My battery life on my S6 is pretty much on par with my old iphone 6 so I'm not missing much. I think's it more the overkill in pixels with some of the amoled screens that's killing batteries not the actual amoled tech but I could be mistaking I'm definitely not an expert on how much power these screens.
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Review of Samsung Ultimate Test Drive
- Thread starter Cam Johnson
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My battery life on my S6 is pretty much on par with my old iphone 6 so I'm not missing much. I think's it more the overkill in pixels with some of the amoled screens that's killing batteries not the actual amoled tech but I could be mistaking I'm definitely not an expert on how much power these screens.
What are you talking about? This is exactly what makes Android efficient. What difference does the side the back arrow and open aps drawer on? Some phones brands actually have them reversed. Both are easily reachable. Have you used an Android phone for an extended period of time? If you have you should know this the one thing agreed upon by even most iphone users that it's way more easy and effecient using these android keys than the iphone setup.
The original poster was but I quoted somebody else who questioned texting pics at all. He insinuated email was more efficient and common in his experience. I just gave my view on what people use in my tiny corner of the world.
Unless somebody does not have an iPhone with iMessage or a device with Whatsapp, I never text a picture. Email or Facebook messenger is useful then. I don't know why Samsung's native text message app has such a problem with pictures messages though? It's been a complaint for a couple of years now and not exclusive the the Note 5. It should be sorted now. I do remember people were getting large bills when pictures were being charged as MMS when users thought they were free on wifi. That affected all Samsung phones and appeared on the UK's 'Watchdog' program last year.
Honestly I stay away from pretty much all samsung apps. Especially the text messaging ones. Hangouts is pretty solid and I think textra is good too. I prefer pure Android but got the S6 for the better hardware.
No I've never used an android phone before
Additionally I've never been left handed and held my android device in my left hand
Furthermore ... Never wished the app drawer icon on Samsung devices was centred, or found on larger phablets (Note 3, 4 etc) the extended width make hitting back button on the right more difficult to reach than if it was on the left.
No I've never used an android phone before
Additionally I've never been left handed and held my android device in my left hand
Furthermore ... Never wished the app drawer icon on Samsung devices was centred, or found on larger phablets (Note 3, 4 etc) the extended width make hitting back button on the right more difficult to reach than if it was on the left.
I said for an extended period of time, consistent daily driver. I can't comment on using an Android phablet and reaching for those buttons as I've never used one so maybe that is annoying but I don't really get phablet phones to begin with. I have a hard enough time fitting a 5" phone in my pocket.
I found reachability finicky and would delay sometimes so I think Androids intereface is a lot more effecient. Again I'm a guy that if Apple ever made these changes on their interface and allowed more customization, would get an iphone again in a heartbeat.
I find both are great devices have they're pros and cons but right now I find Android a more effecient and pleasant experience.
Trust me ... yes .... I've had more phones than hot dinners
In last 18 months - I'm now at 18!!!! Only 1 of those is an iPhone, 1 is a windows phone - the rest are practically 'every' flagship android you can name.Phablets - which is where I put the 6 plus - I generally find reachability more comfortable than the likes of the Nexus 6 which has no one handed mode and is very difficult to use one handed.
I am terminally left handed - and do wish Samsung would finally allow users to move the app drawer icon to the centre of dock in touchwiz interface and with the back button on the right - whilst probably fantastic for 90% of the populace - I much prefer it on the left like most stock devices.
With all bigger phones I find myself having to juggle some aspect whether its not being able to reach notification area or top of screen without adjusting my hand or reaching menu buttons.
Best android device is and remains imho for ergonomics alone the moto x 2013.
Best android device is and remains imho for ergonomics alone the moto x 2013.[/QUOTE]
Almost bought one but harder to find in Canada. I liked the idea that it was pretty much stock Android with a few extra cool features.
I miss my Nexus 5. Other than the sub par camera it was a great phone. Loved the textured rubber backing as well. Nice and grippy!
Almost bought one but harder to find in Canada. I liked the idea that it was pretty much stock Android with a few extra cool features.
I miss my Nexus 5. Other than the sub par camera it was a great phone. Loved the textured rubber backing as well. Nice and grippy!
The Edge + is HORRIBLE to hold. Bezel has sharpened edges, and there is 0 point to the gimmick of the curved screen after about 5 minutes. I promptly sent mine back after 3 days into the test drive. The screen itself, other than the distortion that the curves give it, is very sharp thought. Only thing I liked was the pixel density.
Android is, and will always be something I've never thought worked as elegantly as iOS
Android is, and will always be something I've never thought worked as elegantly as iOS
Thank you for your unbiased review.
Doesn't using customizable themes put another layer on top of the OS and in turn slow down performance?
Also, doesn't notifications on Android feel more complicated and disorganized?
Ya I thought about the edge but stayed away because I found the edges sharp. Looks cool but not very functional and definitely on the gimicky side. That would be one Samsung pet peve is they often have too many gmicky features oh and all that bloat.
I use nova launcher icon themes which I find make the S6 feel less layered and less laggy actually. I'm not a touchwiz fan and prefer as close as I can get to pure android feel.
iOS has just caught up to Android notifications and might have gotten more actionable even than android but the two tab today view/notification tab to me makes ios's notifications a bit more annoying but it's pretty close to being a draw now.
Honestly both os's are so good you can't go wrong but for me it came down to being able to customize, create a more logical spring board with all my icon's on the bottom that makes getting to things in Andriod quicker and more effecient.
A jailbroken iphone might be able to even this up a bit if there is an app to put in blank icons and an app to set notifications for 3rd party apps but last time I had a jailbroken iphone 6 neither of these types of apps existed.
