Database Users

Note or SIII

Im do for an upgrade and have been wanting the note for sometime now and was going to get it this weekend because of its large screen and my interest of reading on my phone but I just read the article in laptop mag about the SIII and now im split between the two.
Right now I'm using tmobiles s2 and i outgrew this screen already, how long b4 i outgrow the sIII.
IM running official ics now and i know both will come with it so that's not a factor
Question is should i suck it up with the extra half an inch diff and go for the iphone killer, or buy the note?
I really need some opinions. Thanks
Sent from my SGH-T989 using XDA

madmaxx25 said:
Im do for an upgrade and have been wanting the note for sometime now and was going to get it this weekend because of its large screen and my interest of reading on my phone but I just read the article in laptop mag about the SIII and now im split between the two.
Right now I'm using tmobiles s2 and i outgrew this screen already, how long b4 i outgrow the sIII.
IM running official ics now and i know both will come with it so that's not a factor
Question is should i suck it up with the extra half an inch diff and go for the iphone killer, or buy the note?
I really need some opinions. Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This was a tough decision for me as well, but I ultimately went with the S3 over the Note because:
The Note was released in November of 2011 (February 2012 in the U.S.) and is now "old". It's basically a Galaxy S2 with a bigger screen and a stylus.
The Note 2 is due out in only a few more months (October if the rumors are correct), and will have SGS3 guts with a possibly even larger display than 5.3" (and smaller bezels hopefully). It'll also share the SGS3's design whether or not you like/hate it.
The S3 has a 4.8" 720p screen which is still very large, coming the closest to the Note's 5.3" (though not 1280x800).
I couldn't upgrade until May anyway; it was just one more month to wait for the S3.
The Note's display exhibits a black crush problem where there's a huge jump in contrast between black and the next darkest greys.
The international Note gets way more developer love than the U.S. variant, but that won't be the case with the insanely popular and very similar S3s.
My next decision is whether or not to trade up my S3 up for an international Note 2 in October. The next Nexus' in November should also be nice, but not as enticing in my eyes.

I decided to exchange my Note for the Galaxy S III. Some of my reasons were personal preferences so they may or may not apply:
1) I felt the screen on the Galaxy note was ever so slightly too big. When I was in the store that was my initial impression. I hoped I would warm up to it a bit better. I did, but it still wished it were slightly smaller. I wanted something in between the Skyrocket and the Note, and the S3 is right there.
2) I was not impressed with the S-Pen. I found it to be inaccurate most of the time. There was no way to calibrate it and it was often inconsistent. Maybe there was a problem with my unit, but I think I just expected too much out of the pen-based input. Even if it did work better, the only time I used it was playing Draw Something. I'm not the artsy type, so I never used it for drawings or taking notes. There were very few applications built in that took advantage of the S-Pen or even the large screen size. Perhaps there will be when Samsung finally releases the Premium Suite, but at this time they still haven't and there's no telling when that or the ICS update will finally arrive.
3) The internals. Qualcomm S4 is better than S3. Adreno 225 is better than Adreno 220. 2GB of RAM is better than 1GB. Since I was going to be stuck with it for the next two years, I wanted the best hardware I could get.
4) Random extra features, such as the better camera, gesture controls, S voice, etc. While they were not dealbrakers they were certainly intriguing.
5) Better updates (hopefully). Since there is much more uniformity among the S3 models in the US they should be updated quicker without as long of a wait from the carriers. This of course remains to be seen.
The Note was definitely the best choice for me when I first got it. I had no desire for the One X without external storage and a removable battery. However I was never expecting the Galaxy S3 to come out as soon as it did! I'm glad that I was able to exchange it within 90 days. Costco is awesome.

