I Took The Plunge To Android Land...Oh Boy.

[Scorbing]

its not the hardware thats lacking but the OS is dull in my opinion, the interface really hasn't changed since it released in 2007.

You are right. The hardware is fine, its the OS. They need to open it more. Change the way it works. Make it more user friendly. Let the user customize it to their needs. If they do all of that, they will be successful and "cool" again, but they better hurry because Android is running at full speed and its not stopping. Apple is 10 steps behind Google in terms of OS customization.

[Shadrack]

The more I hear about the Note 2 the more I like it. I actually think my wife would really like the Note 2. She currently has an EVO 4G, and something with some really solid battery life would be a breath of fresh air for her. (She is currently tethered to the wall most of the time it seems like).

after AT&T gave me a $250.00 trade-in for my iPhone 4S

*eeek* AT&T is obligated after you upgrade your phone or complete your contract to UNLOCK your old hardware. You could have made substantially more by selling it on eBay or Amazon. You could have gotten at least $400 out of it... oh well. Hope it was completely hassle free ;).

I personally would not have sold it at all because it is always good to have a backup, IMHO.

[Scorbing]

Well I got news for you all. I don't know if its bad or good, but here it is:

I returned the Note II and got a Galaxy S3 instead. Here's why:

1. The Note II was just too big to carry around

2. The screen was not as bright and sharp as the S3.

3. The text messenger UI was laggy. The S3 for some reason is not.

4. The Home Button was also laggy. The S3 did not have that problem.

5. The Email UI was doing funny things earlier today. Flashing and stuff. Not good.

So I finally decided to just return it and get the S3. It doesn't have the wonderful quad-core the Note II has, but it seems to work just fine and I can actually carry it!

maybe in the future I will get a Galaxy Note 3 or 4 or 5. We'll see down the road.

[shakey]

Well I got news for you all. I don't know if its bad or good, but here it is:

I returned the Note II and got a Galaxy S3 instead. Here's why:

1. The Note II was just too big to carry around

2. The screen was not as bright and sharp as the S3.

3. The text messenger UI was laggy. The S3 for some reason is not.

4. The Home Button was also laggy. The S3 did not have that problem.

5. The Email UI was doing funny things earlier today. Flashing and stuff. Not good.

So I finally decided to just return it and get the S3. It doesn't have the wonderful quad-core the Note II has, but it seems to work just fine and I can actually carry it!

maybe in the future I will get a Galaxy Note 3 or 4 or 5. We'll see down the road.

No reason to fret. They are both really great phones, and really it's all down to minor preferences over which one you should get. Quad Core isn't really needed at the moment, and the S3 is plenty of phone for a good while to come. Unless we start to expect our phones to be laptops :p

[RiverCampher]

I too have scarpered from the Apple (iPhone 3GS to the S3) and found it pretty interesting. Managed to make an nandroid backup, root and install a custom rom without much of a problem. Funny having to install an antivirus on the thing.

Battery life is pretty nice, almost 2 days on a full charge. Ditched Google Now, that kept coming up every time I was using the thing.

I like having Google maps back, that's what really drew me to Android.

Apps seem to be of a lower quality. Even the apps from the same company in the same name offer less functionality than their iOS equivalent. I also miss Apple's consistent UI which comes across the background and the curved boxes which looks more sleek imo.

However, in the main I quite like it and will get used to the changes. I'm on a 2 year contract and will see it out and look at the interesting developments in the future before deciding whether to go for Windows, Apple or Android again. I like choice and variety :)

[Gabe3]

you don't have to install antivirus. i mean you can but its like installing it on mac. pretty much pointless.

I too have scarpered from the Apple (iPhone 3GS to the S3) and found it pretty interesting. Managed to make an nandroid backup, root and install a custom rom without much of a problem. Funny having to install an antivirus on the thing.

Battery life is pretty nice, almost 2 days on a full charge. Ditched Google Now, that kept coming up every time I was using the thing.

I like having Google maps back, that's what really drew me to Android.

Apps seem to be of a lower quality. Even the apps from the same company in the same name offer less functionality than their iOS equivalent. I also miss Apple's consistent UI which comes across the background and the curved boxes which looks more sleek imo.

However, in the main I quite like it and will get used to the changes. I'm on a 2 year contract and will see it out and look at the interesting developments in the future before deciding whether to go for Windows, Apple or Android again. I like choice and variety :)

[Scorbing]

you don't have to install antivirus. i mean you can but its like installing it on mac. pretty much pointless.

I agree. As long as you use common sense, there is no need for an AV on an Android phone. It's a waste of resources. And speaking of resources, one setting that I found to be quite useful on the S3 is at the "Settings" section on the "Developers Options" area. It is called:

Limit Background Processes

You have the "standard", which is set by default. I have set mine to 4 processes. This keeps the OS and the phone working smoothly from what I can see.