Thanks to everyone for their comments and reviews on this thread. I badly wanted to test the Note 5 but it was not available when I went for it. I regret now not trying any of the other phones that were available. I'm not ready to leave iOS anytime soon but I am interested in what the competition is offering these days.
What I'm taking away so far from this thread, though, is the affirmation of my worries that Samsung is not very responsive to customers (or potential customers) and that my carrier, AT&T is going to be a pain to deal with of I ever switch to Android. However, the devices themselves seem very nice and compare favorably.
What I'm taking away so far from this thread, though, is the affirmation of my worries that Samsung is not very responsive to customers (or potential customers) and that my carrier, AT&T is going to be a pain to deal with of I ever switch to Android. However, the devices themselves seem very nice and compare favorably.
Hello, I found this Forum through Forbes.com Update on my story and Review of the Ultimate Test Drive are posted on Consumerist.com
http://consumerist.com/2015/09/02/i...s-a-defective-phone-with-no-way-to-return-it/
to summarize, I spoke to Samsung reps today (I suspect much higher up the food chain) after calling for days with only a busy signal and no returns calls or emails, finally got traction after an email to the office of the president at Samsung.
Updates on the article not posted yet. They have provided, me with a way to return the phone. And too date have offered 2 replacement Note 5's of which I accepted just one. And some anxious people have not received any device yet.
And some pretty nice and high up Sprint tech rep setup my WiFI Calling which was never enabled on my Note 5 trial phone.
In short the whole experience IMO has been the Ultimate Non-Apple Test Drive, poorly thought through, poorly implemented and an opportunity for great PR bungled by the Promotions Team Samsung in general.
I'd love to give the Note 5 a fair shot, but these events and jumping through so many hoops opened my eyes that Samsung is not really customer centric or friendly. That excellent service and support safety net Apple offers just does not exist. Unless your blogging, or reaching out to popular consumer news websites which have a very loud voice.
Lets see how Samsung steps up. And turns things around.
TheRealAlex
Didn't have any issues with the instructions or shipping label for return which is in the return kit envelope pictured. And, they called me to follow up after a week of having it. Sounds like you have an agenda.
Didn't have any issues with the instructions or shipping label for return which is in the return kit envelope pictured. And, they called me to follow up after a week of having it. Sounds like you have an agenda.
Though I have had many issues with my device, I had zero issues with setup or instruction. My box with shipping label is sitting right where I left it when I got it, ready to go.
The OP that you replied to is having the exact opposite issue as me. I got a device that I believe is a lemon. I tried calling, emailing, and calling back after my one week with the device with no luck. I wish I had had two devices offered to me! I think it would make my 30 trial less bitter, but I have yet to hear anything...
Granted, I cannot call foul or call TheRealAlex out because when I posted my issues people assumed I was lying and tried to call me out, after which I provided evidence of my issues (I'm still waiting to see if I get $100, or even $50!
). I am not going to say it is or isn't a lie, but it does seem a little fishy...PS, your note 5 looks MASSIVE compared to your iPhone 4(s).
^^^ You did indeed win $100 lol. I bet he is regretting saying that even if you'll likely never see it. It's easier for him to ignore the thread it seems
Will be putting my 5s on sale tomorrow.
Putting my tmobile SIM in verizon s6 edge +. Now I just hope when I preorder the new iPhone 6s I will get it before or (+ few days) I have to send the galaxy back.
Anyway. Will I be able to order unlocked tmobile version of 6s on launch date?
Putting my tmobile SIM in verizon s6 edge +. Now I just hope when I preorder the new iPhone 6s I will get it before or (+ few days) I have to send the galaxy back.
Anyway. Will I be able to order unlocked tmobile version of 6s on launch date?
Their support was definitely lacking on this one. I tried calling the support line as well, but no answer and voicemail was full.
However, to be fair, a return kit was included with my phone. It also had specific instructions to hold on to the box that the phone shipped in to return it. All you have to do it put the phone nah into its box, put that into the brown shipping box you received the phone, put the included return sticker over the old one, and send it. Pretty easy.
100% Agreed, no agendas here seems like others are sharing in the same test drive experience or have not even begun yet. They did finally send me a return, kit, heck by today I'll have 2 Note 5's I'll post pics of that too.
Have you considered your battery drain is caused by bad reception which is typical of Sprint service? Having to enable WIFI calling and not even showing one bar of signal reinforce this. You should be directing your service issues with Sprint instead of blaming Samsung and trying to game more devices through the test drive program.
http://www.cellreception.com/coverage/fl/miami-beach/page1.html
http://www.cellreception.com/coverage/fl/miami-beach/page1.html
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I'm an avid smartphone user. I've used both android and iPhone devices through their lifespans. Let's just leave windows phone out of this conversation. I can say that I love this screen on the s6 edge+. That is I love looking at it. Using it is a different story. The edge can be really tricky and mess things up. A lot. I own a MacBook pro and have found ways to make it work. I am just a fan of smartphone technology and overall I have enjoyed the s6 edge. Freedom and control are a big thing for me. If this is a lot of you guys first use of a (powerful) android device I feel like you should erase your memory of the experience and give a stock Android device a go. Like the nexus 6. Samsung demolished this device with their software. It's just too much.
I sent mine back yesterday, 5 days into trial. Good phone, android isn't for me.
Until the release date of the 6S, I'll be using a good ol 9700.
Until the release date of the 6S, I'll be using a good ol 9700.
5 days is not really enough. Others have said this but you need to lock away your iphone and use android for the full 30 days.