Galaxy Note 4

[Fireblade]

Samsung has pulled me the for the S4, S5 and Note 4.

I am going to try REALLY hard to resist the S6. Lets see how that goes on launch day.

Should I do a forecast?

 

[AppleRobert]

Requesting your pros and cons from owners or those who had the Note 4 Edge and retired it for something else.

I have a buyer for my ip6 Plus AND I can get a very good deal on the Note 4 Edge.

I am not concerned about the OS, I have other iPhones and other Androids.

Start your engines and thanks for your feedback!

 

[Osamede]

I'd love for the Note 5 to have no removable battery and metal or glass back. I do lament the loss of the removable memory though. I find the removable battery does nothing for me, the Note 4 lasts 2-3 days, has adaptive fast charge that gets me from 0-50% in 30 min (isn't the S6 even faster than that?) and has the ultra power saver mode which you get all day out of like 10%. I have no idea if it's the case, but my guess is that consumers really don't care very much about the removable battery, especially seeing how many phones Apple sells.

I agree that the new power and ultra power savings mode make a replaceable batter less necessary. But SD card for media is super. I think that's a loss. Nonetheless the enthusiast audience for the Note series would not tolerate the removal of these features. its a different target than the S series.

Also you need to look to the long run - Samsung operates a completely different model from Apple: there is no "genius bar" where you go and get your glass back or ageing battery replaced in 5 mins and walk out of there with your Samsung warranty still valid.

So basically I think this is a non-starter in the Note5. I wouldnt worry about it at all.

 

[machtv]

Requesting your pros and cons from owners or those who had the Note 4 Edge and retired it for something else.

I have a buyer for my ip6 Plus AND I can get a very good deal on the Note 4 Edge.

I am not concerned about the OS, I have other iPhones and other Androids.

Start your engines and thanks for your feedback!

sold my 6 a few weeks back. for the main reason that it didn't work for everything. now my note4 just works and works for everything.

 

[sunking101]

There's a reason why Samsung was one of the only remaining OEMs (and only major OEM) to continue to use removable batteries--because most users don't care about them and never even contemplated having or using a spare battery. Battery life is now at a point where only heavy users may have difficulty getting through an entire day and even then, most have access to a charging cable if needed. Having a removable battery meant compromises in build quality/materials and device structural rigidity, as at the expense of a feature people generally don't care about.

Enjoy your existing devices that have removable batteries because now that Samsung is finally abandoning them, they're going the way of the Dodo.

The batteries are fine when new but I like to buy a fresh one every 6-8 months.

 

[Shanghaichica]

I agree that the new power and ultra power savings mode make a replaceable batter less necessary. But SD card for media is super. I think that's a loss. Nonetheless the enthusiast audience for the Note series would not tolerate the removal of these features. its a different target than the S series.

Also you need to look to the long run - Samsung operates a completely different model from Apple: there is no "genius bar" where you go and get your glass back or ageing battery replaced in 5 mins and walk out of there with your Samsung warranty still valid.

So basically I think this is a non-starter in the Note5. I wouldnt worry about it at all.

We used to have a genius esque service at my local samsung store (Westfield, Stratford). They would try and fix it on the spot if not they would take it in for repair and would have it fixed within 48 hours max. You could also pay for an express service and it would be fixed in 2 hours. However the store has closed down. So now I'd have to send it away to be fixed and wait 2 weeks or whatever.

 

[MRU]

My Note 4 has arrived. Just installing apps.

 

[jamezr]

We used to have a genius esque service at my local samsung store (Westfield, Stratford). They would try and fix it on the spot if not they would take it in for repair and would have it fixed within 48 hours max. You could also pay for an express service and it would be fixed in 2 hours. However the store has closed down. So now I'd have to send it away to be fixed and wait 2 weeks or whatever.

IMHO this is where Samsung needs to step up and make the Samsung stores in the Best Buys here in the States warranty shops. This way they could provide repairs/replacements right on the spot.
I also have had great experiences with carrier corp stores. I have waked into a AT&T corp store and had S5 and S4 replaced no questions asked.

 

[MRU]

Quick first impression -

Why does it feel bigger than my iPhone 6 ? I know it isn't and yet my brain is tricking me into thinking it is.



My first lag -

Yeah i've had some initial lag - hopefully just teething troubles after initial installation


Memory hog :-
So fresh reboot and standing still at 1.7gb used !! of 2.7gb Why samsung why ?



No lollipop :-

So I have the German DBT model - and no lollipop update ? So much for it being available for this model.



