hate for a device not yet released. If you don't like it don't buy it, simple as....

POLO_i780 said:
You said the Note 5 was going to have a smaller battery than the Note 4, at 3000mAh, yet as is typical of rumors, they conflict, I up you one with a very recent image of a Note 5 retail box that claims 4100mAh battery:
http://www.phonearena.com/news/Is-this-the-box-for-the-Samsung-Galaxy-Note-5_id72423
This is my problem with prejudging before a phone is even announced, I am still unsure what to believe. You had already made your mind up that it is a 3000mAh battery, due to another rumor. There have been multiple rumors that claim either 3000mAh or 4100mAh, and I also posted a link of a spec sheet which claimed IR Blaster, but another rumor claimed no IR Blaster, and we are not even sure if the Note 5 images we have been seeing are not early prototypes.
I cannot understand how people can draw a conclusion based solely on rumors. One thing it does do is keep the stock market an interesting place though, I've made and lost money due to rumors, lol.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well the 3000mAh was a bit of a stretch even for samsung, but that doesn't mean the Note 5 is going to be anything but a large S6. My issue though with samsung has nothing to do with the hardware, but with how Samsung treats their customers; I know that they don't guarantee any updates, but they should have figured out by now that people always want the latest updates along with the latest interface (that's why people keep buying iPhones). It's just a shame to see samsung making the same mistakes over and over again letting Apple walk all over them (Android as a whole suffers). Wish Samsung would seize making cheap low-end devices and just keep their previous gen models as the mid- and low-end phones, in order to be able to keep up with updating every model to the latest android and touchwiz versions.

Toss3 said:
Well the 3000mAh was a bit of a stretch even for samsung, but that doesn't mean the Note 5 is going to be anything but a large S6. My issue though with samsung has nothing to do with the hardware, but with how Samsung treats their customers; I know that they don't guarantee any updates, but they should have figured out by now that people always want the latest updates along with the latest interface (that's why people keep buying iPhones). It's just a shame to see samsung making the same mistakes over and over again letting Apple walk all over them (Android as a whole suffers). Wish Samsung would seize making cheap low-end devices and just keep their previous gen models as the mid- and low-end phones, in order to be able to keep up with updating every model to the latest android and touchwiz versions.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You see now there I full agree with you, 100%!
And from what I am seeing, they have become worse than before, we are still waiting for 5.1.1 and now there is a huge vulnerability found yet they continue to drag their feet. It is very frustrating and it has had me wondering if I could live with an iPhone 6S Plus, but I like Android and thoroughly enjoy its versatility.
Its a tough one, it makes me wonder why manufacturers can't just make their skins downloadable or separate them from the core of the OS and allow Google to issue the Android Updates to us, then they (the manufacturers) can do their skin updates at their own pace. Would make a lot more sense.

POLO_i780 said:
You see now there I full agree with you, 100%!
And from what I am seeing, they have become worse than before, we are still waiting for 5.1.1 and now there is a huge vulnerability found yet they continue to drag their feet. It is very frustrating and it has had me wondering if I could live with an iPhone 6S Plus, but I like Android and thoroughly enjoy its versatility.
Its a tough one, it makes me wonder why manufacturers can't just make their skins downloadable or separate them from the core of the OS and allow Google to issue the Android Updates to us, then they (the manufacturers) can do their skin updates at their own pace. Would make a lot more sense.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm not desperate enough to consider an apple device, especially now that Samsung has committed themselves to frequent security-updates. Would like to see every Samsung phone updated simultaneously, but as there are 1000000 different models that's just not possible.
Google handling the updates would indeed be ideal, but touchwiz uses it's own framework so it's more than just a custom skin.

Toss3 said:
I'm not desperate enough to consider an apple device, especially now that Samsung has committed themselves to frequent security-updates. Would like to see every Samsung phone updated simultaneously, but as there are 1000000 different models that's just not possible.
Google handling the updates would indeed be ideal, but touchwiz uses it's own framework so it's more than just a custom skin.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Can't have it all I guess.
I am a fan of TouchWiz (one of very few it seems), all I would like is faster and more consistent updates.
Their commitment to monthly security updates will be interesting to see.

