Galaxy Note 4

[torana355]

I got my Note 4 a few days ago. It is my first phablet and my first Samsung phone (i already have owned a few samsung tablets). Ive always used Nexus phones for the great price and pure Android but i wanted a change so i picked the N4.

The new aluminium chassis is a great step in the right direction, The screen is to die for, Touchwiz seems to be trimmed down but still contains many excellent features that you miss out on with pure Android. All this is great but the thing that really has impressed me is the battery life, coming from the Nexus 5 the Note 4 obliterates it, im consistently getting over 6 hours SOT and over a day off the plug. This is without switching off any features. All i can say is Wow!!!, Samsung have finally made a decent phone.

ps: Oh and the camera is brilliant too!

 

[MRU]

People criticise Samsung for its software additions to touchwiz, yet I wish my new Moto X 2014 had the same display options as the S5, Alpha and Note 4 for calibrating the display saturation. It makes such a big difference to some images in regards to colour accuracy.

Will give it to the new year and then decide whether it's a keeper or a seller and maybe sell both the Alpha & Moto x for a Note 4.

Anyone - the Note 4's sides are coloured unlike the Alpha's - is this just painted - will it add a risk of scratching or marking ? Also anyone with a white Note 4, how is it holding up aesthetically after weeks of use? Has it physically tarnished in any way?

 

[spinedoc77]

People criticise Samsung for its software additions to touchwiz, yet I wish my new Moto X 2014 had the same display options as the S5, Alpha and Note 4 for calibrating the display saturation. It makes such a big difference to some images in regards to colour accuracy.

Will give it to the new year and then decide whether it's a keeper or a seller and maybe sell both the Alpha & Moto x for a Note 4.

Anyone - the Note 4's sides are coloured unlike the Alpha's - is this just painted - will it add a risk of scratching or marking ? Also anyone with a white Note 4, how is it holding up aesthetically after weeks of use? Has it physically tarnished in any way?

Touchwiz has a LOT of great features. The Note 4 is pretty durable, although the sides are a bit delicate. The one I had before had some little chips in the chrome bezel on the bottom from putting the plug in, but very mild. I did have some very small dents in my frame from dropping the phone in the gym, but they didn't scratch which impressed me. The plastic back, of course, is indestructible.

I'm getting ********** wraps for my new Note 4 I just bought, the ones they have cover the chamfered edges on the top and bottom and that also gets rid of the awful chrome surround I wish they'd abandon.

 

[MRU]

Touchwiz has a LOT of great features. The Note 4 is pretty durable, although the sides are a bit delicate. The one I had before had some little chips in the chrome bezel on the bottom from putting the plug in, but very mild. I did have some very small dents in my frame from dropping the phone in the gym, but they didn't scratch which impressed me. The plastic back, of course, is indestructible.



I'm getting ********** wraps for my new Note 4 I just bought, the ones they have cover the chamfered edges on the top and bottom and that also gets rid of the awful chrome surround I wish they'd abandon.

Thanks doc

When you got the marks on the side did it flake or show silver/chrome under the colored sides.

I know I'll likely end up getting a spigen clear case if I do go down that road just out of fear of scratching - more for the fact that it would affect reselling it in the future (which given my device addiction is something I care about).

I've only seen and held black N4 here, not sure how the white variant actually looks in person. I would have loved to see Samsung release a silver version of the N4 like the Silver Alpha.

 

[spinedoc77]

Thanks doc

When you got the marks on the side did it flake or show silver/chrome under the colored sides.

I know I'll likely end up getting a spigen clear case if I do go down that road just out of fear of scratching - more for the fact that it would affect reselling it in the future (which given my device addiction is something I care about).

I've only seen and held black N4 here, not sure how the white variant actually looks in person. I would have loved to see Samsung release a silver version of the N4 like the Silver Alpha.

The chips I got in the chrome part showed chrome underneath, but they weren't very deep. The dents in the grey part didn't chip or flake at all.

 

[spriter]

Anyone - the Note 4's sides are coloured unlike the Alpha's - is this just painted - will it add a risk of scratching or marking ? Also anyone with a white Note 4, how is it holding up aesthetically after weeks of use? Has it physically tarnished in any way?

I have the black version but just a comment on the strength/durability: I knocked it off the bed (about 50cm drop) on to a very hard, tiled floor a few weeks ago and feared the worst. It had no case on or screen protector. When I checked for damage the next morning I was shocked to find absolutely zero damage - I mean zero. I eyeballed it time and again thinking it must have suffered something.