Excellent screen :- but in all honesty I can't really tell its any sharper than my iPhone 6+ despite greater pixel density / resolution. Side by side images on both look identical to me.... One caveat however, even with display set to 'basic' to curb the over saturation - white balance is certainly more 'yellow' than the 6+

At this early point - i prefer the 6+ screen colour wise. I'm wondering could this be the Note 4 tempered glass screen protectors influence ?



Cases :-
Spigen Capsule looks like **** on it. They seems to have reduced quality of the case over the Note 3 capsule one. The ultra thin Spigen looks grand.



Touchwiz :-

Well it's same as it was on my Alpha and S5 so nothing to report there.




overall...

Lovely device - with same old Samsung caveats .....

 

[spinedoc77]

IMHO this is where Samsung needs to step up and make the Samsung stores in the Best Buys here in the States warranty shops. This way they could provide repairs/replacements right on the spot.
I also have had great experiences with carrier corp stores. I have waked into a AT&T corp store and had S5 and S4 replaced no questions asked.

THIS. The incredible strength that Apple has is the customer service, not only the phones/hardware/app store etc. But simply the fact that you can waltz down to your local, in almost every mall Apple store and simply get a replacement phone, or get an expert to help you with any issue. Heck they are even friendly for stuff that's sort of a waste.

Just this weekend my mom had her new iPhone 6 so I took her to Apple to get her a screen protector and case. The genius sat there and helped her decide, then found someone good with applying them and had them perfectly install it. Made sure she knew how to drive the phone, we were in and out of a very crowded store in about 15 minutes.

Contrast that with my experiences with the Samsung stores. Faulty Note 4, 2 young kids in an empty best buy store look at me cross eyed, one says "has the Note 4 been released?". The other says "we sell T-Mobile Note4's but can't service or look at them". Sent the phone out to 1 of 2 service centers in the US in Texas to wait 2-3 weeks to maybe get it repaired or replaced.

Even funnier last night went to a Samsung experience store to try a Gear VR out, first Samsung rep "what is that?" standing right next to the Gear VR sigh. 2nd rep "yeah we have them, but one of them is not charged and the other one is broken". I got to try the "broken" one out though. Neither of the Samsung store reps looked like they wanted to be there, and had adopted that typical Best Buy crappy attitude.

Samsung doesn't realize the incredible sense of loyalty Apple consumers have to a customer service system that is so robust and caring.

 

[AppleRobert]

Quick first impression -

Why does it feel bigger than my iPhone 6 ? I know it isn't and yet my brain is tricking me into thinking it is.



My first lag -

Yeah i've had some initial lag - hopefully just teething troubles after initial installation


Memory hog :-
So fresh reboot and standing still at 1.7gb used !! of 2.7gb Why samsung why ?



No lollipop :-

So I have the German DBT model - and no lollipop update ? So much for it being available for this model.



Excellent screen :- but in all honesty I can't really tell its any sharper than my iPhone 6+ despite greater pixel density / resolution. Side by side images on both look identical to me.... One caveat however, even with display set to 'basic' to curb the over saturation - white balance is certainly more 'yellow' than the 6+

At this early point - i prefer the 6+ screen colour wise. I'm wondering could this be the Note 4 tempered glass screen protectors influence ?



Cases :-
Spigen Capsule looks like **** on it. They seems to have reduced quality of the case over the Note 3 capsule one. The ultra thin Spigen looks grand.



Touchwiz :-

Well it's same as it was on my Alpha and S5 so nothing to report there.




overall...

Lovely device - with same old Samsung caveats .....

Well I guessed you helped me with comparison to ip6 +. I did not know you were getting the Note 4, guess we will see how it goes for you.

----------

THIS. The incredible strength that Apple has is the customer service, not only the phones/hardware/app store etc. But simply the fact that you can waltz down to your local, in almost every mall Apple store and simply get a replacement phone, or get an expert to help you with any issue. Heck they are even friendly for stuff that's sort of a waste.

Just this weekend my mom had her new iPhone 6 so I took her to Apple to get her a screen protector and case. The genius sat there and helped her decide, then found someone good with applying them and had them perfectly install it. Made sure she knew how to drive the phone, we were in and out of a very crowded store in about 15 minutes.

Contrast that with my experiences with the Samsung stores. Faulty Note 4, 2 young kids in an empty best buy store look at me cross eyed, one says "has the Note 4 been released?". The other says "we sell T-Mobile Note4's but can't service or look at them". Sent the phone out to 1 of 2 service centers in the US in Texas to wait 2-3 weeks to maybe get it repaired or replaced.

