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Is the Galaxy Note a hit or a miss?

I currently have a 5" Dell Streak and looking for something bigger :D I am actually hoping this is successful so maybe all manufacturers will continue to go bigger. I think they can make a 6" or even bigger screen with less trim that would be the same physical size as my Streak.

My Streak now does everything I need, I don't have another phone, I came from a Blackberry Curve with physical keyboard, never thought I would like the touchscreen but then came Swype (best thing since sex ;)

I had to make changes to carry my larger phone, but I have had it now for 10 months and it just seems natural now. I wear allot of cargo pants/shorts which work well. I put it in my inside motorcycle jacket pocket.

I would be interested in knowing the dimensions of the device just to compare it to my Streak.
 
seepage said:
The dimensions are a secret.
Click to expand...

According to the Samsung website, it is physically smaller than my Streak but maybe thicker. My Streak measures 6 x 3.125 inches. The Note is shorter by a little wider.

Samsung Note is:

146.85 x 82.95 x 9.65 mm
or 5.78 x 3.27 x .379 inches
 
This looks ideal for me. It doesn't really matter to me how much better a tablet or full blown laptop would be, because I'm not willing to lug either of those around.

But estimated $1000, really?! Better not lose or drop that sucker. :(

Pleeeeease come to VZW!
 
BlueBiker said:
This looks ideal for me. It doesn't really matter to me how much better a tablet or full blown laptop would be, because I'm not willing to lug either of those around.

But estimated $1000, really?! Better not lose or drop that sucker. :(

Pleeeeease come to VZW!
Click to expand...

It's expensive. But if you think about how this can replace both phone and tablet, it's not that costly I guess. This one is like oversized Prime without ICS.

But you and I know that Verizon wouldn't get this good device right on time for their customers. They usually will get it crippled, release very late when it's obsolete or just pass on it. Honestly Prime will be my last test for them this year and I will see if they get that right or not.
 
Here is my thing, . I had originally bought the dell streak 5 when it came out last year. It was too big to be a phone and too small for web browsing. for a phone 4.3 is the perfect size. For a tab the 10.1 inch screen is great. People will buy it, but I for sure am NOT spending 600+ for a 5 inch device. The specs are amazing but I will stick to my galaxy s ii and xoom.
 
Sandroidfan said:
It's expensive. But if you think about how this can replace both phone and tablet, it's not that costly I guess. This one is like oversized Prime without ICS.
Click to expand...
Good points. Still a lot of bling to carry around in possibly sketchy neighborhoods.
imkyle said:
People will buy it, but I for sure am NOT spending 600+ for a 5 inch device. The specs are amazing but I will stick to my galaxy s ii and xoom.
Click to expand...
What's the old photography saying? "The best camera is the one that's with you." I'd probably lug a tablet around for a few weeks and then leave it home. You're right a 5.3" device isn't ideal for browsing, but it's a lot better than a 4.3" which is the only other device I'm likely to have when I need it.
sjael said:
If the UK price is any indication, it'll be closer to $770 than $1000. ;)
Click to expand...
Can I wait for the HP fire sale version for $99? :D
 
imkyle said:
Here is my thing, . I had originally bought the dell streak 5 when it came out last year. It was too big to be a phone and too small for web browsing. for a phone 4.3 is the perfect size. For a tab the 10.1 inch screen is great. People will buy it, but I for sure am NOT spending 600+ for a 5 inch device. The specs are amazing but I will stick to my galaxy s ii and xoom.
Click to expand...

Dell streak 5 didn't have stellar hardware components like Note. So your point is somewhat moot. Note has HD resolution in 5.3" screen, so that's a lot of screen real estate for OS and softwares in terms of pixels. If it gets ICS, it would be very ideal device.
 
I'm a long time Iphone user (from the 3g version to recently the 4s-broke in three weeks). Before the iPhone I was a loyal Palm user since Palm US robotics 5000, to the Palm VIIx and then the HP pocket pc lines. When I dropped windows mobile PC, I found heaven in the stability of the Iphone. However there were things I did 10 years ago on my Palm/HP that the Iphone prevented until only recently, i.e. bluetooth keyboards and still to this day, no removable memory.

I just made the switch over to Android via the Samsung Galaxy Note. I purchased it international unlocked version and for the last 72 hours, I've been hating it, tweaking it, tweaking it some more and now absolutely loving it. I have an Ipad as well and iOS just doesn't cut it for me in terms of web page compatibility of the online services I use for my business. It truly is a hybrid experience as I find I'm reading a lot more than when I was on iOS (although i read the entire Steve Jobs book on it), reading newspapers from Press display and Zinio.

