Samsung Galaxy Note 9

[mib1800]

I've been around the block with fitness trackers on Android before, and just recently. I have owned the Gear S3 Frontier, the Ticwatch Pro and the Fitbit Charge 2. Not a single one of them are as accurate, or robust as the Apple Watch. None offer quite the level of cohesiveness that it and its bigger sibling (iPhone) do either.

The Gear S3 was the best of the bunch when it comes to synchronization, and it works great with my Note9 in particular, but its fitness tracking is not good. It consistently drops my HR while running and is too heavy to wear comfortably for exercise because of the heavy materials. Also, in my opinion, circular watch faces do not translate to good use with the OS. Samsung has adapted Tizen to the circular face in some areas, but certain things, like notifications, are styled in a rectangular fashion, with information sometimes getting chopped off. Hard to explain that without seeing it. It feels a tad sloppy is all. The Gear S3 is the best of the bunch I tried overall though.

The Ticwatch is just plain inaccurate. Steps counters are way too high, which I rely on every day. That's a notorious problem with any Ticwatch model from my research. The HR sensor keeps my HR consistently but doesn't deliver accurate readings. The watch design overall is nice, but the construction kind of feels cheap in my opinion. WearOS is a bit of a mess as well. It's not nearly as robust as Apple or Samsung's OS, and really needs to be fleshed out. That's probably why there is no Pixel watch coming if I had to guess.

Fitbit is solid overall, but just not as engaging. I've really got no qualms with it at its price-point and objective. Fitness is my main concern, and it's great at tracking fitness, it's great at tracking sleep as an added bonus and the Charge is a decent enough looking device. But it's not good at functioning as a smartwatch, and they don't position it as such. It's definitely tougher to interact with vs the Apple Watch or Gear S3 and at the end of the day is simply a one-trick pony. Its a steal at the price point, but I'm willing to pay more to get more. They have the Ionic, but it looks cheap, feels cheap and is priced too high for what it actually delivers in my opinion. Fitbit is also a fitness-focused device but not an overall health focused device. That's where the Apple Watch excels, by letting me use the Health app to log my activity, heart rate data, heart rate notifications, soon-to-be EKG, etc. I feel like Fitbit is focused more on your health today, where Apple Watch is focused on your health tomorrow, if that makes sense.

Apple Watch, and the 44mm specifically, is also the right size for my wrist. It's much lighter than the Gear S3, while not feeling cheaper like the Ticwatch or Fitbit. I already have all my old bands which still work, and it's just such an incredibly cohesive experience with the phone. They've given added function to the watch faces (they may never make another watch face more beautiful than Infograph), which was a complaint I had before. It's noticeably faster than even my Series 3 was. All-in-all it just delivers the best combination of watch and fitness tracker, bar none. I had a feeling if anything pulled me back it would be the Apple Watch. I had all but sworn off the iPhone just a week ago too.

Sounds like your are prioritizing watch over phone. I dont wear watch, so I dont attach importance to it. Think from your description, you are just using your watch for fitness tracking which every watch in the market can do well (from the very cheap to very expensive like iWatch)

Personally, I think the iWatch is just too flashy. People know immediately your are wearing an apple watch. Of course, some do like the attention. If I were to get a watch it has to be how a watch suppose to look from very beginning i.e. round. Personally the square face is just bit too tacky for my taste.

 

[Oohara]

Welp, I still have my Note9 and do love the phone dearly, but even after trashing Apple's decisions with the Max for so long...I caved and got one. At the end of the day, I had a play with the Seris 4 Apple Watch and it pulled me back. It's far and away the best fitness tracker and I take my fitness seriously. Not sure where I go from here with the Note. I wish a lot of its features were available on the Max, and I'm frankly pissed that they aren't, but I definitely need the Apple Watch.

My plan is to keep both, but not sure how long my wife will let me get away with that.

The new watch really is a work of art. If I could have found something I was truly comfortable with, and was at least comparable, then I would have went that route. WearOS is kind of chaotic mess right now.