By contrast, I'd done the same with my 5s and that now has an obvious and significant ding around the band and the screen shows signs of being ready to crack if it takes another hit.

Lesson learned and considering myself lucky, I now use a case depending on what I'm doing. For everyday use, it's a Qialino slide-on leather casewhich adds minimal bulk whilst softening up the angular edges a touch. It has 4 suds on the back which raise it off surfaces so audio is far less muffled. Also includes a tempered glass screen protector. Might be difficult to get outside of China but at ~$25 I love it. I also have a Spigen Neo Hybrid (loved this on my 5s), a Pelosi minimal clip-on case with a grippy Sandstone back (think OnePlus One), and an Otter box Commuter for times when more protection is in order.

Would be interested to see what case options you guys use.

Overall, after 2 months I've now consolidated to the Note 4. Gone is the OPO (to my wife who loves it) and the 5s will be sold soon as it was just not being used any more.

I find the Note 4 to be very well-rounded in terms of features and hardware with no real weaknesses (for my needs). Add in dual SIM and a spare battery and it's unrivalled at the moment. Granted I'm rooted to streamline things a touch but I'd do that on any Android device (or jailbreak iOS).

 

[Tig Bitties]

This is a very sad sight to my eyes
http://forum.xda-developers.com/note-4-att/development

Not even basic Root yet Phone has been out for 2+ months and ZERO development for ATT users Nothing but tumble weeds blowing, and crickets chirping.

F u ATT.

Thank God I have my OnePlus One, this phone is a beast, especially running CM12 already. But would be open and tempted to go to the Note 4 is I could root it, and install ROM's. But I am on ATT, which does have excellent service in my area, and a very good plan = $130 / Month for 2 phones = Unlimited minutes + Unlimited texts + 10GB Data, and rock solid stable network for me.

I'll pass on paying $700+ off contract for the Note 4. On ATT would be like $99 on my plan, but with no root = no way.

 

[spinedoc77]

This is a very sad sight to my eyes
http://forum.xda-developers.com/note-4-att/development

Not even basic Root yet Phone has been out for 2+ months and ZERO development for ATT users Nothing but tumble weeds blowing, and crickets chirping.

F u ATT.

No way I'm leaving my OnePlus One for the ATT Note 4. My next phone will probably be the One M9 in March, if it has a bigger than 5" screen, and as long as it's easy to root and install Recovery like the ATT One M8 is.

Yep, that's why I sold my ATT version and eventually rebought a Tmobile version to use on ATT's network. While I blame ATT, I also blame Samsung for not providing the bootloader like some other Android manufacturers do.

From what I understand Android will be more locked down universally with Lollipop, although I don't know the details or why. Eventually it will be all locked down anyhow IMO.

 

[Tig Bitties]

Yep, that's why I sold my ATT version and eventually rebought a Tmobile version to use on ATT's network. While I blame ATT, I also blame Samsung for not providing the bootloader like some other Android manufacturers do.

From what I understand Android will be more locked down universally with Lollipop, although I don't know the details or why. Eventually it will be all locked down anyhow IMO.

Yeah, but I think ATT is the main culprit here. I mean Samsung has open bootloaders unlocks on T-Mobile, and all the International models. Just not ATT, so I am blaming ATT here.

Thing is, they do have excellent service for me here in Chicago land area, where T-Mobile is pretty good, but not near perfect like ATT is for me.

 

[spinedoc77]

Yeah, but I think ATT is the main culprit here. I mean Samsung has open bootloaders unlocks on T-Mobile, and all the International models. Just not ATT, so I am blaming ATT here.

Thing is, they do have excellent service for me here in Chicago land area, where T-Mobile is pretty good, but not near perfect like ATT is for me.

I think it is HTC that lets you download an unlock for the bootloader on ATT, maybe LG also, I forget which companies. I highly doubt Samsung couldn't do the same. But I don't disagree, the lions share of the blame rests on ATT. I'd switch to Tmobile network in a second if their reception wasn't so awful.

Edit: Add Motorola to HTC and LG as companies who officially provide a way to unlock their bootloaders on AT&T. The Nexus devices are easily unlocked as well from what I understand. Not much left except for Samsung.

 

[ecrispy]

Both ATT and Verizon are evil and anti-consumer. T-Mobile and Sprint aren't, but mostly because they need customers.

Verizon and AT&T are typical US megacorp's, protected by our govt and millions of lobby dollars, working hard to screw over customers as much as possible and increasing rates all the time with decreasing service.