Thanks for the info. I'll be getting the SIII. Hopefully it comes out on my birthday 28th. That would be a nice treat to my self.
Sent from my Galaxy SII T-mobile using XDA

I just moved from the Note to the S3. I don't miss the larger display, but I really appreciate the ergonomics of the
S3. Perfect for an everyday phone, in my opinion. Better battery life and camera are icing on the cake.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I747 using Tapatalk 2

I started a thread like this today in the General forum. It got moved to Q&A tonight. Didn't think about looking over here first. My bad.
How is the picture quality on the S III compared to the Note? I heard or read somewhere that the picture quality on the S III isn't as good because of the zero shutter lag.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I717 using xda premium

I don't see that much of a difference in camera quality from Hercules sII to the SIII.
The phone is bad ass though. Glad i went with this and not the note. SWYPE is not standard you have to dwnld SWYPE beta.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I747 using xda app-developers app

I had the note,I got over it, the screen was awesome but, it got old and needed something new.got the one s and didn't like it that much.Sold it and bought the s3 pebble blue for t mobile..best phone out so far..top of the line, saying Apple in the ass..Lol
Sent from my SGH-T999 using xda premium

Hoping to get my SIII tomorrow, I loved my Note, so I'm definitely hoping the SIII will make me have no regrets. The development for the US Note was actually starting to get a lot better. I will definitely be getting the Note 2 whenever it does get released, hopefully without having to give up the SIII
Sent from my EVO using xda app-developers app

I think the SGS3 is better, if you really want the note just wait for the note 2

The note isn't pocketable and the build quality is way cheaper. My opinion. It has a cool built in pen though.

I got the note when I switched to at&t last month. I loved it at first but after a week I decided it was just too big. I didn't find the S-pen very useful and I had to contort my body in weird ways just to get it out of my pocket.
It's really a phone you won't know about until you try it at least for a few days. I knew I had 30 days to exchange it, so I preordered the galaxy s3 and couldn't be happier.

I never had any problems with pocketing my Note, but the S4 and 2GB of RAM made up my mind pretty quickly. I will probably wind up with the Note 2 when it comes out.
Sent from my AT&T Galaxy S III

We had two notes....black and white....now we have two gsiii's....never looked back!
Sent from my GT-I9100 using xda premium

katamari201 said:
The note isn't pocketable and the build quality is way cheaper. My opinion. It has a cool built in pen though.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Either your a midget or you've never used a Note, granted the phone is huge, it fits easily into "normal" pockets. And the Note is the only phone in the galaxy series that didn't feel like it was one drop away from being shattered.
Sent from my EVO using xda app-developers app

Iphony89 said:
Either your a midget or you've never used a Note, granted the phone is huge, it fits easily into "normal" pockets. And the Note is the only phone in the galaxy series that didn't feel like it was one drop away from being shattered.
Sent from my EVO using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ive been a galaxy user since the i9000, and even that was a quality phone, ive since played with the GSII, the note, and have had the GSIII since opening morning in canada.....dont underestimate samsung and their 'plasticy' feel....they know how to make quality stuff...

I just put my galaxy note 2 down...

And went outside to smoke a cig and use my ATRIX to make this wonderful thread. Lol. <grabs cheek> you're so cute my little ATRIX, cuter than an iphone. Can't wait to finish this cig and go back to my manly phone.
Sent from my MB860 using xda premium

I would expect someone with your statistics to be more responsible than starting such a useless thread as this one:what:

The Galaxy S Ill I had before the Note feels so fun-sized in comparison.
Sent from my GT-N7100 using xda premium

give the op a break... he is Over whelmed by the note 2..like every one else. ... lol
Any phone after using the note 2 is cute and small. ..
scribbled from my note 2 (N7100)

I'm setting up my sgs for a Christmas gift right now, it's so incredibly tiny!
Sent from my GT-N7100 using Tapatalk 2

ronj1986 said:
I would expect someone with your statistics to be more responsible than starting such a useless thread as this one:what:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeee give him a break , all the development in here, sometimes a funny thread will lighten everyone up @_
pakure said:
give the op a break... he is Over whelmed by the note 2..like every one else. ... lol
Any phone after using the note 2 is cute and small. ..
scribbled from my note 2 (N7100)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Agree ^__^ i love the note II after having the note I xd

Lol. Using the ATRIX is so funny. I am amazed I can type on thus thing. I do remember the ATRIX having a nice sensitive screen, a little bettrr than gnex and n4, but the note2 screen is so nice all across the board. Sensitivity, after putting in movie mode everything looks natural and I have hardly seen any black crush and watching videos does not put any hurt on the battery.
Sent from my MB860 using xda premium

aha same thing for me with LG Optimus 2x. 4inch screen... I just cant go back under 5 inch

chinaa said:
aha same thing for me with LG Optimus 2x. 4inch screen... I just cant go back under 5 inch
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's what she..err.. nevermind.
-----
I would love to help you, but help yourself first: ask a better question
http://www.catb.org/~esr/faqs/smart-questions.html

hahaha love this thread just love it hahahaha :laugh:

