Samsung Note 5 rumors/hype thread

[Artdeco]

The rumored Force Touch integration will be interesting too, if they can get a fingerprint recognition system to work under the screen, Apple will likely do away with a physical home button, and we know Apple likes to do stuff like that.

Honestly, as someone that's bought 6-7 SSGN's, I'm done, Samsung once owned the phablet market, now they're just another phablet, except for some rare specific use cases, most consumers would be better served by another, cheaper phablet.

 

[dawheat]

I hear what you're saying, but with that said... it's also a bigger 6. As much of a missed opportunity as it represents, it's been selling well precisely because it's an iPhone with a 5.5-inch screen. There are some who 'settled' for a Note because there wasn't a big iPhone, and those who wouldn't have even considered an iPhone until it came in a larger screen size. For them, interface particulars may not even register.

With that said, I'm curious to see how well the iPhone 6S Plus takes advantage of its display size. I wouldn't be surprised if the expected 2GB of RAM means gives you split-screen viewing, and we already know that iOS 9 has a "back to app X" feature that pops up in many apps. You're not going to get hardware navigation keys, but you'll at least get something.

I agree it's a great (arguably the best), large phone b/c it's an iPhone, but it's not necessarily the best phablet yet - not until Apple actually takes advantage of the bigger screen.

In fairness I can't speak for the market as the 6 Plus has clearly sold well. It's just my experience in using large phones for the last 3 years and things I've gotten accustomed to.

I think the changes in iOS 9 will be a good step forward - *if* multitasking extends to the 6 Plus which I think may not. The back to app feature is also a good improvement, but still forces the awkward interaction of reaching to the top left.

I've said this before for the Note 4 and the iPhone 6 Plus - there will likely be very few people who won't be satisfied with the Note 5 or the iPhone 6S Plus. The Note 5, as is the Android norm, may take a bit longer to setup to your liking, but both are going to be the most capable phones you can buy. I heartily disagree with those who try to claim either phone is substantially better than the other - you may prefer one OS over the other - but at least in the phablet use case, I disagree with either being significantly superior.

The rumored Force Touch integration will be interesting too, if they can get a fingerprint recognition system to work under the screen, Apple will likely do away with a physical home button, and we know Apple likes to do stuff like that.

Maybe next year - I'd eat my hat if the form factor of the 6S/6S Plus are much different than the 6 beyond the normal minimal tweaks Apple makes. It would IMO massively improve the one hand usability of the 6 Plus. I'm very glad the Note 5 has shrunk in every dimension and gives you a larger screen while being shorter and narrower than the 6 Plus.

All that being said - I'm still on the fence in keeping my Note 4 for now. The greater difficulty in unlocking the Tmo version is a huge bummer as I want a version with an unlocked bootloader on AT&T. I wonder if a Verizon dev edition may come out and whether it'll work on AT&T.

 

[GTRagnarok]

The greater difficulty in unlocking the Tmo version is a huge bummer as I want a version with an unlocked bootloader on AT&T. I wonder if a Verizon dev edition may come out and whether it'll work on AT&T.

Just buy an unlock code on eBay like I did. My T-Mobile Note 4 works great on AT&T.

 

[dawheat]

Just buy an unlock code on eBay like I did. My T-Mobile Note 4 works great on AT&T.

Does that still work even with Tmobile's new unlock app vs. a code? I certainly hope so as I had no issues with my Tmo Note 4 either.

http://forum.xda-developers.com/note5/general/battery-life-discussion-t3178480

Early battery life reports seem positive - certainly better than the early S6 battery reviews where problems were obvious early on. Both the S6 and Note 5 had the hardware to have good battery life - power efficient screens and SOC - but the S6 seemed to be let down by software issues (Google or carrier). There's a ray of hope those issues have been solved on the Note 5 and you'll get at least Note 4 level battery life.

I plan on swinging by Best Buy the next couple days to try them out. Is the slimmer and much ligher S6 Edge + the way to go, or the S-pen in the Note 5?

<edit>Also turns out the stock lcd_density is 560 (not 640) - that's definitely a nice step and improvement, though I personally prefer 480 on a screen that size/resolution.

 

[Oyeve]

Just saw Samsungs commercial for the note 5 and s6+. Beyond stupid.

 

[dawheat]

So I played around with both phones today and build really is exactly like a bigger S6 and S6 Edge. The Note 5 felt quite comfortable if you're used to large phones, a bit easier to hold than the Note 4, especially with the rounded edges.

However it is quite a bit more slippery than the Note 4, similar to the 6 Plus which is quite slippery.

So I decided to bite the bullet with the 64GB Note 5. AT&T has a $200 trade-in promo so total for me after selling my Note 4 is going to be between $185-200. The camera seems at least as good as the S6 which is excellent.

Looking forward to getting it mid-week.

