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So I've had my epic for over a couple years now and alas it's time to move on to bigger and better things.
I don't really use my phone for calling almost ever, but I do do a decent amount of texting and some mild data usage. With that in mind I was considering grabbing a nexus 7 and just using google voice coupled with something like grooveip for the rare phone call need. However, carrying around a 7' tablet with me all the time seems like a recipe for disaster.
So now I'm back to looking to get a new phone, and I figured I'd ask fellow Epic owners to see what they would recommend.
Carrier isn't too much of a big deal to me since I'm dropping sprint (the bill is just far too expensive for what I use) and probably going with a byop pre-paid service.
UI isn't any concern since I will almost definitely be flashing roms on it.
I hate screen protectors and bulky cases, but I take good care of my stuff (nary a scratch on my epic except for one small nick on the screen that can only be seen when it's perfectly clean and under the right light lol), so obviously nothing too flimsy and gorilla glass is desirable.
I'd obviously prefer a phone that can outperform the Epic, and it should either have a slide-out keyboard OR a large screen since i have large thumbs, but I'm looking to spend under $350 (without a contract) if I can
I know it's not your guys' job to recommend a phone so if I don't get any then I won't be upset, but if you do reply then I will be very thankful!
There are several threads already on upgrading, please search before posting,
This one was on the very next page: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2161911
I had three people tell me the Note 3 would be too big. I would hate it. This, of course, was based on their opinion of holding the Note 2 and being put off by the size. I get it, it's not for everyone. It may not even be for me. Two years ago, I know it wasn't. But today, I might be coming around.
A relative of mine had the first Note. At the time I had the Evo 3d. I remember being so put off by that monstrous phone that I thought no way could I deal with something as big. But then I got a Galaxy Nexus. And now I've held the S4. And I see the G2. And I have to wonder, is this really a HUGE phone anymore?
Below on the left are the phones I've owned with the GN being the current. On the far right are the current choices for top in the Android world. Is the Note 3 bigger than average? Yes, but not so much anymore. Now it just seems like it's ahead of the curve.
So is this really a device in a different category due to it's size, or is this just progress?
My original smartphone was the Droid eris. I then moved to the Galaxy Nexus, and at first i thought the screen was pretty big, but I got used to it within a week lol...
fast forward to last week, when my nexus died... I have me beat up old eris and I cannot wait to have a big screen again lol...
yes, the note is big, but that much bigger than current phones, whereas the original note was gigantic compared to the current phones of the day.
I have the Note 1 and think its great, but like you said people go what the hell you need a phone that big. Then I show them how much more I can do because I have a bigger screen and 9 out of 10 people after go, "that not so bad after all". Just need to think beyond only calling and texting
Handling it should be no problem for you seeing that you're used to a gradual increase in size...and if you think note is big see the z ultra in person XD..you won't understand till then
3 years ago I bought s1 and everyone told me that my phone is too big to use comfortly.:laugh:
Ergonomically, there is a huge difference and more relative to hand size and finger length. The main function for a lot of people is phone and text. Most prefer one hand operation most of the time in that regard. Previous size progression did not breach this function for most people until the phablet, hence the term.
Phablet is a fair and accurate term for most people. Either choice depends on the user and nobody else. If I did not have a tablet, I would get the N3, since more display and IMO, a better all-in-one if no tablet. I though have a Excite 7.7, TF300, Nook HD+ and iPad 4. I will stick with the S4, but would not be surprised if there is a S800 refresh of some form for the S4.
I have the (original) Note, bought it when they first came out, before it was even evident that any of the US carriers would offer it. So I didn't even have a chance to see one in person before I ordered it. I mocked up the phone by gluing two pieces of corrugated cardboard together, cut out to the same size as the Note. It fit in my pocket, and didn't feel awkward holding it to my face, so I ordered it. Once I got the phone, I loved it, and wouldn't go back to something smaller. However, I also don't want anything larger, as I do feel this pushes the limits of what comfortably fits in my pockets in certain clothes or activities. In fact, I wish they would have rounded the ends of the N3 more like the S4 just for that reason. But it really took no time at all for the size to seem normal to me. Of course, I grew up holding the Bell "trimline" phones to my face, so the Note is an amazing shrinking of technology from that perspective. When I first got the Note, I did get occasional "is that a tablet or a phone" questions, but not so much any more.
