iPhone 5 to Note 3

[jws86]

Hi everyone! I currently am on Verizon using a 64gb i5. The phone recently has issues with the power button, I cannot turn it on and off. It powered off on me today and I couldn't get it to turn back on. With a wife and new baby I need to have a reliable phone. I have switched back and forth between android and ios for years. There are pros/cons to both. I have a gn2 before this i5. I am really interested in the gn3 but I'm not sure if I wanna jump back to that size of a phone. I can upgrade through Verizon right now on their new edge plan for $30 to the gn2. I have some questions about the gn3.

1. How is everyone's call quality? I am in a great coverage area but have experienced problems with certain phones.

2. We take lots of pictures of our new baby. How is the camera?

3. How is the battery life? I am a pretty heavy user. Moderate internet usage, facebook, and twitter. A lot of texting and a decent amount of phone calls.

4. Is it laggy at all? IOS is usally fairly smooth.

Lastly can anyone sway me to move back to android? Is this phone fine to run without rooting? I don't have much time for that stuff anymore.
Thanks!

 

[Rukbat]

1. How is everyone's call quality? I am in a great coverage area but have experienced problems with certain phones.

Great, but I don't travel very far. I will say this - I have profound hearing loss, and have no problem with my Notte 3 (and my aids don't have the ability to communicate with the phone, so it's just my bare ears.

2. We take lots of pictures of our new baby. How is the camera?

The default app is pretty good. There are some free ones that make it even better. There's a thread somewhere with pics taken with the camera.

3. How is the battery life? I am a pretty heavy user. Moderate internet usage, facebook, and twitter. A lot of texting and a decent amount of phone calls.

Depends. On Power Save it's pretty good, but the speed suffers, so if you have an app that needs speed, you turn off power save and battery life suffers. You should be able to get 2 days, though. I've gotten 4 days.

4. Is it laggy at all? IOS is usally fairly smooth.

Any computer can be pushed enough to be laggy. I haven't noticed any lag in normal usage. (And I run some pretty CPU-hungry apps.)

Lastly can anyone sway me to move back to android? Is this phone fine to run without rooting?

Rooting gives you the ability to run apps that need root access (and that's ALL it does). If you don't run any you don't need to be rooted. I use my phone to analyze wifi networks, phone networks, GPS problems - and I'm not rooted. Ask a Linux admin how long it's been since he needed to be rooted and he'll probably have to think a bit. Most of what you do on a computer doesn't need root access. That's one of the big mistakes that Microsoft made - normal Windows login was root until recently, and even now it's almost root. Tell an Android phone or a Linux computer to destroy itself and you won't do much damage. Unless you run a terminal with root access - then you turn the phone into a book end in about 2 minutes.

I always advise people asking for help with rooting - WHY do you want to root the phone? If it's just to be rooted, you shouldn't be doing it. (And that's why most people root and ROM Android phones - to be able to say they did.)

 

[jws86]

Great, but I don't travel very far. I will say this - I have profound hearing loss, and have no problem with my Notte 3 (and my aids don't have the ability to communicate with the phone, so it's just my bare ears.

The default app is pretty good. There are some free ones that make it even better. There's a thread somewhere with pics taken with the camera.

Depends. On Power Save it's pretty good, but the speed suffers, so if you have an app that needs speed, you turn off power save and battery life suffers. You should be able to get 2 days, though. I've gotten 4 days.

Any computer can be pushed enough to be laggy. I haven't noticed any lag in normal usage. (And I run some pretty CPU-hungry apps.)

Rooting gives you the ability to run apps that need root access (and that's ALL it does). If you don't run any you don't need to be rooted. I use my phone to analyze wifi networks, phone networks, GPS problems - and I'm not rooted. Ask a Linux admin how long it's been since he needed to be rooted and he'll probably have to think a bit. Most of what you do on a computer doesn't need root access. That's one of the big mistakes that Microsoft made - normal Windows login was root until recently, and even now it's almost root. Tell an Android phone or a Linux computer to destroy itself and you won't do much damage. Unless you run a terminal with root access - then you turn the phone into a book end in about 2 minutes.

I always advise people asking for help with rooting - WHY do you want to root the phone? If it's just to be rooted, you shouldn't be doing it. (And that's why most people root and ROM Android phones - to be able to say they did.)

