Next phone - note 4?

[bonerp]

Whats people view of their next phone - those of us currently on the n3?

Theres a lot of good stuff coming out / out (LG G3 for example).

For me I think the next samsung note (4) really has to step up in terms of design. I'm not too fussed about metal bodies as the bend and dont swallow up drops. BUT Samsung are frankly getting left behind in the design stakes especially when you look at some of the other makes (Sony and LG) and especially the cheaper ones - Xioami, One Plus who are frankly making Samsung look silly.

Personally I think the S5 design is naff. Shame the Tab follows that, as it looks a great tablet. But compare it to the Ipad Air and it falls way short....

Only rumours about the N4 at present (which is frankly pointless to make assumptions IMHO) but we know performance wise it will be at the top of the game.

 

[Digital Controller]

Personally I have heard that the N4 is going to be a kickbutt phone.

I think in terms of build quality Samsung does lack a little, but their phones still perform like they promise.

I am kind of worried about rooting the N4 I have a feeling it will be so difficult that it won't even be possible or just take a really long time to come up with a method

 

[breadnatty08]

MKBHD has a short video about the "leaks":

Personally, I was back and forth between the N3 and the G2. Ended up with the latter since the Note line is simply too big for me and I'm sure the N4 will be just as big.

 

[Digital Controller]

MKBHD has a short video about the "leaks":

Personally, I was back and forth between the N3 and the G2. Ended up with the latter since the Note line is simply too big for me and I'm sure the N4 will be just as big.

From what I have heard the Note 4 will be pretty much the same size as the N3, which makes me happy considering the N3 is about as big as I am willing to go with a smartphone.

And yeah I remember you trying to convince me to get the G2 . Those back buttons man, I can't get over them

 

[OneZeoN]

When is it due out??

I have an upgrade due Feb 2015 if I can wait that long.
Loving the Note 3 so should be ok waiting

 

[Simon_Gardner]

My impression is for a whole lot of people, the camera has to be better. Doesn't bother me as I mostly don't use it and that isn't going to change.

A few different colours might be appreciated.

But I'm not getting another 32Gb phone. Too small. (Yes I do already have a 128Gb microsim.)

Oh and Samsung region locking completely sucks.

 

[Simon_Gardner]

When is it due out??

I have an upgrade due Feb 2015 if I can wait that long.
Loving the Note 3 so should be ok waiting

I'd guess September.

 

[Digital Controller]

When is it due out??

I have an upgrade due Feb 2015 if I can wait that long.
Loving the Note 3 so should be ok waiting

I'd guess September.

The past two Note's in the series have been released in the middle of Q4, so around November.

The first Note was released in the middle of Q1....but I would still assume to see a mid Q4 release

 

[Simon_Gardner]

The past two Note's in the series have been released in the middle of Q4, so around November.

The first Note was released in the middle of Q1....but I would still assume to see a mid Q4 release

My Note 3 Invoice from Samsung is dated 10-Sep-2013.

 

[bonerp]

I've bought my previous 3 models about 3 weeks after they announce it.... End Sept early Oct

 

[slomosavygirl]

However, you guys have good points. but I just can't wait to put my hands on the note 4

 

[evohicks]

From what I have heard the Note 4 will be pretty much the same size as the N3, which makes me happy considering the N3 is about as big as I am willing to go with a smartphone.

And yeah I remember you trying to convince me to get the G2 . Those back buttons man, I can't get over them

From Sammobile.....
'Note 4 confirmed to have 5.7-inch QHD (2560

 

[Rukbat]

Whats people view of their next phone - those of us currently on the n3?

A harp, probably. My N3 will probably outlive me.

If I were thinking about looking for another phone in a few years, it would be an unlocked bootloader, writeable SD card, much higher power density ... I'd probably wait until someone built a phone running pure Linux. Android, as it's implemented, is much too closed-dource for my taste, and what Samsung did to the AT&T and Verizon versions should be illegal. Can you imagine Chevy preventing you from putting anything but Shell gas in the tank? Or a desktop or laptop you couldn't load your choice of OS on? At least I'm not stuck with TouchWiz - that would have been an instant return trip to exchange the phone for a non-Samsung phone.

