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Now it would be a sad day in the mobile space if the Note line was cancelled. I just don't see it happening. It may become more restricted to fewer markets, but not totally cancelled. I need my SPen and cute brunette.

If they can cut out 750 million users in one territory, then yes, cancelling it altogether next year is a very distinct possibility ...
 
From displaymate:

... the most color accurate display that we have ever measured for a Smartphone or Tablet, which is visually indistinguishable from perfect, and is very likely considerably better than your living room TV.

When Automatic Brightness is turned On, the Galaxy Note 5 produces up to an impressive 861 cd/m2 (nits) in High Ambient Light, where high Brightness is really needed – it is the brightest mobile display that we have ever tested. As a result of its high Brightness and low Reflectance, the Galaxy Note 5 has a Contrast Rating for High Ambient Light that ranges from 118 to183, also the highest that we have ever measured for any mobile display.

--------------------------

I've said this many times, there's a reason why Samsung’s flagship should cost more than any other device on the planet. The most expensive and advanced hardware around. Absolutely Unacceptable for any company trying to charge the prices Samsung charges for their Note line and S line. YOU want to sell me a phone with minimal slower RAM, slower storage, 1080P old LCD tech, minimal MP front and back camera (I want megapixels AND image quality). All the while holding back mobile technology available to customers to maximize your profits? Hell no. Not this guy.

You know price is also dictated by demand right? It's impressive the technology Samsung has implemented but most people in this thread have stated that it's somewhat overpriced. You can price something whatever u want, it's a matter of will people buy it.

I assume you're referring to Apple. The iPhone is the highest selling flagship smartphone. Obviously people are willing to buy at the price Apple has set. Holding back to maximize profit? You mean like getting rid of removable batteries and sd slots? Sounds like Samsung too huh? No ir blaster anymore too. Why no 128 gb option for what's considered the powerhouse Samsung smartphone?

So if there's a s7 in jan like rumored you'll have a s6, s6 edge, s6 active, note 5, s6 edge +, then a s7 at least, all within 9 months. Lol and people wonder why Samsung can't profit as much anymore or why the resell value is lower.
 
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@Sevanw has a point though. The removable battery and SD card is on its way out in general so i'm not sure why that's being brought up. With the materials that Apple uses on the iphone (compared to the S6/Note5) they get away with murder with what they charge. People still buy it in droves because they make a great product.
 
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You know price is also dictated by demand right? It's impressive the technology Samsung has implemented but most people in this thread have stated that it's somewhat overpriced. You can price something whatever u want, it's a matter of will people buy it

I'm not talking about what the uniformed general public are willing to pay. I'm talking what the smart consumer can figure out an understand when they're severely over paying. The Note and S line are simply packing way more expensive hardware, therefore should be priced so. It really is that simple.

... Holding back to maximize profit? You mean like getting rid of removable batteries and sd slots? Sounds like Samsung too huh?

Actually not even close. If removing the SD card slot and removable battery was all they did, then sure, we can call it maximizing profit. But putting in 4 GB DDR4 RAM, UFS 2.0 storage, highest tech Amoled 2K screen with a digitzer, 5 and 16 MP cameras, and quick wireless/wired charging, all the while being priced similar to other flagships kinda tells me otherwise. Try harder next time. Maximizing profits at the cost of holding back tech is unacceptable. We'd all still be on 3.5-4 inch 720P LCD screens if Samsung didn't keep pushing mobile tech.

I've got a real question for you, when you buy PC components, would you have a problem buying 3 yr old components at current prices? Would you have an issue with paying for a 1080P monitor at the price of a 4K monitor? I'm thinking most likely you would.
 
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@Sevanw has a point though. The removable battery and SD card is on its way out in general so i'm not sure why that's being brought up. With the materials that Apple uses on the iphone (compared to the S6/Note5) they get away with murder with what they charge. People still buy it in droves because they make a great product.

We have only us to blame if people feel prices are too high.

The point about removable batteries and sd slots was to illustrate that every company wants to maximize profits. Reading this entire thread there's multiple posts about people wanting to keep these things. Samsung did away with these things to make more money. Not to help us out as a consumer. Same for Apple, yet Apple have never offered these things to begin with.