I'm in a similar situation. I didn't get the Note 9 but was planning to, after using my 7+ and first gen AW for two years. I was also pretty tired of iOS and missing some functionality. But when I saw the AW 4 even though I haven't handled it in person yet, that made me hold off on buying anything. I like my AW first gen although I have some gripes with it, but with the new one they seem to have solved most of that. Especially the screen is larger and the watch thinner. And since I don't like round face smartwatches, that makes the AW pretty much a given purchase for me.

That, and to my great surprise I actually really like iOS 12. I never thought I'd be saying this but it has made my 7+ feel like a new phone. For the first time in years I'm actually fine with staying on a 2 yr old phone for probably another year. If I get the AW4, that's enough "new" for me, for now.

 

[FFR]

I'm in a similar situation. I didn't get the Note 9 but was planning to, after using my 7+ and first gen AW for two years. I was also pretty tired of iOS and missing some functionality. But when I saw the AW 4 even though I haven't handled it in person yet, that made me hold off on buying anything. I like my AW first gen although I have some gripes with it, but with the new one they seem to have solved most of that. Especially the screen is larger and the watch thinner. And since I don't like round face smartwatches, that makes the AW pretty much a given purchase for me.

That, and to my great surprise I actually really like iOS 12. I never thought I'd be saying this but it has made my 7+ feel like a new phone. For the first time in years I'm actually fine with staying on a 2 yr old phone for probably another year. If I get the AW4, that's enough "new" for me, for now.

If your going from a series 1 to a series 4, your going to be blown away by the difference in performance between the two.
I picked up a series 4 and I’m coming from a series 2, and that was quite noticeable to me.

 

[Cryates]

Especially the screen is larger and the watch thinner.

These are the two things that shocked me the most. Looking at the specs and side-by-side comparisons to the Series 3, those looked like incremental changes at best. When you use them however, they feel like major changes. I was shocked at how thin the watch is after previously using a Series 3. The screen also feels like the perfect size, and I actively want to use my watch for certain tasks now. Apple really nailed it with the Series 4.
[doublepost=1538132255][/doublepost]

If your going from a series 1 to a series 4, your going to be blown away by the difference in performance between the two.
I picked up a series 4 and I’m coming from a series 2, and that was quite noticeable to me.

I’m coming from having previously used a Series 3, and I was shocked lol. It’s so much more engaging now overall.

 

[FFR]

These are the two things that shocked me the most. Looking at the specs and side-by-side comparisons to the Series 3, those looked like incremental changes at best. When you use them however, they feel like major changes. I was shocked at how thin the watch is after previously using a Series 3. The screen also feels like the perfect size, and I actively want to use my watch for certain tasks now. Apple really nailed it with the Series 4.
[doublepost=1538132255][/doublepost]
I’m coming from having previously used a Series 3, and I was shocked lol. It’s so much more engaging now overall.

They hit it out of the park with the series 4.
I’m sure you won’t be disappointed.

Perhaps I misunderstood, do you already have the series 4?
Or are you discussing a future purchase.


Edit please disregard I got confused between you and another poster.

 

[co.ag.2005]

If your going from a series 1 to a series 4, your going to be blown away by the difference in performance between the two.
I picked up a series 4 and I’m coming from a series 2, and that was quite noticeable to me.

sweet! can't wait to see the performance difference from my series 0! Nike Apple Watch 4 comes next week.

 

[Shanghaichica]

Welp, I still have my Note9 and do love the phone dearly, but even after trashing Apple's decisions with the Max for so long...I caved and got one. At the end of the day, I had a play with the Seris 4 Apple Watch and it pulled me back. It's far and away the best fitness tracker and I take my fitness seriously. Not sure where I go from here with the Note. I wish a lot of its features were available on the Max, and I'm frankly pissed that they aren't, but I definitely need the Apple Watch.

My plan is to keep both, but not sure how long my wife will let me get away with that.

The new watch really is a work of art. If I could have found something I was truly comfortable with, and was at least comparable, then I would have went that route. WearOS is kind of a chaotic mess right now.

