Galaxy Note 2 - Absolutely Amazing

[snow blind]

I've always been interested in some of the Galaxy Note devices but with already owning an iPhone 5 and iPad 3 it just doesn't fall into any area where I could justify owning one. It would never get used. The other 2 fill their respective spots. With having a 4" screen, a 9.7" screen, a 13" screen and a 27" I feel covered when it comes to on the go and getting my internet fix for the day.

Now not saying it doesn't for others and I'm sure it is pretty damn cool device.

Just like I don't knock my friend for owning a Chevy HD instead of a Ford SD (MUCH ) they both do their intended purpose and have their followings....mine just does it better, or so I say

You my friend have too many screens! I was exactly (well a 24" lol) like you with all my devices before I started to liquidate the old Apple stuff out and replace it with... well my iPad 3 is current and solid technology haha. Maybe one year they'll update the iMac

 

[nba1341]

LOL

You are not a man if you walk around with a Galaxy note.

the only people I've ever seen with them are men over 40.....

must have something to do with eyes

 

[MACis122]

all these haters on this phone because of its size. have no legitimate reason, it can't fit in my pocket, yet it does. i can't use it with one hand, thats your problem. people who want this phone know what they are getting.

 

[Webb]

I'm sending my iPhone 5 back for the Note II.

 

[lavrishevo]

I have 20/10 vision and I much prefer the screen size of the S3 over my 4S. But this is just my personal preference.

 

[ChrisTX]

For example can you see that if you held one hand like this, if you wanted to swipe down to your notifications, it would be a desperate stretch for your thumb, and require you to shuffle your hand up.

In Nova Launcher on my S3 I have it set so I can swipe up from the bottom to get to the notifications menu.

 

[MRU]

In Nova Launcher on my S3 I have it set so I can swipe up from the bottom to get to the notifications menu.

But if you used Nova Launcher would you have access to the smaller hand layout option on Touchwiz ?

 

[k995]

Benchmarks:

http://www.bilder-hochladen.net/files/6n0x-a7-fb7b-jpg.html

It beats the crap out of 2core GSG3 iphone 5 and even the quad core GSG3 (wich is about the fastest current around)

 

[ChrisTX]

But if you used Nova Launcher would you have access to the smaller hand layout option on Touchwiz ?

I'd assume so as Nova Launcher doesn't require root. But honestly, not sure.

 

[MRU]

Benchmarks:
even the quad core GSG3 (wich is about the fastest current around)

Actually my international One X with Sense 4.1 & 4.04 gets just under 6000 (5920 to be precise) on Quadrant, which actually best's the Quad Core Samsung GS3 ;-)


But in real world Benchmarks like these mean very little. NanoMark GS3 still slightly beats out One X.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QRLGawjmC5E&feature=youtube_gdata_player


Edit: updated One X to JB on HTC elevate programme

Quadrant score on JB = 6567 which beats the Note 2 quadrant posted above, and well past the SGS3. Top Dog didn't remain top dog for too long... ;-)

Antutu score is 12330 so just slightly behind the Note 2 on this one, but still ahead of the SgS3

I'd assume so as Nova Launcher doesn't require root. But honestly, not sure.

I'll enquire over on XDA

 

[Sincci]

I would assume that the keyboard layout doesn't have anything to do with touchwiz and would work with any launcher. It mostly just looks like an setting that you'll turn on in the keyboard's settings menu.

 

[nuckinfutz]

the only people I've ever seen with them are men over 40.....

must have something to do with eyes

Hear hear!

Just attended a family function and saw a Galaxy Note by the wife of my cousin. As long time iPhone users I was surprised and wanted to see what caused the change. I asked her and she said she can see the screen.

I then said that Note was like a girls phone because guys couldn't put it in their back pocket and my cousin looked at me and laughed and said "we both got Galaxy Notes" he also said it wasn't much of an issue to put it in his pocket. a

So I'm here to say I was wrong and that are people buying large phones not going away. In fact they are actually becoming more of accessibility features. I'm in my 40s and my eye sight is declining as well.

Perhaps there should be two sizes of phones. Skinny and Fat. Let the consumer decide.

 

[madden]

This phone looks awesome, getting one for sure. Just curious why so many people are obsessed with how operational a phone is with one hand. Where are you using it where you cant use 2 hands? Probably the car, thats illegal by the way. carrying something in your hand maybe? Ok, how long are you walking around carrying stuff? Not long I am sure. I dont get it. I also dont know who holds phones up to their ear these days either. I haven't in ages. I use my speakerphone or a bluetooth ear piece. Good thing we have choices.

 

[onthecouchagain]

This phone looks awesome, getting one for sure. Just curious why so many people are obsessed with how operational a phone is with one hand. Where are you using it where you cant use 2 hands? Probably the car, thats illegal by the way. carrying something in your hand maybe? Ok, how long are you walking around carrying stuff? Not long I am sure. I dont get it. I also dont know who holds phones up to their ear these days either. I haven't in ages. I use my speakerphone or a bluetooth ear piece. Good thing we have choices.

Apple's made people obsessed with it. Apple makes people obsessed with only what they do better, so things like retina display, one handed use, the most apps, and now reversible plug (gasp!) are paramount.

Oh, and the list used to be longer. When the competition caught up, certain things suddenly weren't as important. Go figure.

