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So if not Note 5. What phone?
- Thread starter Pep
- Start date
We could recommend a dozen phones: LG G4, M9, Nexus, S6 Edge+... but in the end, it will all depend on what YOU want to do with your device. Multimedia? Multitasking? Basic functions like calling and texting? Point is, our recommendations would be based mostly on what WE do with OUR devices: but it's your life and only YOU know what will work for you.
I would suggest doing your homework based on your usage, narrow it down to two or three phones, and then play with them in store to see which is right for you
I would suggest doing your homework based on your usage, narrow it down to two or three phones, and then play with them in store to see which is right for you
drexappeal
Extreme Android User
Waiting to see the LG G4 Pro, Sony Xperia Z5+. If those don't quite pan out the way that I'd need, I'll be content waiting for the folding phone/tablet next year (if Samsung or any other manufacturer meets the goal of a 2016 production release).
I think overall, the Note 5 looks really nice and I like that it's smaller than the Note 4 (one of the reasons I didn't upgrade last year). I liked the rumor that was out there about a dualSIM version offering the ability to use one of the SIM slots for a microSD. Holding out hope that there's a "pure" edition (similar to the Moto X Style) that'll be good for all carriers and offers that up, but no big deal if not.
I think overall, the Note 5 looks really nice and I like that it's smaller than the Note 4 (one of the reasons I didn't upgrade last year). I liked the rumor that was out there about a dualSIM version offering the ability to use one of the SIM slots for a microSD. Holding out hope that there's a "pure" edition (similar to the Moto X Style) that'll be good for all carriers and offers that up, but no big deal if not.
zombdroid
Android Enthusiast
I am going to try to stay away from phones without SD Cards. I have been using my HTC One M8 for some time now and I am very happy with it. I hear the M9 may be getting a hardware reboot and if this is true, I would certainly consider it, especially one with a fingerprint reader.
drexappeal
Extreme Android User
You're right. I forgot about the rumored HTC One M9 Plus, or whatever the heck it was rumored to be called.
drexappeal
Extreme Android User
Forgot to mention the Moto X Style is going to be releasing early September also. Lenovo really stepped up the specs, once they purchased Motorola. That phone is rocking a 5.7 screen too.
Given Samsung's unholy alliance with Cheetah Mobile and the immediate and ongoing multitasking complaints with the S6 - as predicted because CM makes spectacular snake oil - I think that's a good idea.
I love my M8 and I've always loved the Note series - until now.
Time to consider picking up a Note 4, the M9 (Sprint has an insanely good offer right now), the Motorola, or just waiting until next year for this space cowboy.
Teegunn
Android Expert
If the Note 4 was rootable I would get one right now. If the Dev Edition Note 4 was available (with is unlocked and rootable) I would buy one right now. But neither is the case. So I will wait to see what the Moto X pure or LG G4 pro/note look like once they are released. I am fine with my Note 3 for now, but after almost 2 years any phone starts to show it's age.
I currently have the Samsung S4. It was a great phone and when the android update came out in May it changed my phone quite a bit. See a lot of negative comments towards the IPhone. I use to do the same thing. Pandora worked in Kitkat just fine. Now my phone drops it along with the WIFI. It also worked great in my Ford truck 2014 F150. Now the artist and song title will not show in the radio anymore. Is it Android or is it Pandora not keeping up with the change? I don't know. But I do know one thing the IPhone 6 plus works great for my wife and in my vehicle. You may not like Apple but it works and the new 6s plus will be my next phone. I really wanted the Samsung Note 5 but no sd card and the battery thing has changed my mind. I think the fact that the Pandora media doesn't work is chasing me away also. Al
drexappeal
Extreme Android User
That phone has been listed as either the LG G4 Pro or the LG G Pro 3. Rumors have the branding dependent on where the phone is sold (e.g. US vs. Europe vs. Asia).
K
KOLIO
Guest
^^^^
This bothers me more than the fixed battery/fixed storage/MIA I-R Blaster combined.
Hopefully by the time the phone's available to the GP,root & TWRP will follow soon thereafter,w/Cheetah being promptly removed.
Not sure if you're a big fan of BlinkFeed,but,it's a blast on the Note series,right at home on a screen over 5".
If ever HTC were to revisit offering a phablet handset to the masses everywhere,now would be the time to do so........
Androidcurious
Android Enthusiast
I actually have ordered the Note 5. I'm familiar with the multitasking issues regarding the S6 but they never bothered me too much (my other phone is an iPhone 6 Plus, so browser refreshes the moment you even shake the phone too hard are normal). However would you mind expanding on this...Cheetah Mobile?
Thanks!
johnpjackson
Android Enthusiast
I'm just going to hang onto my Note 3 for a while more, and see how things play out. Lately it feels a lot like I gained a new lease on my Note 3's life, after I found and installed MoboClean to take back control of what apps can access on my system. Once I used it to cut all apps off from auto-starting, and being able to run in the background, except for the ones I wanted to allow, I immediately started getting battery life performance that is very close to what it had been when the battery was new. It's been a night and day difference. I was just hoping that I'd be ready to move to the Note 5 to get the improved camera quality and features. It's really disappointing, but I can wait awhile longer before I consider a new phone again.
