Samsung Note 4 or iPhone 6 Plus? Foot in Each Camp...

[spinedoc77]

Well when I had my GS4 GPE it too was dramatic the difference between it and Touchwiz edition I had prior. So yeah the rom does indeed make a difference in the same hardware.

I like Touchwiz launcher myself (or at least many of the extras over stock), and just hope they do what is rumoured and streamline it - everyone benefits then. But the cynic in me thinks if you are streamlining something so dramatically why do you need to throw 4gb ram at it. So one of the rumours is wrong, and in this instance I hope they are wrong about the memory.

Out of interest, How much memory is free with Cyanogenmod installed on your Note with your usual apps all open in the background ? My Moto x always seems to have about 1gb free and that's with system using around 250-300 and my 10 open apps occupying 500-700mb. This is with a 2gb device only. It was a similar story on the HTC M8 with Sense 6. So I would assume the Note 4 would sit with well over 1.5gb free even with many apps open.

Hence again more of a reason why I don't see the point in 4gb rumours for the S6 currently.

It probably varies wildly, but right now with 5 or 6 apps open I have 1.2gb free, with the system using 348mb.

I still cannot believe how fast CM12 is. Instant everything, instant in every sense of the word. The most eerie thing is hitting the recent apps capacitive button and truly having all open apps pop up instantly no matter how many are open.

I previously commented on how much faster the T-Mobile variant was than the ATT one, even completely stock and unoptimized, leading me to believe ATT bloatware played a large part in its slowness. But this is another level on top of that. It's a shame there is no GPE version of the Note 4 as I now know I wouldn't hesitate for a second to choose that one.

 

[nviz22]

For those who own both, how do you manage the SIM card differences and iMessage issues?

 

[spinedoc77]

For those who own both, how do you manage the SIM card differences and iMessage issues?

The nano slim fits into the Note 4 with no modifications or adapters, you just have to slip it in the right way. The only annoying part is that you have to take the battery out, forcing you to restart the phone. I like that the iPhone can swap Sims without having to power down.

 

[machtv]

The nano slim fits into the Note 4 with no modifications or adapters, you just have to slip it in the right way. The only annoying part is that you have to take the battery out, forcing you to restart the phone. I like that the iPhone can swap Sims without having to power down.

i agree it's a bit of a pain but it's not as much of pain when adding or removing memory on note 4. but it's very difficult to do if not impossible on the any of the iphones
not too mention battery changes are a breeze also on the note4 when compaired to the iphone

 

[Ngwidener]

For those who own both, how do you manage the SIM card differences and iMessage issues?

I use a cheap little sim adapter. Works well for me. What iMessage issues are you referring to?

 

[machtv]

sim cutters are cheap and almost always come with adapters
http://sandiego.craigslist.org/csd/ele/4868284651.html

 

[nviz22]

I use a cheap little sim adapter. Works well for me. What iMessage issues are you referring to?

So I had an iPhone 5S as a temp phone when my S5 was acting up. So when I went back to the S5, I had issues sending messages to friends and iMessage failed to send as well. It just didn't realize that I disconnected from the Apple servers.

 

[JackieInCo]

For those who own both, how do you manage the SIM card differences and iMessage issues?

You don't need a sim adaptor. Just slide the sim into the middle of the sim card slot and it will work. It won't move out of place or anything. If you want to remove it, you can slide it back out with a finger nail once you take the battery out.

 

[sunking101]

You don't need a sim adaptor. Just slide the sim into the middle of the sim card slot and it will work. It won't move out of place or anything. If you want to remove it, you can slide it back out with a finger nail once you take the battery out.

Might as well just use a SIM adaptor though, for the avoidance of all potential error. They're cheap as chips online.

 

[MRU]

Might as well just use a SIM adaptor though, for the avoidance of all potential error. They're cheap as chips online.

Just be careful. It can be all too easy to get pins trapped in the tiniest gap in a sim adaptor. I speak from bitter experience.

