Any Galaxy Note S3 users?

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Geektastic

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#141216 4-Mar-2014 22:54

My VF contract will be up for renewal in a few months and I am thinking of replacing my iPhone 5 with a Note S3.

Of course, the iPhone 6 may compete with the Note, it depends on whether the shade of Steve Jobs (may his hard drive never fail) still inhabits Fortress Cupertino - he was on the record as disliking the idea of phablets I think.

However I actually do screen stuff on mine more than phone stuff so the Note appeals - used perhaps with a Bluetooth headset for calls in the car and office.

Anyone got one? Care to comment on the user experience?

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374 posts

Ultimate Geek

#999405 5-Mar-2014 12:59

Personally - I love the Note range (I've owned all of them)

Very handy for taking .. well ... notes, using the stylus.

It does take an hour or two to get used to the size but after that it's hard to go back to anything smaller.

Current Phone:
- Android: Samsung SM-G900F Galaxy S5 (XT)
- Win Phone 8: Samsung ATIV S (XT)

Current Tablet:

- Acer Iconia 7" Android Tablet

Twitter: qraider

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Geektastic

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#999416 5-Mar-2014 13:17

qraider: Personally - I love the Note range (I've owned all of them)

Very handy for taking .. well ... notes, using the stylus.

It does take an hour or two to get used to the size but after that it's hard to go back to anything smaller.

Yes that is what I was thinking. I rang VF this morning and I can re-sign in July (which I won't be able to do as I am overseas working for June, July and August).

Unless Apple come out with something similar (I don't think they will; a larger screen yes, but the stylus no) I may well opt for the Note.

tigercorp

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#999448 5-Mar-2014 13:46

For me the Note 3 was the tech buy of last year. Was coming down in size from the Galaxy Tab 7.7 but eventually got used to it and haven't looked back. Its speed and responsive are great and its a premium feeling/looking device which IMO does count.

Have only recently started using the stylus to take notes in meetings and I wouldn't do without a non-stylus device now.

The only weird technical issue has been bluetooth drop outs when holding the device while running, but it seems fine if I keep it in a pocket or in the armband. It can't be the headphones as they work fine with a bunch of different phones (E71, Sony Tipo, S1)

scoobydoo

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#999696 5-Mar-2014 19:20

I upgraded my 4.2" phone to a Note3 earlier this year, and love it. And now one of my mates who was also an HTC fanboy like I was, has also just got one, after seeing mine.

Also, in case you're not aware - VF is doing a deal where you get a free Galaxy Gear smartwatch if you get the Note3. Just another plus really - you can sell the Gear if you don't like it.

Geektastic

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#999764 5-Mar-2014 20:10

scoobydoo: I upgraded my 4.2" phone to a Note3 earlier this year, and love it. And now one of my mates who was also an HTC fanboy like I was, has also just got one, after seeing mine.

Also, in case you're not aware - VF is doing a deal where you get a free Galaxy Gear smartwatch if you get the Note3. Just another plus really - you can sell the Gear if you don't like it.

Good deal. I hope they're still doing it in September when I get back!!

scoobydoo

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#999766 5-Mar-2014 20:14

Doubtful. The new gen watches will be out by then

Geektastic

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#999816 5-Mar-2014 21:06

I read somewhere that Android is far more prone to malware etc than iOS and that users should take precautions.

Is this indeed the case, and if so, what precautions are the most effective?

benokobi

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#999844 5-Mar-2014 21:43

Just don't download apps that aren't from the play store. Well thats all I've done and I've never had any trouble.

I like my note 2 but I want to change to something different like iPhone 6 if it has a bigger screen or a Z2/S5.

Geektastic

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#1000006 6-Mar-2014 10:05

The iPhone 6 being noticeably bigger is the only thing I can see that would stop me swapping when I can.

I don't think that Apple would go the stylus route though and I do quite like that idea.

qraider

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#1002074 10-Mar-2014 12:34

Geektastic: I read somewhere that Android is far more prone to malware etc than iOS and that users should take precautions.

Is this indeed the case, and if so, what precautions are the most effective?

I've never had any trouble, however, I do run Lookout (free ver) just in case & only download from the store.

Current Phone:
- Android: Samsung SM-G900F Galaxy S5 (XT)
- Win Phone 8: Samsung ATIV S (XT)

Current Tablet:

- Acer Iconia 7" Android Tablet

Twitter: qraider

NikT

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#1011756 24-Mar-2014 13:06

I'm a big fan of the Note series. Hard to look past them for screen real-estate, sheer hardware grunt, battery life, and the immensely-useful S Pen. Nice to finally see some competition in the phablet space, Samsung have had a few years' lead time which makes them tough to beat.

There's also a 35-page owners' thread in the Android subforum.

Product Manager @ PB Tech

Smartphones @ PB Tech | Headphones @ PB Tech

Geektastic

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#1012587 25-Mar-2014 17:11

I wonder if iPhone 6 will include a phablet version?

Batman

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#1012604 25-Mar-2014 17:41

no they don't exist because there is no note s3

NikT

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#1012609 25-Mar-2014 17:54

Geektastic: I wonder if iPhone 6 will include a phablet version?

I hope so! Would love to see what they'd do for it. The Note 3 is my current personal phone, and I don't feel like anything below 5" is really in the same class of device. One of the biggest issues I have with the Notes is that, despite pulling off some excellent tricks like opening links in multiwindow view (You click a link from Twitter and it splitscreens with Chrome automatically, et cetera), it has the same 4x4 homescreen icon layout as the iPhone did in 2007, despite having a 5.68" screen vs. 3.5". Third party launchers will get around this, of course, but then there are other sacrifices in terms of memory usage & integration with features like Samsung's badge counters. Currently I accomplish my goal of more icons per screen with widgets. I suspect Apple would make better use of such real estate.

Product Manager @ PB Tech

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jeffnz

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#1012629 25-Mar-2014 18:40

Big move changing OS, I would suggest you try and borrow an android phone before you change as you may not like it or having to reinvest in apps you have purchased on IOS.

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