Galaxy Note 2 - Absolutely Amazing

[Tsuchiya]

How do you guys find the size for day to day usage?

I'm really digging the Note 2, but the practicalities of it make me think twice about it. When I'm actually using the phone in my hand I think it will be fine, but when it's knocking about in my pocket all day I think it'd be a pain in the ass.

 

[OceanView]

How do you guys find the size for day to day usage?

I'm really digging the Note 2, but the practicalities of it make me think twice about it. When I'm actually using the phone in my hand I think it will be fine, but when it's knocking about in my pocket all day I think it'd be a pain in the ass.

Size is not to bad. It's actually easy to handle. People get intimidated initially but it takes a few weeks to get use to.

 

[nizmoz]

Size is not to bad. It's actually easy to handle. People get intimidated initially but it takes a few weeks to get use to.

x2. Love mine. Perfect size. Little slick, so a small case helps.

 

[ppfd]

Yep agree with the other two posts.

The Note 2 is big. I'd say I got used to the size in a few days. I'm "one handing" the N2 almost as quick as any iphone I had in the month I've had it.

 

[chewietobbacca]

My coworker got her N2 a few days ago and she told me "wow, I got used to it so quick that I can't imagine I ever used the iPhone 5"

You really do get used to it quickly (even the S3 seems smaller now)

--------

As far as the N2 goes... loving mine. The battery life is incredible, the screen gorgeous, and the performance... wow. Multi-window with browser + video + popup notes going on all at once and not even a stutter.

 

[Siyah]

My coworker got her N2 a few days ago and she told me "wow, I got used to it so quick that I can't imagine I ever used the iPhone 5"

You really do get used to it quickly (even the S3 seems smaller now)

--------

As far as the N2 goes... loving mine. The battery life is incredible, the screen gorgeous, and the performance... wow. Multi-window with browser + video + popup notes going on all at once and not even a stutter.

How is that incredible battery life holding up with the latest firmware patch? (DLL7) has meant a serious deterioration for me....

More here: http://www.sammobile.com/2013/01/17/galaxy-note-ii-software-update-n7100xxdll7-brings-battery-drain/

 

[nick_elt]

How is that incredible battery life holding up with the latest firmware patch? (DLL7) has meant a serious deterioration for me....

More here: http://www.sammobile.com/2013/01/17/galaxy-note-ii-software-update-n7100xxdll7-brings-battery-drain/

Havent really noticed anything. It might be worse but it lasts me longer than a day anyway BUT the keyboard dictionary has changed and its useless now. Is this the android offering now instead of samsungs? It was amazing before.....

 

[Tig Bitties]

How hard is it to get used such a large phone as the Note II ?

Recent phones for me are the One X running CM10, and Galaxy Nexus before that. I use my phone a lot for my business, text a ton, lots of emails, bunch of phone calls, surf the web, use GPS, etc...

How hard is it to hold this phone ? Or put up to your ear for phone calls ? Is texting only two handed, too big a device for one hand operation ?

 

[F123D]

How hard is it to get used such a large phone as the Note II ?

How hard is it to hold this phone ? Or put up to your ear for phone calls ? Is texting only two handed, too big a device for one hand operation ?

There are plenty of responses in this thread. Your best option is to play around with a display model and see for yourself if it's to large. For most, this definitely isn't a one handed phone.

----------

There is also the "one handed operation" option those with small hands can enable on the phone.

As mentioned in this post, there's an option to adjust the keyboard to text one handed but I prefer to use two hands and use the standard keyboard.

 

[IFRIT]

How hard is it to get used such a large phone as the Note II ?

Recent phones for me are the One X running CM10, and Galaxy Nexus before that. I use my phone a lot for my business, text a ton, lots of emails, bunch of phone calls, surf the web, use GPS, etc...

How hard is it to hold this phone ? Or put up to your ear for phone calls ? Is texting only two handed, too big a device for one hand operation ?

It's only 10mm wider then your OneX so it's easy to hold and have at the side of the head. I personally find it too big to type in portrait but i perfere typing with my thumbs anyway.

Spec comparison: http://www.gsmarena.com/compare.php3?idPhone1=4854&idPhone2=4320

 

[Tig Bitties]

The brand new Note 2, I found on Craigslist, guy said it was the international version, so I said cool, I'll buy it. Then I asked specifically which model is it exactly, he e-mailed me a pic, showing "GT-N7102" Looking up that model number, shows it to be the Chinese international version ? Which is different than what I would call "International", as in the European version.

I got worried, asked him more questions.


UPDATE: Scammer, he said this Note 2 is a "clone" not made by Samsung. He said it lists that in the CL add, I triple checked, and nowhere does it say clone, it all says brand new Samsung Note 2. But he says it is a Chinese version, and not even made by Samsung, even though all his pics show it in a Samsung box, with Samsung logo on back. NOT buying this.