Samsung as well as any company can charge whatever they want. But getting people to buy it is the key. Competition is good for everyone but Samsung really has more competition to fight within its android world vs Apple and iOS.
 
@Sevanw has a point though. The removable battery and SD card is on its way out in general so i'm not sure why that's being brought up. With the materials that Apple uses on the iphone (compared to the S6/Note5) they get away with murder with what they charge. People still buy it in droves because they make a great product.

People also buy Apple because it's the only maker of IOS devices. You literally have no choice if you want a new iOS device but to buy an iPhone. That puts Apple in a very unique position. One Samsung fails to understand.

However by far the main issue is :-

Cultural differences - buying habits (Android/iOS)

If we look at software buying habits once devices are purchased we see a similar pattern emerging regarding users - iOS users DO buy more paid apps than Android users - it does show more of a willingness to pay for what they perceive as quality or value, whereas Android users tend to go for more freemium ad based software, looking for the best free deal and not really too fussed about the compromise i.e. advertising. In many cases developers simply don't have a paid for version of the software on Android compared to their iOS version because they know there is an expectation and general unwillingness for Android customers to pay / purchase. Heck you should look at Nova Launchers blog sometime - despite being 'THE' de facto alternative launcher and one of the most used launchers for Android users - less than 15% of its users have actually paid the $2 for Nova Prime. It's indicative of the average Android user - willing to trade off features / extras for even the most nominal of price savings.

Android users have traditionally always been looking for the 'better deal', they tend to traditionally want more bang for their buck and are not willing to pay over and above the competition. They see Apple's pricing as the line in the sand that they don't / won't want to cross (and for many if they are going to cross it - well they "may as well have an iPhone" kind of thought process).

It's why we see such hype and demand for cheaper OEM's like OnePlus - it's all based on value - the trade-offs in a cheaper device are irrelevant for the most part - it's the cost that is the defining factor for android devices and this is why Samsung has slowly found itself in a bit of a pickle.

By slowly creeping up-to and in some cases above Apple's pricing model, its crossed that line which for many Android users is a line too far. The issue isn't what Apple are charging, it's the myriad of other competitive android OEM's who are charging significantly less. Do they have all the bells and whistles of the latest Samsung flagship? Maybe not but as the 'freemium culture' shows in the android space - android customers are willing to make a trade off for what they perceive as significant $$ savings in their pocket.

Samsung makes great hardware but it's competing not with Apple - it's competing with every other Android OEM and moreover it's competing with the 'culture' of the traditional android buyer. One that has traditionally been unwilling to pay out as much as iOS devices owners.

Samsung's waning flagship sales and depreciating yearly profits should be an indication that their strategy of pricing high and going after the iPhone is not working in the West, and exacerbated by their low-mid range devices still overpriced and not competing in developing markets like China, India and African subcontinent. .

There's a plethora of eager OEMs willing to steal the price conscious Android user at every turn.

Likewise Samsung used to at least define itself different from Apple by having features such as SD Card & Removable batteries. It continuously played on those strengths through years of very heavy PR & marketing campaigns. With those gone and prices ever increasing to and above Apple it's no wonder why some Samsung users who may have previously always chosen Samsung over Apple may then decide that if those things are no longer a factor / differentiators and pricing is similar - to bite the bullet and go iPhone if they are going to be spending that kind of money.

Likewise the waning sales are also indicative that just as many of its traditional android base are turning away and now looking elsewhere for better bang for buck.

Android users are not as brand loyal. They will shop around, and they can. There is so much choice of alternatives. I equally have no doubt iOS users would be less loyal if Apple allowed other OEMs to use its OS.

This is not about devices being better or worse than each other. It's a 'counter' culture thing more than anything else and it's one Samsung is failing to understand itself.

There is always room / audience for an android OEM to offer the 'highest end' device at higher pricing ... sadly for Samsung it's not and never will be the same volume as Apple because of the historical Android consumer counter culture and the constant competitiveness of its other OEMs.


--- supplemental (forgot to say)


Likewise if Samsung want or expect it's customer base to pay the premium for a 'premium' product - then there has to be some serious changes to its software policies. Touchwiz must be re-engineered so it's not a bloated hog / resource killer. This is not a google services issue, as other OEMs run all Googles android services without their software overlay consuming as much resources as Samsung's, despite packing most of the same extras. Likewise and importantly they need to offer the same level of updates and future support that iOS devices owners are used to if they are going to charge the same premium price.

