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Hi Guys,
I'm at the end of my contract this month, so tempted to get ahold of the Venue Pro. I've seen there are some Firmware issues, so basically I have 2 questions.
1,
Does anyone know where I can get it on a contract in the UK, havent found one yet - or where I can purchase it sim free - preferably contract
2,
How much of a deal breaker is the firmware issue? And how much does it impact the phone
Basically the phone would be perfect - portrait slider is what I need, and WP7 is the dogs.
Cheers Guys
Chris
I love mine. Like you i mainly wanted it for the portrait slider, however i only use it on long emails as the on-screen keyboard is amazing.
I was lucky i guess on issues. I cheaped out and ordered the 8gb with intentions to swap it to 32gb as soon as it arrived, which i did for not only more space but to get around the lockups.
If i had to do it all over again, I "might" have gone with the samsung focus for the better camera since I'm not using the hardware keyboard as much as i thought i would on the DVP. But all in all, i love the look of the phone and it stands out. And it does everything i need it to do.
I might not have much of a voice, but I love my DVP.
I did not experience issues that are expressed on this forum as much. I have not tampered with the registry (well you really cant...) and the only thing i did to modify it was sideload apps using my MS developer license.
Maybe it is because I apparently have the updated firmware?
The people you will find on this forum who stuck around are probably the ones to talk to. I hear domineus has had his since the beginning.
Jragar said:
Hi Guys,
I'm at the end of my contract this month, so tempted to get ahold of the Venue Pro. I've seen there are some Firmware issues, so basically I have 2 questions.
1,
Does anyone know where I can get it on a contract in the UK, havent found one yet - or where I can purchase it sim free - preferably contract
2,
How much of a deal breaker is the firmware issue? And how much does it impact the phone
Basically the phone would be perfect - portrait slider is what I need, and WP7 is the dogs.
Cheers Guys
Chris
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Echo Venelar's statements. I love my Dell. Its really a choice you have to make. You've read the threads. There are people that have received a Dell that just are NOT right...period...there are other people, like myself, who have had little to no problems. Whether one side or the other is in the majority, we'll never know. So, until the fixes are in place and in production, you take that risk...good one...bad one.
Again, like Venelar said, I find myself almost never using the keyboard...almost as in once or twice in 7 months....But, I could not bring myself to get the Focus. Not a Samsung fan for design...and it appeared they had hardware issues that impacted the update ability.
One of the more attractive phones in Europe was said to be the Omnia 7. Don't know if thats available in the UK, but you may want to look it up. Also, the Trophy started out slow with staining on the display, but is turning out to be quite popular. It has a good size and feel to it, though lacks the brilliant display of the focus and VP.
Thanks for the feedback guys.
I currently have a HD7 - which I love to bits, but I do spend alot of time emailing / texting ,and I think with the upcoming addition of facebook chat / windows live and facebook messages that I'm going to use the phone alot more for chatting.
I guess I can see what you mean - the WP7 keyboard is really good - far better than my wm6.5 or android keyboards I've had, but as I trained as a touch typist for a previous job 5 years back, I end up typing really fast and I make far too many mistakes on the touch screen.
I've seen the Omnia 7 - that looks good. But, I'd probably prefer to keep my HD7 over it. But the Dell seems to be a better build quality than the HTC devices - from what I can gather.
Another frustration is that it doesnt appear to be in any of the UK stores - so I just cant get to try it out. I was hoping it would be on a network here, hidden away - I wonder if anyone has found anything out about it?
Thanks again for your input guys - I'll be researching heavily over the next couple of weeks the best way to acquire one of these I think
Hi
I'm based in the UK and have been using my DVP for over 2 months.
1) Haven't seen the phone available directly from carriers yet. I bought mine sim-free from Dell - there are also third parties (e.g. ebuyer.com) selling it significantly cheaper. One thing to be aware of is that many third parties appear to sell the 8GB version whereas Dell sells the 16GB version. You can add a higher-capacity SD card - however, as mentioned above it voids your warranty.
There also seem to be a few websites selling the DVP with a contract, presumably a deal they have put together themselves. If you google 'dell venue pro contract uk', you'll find several. I don't have experience of these sites personally.
2) For my device, the firmware issue basically means that I keep wifi switched off, except for short bursts. With wifi on, the phone becomes unstable. However, with wifi off, I have been using the phone for a couple of months without any crashes or reboots - it has been very stable. Generally, the only time I switch on wifi is to get marketplace updates. Obviously, your mileage may vary.
Personally, I use the hardware keyboard extensively, which was one of my main reasons for choosing the DVP. I find it very comfortable. It doesn't have any cursor keys but that's probably not possible in a portrait keyboard.
Overall, I am happy with my choice of the DVP - it's a very nice device. I wanted a phone with a hardware keyboard, good screen, decent storage capacity and WP7 - the DVP is a perfect fit.
From my perspective, the most positive sign recently is that Dell have finally started communicating re: DVP issues. Much more optimistic now that they are serious about resolving the issues.