Another option is; "Force GPU Rendering"

That one works quite well too. ICS seems to be working much smoother with those changes I did.

...Still waiting for AT&T to decide to release Jelly Bean on the S3. Anyone has any updates on that?

I agree. As long as you use common sense, there is no need for an AV on an Android phone. It's a waste of resources. And speaking of resources, one setting that I found to be quite useful on the S3 is at the "Settings" section on the "Developers Options" area. It is called:

Limit Background Processes

You have the "standard", which is set by default. I have set mine to 4 processes. This keeps the OS and the phone working smoothly from what I can see.

Another option is; "Force GPU Rendering"

That one works quite well too. ICS seems to be working much smoother with those changes I did.

...Still waiting for AT&T to decide to release Jelly Bean on the S3. Anyone has any updates on that?

Here they talk about the settings I just mentioned:

http://wix1.com/index.php/18-mobile-news/296-samsung-galaxy-s3-in-depth-review

[Growled Member]

I returned the Note II and got a Galaxy S3 instead. Here's why:

Good for you. Get the phone that works for you.

[Scorbing]

Well I returned the S3 and got the Note 2 again and this time I am keeping it. That screen and hardware is just too awesome to let it go...LOL

[Growled Member]

Just wow! :D

[pes2013]

Usually to remove bloatware you'll need root access, as these are system apps.

Also : Great choice going Android. You've definately picked a winner. (Y)

I'm considering the Note 2 myself, but i'd still prefer a QWERTY slider phone...

Same here. Im waiting for the next QWERTY android phone....

How is the S3 more phone if it has inferior hardware? Please explain

You posted it yourself...

Well I got news for you all. I don't know if its bad or good, but here it is:

I returned the Note II and got a Galaxy S3 instead. Here's why:

1. The Note II was just too big to carry around

2. The screen was not as bright and sharp as the S3.

3. The text messenger UI was laggy. The S3 for some reason is not.

4. The Home Button was also laggy. The S3 did not have that problem.

5. The Email UI was doing funny things earlier today. Flashing and stuff. Not good.

So I finally decided to just return it and get the S3. It doesn't have the wonderful quad-core the Note II has, but it seems to work just fine and I can actually carry it!

maybe in the future I will get a Galaxy Note 3 or 4 or 5. We'll see down the road.

great choice but....

Well I returned the S3 and got the Note 2 again and this time I am keeping it. That screen and hardware is just too awesome to let it go...LOL

....then another bad choice.

The screen:

The Note 2 is

5.55 in (141 mm) diagonal with 16:9 aspect ratio widescreen

HD Super AMOLED touchscreen

1,280?720 pixels (267 ppi), non-pentile (S-Stripe RGB) (3 subpixels/pixel)

Contrast ratio: 402 (nominal) / 2.307:1 (sunlight)

16M colors

The S3 is

4.8 in (120 mm) diagonal with 16:9 aspect ratio widescreen

HD Super AMOLED touchscreen

720x1280 pixels (306 ppi) and RGBG-Matrix (PenTile)[7]

Contrast ratio: infinite (nominal) / 3.419:1 (sunlight)

16M colors

Yup, the S3 has higher PPI. So the screen is not that "awesome" anymore because the S3's screen is slightly better.

[Luis Mazza]

Well I returned the S3 and got the Note 2 again and this time I am keeping it. That screen and hardware is just too awesome to let it go...LOL

I wonder what options you would get if you wanted iOS... :shifty:

Just teasing :D

OFF TOPIC: The option to like a post is gone on Neowin??

[Order_66]

im sure the note 2 is a good piece of hardware, but i see hardly any reason for that pen input. it just feels awkward and does not feel natural. i had the note 1 and i had to sell it. i mean what do you really do with that pen input? are there really that nice real life scenarios where you need it? i dont know ...

I just picked up an AT&T Note to use with straight talk around 2 weeks ago, never thought I would use the pen but I have used it every day for one thing or another.

[+Majesticmerc MVC]

OFF TOPIC: The option to like a post is gone on Neowin??

<offtopic>

See here.

</offtopic>

@Scorbing - ONE OF US. ONE OF US. Seriously though, how are you finding the large screen? Do you find it inconvenient at all? I was tempted to pick up a Note 1 when I upgraded at the start of the year, but I decided against for fear that I'd not like it.

[Scorbing]

Same here. Im waiting for the next QWERTY android phone....

You posted it yourself...

great choice but....

....then another bad choice.