This sort of locked down phone would never be allowed in EU or Asia, they have actual laws to prevent stuff like this. We have laws to protect corporations.

btw people who have taken the recent OTA on ATT and Verizon (I'm one of them) stand an even lesser chance of root, should it ever be found.

 

[Technarchy]

Anyone try ART over Dalvik on the Note 4? On the S5 it did wonders for overall responsiveness and fluidity.

I'd be curious to see if anyone has an opinion and experience with the Note 4 and ART.

 

[Sevanw]

Anyone try ART over Dalvik on the Note 4? On the S5 it did wonders for overall responsiveness and fluidity.

I'd be curious to see if anyone has an opinion and experience with the Note 4 and ART.

From what I've read in various forums, it's not worth it. Better to wait for Lollipop where ART is standard. In KitKat, running ART has caused issues with breaking apps, and reboots that can take more than hour because of optimizing apps each time.

 

[ecrispy]

From what I've read in various forums, it's not worth it. Better to wait for Lollipop where ART is standard. In KitKat, running ART has caused issues with breaking apps, and reboots that can take more than hour because of optimizing apps each time.

The first boot takes a long time, but not after that. On my Note 4, I haven't seen any breaking apps but its still pretty new. I agree you won't see a night/day difference with ART, but its very subjective, even on a Nexus phone.

 

[MRU]

Galaxy Note 4

Has anyone seen the recent videos by Adrianisen in regards to the budget Galaxy Ace 4, OS - GUI speed compared to the flagships? Quite surprising results. Hopefully Samsung brings many of these optimisations to its flagships rather than just relying on sheer brute force of the CPU & Ram to muscle through, going forward.

 

[jamesrick80]

The recent apps lag is getting to me. Hoping Lollipop fixes it.

How's Hangouts for you? For some reason I get a little pause every time I'm sending a message. Is that just on my end?

Learn your phone, some apps are not optimized for the note 4 ...I realize this and made adjustments with app management...there is no actual lag in the T-Mobile version unless it's app related....

 

[spinedoc77]

Learn your phone, some apps are not optimized for the note 4 ...I realize this and made adjustments with app management...there is no actual lag in the T-Mobile version unless it's app related....

How did you adjust Hangouts? It's kind of laggy on my Note 4 as well and I'd be curious what adjustments you made.

 

[Menneisyys2]

thats so lame man, and people rag about Apple for their business practices...? meanwhile Samsung every year offers a flagship, then 6 months down the road, not even they offer a much improved version of the flagship with a much better CPU (old S5 only has 801, then it got the 805 not even a few months later) and same thing with the S4 when I got it, it came with the s600 which was great at the time and not even a half year later they come out with a snapdragon 800 version of the Galaxy s4 already. what a load of ********

iPad3's life cycle, anyone? 6 months?

 

[gadgetgirl85]

Can't remember if I asked here but any recommendations on places to get a decent wallpaper for the note 4?

 

[MRU]

Can't remember if I asked here but any recommendations on places to get a decent wallpaper for the note 4?

Interfacelift.com

 

[Switchback666]

Interfacelift.com

Good stuff

 

[jamezr]

Can't remember if I asked here but any recommendations on places to get a decent wallpaper for the note 4?

You can find anything you could want for just about any device here
http://Www.deviantart.com

 

[LIVEFRMNYC]

This is a very sad sight to my eyes
http://forum.xda-developers.com/note-4-att/development

Not even basic Root yet Phone has been out for 2+ months and ZERO development for ATT users Nothing but tumble weeds blowing, and crickets chirping.

F u ATT.

Thank God I have my OnePlus One, this phone is a beast, especially running CM12 already. But would be open and tempted to go to the Note 4 is I could root it, and install ROM's. But I am on ATT, which does have excellent service in my area, and a very good plan = $130 / Month for 2 phones = Unlimited minutes + Unlimited texts + 10GB Data, and rock solid stable network for me.

I'll pass on paying $700+ off contract for the Note 4. On ATT would be like $99 on my plan, but with no root = no way.

So glad I switch to T-mobile. I would be pissed if I couldn't root.

 

[The Game 161]

Had an update and battery life is better when on 3G/H+

 

[mi7chy]

Has anyone seen the recent videos by Adrianisen in regards to the budget Galaxy Ace 4, OS - GUI speed compared to the flagships? Quite surprising results. Hopefully Samsung brings many of these optimisations to its flagships rather than just relying on sheer brute force of the CPU & Ram to muscle through, going forward.

YouTube: video

Duh! Turn off animations in developer options.