 

[spinedoc77]

Just be careful. It can be all too easy to get pins trapped in the tiniest gap in a sim adaptor. I speak from bitter experience.

Been there, done that, that's why I recommend to not even use an adapter. A nano sim will fit and stay in just fine, you just have to correctly place it.

 

[mattopotamus]

Just be careful. It can be all too easy to get pins trapped in the tiniest gap in a sim adaptor. I speak from bitter experience.

Been there, done that, that's why I recommend to not even use an adapter. A nano sim will fit and stay in just fine, you just have to correctly place it.

Or just buy a really good one...~$15

 

[MRU]

Or just buy a really good one...~$15

Trust me I spent 25 euro on very expensive Swedish set of them. It can still happen.

Thankfully with my carrier I no longer have to swap sims. I can keep a sim in each device and simply use their automated service to activate whichever sim I want to use.

 

[gotluck]

Trust me I spent 25 euro on very expensive Swedish set of them. It can still happen.

Thankfully with my carrier I no longer have to swap sims. I can keep a sim in each device and simply use their automated service to activate whichever sim I want to use.

That's awesome, that sounds different than sim cloning eh? Sounds like something new.

I don't think any provider in the U.S. supports any kind of sim cloning

 

[MRU]

That's awesome, that sounds different than sim cloning eh? Sounds like something new.

I don't think any provider in the U.S. supports any kind of sim cloning

Each sim has a serial number - I dial Vodafone and simply go into 'activate new sim' in the automated process - and then enter the 19 digit serial and that sim becomes active. Simply end the call and the other sim is good to go and the current deactivated. Repeat to switch back. It actually takes me less time than ejecting sims and prevents unnecessary wear & tear . It's very handy.

 

[Oohara]

Well damn. I've been largely happy with my 6+ which I got 2,5 months ago, but to my surprise I now suddenly find myself bidding on used Note 4 and even Note 3 (will be great with imminent L update) units.

Better text editing, notifications shade a more reliable and slick solution (imo) than Control Center, widget toggles directly on the home screen, swipe typing universally available & reliable, more dynamic notifications system, notifications LED, back button, simple drag-and-drop to PC via USB...

At first I felt that the general smoothness of iOS + the stunning hardware design and that utterly wonderful fingerprint reader would make me forget those things I really loved about Android. But suddenly I find myself missing them just too much.

Also I've really had it with the reloading business. Websites is one thing, that's annoying but bearable. Last week however I was abroad and about to register my credit card in the local public transport app so I could buy a ticket, urgently so (couldn't get cash right then). I hop out of the app to double check my new zipcode, and when I hop back the whole form has been reset and is empty, so I have to do it all over again...and end up missing the train. That sort of thing has been happening just too many times now, and I never used to have that sort of trouble with my Note 2.

So, I'm 99% sure that I'll be back with the Note series in a week or two. I'll be using both platforms in parallel for a week or two to really make a thorough comparison before I make my final choice however. And whatever happens, I'm totally open for the 6 S Plus (or w/e they end up calling it) come September.

DISCLAIMER: with this I don't intend to bash iPhone or iOS in any way, the 6+ is still a great phone, just not optimal for my uses.

 

[MRU]

Well damn. I've been largely happy with my 6+ which I got 2,5 months ago, but to my surprise I now suddenly find myself bidding on used Note 4 and even Note 3 (will be great with imminent L update) units.

Better text editing, notifications shade a more reliable and slick solution (imo) than Control Center, widget toggles directly on the home screen, swipe typing universally available & reliable, more dynamic notifications system, notifications LED, back button, simple drag-and-drop to PC via USB...

At first I felt that the general smoothness of iOS + the stunning hardware design and that utterly wonderful fingerprint reader would make me forget those things I really loved about Android. But suddenly I find myself missing them just too much.

