After attending Samsungs event yesterday...

[sc4rf4c3]

I think the Note II is a fantastic device, but it is not going after iPhone5 buyers, it's for a select crowd.

The Note II with it's large screen and stylus make for a good business device, to take on job sites and meetings, the stylus makes it a nice work phone. And the specs are top notch, making it a very fast with butter smooth performance, and pretty good battery life, for such a large and beautiful screen.

But the iPhone5 should not be compared to the Note II, two different sports. The Note II is a hybrid device, a mix of Smartphone + Tablet + Laptop, all rolled into a portable device. But it is not just a smartphone.

Agreed

 

[scott99]

Project butter really has improved the UI experience on android. My colleagues' nexus 7 feels way ahead of my SGS2.
If you only keep a device for a year then android has some great advantages. I still think the OS is better than iOS. That said if you buy into a 2 year deal and then are at the mercy of your manufacturer updating, it can be a little frustrating. Yes you can get round this with rooting but this is why I'm clearly destined for tan iPhone as I don't have the time and iOS just works for me..

The Nexus 7 is an AMAZING piece of machinery for $200-$250. What an incredible tablet. I can't say enough good things about it, and I didn't even root mine. I was watching Apple's announcement about the iPad mini, and was so underwhelmed by it's specs compared to the Nexus 7, I knew I made the right choice. No offense to Apple fanboys, considering I am one. I love Apple products, have had iPhones since 2007, and am planning to get a new iPhone 5 in a few days, I loved Steve Jobs, hung on his every word when he talked at Apple Events, still miss him. I've read the Steve Jobs book in record time, love the Apple Store. BUT, Google sure got it right with the Nexus 7, jelly bean, and project butter. This thing is amazing !

 

[tymaster50]

I love my iPhones, I do but they need to step up the feature game, compared to other OS it is looking very stale. They pretty much rely on 3rd party apps to keep users interested. Siri is just a feature that most users totally forget about or don't use at all(maybe a few times a month)

 

[F123D]

Also agree. The Note II doesn't seem like a device aimed at kids or the average adult. Seems like more of a professional/business phone. With the upcoming release of other large tablet like phones, a lot of them are being compared mainly with the Note II and not the iPhone.

----------

I love my iPhones, I do but they need to step up the feature game, compared to other OS it is looking very stale. They pretty much rely on 3rd party apps to keep users interested. Siri is just a feature that most users totally forget about or don't use at all(maybe a few times a month)

I know people love iOS for its simplicity and ease of use but I also find it becoming very stale. I'm planning on purchasing the Note II this time around and hope apple makes some changes when iOS7 comes around.

 

[ChrisTX]

While I do believe the note 2 is a beast, I definitely see where it's a niche product though. I want to try it out first before I cast judgement.

 

[nickchallis92]

I've got a galaxy s3 as my daily driver but even i'm in awe of the note 2. it just looks incredible and the pen works so so well. flawlessly integrated

 

[NunnOtha]

So this is a question for everyone, and I would like for everyone to be as honest as possible. If apple were to make a iPhone with a 4.7" screen, how would you all react to it? If apple were to add widgets and personalization features galore, how would u react? How do u think the world would take it?

I personally think every thing would be accepted with open arms and joy joy joy! People would began to say they love the large screen and extra gimmicky features, but would say they work better than android for some made-up reason. I'm not sayin this to be negative, as I am an Apple fan just as much as anyone else here, but lets be honest...

 

[Aniseedvan]

I am probably in the minority because i'm a woman with small hands but the bigger screens leave me cold. A friend has the note v1 and its just too big for her to carry as a phone.
It seems now if samsung are setting the trend, that smaller phones will not feature the fastest processors, which is a shame for little handed me!

I would love widgets to come to ios, it was a relief when notifications finally turned up. Woukd love third party keyboards too but lets start with widgets....

 

[The Face]

1st time poster here, long time browser.

I've been using my Note 2 for around 2 weeks now and absolutely love it. I came from the iPhone 4S to the S3 to the Note 2 and don't regret it at all.

For a start it's an absolute powerhouse, the 1.6Ghz Exynos 4 processor combined with 2GB of RAM makes for the smoothest experience I've ever experienced on a mobile device with 0% lag at all times The screen is also brilliant and bright. Whilst some think it's too big, I think it's just right.

