Samsung Note 5 rumors/hype thread

[Red Storm]

http://bgr.com/2015/08/25/galaxy-note-5-vs-iphone-6-speed-test/


Ouch.

That is interesting. I personally am not seeing any slow performance with my Note 5. Then again, I do use the recent apps button to switch between apps and it's very fast. Considering I've had a 6+ for many months now I feel I would have noticed something like that. What the video did show me is that Angry Birds sucks.

Also this is what I consider real multitasking:

 

[mnewsham]

That is interesting. I personally am not seeing any slow performance with my Note 5. Then again, I do use the recent apps button to switch between apps and it's very fast. Considering I've had a 6+ for many months now I feel I would have noticed something like that. What the video did show me is that Angry Birds sucks.

Also this is what I consider real multitasking:

Really the only instances I can get the note 5 to slow down and reload apps is if I am trying to, in normal usage I have yet to see it happen. If you're flipping through 5-6 apps regularly within 2-5 minutes, you will probably run into the issue at some point, otherwise the majority of users will never notice outside of all the articles whining about it.

 

[Oyeve]

D:

Apple just needs to release the 6s+ with a stylus for maximum lulz.

Ya know, if it comes in 256gb built in storage I would get it. The Note 5 is basically a 6+ with a pen at this point.

 

[mnewsham]

Ya know, if it comes in 256gb built in storage I would get it. The Note 5 is basically a 6+ with a pen at this point.

I think the difference in operating system is still more than enough to choose one or the other depending on your preference.

 

[Red Storm]

I think the difference in operating system is still more than enough to choose one or the other depending on your preference.

Yep. I have both the Note 5 and a 6+, even excluding the S-Pen they are not the same, not even close.

 

[openwheel]

The 6+ is a giant brick of bezel.

 

[Red Storm]

Hmm, looks like the GPS is not working on my N5, any navigation app I use has issues navigating and saying stuff like waiting for GPS. What's the best way to test this to determine the exact problem?

 

[s44]

Used to use this, not sure if it's still optimal:
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.chartcross.gpstest

 

[dawheat]

So I tried out the Pay Beta - the downside is they only accept BofA and US Bank cards during the beta and the only one I have is my debit card which I hate using.

Setup was straightforward enough - had to download the Pay app, put in my billing info, take a picture of my card, and pretty much done. It did sit with the authentication messaging/loading for maybe 15 seconds but I guess I'm considered low risk since I didn't have to put in any other info.

I did get an automated email from both BofA and Samsung for the card add which doesn't hurt.

So mostly b/c I didn't want to use my debit card much, I made just 1 transaction at a convenience store that didn't have NFC. Once Pay is setup, you see this tiny bar at the very bottom of your lock screen. You swipe up, your default card is shown, you fingerprint, and then you place your phone next to the area you swipe your credit card.

Surprisingly...it worked. The cashier was telling me phones don't work and then was surprised it ran through normally.

I've already disabled Pay however since again, I hate using my debit card. The good news is most of my cards are Citi cards which is a supported partner so hopefully I'll be able to use them for the live product. However, at first glance, it works pretty well. NFC I assume would be pretty much the same - tap instead of holding next to the swipe area.

-----------

Also call me a semi-convert to wireless charging. I bought a 3 coil charger from Amazon for like $20 and have been using it on my nightstand. It's not a fast charger, but I don't need it for overnight charging. The reason I bought it is as a father of a infant, I'm up at least once a night and normally grab my phone on my way to the other room. It's nice just being able to pick it up in the dark and not have to pull out a cable, but more importantly when I come back in the dark, to just place it down and not have to fumble with a cable.

Not a huge deal and fast wired charging is still more important, but in specific cases, it is a very nice convenience. However, this is probably the only wireless charger I'd buy since otherwise, if I need a top off during the day I'd just plug it in.

The 3 coil charger hasn't been finicky at all - I place it reasonably on top of the charger and it's been perfectly reliable.

 

[Red Storm]

Out of curiosity, which wireless charger did you get?

 

[KentState]

Out of curiosity, which wireless charger did you get?

Been using this one without any issues.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00Y839YMU?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o03_s00

 

[dawheat]

Out of curiosity, which wireless charger did you get?

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00JA7HNZO?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o03_s00

There was a coupon recently to drop it to $20. Cheap, decent, doesn't come with the wall charger though any will do as long as it's 2A. I used it with my old Nexus 7 charger.

------------

BTW - the camera really is pretty great in all situations. Took some photos of the city with the moon up and streetlight illumination and they came out pretty great. Just point and click.

 

[mnewsham]

So I tried out the Pay Beta - the downside is they only accept BofA and US Bank cards during the beta and the only one I have is my debit card which I hate using.

Setup was straightforward enough - had to download the Pay app, put in my billing info, take a picture of my card, and pretty much done. It did sit with the authentication messaging/loading for maybe 15 seconds but I guess I'm considered low risk since I didn't have to put in any other info.

I did get an automated email from both BofA and Samsung for the card add which doesn't hurt.

So mostly b/c I didn't want to use my debit card much, I made just 1 transaction at a convenience store that didn't have NFC. Once Pay is setup, you see this tiny bar at the very bottom of your lock screen. You swipe up, your default card is shown, you fingerprint, and then you place your phone next to the area you swipe your credit card.

Surprisingly...it worked. The cashier was telling me phones don't work and then was surprised it ran through normally.