Size is not a big factor nowdays even more for those who seek the best experience
I am in full agreement with most of you on this matter. Basically my thinking and reasoning is this: I want the best (IMO) smartphone but at a reasonable size, so I want to look at Galaxy S4, LG G2, Sony Z1,Nexus 5 and Note 3. But hey, these mobiles are quite big and in my case in which I have small hands, it is difficult to operate them in one hand. So in essence, all these smartphones are big for me so the size factor is almost eliminated and therefore I am only after the total power, experience and functionality from those smartphones! Therefore I think Note 3 is the winner! Not to mention that Z1 is almost reaching the Note 3 dimensions but having only 5 inch display, so Note 3 at least is exploiting the big screen at an optimum level compared to its size! Now I hope the battery life of this beast will be great and at least to be on Note's 2 range.
SAVVAS. said:
I am in full agreement with most of you on this matter. Basically my thinking and reasoning is this: I want the best (IMO) smartphone but at a reasonable size, so I want to look at Galaxy S4, LG G2, Sony Z1,Nexus 5 and Note 3. But hey, these mobiles are quite big and in my case in which I have small hands, it is difficult to operate them in one hand. So in essence, all these smartphones are big for me so the size factor is almost eliminated and therefore I am only after the total power, experience and functionality from those smartphones! Therefore I think Note 3 is the winner! Not to mention that Z1 is almost reaching the Note 3 dimensions but having only 5 inch display, so Note 3 at least is exploiting the big screen at an optimum level compared to its size! Now I hope the battery life of this beast will be great and at least to be on Note's 2 range.
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This is exactly where I'm at. I just want the best phone. And at the moment, the Note 3 looks like it. It just happens to be a bit bigger than average. But I think much of the stigma of holding the "phablet" to your head is gone with the Note series. I mean, is it maybe a half inch longer and quarter inch wider than the S4? Not so noticeable anymore.
dscline said:
I have the (original) Note, bought it when they first came out, before it was even evident that any of the US carriers would offer it. So I didn't even have a chance to see one in person before I ordered it. I mocked up the phone by gluing two pieces of corrugated cardboard together, cut out to the same size as the Note. It fit in my pocket, and didn't feel awkward holding it to my face, so I ordered it. Once I got the phone, I loved it, and wouldn't go back to something smaller. However, I also don't want anything larger, as I do feel this pushes the limits of what comfortably fits in my pockets in certain clothes or activities. In fact, I wish they would have rounded the ends of the N3 more like the S4 just for that reason. But it really took no time at all for the size to seem normal to me. Of course, I grew up holding the Bell "trimline" phones to my face, so the Note is an amazing shrinking of technology from that perspective. When I first got the Note, I did get occasional "is that a tablet or a phone" questions, but not so much any more.
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I cut out cardboard last night for the Note 3 size... Glad I'm not the only one who obsesses over things like this.
I think we've become desensitized to devices the size of the Note (all three are similar as is OG Pro). I've been using a N2 for eleven months and it’s become "normal." It's not normal though. One-handed operation was and still is a pain in the a- and I've got fairly large hands. I was recently visiting some friends and family in another state and they all had iPhones (at least a dozen of them) in various shapes and sizes. I felt like Gulliver with my N2.
I would never buy anything larger that the Note to use as my only phone. I have a large tablet so don't need my phone for the majority of my consumption. I'm betting others increasingly have 7-10" tablets too. And at least with a Note you can justify the larger screen as anything smaller would make multitasking and inking impractical. What’s the justification for the XZ Ultra?
So what problem does something like the XZ Ultra or even the One Max really solve? They create a portability problem if they are someone's primary communication device. I guess the problem they solve is not having to buy and/or carry both a phone and a tablet. But a 5.9-6.6" display is still too small for a tablet which is why the 8" form factor is the fastest growing. And God knows 5.9-6.6" is laughable as a communication device.