Some of the new features are also brilliant, S-pen is still a bit gimmicky but is alot more responsive and useful that it's predecessor.

The new multi-tasking feature is where it really shines though, being able to have 2 apps running side by side at the same time on screen whilst being able to have the pop-up browser open on screen at the same time to is extremely useful, defiantly a feature I use daily.

Now I'm no fanboy, I love both Android/Samsung & Apple/iPhone. Personally I think the iPhone 5 is a beautiful piece of kit, an excellent phone packed with good features and brilliant hardware. I'd love to get my hands on one just to have a go.

Anyway, just thought I'd share my opinion and thoughts on the Galaxy Note 2.

From an iPhone & Galaxy enthusiast.

 

[Lance-AR]

I've never jail broken because I don't see a need for widgets (maybe I just don't understand them) and I need to be able to use it with one hand. 4.7" doesn't interest me.

 

[tbayrgs]

So this is a question for everyone, and I would like for everyone to be as honest as possible. If apple were to make a iPhone with a 4.7" screen, how would you all react to it? If apple were to add widgets and personalization features galore, how would u react? How do u think the world would take it?

I personally think every thing would be accepted with open arms and joy joy joy! People would began to say they love the large screen and extra gimmicky features, but would say they work better than android for some made-up reason. I'm not sayin this to be negative, as I am an Apple fan just as much as anyone else here, but lets be honest...

In regards to the larger screen, unless is was edge to edge with basically no bezel, then no, I wouldn't want a 4.7" screen. I had a Galaxy Nexus (4.65") for a while and found one-handed use a bit cumbersome at times, especially when trying to reach across with my thumb. Based on the current iPhone design, I'd think about 4.3" would be my sweet spot.

I'd have no problem with the ability to add widgets or greater personalization, even though I wouldn't use much of the former. For anyone that hasn't used Android though, that's not the design customization element that's the most attractive but rather the fact that you have greater flexibility with the functionality. Having the ability to manipulate the UI to meet nearly whatever need you may have is the real benefit. I won't drone on as it's been stated ad naseum on an infinite number of threads/articles/blogs but if that element of Android could be added to the fit and finish of iOS, you would certainly have the perfect OS.

 

[NunnOtha]

I agree that would make the perfect OS.

New scenario: apple made all iPhone screens 4.7"...what phone would u buy n why

 

[Rennir]

Not even close to being accurate.

It comes down to these things:

1. Features that work. Apple does screw up sometimes, but by and large, a feature is released or enabled only after it works well. Samsung and others, on the other hand, will gladly throw a ton of half-baked, buggy features to the wall and see what sticks.

2. Better apps. We see it over and over again. X app won't work on Y Android devices because of screen or other feature issues. And when it does work the experience is diminished. iOS apps are easier to design interfaces for, and that's what makes them by and large, better.

3. Better service. My iPhone is giving me trouble? I walk into an Apple store and get it fixed. Got a problem with a Samsung Galaxy SIII? You'll have to deal with your carrier's repair subcontractors. Good luck with that.

So going by your standard: if you like buggy features, unstable software, an overall worse user interface among apps, and an inconsistent warranty service experience, go Android, right?

1. Totally. I love how smooth and bug free Siri and Maps are—THE selling points of the last 2 iPhones.

2. True enough. It's a take and give between an open platform and more compatibility platforms. If your underlying assumption is that open platforms bring no benefits, then there's no point in discussing further because we would fundamentally disagree.

3. Agreed. Something that other companies should work on.

 

[Vegastouch]

While's I cannot speak for the Note, I did try my hand at a Galaxy S3 for 3 weeks before the iPhone 5 release. It is nice and smooth for approximately 1 or 2 days... and then after you load it with apps and actually use the thing... filling up the RAM and such... it SLOOOOWS down! The Touchwiz overlay has a lot to do with it. Once I rooted and loaded up a AOSP ROM it was better.... no Touchwiz... but then you lose a lot of the functionality that Samsung put into the phone.

Everytime I have had an iPhone... it just works and always works well until... I jailbreak and add crap...

I understand Apple's walled garden approach. It keeps the phone running smooth.

Huh? Ive had my GS3 for 3.5 months and it hasnt slowed down and im not rooted.

----------

So this is a question for everyone, and I would like for everyone to be as honest as possible. If apple were to make a iPhone with a 4.7" screen, how would you all react to it? If apple were to add widgets and personalization features galore, how would u react? How do u think the world would take it?