Wish I could keep both a Samsung and an Apple phone but I’ve tried for the past 3 years and I’ve always found one redundant because it sits in a drawer unless I force myself to use it. Back when I was using android I would have loved a phone like the note 9. Even the note 9 is more exciting than my max. If I didn’t have all this other Apple stuff I probably would have jumped over to the note 9 this year.
[doublepost=1538144738][/doublepost]

Sounds like your are prioritizing watch over phone. I dont wear watch, so I dont attach importance to it. Think from your description, you are just using your watch for fitness tracking which every watch in the market can do well (from the very cheap to very expensive like iWatch)

Personally, I think the iWatch is just too flashy. People know immediately your are wearing an apple watch. Of course, some do like the attention. If I were to get a watch it has to be how a watch suppose to look from very beginning i.e. round. Personally the square face is just bit too tacky for my taste.

You just get used to wearing and using it. I’ve had an Apple Watch since launch day in 2015 and worn one everyday. It just becomes part of your daily work flow. I have a pemanant tan mark on my wrist where the watch has been lol
[doublepost=1538145291][/doublepost]

These are the two things that shocked me the most. Looking at the specs and side-by-side comparisons to the Series 3, those looked like incremental changes at best. When you use them however, they feel like major changes. I was shocked at how thin the watch is after previously using a Series 3. The screen also feels like the perfect size, and I actively want to use my watch for certain tasks now. Apple really nailed it with the Series 4.
[doublepost=1538132255][/doublepost]
I’m coming from having previously used a Series 3, and I was shocked lol. It’s so much more engaging now overall.

If I go and see one in the flesh I’ll end up leaving with it. So I’m trying to at least hold off until closer to Christmas and then at least I can call it a Christmas present to myself lol

 

[Cryates]

Think from your description, you are just using your watch for fitness tracking which every watch in the market can do well (from the very cheap to very expensive like iWatch)

Nope, not true at all. I've used a bevy of watches and fitness trackers, as my earlier post in the thread will tell you, and they aren't all good at tracking fitness. Apple Watch and Fitbit products stand high above the rest in both reliability and accuracy.

Should also add that I'm not prioritizing one over the other. I'm prioritizing how they work together cohesively, where every other product set of phone/watch I've tried is not nearly as cohesive. When looking at Apple's entire product line, and what the watch can do for people and their health, I do think it's the most important product Apple has ever made.
[doublepost=1538145812][/doublepost]

Personally, I think the iWatch is just too flashy. People know immediately your are wearing an apple watch. Of course, some do like the attention. If I were to get a watch it has to be how a watch suppose to look from very beginning i.e. round. Personally the square face is just bit too tacky for my taste.

Odd, because due to its smaller size, it might the least flashy of all the products in the smartwatch/fitness market. A Gear S3 I would describe as more flashy because it's so big you cannot miss it. Space Gray is undeniably the most popular variant and it has a stealthy look, not flashy. It's easily identifiable because of its popularity, much like a Fitbit.

 

[Shanghaichica]

Nope, not true at all. I've used a bevy of watches and fitness trackers, as my earlier post in the thread will tell you, and they aren't all good at tracking fitness. Apple Watch and Fitbit products stand high above the rest in both reliability and accuracy.
[doublepost=1538145812][/doublepost]
Odd, because due to its smaller size, it might the least flashy all of the smartwatch/fitness market. A Gear S3 I would describe as more flashy because it's so big you cannot miss it. Space Gray is undeniably the most popular variant and it has a stealthy look, not flashy. It's easily identifiable because of its popularity, much like a Fitbit.

It depends on how serious you are about fitness. I only use mine for step counting so most watches would surfice but if your are using it for workouts and more intense stuff then you need a good one.

 

[Cryates]

It depends on how serious you are about fitness. I only use mine for step counting so most watches would surfice but if your are using it for workouts and more intense stuff then you need a good one.

Oh yes, that's true. I know some folks who don't use their Apple Watch as a fitness tracker, but a lot more as a task manager for responding to alerts, etc. That said, even pure step tracking is more accurate than what you would find on the pretty popular Ticwatch, and that's positioned as an Apple Watch competitor. The Ticwatch step counter algorithm is so poor that you'll think you've walked twice as many steps as you actually have.