The best part after I updated a leaked patch is that my home pages are much smoother and more stable. Each page is almost like a "space" similar to multiple desktops found on the Mac. I have different projects on each page that are dynamic and completely synced with all of my task/calendar and email settings on google including different ways of using Google reader feeds. I'm able to write quick notes that show up on individual project pages and I include people I message frequently based on each project.

iOS doesn't allow me to create a dynamic environment and other phones would still feel too confined. I spent 13 hours on my galaxy note yesterday doing work and reading...as well as creating a multitude of different user configurations. I have to admit, Android is not for the average user found within the Iphone ecosystem, you almost have to love to hack and tweak mobile devices which I have long enjoyed since my days of Palm/Pocket Pc. Perhaps it's just my experience since I'm on an unlocked device and the note hasn't even launched in Canada yet.

I think the screen size is perfect even though I have smaller hands and I used to do some things faster on the iphone. The last patch allows users to have a smaller keyboard justified to your dominant single hand.
 
^ Great post dude! I love hearing how much you can do on this device. I can't wait to get mine and be all productive.
 
I have had my Galaxy Note for the better part of three weeks now and have settled into it nicely. My previous phone was a Noka N900 which I loved with a passion. I also bought an HTC Flyer to use in my house to watch YouTube videos. Anyway to cut a long story short I gave the Flyer to my mother this Christmas so that she could read Ebooks and needed a replacement. I was on my way to buy another Flyer when I stumbled across the specs of the Note again (which I previously ignored because of a lack of hardware keyboard). I therefore decided to give it a try despite the fact that I am not so keen on Samsung hardware (never had a problem with their software though).

Well, I quickly realsed that the Note was going to be my main phone. Aide from the fact that it has the annoying habit of closing my browser when I use other apps, the UI is more polished than any portable device that I have used. Of course there are more apps available than for my previous phones and most are useful and well programed. The biggest minus was the lack of hardware keyboard but I must say that with the help of SwiftKey tablet my typing speed is not too bad and getting better every day. Also the absence of openVPN sux, but I plan to root it after the ICS update.

Oh, and for all those who say that it was just that the N900 was so crap, the Note blows away the HTC Flyer as well. The flyer had probems with anything other than 420px YouTube videos the Note eats 1080px YouTube videos for breakfast (even in the browser).

As for the size, I would not accept any other form factor now. It fits neatly into all my pockets and in some cases fits better since it is not prone to falling over sideways. The usable screen size is virtually the same as the device itself.

Would I buy it again? Yes, absolutely yes. No doubt at all.
 
nb_mitch said:
I currently have a 5" Dell Streak and looking for something bigger :D I am actually hoping this is successful so maybe all manufacturers will continue to go bigger. I think they can make a 6" or even bigger screen with less trim that would be the same physical size as my Streak.

My Streak now does everything I need, I don't have another phone, I came from a Blackberry Curve with physical keyboard, never thought I would like the touchscreen but then came Swype (best thing since sex ;)

I had to make changes to carry my larger phone, but I have had it now for 10 months and it just seems natural now. I wear allot of cargo pants/shorts which work well. I put it in my inside motorcycle jacket pocket.

I would be interested in knowing the dimensions of the device just to compare it to my Streak.
Click to expand...

Hey, I used Dell Streak before moving to Note via SGS2 :). Note is about 3 mm wider and 3 mm shorter than Streak and just perfect in all aspects.. I loved my Streak and would still be using it if it wouldn't have been unstable. Note was the answer to my prayers, a glorious all-in-one device that totally replaces a tablet and a smartphone. I recommend it to all whose main focus is in mobile internet, media, messaging and gps.. and you can also phone with this :D
 
Had my Note about 2 months now. Had the Streak a little over a year.
LOVE the screen size of the Streak, but, it was just too slow. Tweaked, killed things running in the background, everything I could try, but it just stuttered and stopped.
The Note came with 2.3.4 and right out of the box was way snappier than the streak (dual core will do that I guess). I say the Note is what the streak SHOULD have been. Updated to 2.3.5, then 2.3.6.....even faster and smooth. Samsung got this one right!
 
touringhaggis said:
I have had my Galaxy Note for the better part of three weeks now and have settled into it nicely. My previous phone was a Noka N900 which I loved with a passion. I also bought an HTC Flyer to use in my house to watch YouTube videos. Anyway to cut a long story short I gave the Flyer to my mother this Christmas so that she could read Ebooks and needed a replacement. I was on my way to buy another Flyer when I stumbled across the specs of the Note again (which I previously ignored because of a lack of hardware keyboard). I therefore decided to give it a try despite the fact that I am not so keen on Samsung hardware (never had a problem with their software though).

