The Official Note III Thread

mrk · 14 Sep 2013 at 15:55

That's because apple dictate the contracts and prices so everything happens fast because there's no say from networks.

Samsung have given a time when it will be available, end of the month.. What's hard to understand?

Kreeeee · 14 Sep 2013 at 16:02

Dead Dog said:
tbh I feel a bit swizzed, Note 3 launched nearly a week ago now, and still no details from anywhere about contract prices with that phone.
Apple release their new phones just two days ago, and people are getting them Monday!! and you can to various providers and sign up knowing how much it will cost you.
I don't like the fact that samsung have steamed in there "look at our awesome phone - here it is!!!"........ "OK when can I buy it find out about pricing?"........ "yeah ermmm soon, well soonish - it's on the to do list"
(typed not as an apple fan btw)

This is something Apple do incredibly well. Companies such as Samsung could learn a lot from observing Apple's product launch strategy.

kona786 · 14 Sep 2013 at 16:46

If everything were perfect we'd have nothing to complain about and this forum would be empty

Pawnless Endgame · 14 Sep 2013 at 19:43

So we've had both the Note 3 and iPhone 5S announced this month. I know it's down to preference e.g. those with small hands will prefer a 4" screen. Another thing going for Apple is that iOS just works out of the box. However, this is a computing forum and some of us will like to tinker as it's taken for granted that we know about Windows shell replacements ("launchers" for phones) and know our way around Linux a bit, even if it's limited to just using package manager in Ubuntu.

Then you look at the specs of 2 phones that will both set us back by £600. iPhone 5S has 4" screen @ 640x1136 (326 dpi vs Sammy's 388 dpi... so much for Apple's "Retina Display" eh?!), 8MP/1.2MP cameras, a 1570 mAh non-removable battery, no removable storage, no NFC, no inductive charging. I don't want to troll as there is the screen size etc preference going on, but that set aside, I just fail to understand why someone would not choose a Note 3 (or S4) over the 5S given the above specs?

The only gripe that I do have against the latest Samsungs is that they've moved away from Roman numerals. That means we now have a 4S and an S4 and that might confuse some of the punters.

kona786 · 14 Sep 2013 at 19:46

Because there's more than just specs that go into creating a preferred experience.

Pawnless Endgame · 14 Sep 2013 at 19:49

Like cases available in 5 different colours?

Robbo · 14 Sep 2013 at 19:50

Preference. I'd never have a Note 3 over an iPhone 5S. The reasons should be fairly obvious, if you just line up specs and compare them that way then you are way off to begin with.

kona786 · 14 Sep 2013 at 19:50

Monserrat said:
Like cases available in 5 different colours?

If that's the only way you can understand it.

zoomee · 14 Sep 2013 at 20:08

What the! - you man crazy??!?! - How one can even think about comparing a Note 3 to an iphone5 is beyond silliness! Different league, different market, COMPLETELY different specs and OS's - the list goes on.

ONLY thing they have in common is probably the price bracket..... but still!

Pawnless Endgame · 14 Sep 2013 at 20:26

Is it entirely to do with iOS then? Can you please back yourselves up, as you 2 haven't added any examples of why the 5S is preferable, and the ones I've given were a smaller screen size and an OS that "just works" out of the box.

Rimsy · 14 Sep 2013 at 20:26

Robbo said:
Preference. I'd never have a Note 3 over an iPhone 5S. The reasons should be fairly obvious, if you just line up specs and compare them that way then you are way off to begin with.

the only "obvious" reason is that your hands are too small to use a note 3 comfortably unless I'm missing something here

kona786 · 14 Sep 2013 at 20:31

Monserrat said:
Is it entirely to do with iOS then? Can you please back yourselves up, as you 2 haven't given me any examples of why the 5S is preferable, and the ones I've given were a smaller screen size and an OS that "just works" out of the box.

Much more premium materials, no gash touchwiz, a smoother and more appliance like OS, better apple integration, TIMELY+ CONTINUED SW UPDATES .

And this is from someone who has never bought an Apple device and prefers Android

Robbo · 14 Sep 2013 at 20:34

Monserrat said:
Is it entirely to do with iOS then? Can you please back yourselves up, as you 2 haven't added any examples of why the 5S is preferable, and the ones I've given were a smaller screen size and an OS that "just works" out of the box.

