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kat.hayes

macrumors 65816
Original poster
Oct 10, 2011
1,447
52
I really want to get a Note2 and have been waiting for it to come out on VZW. However, I am hearing that the technology used for the screen creates a bluish tint on everything viewed on it. I'm curious to hear what iPhone owners or previous owners think of the colors/brightness of the Note2 compared with their iPhones. Is the Note2 screen horrible in comparison? Is it barely noticeable? What do you think of it?

Thanks.
 

jsw

Moderator emeritus
Mar 16, 2004
22,910
44
Andover, MA
Not a single one of the reviews I've seen have called it horrible, by itself or in comparison to the iPhone. From what I've read, the color temperature is a bit different, and color fidelity might not be quite as good, and the display isn't quite as bright, but this is like comparing a 60" and 62" TV in a store... when they're not right next to each other, you'd not notice the differences.

I'm sure, even without an iPhone there for reference, you'll notice that the 2 doesn't look exactly the same... but I seriously doubt it will matter. Someone at work was using a Note 2, I saw it for a minute, and it looked great. Of course, a minute in the non-ideal lighting at work might not prove much, but I can assure you the display is, at worst, plenty good enough.
 

Zwhaler

macrumors 604
Jun 10, 2006
7,267
1,965
Bluish tint is actually a software feature that is supposed to save battery life. It can be turned on or off, I was just reading about it today. I have it off so device displays everything normal. Sent from my Note 2
 

kat.hayes

macrumors 65816
Original poster
Oct 10, 2011
1,447
52
Bluish tint is actually a software feature that is supposed to save battery life. It can be turned on or off, I was just reading about it today. I have it off so device displays everything normal. Sent from my Note 2

1. Where is this setting so when I go to the store I can turn it on or off to test the display?

2. I'm guessing you are a FCP user based on your signature. Just curious if you do anything with video editing on the Note2, or if you put videos you edit onto the Note2 or anything like that. Just curious how a video editor might use the phone.

Thanks.
 

Zwhaler

macrumors 604
Jun 10, 2006
7,267
1,965
1. Where is this setting so when I go to the store I can turn it on or off to test the display?

2. I'm guessing you are a FCP user based on your signature. Just curious if you do anything with video editing on the Note2, or if you put videos you edit onto the Note2 or anything like that. Just curious how a video editor might use the phone.

Thanks.

1. Settings -> Power Saving Mode -> Background color

2. Heck no. I use a 12 core Mac Pro beast mode to edit video. As a producer in the entertainment industry the best thing about this device is AMAZING playback. Even over cellular videos on YouTube look so good like I've never seen before. My friend last night was like "it's like a TV!" And HD over WiFi is even better. I also am impressed by the speed of the device. I can use it for so many things on the web/communication side so I don't always need to hop on my desktop or laptop computer. It's been an amazing couple days with the device and it has increased my productivity and multitasking. I also commute semi long distances on a regular basis so the built in Nav on Google is "da bomb"!
 

kat.hayes

macrumors 65816
Original poster
Oct 10, 2011
1,447
52
I use to use FCP, though switched to Premiere CS6. Have you transfered any videos that you have produced directly to the phone? Does the built in player do a good job of playing videos?

Thanks.
 

Zwhaler

macrumors 604
Jun 10, 2006
7,267
1,965
I transferred like 3 videos to the phone, and none of them were by me. Videos look good. They weren't very hi res to start with so I can't comment on the full potential quality. Once I get around to doing that I'll let you know.
 

F123D

macrumors 68040
Sep 16, 2008
3,776
16
Del Mar, CA
I've used an iPhone 4 the past two years and an iPhone 5 for a couple weeks before I returned it. The brightness is definitely not as bright as the iPhone when both are set to 100%. The colors on the Note 2 are more vibrant and pop but depending on what you're looking at, it may not look as natural (skin tones). This can be adjusted by going into settings and changing the displays default setting (standard) to the "natural" setting. I've only noticed a slight hint of blue on screens when white is the dominant color on the screen (tilted at certain angles). Otherwise, don't notice it. (probably has to do with the non-pentile display). Speaking of whites, whites aren't as white compared to an iPhone screen but the blacks are amazing. For a screen this large, everything is sharp and crisp. Haven't noticed any type of jagedness whatsoever. I prefer LCD screens over SAMOLED but the tradeoff in screen size is well worth it (comparing to an iPhone).

From 1 to 10, if an iPhone was a 10, SAMOLED on the Note II has to be a 9 - 9.5 to me.

I held off purchasing the GS3 due to the pentile display but the display on the Note II has been wonderful.