I personally think every thing would be accepted with open arms and joy joy joy! People would began to say they love the large screen and extra gimmicky features, but would say they work better than android for some made-up reason. I'm not sayin this to be negative, as I am an Apple fan just as much as anyone else here, but lets be honest...

Well no kidding
Thats how it works in here. Nothing is really needed that isnt there til Apple incorporates it in the iPhone. Then it is genius on their part

 

[Sensamic]

Yes.

Android phones can do so much more, and it will only keep getting better.

The problem is more doesn't always mean better. Many times manufacturers like Samsung include hundreds of new features on their phones, but while doing so they forgot to make the phone more stable, fluid and optimized.

Ios has many more less features, but it works better. Probably because of that: less features = less hassle and less chance of malfunction.

 

[matttye]

Galaxy Note II is leaps and bounds ahead of ip5. Its not even a fair comparison. It all comes down to two things: 1). Love for ios and 2). Don't like big massive screens. If you have these two things marked then no need for comparison, just buy an iphone and pretend nothing else is out there.

Apples ecosystem, user friendliness and the iPhones integration with other Apple devices make it better for me.

I had an S3, which has a lot more features than the ip5 on paper, but the overall experience is not as good.

 

[hot spare]

Some people posted battery life comments about GN2. How many people actually used GN2 to comment on it's battery life "problems". People are just assuming that it has got half the battery life of a iPhone5. Really?

http://blog.gsmarena.com/samsung-galaxy-note-ii-battery-life-test-is-complete-here-are-the-results/

http://blog.gsmarena.com/apple-iphone-5-battery-test-is-done-proves-itself-as-a-thin-powerhouse/

http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1916790

 

[The Face]

There's nothing wrong with the Note 2's battery life, I get at least a full days use out of mine. Sure like any phone if you hammered tha data or watched videos on it all day it'd last a bit shorter, but generally the battery is excellent.

 

[Fanboi4life]

What do you mean Apple implements features MUCH better then Android does. I can get a good solid 6-7 hours on good coverage LTE with the 1440 mAh battery. I would get like 4-5 hours of LTE on my old GS3 even though the battery is much bigger. Thats pure engineering talent and shows how hardware and software that is made for each other is much better then Androids current strategy.

Sir, me and you are on the same page, I'm not bashing Apple. Reread my post.

 

[Technarchy]

I love my iPhones, I do but they need to step up the feature game, compared to other OS it is looking very stale. They pretty much rely on 3rd party apps to keep users interested. Siri is just a feature that most users totally forget about or don't use at all(maybe a few times a month)

Apps are everything. They are essential to the success and capabilities of devices. One of the problems with the Note2 is no one is writing applications for Touchwiz, so that ecosystem will never grow.

And I use Siri just about everyday.

 

[NunnOtha]

Apps are everything. They are essential to the success and capabilities of devices. One of the problems with the Note2 is no one is writing applications for Touchwiz, so that ecosystem will never grow.

And I use Siri just about everyday.

Yea that's true about the apps. But who knows, if samsung keeps releasing phones that are high selling and get great reviews, market share will begin to change as consumers demand increase and this should lead developers to making more apps for use with touchwiz...or in a perfect world, they get rid of touchwiz all together because I can certainly do without

 

[tymaster50]

Apps are everything. They are essential to the success and capabilities of devices. One of the problems with the Note2 is no one is writing applications for Touchwiz, so that ecosystem will never grow.

And I use Siri just about everyday.

Apps are a large portion of the fun but Apple should have something to make the next iPhone stand out from the rest, by a large margin, a taller screen, new connector, and 4G isn't enough for some people to warrant paying $200-900

 

[Tarzanman]

Android is closing in on iOS bigtime. Small screens with boring icon layout won't cut it for long, I bet money that Apple changes its ways soon.

Dude, Android surpassed iOS over a year ago. I'll give you kudos for being able to free your mind from the Fanb-- Distortion Field, but lets be real.

If you are strictly comparing features and capabilities then the iPhone 5 is roughly on par with the Galaxy Nexus.... which came out last November.

It really bothers a lot of people to admit this because they are not comfortable with having an emotional attachment to a less capable device.

Whatever. People should use what they like.... but they should be willing to accept reality as well.