I've already disabled Pay however since again, I hate using my debit card. The good news is most of my cards are Citi cards which is a supported partner so hopefully I'll be able to use them for the live product. However, at first glance, it works pretty well. NFC I assume would be pretty much the same - tap instead of holding next to the swipe area.

I have also been using Samsung pay and so far it's worked without issue. I use bank of America mainly so I have no issue using it for most of my purchases when I'm out and about.

If it keeps working I'll probably keep using it because it's pretty slick from my use so far, I like it.

 

[lopri]

Does it really work with old fashioned credit card terminals?

 

[mnewsham]

Does it really work with old fashioned credit card terminals?

Yup, been using it pretty much everywhere that has access to the terminal directly, not gonna be handing my phone over to a cashier or anything. But for most places I just place it against where you would normally swipe your card and it basically instantly thinks a card was swiped. Haven't had a single issue with it yet, I have yet to have to try more than once, it just always works within a half second or so, almost instantly. I dont think I will hesitate to continue using samsung pay as long as it continues to work. I like that the app can be launched from the lock screen, since you are using a fingerprint to authorize the purchase anyway. You just flick up from the bottom of the screen when on the lockscreen or homescreen and an image of your credit card comes up and it asks you for a finger print to authorize the transaction.

Will have to keep using it to see how it's long term reliability will be, but so far its good.

 

[lopri]

That is quite amazing. My old fashioned brain is having a difficulty understanding how that is possible. lol. Is it tied to the phone's NFC?

 

[mnewsham]

That is quite amazing. My old fashioned brain is having a difficulty understanding how that is possible. lol. Is it tied to the phone's NFC?

Nope, it uses a new technology they acquired from another company about a year or so back. It uses MST (Magnetic Secure Transmission) which essentially mimics your normal credit cards magnetic stripe and pretends like its a normal card and to the normal reader it appears as if you just swiped any old card instead of just placing your phone against it. It uses a token system similar to other payment services so your actual credit card information is never shared with the merchant so it is pretty secure.

It also has NFC and will use NFC if it detects an NFC pad is installed.

 

[Red Storm]

So it looks like there is no wired option to connect the Note 5 to a TV. Sucks. I don't always want to do wireless. :|

 

[mnewsham]

So it looks like there is no wired option to connect the Note 5 to a TV. Sucks. I don't always want to do wireless. :|

Yeah I dont think the Exynos SoC supports it, the Note 4 snapdragon 805 DOES support MHL, but the Note 4 Exynos SoC doesn't support MHL, and neither do the S6, S6 edge, S6 edge+, or the note 5 which all use an Exynos SoC.

 

[Nograts]

Since nobody responded to my inquiries about phone cases I went with reliable otterbox. I have fairly big pockets in my work uniform so the extra bulk isn't noticeable, it's not much bigger than my old S4 with otterbox defender.

I give it a 7.5/10

My biggest annoyance (and someone confirm or deny if you have an otterbox defender for the note 5) is that the plastic screen from the hard case is slightly elevated so you feel it pressing down on the screen. I'm going to try to refit it again to see if maybe somewhere I went wrong... but overall its a pretty nice case. The wallet cases interested me but didn't seem to offer much protection, and the phone seemed really fragile.

 

[mnewsham]

Since nobody responded to my inquiries about phone cases I went with reliable otterbox. I have fairly big pockets in my work uniform so the extra bulk isn't noticeable, it's not much bigger than my old S4 with otterbox defender.

I give it a 7.5/10

My biggest annoyance (and someone confirm or deny if you have an otterbox defender for the note 5) is that the plastic screen from the hard case is slightly elevated so you feel it pressing down on the screen. I'm going to try to refit it again to see if maybe somewhere I went wrong... but overall its a pretty nice case. The wallet cases interested me but didn't seem to offer much protection, and the phone seemed really fragile.

This has been the case with all of my otterbox defenders, Iphone 4s and LG G2 both were the same way, I ripped the stupid thing out and put a tempered glass screen protector on in it's place.

Didn't bother with the otter box on this phone, went with the Spigen slim case with a kickstand for $15.

 

[dawheat]

I'm using the Ringke Slim case in black. Slimmest case you can buy IMO but still get some protection. However I'm under no illusions if I drop it on concrete - it's that thin.

However I didn't buy the Note 5 to hold a brick like most cases turn phones into.

 

[trmiv]

I'm using a Speck Candyshell Grip. I was going to go with a thin case, but with a 2 year old in the house and hardwood floors, I know that's not a wise idea. The Speck is nice though, always feels like I have a good hold on the phone.

Wish I could find a decent tempered glass screen protector that doesn't break the bank but doesn't have massive halo issues. I've heard the Zagg you can get at ATT and Verizon works well if you place it correctly, but it's $35. Most of the cheap ones on Amazon seem cut a little to big for the 2D glass.

 

[NetGuySC]

Just bought a Note 5, wasn't dropped but it now has a cracked back glass less than 24 hours after purchase. frustrating

 

[dawheat]

Just bought a Note 5, wasn't dropped but it now has a cracked back glass less than 24 hours after purchase. frustrating

Come on - if you're going to come and post, then might as well provide all the info you can. GG4 won't just crack so for the benefit of everyone (to not do the same thing), what exactly happened? I assume it did hit something with force - though it might have been an unfortunate angle.