From iPhone 5 to Note 2

[bmac4]

As of a week ago I switch from the iPhone 5 to Note 2, and for the most part could not be happier. I had the iPhone 5 since Oct and was liking it, but really was looking for something more. I had the iPhone 3g and 4, so I did know a lot about the iphone before buying the iphone 5. I found the iphone not be wide enough for me, and I could not get that good battery life that every one talks about iphones having. I was really getting tired of worrying about my battery wether it was going to make it or not.

After being unhappy with my iphone 5 for about 2 months I decided I would start looking back into Android again. I had 2 nexus devices before I bought the iphone 5, and I really liked having pure google. My first thought was to go with the nexus 4, but my friend had it and said the battery life was not very good. Battery life was one of the key reasons I did not like my iphone, so I saw no point in getting the nexus 4. I kept hearing great things about the note 2 so I decided I would try it. Here is what I found over the last week.

First was being able to do all the things that I could do with my iphone. I went back into the play store and downloaded all my apps again, and set up my homescreen the way I wanted. One of the main features I loved about the iphone was Siri reading my text messages and replying to them. I had heard that S voice was not good at all. I tried it out, and for what I was looking for I have had no issues. The next feature I was looking for was options for a music player. I open up play music app, and unlike the iphone it has my whole itunes library in it. It was in the cloud, but it was worked fine for me. Up to this point I have found nothing I cant do on android that I could ios.

One of the other big things that drove me away for ios was the keyboard and the size of it. Android has lots of keyboard options and I found the one I loved swiftkey. Battery life is no longer an issues either. The note 2 has great battery life. There is just really nothing making me want to go back to ios.

There are still things about the iphone that android just does not have, and that is polish in the apps. The apps fit and work better on ios for a lot of apps. I think the problem for android is that they have 3 android versions that apps have to work with. Apple developers only worry about the current ios and making the apps work. I do understand that this is google fault because they dont make OMEs run the most current version on android.

This is just want I have found in the week that I have owned my note 2. I will keep updating this thread if I find new things that I dislike or like about either phone.

 

[robstunner]

I actually did the opposite after being purely on android since the galaxy s2 international version came out. I sold my note 2 and don't regret it for a second. I personally cannot stand touchwiz and the large size of the phone. I'm 6'1" and have no problem using the note, but its just so impractical. I was immediately amazed at how easy it was to one hand the iPhone to do EVERYTHING with it where the note 2 was a struggle for most things especially lying down. If the nexus 4 was LTE and battery life wasn't so abysmal I would have no question kept that phone, but even compared to the note 2 this iPhone 5 holds its charge so very well I would say its within 10% of the note. Just IMHO.

 

[bmac4]

I actually did the opposite after being purely on android since the galaxy s2 international version came out. I sold my note 2 and don't regret it for a second. I personally cannot stand touchwiz and the large size of the phone. I'm 6'1" and have no problem using the note, but its just so impractical. I was immediately amazed at how easy it was to one hand the iPhone to do EVERYTHING with it where the note 2 was a struggle for most things especially lying down. If the nexus 4 was LTE and battery life wasn't so abysmal I would have no question kept that phone, but even compared to the note 2 this iPhone 5 holds its charge so very well I would say its within 10% of the note. Just IMHO.

I have not tried the nexus 4, I have just heard the rumors. I am not the biggest fan of touchwiz, but for the battery life alone I had to go with note 2. I just could never find that battery life people talk about for the iphone. I do understand the standby on the iphone is great, but when it goes to using the phone I found it to be a battery hog.

 

[robstunner]

I found that web browsing on the iPhone 5 bests even the note 2 which is what I do the most with my phone (tapatalk, and other social apps) which completely suprised me as I never expected the iPhone 5 and 1440 mah to be anything near the note 2's 3100. Gaming battery life, ehhh. Probably better on the note.

 

[Tinmania]

I found that web browsing on the iPhone 5 bests even the note 2 which is what I do the most with my phone (tapatalk, and other social apps) which completely suprised me as I never expected the iPhone 5 and 1440 mah to be anything near the note 2's 3100. Gaming battery life, ehhh. Probably better on the note.