It kind of reminds of pre-gas crisis times where gargantuan SUVs were the biggest selling segment and people that didn’t need them bought them purely because "bigger was better" and the statement they made - “mine’s bigger than yours.” I think phones larger than the N3 will find their niche but I think once the novelty wears off people that buy them and use them as their primary device will come to their senses.
Other phablets are just "big smartphones." The Note is an honest to goodness productivity machine. There are plenty of options in terms of larger smartphones, but there is only one (well 3 now) Note.
hdad2 said:
I cut out cardboard last night for the Note 3 size... Glad I'm not the only one who obsesses over things like this.
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I am glad I'm not the only one who did a cardboard cut out
The phone is just a feature
Bah, I got the Galaxy Tab 3 8.0 3G (T-311). Why bother with tablet + phone? Just carry one device. But seriously, it really depends how important the phone function is to you. For those who only take the occasional call, the bigger the screen, the better. The Sony SBH52 handset will take care of the rest.
joe_dude said:
Bah, I got the Galaxy Tab 3 8.0 3G (T-311). Why bother with tablet + phone? Just carry one device. But seriously, it really depends how important the phone function is to you. For those who only take the occasional call, the bigger the screen, the better.
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Click to collapse
Talking isn't the limiting factor to me. I don't talk much, I text, email, and browse much more. I could hold an 8" screen up to my face and talk, but it would be an issue fitting that into many of my pockets or keeping on me for certain activities. The Note is about as big as I'd want to go for someone who prefers to just drop it in a pocket & go.
dscline said:
Talking isn't the limiting factor to me. I don't talk much, I text, email, and browse much more. I could hold an 8" screen up to my face and talk, but it would be an issue fitting that into many of my pockets or keeping on me for certain activities. The Note is about as big as I'd want to go for someone who prefers to just drop it in a pocket & go.
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Click to collapse
Short answer: Cargo pants/shorts
What I did was get a belt pouch that was designed to carry a small tablet. Easier to take out while sitting down, and no wardrobe malfunctions. 8) It leaves my hands free, which is the important part. But again, it depends on each person's needs. I wanted one device to do everything, including remote desktop.
joe_dude said:
Short answer: Cargo pants/shorts
What I did was get a belt pouch that was designed to carry a small tablet.
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I suppose if I could or wanted to wear cargo pants to every thing I did, that would be an option. It's rare (read: never) that I'm interested in sporting some kind accessory to carry my phone in. For those who are willing to dress around their phone, then sure, size isn't really an issue. May as well carry a full tablet around. Heck, you can make calls on a laptop if you want.
dscline said:
I suppose if I could or wanted to wear cargo pants to every thing I did, that would be an option. It's rare (read: never) that I'm interested in sporting some kind accessory to carry my phone in. For those who are willing to dress around their phone, then sure, size isn't really an issue. May as well carry a full tablet around. Heck, you can make calls on a laptop if you want.
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Click to collapse
Yeah, 8-inch tab is about the biggest that can be held in one hand. Even then, it is a bit extreme. It's kinda like heading back to the days of carrying a ghetto blaster. Totally retro, man!
staryoshi said:
Other phablets are just "big smartphones." The Note is an honest to goodness productivity machine. There are plenty of options in terms of larger smartphones, but there is only one (well 3 now) Note.
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I agree. I've been a Samsung user for years, and I have to say that the gradual changes that they've made with the S series and now the Note series have been nothing but benefits. It's crazy, I didn't even know until recently that Samsung offers phones even larger than the Notes: the Mega has a 5.8 inch screen in diameter, and the second one in that series is at 6.3.
BarryH_GEG said:
I think phones larger than the N3 will find their niche but I think once the novelty wears off people that buy them and use them as their primary device will come to their senses.
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If you don't care about one handed use, and i don't, then the biggest practical phone is the one that still goes where your current phone goes.
