On the Fence Note 4 vs iPhone 6 Plus

[spinedoc77]

I find the note 3 camera to be good in good lighting. In low light it's rubbish. However outside I prefer it to the iPhone 5S because of the level of detail you get in your shots. You simply don't get that with the iPhone 5S. Yes it's not As easy to use, however take a few shots and you get great pics. It's never let me down for important occasions and I've been pleased with my pictures.

The OIS on the note 4 should help to improve low light performance and combined with the excellent camera on the S5 it should be a very good camera.

Yeah, if the lighting is perfect, or I'm outside the N3's pictures blow away the 5s. Where the N3 falls short is as you say low light, but I am extremely disappointed in macro/close ups, it's very hard if not impossible to focus. In all fairness I haven't delved into the settings, I'm kind of a lazy picture taker just get er done kind of guy.

I have no idea if it will, but I hope OIS helps with macro shots also.

 

[Shanghaichica]

Yeah, if the lighting is perfect, or I'm outside the N3's pictures blow away the 5s. Where the N3 falls short is as you say low light, but I am extremely disappointed in macro/close ups, it's very hard if not impossible to focus. In all fairness I haven't delved into the settings, I'm kind of a lazy picture taker just get er done kind of guy.

I have no idea if it will, but I hope OIS helps with macro shots also.

Yes if you want to just point and shoot an iPhone is the best camera you can probably use. I don't mind taking a few shots and focusing the camera. Also I'm not too bothered about low light shots at the moment as I tend to take most of my pictures outside and what I get indoors in low light is at least passable. I don't have children, so I don't have to have a camera to take good pictures at every opportunity. I think if you have children you need a stellar camera on all fronts. Some of my cousin's have children and I've been able to take some nice shots of them when I've wanted to with my note 3 or S5.

 

[spinedoc77]

Yes if you want to just point and shoot an iPhone is the best camera you can probably use. I don't mind taking a few shots and focusing the camera. Also I'm not too bothered about low light shots at the moment as I tend to take most of my pictures outside and what I get indoors in low light is at least passable.

Slightly off topic, but is there any way to manually focus the N3's camera? Macro shots are quite unfocused, but the camera will focus for a split second then it seems like it wants to focus on maybe something at a different distance. So I know it's physically able to focus, it just refuses to do so.

 

[Shanghaichica]

Slightly off topic, but is there any way to manually focus the N3's camera? Macro shots are quite unfocused, but the camera will focus for a split second then it seems like it wants to focus on maybe something at a different distance. So I know it's physically able to focus, it just refuses to do so.

Probably. I usually use tap to focus though and then hold the phone as steady as I can and take a few shots then pick the best one. Sometimes I use burst mode. I don't like the digital image stabilisation so I've got that switched off.

 

[Markyboy81]

Slightly off topic, but is there any way to manually focus the N3's camera? Macro shots are quite unfocused, but the camera will focus for a split second then it seems like it wants to focus on maybe something at a different distance. So I know it's physically able to focus, it just refuses to do so.

There doesn't seem to be a way. I'm also annoyed that it seems able to focus closer than it actually allows you to.
It's a shame that it's not possible to shoot macro effectively. I'm also not confident the note 4 will change this, as I think the S5 also has this problem.

 

[alent1234]

Slightly off topic, but is there any way to manually focus the N3's camera? Macro shots are quite unfocused, but the camera will focus for a split second then it seems like it wants to focus on maybe something at a different distance. So I know it's physically able to focus, it just refuses to do so.

tap on the area to focus and the box should turn green and you will see it focus

 

[spinedoc77]

tap on the area to focus and the box should turn green and you will see it focus

I wish that worked, it will focus for a split second and then unfocus. It works with regular pics, but with close ups/macros it just refuses to focus even though I know it can.

 

[gotluck]

I think I'm going to skip this gen of phones in general but the iPhone 6 is growing on me.

I would still jailbreak if at all possible, but if things like https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/1775820/ take off and become more commonplace that is good. It looks like legit nonroot file access with intents. Wonder if defaults would be possible.. But extensions may turn out to be pretty powerful. It will come down to what Apple decides to approve in their store, and I still have that rub - it's my damn device, bah. Yes Eula, but I don't care about Eula, all that means to me is limitation.

Anyways I will always consider ios..

 

[Technarchy]

Slightly off topic, but is there any way to manually focus the N3's camera? Macro shots are quite unfocused, but the camera will focus for a split second then it seems like it wants to focus on maybe something at a different distance. So I know it's physically able to focus, it just refuses to do so.