I guess I asked that question wrong about rooting. I know what rooting is for and what it is used for. I have rooted many android phones in the past. I just know samsung phones are full of bloatware and I hate bloatware. I like a clean phone and I also like to experiment with new ROMS. Question being are the ROMS out for this phone a significant improvement on things such as battery life. I used to get almost 3 days out of my note 2 and loved it. I really miss that amazing battery life, as I have long days and can't always get to a charger going from work straight to school

 

[TomAGibb]

There are 'LOTS' of reasons to get the Note 3.

Good to excellent battery life depending on usage model. Before I updated to an 'Extended' battery I was usually able to go for almost 2 days before I needed to charge. Now that I've updated to the 'ZeroLemon 10000 (10K) mAH' extended battery, I'm having a hard time of even getting the device with moderate or a little more usage down to 50% after about 60 or so hours of usage.

As far as bloatware, just ignore it, or if you are really desperate, disable it through the App Manager. You do not have to make it active on your home screen, and you can use 'Apps Mgr' to move it to the SD External card and it really does free up a lot of space.

Storage on the device is extremely nice. Stock with 3 GB of DDR3 Ram and 32 GB of internal storage plus you can add up to 64 GB of SDxC card giving a total of almost 96 GB of storage space, and its fast. I've run performance test for the SD card interface and the tool reports 241 MB/s Write Speed & 733.6 MB/s Read Speed. That's with the SD Tools app.

Camera is really good and does provide 'Anti-Shake' support which I really need and I've taken some really excellent shots when I get the opportunity.

So far I've stored several musical albums on the device and have hardly impacted the capacity of the 64 GB SD Card.

I also installed a 'Mime Ghost Glass' 9H screen protector and that in conjunction with the ZeroLemon 'Rugged' case that comes with the 10K extended battery, gives a little additional heft to the device, but it is really well protected. The ZL Rugged case is the same size or marginally larger then the Otterbox Defender and provides the same degree of protection and the Rugged Case with included holster allows you to set it up as a stand for ease of viewing in either landscape or portrait mode.

Right now, my device with the ZL 10K has been disconnected from the charger since Wed 2/19 at 4:00 AM and it is now 7:13 PM on 2/20 and I'm still at 68% battery remaining. The really cool thing about all this is that when I leave it on the night stand over night and it is not connected to be charged, it only uses between 1 and 2 % battery life over night.

I'm also running the Next 3D Launcher with the GO Active Weather widget. I also use 'Gravity Screen' to switch the device to standby mode and normally it wakes it up without having to touch any buttons on the device, extending their life.

I'm and Amateur Radio Operator and into Emergency Preparedness and I've got several applications and reference documents that facilitate that in an open environment. A really powerful and useful tool with 100's of possibilities.

I don't believe you can really go wrong with the Note 3 and the Android OS.

 

[Jaza85]

I use my phone but not excessively and mine requires charging every night as get down to 10-20% battery life. Are you all keeping your phone on auto brightness & power saver? I just can't see how your getting 2-4 days unless you barely use your phone?

 

[Lateck]

It all boils down to personal preference.
I have a son that's only Apple, no matter what I recommend.

For me, the Note 3 has ( and is ) almost the perfect device.
The phone quality at first had issues (Sprint), but an up-date and that's a thing of the past....
The camera, everyone that looks at the pictures I take, likes them a lot. Is it the best camera, no, but that's why I own a "camera".
As for rooting, I rooted my Note 2 and loved it. I have not rooted my 3 as I knew there would be up-dates (loading Kit-Kat as I type). I will root in the near future.

My battery life has been up and down. Depends on what I do each day. I can get a Full day or even two (if I watch what I do).
As for any lag. Never really noticed. I'm sure at times there maybe some, but that's when I have 10 things going on at once. (Show me another device that can even run 10 apps at once )
To me it boils down to The Screen!
I can easily See it and the image Quality is perfect (to my old eyes, your mileage may very :smokingsomb: )
Good luck on your decision.

Lateck,

 

[dan330]

i5 vs N3

extremely hard to compare... N3 with its size, pen, NFC, multi-window, etc... is a HUGE head start.

to be fair.. MotoX vs i5 is more fair. even then.. Mx would dominate.

 

[zipred]

I'm very mobile, therefore my usage is quite heavy, especially since I use it for everything except games. My Note 3 battery keeps me going throughout a twelve hour workday.

That's approx 40 emails, some texting, lots of time on the company web site, and lots of phone calls. Overall this is the only smartphone out of the twenty or so I've had that easily gets me through the day with 25% remaining. I'm very happy with my Note 3.

 

[kikayko]

Hi! I was just wondering if these funny cases from BagsQ.com/ would suit any iPhone 5/5s.
Here is the link for reference: bagsq.com/Unique/Iphone-5-5s-103812/

I hope that you could enlighten me. Thank you very much!

