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mpavilion

macrumors 65816
Aug 4, 2014
1,461
1,072
SFV, CA, USA
I'm seriously considering this phone. I've read ppl saying, elsewhere on the Web, that the task-killing issue is so severe, their navigation app will be killed mid-drive, if they're running an audio app at the same time and a few notifications from other apps come in. Surely that can't be true(??)
 

epicrayban

macrumors 604
Nov 7, 2014
6,517
5,353
I'm seriously considering this phone. I've read ppl saying, elsewhere on the Web, that the task-killing issue is so severe, their navigation app will be killed mid-drive, if they're running an audio app at the same time and a few notifications from other apps come in. Surely that can't be true(??)

Untrue based on my ownership of the s6. I've used Bluetooth for both simultaneous music and Google maps navigation in the car a few times already. No such problem.
 

Tig Bitties

macrumors 603
Sep 6, 2012
5,517
5,692
How do you turn off the glowing lit up navigation keys for the Back and Recent buttons ? I recall older Galaxy phones had an option how long those would stay lit. I'd like to set mine to off.

Another feature I'd love to see on the Note 5, is the great Jailbreak tweak for the iPhone, where just barely lightly tapping the home button makes it work, it will vibrate and then work as it shoukd, with just a easy tap, as opposed to actually pressing down hard on it.
 

MRU

macrumors Penryn
Aug 23, 2005
25,370
8,952
a better place
I'm seriously considering this phone. I've read ppl saying, elsewhere on the Web, that the task-killing issue is so severe, their navigation app will be killed mid-drive, if they're running an audio app at the same time and a few notifications from other apps come in. Surely that can't be true(??)

As actually one of the original authors/sources of the "Aggressive Ram Issue", that was picked up by the media subsequently. I can tell you that the Note 5 is doing a lot better at keeping apps open for longer.

There were indeed issues on the Edge & S6 - whilst I never had music actively killed one of the annoying issues was fitness trackers.

When cycling or running I like to actually run two trackers simultaneously. I can do this on pretty much all my android devices and even my iPhone. However on my Edge I would start both trackers and begin a run or cycle. The only other things running in background would be emails checking and general phone radios / cellular activity. When I get home or stop and check my trackers invariably one or on occasions both have been killed and are forced to refresh - then end result being neither has actually recorded my journey making them somewhat redundant.

The other examples of where the aggressive ram would affect me would be in my most used apps. Usually a combination of Tapatalk, Google Play newsstand, Music, Email, keep, Messaging and Dialer / contacts

Hardly pushing the boat out, and pretty much all my devices since 2012/13 have ran these apps without issues of excessive refreshing. Sadly my S6 Edge finds keeping that rather basic meagre selection in memory backgrounded difficult. Something that seriously shouldn't happen on a 3gb device. Regularly I'd find Tapatalk refreshed back to home menu and google play newsstand dropping me back to its front end.

----

I have had the Note 5 since Thursday afternoon and can confirm in my experience that for the most part it's not an issue now keeping those in memory or running my two trackers. It was one of first tests I did. So for the most part the extra 1gb of ram is alleviating the issue.

However I won't lie, it is still a case that it can not keep as many activities active / backgrounded compared to devices like the Nexus 6 or even the Xperia Z3 with 3gb of ram.

The Note 5 is just about on par multitasking wise as my Moto X 2014 with 2gb ram. Essentially Touchwiz is still ram heavy but importantly the Note 5 doesn't bother you anywhere near as much as the S6 / S6 Edge did in this regard.

Essentially I would say the Note 5 multitasking is what the S6/edge should have been, and the Note 5 should be a little better. But it's a decent step up improvement over its siblings regardless.

But Samsung do need to stop relying on sheer muscle power to bully it's way through its own OS.

If ram management is a concern, I am happy to report most users will be happy with the Note 5. It's ram limits only become apparent when placed side by side with another device and actively challenged. Generally in day to day use you will be perfectly served by it.

The apps load blazing fast and being able to keep more open / backgrounded means the device feels in everyday use very snappy indeed.