Here's a comparison between the GS3 and Note II displays.

http://www.androidauthority.com/galaxy-note-2-vs-galaxy-s3-display-comparison-rgb-pentile-121182/
 

kat.hayes

macrumors 65816
Original poster
Oct 10, 2011
1,447
52
I've used an iPhone 4 the past two years and an iPhone 5 for a couple weeks before I returned it. The brightness is definitely not as bright as the iPhone when both are set to 100%. The colors on the Note 2 are more vibrant and pop but depending on what you're looking at, it may not look as natural (skin tones). This can be adjusted by going into settings and changing the displays default setting (standard) to the "natural" setting. I've only noticed a slight hint of blue on screens when white is the dominant color on the screen (tilted at certain angles). Otherwise, don't notice it. (probably has to do with the non-pentile display). Speaking of whites, whites aren't as white compared to an iPhone screen but the blacks are amazing. For a screen this large, everything is sharp and crisp. Haven't noticed any type of jagedness whatsoever. I prefer LCD screens over SAMOLED but the tradeoff in screen size is well worth it (comparing to an iPhone).

From 1 to 10, if an iPhone was a 10, SAMOLED on the Note II has to be a 9 - 9.5 to me.

I held off purchasing the GS3 due to the pentile display but the display on the Note II has been wonderful.

Here's a comparison between the GS3 and Note II displays.

http://www.androidauthority.com/galaxy-note-2-vs-galaxy-s3-display-comparison-rgb-pentile-121182/

1. When does the lower level of brightness on the Note2 come into play? Does it make a difference when viewed in direct sunlight?

2. To be clear, by changing the display settings, does this minimize the blueish tint or completely remove it?

3. Why is this display designed in such a way that it even has a bluish tint? What is the advantage of it?

Thanks.
 

Zwhaler

macrumors 604
Jun 10, 2006
7,267
1,965
1. When does the lower level of brightness on the Note2 come into play? Does it make a difference when viewed in direct sunlight?

2. To be clear, by changing the display settings, does this minimize the blueish tint or completely remove it?

3. Why is this display designed in such a way that it even has a bluish tint? What is the advantage of it?

Thanks.

1. The screen is not as bright as an iPhone and also not as bright in direct sunlight. Today, however, as I was walking I could still read the Note 2 display in direct sunlight.

2. There is no bluish tint.

3. See above.
 

F123D

macrumors 68040
Sep 16, 2008
3,776
16
Del Mar, CA
I've always preferred keeping my brightness at a lower level (40 - 50%) since I use it 90% of the time indoors. In direct sunlight, you'll have to turn brightness all the way up to view.

I've always noticed the tint no matter what setting mine is on. Of course you have to turn your phone at different odd angles to notice it. My old iPhone 4 has a slight pinkish tint when tilted at different angles.. If you're just using your phone and looking directly at it, you shouldn't notice it.

You're best option is to visit a Sprint, T-Mobile, AT&T store and play with one. See how the screen looks to you and how the phone feels in your hand.

----------

2. There is no bluish tint.

Not in normal everyday use. Unless you like to look at your phone at a 20 degree angle while using it. :)
 

Zwhaler

macrumors 604
Jun 10, 2006
7,267
1,965
Okay now I see what you're talking about. If you turn the device to the side on an angle that you would never normally look at it, the screen changes to a sort of bluish tint. Not an issue because you would never use your device in this way. Also bluish tint only affects the color white, so for example my dark/red live wallpaper isn't affected when I change the viewing angle. FWIW the viewing angle on the Note 2 is extremely good. Looking at it straight on the color white has a slightly yellowish tint when compared with a reference point. While using the device it looks fine.
 

F123D

macrumors 68040
Sep 16, 2008
3,776
16
Del Mar, CA
Exactly, it's a non issue. You wouldn't notice it unless you're specifically looking for it. The only negative about this phone is the size but for most people who have actually held this phone, size is a non issue as well.
 

kat.hayes

macrumors 65816
Original poster
Oct 10, 2011
1,447
52
1. Settings -> Power Saving Mode -> Background color

2. Heck no. I use a 12 core Mac Pro beast mode to edit video. As a producer in the entertainment industry the best thing about this device is AMAZING playback. Even over cellular videos on YouTube look so good like I've never seen before. My friend last night was like "it's like a TV!" And HD over WiFi is even better. I also am impressed by the speed of the device. I can use it for so many things on the web/communication side so I don't always need to hop on my desktop or laptop computer. It's been an amazing couple days with the device and it has increased my productivity and multitasking. I also commute semi long distances on a regular basis so the built in Nav on Google is "da bomb"!

I just checked the Note2 at a Sprint store and I didn't see these color options under Power Saving Mode. I could have missed it, though I did look. What carrier do you have?

Thanks.
 
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