 

[iahk]

I took advantage of that att trade in offer too. selling my note 2 on ebay would be just under $200. so I just did it through att and I get to keep the charger

 

[dawheat]

Battery life reports continue to be pretty positive from early users and the first test also was decent:

http://www.phonearena.com/news/Gala...ms-the-Note-4-despite-smaller-battery_id72735

Obviously reviews have to be taken with a huge grain of salt as they don't show true battery life under regular use, but every review at least did show the S6 regressing compared to the S5. The Note 5 actually improving vs. the Note 4 is a good sign for real life in hopefully getting at least Note 4 battery life.

 

[mnewsham]

Battery life reports continue to be pretty positive from early users and the first test also was decent:

http://www.phonearena.com/news/Gala...ms-the-Note-4-despite-smaller-battery_id72735

Obviously reviews have to be taken with a huge grain of salt as they don't show true battery life under regular use, but every review at least did show the S6 regressing compared to the S5. The Note 5 actually improving vs. the Note 4 is a good sign for real life in hopefully getting at least Note 4 battery life.

Yeah battery from early users is looking very good, I should have mine by the end of the day, so hopefully I can find out for myself.

 

[mnewsham]

Well mine got delivered about 30 minutes ago, just downloading my apps and setting it up at the moment. Black 64GB.

 

[Bman123]

I'm glad to see the note 5 is out. I can't do the sealed battery so I'll be looking for a note 4 to buy.

The design is nice, glad to see it isn't cheap plastic.

 

[Oyeve]

This is the year that I am actually more interested in what the iphone 6s will be than what the note 5 is. And I really dislike iphones. Fail samsung, fail fail fail.

 

[mnewsham]

This is the year that I am actually more interested in what the iphone 6s will be than what the note 5 is. And I really dislike iphones. Fail samsung, fail fail fail.

Yeah, faster SOC, more RAM, better camera app, built in wireless fast charging, UFS 2.0 storage. How dare they?


Seriously though, if your only complaints are no SD card and no removable battery why the hell would the iphone interest you more?

And if your complaints are something other than the lack of SD card and no removable battery, i'd love to hear em.

 

[dawheat]

Well mine got delivered about 30 minutes ago, just downloading my apps and setting it up at the moment. Black 64GB.

Nice man - I also got the 64GB black though it doesn't come until Wed. How much storage is left by default?

This is the year that I am actually more interested in what the iphone 6s will be than what the note 5 is. And I really dislike iphones. Fail samsung, fail fail fail.

Would be helpful if you stated what you don't like. It's quite a nicely made phone and surprisingly compact for a 5.7" screen. Display and camera are excellent as expected, and battery life is shaping up to be better than the Note 4 - which honestly is going to be good enough for nearly everyone.

I haven't cared about replaceable batteries (though I understand there is a niche case there) since my Note 2. I keep a 10,000mAh fast charging battery in my bag which is maybe 3X the size of a replacement battery. Even that I've used once in the last several months. With fast charging, 15 minutes was enough to top me off for the rest of my out of office day.

The lack of mSD does sting, but the 64GB version at basically the same price as the 32GB version last year helps, as does the $200 promotion. I can live with 64GB.

<edit>I actually prefer a fast charging batter pack vs. a replaceable battery. It doesn't take up much more space, it let's me charge up to 3X if needed, with fast charging is more than fast enough, and let's me charge other devices if needed.

 

[Ns1]

Seriously though, if your only complaints are no SD card and no removable battery why the hell would the iphone interest you more?

Because other than removable battery and microSD iPhone6s will probably be the superior device?

<flame suit on>

 

[Oyeve]

Because other than removable battery and microSD iPhone6s will probably be the superior device?

<flame suit on>

Exactly. Whilst I loath apple this note 5 is really just aping the 6+ and not even aping it where it counts. 64GB? No 128gb option? Headphone on the bottom, I can go on and on but really, the msd card and lack of a 128gb option is really shitty.

 

[mnewsham]

Because other than removable battery and microSD iPhone6s will probably be the superior device?

<flame suit on>

In what way? If that's your preferred OS, fine, that's preference. I dont see how it's superior anywhere else and I can point out several places where it is clearly inferior (display resolution being a particularly easy one).

Nice man - I also got the 64GB black though it doesn't come until Wed. How much storage is left by default?

It started installing apps immediately so I didn't see what it was without some apps installed, but its upwards of 50GB

 

[mnewsham]

Exactly. Whilst I loath apple this note 5 is really just aping the 6+ and not even aping it where it counts. 64GB? No 128gb option? Headphone on the bottom, I can go on and on but really, the msd card and lack of a 128gb option is really shitty.

128GB version is most likely in the works seeing as it was accidentally listed on the official samsung site. Also, if you want msd card support I dont see how the 6+ is going to help you any.

All i'm hearing from you is whaaa samsung made me mad, therefore apple, without any real justification for it in hardware or software.

 

[Ns1]

In what way? If that's your preferred OS, fine, that's preference. I dont see how it's superior anywhere else and I can point out several places where it is clearly inferior (display resolution being a particularly easy one).