 

[Digital Controller]

I've bought my previous 3 models about 3 weeks after they announce it.... End Sept early Oct

I just remember ordering mine then, but not getting it until November lol

 

[Simon_Gardner]

I just remember ordering mine then, but not getting it until November lol

Main European availability was two weeks before US and Samsung UK availability was 15 days before US. ie I actually got my hands on mine 2013-9-24 according to my photo EXIF data.

 

[Digital Controller]

Main European availability was two weeks before US and Samsung UK availability was 15 days before US. ie I actually got my hands on mine 2013-9-24 according to my photo EXIF data.

Well I know I ordered mine from Verizon and I didn't get it until mid/late November.

 

[drexappeal]

Because of the talk that the foldable phone is still on track for 2015, I likely will skip the Note 4, in favor of waiting for the Note 5.

There are only a few things that might sway me towards considering the Note 4:
- Same or smaller physical form factor (the Note 3 is definitely the max I can handle on a daily basis)
- 64gb offering w/ microSD (w/ kitkat once again killing apps2sd, similar to when ics was released, it's even worse now that moving files manually has become a task - I've only been able to get the Samsung File manager to work, when moving files from the internal storage to sd).
- Sprint Triband LTE radios (I'd imagine that this is already a given to be included)

The above 3 mentioned are pretty much "must have" for me to consider upgrading (as I'm enjoying my Note 3 even more than my Note 2, which is saying a lot). That said, there are certain "exceptions" that could make me a little more open to it:

1) If they bumped the screen up to 5.9, but made the physical form factor the same size or smaller (this is assuming 32gb storage remains the same, minimum).
2) They design it with T-mobile and Sprint radio compatibility, leaving it future proof and ready for the "potential" merger.

Seems like a complicated way to decide on an upgrade, but I've been even more satisfied with this phone than I was with the Photon, which had many more issues to deal with. My only gripe about the Note 2 was not having a choice of 32 or 64gb. Had they offered either of those, I might not have gotten the Note 3 last year.

Bottom line for me is that, I've been waiting for information on when Samsung will finally be ready to release the form factor that they showed in their YOUM demonstration a couple years back at CES. Finally, patents have leaked more and more this year and a Samsung exec said that they are on track to have the 1st retail version available in 2015. A phone with a foldable YOUM screen, that can go from phone size to tablet, has been something that I've been waiting on for a while now. That would eliminate my having my Note 8 and Note 3 with me, wherever I go. That would be the true 2-in-1 device for me. What's funny is, I've always been drawn to devices that have had "docking" options, like the Motorola Photon and the Asus Padfone. I never thought that a provider would actually offer the Padfone, considering they can charge an arm and a leg for data connected tablets (of course, that was before ATT offered the Padfone X this year).

The yearly changes to devices has become stagnant, in my eyes. While the OEM's are upgrading hardware to make the devices more efficient from year to year, the overall idea of upgrading every year has hit a wall for me. The LG G3 is pretty awesome, IMO, and I'll be purchasing that phone as a secondary phone, but if Samsung could pull off creating a true phone/tablet using their foldable YOUM technology, then I'll be staying on the Samsung bandwagon for sure. I'd even sacrifice not having an integrated S-pen, although I'd love to see them make all their devices compatible with the S-pen (not just the Note line).

 

[drexappeal]

I was thinking about this more and there was an article with a Samsung executive stating that the Note 4 would take on a different form factor than the previous Note series.

Many blogs and "experts" took that as a possibility of Samsung incorporating a bent screen, maybe on the edges, but just thinking "outside" the box...what if Samsung has decided, for the Note series, to get rid of the capacitive buttons? What if they were to extend the screen to 5.9, maybe even 6 (even), but accomplish that by having on screen navigation buttons and shrinking the bezels, while still keeping the physical form factor of the Note 4 the same as the Note 3?

