Any happy/unhappy Samsung Galaxy Note users?

Valid_Username · 07-29-12 at 04:58 AM

Just about to buy one of these and was wondering if anyone here has any GT-N7000 horror stories they'd like to share, or maybe glowing reviews?

Obviously, as with most people, the main appeal to me is the screen.
I've been using a Cowon media player for about 12 months and know how good AMOLED is, and it would be hard to go back to anything lesser.
More practically though, I need top notch GPS (or GPRS) and this seems to be a Note strong point.
Phone itself and camera aren't a priority, though it will be used extensively for browsing, maps, watching video and listening to audio (although I read that the audio quality is not exactly fantastic).

I've also just read that there might be a Galaxy Note II arriving in October, meaning that once again (as always) I'll have bought some relatively expensive tech. that's outdated and devalued within months!
I know that's pretty much unavoidable when buying tech. these days, but it's still bloody annoying.

**blaxroze** · 07-29-12 at 05:11 AM

it is better to wait for note 2. With quad core, you'll feel the difference.

trollfish12345 · 07-29-12 at 05:16 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by blaxroze

With quad core, you'll feel the difference.

Are you mad? How should me notice te difference?

**Majes_G** · 07-29-12 at 05:29 AM

I currently have the Dell Streak 5. I am looking to get a more powerful phone with a large screen with GPS that support t mobile's 3G. When I bought the Dell Streak 5 I did not have internet on my phone plan, when I did I found out it supports only the edge network (its so slow).
I thought that Asus PadFone was going to fit the bill but like Dell Streak 5 it does not support t mobile's 3G.
Finally the Samsung Galaxy Note is coming to t mobile.
I am in the same boat as you Valid_Username.

**PhoenixBSD** · 07-29-12 at 05:37 AM

I've been trying to decide between the Note and the S3 and like both. Got to play with the quad-core S3 and it's so fast and smooth it's ridiculous. Unfortunately both are much more expensive here in Thailand due to import duties, I assume. Also, the phone companies here don't offer monthly deals on handsets so it's just over $600 US dollars for the Note and just over $700 for the S3. Decisions... decisions...

The biggest downside to the Note that I've found is battery life due to the huge screen. Luckily eBay has tons of cheap 5000 mAh extended battery kits that include a new 'fat' back to accommodate the double thickness battery. Some kits even have a pair of the 'fat' batteries, but that means you have to carry around the extra battery. I've also read about the upcoming Note 2 so am in a holding pattern right now.

Good luck!

Valid_Username · 07-29-12 at 05:44 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by blaxroze

it is better to wait for note 2. With quad core, you'll feel the difference.

Yeah, unfortunately I don't have the luxury of time at the moment.
I'm sure it would make sense to wait, but then, the MK III will probably arrive six months after that one, so when do you take the plunge?

@PhoenixBSD

The Note N7000 hovers at around $630 (US) over here too.
You can find cheaper, but there are some companies that are best avoided.

__________________

**ItalicPixels** · 07-29-12 at 12:10 PM

I've played with the Note, was pretty good from my experience.

arkanis · 07-29-12 at 02:59 PM

I have the G-note and it works perfectly fine for the use you want to give to it and have a lot of accesories like a bluethoot keyboards and mouse that will let u use it as a computer but you know ur budget honestly i dont think they can do much better things on note 2 as this one practically has everything you need and more, besides quad cores consumes more energy so you will still encounter issues with that anyhow your choice but for me this is a very nice phone, for bussines is great you can manage almos every emails accounts, whatch every video and more

Valid_Username · 07-29-12 at 03:24 PM

Yep, I think you're probably right.
It's going to be totally fine for my needs, as long as it's relaible.
Also the Note 2 will undoubtedly be more expensive, and I'm already feeling that spending £400 ($600+) on a phone (phablet / mini tablet / whatever) is plenty enough.

**PhoenixBSD** · 07-29-12 at 06:41 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by Valid_Username

The Note N7000 hovers at around $630 (US) over here too.

Newegg.com had it on sale for $499.99 recently but now its back up to $549.99. Last night I ran across a Youtube video featuring a Chinese company offering a 16 GB Note 'clone' for $263.75 US dollars with free international shipping. This company offers many 'clones' from the S3 to HTC and iPhone (Android OS, believe it or not) models, etc. They also offer genuine Apple unlocked iPhones. This doesn't appear to be a fly-by-night company. Here's the link if you're at all curious:

Code: Select All

http://www.chinaecarts.com/galaxy-note-i9220-dual-core-android-40-os-mtk6577-12ghz-3g-53-inch-1g-ram-16gb-rom-p-2860.html

I'm amazed that Youtube allows companies to feature fake phones. At least this Chinese company's fakes look very good and appear to be fully functional (after watching demos on Youtube). They even come in original (looking) boxes/packaging and with typical accessories and 'Samsung' documentation. This is totally unlike the el cheapo Chinese fake phones they sell here in Thailand, which are utter crap.

Let me know what you think if you decide to peruse the site.

Cheers & good luck!

**huy30** · 07-30-12 at 06:32 AM

I like Tab 7 better for browsing, GPS, and as media player...and it's also a good size for gaming...

Valid_Username · 07-30-12 at 07:33 AM

@PhoenixBSD

Thanks for the link, but i'll most likely play it safe with the real thing.
It's gonna be mainly for work and travelling, so I need to depend on it not blowing up in my face or packing up at some inopportune moment!

shesheero · 08-02-12 at 11:59 AM

The note is truly amazing in terms of speed, responsiveness and screen quality. Yet, I suggest waiting for the end of this month as it may be the release of Note 2.