Well, I quickly realsed that the Note was going to be my main phone. Aide from the fact that it has the annoying habit of closing my browser when I use other apps, the UI is more polished than any portable device that I have used. Of course there are more apps available than for my previous phones and most are useful and well programed. The biggest minus was the lack of hardware keyboard but I must say that with the help of SwiftKey tablet my typing speed is not too bad and getting better every day. Also the absence of openVPN sux, but I plan to root it after the ICS update.

Oh, and for all those who say that it was just that the N900 was so crap, the Note blows away the HTC Flyer as well. The flyer had probems with anything other than 420px YouTube videos the Note eats 1080px YouTube videos for breakfast (even in the browser).

As for the size, I would not accept any other form factor now. It fits neatly into all my pockets and in some cases fits better since it is not prone to falling over sideways. The usable screen size is virtually the same as the device itself.

Would I buy it again? Yes, absolutely yes. No doubt at all.
Click to expand...

I would install Dolphin browser as it keeps tabs open of your most useful sites. Also there is an option to have the native browser not close, a function that the note sets to free up ram via some samsung bloatware setting.
 
Galaxy Note definitely isn't for everyone. But for those who use it, including myself, it's the best android device they've come across.
I'm an avid comic reader and a tablet is too large to carry, so the screen size of Note fits perfect for my needs. There are many others with similar requirements that would make Note the perfect choice for them.
And I repeat, the Note isn't for everyone.
 
Proper158 said:
I just made the switch over to Android via the Samsung Galaxy Note. I purchased it international unlocked version and for the last 72 hours, I've been hating it, tweaking it, tweaking it some more and now absolutely loving it.
Click to expand...

Heh, that made me laugh. Took a little settling in I see. ;)

Proper158 said:
I have an Ipad as well and iOS just doesn't cut it for me in terms of web page compatibility of the online services I use for my business. It truly is a hybrid experience as I find I'm reading a lot more than when I was on iOS (although i read the entire Steve Jobs book on it), reading newspapers from Press display and Zinio.
Click to expand...

Yes! You're the target for this phone.

touringhaggis said:
I have had my Galaxy Note for the better part of three weeks now and have settled into it nicely.
...
As for the size, I would not accept any other form factor now. It fits neatly into all my pockets and in some cases fits better since it is not prone to falling over sideways. The usable screen size is virtually the same as the device itself.

Would I buy it again? Yes, absolutely yes. No doubt at all.
Click to expand...

Very pleased to hear that. I'm thinking this phone is going to dominate its part of the market.

thameera said:
Galaxy Note definitely isn't for everyone. But for those who use it, including myself, it's the best android device they've come across.
I'm an avid comic reader and a tablet is too large to carry, so the screen size of Note fits perfect for my needs. There are many others with similar requirements that would make Note the perfect choice for them.
And I repeat, the Note isn't for everyone.
Click to expand...

THANK YOU! Yes, exactly: the Note is not for everyone. But it doesn't have to be.

Check out this Slate article by Farhad Manjoo. I've previously found him curiously uninformed for a tech writer specialist, but never more than in that piece where he just seems utterly unable to grasp the fact that many people want a phone to do wayyyy more than place calls. (Or that non-iPhones can also be desirable.)

Nobody is making an argument that everybody should gravitate to huge phones. But it's folly to ignore all those who 1) need a large viewing surface, 2) aren't prepared to buy or carry a separate tablet or notebook, and 3) really don't give a damn whether other people have a preoccupation with miniscule handheld devices.

My 4.3" Rezound was a large step up in functionality from my old 3.7" Droid, and it'd be even better at 5.3" with a stylus.
 
I'm beginning to think likewise. Love the Rezound screen resolution. I'm finding that instead of pulling out my tablet to surf and read news feeds and such I'll use the Rezound because the screen is so crisp. Now I think..... If only it were even bigger...... But I'm on verizon so its not possible.Yet.
 
Just got mine and love it. I could care less about the stylus. Although it is cooler than i had imagined...and i don't read comic books. This is a replacement for my iP 3Gs and i am lovin it. Fits perfectly in my pockets and seriously feels lighter than the 3Gs.
May not be for everybody, but is perfect for me..
I also have the Galaxy 10.1 and see a need for both.
 
thameera said:
Galaxy Note definitely isn't for everyone. But for those who use it, including myself, it's the best android device they've come across.
I'm an avid comic reader and a tablet is too large to carry, so the screen size of Note fits perfect for my needs. There are many others with similar requirements that would make Note the perfect choice for them.
And I repeat, the Note isn't for everyone.
Click to expand...

I can't wait to load this thing up with Android Comic Viewer and hundreds of cbr files! I have a bunch in a folder just waiting.
 
Massive hit for me, it fits in all my pockets, the battery lasts like an old battery that can last more than 5 hours and the screen is lush.

What is not to like?
 
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