You also have to think of what Apple is giving you as far as identifying your overall health. An accurate heart rate sensor that can alert you of high or low heart rate concerns, the ability to detect an irregular heartbeat with the optical sensor, and EKG coming later this year that a study showed is more than 98% accurate. That's pretty remarkable stuff that tells you more about your overall health for the long-term, and not just day-to-day fitness routines. I've said it multiple times but other trackers are putting focus on your health today, while Apple is putting focus on your health tomorrow.

 

[Shanghaichica]

Oh yes, that's true. I know some folks who don't use their Apple Watch as a fitness tracker, but a lot more as a task manager for responding to alerts, etc. That said, even pure step tracking is more accurate than what you would find on the pretty popular Ticwatch, and that's positioned as an Apple Watch competitor. The Ticwatch step counter algorithm is so poor that you'll think you've walked twice as many steps as you actually have.

I’ve never worn a Samsung watch but I used the step counter in the health app back when I used Samsung phones as my daily driver and it was very generous. When I got my Apple Watch I got a shock as it said I was doing a lot less on a typical work day than I’d thought.

 

[mib1800]

Nope, not true at all. I've used a bevy of watches and fitness trackers, as my earlier post in the thread will tell you, and they aren't all good at tracking fitness. Apple Watch and Fitbit products stand high above the rest in both reliability and accuracy.

Should also add that I'm not prioritizing one over the other. I'm prioritizing how they work together cohesively, where every other product set of phone/watch I've tried is not nearly as cohesive. When looking at Apple's entire product line, and what the watch can do for people and their health, I do think it's the most important product Apple has ever made.
[doublepost=1538145812][/doublepost]
Odd, because due to its smaller size, it might the least flashy all of the smartwatch/fitness market. A Gear S3 I would describe as more flashy because it's so big you cannot miss it. Space Gray is undeniably the most popular variant and it has a stealthy look, not flashy. It's easily identifiable because of its popularity, much like a Fitbit.

I just use my Note9 as step counter. I don't care too much about accuracy as long as it is consistent since I'm just tracking my personal workout and not comparing to others.

On the watch, a square watch just doesnt look like a watch no matter how big or small. It just stand out. That's my personal take.

 

[Cryates]

I just use my Note9 as step counter. I don't care too much about accuracy as long as it is consistent since I'm just tracking my personal workout and not comparing to others.

Ah, well no disrespect, but if you haven’t used a fitness tracking watch, then you can’t really speak on accuracy as it compares to others.

On the watch, a square watch just doesnt look like a watch no matter how big or small. It just stand out. That's my personal take.

This is personal preference. I like the look of round watches, but I think a square face on a smartwatch is better adapted to an OS. Information on the screen reads and scrolls in a square format.

 

[Aneres11]

Welp, I still have my Note9 and do love the phone dearly, but even after trashing Apple's decisions with the Max for so long...I caved and got one.

I literally lol'd after reading your thoughts only the other day on how much you didn't like the Max.
We are a weak, fickle bunch. Send help etc.

Still, it's not as funny as @epicrayban going in on google for the last 11 months daily but saying in another thread his next phone will be the Pixel 3.

Us techies are a strange! I have an XS Max and will likely trade it in for an XR. What is wrong with me?!

 

[epicrayban]

I literally lol'd after reading your thoughts only the other day on how much you didn't like the Max.
We are a weak, fickle bunch. Send help etc.

Still, it's not as funny as @epicrayban going in on google for the last 11 months daily but saying in another thread his next phone will be the Pixel 3.

Us techies are a strange! I have an XS Max and will likely trade it in for an XR. What is wrong with me?!

Dat camera tho.

It's true, Google has me locked in with their camera experience. I just want/wish the rest of the device to be on par, too.

For example, I'm currently traveling with my Pixel 2 over my S9+ because, again, the camera. And it's absolutely delivering as usual, but the screen doesn't get bright enough in direct sunlight, something the S9+ and Note 9 have no problem with.