Outside of the size it's mostly software related, yes. Though I do prefer the build (and feel), and I use the silent switch a lot which is something I miss on an Android phone (I have a Galaxy S4 too).

I can tell you why I prefer the software if you'd like but I doubt you'd agree!

Rimsy said:
the only "obvious" reason is that your hands are too small to use a note 3 comfortably unless I'm missing something here

I don't think many people can use the Note 3 with the same level of comfort/drop security as they can other phones like the iPhone 5 and to a slightly lesser extent Galaxy S4. Unless you have massive hands it isn't nearly as comfortable, mine are a bit bigger than average I'd say.

If I commuted a lot on the train (god forbid) then I could well favour something like a Note, or at least Galaxy S4, as they're nicer to watch videos on, but I very rarely do that.

Rimsy · 14 Sep 2013 at 20:43

Robbo said:
I don't think many people can use the Note 3 with the same level of comfort/drop security as they can other phones like the iPhone 5 and to a slightly lesser extent Galaxy S4. Unless you have massive hands it isn't nearly as comfortable, mine are a bit bigger than average I'd say.

If I commuted a lot on the train (god forbid) then I could well favour something like a Note, or at least Galaxy S4, as they're nicer to watch videos on, but I very rarely do that.

you've just inadvertently made me rethink my next phone choice to some extent. last 7 years I've commuted by train to work so screen size has never really been a consideration (ie bigger the better). as of next week I become a car commuter so the note 3 may not be the perfect choice after all!

Robbo · 14 Sep 2013 at 21:09

Happy to help!

Ryan-3 · 14 Sep 2013 at 21:19

kona786 said:
Much more premium materials, no gash touchwiz, a smoother and more appliance like OS, better apple integration, TIMELY+ CONTINUED SW UPDATES .

And this is from someone who has never bought an Apple device and prefers Android

You need an HTC One. But don't expect the updates or total integration.

Pawnless Endgame · 14 Sep 2013 at 21:39

Thanks for the answers guys. It was a genuine question and I was interested to hear views from both sides of the fence.

I'm very near-sighted, so the bigger screen sizes of Android phones are for me. The more hybrid the phone is, the better. As for size, I've always held with my right hand and dial with my left. That's always been the case with me with calculators and all previous phones including the SGS2. I don't do that hold + dial in same hand. Plus, being in the desktop support and PC repairs business, Android was my obvious choice as it allows customisation as I've done skinning and shell replacements in Windows. Closed source isn't for me.

kbc · 14 Sep 2013 at 22:17

When the iPhone came out, I was on it like flies on...poo.. iPhone 2(?), 3G, 4, 4S then Note II! I think the biggest sway to Android was the fact I used Google services a lot.

I have had to dig out my 4S because my Note II is currently sent for repair with my bank. And going from a Note II to a 4S is sooooooooo difficult - the screen size, the OS... feels like a toy.

I commute over 2 hours a day by train and it is definitely a plus to have a phone with a bigger screen for reading news and watching videos. I am also used to holding a brick to my ear when making phone calls.

Cannot wait until end of September for my Note 3!

jonneymendoza · 14 Sep 2013 at 22:29

Rimsy said:
you've just inadvertently made me rethink my next phone choice to some extent. last 7 years I've commuted by train to work so screen size has never really been a consideration (ie bigger the better). as of next week I become a car commuter so the note 3 may not be the perfect choice after all!

wont it be better to just get a nexus 7 instead for your commute?

Many people just use tablets/kindles for long communtes

mrk · 14 Sep 2013 at 22:48

The amount of times my Note 2 has dropped onto the floor outside and yet the screen is still scratch free e end if the surround bezel has scuffs and dings... I know an iPhone would have shattered rear or front glass by now if I had one It does depend on luck as well in some cases.

Anyway, you use what you've built your routine around. For someone like me who has invested everything into running a daily routine which Android plays a major part means no other phone OS would be able to do what I do with my phone on a daily basis and because of that my only option is Android and I'm more happy for it.

****The Official Note III Thread****

The Official Note III Thread