if buying today - would you buy your note 3 again

zipred · Jul 29, 2014

I've had my T-Mobile Note 3 since it was released. It's absolutely terrific, I'd buy it again in a flash. While I've been following the Note 4 rumors, so far I haven't seen anything of interest other than the long shot rumor of a 5.9" display which would cause me to buy one ASAP.

After all the various phones I've had, I've come to the conclusion that my ideal Phablet would feature a 6.0" display with narrow bezels I'd be thrilled. The upcoming Lenovo has just that:

Lenovo Vibe Z2 Pro K920
6.0" QHD IPS display
2560 x 1440
4,000 mAh battery
156 x 81.3 x 7.7mm

Thus far the Lenovo is a China only model, if it appears in the US I'll grab one immediately.

drexappeal · Jul 29, 2014

zipred said:
I've had my T-Mobile Note 3 since it was released. It's absolutely terrific, I'd buy it again in a flash. While I've been following the Note 4 rumors, so far I haven't seen anything of interest other than the long shot rumor of a 5.9" display which would cause me to buy one ASAP.

After all the various phones I've had, I've come to the conclusion that my ideal Phablet would feature a 6.0" display with narrow bezels I'd be thrilled. The upcoming Lenovo has just that:

Lenovo Vibe Z2 Pro K920
6.0" QHD IPS display
2560 x 1440
4,000 mAh battery
156 x 81.3 x 7.7mm

Thus far the Lenovo is a China only model, if it appears in the US I'll grab one immediately.

Probably not until they fully absorb Motorola, so more likely next year is when we will see Motorola making a comeback and Lenovo establishing a US mobile presence.

Digital Controller · Jul 30, 2014

drexappeal said:
Probably not until they fully absorb Motorola, so more likely next year is when we will see Motorola making a comeback and Lenovo establishing a US mobile presence.

Yep, this sounds like the likely story from Lenovo right now.

Honestly it definitely was a smart buy on Lenovo's part.

trainerman · Jul 30, 2014

Definitely not, after having the galaxy 2,3 and 4 the note 3 was such a let down with the sound. It was changed and still no better. It was almost impossible to use as a sat nav as you couldn't hear the instructions clearly . I was disappointed with the sg5, so have now gone back to htc. My last htc was the hero. I now have the one m8 it's so smooth, well built and so loud, basically brilliant.

zipred · Jul 30, 2014

drexappeal said:
Probably not until they fully absorb Motorola, so more likely next year is when we will see Motorola making a comeback and Lenovo establishing a US mobile presence.

Lenovo is on a fast track, here's the Z2 info:

Lenovo Vibe Z2 Pro Specs
Lenovo Vibe Z2 Pro - Full phone specifications

August 5 launch
Lenovo K920 Vibe Z2 Pro Specifications Confirmed Ahead of August 5 Launch | NDTV Gadgets

I'm very excited to read what this phone is all about.

drexappeal · Jul 30, 2014

zipred said:
Lenovo is on a fast track, here's the Z2 info:

Lenovo Vibe Z2 Pro Specs
Lenovo Vibe Z2 Pro - Full phone specifications

August 5 launch
Lenovo K920 Vibe Z2 Pro Specifications Confirmed Ahead of August 5 Launch | NDTV Gadgets

I'm very excited to read what this phone is all about.

Still no mention of any appearance in the US though. And reading the physical dimensions of the Vibe Z2 Pro, it's still be too big for my liking 156x81.3x7.7mm.

They physical dimensions put it between the Samsung Galaxy Mega 5.8 and the Note 3. Anything bigger than the Note 3, I won't really consider (w/ exception to a potential folding phone / tablet that Samsung had submitted a patent for).

nickdalzell · Aug 2, 2014

The Note 3 is my favorite of all the Android phones i've had. there currently is no equal to it, even in the HTC and LG front has none with a stylus. and HTC worries me given the metal build reminds me of the infamous 'antennagate' issue that plagued the iPhone 4 (that i dealt with often). not a fan of non-removable batteries or the LG's rear-buttons that would inadvertently get pushed in a pocket that also shares tools at work.

that being said, the S5 has two things i wish the Note 3 got in the KitKat update. the new TouchWiz sports a beautiful flat design, and then there's ultra power saver mode. the Note 3 had 4.3 for a good 20 minutes after i picked it up on my EDGE plan, until it auto-updated itself. i noticed two drastic downgrades. the 'light effect' with its catchy sci-fi tone is gone, and TouchWiz got downgraded to the S3's laggy and more skeuomorphic UX, with even S-Voice getting a visual downgrade. if i wanted an S3 i'd have got one. i often said i prefer skeuomorphism but after seeing the same update giving me the new TouchWiz on the Note 10.1 i am a bit peeved that it's missing and the phone got a visual downgrade in the process.