My HD2 is placed on my desk to constantly remind me how tiny screens phones once had!!.

pakure said:
give the op a break... he is Over whelmed by the note 2..like every one else. ... lol
Any phone after using the note 2 is cute and small. ..
scribbled from my note 2 (N7100)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
LOL same here
when i use my s2 i feel like what this small toy

Anybody else think youtube videos look better than your usual youtube videos, even high res videos, on note2 for some reason? Looks better than n4 and the gnex and n4 buffered all the time while the gnote2 rarely buffers a youtube video.
Sent from my GT-N7100 using xda premium

A friend just showed me a photo of a girl he is going after on his nokia 5800.. I found it rediculously small screen funny.
I used to use the 5800 in the past and u still remember thinking it had such a large screen.. I also used to complaint of its heavy weight.. Now holding it, it feels weightless in comparison to note 2
Sent from my GT-N7100 using xda app-developers app

vash_h said:
A friend just showed me a photo of a girl he is going after on his nokia 5800.. I found it rediculously small screen funny.
I used to use the 5800 in the past and u still remember thinking it had such a large screen.. I also used to complaint of its heavy weight.. Now holding it, it feels weightless in comparison to note 2
Sent from my GT-N7100 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
lol. i think we've all had a "i couldn't imagine using a phone that big" moment including non gnote2 users. iphone5 users are probably ****ting their pants with that extra row of icons. lol.

Would you imagine going back to a phone without multiwindow?? i just got used to be using 2 apps at once! Also the battery life is great! I can never go back! I just love my note 2! Every other phone looks boring for me. "Show me something i haven't seen...i got a note 2"
××**ches love note 2

my previous phone was an HTC Doubleshot (T-M MyTouch4GSlide), and having moved over to the Note2 for about a a week, I went back to the MT4GS so as to wipe it and install latest CyanogenMod 9. The MT4GS seems so small, almost like a toy, with its tiny display.
I ain't never gonna go back!

The "shock" is not the size of the Note but the cuteness of the phone you replace

That moment when I take my ex, SG1, in my hands again and think to my self "OMG, I used to tell people this thing has a huge screen??? I gotta find them all and tell them how wrong I was! :victory:"
Priceless!

you all think that the SGS2 or HD2 or anything else is small in comparison to Note 2? I have a Nokia XpressMusic 5800 at home! This is really small!

Wait for N5 or get S4

I love my N4, but the S4 definitely shows up with some tempting features. Should I wait for the N5?
Sent from my Nexus 4 using xda app-developers app

You need to make that decision for yourself. I personally am never leaving nexus because I can't stand the crap HTC and at&t put me through, and updates from carriers are extremely slow and unlocking your boot loader voids your warranty, etc. I'm done with it. I can tolerate no LTE and slightly older hardware if it means being the top dog and getting catered to by Google.
In the end, only you can make the choice. There are pros and cons for each device
Sent from my Nexus 4

A typical S3, S4 shopper doesn't know what and Android is, they just buy what they are told to be the other phone that is not an Iphone, the words "operation system" makes them bertstare at you, do you want to be associated with them?

At this point in the game, no matter how powerful phones will get, the N4's hardware will be good for years, we're overkilling our needs currently in my opinion.
It may be behind in synthetic benchmarks and will get left in the dust from now on but seriously, a quad core krait, Adreno 320, and 2GB of RAM? It'll be fine for a while.
Remember, most apps and even probably most games only use/need a basic dual core and a gig of RAM for functioning.

Imo, if you're into AMOLED, then go for the S4. I love Nexus devices, I love theming for them and what not. S3 didn't really wowed me much but the S4 managed to do so, I used it yesterday and I fell for it! Mainly because I'm very much into AMOLED and I love that crisp 1080p display.