I'm also curious to see if Samsung has any changes of heart, if Note 5 sales are 'disappointing'. And I hope to hear how it goes for people who do buy it right away. Plus, I wonder if ZeroLemon will come out with a battery case that takes away some of the sting of the compromise battery.
I'm also curious to see if Samsung has any changes of heart, if Note 5 sales are 'disappointing'. And I hope to hear how it goes for people who do buy it right away. Plus, I wonder if ZeroLemon will come out with a battery case that takes away some of the sting of the compromise battery.
J_Hansen
Well-Known Member
I'll be hanging on to my Note 3 for a while yet anyway to see what users of the Note 5 think of it when they get their hands on it.
I didn't give the Note 4 much attention when it came out first as I had decided to wait for the Note 5 but went to a phone shop last week for a look-see again and must admit the idea of the 4 instead of the 5 is growing on me.
I didn't give the Note 4 much attention when it came out first as I had decided to wait for the Note 5 but went to a phone shop last week for a look-see again and must admit the idea of the 4 instead of the 5 is growing on me.
zombdroid
Android Enthusiast
I have been watching the YouTube videos of the Moto X Pure Edition and this may be a candidate. The starting price point at $399 is very low for a device with these specs. I am so happy Motorola is finally putting an SD card in their flagship device.
drexappeal
Extreme Android User
Moto X Style Pure Edition, LG G4 Pro (i.e. LG G Pro 3), and the Xperia Z5 Ultra (i.e. Plus) look like the ones I'll be keeping an eye out for. The Moto X Pure Edition, I may end up getting just as a secondary device, since it has all the radios/bands for every major US provider, but I'll be waiting until the G4 Pro and the Xperia Z5 are officially announced.
Based on the rumors of the G4 Pro, I've seen 5.8 inch to 6.0 inch screens mentioned. Thing is, considering how small a physical form factor that the G3 and the G4 have, but still sporting a 5.5 inch screen, I'm hoping that they could pull off a 6.0 inch screen in the same physical dimensions (or similar) as the Note 5 and the Moto X Style Pure Edition. I'm not convinced that Sony would be able to do the same thing with the Xperia Z5.
Worst case scenario, I tough it out with the Note 3 until the folding phones are finally in production.
Based on the rumors of the G4 Pro, I've seen 5.8 inch to 6.0 inch screens mentioned. Thing is, considering how small a physical form factor that the G3 and the G4 have, but still sporting a 5.5 inch screen, I'm hoping that they could pull off a 6.0 inch screen in the same physical dimensions (or similar) as the Note 5 and the Moto X Style Pure Edition. I'm not convinced that Sony would be able to do the same thing with the Xperia Z5.
Worst case scenario, I tough it out with the Note 3 until the folding phones are finally in production.
http://androidforums.com/threads/pu...k-killers-ram-optimizers-and-the-like.896663/
Cheetah Mobile is responsible for successfully perpetrating one of Android's biggest myths - and people buy into because of huge installed base for Clean Master and Battery Doctor - pure snake oil and guaranteed to completely hose multitasking.
The thread gives instructions on how you can measure and prove it to yourself (not sure you can with a recent Samsung though), no need to take my word for it.
You'll see the argument that it must be good, look at all of the reviews.
You'll also see proof that Cheetah Mobile built their installed base on a successful malware campaign. (And then came out with a popular security app with abysmal independent ratings for not mining your data from you.)
And Samsung entered into an agreement with them to provide the task management for the S6.
You'll find the S6 multitasking problems predicted when the announcement was made.
There's no mystery about Cheetah Mobile products just being wrong. Unfortunately, you can't remove what's baked in at the factory without root and a complete replacement of the Samsung software - that sort of defeats the point of buying a Samsung.
Androidcurious
Android Enthusiast
Wow! Thanks for that. Really interesting. As I said, because I'm an iPhone user the browser refreshes don't seem that extreme to me. However it gives me a little pause. I love the Note series so I'll probably move forward but I'll keep an eye on it in case it's worse than the S6.
Don't kill apps or install helpers, you'll get best performance not doing that.
Enjoy!
Androidcurious
Android Enthusiast
I don't use task killers and I always leave apps alone to do their thing, so I"m good there, thanks!
It's funny. You'd think these vendors would realize their phones are powerhouses and just let them do their thing instead of messing with the software like this. What they should concentrate on is creating native apps that showcase how powerful these devices are. I think the Note series does this to an extent but Samsung being Samsung it's not good enough, hence the futzing with something that isn't broken.
They make great stuff!
I agree though, less sauce = more flavor sometimes.
I agree though, less sauce = more flavor sometimes.