I guess we'll just have to see when specs come out next month. I'm just sayin (as noted several times in this thread), everytime there's been a Note vs iPhone buying decision, I'm torn and the only reason I'm torn is because the Note has MicroSD + removable battery. Those are highly desirable things for me, but in the past they were not enough to overcome apple's benefits. However, it always came close. Now...


And to me, display resolution is pretty low on things I absolutely need.

 

[Red Storm]

In what way? If that's your preferred OS, fine, that's preference. I dont see how it's superior anywhere else and I can point out several places where it is clearly inferior (display resolution being a particularly easy one).

This. Each person has their preferred OS, and if it's iOS understandably they'd feel the iPhone was better... so they should probably get an iPhone. It doesn't add up for someone to feel that iOS is so much more superior, yet they are considering getting a non-iOS device. Doesn't add up, or, it means the OS actually doesn't matter to them, which means they don't really think either one is superior...

I personally feel Android is superior. As such, even with the lack of mSD and removable battery, it's not like I was ever seriously considering the 6S+. The Note 5 is still the best phablet around (though I'm hoping the Huawei Nexus is better!).

 

[mnewsham]

I guess we'll just have to see when specs come out next month. I'm just sayin (as noted several times in this thread), everytime there's been a Note vs iPhone buying decision, I'm torn and the only reason I'm torn is because the Note has MicroSD + removable battery. Those are highly desirable things for me, but in the past they were not enough to overcome apple's benefits. However, it always came close. Now...


And to me, display resolution is pretty low on things I absolutely need.

mSD and removable battery are more important than display res?

Kek, I just dont understand how some people use their devices I guess, the number one thing im gonna see on my phone is the display, you're god damn right that's the most important thing to me when I pick out my phone.

mSD hasn't mattered to me since the DroidX with 8GB ROM. Every single phone I have bought since has had more than enough internal storage that I have never wanted for more. I dont keep a large music library on my phone and whenever I get any sizable amounts of picture or videos saved up, I back them up on the computer and delete them from my phone.

And if you're contemplating apple, you likely are in the same boat where you really dont need an mSD card (or else you wouldnt even be considering apple in the first place).

And again, removable battery is the same thing, you wont get that added by moving to apple either.

If you just prefer iOS that's fine and that's a different matter, if you are saying you prefer android but since the note 5 is not EXACTLY what you wanted, you're going for an iphone? Instead of the LG G4/ G4 pro, nexus, etc etc.

seems more like you want an excuse to announce to everyone how much you wanna get an iphone, but hey maybe its just me.

 

[Ns1]

mSD and removable battery are more important than display res?

I'm out in the field for > 12 hours at a time frequently - I'm not going to give a shit that my phone is 2500x1440 or w/e, I'm going to want removable batteries. Evidently neither the Note5 or the iPhone6s will provide me that.

While Apple won't give me this shit either, I'm already invested in my apple devices and battery packs etc. However, all my battery packs only fit 5/5s.

If the Note5 had removable battery, that would be one significant "point" awarded to the Note over iPhone (since I'd have to buy new battery packs for the 6s anyway).

Same deal for MSD - if Note had it and Apple did not, that would be 1 point for Note.

It's just cost/benefit analysis bro ^_^

 

[Oyeve]

mSD and removable battery are more important than display res?

Kek, I just dont understand how some people use their devices I guess, the number one thing im gonna see on my phone is the display, you're god damn right that's the most important thing to me when I pick out my phone.

mSD hasn't mattered to me since the DroidX with 8GB ROM. Every single phone I have bought since has had more than enough internal storage that I have never wanted for more. I dont keep a large music library on my phone and whenever I get any sizable amounts of picture or videos saved up, I back them up on the computer and delete them from my phone.

And if you're contemplating apple, you likely are in the same boat where you really dont need an mSD card (or else you wouldnt even be considering apple in the first place).

And again, removable battery is the same thing, you wont get that added by moving to apple either.

If you just prefer iOS that's fine and that's a different matter, if you are saying you prefer android but since the note 5 is not EXACTLY what you wanted, you're going for an iphone? Instead of the LG G4/ G4 pro, nexus, etc etc.

seems more like you want an excuse to announce to everyone how much you wanna get an iphone, but hey maybe its just me.

But they offer a 128gb option. I am pretty surprised the Note 5 does not have that option. I always assumed the Note series was for a more harder core user. Taking away many options that were on all previous models just makes it more of a closed system than previously.

 

[mnewsham]

But they offer a 128gb option. I am pretty surprised the Note 5 does not have that option. I always assumed the Note series was for a more harder core user. Taking away many options that were on all previous models just makes it more of a closed system than previously.

well, again, the 128gb option has already been on samsung's official website, i'd be shocked if it wasn't offered at some point. Though it might not be until the european release in Q1 2016.

 

[mnewsham]

It's just cost/benefit analysis bro

just gonna repeat

seems more like you want an excuse to announce to everyone how much you wanna get an iphone, but hey maybe its just me.