http://www.androidauthority.com/galaxy-note-5-fully-exposed-632450/

Even if the phone does pack a punch, the lack of note key features means it doesn't offer anything to make me spend oodles on a note 5.
Samsungs path is to follow what apple are doing rather than be innovative and provide somethings its customers want. Note customers are more picky than s6 users (we also spend a darn sight more on it), which is why the note 5 (a fat s6 with a pen) will fail to increase samsungs profits - I defy anyone to argue against this.
There are so many good phones in the near pipeline - if you don't need the pen (which although is nice to have its not imperative for me), there is the hugely competitively priced Moto x, the upcoming Nexus 7, the top spec (rumoured) LG G4 Pro, to name just a few.
In Samsungs plight be like apple, they've forgotten the key thing - what its customers want. Here is a lesson in ensuring you do market research!
Yes inbuilt memory is fine if you have a truly reliable high speed data connection everywhere, and the ability to charge the thing in every coffee shop, but for those of us who don't live next to a 4g mast/wifi hotspot and want to drag around a power pack, the lack of these 2 features alone make the note 5 an impossible buy - at least for the price Samsung will want to charge.
....and that's before we even talk about the speed to deploy critical updates!

bonerp said:
Even if the phone does pack a punch, the lack of note key features means it doesn't offer anything to make me spend oodles on a note 5.
Samsungs path is to follow what apple are doing rather than be innovative and provide somethings its customers want. Note customers are more picky than s6 users (we also spend a darn sight more on it), which is why the note 5 (a fat s6 with a pen) will fail to increase samsungs profits - I defy anyone to argue against this.
There are so many good phones in the near pipeline - if you don't need the pen (which although is nice to have its not imperative for me), there is the hugely competitively priced Moto x, the upcoming Nexus 7, the top spec (rumoured) LG G4 Pro, to name just a few.
In Samsungs plight be like apple, they've forgotten the key thing - what its customers want. Here is a lesson in ensuring you do market research!
Yes inbuilt memory is fine if you have a truly reliable high speed data connection everywhere, and the ability to charge the thing in every coffee shop, but for those of us who don't live next to a 4g mast/wifi hotspot and want to drag around a power pack, the lack of these 2 features alone make the note 5 an impossible buy - at least for the price Samsung will want to charge.
....and that's before we even talk about the speed to deploy critical updates!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not one to defend Google normally, but that's the reason i went back to my nexus 6. Yes its not half as sharp, camera is a step below, but its got no issues with security and it does not get shunted aside a few months after purchase.

Toss3 said:
Well the 3000mAh was a bit of a stretch even for samsung, but that doesn't mean the Note 5 is going to be anything but a large S6. My issue though with samsung has nothing to do with the hardware, but with how Samsung treats their customers; I know that they don't guarantee any updates, but they should have figured out by now that people always want the latest updates along with the latest interface (that's why people keep buying iPhones). It's just a shame to see samsung making the same mistakes over and over again letting Apple walk all over them (Android as a whole suffers). Wish Samsung would seize making cheap low-end devices and just keep their previous gen models as the mid- and low-end phones, in order to be able to keep up with updating every model to the latest android and touchwiz versions.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
All the Note series have been larger versions of their S series siblings. So it's no surprise that the Note 5 will be a large S6.
I do agree though that Samsung have an appalling customer service and public relations reputation and it pains me to say they could learn a thing or two from Apple sadly.
They came up with the S6 as a ground-zero project to satisfy the critics ... read that as journalists. Tech journalists have always favoured Apple products with a few Android blogger exceptions. So we end up with the S6 looking like an iPhone clone. The "oohs and ahhs" of those journalists was great for Samsung but they were short lived as soon as another new phone showed up. What Samsung should be doing is surveying current Samsung customers and asking them what they really want from a phone. Doing proper market research and lining that up with what they can technically, financially and feasibly manufacture without it costing the consumer stupid money, will be a winner for them.
I agree that we should not completely judge the Note 5 before it's officially launched but I think we have a good enough idea to form a relatively good opinion of it. I owned every Note since its birth and I have to say this is the first time I have hesitated about upgrading to the next gen version. I guess we will have to wait and see.

Note 4 to LG G4 Pro/Note

Something, maybe the pro/note will be released/announced on Thursday. I didn't sidegrade to the note 5 for reasons discussed elsewhere (ie unavailable in UK, no sd slot or removable battery and appallingly slow upgrades by Sammy).
So looking out for the next big thing ( ) which won't be Samsung until they start listening to their customers rather than trying to copy apple....
Now the big question is whether or not to wait until 2016 releases to get something which is a fairly big upgrade from the n4 or try the LG.
I doubt this will come with the 820 chip so the difference between this and my note 4 will likely be a fingerprint scanner and 5.8" screen. The rest will be fairly comparable unless they launch with a really high end finish which has been touted (and denied!).
Just wondering where other note 4 users are at, especially those who upgrade when the next best thing is launched and have had their note 4 for 12 months and are wanting to try something new....:good:

Same thoughts here

I'm keen to see what comes out the Google event today. I've been toying with the idea of leaving the note 4 behind and moving to the nexus range. My opinion is, if you want quick, fast reliable android updates nothing is going to beat the Nexus range.
To be honest, fault apple all you want, but they certainly got the whole software upgrade down to a T.