I could easily go a bit bigger than the note 3. I know several girls who have the note 2 that carry the phone in their purse and there is no reason they couldn't go bigger as well.
Sent from my GT-N7100 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
Check this out... Really makes me want to consider the regular S6.
1. I NEVER lay my phone face down.
2. I don't care about the ability to pull my fav contacts in from the side to call or message.
http://www.wired.com/2015/03/galaxy-s6-edge-pointless/
EVOme said:
Check this out... Really makes me want to consider the regular S6.
1. I NEVER lay my phone face down.
2. I don't care about the ability to pull my fav contacts in from the side to call or message.
http://www.wired.com/2015/03/galaxy-s6-edge-pointless/
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I really don't think anyone considering the edge is considering it for those reasons. It's mainly aesthetic.
Japultra said:
I really don't think anyone considering the edge is considering it for those reasons. It's mainly aesthetic.
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You could very well be right.
The writer seems happy that Samsung is willing to create something just for aesthetics but at the same time disappointed that it has no real functionality.
Hanson68 said:
The writer seems happy that Samsung is willing to create something just for aesthetics but at the same time disappointed that it has no real functionality.
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It's the same way I feel about it.
" a notification light for when the phone is face down, but since people only put their phones face down to not be distracted by them, that light is unhelpful and thus doesn’t count."
That statement is bang on. Why would I put my phone face down at all, if I still want to see the notification light? If I wanted to know what's going on with my phone, I'd leave it face up on the table.
The night clock... personally, I rather have a normal sized desk alarm clock on my nightstand. If I'm checking the time in middle of the night, I really don't want to have to squint through the grogginess.
The contacts swipe, while interesting, could be applied to any phone, and it kind of already has with Pie controls.
The aesthetics, man, the Edge looks beautiful to me. However, I'm usually a case (or at least a bumper) user, so I'm sure the extra $100 could be spent better for myself for other things.
I'll have to stick with the regular S6, unless the edge was the same price or maybe.. $50 more only.
Japultra said:
I really don't think anyone considering the edge is considering it for those reasons. It's mainly aesthetic.
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I'm probably the only one, and even then, it's still at least half for aesthetic reasons.
Thing is, I already go out of my way to differentiate callers before I have to interact with my device. At certain hours, my phone literally only rings for certain people. The current edge features, for me, pretty much just expand on that sort of thing. I'm hoping to be able to disable the vibrate function in certain situations and just rely on the color coding of the Edge screen.
Not to mention I'm guessing 3rd party devs might come up with some relatively nifty apps for the Edge screens sooner or later.
My thing right now is trying to find a case that doesn't stifle the beauty of the device too much while also not hiding the screen edges, yet, still offering some measure of decent protection. Might be an impossible battle (or I'll have to fabricate my own... I have ideas as to how it'd need to be done but I need the device in hand), but I'm waiting to see what my usual case manufacturer (Noreve) comes up with first. I know they always take the time to make their cases highly customized to specific designs of various devices, so if anyone is going to get it right it's them.
The writer states that there is no point to the beauty. But that's wrong -- the point is to be unique. The point is to stand out. Had there been no Edge version, the S6 story would be, "iPhone clone, looks like the S5 up front". The Edge changes that narrative. Instead of being "nice looking" like the S6, the Edge creates desire. That's the point.
Poetique said:
I'm probably the only one, and even then, it's still at least half for aesthetic reasons.
Thing is, I already go out of my way to differentiate callers before I have to interact with my device. At certain hours, my phone literally only rings for certain people. The current edge features, for me, pretty much just expand on that sort of thing. I'm hoping to be able to disable the vibrate function in certain situations and just rely on the color coding of the Edge screen.
Not to mention I'm guessing 3rd party devs might come up with some relatively nifty apps for the Edge screens sooner or later.
My thing right now is trying to find a case that doesn't stifle the beauty of the device too much while also not hiding the screen edges, yet, still offering some measure of decent protection. Might be an impossible battle (or I'll have to fabricate my own... I have ideas as to how it'd need to be done but I need the device in hand), but I'm waiting to see what my usual case manufacturer (Noreve) comes up with first. I know they always take the time to make their cases highly customized to specific designs of various devices, so if anyone is going to get it right it's them.