If however you are a heavy mobile gamer and like having multiple open games then I would suggest looking more at a Nexus 6 or other stock android devices with 3gb

Hope that helps.
 

Robstevo

macrumors 6502
Jun 7, 2014
472
722
Any recommendations for apps :) not generic apps that everyone knows about lol

I just found a cool app called fingersecurity which allows you to lock any applications and open them with the finger print scanner :) which is pretty cool :) so I have locked my emails, Facebook etc
 

mpavilion

macrumors 65816
Aug 4, 2014
1,461
1,072
SFV, CA, USA
Untrue based on my ownership of the s6. I've used Bluetooth for both simultaneous music and Google maps navigation in the car a few times already. No such problem.

As actually one of the original authors/sources of the "Aggressive Ram Issue", that was picked up by the media subsequently. I can tell you that the Note 5 is doing a lot better at keeping apps open for longer.

There were indeed issues on the Edge & S6 - whilst I never had music actively killed one of the annoying issues was fitness trackers.

When cycling or running I like to actually run two trackers simultaneously. I can do this on pretty much all my android devices and even my iPhone. However on my Edge I would start both trackers and begin a run or cycle. The only other things running in background would be emails checking and general phone radios / cellular activity. When I get home or stop and check my trackers invariably one or on occasions both have been killed and are forced to refresh - then end result being neither has actually recorded my journey making them somewhat redundant.

The other examples of where the aggressive ram would affect me would be in my most used apps. Usually a combination of Tapatalk, Google Play newsstand, Music, Email, keep, Messaging and Dialer / contacts

Hardly pushing the boat out, and pretty much all my devices since 2012/13 have ran these apps without issues of excessive refreshing. Sadly my S6 Edge finds keeping that rather basic meagre selection in memory backgrounded difficult. Something that seriously shouldn't happen on a 3gb device. Regularly I'd find Tapatalk refreshed back to home menu and google play newsstand dropping me back to its front end.

----

I have had the Note 5 since Thursday afternoon and can confirm in my experience that for the most part it's not an issue now keeping those in memory or running my two trackers. It was one of first tests I did. So for the most part the extra 1gb of ram is alleviating the issue.

However I won't lie, it is still a case that it can not keep as many activities active / backgrounded compared to devices like the Nexus 6 or even the Xperia Z3 with 3gb of ram.

The Note 5 is just about on par multitasking wise as my Moto X 2014 with 2gb ram. Essentially Touchwiz is still ram heavy but importantly the Note 5 doesn't bother you anywhere near as much as the S6 / S6 Edge did in this regard.

Essentially I would say the Note 5 multitasking is what the S6/edge should have been, and the Note 5 should be a little better. But it's a decent step up improvement over its siblings regardless.

But Samsung do need to stop relying on sheer muscle power to bully it's way through its own OS.

If ram management is a concern, I am happy to report most users will be happy with the Note 5. It's ram limits only become apparent when placed side by side with another device and actively challenged. Generally in day to day use you will be perfectly served by it.

The apps load blazing fast and being able to keep more open / backgrounded means the device feels in everyday use very snappy indeed.

If however you are a heavy mobile gamer and like having multiple open games then I would suggest looking more at a Nexus 6 or other stock android devices with 3gb

Hope that helps.

Many thanks for the detailed responses.
 
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mpavilion

macrumors 65816
Aug 4, 2014
1,461
1,072
SFV, CA, USA
One more q (sorry) -- in the last Samsung phone I owned, shortcuts appeared in the notification panel when an audio cable was plugged into the headphone jack; specifically, shortcuts to the applications used most often when plugged in. So when I plugged into my car in the morning, shortcuts to nav and podcast apps would be right there.

Does this feature still appear in current TouchWiz? Thanks.
 