We should be getting new android updates and more importantly the newer Touchwiz iterations every time they are introduced for at least 3 years of our flagship device. Not stuck with older versions of Touchwiz on devices less than 6 months old. Likewise updates generally and their rollout needs to be radically overhauled for their premium line. Users should not be waiting months for an update and as soon as it's available it should be rolled out globally. It's what we as consumers should expect as a premium support for any devices holding a premium price point.

Expecting Android users to pay a premium and still make compromises whether it's hardware or in this case software will just further drive some Android users into the arms of other OEM's and some in the direction of Apple.
 
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We have only us to blame if people feel prices are too high.

The point about removable batteries and sd slots was to illustrate that every company wants to maximize profits. Reading this entire thread there's multiple posts about people wanting to keep these things. Samsung did away with these things to make more money. Not to help us out as a consumer. Same for Apple, yet Apple have never offered these things to begin with.

Samsung as well as any company can charge whatever they want. But getting people to buy it is the key. Competition is good for everyone but Samsung really has more competition to fight within its android world vs Apple and iOS.

I also think Samsung couldn't really have done both a removable battery and the praise-worthy design (aesthetically). People kept yelling at them for a "premium smartphone" in terms of materials but also want the benefits that having a plastic back gave them. It can't work both ways.
 
Jesus is this seven guy still going on about components.

Samsung should have brought out the Note Edge 2 i. e Edge plus with S pen functionality and even then its current RRP price tag would be too high.

Why? ...... ahh forget it
 
I also think Samsung couldn't really have done both a removable battery and the praise-worthy design (aesthetically). People kept yelling at them for a "premium smartphone" in terms of materials but also want the benefits that having a plastic back gave them. It can't work both ways.

You're probably right on the removable battery. I can see that. But not the sd slot. The kicker is removing the sd slot yet not offering 128 gb also.
 
So how much extra screen on time is realized when a device is set to 50% brightness versus 100% given the exact same things accessed for the same period of time?

Folks talk about the battery champions, obviously those devices did not have QHD. So which device that does has realized the best battery life and how big was its battery? Some correlation perhaps as to what the Note 5 may get for on screen time. And does AMOLED versus IPS LCD make a big difference?
 
Anyone pre-order the Verizon model Note 5 on Best Buy's website?

Yep, stated earlier yesterday about 10 or so posts up above your inquiry. I don't know if I can trade in any working postpaid smartphone for $200. I'll find that out when I pick up my preorder.

Then I will decide if I will keep the Note 5.
 
I'm not talking about what the uniformed general public are willing to pay. I'm talking what the smart consumer can figure out an understand when they're severely over paying. The Note and S line are simply packing way more expensive hardware, therefore should be priced so. It really is that simple..
There are plenty of 'informed consumers' here who will happily purchase an iPhone over anything else though. I am one of them. I know what Samsung offer and am well aware of the impressive components that make up their devices. The AMOLED screens are the best on the market, but unfortunately my criteria right now is a mobile phone that runs iOS. I can't get that from Samsung, hence why the iPhone is my best option.

Personally I am impressed with the way the iPhone handles my daily tasks and it's even more impressive when you consider how inferior the hardware is when compared on paper. There is a very good reason why it's so popular and it has nothing to do with being 'misinformed'. It's a good phone in its own right and I would bet most people here would agree with that.

The note 5 also looks a very good device, if not a little big for my tastes. I can give it credit and admire its credentials even if it's not to my personal tastes. Unfortunately your distain for the iPhone has to be conveyed in the very topic you take part in and it's high time we accept tastes differ and phones sell well based on appeal, not just hardware stats. Samsung has decided not to release the Note 5 in Europe one would assume because despite its impressive hardware, demand is deemed too poor to put out the outlay. That's not a slight on the device, but it's general appeal in different corners of the world.
 
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I am going to hit up a Verizon store later and check out the Note 5 there. At least it will be on cellular and I can bypass Best Buy's ridiculous wifi.

The device might be running in retail mode to at Verizon but we'll see how far I can get and I may not have access to the Play Store. An AT&T store close by usually has access to the Play Store and I may try that.