 

[wonderspark]

I agree... the Note 2 looks fantastic. I'm much more excited about what Android has coming than what comes after iPhone 5. Hopefully, Apple creates something really great next time. I feel like they are starting to take their success for granted.

Less courts and more dreams!

 

[MRU]

Apple's made people obsessed with it. Apple makes people obsessed with only what they do better, so things like retina display, one handed use, the most apps, and now reversible plug (gasp!) are paramount.

Oh, and the list used to be longer. When the competition caught up, certain things suddenly weren't as important. Go figure.

Actually the one thing I've had a lot of people noticing about the iPhone 5 above everything else is what you can't see.... That is call quality.

Everyone who I have spoken to on the we iPhone have remarked how crystal clear and crisp I sounded. Previously up to this point the bb Bold 9900 had best call quality, but the iPhone 5 has now upped the ante.

It's such a small thing, but when you think about it, probably the MOST important feature of a phone.
Albeit probably the least exciting when put down on Paper.

I thought sound quality was alright on my other phones to be honest, but its the fact that other people I'm talking to are now remarking on how much better it sounds which shows that is an big improvement over my previous Sensation Xe, SGS2, Nexus and current One X handsets, not forgetting my previous iPhones, and my assemble of other handsets N9, Lumia 800, Torch 9860, & Bold 9900.

----------

I also dont know who holds phones up to their ear these days either. I haven't in ages. I use my speakerphone or a bluetooth ear piece. Good thing we have choices.

I dare say, the VAST majority do...

 

[snow blind]

It's such a small thing, but when you think about it, probably the MOST important feature of a phone.
Albeit probably the least exciting when put down on Paper..

I do remember my BB Bold having great call clarity. Nowadays one of a phone's more MINOR functions are phone calls. I can't tell you the last time I've spent any real personal (non-work) time on a phone. Almost everyone has a smart phone with internet and texting... maps and streaming music. Phones now are really just computers. Texting has replaced most phone conversation.

 

[Tarzanman]

When possible, I use google voice chat instead of making a phone call. It sounds waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay better. It even sounds better than HD Voice.

Hopefully, someone in the phone industry will push voice technology forward from the crap 8 KHz sampling frequency that our phone system uses.

 

[hot spare]

It's more than just power and internal hardware when it comes to features of Note 2. This is already a mini-computer. Have anyone seen the awesome (I literally mean freaking awesome) multi-window feature:

Check this about actual working of this feature:

To add to this awesome feature, there is another feature that many reviews have missed,
The S Pen can work as mouse pointer and works incredibly well for websites not optimized for mobile.

Check this video: http://youtu.be/ealqvz196M0?t=8m38s

Go to around 8:40 mark. They show it for porsche website.

 

[dukeblue91]

Well I for one can't wait for it to come to At&t.
I have the One X right now but had the original Note first but it was defective and they had no replacement available and I needed a phone right away so I got the One X.

I also don't understand what the big issue is with one handed use as I mostly use two hands to work my phone.

 

[Djlild7hina]

Man I already have a S3 but the note 2 is really tempting. maybe ill just wait and upgrade to the 1080P display version of one of them

 

[delToros]

I've played with note 2 in samsung store for 40 min. And what can I say:

- It is very original device
- Screen is great.
- S-pen is really great and convenient. I know I would use use it daily
- Android is smooth and offers some new experience if you (like me) have been using iPhone since 2007.

But all these "+"s dont count because:

IT IS VERY CHEAP PLASTIC PHONE!!!!! It is useful and interesting.. but I hate it in my hand.. Nokia 6230 HAS MORE SOLID MATERIALS... It is some cheap plastic..

 

[Tones2]

IT IS VERY CHEAP PLASTIC PHONE!!!!! It is useful and interesting.. but I hate it in my hand.. Nokia 6230 HAS MORE SOLID MATERIALS... It is some cheap plastic..

It's the same material as the S3. It's NOT "cheap" plastic. It's textured polycarbonate, a much higher grade, but still retains lightness. It may FEEL cheap if you are used to the massive glass bulk brick of a device like the iPhone 4/4S and only use it for a shirt period of time, but after using my S3 for awhile, I can assure you that it's quite durable and feels great in the hand, AND DOESN'T SCRATCH / SCUFF!

 

[kdarling]

I also don't understand what the big issue is with one handed use as I mostly use two hands to work my phone.

Yep, unless I only have one hand free, in which case quite often I use my voice to do things instead.

Besides, the whole point of "multi-touch" requires having more than one finger free to do stuff.

And the iPhone wasn't really designed for single-handed usage all the time. Ever try to zoom back out on iOS using only one hand? Ouch. Hurray for on-screen +/- buttons sometimes.

As for the case material, I always put on a nice looking non-slip cover (like this one) anyway.

 

[cynics]

Yep, unless I only have one hand free, in which case quite often I use my voice to do things instead.

Besides, the whole point of "multi-touch" requires having more than one finger free to do stuff.

And the iPhone wasn't really designed for single-handed usage all the time. Ever try to zoom back out on iOS using only one hand? Ouch. Hurray for on-screen +/- buttons sometimes.

As for the case material, I always put on a nice looking non-slip cover (like this one) anyway.

I agree a lot of gestures require two hands however zoom out does not. Double tap your thumb....