One thing I can confidently promise you is I won't be getting a XS. iOS just isn't ready yet. I also think it's interesting that it takes this year's iPhone for tech bloggers and users to admit last year's iPhone camera wasn't very good. Seeing X and XS photo comparisons are funny.

 

[Cryates]

I literally lol'd after reading your thoughts only the other day on how much you didn't like the Max.
We are a weak, fickle bunch. Send help etc.

It's so true! I had sworn the iPhone off, but here I am!

I do have to say that after a few days I'm elated to be back with the Watch/iPhone combo. The Max is a super nice phone. I do love the Note dearly as a stand-alone device though! I'm still ticked at Apple for not giving some pro features that users like myself want. Maybe with iOS 13...

 

[c0ppo]

Maybe with iOS 13...

I wouldn't hold my breath

 

[jamezr]

Did anyone get this update?

Galaxy Note 9 update improves camera, takes a new stab at P20 Pro https://www.slashgear.com/galaxy-note-9-update-improves-camera-takes-a-new-stab-at-p20-pro-28548102/

 

[Michael Goff]

Did anyone get this update?

Galaxy Note 9 update improves camera, takes a new stab at P20 Pro https://www.slashgear.com/galaxy-note-9-update-improves-camera-takes-a-new-stab-at-p20-pro-28548102/

Not yet here, but I'm assuming it's not going to come to us Snapdragon plebs until a couple weeks out. Also, I'm using the unlocked so lol I will get it in 2020.

 

[macfacts]

Did anyone get this update?

Galaxy Note 9 update improves camera, takes a new stab at P20 Pro https://www.slashgear.com/galaxy-note-9-update-improves-camera-takes-a-new-stab-at-p20-pro-28548102/

Yes but haven't updated. Also the notes don't mention any specific improvements. (I have the snapdragon version in canada)

 

[Fernandez21]

Yes but haven't updated. Also the notes don't mention any specific improvements. (I have the snapdragon version in canada)

Nothing here, but I’m on at&t so it will probably be a couple of months.

 

[Sevanw]

Yes but haven't updated. Also the notes don't mention any specific improvements. (I have the snapdragon version in canada)

That's not the update. Here's the update that improves camera picture quality. It actually specifically says, camera picture quality is improved. This is screenshot from sammobile:

 

[thering1975]

That's not the update. Here's the update that improves camera picture quality. It actually specifically says, camera picture quality is improved. This is screenshot from sammobile:

View attachment 790230

Yep used Samfirm to download and flashed via odin yesterday , that was for OXM exynos edition. (as per your screengrab)

 

[1050792]

Anyone here using the iPhone XS Max and the Note 9 that can compare the battery life? There's something about that 4000mAH battery life that's making me want the Note, my Note 8 used to get 5-6 hours of SOT which is incredibly good, I do use dark mode, 1080P screen resolution and some battery savings for background Apps. I wonder how much better battery I'd get with the Note 9 compared to the iPhone XS Max which didn't impress me at all.

 

[Cryates]

Anyone here using the iPhone XS Max and the Note 9 that can compare the battery life? There's something about that 4000mAH battery life that's making me want the Note, my Note 8 used to get 5-6 hours of SOT which is incredibly good, I do use dark mode, 1080P screen resolution and some battery savings for background Apps. I wonder how much better battery I'd get with the Note 9 compared to the iPhone XS Max which didn't impress me at all.

Here’s what I’m noticing in nearing a week of using the XS Max and having previously used the Note9 for a month: Overall, the Note has the better battery life in my use-case, but not by much, and not enough to really make a difference for me. The iPhone has always excelled at standby time, where the Note, and any Android for that matter drain quicker during standby. I do think the Note delivers better longevity during actual screen-on use though.

Overall, I can squeeze out 5-7 hours of SOT with the XS Max, and 6-8 hours of SOT with the Note, sometimes even pushing that top number closer to 9 hours. That’s just specific to my use-case though, and as another member pointed out previously, each side could be calculating SOT differently somehow. Everyone‘s usage patterns are different as well.

I think both would last you comfortably through a single day, but the Note is more likely going to push you further into the second day. For me, I recharge nightly when going to bed anyway, so either will give me enough longevity for my needs.