Jragar said:
Another frustration is that it doesnt appear to be in any of the UK stores - so I just cant get to try it out.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sadly you can only get it from dell. I waited a good bit before ordering my nexus one because of the same thing. I had never purchased a phone without the chance to hold it. I bit the bullet and ordered the nexus one when they announced stock was getting low and it worked out. I couldn't have been happier with that phone. I guess having that experience go well didn't hold me back from getting the online-only DVP.
And yes, the build quality is amazing. Yeah the phone is heavy, but if you've always used phones with hardware keyboards then it's something that you are used to dealing with. The phone is stout, I love it.
I'm surprise no one started a thread just yet on this so let me be the first. I'm a former Dells streak user and one of those who can't rid myself of the 5 inch display, use it up to the latest rom by Djsteve on streakdroid 2.4. got myself a Gnote for couple of weeks now and is currently on Cassie's literom KL3.
here is my like and dislike with Galaxy note as compare to Streak:
Like:
Super Amoled HD makes streak pixel looks so rough in comparison
For factor, lighter and easier to hold even though screen is 0.2 inch bigger than streak.
GPS lock is blazing fast
Superb Battery life -consider this if you need more juice-http://www.obostore.com/5000mah-extended-battery-for-samsung-galaxy-note-p-3925-c-198.html
Picture and movie quality!
Dislike:
ROM for Note at infancy stage, can't even get launcher to work flawlessly
Can't run many games due to compatibility(screen not maximize or apps cant run)
Physical button location. Streak button is all at the right place for one hand thumb usage and correctly position when use horizontally. (streaker who had migrate will know what i mean)
this is what i can think of and this is not a review, i know its not fair to compare both hardware as both are from a different time and in gadget time, one year means 1 decade in human time
Ex streaker, please share your thoughts.
Streakers, post question if you have any.
I am an ex Streaker who was "forced" to go to a Samsung Infuse when my precious Streak's screen cracked... I have been drooling over the Note for months - only thing holding me back is fear of being shut off by AT&T (I am on an "unlimited" smartphone plan and I do not want to lose that). Great thread - I am curious what the ex streakers think of the Note!
Just waiting for the white Note to be released in the UK then I'll add to this thread ... Hurry up Samsung !!
Sent from my Dell Streak using Tapatalk
Streak
Im an ex streak owner forced to the Note after suprise suprise, breaking the lcd on the streak.
Comparison wise, the streak was good, but im sorry to say the streak is an amateurs toy compared to the note, th Gnote is a real beast humming along, the streak could never compare, as for roms, people can talk Dj Steve all day long, there isnt a single rom on that forum that actually worked as it should have, especially streakdroid.
Whats all this talk of people being cut off their data plans for having a streak, Im on an unlimited data plan in the uk with 3 and no ones ever said anything to me about my data usage, ive heard this a few times on this forum now, is this only an AT&T issue or something??
This device is basically eveything everyone who had the 5" had hoped the opus one would be. Rooting and roming seems to be easier than on the streak too somehow. I only lament it not having nfc or lte or hsdpa2 or 4g connectivity as was stated months back. There will probably be an updated version somewhere along the road too. Rumors already fart in the general direction of 6" too. Which, btw, is basically the maximum i am willing to carry, as long as the bezel ain't too big anyway. The pentile matrix samoled display is a bit of a cheat because it only uses 8 instead of 12 subpixels too. BUT the display is both capacitive AND induktive and the s-pen is basically a wacom stylus pen.
Sent from my GT-N7000 using XDA App
deathpulse said:
I am an ex Streaker who was "forced" to go to a Samsung Infuse when my precious Streak's screen cracked... I have been drooling over the Note for months - only thing holding me back is fear of being shut off by AT&T (I am on an "unlimited" smartphone plan and I do not want to lose that). Great thread - I am curious what the ex streakers think of the Note!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Wow same thing I did lol. Cracked streak screen, switched to infuse and now wanting this ...
Running FLEXSTRIKER using XDA premium
Also an ex Streak user here. I loved the streak at first, but after a few months I got really fed up with its temperamental nature. It was very slow at times and became just a hindrance. I couldn't wait to get rid of it and upgraded to a galaxy s2 as soon as I could. Then a few months after that I saw that the Note had been announced and began drooling over that. Had a few problems with pink spots on S2 camera so I used that as an excuse to complain to Orange UK, got out of the contract early, started a new one and got the Galaxy Note free.
Its just such a different experience to using the Streak. Much faster (although I do think some of the 3rd party launchers were smoother on the streak), much better screen, nicer to hold, s pen is fantastic, and as some others have said...the s2 now feels like a little toy.
Sent from my GT-N7000 using XDA App
Graemeg, don't worry that wont happen on UK networks. Its only US networks that do that for some reason.....it seems absolutely crazy that in this day and age, and in such supposedly free country that that should be allowed to happen.. .what the hell is this world coming to. Come on all you AT &T users, get together and do something about it.
Sent from my GT-N7000 using XDA App
Markhypnosis said:
Graemeg, don't worry that wont happen on UK networks. Its only US networks that do that for some reason.....it seems absolutely crazy that in this day and age, and in such supposedly free country that that should be allowed to happen.. .what the hell is this world coming to. Come on all you AT &T users, get together and do something about it.