Tig Bitties

macrumors 603
Sep 6, 2012
5,517
5,692

HiDEF

macrumors 68000
Jun 23, 2010
1,711
395
Miami, FL
[Rom]DeodexedBOH4 ThrashRom lite** update 9-5* Added Features
http://forum.xda-developers.com/tmobile-galaxy-note5/development/deodexed-stock-n920taoge-t3186037

Features for lite

-rooted
-busybox
-3minit battery mod
-zip aligned
-over 200 fonts
-debloated
-private mode working
-SuperSU built in
-Knox removed
-boot sound removed
-international samsung boot animation-l
-ext read/write fix
So, Knox removed but not Samsung Pay; don't those two go hand-in-hand?

Also, can you return the device back to stock if you wanted to?
 

Tig Bitties

macrumors 603
Sep 6, 2012
5,517
5,692
So, Knox removed but not Samsung Pay; don't those two go hand-in-hand?

Also, can you return the device back to stock if you wanted to?

Yes you an return the device to stock. I spoke to the T-Mobile rep, he says they don't give to craps if a phone has been rooted, when returning to get another phone for the " Jump On Demand " program. They just want to make sure it's physically in great condition, and actually works, etc...
 

nviz22

Cancelled
Jun 24, 2013
5,277
3,071
I decided to get the Note 5. At the risk of a $50 restocking fee, it is not a bad try for a week or two at worst. So far, I like it better than the S6 Edge I used to own. The body design is awesome. I haven't used Samsung Pay yet. Camera is amazing as ever. It is nice to have an android device that has all the cool features excluding an IR blaster. I find the S-Pen writing feature on a dark screen as cool. The auto eject function is nice too. But the RAM management is still slightly too aggressive. Touchwiz hiccups too, but that's Samsung for you. My iPhone (whether 6+ or 6S+) will be my daily driver anyways. So far, I leant it to a family member to use in the hospital because signal in there is bad because my uncle had a major heart attack and that family member is spending more time in the hospital than me since they're visiting from outside the country.
 
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Tsepz

macrumors 601
Jan 24, 2013
4,888
4,698
Johannesburg, South Africa
As actually one of the original authors/sources of the "Aggressive Ram Issue", that was picked up by the media subsequently. I can tell you that the Note 5 is doing a lot better at keeping apps open for longer.

There were indeed issues on the Edge & S6 - whilst I never had music actively killed one of the annoying issues was fitness trackers.

When cycling or running I like to actually run two trackers simultaneously. I can do this on pretty much all my android devices and even my iPhone. However on my Edge I would start both trackers and begin a run or cycle. The only other things running in background would be emails checking and general phone radios / cellular activity. When I get home or stop and check my trackers invariably one or on occasions both have been killed and are forced to refresh - then end result being neither has actually recorded my journey making them somewhat redundant.

The other examples of where the aggressive ram would affect me would be in my most used apps. Usually a combination of Tapatalk, Google Play newsstand, Music, Email, keep, Messaging and Dialer / contacts

Hardly pushing the boat out, and pretty much all my devices since 2012/13 have ran these apps without issues of excessive refreshing. Sadly my S6 Edge finds keeping that rather basic meagre selection in memory backgrounded difficult. Something that seriously shouldn't happen on a 3gb device. Regularly I'd find Tapatalk refreshed back to home menu and google play newsstand dropping me back to its front end.

----

I have had the Note 5 since Thursday afternoon and can confirm in my experience that for the most part it's not an issue now keeping those in memory or running my two trackers. It was one of first tests I did. So for the most part the extra 1gb of ram is alleviating the issue.

However I won't lie, it is still a case that it can not keep as many activities active / backgrounded compared to devices like the Nexus 6 or even the Xperia Z3 with 3gb of ram.

The Note 5 is just about on par multitasking wise as my Moto X 2014 with 2gb ram. Essentially Touchwiz is still ram heavy but importantly the Note 5 doesn't bother you anywhere near as much as the S6 / S6 Edge did in this regard.

Essentially I would say the Note 5 multitasking is what the S6/edge should have been, and the Note 5 should be a little better. But it's a decent step up improvement over its siblings regardless.

But Samsung do need to stop relying on sheer muscle power to bully it's way through its own OS.