IF you want those two key things i say go for S5. 15 days of battery in ultra power saving mode is nothing to kid about.

drexappeal · Aug 5, 2014

I seriously was planning on waiting to upgrade, until I saw this:

LG may soon imitate Samsung's Galaxy Note with the G3 Stylus

If it's smaller than the Note 3, but loaded with the specs mentioned, I might just be putting the Note 3 aside as my daily driver.

zipred · Aug 5, 2014

Having just finished a comprehensive evaluation of my OPO and finding it to be quite nice, I must say that nonetheless, I'm reminded once again of both my fondness for, and true reliance on my well used S-Pen paired with my trusty Note 3.

Just when a mere sliver of boredom creeps in and I think I can do without the S-Pen, I pickup one of the devices listed in my profile to the left, and after some time I'm grabbing the Note 3 with a smile.

Privyet · Aug 6, 2014

Hell yeah

dynomot · Aug 6, 2014

To answer the question posed.

Yes I would buy a Note 3 again if I had to buy a new device today. In reality I would wait a couple of months to see what the Note 4 looks like and does.

Digital Controller · Aug 6, 2014

dynomot said:
To answer the question posed.

Yes I would buy a Note 3 again if I had to buy a new device today. In reality I would wait a couple of months to see what the Note 4 looks like and does.

I know I have an upgrade coming up here soon, and I am definitely looking towards a new phone, I just really don't know what yet.

If nothing tickles my fancy I might just stick with the Note 3

GreenTea · Aug 13, 2014

Yes, I'd repurchase.

Napalm · Aug 13, 2014

zipred said:
Having just finished a comprehensive evaluation of my OPO and finding it to be quite nice, I must say that nonetheless, I'm reminded once again of both my fondness for, and true reliance on my well used S-Pen paired with my trusty Note 3.

Just when a mere sliver of boredom creeps in and I think I can do without the S-Pen, I pickup one of the devices listed in my profile to the left, and after some time I'm grabbing the Note 3 with a smile.

When you say OPO - do you mean the OPPO 7. How's that work out - I was interested in the OPPO devices

zipred · Aug 13, 2014

Napalm said:
When you say OPO - do you mean the OPPO 7. How's that work out - I was interested in the OPPO devices

Excellent question.

OPO stands for OnePlus One. With OnePlus being the company, and One, the model of smartphone.

OPPO is the full name of the company that builds it's own phones, and phones for OnePlus.

Find 7 and Find 7a are two of OPPO's smartphone models.

I own both a OnePlus One, and an OPPO Find 7. Both are made by OPPO. Both are quite similar. I put a link below that compares them.

My evaluation reveals each has its advantages, and they are pretty close in performance, style and functionality. You'll notice the differences in the comparison.

OnePlus One vs. Oppo Find 7 - GSMArena.com

Choosing one over the other is pure personal preference. Factoring in the horrible reputation of OnePlus customer service, the way they ignore customers failing to respond to their problems, I greatly prefer the OPPO Find 7.

NukeBenji · Aug 13, 2014

I absolutely would again. I got my Note 3 completely by accident as my Note 2's screen shattered and Verizon hooked me up with a note 3 and Gear for less than $500(they erased my current contract and resigned me to a new one, which has never happened to me before). It's the best Android phone I've had and I've been on board since the G1. I'm super curious about the Note 4 but most likely won't pull the trigger this year and will wait until 2015's Note 5 announcement.

zipred · Aug 14, 2014

drexappeal said:
Still no mention of any appearance in the US though. And reading the physical dimensions of the Vibe Z2 Pro, it's still be too big for my liking 156x81.3x7.7mm.

They physical dimensions put it between the Samsung Galaxy Mega 5.8 and the Note 3. Anything bigger than the Note 3, I won't really consider (w/ exception to a potential folding phone / tablet that Samsung had submitted a patent for).

While I most certainly respect your preferences, the size of the Z2 is within my comfort zone. Admittedly it's at the upper end yet due to its extreme value for the work I do which dictates the largest screen I'm comfortable with, 6.0" in a reasonably compact case is ideal.

I know this and can call the Z2 reasonably compact because I bought a Mega 6.3" upon it's release to see what the ergonomics would be like. As you can see from the dimensions I've included the Z2 is much closer in size to my Note 3.

After nearly a full year of carrying the Note 3 daily, I'll have no objections to the ideally configured Z2.

167.6 x 88.0 x 8.0 mm Mega 6.3
156.0 x 81.3 x 7.7 mm Vibe Z2
151.2 x 79.2 x 8.3 mm Note 3

As a result of the Z2's nearly perfect specs and size, I'm very eager to buy one these gems. So much so, if I need to import it myself I will.

source:
http://www.gsmarena.com/compare.php3?idPhone1=5398&idPhone2=6396

Napalm · Aug 14, 2014

zipred said:
Excellent question.

OPO stands for OnePlus One. With OnePlus being the company, and One, the model of smartphone.

OPPO is the full name of the company that builds it's own phones, and phones for OnePlus.

Find 7 and Find 7a are two of OPPO's smartphone models.

I own both a OnePlus One, and an OPPO Find 7. Both are made by OPPO. Both are quite similar. I put a link below that compares them.