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Click to collapse
Hopefully so. Right now, I'm justifying paying more because of
1) aesthetics
2) slightly larger battery
3) slightly smaller form factor
It would be nice to add functionality to that list as well.
There have been a few reviews that have showed the Edge with higher benchmarks and significantly longer battery life over the regular S6. So while that isn't necessarily a function of the curves, there may be some functional difference between the two models with the Edge having the advantage.
I went to best buy and checked both, the S6 feel amazing in the hand,the S6 edge feel weird, because of the small metal border,maybe after you get use to it ,everything will feel normal
YOYO41 said:
I went to best buy and checked both, the S6 feel amazing in the hand,the S6 edge feel weird, because of the small metal border,maybe after you get use to it ,everything will feel normal
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Wait what...they are in Best Buy?
Yes they are at Best Buy, you can check them, but pre order only
Sweet! I'll drive over and check them out
so i went to best buy and tried it out. first impression: the s6 felt better in hand, but the edge is the best looking smartphone on the market. i decided to pre-order the s6 because of the in-hand feeling and so i could save $100 bucks.
a few hours later, i couldn't stand it, so i went back to best buy and played around with the both of them again. i switched my pre-order to the edge version. the infinity pool effect is just so cool, and i was getting used to the sharper frame of the edge. also, it feels really nice to swipe in from the edge, and the curved screen does a great job of not registering inadvertent touches. also, the edge definitely got the most attention. lots of people looking at the edge. brought a friend with me who buys only apple products and he was impressed by the edge right off the bat. i guess in the end i caved, but this is the most excited i've been for a smartphone in a long time.
YOYO41 said:
I went to best buy and checked both, the S6 feel amazing in the hand,the S6 edge feel weird, because of the small metal border,maybe after you get use to it ,everything will feel normal
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I felt the same way about the S6 edge, it was too sharp in the hands. The S6 is more natural feeling like a phone should feel. Granted, the edge is a beautiful device. Now I have to change my pre-order to the regular S6.
EVOme said:
Check this out... Really makes me want to consider the regular S6.
1. I NEVER lay my phone face down.
2. I don't care about the ability to pull my fav contacts in from the side to call or message.
http://www.wired.com/2015/03/galaxy-s6-edge-pointless/
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Agreed. I played with both versions at Best Buy today...the S6 Regular feels much better in the hand to me than the S6 Edge
Opposite for me. The regular felt nice, but the Edge felt perfect. It also felt smaller and lighter in the hand even though the specs show a hairsbreadth of difference.
Hanson68 said:
Opposite for me. The regular felt nice, but the Edge felt perfect. It also felt smaller and lighter in the hand even though the specs show a hairsbreadth of difference.
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Click to collapse
I agree. Plus the S6 does not make me want to upgrade from S5, just another phone, while the Edge has something new about it.
The S6 is a restyled iteration of the Galaxy line. The Edge looks like it stepped off the set of ST:TNG.
It's unique, that's why. First smartphone to have a dual edge screen.
On the 17th, release day here in Europe, I bought my Edge 6. Though that mobile is truly stunning Every time I held it I felt angry with myself for spending 1,000+€ on a mobile. I noticed a fellow poster has also exchanged his Edge for the S6 for the same reason. Just pondering if there are many of us who have done this?
The S6 does all the Edge can do and certainly feels sort of safer in the hand. I genuinely worried when picking up the Edge from a table as it was somewhat dodgy to grip and the fear of dropping such a wonderful phone added to my streSSSSS :silly:
For the first time in making such a purchase I felt buyers remorse. Felt much better when I walked out of the store 255.00 better off. PLUS the S6. :fingers-crossed:
Pleased I made the change. Saved a lot of cash in doing so too! :good: The Edge is arguably THE most aesthetically well designed mobile yet produced, it just looks so modern and superbly constructed. The more simple S6 is easier to handle and an awful lot let expensive., The unique difference being that Edge that to be honest I never used. (had to have one though)
Ryland
Ryland Johnson said:
On the 17th, release day here in Europe, I bought my Edge 6. Though that mobile is truly stunning Every time I held it I felt angry with myself for spending 1,000+€ on a mobile. I noticed a fellow poster has also exchanged his Edge for the S6 for the same reason. Just pondering if there are many of us who have done this?