The last thing I want to do on an iPhone is use a browser. It's just too small.

On my Note 2 I have a mobile device that is finally adequate for actual web browsing. Any site--not just mobile optimized sites.

When I was still using my iPhone I would always reach for my iPad if I needed to do anything that was beyond a quick search in a web browser.

I also don't like Safari and since iOS does not allow setting a default browser that added insult to injury.

Now that I have a Note 2 I rarely reach for my iPad anymore, and when I do I get frustrated that it doesn't have a dedicated back button.



Michael

 

[robstunner]

The last thing I want to do on an iPhone is use a browser. It's just too small.

On my Note 2 I have a mobile device that is finally adequate for actual web browsing. Any site--not just mobile optimized sites.

When I was still using my iPhone I would always reach for my iPad if I needed to do anything that was beyond a quick search in a web browser.

I also don't like Safari and since iOS does not allow setting a default browser that added insult to injury.

Now that I have a Note 2 I rarely reach for my iPad anymore, and when I do I get frustrated that it doesn't have a dedicated back button.



Michael

Understandable. I'm not posting to change people's opinions just staring my own. I'm fair satisfied with my iPhone 5 plus nexus 7.

 

[jrswizzle]

The last thing I want to do on an iPhone is use a browser. It's just too small.

On my Note 2 I have a mobile device that is finally adequate for actual web browsing. Any site--not just mobile optimized sites.

When I was still using my iPhone I would always reach for my iPad if I needed to do anything that was beyond a quick search in a web browser.

I also don't like Safari and since iOS does not allow setting a default browser that added insult to injury.

Now that I have a Note 2 I rarely reach for my iPad anymore, and when I do I get frustrated that it doesn't have a dedicated back button.



Michael

If it were more consistent, I'd like it better.....

Since I never know how far "back" its going relative to the app I'm in, its hit or miss for me....I'd rather have each apps own back button. At least then I know where I'm going to each time, and with one click (or two clicks) of the home button I'm back home or in another app in a second.

 

[bmac4]

If it were more consistent, I'd like it better.....

Since I never know how far "back" its going relative to the app I'm in, its hit or miss for me....I'd rather have each apps own back button. At least then I know where I'm going to each time, and with one click (or two clicks) of the home button I'm back home or in another app in a second.

Yea will agree with that. I think this is something Google is working on with developers.

I know the back button does not work the way it should always, but I do like the menu button. I think that is one thing I like a lot over iOS not having anything like that. Sometimes with iOS you have to go all the way back to the setting app in iOS to change things in an app. On android you can hit the menu button and go right into setting.

 

[Tinmania]

If it were more consistent, I'd like it better.....

Since I never know how far "back" its going relative to the app I'm in, its hit or miss for me....I'd rather have each apps own back button. At least then I know where I'm going to each time, and with one click (or two clicks) of the home button I'm back home or in another app in a second.

Huh? You tap the back back button while browsing and it.... goes back. How can that be inconsistent?

I it is so annoying to me that iOS devices don't have it that I am now thinking of switching my tablet to Android as well.




Michael

 

[bmac4]

One of the other big thing about the note 2 and most android phones for that matter that I like is the notification light. I love it. Honestly I think that is a feature I have to have in a phone now. To me it is that big of a deal.

 

[jrswizzle]

Huh? You tap the back back button while browsing and it.... goes back. How can that be inconsistent?

I it is so annoying to me that iOS devices don't have it that I am now thinking of switching my tablet to Android as well.




Michael

But it doesn't always go back the same level....

You are browsing and you click the back button....it goes back to the previous webpage. Or you are checking an email and hit back and it goes back to the previous page. There are some apps where the back button simply goes back to the last app you were in before, not back in the app. There are some times where the back button takes you back to the home screen and no where else....it is inconsistent and aside from slightly more convenient placement (though the point is moot on say an iPhone5 because you can reach each corner of the screen), doesn't add anything back buttons in apps don't add.....

After using an N4 for a while, I'm very confused as to why the notification light and soft back button are so popular.....the keyboard thing I understand....those other two still baffle me. If my N4 vibrated with any force (I don't ever even hear or feel it even when its sitting right next to me), I'd turn off the notification light all together...