Nobody has had their Note 4 12months unless they had a test unit.
I have had my Note 4 since launch week, and I have decided to wait until next year. Nothing released in 2015 is worth moving to from a Note 4. The Snapdragon 810 phones overheat and have crap battery life, 808 phones have weak GPUs, MediaTek...the less the bettes. The 2015 Samsung phones are just iPhone Clones.
Nothing worth getting in 2015.
Sent from my GALAXY Note 4 via Tapatalk

If LG actually stops faffing about with crappy capacitive styluses on downgraded variants and puts a real active digitizer pen in there, be it Wacom, N-trig or anyone else (preferably Wacom for tablet PC/Galaxy Note compatibility reasons), maybe we'd have a Galaxy Note competitor when we need it most.
Literally every other phone line, Nexus included, is irrelevant to me without that.
But until that happens or Samsung snaps to their senses with the Note 6, the only alternative to the Note 4 is another Note 4.
With all that said, a lot of people are on two-year contracts for their phones anyway, though that's quickly getting abandoned here by every carrier that isn't AT&T. Upgrading after just one year seems a bit hasty, and when you're coming from a Note 4, you're probably going to be downgrading in some respect.

Hasty? Only because THE key player who year on year improved the note took a backward step! In the UK even the phone shops don't understand why the N5 wasn't launched here! Although its not an upgrade...I normally upgrade at least to the newest note each year and even tried the OPO mid term and got a little bored of the Note 3! However I soon went back to my old pal again!!!
I wouldn't mind so much if Samsung kept devices up to date and paid attention to vulnerabilities like Stage fright. I think it is disgusting the way they flog a top quality and top dollar device then employ a small team/probably just a one man band to maintain their huge range. THIS is why I'm happy to ditch them! They need to learn quickly or continue to suffer further under target performances. Amazes me how quickly a new device can be launched but their software team are exactly the opposite!
As for Nexus, its not really comparable to the Note series (excluding the Note 5 which is just a big S6 with a pen).
Maybe the 820 chipped devices will be the growler to wait for in the new year! Samsung will probably be planning stagefright fix and 'M' mid 16!

bonerp said:
Hasty? Only because THE key player who year on year improved the note took a backward step! In the UK even the phone shops don't understand why the N5 wasn't launched here! Although its not an upgrade...I normally upgrade at least to the newest note each year and even tried the OPO mid term and got a little bored of the Note 3! However I soon went back to my old pal again!!!
I wouldn't mind so much if Samsung kept devices up to date and paid attention to vulnerabilities like Stage fright. I think it is disgusting the way they flog a top quality and top dollar device then employ a small team/probably just a one man band to maintain their huge range. THIS is why I'm happy to ditch them! They need to learn quickly or continue to suffer further under target performances. Amazes me how quickly a new device can be launched but their software team are exactly the opposite!
As for Nexus, its not really comparable to the Note series (excluding the Note 5 which is just a big S6 with a pen).
Maybe the 820 chipped devices will be the growler to wait for in the new year! Samsung will probably be planning stagefright fix and 'M' mid 16!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
stagefright fixed already for note 4

tmac31 said:
stagefright fixed already for note 4
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Click to collapse
if you have 5.1.1 which I still don't - and how long did it take to issue a fix?? TOO long. And that's my point.

bonerp said:
if you have 5.1.1 which I still don't - and how long did it take to issue a fix?? TOO long. And that's my point.
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Click to collapse
if im not wrong besides carrier phones in us note 4 also got it pretty fast. note 4 is actually getting all updates pretty fast but i dont know why there is a big drama among note 4 users. only regional updates are very stupid.

clearly not in the international (uk) phone! It appears many other areas have received it but not this. And that's why its a drama.
Without fast updates this will probably only get worse, the next time an exploit has been found and a bug tries to hack it before a fix can be deployed.

bonerp said:
clearly not in the international (uk) phone! It appears many other areas have received it but not this. And that's why its a drama.
Without fast updates this will probably only get worse, the next time an exploit has been found and a bug tries to hack it before a fix can be deployed.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
like i said regional updates are stupid. waiting more than 1 or 2 month for an update which is released for other countries is worst about samsung.

http://www.androidcentral.com/lg-officially-unveils-v10-second-screen-and-dual-front-facing-cameras
tempting? I think it looks good. Liking some of the new features but the back could do with an upgrade! No UK launch imminent though grrr

after a disappointing experience with the G3 (which is still a decent phone, but the bootloader needing a hack to flash roms and build quality put me off) I ditched it for the note4. I'd be a bit wary of LG phones. Most 'flagship' phones seem to be using the snapdragon 808 or 810 for the moment unless i'm mistaken. not sure they're really worth the upgrade. I would wait until 2016.
if samsung makes a decent note6 again with a SoC which isn't a pain in the ass to port to i think that could be very interesting.