Same issue is present on the S5, and it's annoying as all hell. This in addition to the camera lagging the hell out of the phone to where it takes like 10-15 seconds for the lock screen to be unlocked.

The S5 takes awesome photos in good light, with great color and clarity, but those macro shots are basically impossible a lot of the time.

This is my biggest grip with my S5, which otherwise is a really good phone.

I do however expect them to come on strong with the S6. Enough to take a lot of people by surprise.

 

[Sith Vol]

I'm on the fence as well. Now that my contract is up with AT&T I can't decide between the 6, 6 Plus, or Note 4. I've only owned an S3 and Nexus 4 as Android devices and I've been using an iPhone 5 the past two years. I've always been intrigued by the Note. I love the true multitasking and S Pen.

 

[Menneisyys2]

IMHO, if you do like Android, get the Note 4.

Note: I did emphasize you must like Android and prefer it to iOS. I myself prefer iOS to Android; this is why I don't use my Nexus 7 2013 at all, while I do use the, in many respects (Qi recharging, screen quality, stereo speakers etc), inferior iPad rMini. I just find Web browsing a more seamless experience under iOS than under Android.

 

[corriewf]

So op you still on the fence?

Totally am and its worsened by my wife who doesn't like the size of the note after checking a note 3 out recently. I want us to be on the same Eco system...just makes sense. It IS nice that apple is offering the family approach to apps in ios8... Being that I have my wife and son in the household playing games using apps etc.

With all of that said, I don't feel like the new regular iphone 6 is worth the money to upgrade the mrs from her Nexus 5. I feel like she would be downgrading to the regular iphone 6. The Nexus, despite the price, is a very smooth premium experience with Android L on the horizon..

One thing I have noticed about the Note 3s on display, every single one of them has had burn in. Now maybe its not normal conditions having a demo play 10-12 hours a day for months, but that is concerning to see burn in.

At this point it seems if I do check the reviews on iPhones and like what I see in the store on the 19th, I will be waiting until nov to even get one. Thats kind of a bummer...to make a decision and have to wait over a month to see it come to fruitition..

 

[corriewf]

I'm on the fence as well. Now that my contract is up with AT&T I can't decide between the 6, 6 Plus, or Note 4. I've only owned an S3 and Nexus 4 as Android devices and I've been using an iPhone 5 the past two years. I've always been intrigued by the Note. I love the true multitasking and S Pen.

Its really tough when you have a phone you really enjoy. I didn't expect to love my nexus 5 this much. My wife's iphone 5 was stolen and I sold my iphone 5 to buy two nexus 5s to hold us over until this very moment. I have never owned a phone as fast as the Nexus 5. Apps load much faster than my 5, stay loaded when switching apps, opposed to having to reload. The wireless QI charging is EPIC.. Plop it down and its charging.. Love it!

But contract is up and ATT doesnt care if I keep paying the surcharge every month off contract or get a subsidized phone on contract..monthly rate is the monthly rate.

I wish it was as easy as being a fan boy of one OS, but I can honestly go either way in that regard.

 

[tbayrgs]

But contract is up and ATT doesnt care if I keep paying the surcharge every month off contract or get a subsidized phone on contract..monthly rate is the monthly rate.

I wish it was as easy as being a fan boy of one OS, but I can honestly go either way in that regard.

That's no longer true, even on individual plans. You stand to save $15-25/mo per smartphone line (depending on your amount of data) by either bringing your own device (which you already have), paying full retail price for a new device, or buying a new device through their Next program.

So if you chose to continue using your Nexus 5s, you should save a minimum of $30/mo for the two of you.

 

[corriewf]

That's no longer true, even on individual plans. You stand to save $15-25/mo per smartphone line (depending on your amount of data) by either bringing your own device (which you already have), paying full retail price for a new device, or buying a new device through their Next program.

So if you chose to continue using your Nexus 5s, you should save a minimum of $30/mo for the two of you.

Isnt that in reference to Next plans?

Im on a funky old plan that I got through retention a couple years ago. I'm also on the unlimited data for both of my lines. With fan discount im paying $130 for two lines with 650 minutes, unlimited data/text..

 

[tbayrgs]

Isnt that in reference to Next plans?

Im on a funky old plan that I got through retention a couple years ago. I'm also on the unlimited data for both of my lines. With fan discount im paying $130 for two lines with 650 minutes, unlimited data/text..

Alright but isn't your data throttled at 5GB?

Under the new mobile share plan pricing, 2 lines with unlimited minutes, texts, and 10GB of data would cost $130--and that's before your FAN discount. And you have no contract. Just a thought.

