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Lets talk Samsung mail app vs Gmail app

Jeffruby

Android Enthusiast
Long time android/gmail user, and I always use the Gmail app.

however I tested out the samsung app when I got my note2 and you know what? It has some features that make it hard to go back to gmail app.

Advantages of Samsung App
---------------------------
HUGE- can spellcheck (i had auto spellcheck in gmail app on galaxy nexus but not on my note2)

HUGE- can change font color and size, can draw pictures...lots of text options

Split screen on landscape (like tablet)

multi tasking on split screen (verizon)

better appearing conversation view

spen integration

Disadvantages
--------------
not push for gmail

Cannot get DRAFTS folder to sync (so a draft stays on phone-cant continue on cpu)

difficult to look in folders past sync date limit

labeled email not colored


overall still using the samsung app because of the advantages.
 
No push = no sale for me.

I do use the Samsung app for my outlook account, which is not time sensitive the way my main account is.

One advantage you didn't list is you can use air view to preview the body of emails in the Samsung app, which the gmail app cannot do.
 
Disadvantages
--------------
not push for gmail

That's not true. You can setup Exchange to m.google.com and it will push gmail. In fact, I picked the Samsung Email app over Gmail app because the Exchange push was way way faster than the Gmail one. I get the new email notification in about 5 seconds or less.
 
Can't pinch and zoom with the Gmail app so it's the default all the way with me.

The new update allows for pinch and zoom as well as swipe to delete or archive. But both features are off by default, so you have to go into GMail settings to enable them.

None of the stock email app features can trump push for me.

Also, I want to keep all my accounts separate so they have individual notifications. My ActiveSync is on the stock email, GMail for my primary account, Enhanced Email for my secondary GMail account, and Comcast app for my Comcast account.
 
Spen integration includes hover...lol...but gotcha.

Gotta say, q 15 min for stock with gmail app off=no more battery drain than gmail (arguably less) and get emails pretty fast..seems faster than q 15
 
The new update allows for pinch and zoom as well as swipe to delete or archive. But both features are off by default, so you have to go into GMail settings to enable them.

Thanks for the heads up. Just updated the gmail app. Yes it does now pinch and zoom. :) But doesn't reflow text. :(
 
That's not true. You can setup Exchange to m.google.com and it will push gmail. In fact, I picked the Samsung Email app over Gmail app because the Exchange push was way way faster than the Gmail one. I get the new email notification in about 5 seconds or less.

Yep. That's what I did too.
 
On my AT&T Note2 - the Samsung Mail App works well - except for one thing - the brightness always automatically dims the white background in the Samsung Mail app very gray - the screen looks very dim and i see no screen brightness setting to fix this.


EDIT


Seems to be a function of the Note 2's Power Save mode - that makes the Samsung Mail app screen go dim - details here:
Email Screen Very Dim - Android Forums at AndroidCentral.com
 
On my AT&T Note2 - the Samsung Mail App works well - except for one thing - the brightness always automatically dims the white background in the Samsung Mail app very gray - the screen looks very dim and i see no screen brightness setting to fix this.


EDIT


Seems to be a function of the Note 2's Power Save mode - that makes the Samsung Mail app screen go dim - details here:
Email Screen Very Dim - Android Forums at AndroidCentral.com

I have yet to turn on the Power Save mode. :p Warp 10!
 
The new update allows for pinch and zoom as well as swipe to delete or archive. But both features are off by default, so you have to go into GMail settings to enable them.

None of the stock email app features can trump push for me.

Also, I want to keep all my accounts separate so they have individual notifications. My ActiveSync is on the stock email, GMail for my primary account, Enhanced Email for my secondary GMail account, and Comcast app for my Comcast account.

Pinch to zoom was there prior to the last update.
The update made it an option and added swipe to delete/archive.
 
I like the gmail app better.. but I do miss the combined mail view of the stock app when running 2 or more email accounts.
 
Update.

The stock (using as gmail) started acting funky. Started creating extra sent imap folders so my cpu had duplicate sents. Also had difficulty viewing an important email that gmail app could see.

May go back and forth.
 
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