The S6 does all the Edge can do and certainly feels sort of safer in the hand. I genuinely worried when picking up the Edge from a table as it was somewhat dodgy to grip and the fear of dropping such a wonderful phone added to my streSSSSS :silly:
For the first time in making such a purchase I felt buyers remorse. Felt much better when I walked out of the store 255.00 better off. PLUS the S6. :fingers-crossed:
Pleased I made the change. Saved a lot of cash in doing so too! :good: The Edge is arguably THE most aesthetically well designed mobile yet produced, it just looks so modern and superbly constructed. The more simple S6 is easier to handle and an awful lot let expensive., The unique difference being that Edge that to be honest I never used. (had to have one though)
Ryland
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
1.I agree. Storage is important for me. And noticed that I could get an S6 128Gb for the price of the 64gb of the S6 Edge.
2.Less accessories. No S view cover for the edge. The S6 has both that and the clear cover. Screen protectors are also becoming important for me: wont use my brand new device without one installed. And so far no true glass screen protector for the edge.
3.The edge doesnt really do much of anything usefull.
4.Im going to get the Note 5 in a few months anyways.
So yes...Im starting to think the S6 is the phone for me.
I do miss that emerald green color though.
Mod Edit
I think this should carry on here:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/galaxy-s6/general/s6-s6-edge-t3043748
Thread closed
malybru
Forum Moderator
Hello, hello!
I got the Note 5 on Friday and, I have to say, it's a wonderful phone. I started out on the G1 waaaaaay back when so I've been through a few
The Note 5 is pretty dang awesome. I had a ... hmmm... was it Alliance rom? I think? On the S5 and loved the phone but I was due for an upgrade and decided to go for it. I can't go into super technical details on things but, man. so good. the display is gorgeous, the camera is beautiful and really really really fast (as in click-snap) and the whole phone is just smooth. I've yet to run into any lag despite all the various programs I run. The WiFi has been great and solid and just a titch strong than the S5 for me. I can be in my car outside the house and still get a little bit of a signal whereas the S5 wouldn't. The speaker is okay. It's loud enough and I appreciate that it's not on the rear of the device any more but it's not super great.
Wireless charging is very good. I have the $15 chargers from Amazon (Yoo something or other) and a slim Ringke case that's more to protect the camera lens than anything else. Battery life is... uhhh... it's okay. Definitely burns through battery faster than my S5. I haven't really messed with the pen since that's not a huge thing for me but I do doodle so I'll probably grab Sketchbook and try it out. I like that it's at least a little pressure sensitive.
The fingerprint scanner! It actually works! I tried this briefly on the S5 when I first got it and immediately turned it off. On the Note 5, I actually have it as my (corporate policy required) unlock mechanism. I trained it with my right thumb vertically and it'll read it vertically or horizontally. The only time it's failed has been my fault so far. I honestly really like it. It's very quick at reading the fingerprint.
So, yeah! I see a lot of negative posts and figured I'd chime in with what I liked. I should note that I wasn't bummed out by the lack of SD card. I don't install a huge amount on the phone and I periodically move off photos into long term storage. However, lack of battery removal does suck so I'll see how that goes. Not a huge deal breaker as long as it doesn't give me crap.
the olny thing you may be missing out on with the verizon note 5 is samsung pay http://www.zdnet.com/article/verizon-may-support-samsung-pay-in-the-u-s-or-it-may-not/
Mod Edit
Please continue this discussion here:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/note5/general/note5-user-reviews-opinions-t3190343
Thread closed
malybru
Forum Moderator