If you asked us whether to jump off the bridge or not and we told you yes do it, would have you done it?
Sent from my Nexus 4 using xda premium

Personally, I'd go back to a dumb phone before buying a non-nexus. I will be sticking with my n4 until the 6th generation Nexus phone comes out though.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk HD

jhotmann said:
Personally, I'd go back to a dumb phone before buying a non-nexus. I will be sticking with my n4 until the 6th generation Nexus phone comes out though.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk HD
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
My thoughts exactly. I'll be sticking with this n4 until the dubbed "nexus 5" is released. The. Current n4 to the new n4 is essentially an HTC one X to an HTC One X+.
Its not a major upgrade, but its there for people that need to upgrade.. Or just want to
Sent from my Nexus 4

Saw a review of the n4 vs the s4. Obviously didn't pass the s4 in processing power . but they pointed out that most apps don't even take advantage of the speed that the n4 possess. Hardware wasn't that much different. Yes the s4 will have a few magical features like eye scrolling, whoop de do! But the plastic cheap body is still there.
Sent from my Nexus 4 using xda app-developers app

I don't know why anyone would get s Samsung with their excessive bloat and Gingerbread ui

Im sticking with nexus phones once i went nexus i cant see myself going back to a galaxy phone
NEXUS⁴

Stick with N4 and wait for N5, forget about Samsung and the galaxy s3s I meant galaxy s4..
Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk 2

I will probably stick with the N4 at least until the N6 is released. Our device will not be slow anytime soon, and I don't think in half a year there would be apps our device can't run smoothly.

I can't stand amoled.
Sent from my Nexus 4 using xda premium

Woohoo
Sent from my Samsung Galaxy S3 using tapatalk 2

Programs are getting more lightweight and I/O's are getting the same way and more efficient. N4 will crush for a few more years
Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk 2

Smallsmx3 said:
I can't stand amoled.
Sent from my Nexus 4 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've owned 3 devices with SAMOLED and all of them have had issues. My SGS died and went green, My SGS II would go orange/Yellow at medium brightness and the GNexus had a slight blue tint. Switched to the N4 and love the screen.
My N4 will be with me for a long time yet. Looks amazing up against more plasticy phones

look at the HTC one before looking at the S4, im getting the One myself tonight.

I'm going to have to agree with most replies posted already. I'm sticking with the Nexus 4 for another year, then maybe getting a Nexus 6 (or whatever that next Nexus device will be called). The phone is so insanely cheap, yet packs the latest and greatest hardware. It's perfect. Yeah, the newer phones coming out like the S4 will have slightly better hardware, but it's been 6 months since the Nexus 4 got released. That happens with every cell phone in the history of cell phones. Heck, the Nexus 5 will probably have better hardware than the S4 when it finally comes out.
I guess what I'm trying to say OP, is make that decision for yourself. All phones have their pros and cons. If I were in your shoes, I would try to wait for the N5, but I can see the appeal of getting the S4. It's a darn-good phone, and you don't have to wait for it to be released. Actually, I was in your shoes a few weeks ago. I ended up getting the Nexus 4 because it's still a solid phone, and I don't have to wait for the Nexus 5 to come out, plus I can get it off contract for close to the price I'd have to pay for the S4 on-contract. There are multiple things you have to consider when making that decision. Some things that helped me make my decision and will help you makes yours is some comparison articles. Google something like "Nexus 4 vs Galaxy S4". The article will be comparing the Nexus 4 instead of the Nexus 5, but it will still be helpful because they usually touch on things like pure Android vs company-customized Android and the pros and cons of each, among other important things.
Actually, depending on how time-sensitive your decision is, I would wait until Google's I/O event to see if they will be revealing a newer version of the N4, or maybe teasing the specs of the N5. That should help your decision.

For me software plays a big part and with a nexus device we will see 4.3 soon, and key lime pie after that. The sgs4 and others will still be on older software.
Sure the Samsung has a better camera, expendable storage, removable battery if those things are important too you then purchase the Samsung. For me 16gb is enough for my needs, the battery lasts me a day without having to recharge, and the camera takes ok shots I can live with that until the next nexus.
Decide what you need out of a phone, only you can decide that, handle the Samsung and see how you feel with it.
Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk 2

Get Note 3 or wait?

I have a Note 2 now and can upgrade. Should I get a Note 3 now or wait a few months for the Note 4 or iPhone 6. One thing I don't like about Android now is how the Kitkat updates are killing battery life and all. Especially the issues with Google Play service and indexservice killing battery life. Both of these have happened to people I know. Strongly considering going to iOS.
Sent from my SM-P600 using XDA Premium HD app

red321red321 said:
I have a Note 2 now and can upgrade. Should I get a Note 3 now or wait a few months for the Note 4 or iPhone 6. One thing I don't like about Android now is how the Kitkat updates are killing battery life and all. Especially the issues with Google Play service and indexservice killing battery life. Both of these have happened to people I know. Strongly considering going to iOS.
Sent from my SM-P600 using XDA Premium HD app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I would honestly skip the Note 3 for now. The Note 2 isn't much of a downgrade from the Note 3. I'd honestly wait for newer phones or go for the LG G3 or something like that.