 

[xxray]

I find the note 3 camera to be good in good lighting. In low light it's rubbish. However outside I prefer it to the iPhone 5S because of the level of detail you get in your shots. You simply don't get that with the iPhone 5S. Yes it's not As easy to use, however take a few shots and you get great pics. It's never let me down for important occasions and I've been pleased with my pictures.

The OIS on the note 4 should help to improve low light performance and combined with the excellent camera on the S5 it should be a very good camera.

Yeah, if the lighting is perfect, or I'm outside the N3's pictures blow away the 5s. Where the N3 falls short is as you say low light, but I am extremely disappointed in macro/close ups, it's very hard if not impossible to focus. In all fairness I haven't delved into the settings, I'm kind of a lazy picture taker just get er done kind of guy.

I have no idea if it will, but I hope OIS helps with macro shots also.

The Note 3 camera drives me insane. It's one of the reasons I'm switching to the 6+ now. I was really excited for the Note 3 camera and it does take amazing shots in great lighting and outdoors. However, like you mentioned, the low light pictures are pretty terrible. I also have to make sure to take multiple pictures of the same thing because the first one usually always turns out blurry no matter how stable I hold it.

The automatic "Beauty Face" feature always annoyed the crap out of me too. I have to turn it off every single time which shouldn't be necessary. It was nice having 4K but I found that the video camera usually oversaturated things at times. For example, it would make my face seem all one color and wouldn't really provide the right colors/shades of my face, making it seem somewhat cartoon-y. All of this made me miss my iPhone 4S camera (the phone I had before Note 3) which says a lot considering it's 2 years behind the Note 3.

Anyways, excited to use the iPhone camera again because I truly believe it's the best camera and camcorder on a phone. Sorry for this being long, just wanted to put in my $0.02.

 

[corriewf]

Alright but isn't your data throttled at 5GB?

Under the new mobile share plan pricing, 2 lines with unlimited minutes, texts, and 10GB of data would cost $130--and that's before your FAN discount. And you have no contract. Just a thought.

That does sound pretty inexpensive. Plus you get tethering as well.

Does the price go up $25/month when you go on contract for a phone though? Just a hypothetical. Quite honestly, I find the Nexus phones to be the best bang for your $ out of any of these phones. If I could save money on a monthly basis using them, I would be a happy camper.

 

[tbayrgs]

That does sound pretty inexpensive. Plus you get tethering as well.

Does the price go up $25/month when you go on contract for a phone though? Just a hypothetical. Quite honestly, I find the Nexus phones to be the best bang for your $ out of any of these phones. If I could save money on a monthly basis using them, I would be a happy camper.

You can switch individual lines back to the traditional 2 yr contract with subsidized upgrade if you like and they don't all have to be the same (i.e. one bring your own device with one 2 yr subsidized contract). I just like the idea of bringing my own device as I have a tendency to switch a bit often and since my wife and daughter don't need the latest and greatest, hand-me-downs or used devices do just great. Might as well save $25/mo on those lines.

 

[Oohara]

Here's a comparison article from Macworld. Even though they try to sound confident about the iPhone in the final paragraph, they do seem to be quite on the fence themselves...

While using the Note 4, we found that the screen had an incredible sense of depth, and we can imagine that it'll be difficult to go back to full-HD once you've used a smartphone or tablet with a Quad HD screen like this one. Which is not to say the the iPhone 6 Plus display is in any way a bad screen, just that the Note 4's is quantifiably better.

But given the price differential we would like to see the iPhone 6 Plus be noticably faster than the Galaxy Note 4, and that is almost certainly not the case. And if you are getting a big-screen handset to run multiple tasks at the same time, the lack of cores will eventually tell in terms of pure performance.

http://www.macworld.co.uk/review/iphone/iphone-6-plus-vs-galaxy-note-4-comparison-review-3572143/

 

[Oohara]

Personal update incoming, feel free to not :care:

While I was very excited about the 6 Plus at first, I have to say that the more I look at the pictures, the less interested I become. Whereas the more I look at the pictures of the Note 4, watch the hands-on videos, and ponder its functionality vs. that of the iPhone, the more I start to lean towards the N4.

Mainly, it's the sheer size (length) of the Plus that puts me off. No matter how thin it is and how slick the rounded edges are, I just can't get over that this is Apple, putting out a 5.5" phone which actually is quite a bit LARGER (again length - by far the most important parameter here) than an Android phone with a 5.7" screen. It just looks clumsy. The design solutions feel rather rushed. And already the Note 3 was, while still completely acceptable, right on the edge in terms of "pocketability".