I'm rather interested in the MS Talkman 950XL. Windows phone ecosystem seems a happy medium between Android and Apple.

Nexus 6P was my option but then again no microsd/removable battery.
Right now my Note 4 is really smooth with 5.1.1. And samsung announced theyre gonna release Marsmellows for Note 4, so Im just gonna wait another year.
Lg 4 pro isnt that big of a upgrade compared to Note 4.
Also my next phone must have infrared like N4. I cant live without it.

What's your next device? Note 7 or something else?

I'm assuming a lot of you are like me, and have had the Note 4 close to 2 years now- close to paid for... wondering if anyone is considering getting a Note 7 or something else and why?
I was all excited about upgrading to a Note 7 but the limited research I've done based on the S7 is the bootloader will probably be locked meaning no root, no roms, etc... so now I'm not sure if I just stick it out a while long with my Note 4 or look elsewhere for another device? (nexus ###?)
Comments appreciated.

Araltd said:
I'm assuming a lot of you are like me, and have had the Note 4 close to 2 years now- close to paid for... wondering if anyone is considering getting a Note 7 or something else and why?
I was all excited about upgrading to a Note 7 but the limited research I've done based on the S7 is the bootloader will probably be locked meaning no root, no roms, etc... so now I'm not sure if I just stick it out a while long with my Note 4 or look elsewhere for another device? (nexus ###?)
Comments appreciated.
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Click to collapse
It's a pain in the butt shopping for where to go from the Note 4. Where, oh where, is it's successor? I so hate the idea of a non-replaceable battery. Maybe, if it wouldn't be too grueling to take my next "sealed" phone apart to replace the dang thing. The next big screen Nexus? Arrrgggghhhhhh!

Well if I didn't just post a lengthy reply to a similar question in the Intl. forum! (In fact I did; this thread: http://forum.xda-developers.com/note-4/general/moving-to-flagship-t3404126 my ramblings are the first post on page 4 ) Bullet points:
* I think the Note 4 is (still, 2 years in) a great device and I plan on keeping mine after making my last few payments. It will be a super fancy universal IR remote... ...among other things Definitely no shortage of ways to repurpose an old/extra Android device.
* I really hope the upcoming Nexus has expandable storage... I could see that happening this year with Google's "adoptable storage" (and other OEM's failing to... adopt it ) It's equally possible that I just really want that to happen. Either way, if it does, the larger screen version will be my next phone.
* The Note 7 looks beastly and if it doesn't have a locked bootloader I might go for it. The thing is, I'd really like to avoid buying anything from TMO aside from service... ya know, "vote with my wallet" against their abysmally late updates. I have a "new" Tab S2 TMO variant that's now the only model of that tablet that hasn't been updated to MM yet, making it as well as my N4 dead last (including other carriers) to receive the 10 month old OS. No way I can throw down up front for a $$$ N7 though, and I did do a couple of exchanges with the TMO insurance that were super easy, so bootloader unlocked = maybe, locked = not. a. chance. (not that I'd ever pay money for a "computer" that locks me out from self-administration, but particularly since I trust TMO 0% wrt updates and may need to handle that myself.)
* Option 3 = ??? Hoping to find the following: strong/friendly development community, expandable storage, >= 5.5" quality display, standard headphone port (IMO it's ridiculous that dropping this is becoming "a thing" w/o a superior replacement), and "good" battery life. Hopefully not asking too much in 2016, sure was in 2015.
Currently leaning towards a Nexus I suppose... not really in any rush to move on from the N4. Oh and definitely agree @steven.m - sealed battery = planned obsolescence but (clearly) any phone without a completely impractical metal unibody is simply not "PREMIUM" enough for... something something... of today! Note that a removable battery isn't even on my "wish list"... I was trying to make it realistic

I'll keep this N4 until it's dead. Then I'll most likely look at Nexus, HTC or Moto devices. About the only thing I'll miss is the WiFi calling.
Sent from my SM-N910T using XDA Labs