Even funnier last night went to a Samsung experience store to try a Gear VR out, first Samsung rep "what is that?" standing right next to the Gear VR sigh. 2nd rep "yeah we have them, but one of them is not charged and the other one is broken". I got to try the "broken" one out though. Neither of the Samsung store reps looked like they wanted to be there, and had adopted that typical Best Buy crappy attitude.

Samsung doesn't realize the incredible sense of loyalty Apple consume
rs have to a customer service system that is so robust and caring.

Only some of the Samsung reps at Best Buy are helpful, it appears most that work at my local store are trying to get through college and are studying there during work hours and cannot be bothered.

 

[Shanghaichica]

IMHO this is where Samsung needs to step up and make the Samsung stores in the Best Buys here in the States warranty shops. This way they could provide repairs/replacements right on the spot.
I also have had great experiences with carrier corp stores. I have waked into a AT&T corp store and had S5 and S4 replaced no questions asked.

The fact that they don't have this service anymore (where I live) was one of the reasons why I went back to the iPhone. Of course there were other reasons but this played a part as in previous years, i.e when I sold my iPhone 5S and returned to Samsung the fact that they had this service went in Samsung's favour.

The fact that you can take your device into the Apple store and get service is great. Even if I had damaged the device myself, i.e smashed the screen. If I didn't have insurance I'd have peace of mind, knowing that I could take it in, pay whatever I had to pay and have a proper OEM screen installed and walk away.

I've just bought a macbook air and I know if I have any issues, or of I'm unsure about anything (switched from windows) I can just take it into the Apple store and they will set me right.

 

[jamezr]

The fact that they don't have this service anymore (where I live) was one of the reasons why I went back to the iPhone. Of course there were other reasons but this played a part as in previous years, i.e when I sold my iPhone 5S and returned to Samsung the fact that they had this service went in Samsung's favour.

The fact that you can take your device into the Apple store and get service is great. Even if I had damaged the device myself, i.e smashed the screen. If I didn't have insurance I'd have peace of mind, knowing that I could take it in, pay whatever I had to pay and have a proper OEM screen installed and walk away.

I've just bought a macbook air and I know if I have any issues, or of I'm unsure about anything (switched from windows) I can just take it into the Apple store and they will set me right.

Congrats on the new MBA!
Yep...that is why I have so many Apple products in my home. I just bought a new retina MBP with 512 GB SSD! It is blazingly fast. I also know I can walk into any Apple store and get service should I need to. IMHO Apple is way above the rest in customer service.

 

[MRU]

Congrats on the new MBA!
Yep...that is why I have so many Apple products in my home. I just bought a new retina MBP with 512 GB SSD! It is blazingly fast. I also know I can walk into any Apple store and get service should I need to. IMHO Apple is way above the rest in customer service.

That's the model I have too (most current i7 512gb RMBP) Indeed a lovely laptop also have a 11.6" MBA that I love for portability too (as well as my main MacPro)

 

[spinedoc77]

The fact that they don't have this service anymore (where I live) was one of the reasons why I went back to the iPhone. Of course there were other reasons but this played a part as in previous years, i.e when I sold my iPhone 5S and returned to Samsung the fact that they had this service went in Samsung's favour.

The fact that you can take your device into the Apple store and get service is great. Even if I had damaged the device myself, i.e smashed the screen. If I didn't have insurance I'd have peace of mind, knowing that I could take it in, pay whatever I had to pay and have a proper OEM screen installed and walk away.

I've just bought a macbook air and I know if I have any issues, or of I'm unsure about anything (switched from windows) I can just take it into the Apple store and they will set me right.

Slightly OT but in regards to the MacBook that's the reason I went with a SP3 because I have a Microsoft store that functions like Apple, they will bend over backwards to keep me happy and I only have to drive there. Heck even Microsoft gets it, but Samsung keeps missing the boat. I'd happily get a MS phone for the MS store experience but the app store isn't there yet and I think Lumias are atrociously designed.

 

[MRU]

Switched over to ART and now memory is at 1.3/1.4 of 2.7 with nothing else open. A little improvement

Trying to decide whether to flash 5.0.1 DBT firmware via Odin, but part of me thinks there is a reason Samsung has put a hold on lollipop update and maybe I should wait ...

 

[Fireblade]

Switched over to ART and now memory is at 1.3/1.4 of 2.7 with nothing else open. A little improvement

Trying to decide whether to flash 5.0.1 DBT firmware via Odin, but part of me thinks there is a reason Samsung has put a hold on lollipop update and maybe I should wait ...