 

[mattopotamus]

But it doesn't always go back the same level....

You are browsing and you click the back button....it goes back to the previous webpage. Or you are checking an email and hit back and it goes back to the previous page. There are some apps where the back button simply goes back to the last app you were in before, not back in the app. There are some times where the back button takes you back to the home screen and no where else....it is inconsistent and aside from slightly more convenient placement (though the point is moot on say an iPhone5 because you can reach each corner of the screen), doesn't add anything back buttons in apps don't add.....

After using an N4 for a while, I'm very confused as to why the notification light and soft back button are so popular.....the keyboard thing I understand....those other two still baffle me. If my N4 vibrated with any force (I don't ever even hear or feel it even when its sitting right next to me), I'd turn off the notification light all together...

That was an issue I had with phone calls. I would in the other room and never hear the phone ring....even sitting with it next to me on the couch I could not year a text notification. Yes, I have the light, but seriously....to not be able to hear a phone sitting next to me b.c the speakers are on the back!

 

[bmac4]

But it doesn't always go back the same level....

You are browsing and you click the back button....it goes back to the previous webpage. Or you are checking an email and hit back and it goes back to the previous page. There are some apps where the back button simply goes back to the last app you were in before, not back in the app. There are some times where the back button takes you back to the home screen and no where else....it is inconsistent and aside from slightly more convenient placement (though the point is moot on say an iPhone5 because you can reach each corner of the screen), doesn't add anything back buttons in apps don't add.....

After using an N4 for a while, I'm very confused as to why the notification light and soft back button are so popular.....the keyboard thing I understand....those other two still baffle me. If my N4 vibrated with any force (I don't ever even hear or feel it even when its sitting right next to me), I'd turn off the notification light all together...

What if the phone vibrates and you can't pick it up at that moment, and then you forget you had a message. That is why I love the notification light. Most of the time at work I don't have time to check right when I get a notification, so for me this is a great feature.

 

[mattopotamus]

What if the phone vibrates and you can't pick it up at that moment, and then you forget you had a message. That is why I love the notification light. Most of the time at work I don't have time to check right when I get a notification, so for me this is a great feature.

between lock screen notifications, notification center, and badge icons....it is pretty impossible to miss a notification.

 

[Tinmania]

But it doesn't always go back the same level....

Did you read my post and what I was replying to? It was about browsing on iPhone vs. <whatever>.

How in the world is a back button at all confusing when browsing?

Outside of browsing I still have no issue with the back button. It's something iOS doesn't have and to me that is a negative on iOS. It's refreshing that after I follow a link into Chrome, a simple tap on the back button brings me back to the email that sent me there.

I don't see it anymore confusing than iOS's soft back button--which is sometimes on the right and not on the left (when it is "OK" for instance).

In my opinion the way android does it is much better than not having a back button at all.



Michael

 

[sentinelsx]

But it doesn't always go back the same level....

You are browsing and you click the back button....it goes back to the previous webpage. Or you are checking an email and hit back and it goes back to the previous page. There are some apps where the back button simply goes back to the last app you were in before, not back in the app. There are some times where the back button takes you back to the home screen and no where else....it is inconsistent and aside from slightly more convenient placement (though the point is moot on say an iPhone5 because you can reach each corner of the screen), doesn't add anything back buttons in apps don't add.....

After using an N4 for a while, I'm very confused as to why the notification light and soft back button are so popular.....the keyboard thing I understand....those other two still baffle me. If my N4 vibrated with any force (I don't ever even hear or feel it even when its sitting right next to me), I'd turn off the notification light all together...

i can barely make out the notification light on my nexus so yeah it is useless.

On a S3, immensely useful. One look at the device and i know if it is a call from my work, or from my mrs, or a text from a certain person. The way i configured it allowed me to not even pick the handset and tell whether or not i want to pick it.

And in my experience apps which have properly coded the back button to go back views in the app (they close if you press back at the main window) have done it properly. With the easy to reach multi tasking button on N4 i do not rely on back to access other apps, i prefer the back button to move within an app and when it works that way, it is great.