At BB, I notice 1.6GB of ram in use perhaps tainted by retail mode, I don't think my Nexus 6 would show 1/3 of that with nothing open, 1.6GB was showing as free on the device. I have some devices with less RAM that probably have at least 1gb of ram free if not more all the time.

I did not really begin reading this discussion at all until a few days ago. It isn't blah blah blah per se and I appreciate folk's enthusiasm and insights about an upcoming device. BUT until the thing is in one's hands in real world situation, ...
 
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I guess I can stop by T-mobile too. Scary but it is only a 10 minute walk.

At night when I am restless all I hear are trunks barreling down the road but I guess it is a trade off with how many places I can try out new toys near me.
 
I guess I can stop by T-mobile too. Scary but it is only a 10 minute walk.

At night when I am restless all I hear are trunks barreling down the road but I guess it is a trade off with how many places I can try out new toys near me.

Scary huh? Well if we don't get a report back from you, we will look know that you went in pursuit of something great (haha).
 
There are plenty of 'informed consumers' here who will happily purchase an iPhone over anything else though. I am one of them. I know what Samsung offer and am well aware of the impressive components that make up their devices. The AMOLED screens are the best on the market, but unfortunately my criteria right now is a mobile phone that runs iOS. I can't get that from Samsung, hence why the iPhone is my best option.

Personally I am impressed with the way the iPhone handles my daily tasks and it's even more impressive when you consider how inferior the hardware is when compared on paper. There is a very good reason why it's so popular and it has nothing to do with being 'misinformed'. It's a good phone in its own right and I would bet most people here would agree with that.

The note 5 also looks a very good device, if not a little big for my tastes. I can give it credit and admire its credentials even if it's not to my personal tastes. Unfortunately your distain for the iPhone has to be conveyed in the very topic you take part in and it's high time we accept tastes differ and phones sell well based on appeal, not just hardware stats. Samsung has decided not to release the Note 5 in Europe one would assume because despite its impressive hardware, demand is deemed too poor to put out the outlay. That's not a slight on the device, but it's general appeal in different corners of the world.
Ios is why I'm back iphone

I love my edge still but the odd lag and freezing is frustrating as is the issue with texts stuttering when typing. Not everytime I have issues but it's something that should never happen on flagships.

The software is the issue for Samsung here. Now there is no difference in screen size, no SD cards and no removable. So really if everything else is the same you go with the best user experience and that's the software.

I'm still going to use my S6 edge but iPhone 6S plus will be my main driver for the reasons I stated.

Software is why apple is the better option for me now. My air 2 is flawless which is simply not the case on my android devices.

Won't stop me loving watching reviews of these awesome android devices. .Can't wait to see edge plus in person.
 
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Ios is why I'm back iphone

I love my edge still but the odd lag and freezing is frustrating as is the issue with texts stuttering when typing. Not everytime I have issues but it's something that should never happen on flagships.

The software is the issue for Samsung here. Now there is no difference in screen size, no SD cards and no removable. So really if everything else is the same you go with the best user experience and that's the software.

I'm still going to use my S6 edge but iPhone 6S plus will be my main driver for the reasons I stated.

Software is why apple is the better option for me now. My air 2 is flawless which is simply not the case on my android devices.

Won't stop me loving watching reviews of these awesome android devices. .Can't wait to see edge plus in person.

I think many people would agree with everything you said. Have you tried using a different messaging app? I've never had issues with hangouts or the stock "android" message app.
 
I think many people would agree with everything you said. Have you tried using a different messaging app? I've never had issues with hangouts or the stock "android" message app.
It was more of an issue on my note 4

That was a Laggy mess when 5.0 arrived..was fine before.

The freezing is more of an issue than lag on texts now. Normally happens when on music app
 
I think many people would agree with everything you said. Have you tried using a different messaging app? I've never had issues with hangouts or the stock "android" message app.
I haven't had those issue on my Note 4. The stock Google messaging app is pretty darn good.
 
More firsthand battery life results on XDA


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http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=62403412&postcount=65
 
So is textra, among others. Lots of good quality replacements for about anything, in the play store.

Waiting to Friday feels like torture.
 
I saw the battery test for the note 5 on the website phone arena , but does it really last longer than iphone 6 plus ? The graph showed it had a longer on screen time than iphone 6 plus .
 
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