If ram management is a concern, I am happy to report most users will be happy with the Note 5. It's ram limits only become apparent when placed side by side with another device and actively challenged. Generally in day to day use you will be perfectly served by it.

The apps load blazing fast and being able to keep more open / backgrounded means the device feels in everyday use very snappy indeed.

If however you are a heavy mobile gamer and like having multiple open games then I would suggest looking more at a Nexus 6 or other stock android devices with 3gb

Hope that helps.
Congrats on your Note 4, btw!

I am eyeing the Xperia Z5 Premium, Sony have gone mostly stock Android in their new UI, so multitasking should be a breeze. :)

I updated my Note 4 to 5.1.1, thankfully the multitasking is still much better than the S6 and S6 Edge, but is a tad more aggressive. Seems to be similar to what you have experienced with the Note5.
 
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MRU

macrumors Penryn
Aug 23, 2005
25,370
8,952
a better place
Congrats on your Note 4, btw!

I am eyeing the Xperia Z5 Premium, Sony have gone mostly stock Android in their new UI, so multitasking should be a breeze. :)

I updated my Note 4 to 5.1.1, thankfully the multitasking is still much better than the S6 and S6 Edge, but is a tad more aggressive. Seems to be similar to what you have experienced with the Note5.
Yeah my Z3 multitasking like a champ. They have embraced the near stock appeal whilst keeping the additional features people actually want in a third party launcher. That's what OEMs should be doing. Thankfully we are seeing a move to it from other manufacturers, it'd be nice to see Samsung do the same.
 

Tig Bitties

macrumors 603
Sep 6, 2012
5,517
5,692
Wow, the screen on this Note 5, outside on a hot sunny day in the Chicago burbs is unreal. Super bright, and easy to read. Never had a phone this clear to see the display on a bright sunny day.

Overall this screen is amazing. Really the best of the best, much nicer than my Nexus 6 display.

What setting do you keep your screen at ? Which mode in settings ?
 
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Fernandez21

macrumors 601
Jun 16, 2010
4,840
3,183
Wow, the screen on this Note 5, outside on a hot sunny day in the Chicago burbs is unreal. Super bright, and easy to read. Never had a phone this clear to see the display on a bright sunny day.
Yup, I'm in sunny Florida and have no problems seeing it outside. The only faults I can find on this screen, if I'm being nitpicky, are that at an extreme angle there is a rainbow effect, and whites are ever so slightly yellow. That's it, it's almost a perfect screen.

I also keep mine at amoled photo for the same reasons.
 

MRU

macrumors Penryn
Aug 23, 2005
25,370
8,952
a better place
Wow, the screen on this Note 5, outside on a hot sunny day in the Chicago burbs is unreal. Super bright, and easy to read. Never had a phone this clear to see the display on a bright sunny day.

Overall this screen is amazing. Really the best of the best, much nicer than my Nexus 6 display.

What setting do you keep your screen at ? Which mode in settings ?
I'm using Amoled Photograph

Prefer it's more natural but more saturated than basic mode.
 

MRU

macrumors Penryn
Aug 23, 2005
25,370
8,952
a better place
Yup, I'm in sunny Florida and have no problems seeing it outside. The only faults I can find on this screen, if I'm being nitpicky, are that at an extreme angle there is a rainbow effect, and whites are ever so slightly yellow. That's it, it's almost a perfect screen.
Yeah in isolation you don't really notice the yellow white balance but next to another device it is easy to see.

It was same with Note 4 & S6 Edge too, so I just assume it's to do with Samsungs Super Amoled tech when they moved to QHD.
 

HiDEF

macrumors 68000
Jun 23, 2010
1,711
395
Miami, FL
Yup, I'm in sunny Florida and have no problems seeing it outside. The only faults I can find on this screen, if I'm being nitpicky, are that at an extreme angle there is a rainbow effect, and whites are ever so slightly yellow. That's it, it's almost a perfect screen.

I also keep mine at amoled photo for the same reasons.
Are with TMO or ATT?
 
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