 

[Mr. Retrofire]

...

iThink this is an external problem (on a certain market place) and has nothing to do with the Note 2.

I'm sure 99 percent of the MacRumors-users buy phones from trusted & authorized dealers.

 

[bryanc28]

How hard is it to get used such a large phone as the Note II ?

Recent phones for me are the One X running CM10, and Galaxy Nexus before that. I use my phone a lot for my business, text a ton, lots of emails, bunch of phone calls, surf the web, use GPS, etc...

How hard is it to hold this phone ? Or put up to your ear for phone calls ? Is texting only two handed, too big a device for one hand operation ?

I had this for about a week. I am very ambivalent about it/had a like and dislike attitude toward the Note 2. I liked the big screen size when laying on on the couch or in bed, but everyday use was a bit tougher. Android or Jellybean or whatever, yes is quite smooth. We're talking iOS smooth. You really just have to take time and customize the Note 2 to your liking. I just want something I can pull out of a box, turn on and it just works (I know, I know overused cliche).
I kept hitting the soft keys all the time when handling it. Can't tell you how much I hated those soft keys. Yes, the phone is big, it does fit comfortably in one's pocket. I just didn't like the soft keys and not being able to use it with one hand. Maybe I just did not give the phone a longer chance. I have an iphone 5 now, but it has its own issues, but ergonomically it just fits what I need. If I had the $$ and an extra line I would try and give the Note 2 a longer chance. I just have difficulty carrying it around...

 

[2298754]

Picked up my second Note 2. Ordered one last year when it came out and returned it a week later.

Picked another one up last night. Its a keeper this time. This thing is awesome. Probably tide me over until the S4 is out.

 

[jrswizzle]

Given a choice between the two, why would you pick the Note 2 over the GS3?

This is an open question.

 

[F123D]

larger screen
non pentile display
quad core
larger battery
s pen and features

Main issue would've been size but after playing with one for a while before purchasing, size was a non issue.

 

[mellofello]

Another happy n2 owner checking in. I have the note and a samsung galaxy work phone which is similar in size to a iphone 4. The galaxy literally feels like a toy now. For those on the fence it really isn't too bad to carry around, as long as you are not a hipster in your girlfriends jeans. I have had it for 5-6 days, and successfully put it into a boot cut pair of Diesel jeans, Flat front Khakis, and even in the zip pocket of some board shorts. Fit perfect every time.

As to using it. Good lord Android has come a long way. It is smooth as silk, and doesn't freeze nearly as much as it used to. The screen will spoil the hell out of you. Watching videos, reading articles, composing emails is a revalation with almost twice the real estate.

I am willing to bet that this size will be the norm shortly.

My only caveat is that this phone really would benefit from a 1080p display. Not as bad as ipad mini, but definitely not as sharp as the iphone. Small price to pay for total customizability, and not squinting.

I won't be returning to iphone, and may punt my ipad mini for a nexus 7.

 

[chewietobbacca]

larger screen
non pentile display
quad core
larger battery
s pen and features

Main issue would've been size but after playing with one for a while before purchasing, size was a non issue.

To add to that:

Battery is incredible... two days on a single charge is no problem now and the non pentile display makes the screen look crisper even with a lower ppi

Getting very used to using the S Pen for a lot of things... like hovering over things on websites meaning I can use desktop versions of websites now no problemo.

Oh and the multi-tasking ability of this phone is unbeatable... pop-up browser is very useful as is multi-windows

 

[Mackan]

What color do you Note 2 owners use, gray or white?

 

[F123D]

Titanium Grey. Love the look of the brushed metal.

 

[Sunsenista]

F123D Have you used the MIUI Rom?

Stable
S note
Batterie friendly with perseus kernel
Lot of samsung features inside

The best of both worlds

 

[F123D]

Haven't messed around with rooting my Note yet. Maybe if I get bored with the device.. So far, enjoying it, as is.

 

[Tinmania]

I just rooted mine just to get it out of the way. But it was not like I had any pressing need to. Maybe to get rid of a few stock items or AT&T stuff. Eventually.




Michael

 

[jamojamo]

I just rooted mine just to get it out of the way. But it was not like I had any pressing need to. Maybe to get rid of a few stock items or AT&T stuff. Eventually.




Michael

Do you have to root to get rid of the carrier bloatware? Or can you hide it somewhere and just install a launcher?

 

[daveathall]

Do you have to root to get rid of the carrier bloatware? Or can you hide it somewhere and just install a launcher?

No, either delete it permanently from your phone or delete it from view. You only need to see the apps that you want to.

Edit. O2 often put apps in after an update, I just delete them from my phone.