My evaluation reveals each has its advantages, and they are pretty close in performance, style and functionality. You'll notice the differences in the comparison.

OnePlus One vs. Oppo Find 7 - GSMArena.com

Choosing one over the other is pure personal preference. Factoring in the horrible reputation of OnePlus customer service, the way they ignore customers failing to respond to their problems, I greatly prefer the OPPO Find 7.

OF COURSE there's a ruddy acronym for the one plus. but you have both, awesome and well spendy.

I wanted to get my hands on a OPPO because I like their BR player, they put some effort into making higher end gear. so I like that.

but - they don't CDMA - so while I could have bought on internet - and put VZ's sim on it - got it rigged - if I got out of LTE, I might not have service. I'm not swapping back to AT&T (at least until VZ pisses me off - and they've not)

so no OPPO for me, or ONE Plus for the same reason. which I find annoying.

zipred said:
While I most certainly respect your preferences, the size of the Z2 is within my comfort zone. Admittedly it's at the upper end yet due to its extreme value for the work I do which dictates the largest screen I'm comfortable with, 6.0" in a reasonably compact case is ideal.

I know this and can call the Z2 reasonably compact because I bought a Mega 6.3" upon it's release to see what the ergonomics would be like. As you can see from the dimensions I've included the Z2 is much closer in size to my Note 3.

After nearly a full year of carrying the Note 3 daily, I'll have no objections to the ideally configured Z2.

167.6 x 88.0 x 8.0 mm Mega 6.3
156.0 x 81.3 x 7.7 mm Vibe Z2
151.2 x 79.2 x 8.3 mm Note 3

As a result of the Z2's nearly perfect specs and size, I'm very eager to buy one these gems. So much so, if I need to import it myself I will.

source:
Samsung Galaxy Mega 6.3 I9200 vs. Lenovo Vibe Z2 Pro - GSMArena.com

I'm intrigued by the Lenovo purchase of moto - I loved every moto phone I owned - but I also notice they are high on the SAR ratings, hind sight and all.

so while it's feasible the samsung has weaker signal (and I've not really noticed that yet) - it's rated lower on SAR so I like that.

but again - I'm curios how the lenovo thing will work out - now I have at least a year before I need to get one. giving eveyone time to gel on software updates, spec changes etc.

I might not get a Z2 - but I might get the follow on.

zipred · Aug 14, 2014

bonerp said:
I don't know why networks aren't forced to share in low signal areas to boost coverage

It's called free enterprise. I celebrate the concept.

Simon_Gardner · Aug 14, 2014

zipred said:
It's called free enterprise. I celebrate the concept.

Mobile phone companies have failed - it's time to nationalise them | Owen Jones | Politics | The Guardian

Privyet · Aug 15, 2014

The only reason I went with the note 3 because the s4 was old (by phone standards) and I read about the screen cracking randomly and people said that the lg g2 screen would break even if it fell onto carpet from 1ft high. Before I was really contemplating the 5s but I'm so glad I went with note 3. The iPhone is so small!

I like my rose gold note

zipred · Aug 15, 2014

Simon_Gardner said:
Mobile phone companies have failed - it's time to nationalise them | Owen Jones | Politics | The Guardian

Politics aside I don't disagree, and would have fully embraced a Nationwide / Worldwide GSM system decades ago. However as we have witnessed over and over when it comes to tech standards & formats in the USA i.e.: Betamax | VHS, DVD | Divix, CDMA | TDMA, we seem to be locked into the abyss of conflicting standards.

Napalm · Aug 15, 2014

Simon_Gardner said:
Mobile phone companies have failed - it's time to nationalise them | Owen Jones | Politics | The Guardian

politics aside - I wish we had a section like a debate room for subjects like this

I partially disagree. Have been to england quite a few times, other parts of the EU, Japan and being an american. I'm less wowed.

take data aside - just making phone calls - how many land lines are there to be used whereever? why does everything have to be an entitlement to everyone instantly.

or - to put in different words - how in the hell did we live and survive without mobiles or cell phone depending on your term.

sorry but no. now that said - are they as expensive to day as they were 15 years ago.

not even remotely close - is there better coverage - mostly. I will admit that since the digital 3G age - we lost those 8mile + comms devices that were analog 6w car antenna cell phones. why there isn't a proper range booster for digital phones I don't really know. but I suspect it will come along

While it does bother me that there has been a reduction of landline pay phones. I don't think a nationalized cell service is the right path.

Rxpert83 · Aug 15, 2014

We do have a political area of the forum if you are so inclined

Bhelios · Aug 15, 2014

I've had my Note 3 for about 4 months now... would repurchase in a heartbeat. It seemed comically huge for about 2 days -- after that it just seems right. My wife's S4 now seems comically small.

Nothing about the N4 is a must have for me... the N3 is superb. At this point, I cannot imaging getting 2 years minimum out of it. Additional plus: you're probably going to see some great prices before the year is out.

if buying today - would you buy your note 3 again

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