----------

between lock screen notifications, notification center, and badge icons....it is pretty impossible to miss a notification.

Well his situation is still not covered, if you do not pick your handset, all those do not matter.

 

[bmac4]

between lock screen notifications, notification center, and badge icons....it is pretty impossible to miss a notification.

I am not saying I miss notification, but let's say I get a text and I can't answer it. Ok I have a chance to look at my phone before I hit any buttons I can't tell if I have a message or not. Also I set up up to were I have different colored lights for each type of notifications. Makes it really easy to see what I have waiting on me. So how does that make the notification light useless?

 

[sentinelsx]

I am not saying I miss notification, but let's say I get a text and I can't answer it. Ok I have a chance to look at my phone before I hit any buttons I can't tell if I have a message or not. Also I set up up to were I have different colored lights for each type of notifications. Makes it really easy to see what I have waiting on me. So how does that make the notification light useless?

And there is another place where the notifications are lacking. All of them simply clutter the screen in an unorganized fashion. It is annoying when your junk mail is obstructing the view of your important text messages or the silly facebook comments are blocking the IMs that i wanted to read. Using lockinfo after jailbreak fixes it as it allows to both organize and "crumple in" (for lack of a better word, pardon my English) the notifications, but that means having to jailbreak the device.

 

[linkgx1]

Takes some getting used to. Switched from the Vibrant to the 4s and I'm still not used to certain things. Even gong back to the Vibrant at times I miss some things from the iPhone. Choose what is best for you.

 

[mattopotamus]

And there is another place where the notifications are lacking. All of them simply clutter the screen in an unorganized fashion. It is annoying when your junk mail is obstructing the view of your important text messages or the silly facebook comments are blocking the IMs that i wanted to read. Using lockinfo after jailbreak fixes it as it allows to both organize and "crumple in" (for lack of a better word, pardon my English) the notifications, but that means having to jailbreak the device.

I definitely wish I could clear notifications from the lock screen w/o a jailbreak. That is one of my favorite android features. So simple, yet so useful.

 

[Stuntman06]

Yea will agree with that. I think this is something Google is working on with developers.

I know the back button does not work the way it should always, but I do like the menu button. I think that is one thing I like a lot over iOS not having anything like that. Sometimes with iOS you have to go all the way back to the setting app in iOS to change things in an app. On android you can hit the menu button and go right into setting.

Whenever I find that an app's back button doesn't work as expected, it always seems like the app was some lazy port of an iOS app. I do notice that some apps don't feel like an Android app. It wasn't until I tried using iPhones that I realise how similar that particular app is to iOS apps.

 

[macrem]

The last thing I want to do on an iPhone is use a browser. It's just too small.

On my Note 2 I have a mobile device that is finally adequate for actual web browsing. Any site--not just mobile optimized sites.

When I was still using my iPhone I would always reach for my iPad if I needed to do anything that was beyond a quick search in a web browser.

I also don't like Safari and since iOS does not allow setting a default browser that added insult to injury.

Now that I have a Note 2 I rarely reach for my iPad anymore, and when I do I get frustrated that it doesn't have a dedicated back button.



Michael

What's not to like about Safari on iOS? It's buttery smooth, super fast, ui is elegant, zoom is just perfect,, tapping at the top of the screen scrolls all the way back to the beginning of the page, full screen view, etc., etc.

 

[mib1800]

What's not to like about Safari on iOS? It's buttery smooth, super fast, ui is elegant, zoom is just perfect,, tapping at the top of the screen scrolls all the way back to the beginning of the page, full screen view, etc., etc.

No text reflow is a bummer. Always need to side-scroll which destroy the browsing experience.

 

[bmac4]

What's not to like about Safari on iOS? It's buttery smooth, super fast, ui is elegant, zoom is just perfect,, tapping at the top of the screen scrolls all the way back to the beginning of the page, full screen view, etc., etc.

If safari is so awesome then why is it so much different then all the other apps on iOS including the stock iOS Apple apps? For one the back button is at the bottom of the app while most other apps have the back button at the top. I could never get use to that when I was using the iphone 5. I would always reach for the back button and there was nothing there.

 

[maxosx]

Apple wants Safari to be the best.