I would wait as well. I wish I never tried a Samsung phone. I hate TouchWiz and the antennas are subpar compared to my previous HTC phone and Motorola .
Sent from my SM-N900V using Tapatalk

mjh68 said:
I would wait as well. I wish I never tried a Samsung phone. I hate TouchWiz and the antennas are subpar compared to my previous HTC phone and Motorola .
Sent from my SM-N900V using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Actually the N2 had awesome signal...just as good as any Motorola. Every other Samsung device GS1, GS3, N3 have had much worse signal sensitivity. That being said I would hold off on the N3. It's a nice phone, but not that much
better then the N2.

As someone who upgraded from the note 2 to the 3 a couple of months ago, I would hold off for the iPhone or note 4 like others are saying.
Sent from my SM-N900V using Tapatalk

Just wait for the Note 4...it is worth it...

wait.

im gonna have to disagree with everyone here and say the note 3 is a huge upgrade from the note 2. I had the s3, note 2 then s4 and now note 3 and this is the first phone i have ever had that dosen't feel like it'll be obsolete anytime soon. not only are the specifications still amazing ( i love the 3GB of ram) but the shape and size of the phone is perfect. its so thin and flat and the screen looks way better than the note 2. not just because the resolution is better but it feels like the colors pop more and not as flushed out as the note 2. Its not worth using your upgrade now because the note 4 is around the corner. but I promise the note 3 is better than the iphone 6 (or 8?) will ever be. If you can pick up a used one for cheap its definitely a worthy upgrade from the note 2. development is picking up for our verizon device too specifically the leaked NC2 bootloader which has a possibility of a "kexec" kernel workaround that I have faith beans, hashcode and other developers are working on.

I'm glad I upgraded now. The time that passed with no root for the S5 swayed me to get the Note 3. I'm glad that root was achieved for KK but it wasn't when I made my purchase. I wasn't going to take chances; instead I chose to buy before the retail shelves were stocked with KK. The Note 4 is going to be locked down even tighter.

There are stickies at the top of this section and your Note 2 section to discuss upgrading
Thanks
FNSM

Full review Note 4

You be the judge. http://www.engadget.com/2014/09/03/samsung-galaxy-note-4-hands-on/
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N900A using XDA Premium 4 mobile app

Looks good. I'm not sure why some people are complaining about it being the same size 5.7 as the note 3 why would you make it bigger. next everyone will be walking around with 70" flat screens up to their heads.

dligon said:
Looks good. I'm not sure why some people are complaining about it being the same size 5.7 as the note 3 why would you make it bigger. next everyone will be walking around with 70" flat screens up to their heads.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I was hoping it would be waterproof. Not sure if I want the increase resolutions at the expense of battery life.

I'll stick with my Note 3.
Sent from my SM-N900A using Tapatalk

dligon said:
Looks good. I'm not sure why some people are complaining about it being the same size 5.7 as the note 3 why would you make it bigger. next everyone will be walking around with 70" flat screens up to their heads.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ha ha that would be a site. I'm with you. The screen is big enough for me.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N900A using XDA Premium 4 mobile app

Unless the bootloader can be unlocked I wont be buying another Samsung!
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N900A using XDA Premium HD app

jeraldbro said:
Unless the bootloader can be unlocked I wont be buying another Samsung!
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N900A using XDA Premium HD app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well you might as well get used to the bootloader never being unlocked. This is becoming the norm pretty soon you won't find any phones with a unlocked bootloader. The only reason I want it unlocked would be for customized kernel support for better battery life far as ROM I'm fine with stock with a little of the bloat taken off the top. Never understood the ones that buy the Note series and just turn it into a oversize S5 why get it when you don't have the s-pen function or use the s-pen?

Wow iSamsung!? That's more of a software update to the note 3 with a worse battery life. No thank you. My note 3 is better.