Also I've really had it with the reloading business. Websites is one thing, that's annoying but bearable. Last week however I was abroad and about to register my credit card in the local public transport app so I could buy a ticket, urgently so (couldn't get cash right then). I hop out of the app to double check my new zipcode, and when I hop back the whole form has been reset and is empty, so I have to do it all over again...and end up missing the train. That sort of thing has been happening just too many times now, and I never used to have that sort of trouble with my Note 2.

So, I'm 99% sure that I'll be back with the Note series in a week or two. I'll be using both platforms in parallel for a week or two to really make a thorough comparison before I make my final choice however. And whatever happens, I'm totally open for the 6 S Plus (or w/e they end up calling it) come September.

DISCLAIMER: with this I don't intend to bash iPhone or iOS in any way, the 6+ is still a great phone, just not optimal for my uses.

I think a combo of an iPhone 6 or 6+ and a decent Android handset is a good thing, as I'm sure many other of our dual owners here will testify.

Having the best of both worlds is never a 'bad' thing Just enjoy whatever you end up using or keeping, I'm holding out for the M9 as my next android purchase (unless the S6 really does come through with the goods).

 

[JackieInCo]

Remember though that the two phones use different sized sim cards so you can't put the sim from the Note 4 into the iPhone.

For this reason, I may very well just keep a $30 T-Mobile account open. I use Google Voice since I have multiple phones activated anyways so three different numbers don't matter.

 

[Oohara]

I think a combo of an iPhone 6 or 6+ and a decent Android handset is a good thing, as I'm sure many other of our dual owners here will testify.

Having the best of both worlds is never a 'bad' thing Just enjoy whatever you end up using or keeping, I'm holding out for the M9 as my next android purchase (unless the S6 really does come through with the goods).

Remember though that the two phones use different sized sim cards so you can't put the sim from the Note 4 into the iPhone.

For this reason, I may very well just keep a $30 T-Mobile account open. I use Google Voice since I have multiple phones activated anyways so three different numbers don't matter.

Yeah, actually I'd rather settle for just one phone anyway because I tried to keep using my Note 2 a bit but ended up just getting confused with my notes, sms, etc.

The best of both worlds would still be nice to have though. Initially I was hoping for a new ~8" Note device to have alongside the 6+, but now it'll probably be an iPad next to the Note.

 

[epicrayban]

Well damn. I've been largely happy with my 6+ which I got 2,5 months ago, but to my surprise I now suddenly find myself bidding on used Note 4 and even Note 3 (will be great with imminent L update) units.

Better text editing, notifications shade a more reliable and slick solution (imo) than Control Center, widget toggles directly on the home screen, swipe typing universally available & reliable, more dynamic notifications system, notifications LED, back button, simple drag-and-drop to PC via USB...

At first I felt that the general smoothness of iOS + the stunning hardware design and that utterly wonderful fingerprint reader would make me forget those things I really loved about Android. But suddenly I find myself missing them just too much.

Also I've really had it with the reloading business. Websites is one thing, that's annoying but bearable. Last week however I was abroad and about to register my credit card in the local public transport app so I could buy a ticket, urgently so (couldn't get cash right then). I hop out of the app to double check my new zipcode, and when I hop back the whole form has been reset and is empty, so I have to do it all over again...and end up missing the train. That sort of thing has been happening just too many times now, and I never used to have that sort of trouble with my Note 2.

So, I'm 99% sure that I'll be back with the Note series in a week or two. I'll be using both platforms in parallel for a week or two to really make a thorough comparison before I make my final choice however. And whatever happens, I'm totally open for the 6 S Plus (or w/e they end up calling it) come September.

DISCLAIMER: with this I don't intend to bash iPhone or iOS in any way, the 6+ is still a great phone, just not optimal for my uses.