Xiaomi Mi Max for me
Xiaomi Mi Max 6.5 inches of Android goodness, plus removable battery and sd card support. Samsung has iphoned their way out of my hands. If I wanted a iphone I would have bought a iphone, but such is life. Wife has s7 edge and she keeps telling me it is the worst phone she has ever owned. With that in house review why would I buy a Note 7?

vanemburghj said:
Xiaomi Mi Max 6.5 inches of Android goodness, plus removable battery and sd card support. Samsung has iphoned their way out of my hands. If I wanted a iphone I would have bought a iphone, but such is life. Wife has s7 edge and she keeps telling me it is the worst phone she has ever owned. With that in house review why would I buy a Note 7?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'll have to look that model up- I don't know Xiaomi, but maybe I will get to know them. :highfive:
Edit: Hmmm.... love the size of the screen, but not QHD.... and battery not removable. Close, but I dunno.

steven.rn said:
I'll have to look that model up- I don't know Xiaomi, but maybe I will get to know them. :highfive:
Edit: Hmmm.... love the size of the screen, but not QHD.... and battery not removable. Close, but I dunno.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Dang just did another spec search and you are right http://www.gsmarena.com/xiaomi_mi_max-8057.php says non-removable battery. What is up with that, cheaper to produce?

vanemburghj said:
says non-removable battery. What is up with that, cheaper to produce?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, and the capacity can be battery capacity can be maximised this way since they don't have to make provisions for the battery to be removed.

I think I'm done with Samsung for now. Waiting for the Note 4 MM update this long and the fact that they basically abandoned the Galaxy Tab Pro six months after they released it have really turned me off.
I think I'll be trying one of the 'upstart' manufacturers. I've been considering the Huawei Mate line for a while now, but their software has always been a drawback (but at least they update it). Now I've been reading that they are making software and their EMUI skin a priority as they attempt to break into the US/NA market. I look forward to seeing what they've got. Also, T-Mobile specific versions of any phone seem to not get nearly as much development, which is understandable. But I think I'll get an unlocked international phone next time.
I will be keeping my Note 4 (just like I still have my Note 3) for use with the virtual reality headset that I will be getting. It still has enough processing power and a very good screen resolution for that type of activity.

I'm thinking about the zenfone 3 ultra 6.8inch monster lol

The note 7 isn't on my radar, I too am think of going with a nexus if it has a memory card slot but all of this won't be for a while as I just traded in my s7 ( which was part of bogo ) and got my note 4 back that I jumped about 6 months ago. I missed it so much I will keep it for ever, even after its paid off. I also have the s7 edge which just became rootable so I might play with it for a while but it's my work phone and I have until November before I can jump again but it won't be a Sammy phone. I don't really like the s7 edge as those edges are a real nightmare unless you have a case on it you will have accidental touches that will drive you crazy. I'll hold on to my note 4 until next year and then start looking.

I didn't realize the s7 had been rooted

Techngro said:
I think I'm done with Samsung for now. Waiting for the Note 4 MM update this long and the fact that they basically abandoned the Galaxy Tab Pro six months after they released it have really turned me off.
I think I'll be trying one of the 'upstart' manufacturers. I've been considering the Huawei Mate line for a while now, but their software has always been a drawback (but at least they update it). Now I've been reading that they are making software and their EMUI skin a priority as they attempt to break into the US/NA market. I look forward to seeing what they've got. Also, T-Mobile specific versions of any phone seem to not get nearly as much development, which is understandable. But I think I'll get an unlocked international phone next time.
I will be keeping my Note 4 (just like I still have my Note 3) for use with the virtual reality headset that I will be getting. It still has enough processing power and a very good screen resolution for that type of activity.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have the Honor 5x which is from Huawei also., bought it a few months to test, for $200 premium looking, metal casing, 2 sim slots and external sd... but no removable battery and we are supposed to get MM any day now..
but yes I think I want a google phone, but it has to have external sd, maybe I can deal with non removable battery, but who knows. and they better start lowering prices of phones, they would sell more and sell every year selling at about $500.. that's just me thinking out load.. :silly:
because I have my father in law had the S2 very outdated and giving him problems.., so off went my note 3 which was my sons, so he plays with it,
I started with HTC, had almost every single phone till the M7, then moved to Samsung from S2, S3, Note 2, 3, 4.. and on the Notes had 2 of each, for me and my wife.. also with the M7.. I have paid to much on phones and then they don't take care of the updates which the dev do it better than Samsung is very disappointing since manufacturing them is really under $200 coming from the take downs of the devices.. way to much profit, then they expect us, to buy new phones every year...
try to return a new phone u buy in T-Mobile, they offer u half of less after 3 or 4 months then they sell it back as certified phones for double than what they paid getting it back from you... really sucks..
remember a phone is for making phone calls......
I have a pc, laptop,
2 tablets Samsung as well, and they stop with the updates after a year. u get lucky maybe give it a year 2 or 3 months...
super surprised about this MM update on our phones giving that we are almost on our 2 year.. very surprised, guess they are trying to say we will support them longer... remember Note 4 came with KitKat, then Lollipop, and now MM... wow....
darn even apple updates the phones till the older phones can't except the updates to slowing it down or not enough space left..
opps rambling, let me stop... haha