To me, it's always been something in the back of my mind, that I feel would benefit the Note series and would push people to using the S-pen even more than most would or do currently. I think, if there's anything that I could scrutinize, when using the Note 2 or Note 3 w/ my S-pen, it's the fact that it's so awkward pushing in the home button w/ the S-pen, whenever that's what I want to do. They made a good move, by making the menu and back button function when pressed by the S-pen, but looking at how they have switched the menu button with the most recent apps button (on the S5), I'd be in favor of having on screen buttons, if they just hide themselves whenever I'm playing a game or watching a movie, so that they don't take up screen real-estate. Now, if they were to do that, I'd really look more closely at upgrading again this year. Another reason I'd be in favor of that is, I hate when I accidentally press the home button, only to realize that my phone has been on (in my pocket) a minute or so later.

 

[bonerp]

If they bring out the 3 sided screen, the n3 will be my last Samsung. I buy the note because of the useful screen size. For a portion of it to be used for gimmicky purposes will not impress me and neither will it make me buy one.
Bring out a new model Samsung. Not frig a successful model.

 

[AnonGuy]

If the iPhone 6 is 4.7" and 2GB RAM, I'll be in line for a 32GB Model on launch day.

The future-proofness of the 5S and the small screen is the only thing that cause me to return it.

Additionally, the quality of Apps on iOS is just so much better - especially video analysis apps. And I do get tired of those "which app would you like to open this in" pop-ups on Android (really, it drives me batty - the platform needs a space in settings to set defaults on demand across the system and where those prompts can be switched off).

EDIT: Patents don't "leak." They're there for everyone to see when they've been filed/granted. Otherwise it would be impossible for people to avoid infringing even the more obvious patents

 

[Digital Controller]

1) If they bumped the screen up to 5.9, but made the physical form factor the same size or smaller (this is assuming 32gb storage remains the same, minimum).
2) They design it with T-mobile and Sprint radio compatibility, leaving it future proof and ready for the "potential" merger.

I think the screen will be right around where it is now, max 6

Many blogs and "experts" took that as a possibility of Samsung incorporating a bent screen, maybe on the edges, but just thinking "outside" the box...what if Samsung has decided, for the Note series, to get rid of the capacitive buttons? What if they were to extend the screen to 5.9, maybe even 6 (even), but accomplish that by having on screen navigation buttons and shrinking the bezels, while still keeping the physical form factor of the Note 4 the same as the Note 3?

Having no actual buttons on this device would make me even happier about getting it

I still miss my GNex and all on screen buttons

 

[dancro11]

I also think Samsung need to pick up their camera. I used my old iPhone to take pics all the time. The the note 3 I tend to avoid it. It's too slow, I can't select a focus point, no rapid shots and generally compared to the rest of the market I think they are behind in quality. If the next note has an upgraded camera I'll be in for sure. Otherwise I'll happily shop around. My bro has the Sony and it's an awesome phone and leave the note for dead with pic quality.

 

[drexappeal]

I also think Samsung need to pick up their camera. I used my old iPhone to take pics all the time. The the note 3 I tend to avoid it. It's too slow, I can't select a focus point, no rapid shots and generally compared to the rest of the market I think they are behind in quality. If the next note has an upgraded camera I'll be in for sure. Otherwise I'll happily shop around. My bro has the Sony and it's an awesome phone and leave the note for dead with pic quality.

Sounds like you haven't gone through the settings on the Note 3 camera. No rapid shots?...Hmmm, has it on mine. Can't select a focus point?...again, has it on mine.

 

[drexappeal]

I think the screen will be right around where it is now, max 6

Absolutely agree. But if the physical dimensions increase, it would put me in a position that I'd wait.

Having no actual buttons on this device would make me even happier about getting it

I still miss my GNex and all on screen buttons

If they really wanted to change around the form of the Note 3, going with on-screen buttons only would be the way to change things up. I like the placement of the volume rocker and power buttons currently, but eliminating the capacitive buttons and home key button, in favor of on-screen, to get a 5.9 or 6 inch viewing area in the current form factor...that would get my attention for sure.

 

[Digital Controller]

If they really wanted to change around the form of the Note 3, going with on-screen buttons only would be the way to change things up. I like the placement of the volume rocker and power buttons currently, but eliminating the capacitive buttons and home key button, in favor of on-screen, to get a 5.9 or 6 inch viewing area in the current form factor...that would get my attention for sure.

I couldn't agree more. I love the positioning of the power button and sound buttons.

Changing up the home key would be awesome to me.

I would really like an increase in sound performance to be honest