07-29-12 at 05:44 AM	#6
Valid_Username Expert Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: UK Posts: 720	Quote: Originally Posted by blaxroze it is better to wait for note 2. With quad core, you'll feel the difference. Yeah, unfortunately I don't have the luxury of time at the moment. I'm sure it would make sense to wait, but then, the MK III will probably arrive six months after that one, so when do you take the plunge? @PhoenixBSD The Note N7000 hovers at around $630 (US) over here too. You can find cheaper, but there are some companies that are best avoided. __________________ Last edited by Valid_Username; 07-29-12 at 05:48 AM.

07-29-12 at 06:41 PM	#10
PhoenixBSD Luminiferous Ether Sailor Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Thailand Posts: 1,701	Quote: Originally Posted by Valid_Username The Note N7000 hovers at around $630 (US) over here too. Newegg.com had it on sale for $499.99 recently but now its back up to $549.99. Last night I ran across a Youtube video featuring a Chinese company offering a 16 GB Note 'clone' for $263.75 US dollars with free international shipping. This company offers many 'clones' from the S3 to HTC and iPhone (Android OS, believe it or not) models, etc. They also offer genuine Apple unlocked iPhones. This doesn't appear to be a fly-by-night company. Here's the link if you're at all curious: Code: Select All http://www.chinaecarts.com/galaxy-note-i9220-dual-core-android-40-os-mtk6577-12ghz-3g-53-inch-1g-ram-16gb-rom-p-2860.html I'm amazed that Youtube allows companies to feature fake phones. At least this Chinese company's fakes look very good and appear to be fully functional (after watching demos on Youtube). They even come in original (looking) boxes/packaging and with typical accessories and 'Samsung' documentation. This is totally unlike the el cheapo Chinese fake phones they sell here in Thailand, which are utter crap. Let me know what you think if you decide to peruse the site. Cheers & good luck! Last edited by PhoenixBSD; 07-29-12 at 06:58 PM.

07-29-12 at 05:11 AM	#2
blaxroze Expert Join Date: Aug 2011 Posts: 959	it is better to wait for note 2. With quad core, you'll feel the difference.

07-29-12 at 05:16 AM	#3
trollfish12345 Newcomer Join Date: Jun 2012 Posts: 44	Quote: Originally Posted by blaxroze With quad core, you'll feel the difference. Are you mad? How should me notice te difference?

07-29-12 at 05:29 AM	#4
Majes_G Elite Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Cyberdyne Posts: 1,519	I currently have the Dell Streak 5. I am looking to get a more powerful phone with a large screen with GPS that support t mobile's 3G. When I bought the Dell Streak 5 I did not have internet on my phone plan, when I did I found out it supports only the edge network (its so slow). I thought that Asus PadFone was going to fit the bill but like Dell Streak 5 it does not support t mobile's 3G. Finally the Samsung Galaxy Note is coming to t mobile. I am in the same boat as you Valid_Username.

07-29-12 at 05:37 AM	#5
PhoenixBSD Luminiferous Ether Sailor Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Thailand Posts: 1,701	I've been trying to decide between the Note and the S3 and like both. Got to play with the quad-core S3 and it's so fast and smooth it's ridiculous. Unfortunately both are much more expensive here in Thailand due to import duties, I assume. Also, the phone companies here don't offer monthly deals on handsets so it's just over $600 US dollars for the Note and just over $700 for the S3. Decisions... decisions... The biggest downside to the Note that I've found is battery life due to the huge screen. Luckily eBay has tons of cheap 5000 mAh extended battery kits that include a new 'fat' back to accommodate the double thickness battery. Some kits even have a pair of the 'fat' batteries, but that means you have to carry around the extra battery. I've also read about the upcoming Note 2 so am in a holding pattern right now. Good luck!

07-29-12 at 12:10 PM	#7
ItalicPixels Elite Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Italic Ocean Posts: 2,191	I've played with the Note, was pretty good from my experience.

07-29-12 at 02:59 PM	#8
arkanis Newcomer Join Date: Jul 2011 Posts: 13	I have the G-note and it works perfectly fine for the use you want to give to it and have a lot of accesories like a bluethoot keyboards and mouse that will let u use it as a computer but you know ur budget honestly i dont think they can do much better things on note 2 as this one practically has everything you need and more, besides quad cores consumes more energy so you will still encounter issues with that anyhow your choice but for me this is a very nice phone, for bussines is great you can manage almos every emails accounts, whatch every video and more

07-29-12 at 03:24 PM	#9
Valid_Username Expert Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: UK Posts: 720	Yep, I think you're probably right. It's going to be totally fine for my needs, as long as it's relaible. Also the Note 2 will undoubtedly be more expensive, and I'm already feeling that spending £400 ($600+) on a phone (phablet / mini tablet / whatever) is plenty enough.

07-30-12 at 06:32 AM	#11
huy30 Expert Join Date: Aug 2009 Posts: 848	I like Tab 7 better for browsing, GPS, and as media player...and it's also a good size for gaming...

07-30-12 at 07:33 AM	#12
Valid_Username Expert Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: UK Posts: 720	@PhoenixBSD Thanks for the link, but i'll most likely play it safe with the real thing. It's gonna be mainly for work and travelling, so I need to depend on it not blowing up in my face or packing up at some inopportune moment!

08-02-12 at 11:59 AM	#13
shesheero Newcomer Join Date: Mar 2011 Posts: 39	The note is truly amazing in terms of speed, responsiveness and screen quality. Yet, I suggest waiting for the end of this month as it may be the release of Note 2.