I dunno...I'm also considering how much it really matters to me to have an iPhone to go with my new MBP. Continuity - does it really matter that much to me? I can save an email draft in Gmail and continue it on the bus anyway. Pushbullet using Mac is even more elegant than on PC and lets me answer texts and Whatsapp messages right from my computer. And when someone calls, it's not THAT much of a hassle to actually reach for my phone... Honestly I don't do a lot of phone calls anyway.

So yeah. It's starting to look like I'll go for the N4 again. And probably just get an iPad Air for my iOS fix. Also looking more at hires pictures of the N4 design...it's growing on me. While the iPhone seems to be losing its lustre quite fast.

I'll have to fondle them both in-store before I decide of course. But I'm starting to get that gut feeling of which one it'll be in the end

 

[corriewf]

While I was very excited about the 6 Plus at first, I have to say that the more I look at the pictures, the less interested I become. Whereas the more I look at the pictures of the Note 4, watch the hands-on videos, and ponder its functionality vs. that of the iPhone, the more I start to lean towards the N4.

Mainly, it's the sheer size (length) of the Plus that puts me off. No matter how thin it is and how slick the rounded edges are, I just can't get over that this is Apple, putting out a 5.5" phone which actually is quite a bit LARGER (again length - by far the most important parameter here) than an Android phone with a 5.7" screen. It just looks clumsy. The design solutions feel rather rushed. And already the Note 3 was, while still completely acceptable, right on the edge in terms of "pocketability".

I dunno...I'm also considering how much it really matters to me to have an iPhone to go with my new MBP. Continuity - does it really matter that much to me? I can save an email draft in Gmail and continue it on the bus anyway. Pushbullet using Mac is even more elegant than on PC and lets me answer texts and Whatsapp messages right from my computer. And when someone calls, it's not THAT much of a hassle to actually reach for my phone... Honestly I don't do a lot of phone calls anyway.

So yeah. It's starting to look like I'll go for the N4 again. And probably just get an iPad Air for my iOS fix. Also looking more at hires pictures of the N4 design...it's growing on me. While the iPhone seems to be losing its lustre quite fast.

I'll have to fondle them both in-store before I decide of course. But I'm starting to get that gut feeling of which one it'll be in the end

I feel the EXACT same way bud. So for me..getting a phablet or whatever you wanna call it is about the screen. Its ALL about the screen! I want to dock this in my car and have movies playing for trips with the family etc. The note 4 screen seems to offer an experience unparalleled. The quad HD screen paired with Samsung's tweaked amoled screen seems to offer an experience second to none. Samsung seemed to do something very apple like and focused on the experience of owned a mini tablet phone.

Apple on the other hand is behind in hardware.. Now in the past..that's been OK because when Apple does something they tend to focus on the user experience and make it way better than their competitor.

Apple did not do that this year.. I feel like THEY pulled a Samsung and just increased the screen size. Why wasn't usability kept a priority when keeping the bezels the same size on a 5.5 inch screen? When did they design a phone that doesn't offer sides that are comfortable to grip. Reviews indicate that they are painful and the back is slippery.. Again its like all they focused on was specs and not usability. So I can't let them get a pass on 2012 type specs when they didn't focus enough on the experience of using larger displays.

 

[The Game 161]

Note 4 screen does seem stunning.. Being called best screen ever.

 

[BoxerGT2.5]

I feel the EXACT same way bud. So for me..getting a phablet or whatever you wanna call it is about the screen. Its ALL about the screen! I want to dock this in my car and have movies playing for trips with the family etc. The note 4 screen seems to offer an experience unparalleled. The quad HD screen paired with Samsung's tweaked amoled screen seems to offer an experience second to none. Samsung seemed to do something very apple like and focused on the experience of owned a mini tablet phone.

Apple on the other hand is behind in hardware.. Now in the past..that's been OK because when Apple does something they tend to focus on the user experience and make it way better than their competitor.

Apple did not do that this year.. I feel like THEY pulled a Samsung and just increased the screen size. Why wasn't usability kept a priority when keeping the bezels the same size on a 5.5 inch screen? When did they design a phone that doesn't offer sides that are comfortable to grip. Reviews indicate that they are painful and the back is slippery.. Again its like all they focused on was specs and not usability. So I can't let them get a pass on 2012 type specs when they didn't focus enough on the experience of using larger displays.

Physical home button and touch ID will be their Achilles heel as far as shrinking down the top and bottom bezels. They could shrink the top, but it might make the phone look really funny.

 

[Oohara]

Note 4 screen does seem stunning.. Being called best screen ever.

Yeah and even the *Macworld* staff are openly drooling about it... Honestly I always figured anything sharper than the Note 3 level of HD would be just a waste of pixels, but their comments tipped the scale and now I really want to see for myself what this is all about.