Do you have N910F version?

 

[MRU]

Do you have N910F version?

Yep N910F German DBT CSC - however even though there is a leaked DBT 5.0.1 firmware on XDA - it is not appearing OTA on the device.

 

[Fireblade]

Yep N910F German DBT CSC - however even though there is a leaked DBT 5.0.1 firmware on XDA - it is not appearing OTA on the device.

Hmmm strange, in a German Android forum I was reading that the lollipop update should be out for your device since 2 weeks.
Have you tried via Kies?

 

[MRU]

Hmmm strange, in a German Android forum I was reading that the lollipop update should be out for your device since 2 weeks.
Have you tried via Kies?

Yep. Kies says its up to date. The lollipop thread over on XDA I read through seems to show quite a number of users with correct device but still no update.

How on earth Samsung do these roll outs they are painful.

 

[Tsepz]

Yep N910F German DBT CSC - however even though there is a leaked DBT 5.0.1 firmware on XDA - it is not appearing OTA on the device.

This can only mean one thing, the DBT 5.0.1 for N910F AND Russian 5.0.1 for N910C were truly Soak Tests, and the final update is in the works for us. I am on the 5.0.1 DBT FW on my N910F, and the 1st thing it asks after the update is if it may Report Diagnostic Info. Take note also that Samsung themselves never did say 5.0.1 is rolling out, they simply put up the updates and let a few of us get them then took them down while they finish up the final FW.

I'm fully expecting the final update to be based on 5.0.2.

 

[MRU]

This can only mean one thing, the DBT 5.0.1 for N910F AND Russian 5.0.1 for N910C were truly Soak Tests, and the final update is in the works for us. I am on the 5.0.1 DBT FW on my N910F, and the 1st thing it asks after the update is if it may Report Diagnostic Info. Take note also that Samsung themselves never did say 5.0.1 is rolling out, they simply put up the updates and let a few of us get them then took them down while they finish up the final FW.

I'm fully expecting the final update to be based on 5.0.2.

That makes sense. Hopefully they now take their time and implement the S6 stock apps material design to dialer and contacts on the official version whenever it does rollout.

 

[Fernandez21]

Switched over to ART and now memory is at 1.3/1.4 of 2.7 with nothing else open. A little improvement

Trying to decide whether to flash 5.0.1 DBT firmware via Odin, but part of me thinks there is a reason Samsung has put a hold on lollipop update and maybe I should wait ...

How is ART working for you? When I switched to it, it seemed to work a little better but every time I rebooted it had to optimize 100+ apps. I do have the at&t version though.

----------

This can only mean one thing, the DBT 5.0.1 for N910F AND Russian 5.0.1 for N910C were truly Soak Tests, and the final update is in the works for us. I am on the 5.0.1 DBT FW on my N910F, and the 1st thing it asks after the update is if it may Report Diagnostic Info. Take note also that Samsung themselves never did say 5.0.1 is rolling out, they simply put up the updates and let a few of us get them then took them down while they finish up the final FW.

I'm fully expecting the final update to be based on 5.0.2.

One can only hope, though the Note 5 will probably be released before I see on my Note 4.

 

[MRU]

Galaxy Note 4

How is ART working for you? When I switched to it, it seemed to work a little better but every time I rebooted it had to optimize 100+ apps. I do have the at&t version though.

----------



One can only hope, though the Note 5 will probably be released before I see on my Note 4.

Art is working grand. Not seeing any major advancement and thankfully I don't get that - once done it hasn't asked when I have subsequently rebooted.

Have noticed the Note 4 gets very warm compared to my moto x or iPhone 6 plus. When it was optimising after I switched to art it got very warm indeed.

-----

Spoke too soon. Rebooted and said another 64 apps to optimise????

Seems ART has issues on the Note 4. 4.4.4 KitKat

Oh and S-health doesn't work for me on ART at all.

--------
Reverted back to Dalvik

 

[Savor]

Guess I was wrong.

Never saw iPhone 6 and LG G3 becoming co-winners for best smartphone.

The LG G4 is something I am quite curious as I think that is the only major flagship that will provide removable battery/micro-sd this year unless they decide to listen to folks whining about more metal rears. Hoping they follow the path of the G3 than the G2 which omitted those features. Note 5? Who knows? Samsung could be focused more on fashion than function in 2015.

I guess the S4's "Lifetime Companion" slogan becomes moot without a removable battery. Use it until the battery dies and then replace it for something newer. At least the LG G3, S5, and Note 4 can maintain that mantra....LIFETIME COMPANION.