This is a good question I guess it depends on if note 7 comes with 820 or something better I won't buy a 820 phone there are cheaper options with same processor. Im thinking Nexus. But if note 7 has 4000mah battery it may get my money. My last 2 Samsung phones have had bad gps
Sent from my SM-N910T using XDA-Developers mobile app

mdiaz33685 said:
I have the Honor 5x which is from Huawei also., bought it a few months to test, for $200 premium looking, metal casing, 2 sim slots and external sd... but no removable battery and we are supposed to get MM any day now..
but yes I think I want a google phone, but it has to have external sd, maybe I can deal with non removable battery, but who knows. and they better start lowering prices of phones, they would sell more and sell every year selling at about $500.. that's just me thinking out load.. :silly:
because I have my father in law had the S2 very outdated and giving him problems.., so off went my note 3 which was my sons, so he plays with it,
I started with HTC, had almost every single phone till the M7, then moved to Samsung from S2, S3, Note 2, 3, 4.. and on the Notes had 2 of each, for me and my wife.. also with the M7.. I have paid to much on phones and then they don't take care of the updates which the dev do it better than Samsung is very disappointing since manufacturing them is really under $200 coming from the take downs of the devices.. way to much profit, then they expect us, to buy new phones every year...
try to return a new phone u buy in T-Mobile, they offer u half of less after 3 or 4 months then they sell it back as certified phones for double than what they paid getting it back from you... really sucks..
remember a phone is for making phone calls......
I have a pc, laptop,
2 tablets Samsung as well, and they stop with the updates after a year. u get lucky maybe give it a year 2 or 3 months...
super surprised about this MM update on our phones giving that we are almost on our 2 year.. very surprised, guess they are trying to say we will support them longer... remember Note 4 came with KitKat, then Lollipop, and now MM... wow....
darn even apple updates the phones till the older phones can't except the updates to slowing it down or not enough space left..
opps rambling, let me stop... haha
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I am getting to the point where I can no longer justify spending $650-700 on a phone. You're right, there are so many decent options now for half the price.

I'm waiting to see what the Nexus phone phones are like this year. I'm hoping they'll have a nice premium phone this year. The 6P was a nice start. HTC may kick it up another notch. Rumors are that Google wants a phone that will directly compete with the iPhone. Well see if that happens. I've had only Samsung smartphones (Galaxy S, Note 2, note 4, galaxy light). It's time for something different

Jeez the note 7 is going to be almost 1000.
Sent from my SM-N910T3 using xda premium

HTC makes the best Nexus phones imo.

I might get the Moto G4 Plus

rile1564 said:
I'm waiting to see what the Nexus phone phones are like this year. I'm hoping they'll have a nice premium phone this year. The 6P was a nice start. HTC may kick it up another notch. Rumors are that Google wants a phone that will directly compete with the iPhone. Well see if that happens. I've had only Samsung smartphones (Galaxy S, Note 2, note 4, galaxy light). It's time for something different
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Agreed... but then again, do I have enough time to monkey around with ROMs again? Realistically - no. If I get an Android device again, I'm just going to have to get the latest Nexus. I'm tired of TW and trying to hack things to make them behave like I want them to...( I'm looking at you NFC icon ).

Poor S9 sales

Samsung admits the sales are bad.
Do you think the sales are bad because people are finally getting sick of the bloatware or the incredible high price tag ?
Do you think S10 sales will be better ?

AstroDigital said:
Samsung admits the sales are bad.
Do you think the sales are bad because people are finally getting sick of the bloatware or the incredible high price tag ?
Do you think S10 sales will be better ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The S9 is my first Samsung phone and I bought it because of the stereo speakers and improved camera. They didn't catch me with the S8 but it did impress me when it came out.
Bad sales depends on a lot of factors. Ever increasing competition from Chinese OEMs, especially Hwawei, incremental changes to a phone that has already exhausted its sales or maybe wrongly assuming that you have achieved the same footing as Apple.
I'm impressed with the S9. It still stands out from the competition and I don't get the feeling that I'm missing out on anything another phone has to offer this year.

I dont think the price is high at all.
It's half the price of the iPhone X in my country..