K-Alzwayed said:
Wow iSamsung!? That's more of a software update to the note 3 with a worse battery life. No thank you. My note 3 is better.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I agree with you totally, its more of a software update and more megapixels to the camera, I think all of that can be baked into our note 3, by our developers, not too exited about upgrading to the note 4, and I also expected water resistant.

Yup. With all the kickass devs we have here from Bri, RErick, Mega....and you count, yes, our note 3 is soon going to be a note 4 without the heartbeat sensor that I'd never use. Lol

dligon said:
Well you might as well get used to the bootloader never being unlocked. This is becoming the norm pretty soon you won't find any phones with a unlocked bootloader. The only reason I want it unlocked would be for customized kernel support for better battery life far as ROM I'm fine with stock with a little of the bloat taken off the top. Never understood the ones that buy the Note series and just turn it into a oversize S5 why get it when you don't have the s-pen function or use the s-pen?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
On at&t they will always be locked. Same with verizon. Tmobile version wont be locked down. I boycotted sammy long ago. My next device will either be the xnomi mi4 or the nexus 6.

I'll pass. The Note 4 turned out like the S5. It's just a "plus" version with no major improvements. In some ways I feel the Note 3 is superior.

As has been said… same phone, minimal improvements. Unless the display is truly that much more impressive I can't justifiably use my two year upgrade to purchase an incremental improvement. With the snapdragon 810 around the corner in 2015 people would just be kicking themselves getting this hardware. Samsung is so bent on beating apple to the punch they shot themselves in the foot by not joining the 64 bit game on this hardware revision. I'm going to wait for android L and all of the things that come with 64 bit goodness.
As cool as the note edge looks, it looks like an expensive, flashy gimmick that will serve no real purpose other than being a footnote in the history of smartphone creation.
That being said, I still love my s pen, and will reserve my final judgments until I have seen them hands on but, like the S5, my first impression is one of thorough disappointment. Go home, samsung. You're drunk.

fix-this! said:
On at&t they will always be locked. Same with verizon. Tmobile version wont be locked down. I boycotted sammy long ago. My next device will either be the xnomi mi4 or the nexus 6.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's why I'm probably getting the note 4 but I'm ditching att and going to tmobile. Ha ha
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N900A using XDA Premium 4 mobile app

I love the metal and the screen!
Sent from my Nexus 4 using XDA Free mobile app

Richieboy67 said:
I love the medal and the screen!
Sent from my Nexus 4 using XDA Free mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've always liked the metal on the phone too. Ever since I saw it on the iPhone.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N900A using XDA Premium 4 mobile app

I had to fix my spelling.. Medal.. lol
Years ago I had this HTC clone that had a metal removable back and have always wanted something similar.
If I could get one of these under $700 unlocked I would grab it. As it is I'll most likely be going with the g3 for under $600.. Wish it was metal though.
Sent from my Nexus 4 using XDA Free mobile app

Personally I see the Note 4 as big a step forward over the Note 3 as it was over the Note 2 (which IMO was considerable). I've owned the Note 2 and Note 3. It fixes the weak areas of the Note 3 and frankly seems to be a phone with no compromises.
- the metal frame alone is a big deal to me - I HATE the chrome plastic frame of the Note 3. Button feel is supposed to be much better as well.
- the Note 3 screen is good but not great. It's still a touch dim compared to the best LCDs and whites are not quite white yet. If the S5 LTE-A 1440p screen is any indicator, both these areas will be noticeably better than the Note 3 screen. And battery life on the LTE-A with the S805 didn't decrease at all vs. the normal S5 with the same battery size.
- The camera needed to get better - the Note 3 is not great indoors and bad in low light. I end up using my wife's iPhone in low light situations.
- Personally I like the fingerprint scanner (even if it's not as good as TouchID) since my work enforces a password unlock to use it for BYOD.

I'm definitely disappointed. I was hoping for the same water resistant goodness of the s5, and I'm thoroughly dumbfounded as to why Sammy left it out both versions of the new Notes. Love the outward design as far as the metal goes, though. This was more update than upgrade by far. Consider the ball dropped.
---------- Post added at 02:07 AM ---------- Previous post was at 02:04 AM ----------
And they could've pushed the 3rd side of the Note edge's bezel back a mm or two... Seems too slim for me

There is a sticky to discuss other devices
Thanks
FNSM