 

[jws86]

Well I took the leap. Went ahead and got a white n3 last night. So far I love it. It is so big. Going to have to get used to the size again. One thing I do love about the bigger screens and texting is that the numbers are on the top row. You don't have to hit a key to get the numbers to appear. Looking into launchers for it now and a decent case to use. Thanks for the input everyone.

 

[zipred]

Well I took the leap. Went ahead and got a white n3 last night. So far I love it. It is so big. Going to have to get used to the size again. One thing I do love about the bigger screens and texting is that the numbers are on the top row. You don't have to hit a key to get the numbers to appear. Looking into launchers for it now and a decent case to use. Thanks for the input everyone.

Congratulations on your new phone!

You'll find that the more you use it and discover all the great features, it just keeps getting better and better.

There's lots of little improvements as well...Enjoy!

 

[jws86]

Congratulations on your new phone!

You'll find that the more you use it and discover all the great features, it just keeps getting better and better.

There's lots of little improvements as well...Enjoy!

Thanks! Yep I just ordered a uag case in orange. I wanted one of these cases for my i5 just never got around to it. So it was the first one I bought for the n3. Just been playing with nova launcher and some different icon packs so far. If I can get a break from school work I might look into rooting in the next few weeks. Now that I have the phone I wanna play with it and tweak it so It will probably end up being rooted/loaded with custom rom soon. haha

 

[Lateck]

Thanks! Yep I just ordered a uag case in orange. I wanted one of these cases for my i5 just never got around to it. So it was the first one I bought for the n3. Just been playing with nova launcher and some different icon packs so far. If I can get a break from school work I might look into rooting in the next few weeks. Now that I have the phone I wanna play with it and tweak it so It will probably end up being rooted/loaded with custom rom soon. haha

I would recommend waiting to Root. Android 4.4.2 Kit-Kat is rolling out as we speak ( or read & type ). After the up-grade I'd Root. (That's my plan, am starting to see if there is a root for 4.4).
Congregations on the N3 by the way.

Lateck,

 

[jws86]

I would recommend waiting to Root. Android 4.4.2 Kit-Kat is rolling out as we speak ( or read & type ). After the up-grade I'd Root. (That's my plan, am starting to see if there is a root for 4.4).
Congregations on the N3 by the way.

Lateck,

Good to know! I will probably do that! Thanks!

 

[Night Office]

Thanks for the information about the Note 3. We are shopping for a new phone for my wife and all the posts in this thread are helpful -- much appreciated.

 

[phillyundead]

The camera is awesome. I think the Sony Xperia z1 is a lot better but this is the runner up for mobile phone.
The phone calls are really clear. It has a few in call settings to adapt the volume for different situations.
I have no lag whatsoever. This phone is easily the fastest phone right now. My brother uses the Z1S and my girlfriend uses the LG G2 and this blows them away.
The battery life is amazing. I bought a second battery so I wouldn't have to carry a charger for times I stayed out but the stock better lasts a good 24 hours of heavy use at least for me. I don't see any real need to root this phone. I only did for fun but you can do all the needed tasks without like disabling/freezing apps. I don't tweak the CPU. It's pretty perfect to begin with.

 

[phillyundead]

I use my phone but not excessively and mine requires charging every night as get down to 10-20% battery life. Are you all keeping your phone on auto brightness & power saver? I just can't see how your getting 2-4 days unless you barely use your phone?

I use my phone constantly pretty much every day. Between texting, calls, Facebook and games all day I get easily one day but usually 36 to 48 hours. I never have used power save once. I always have sync on. Always have GPS and full brightness unless I'm just waking up.

 

[unccman]

is Note 3 better than the S5?

I waited until after the Samsung announcement of the S5 because I was wondering this exact same thing. However, after seeing the specs announced, I've decided to go with the Note 3.

The biggest reasons for doing this are the cheaper look to the S5, less ram, and the size of the bezel on the S5.

There's a pretty decent comparison chart out there as well if you want to see some of the numbers.

At the end of the day, the phones are pretty similar when it comes to speed. There are a few technological advancements on the S5 like the fingerprint reader and the heartrate monitor, but those didn't seem too important to me. The Note 3 also comes with the S Pen.

Good luck

 

[MrClean]

I can't say anything about the IPhone, I've never owned one. I thought the same thing about the size of the N3 at first. Now I look at it and think 'well this is just the perfect size'. You'll get used to it quickly, especially with the social apps, makes everything easier to read and do in my experience.