Aerys said:
I dont think the price is high at all.
It's half the price of the iPhone X in my country..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That doesn't mean anything, everything is half the price of overpriced Apple stuff
Remove Apple from the comparison and it becomes expensive

I think the regular user don't mind about the bloatware, unfortunately. For me, the bloatware and this disgusting curved display it's what most annoys me.
The camera on Samsung phones are the best point for me.

Idk but I am enjoying my S9. I wanted the OP6 for 500€ but when I saw that I can buy S9 for 550€ the water resistant, better display, camera, expendable storage and wirelless charging is worth that extra 50€.
Odoslané z SM-G960F pomocou Tapatalku

I was still on the S4 before the upgrade to the S9. The S8 just wasn't enough for me to upgrade but the S8 is so close to the S9 I can see why the sales are poor. For me it was a HUGE upgrade.

It's probably because of the bad publicity it got in regards to the American version Vs the rest of the world, the exynos battery life was abysmal, it's better now but still now where near as good as the Snapdragon version.

It is the most I've ever laid for a phone but all in all I'm happy with it. I used Moto phones from the original Moto G through the G4, mainly because they were easy to root and develop roms. Their purchase by Lenovo, a company that would have trouble engineering toy phones killed Motos' for me. Having owned a long line of Samsung tablets made me try the S9. I can now add Samsung to my list of Moto, LG, Huawei/Honor, and Nokia. The curved screen? Meh

I think people have finally had enough...
I loved the screen and camera of my S9 but the OP6 just seemed like a better fit for my needs since I like very smooth and fast performance and while the s9 did that to some extent, it could also become a bit slower than I liked over time. In the end I sold it for the OP6 which turned out of be a better choice despite being a "cheaper" or "inferior" phone.
1+6, g2 vs980, redmi n3 mtk, moto e condor

I think the bad sales numbers are due to people not needing the newest greatest phone every year anymore when there is not a great new feature added to them. For me this is my first Samsung device since the galaxy s2 or something. I was a die hard stock android/nexus fan for years and then when the nexus phones died I have been lost and trying different phones when needing another phone. First few post nexus phones was various moto phones as they use a close to stock version of android but I really wanted to go with a top tier phone that I could get financed threw my carrier and I feel stock android has became a little on the stale side so I went with the s9. Truth be told I really like it. I don't like bixby, or the stock launcher (I am actually using ruthless launcher which is a pixel launcher clone) but some of the built in Samsung apps are quite impressive to me like Samsung pay (still messes with peoples head when it works after they say it won't) or the Samsung browser that is like firefox and chrome had a baby and made that awesome thing. having a built in theme installer is kinda cool (again I guess me looking at stock android for so long I was bored with it as it hasn't changed that much in 2 or 3 years.)

It's because the S9 is not much different from the S8.

People are still happy with their S7's and S8's. It's that simple. S7 camera and performance is still great in 2018.

When you release something like every year like this I have a S8 And will either get a note 8 or 9
S9 isnt no where near enough of upgrade.And unless Galaxy S X is extraordinary Prob wont be going for that one either
The biggest thing with their numbers on S9 is the sales they had with S 6 7 and 8
No one sees enough to upgrade yet

The average person doesn't know or care what an "exynos" is or the pros and cons compared to stock Android etc. I think it's just because it's an incremental upgrade - no real obvious difference from the S8, so people looking to upgrade will say "huh, it's exactly the same" and not bother.
Or maybe it's because it doesn't have a notch. That seems to be a fashion statement these days. I hope and pray that Samsung doesn't fall for that particular fad - they've managed to steer clear so far.
I got mine very heavily subsidised by EE (by my most conservative calculations compared to SIM-only it cost me £320 or so. There are other ways you can argue that it's pretty much a free phone). Buying outright from Samsung they're expensive but carriers are almost handing them out in the street right now.

Galaxy s10 plus vs 6T...thoughts?

Based off of what we know so far is there anyone contemplating acquiring this phone over the beloved 6T?