I feel the same way using my OnePlus One. I find myself hardly ever bothering with my iPhone 6, and may sell it very soon. I, too, thought I'd miss the fingerprint sensor or the exclusive apps (games mostly), but I find myself getting along just fine without them. In fact, in regards the the finger print scanner, I'm actually happier using pattern code to unlock my phone. I always thought the finger print scanner was sketchy at best and wasn't worth the trouble of having to re-scan the few times it didn't read my finger correctly or whatever. A solid lock screen pattern that you can reliable and 100% put to use is better than the novelty of a finger print scanner that would work only 7/10 times (honestly, it sometimes felt like less). And the apps, well, I just don't miss them that much.

And all the advantages you mentioned about Android, I love too. I'm surprised you mentioned text editing. I also find text editing better on Android, and I know I'm in the minority. It's just faster and easier. Typing in general is sooooo much better on Android (the stock keyboard). Gesture-typing is a pleasure to use especially with one hand. The auto correct and the ability to manually edit your personal dictionary goes a long long way in making the typing experience better and fuller on Android.

I'm actually keeping a keen eye on 2015 Android devices. It sounds like a Note 5 might be an upgrade.

 

[Oohara]

So I'm back to serious testing of the Note 4 in stores, now with my 6+ at hand for direct comparison.

The Note 4 screen looks very yellow when I hold the phones next to each other with both showing a white screen. I don't recall this from when I initially tested it back when it was released...........are these bad units or have I just become too used to the 6+ screen? I've tested three Note 4 units and they all look the same.

I've tried all screen settings of course. The whites look much better on Adaptive Display and AMOLED Cinema, but then the other colors are way oversaturated.

Should I keep looking for better units or is the screen just a bit yellow? What say you guys, is it just something to get used to?

Yes I am aware that the Note 4 has the most well calibrated color palette of any smartphone so far, I'm not debating that. I do however love the white color on my 6+.

 

[Fernandez21]

So I'm back to serious testing of the Note 4 in stores, now with my 6+ at hand for direct comparison.

The Note 4 screen looks very yellow when I hold the phones next to each other with both showing a white screen. I don't recall this from when I initially tested it back when it was released...........are these bad units or have I just become too used to the 6+ screen? I've tested three Note 4 units and they all look the same.

I've tried all screen settings of course. The whites look much better on Adaptive Display and AMOLED Cinema, but then the other colors are way oversaturated.

Should I keep looking for better units or is the screen just a bit yellow? What say you guys, is it just something to get used to?

Yes I am aware that the Note 4 has the most well calibrated color palette of any smartphone so far, I'm not debating that. I do however love the white color on my 6+.

I get the same on my note 4, I'm not sure if its that its yellow or if the iPhone is blue, I do prefer the screen on my 6 plus over my Note's except in low light situations, I find the iphone's too bright in those situations, and the blacks are incredible on the note.

 

[Oohara]

I get the same on my note 4, I'm not sure if its that its yellow or if the iPhone is blue, I do prefer the screen on my 6 plus over my Note's except in low light situations, I find the iphone's too bright in those situations, and the blacks are incredible on the note.

Thanks for this reply. Yeah I guess it's the iPhone being a bit on the blue side. I was surprised that the difference was so marked though!

I totally agree about low light situations, I nearly always have to activate inverted colors when using my 6+ in a dark room. My Note 2 was great in this respect, especially since I could just use an app to lower the screen brightness even below the phone's minimum. Definitely looking forward to having this again with the Note 4.

 

[technosix]

Ahh the sickness continues...

Yes it does.

I'm positively addicted to both iOS and Android, therefore I carry one of each.

Both have their own unique advantages that I enjoy, there's no turning back...ha...ha...ha

 

[spinedoc77]

Thanks for this reply. Yeah I guess it's the iPhone being a bit on the blue side. I was surprised that the difference was so marked though!

I totally agree about low light situations, I nearly always have to activate inverted colors when using my 6+ in a dark room. My Note 2 was great in this respect, especially since I could just use an app to lower the screen brightness even below the phone's minimum. Definitely looking forward to having this again with the Note 4.

And the stupidity IMO continues with iOS8 and Lollipop both having blinding white themes. I always wondered if Apple and Google engineers live somewhere where it's only daytime.