The screen:

The Note 2 is

5.55 in (141 mm) diagonal with 16:9 aspect ratio widescreen

HD Super AMOLED touchscreen

1,280?720 pixels (267 ppi), non-pentile (S-Stripe RGB) (3 subpixels/pixel)

Contrast ratio: 402 (nominal) / 2.307:1 (sunlight)

16M colors

The S3 is

4.8 in (120 mm) diagonal with 16:9 aspect ratio widescreen

HD Super AMOLED touchscreen

720x1280 pixels (306 ppi) and RGBG-Matrix (PenTile)[7]

Contrast ratio: infinite (nominal) / 3.419:1 (sunlight)

16M colors

Yup, the S3 has higher PPI. So the screen is not that "awesome" anymore because the S3's screen is slightly better.

I have to disagree. I don't know what Galaxy Note 2 screen you have been looking at but the Note 2 has an amazing screen. to me, it looks much better than the S3. Also, the Note 2 has better hardware than the S3 on AT&T in the U.S.

Here in the USA, the S3 has a dual core while the Note 2 has a Quad Core. The exact same quad core chip that's on the S3 European version. Sorry but the Note 2 is faster, more fluid, smoother than that S3 I had.

[Hardcore Til I Die]

Samsung are innovators.

Smart stay/smart rotation/one handed keyboard - these three features solve often complained about problems.

[AJerman]

And after all that, the AT&T SGSIII just got it's jellybean update last night. I suspect Jellybean makes the S3 every bit as smooth as the Note 2.

I'm with you on the screen though. Pentile sucks, doesn't it? If you want to keep trying them all, go for the One X next. It has the best screen of them all.

[Scorbing]

I'm pretty happy with the Note 2 right now. The screen size is what I like. For what I do at work, it is awesome.

[AJerman]

I'm pretty happy with the Note 2 right now. The screen size is what I like. For what I do at work, it is awesome.

Well, I won't say I'm not at least a little jealous. My phones are getting bigger and bigger, but I just don't think I can jump quite that far yet. Still, just imagine the Draw Something games you could have! :laugh:

[Luis Mazza]

I'm pretty happy with the Note 2 right now. The screen size is what I like. For what I do at work, it is awesome.

Scorbing, take a look at this, as that was one of your complaints: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2018861

Works great BTW :D

[Scorbing]

Scorbing, take a look at this, as that was one of your complaints: http://forum.xda-dev...d.php?t=2018861

Works great BTW :D

Oh yeah...LOL...Thanks Luis. I got that done already. It works fine now.

[Shadrack]

Well I returned the S3 and got the Note 2 again and this time I am keeping it. That screen and hardware is just too awesome to let it go...LOL

Why stop there? I suggest you push it to the limit! New phone every week for your whole 2 year contract.

[micro]

It is not a big deal now, but it will be soon. Apps and OSs get more and more demanding so having the extra hardware and power is just like having a condom:

Better to have it and not need it then need it and not have it.

:rolleyes:

Unfortunately, by the time mobile os's and apps actually require quad core to run great, that phone will be long outdated. Especially in the android world.

[Scorbing]

Unfortunately, by the time mobile os's and apps actually require quad core to run great, that phone will be long outdated. Especially in the android world.

OK and your point? If they give you a choice to get a phone with dual core or a phone with a quad core for the same exact price, wouldn't you get the quad core one instead?

I think you would.

Why stop there? I suggest you push it to the limit! New phone every week for your whole 2 year contract.

LOL...LOL...LOL

Yes at the rate its going, carries are gonna have to get rid of that 2 year contract crap and let people upgrade their phones every time a new version comes out, which is like you say, every week!......LOL...LOL

[AJerman]

OK and your point? If they give you a choice to get a phone with dual core or a phone with a quad core for the same exact price, wouldn't you get the quad core one instead?

I think you would.

Actually no. When given the choice between my International One X (Tegra 3) and an AT&T One X (long story, insurance replaced the international version with an AT&T version because they didn't pay attention), I chose the AT&T version due to the S4 which is newer architecture and is very comparable to the Tegra 3, even beating it in a number of benchmarks. Plus, the battery life is far better. (And in the case of the One X, the Tegra didn't have LTE, not a consideration for you though).

That said, I do put the Exynos 4412 a little above the Tegra 3, so I think the difference is a little larger between the two, but you're basically arguing about which of the elites is better... well, not so much elites at this point. The S4, Tegra 3, and Exynos 4412 are all fast enough to run the Android OS perfectly smooth and with no noticeable difference. If you are a gamer, the Exynos has the Mali 400 GPU which is better, but as far as processing power there isn't a noticeable difference. The bigger difference you saw between the devices was that the Note II was on JB and the SGS III was on ICS.