Pre ordering Monday for sure [emoji16]
Sent from my ONEPLUS A6013 using Tapatalk

coming from s7 to op6t, i would say:
if you're planning to switch to samsung, buy s9/s9+. otherwise stay on op6t.
since you're here, you know what custom roms are. and if you're a cfw-lover (AOSP/LOS-based) like me, you cant switch to a newer samsung phone because it will takes a half/whole year (#ExynosSux).

lladwein said:
coming from s7 to op6t, i would say:
if you're planning to switch to samsung, buy s9/s9+. otherwise stay on op6t.
since you're here, you know what custom roms are. and if you're a cfw-lover (AOSP/LOS-based) like me, you cant switch to a newer samsung phone because it will takes a half/whole year (#ExynosSux).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have had the Note 8, S9, S9+ and the Note 9 already and I really don't mess with changing ROMS any longer so for me those things you mentioned aren't a really big factor me. But I can appreciate your feedback!

gthmcty1 said:
I have had the Note 8, S9, S9+ and the Note 9 already and I really don't mess with changing ROMS any longer so for me those things you mentioned aren't a really big factor me. But I can appreciate your feedback!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
so then go for it. Its a good phone. For me not so much difference to the s9/+ but still a sammy phone (myself a sammy fanboy / ive had s2, s3, Note 2 ,s5, s7)

I had the Note, 1,2,4,7,8 and galaxy S6 and galaxy s6 edge. Somewhere in between I had the Axon 7 after the Note 7 debacle.
I have to say I have not loved a phone like my first smartphone the iPhone 3g and the original phablet the Dell Streak.
All that has changed once I got the OnePlus 6T. This phone is great and most of all the software experience is top notch. I hated the Samsung phones always slown down after time. I am glad I made the change to the OnePlus. If I upgrade this year it will be to the OnePlus 7T. :laugh:

Only to be outdone by some other phone in 2-3 months, then THAT phone will be outdone in 2-3 months and so on.
If you have the OP6T, or pretty much any phone in the last couple of years, and, you haven't jacked it up by screwing
with something you don't know how to do, and it is working properly, why waste your money on a SMALL improvement
in performance, that 99% of users won't see, unless they are stuck in benchmarks.

Ummm..... This device has it's own forum already. So why don't you go post these questions there instead.

gthmcty1 said:
Based off of what we know so far is there anyone contemplating acquiring this phone over the beloved 6T?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Nope.
Hole in the screen of the plus is worse than a notch.
The price is outrageous.
It's Samsung and you won't get updates.
It's Samsung and they don't like unlocked BL.
Finally, it's Samsung.

tech_head said:
Nope.
Hole in the screen of the plus is worse than a notch.
The price is outrageous.
It's Samsung and you won't get updates.
It's Samsung and they don't like unlocked BL.
Finally, it's Samsung.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
LMAO....ok then!

I came to the 6T from an S9+. I have no regrets at all!

I had the first Galaxy S. Felt completely let down by Samsung's so called upgrades that made the phone less and less usable. I swore to never get a Samsung, so no, not getting one

I always hated Samsung but the new UI is rather nice.

Had the S7 Edge while the specs were nice the OS is still garbage and waiting 6 months for Major update after it's pushed to AOSP it a joke.. Especially when you pay top $..
And Exynos is inferior to SnapDragon + basically any dev support for the SoC sucks..

gthmcty1 said:
Based off of what we know so far is there anyone contemplating acquiring this phone over the beloved 6T?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's a hard no for me. That hole punch that cuts into videos and of course the price tag. I'd go back to the S9 or G7 or V40.

tech_head said:
Nope.
Hole in the screen of the plus is worse than a notch.
The price is outrageous.
It's Samsung and you won't get updates.
It's Samsung and they don't like unlocked BL.
Finally, it's Samsung.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Basically my thoughts lol.

Same old. Nothing really new or exciting . anything good will be on most of the phones this year anyway . And the double cut out is horrible. Much worse than a teardrop notch

The camera takes good photos based off people opinions, I like the different colored backs, fingerprint scanner is interesting, the camera punch is an interesting take on the notch (would be painful to see it during full screen video), price is outrageous, 1tb of storage only supported on certain devices (and is it really needed), and the One UI I could get into. The price alone will keep me away from it, although I am tempted to trade in my iPhone X for it.
Really interested in the fold. The concept of having a foldable tablet captures my attention but will see what other companies come up with and life cycle of a niche product.

Anytime you want to buy something new you might want to ask yourself:
1: Do I need it?
2: Is it worth it (usually involves money)?
3: What i am ok with if I look the other way?
Thank me later if you can answer on this 3 simple questions. Some people are hard fans some people haters. People in the middle go to OnePlus lol which brings them back to that circle anyway because they become fans or haters and there are people in the middle. I call it "circle of lifetime death". Whatever you go with it should be important to you only because in the end you are the one who will be using it.
I have been OnePlus user since day 1 (OnePlus One) because they made affordable devices and currently I am using 6T. For my own perspective I do like the new Samsung S10 line but it is not really worth the money for me.

Does it come with a lanyard to put through that hole so you can carry your phone with it?
Oh nevermind that's for the camera.
The hole punch design is the worst thing ever, it just looks so out of place.