Sent from my GT-N7000 using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It looks like AT&T had the wrong IMEIs in its database, and it was incorrectly identifying the Note as a tablet. Apparently it's been fixed.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1402835
what is the deal on LTE for AT&T? Should I wait for the AT&T LTE version - or just go ahead and buy the UK version from Amazon?
I'm an ex-Streaker and have had my Note for about 2 days now (Euro/UK version) I love it. I was about to get a Galaxy Nexus but went into VZW on launch day, held up my Streak to it, and realized I can't go back to a smaller screen (4.65" in ICS is about 4.4" or so due to soft buttons).
I am a former Dell Streak owner / early adopter.
I chase new technology and when I heard of the Note I became consumed with interest.
My Streak was great. I used it a lot. Thankfully, I was able to sell it.
But... the Note is SO MUCH further beyond the Streak. The screen. The feel in hand. The speed. The camera. The OS. Leaps and bounds ahead of the Streak and it's not even close.
But... if I had a small complaint; the Note's side buttons are easy to hit in the gripping process. Sometimes the easy press is good. Sometimes not. But I'm learning to avoid them.
I used to own a streak, and now own a note. This phone really is what the streak should have been. All the djsteve roms couldn't make the streak a frustrationless phone, the note is without modding it.
Everybody thinking about jumping ship, do it!
AT&T
Sorry for all you guys having those issues, thats just awful the way this company has behaved.
Im on the 3 network in the uk, and i know 3 and vodafone allow complete tethering over here, so there never seems to be an issue over it, although 3 are the only network that give TRUE unlimited data to their subscribers.
I do not have home broadband, i do not see the need, my friends are on 21mbps Broadband and even at good times only achieve DL rates of 5mbps, i tether my NOTE via usb tethering and achieve between 6-10mbps DL rates.
Some months ive downloaded about 10 to 20 gig, so, i see no need to ever invest in broadband that will never match what i have now.
I did read that the AT&T issue is now resolved, fingers crossed for you all, the note is probably in the category of a HYBRID as the streak very much was, but this does not give AT&T the right to spoil your enjoyment of the digital age, i hope you guys across the pond have no further issues, its a shambolic statement of corporate America based on greed, but then ive never heard anyone say anything good about them.
Dont get me wrong guys, i dont mean to DIS the streak, for what it was it was nifty, in its day, but it didnt help that the makers were DELL, and the amount of flaws in the item straight from the box in the uk were awful, my friend had 4 on the trot replaced, upon turning it on straight from the box, BOOTLOOPS, lmao, she soon ditched it and demanded a blackberry, i dunno which is worse LOL, then theres the terrible screen issue made of FEATHER glass, drop it from more that 3 inches from the ground and thats ya screen done for..........
What i did love, was how easy it was to customise, flash, reflash, revert to stock, flash, Wow, it really was childs play, this phone really was unbrickable, and i think that was its best feature, but still were very lucky, if Dell had never made and failed with the streak we may never have seen the GNote, SAMSUNG YOU ROCK......GOD BLESS AMERICA, AT&T you suuucccckkkk mannnnn.
I still have my Streak but I really enjoy and like my Note.
Mine should be here Dec 23
Ordered it from Amazon, should be here Friday.
I was also one of those that emailed at&t, and got the same "we screwed up" calls from them saying that it was a computer issue, so after seeing others get the same response, fingers crossed...I ordered it.
One way or another, it WILL work, or at&t will get another call back (lady gave me a number to call back if I had issues)...
Bought my Streak Oct 2010, rooted it to install 2.2 after waiting for at&t to do something, Dell to do something and just did it myself. After various tweaks...it's about as far as I can go. It's been a pretty good device, never really had any issues other than pretty much zero carrier interest or manufacturer interest...when Michael Dell pretty much said screw Android, that was it for me.
---------- Post added at 09:08 PM ---------- Previous post was at 09:02 PM ----------
deathpulse said:
what is the deal on LTE for AT&T? Should I wait for the AT&T LTE version - or just go ahead and buy the UK version from Amazon?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Do they have LTE in your area? If that is a benefit to you, then hold off and hope at&t actually gets it here in the 1st quarter of 2012. Me personally, H+ is about all we'll have for a while, I don't see the market I'm in getting LTE until 2014, if their slow rollout of H then H+ was any indication. Most of the time, other than checking a few emails, maybe a webpage or weather radar, I use wi-fi or hot spots, so the LTE version wasn't a consideration. Also, the branded at&t version won't have the home button, but the 4 capacitive buttons like the streak does, that is if you believe the leaks on the net, plus, I don't think at&t has a branded android device with a home button? or maybe it has something to do with some goofy patent that Apple has LOL.
p51d007 said:
Do they have LTE in your area? If that is a benefit to you, then hold off and hope at&t actually gets it here in the 1st quarter of 2012. Me personally, H+ is about all we'll have for a while, I don't see the market I'm in getting LTE until 2014, if their slow rollout of H then H+ was any indication. Most of the time, other than checking a few emails, maybe a webpage or weather radar, I use wi-fi or hot spots, so the LTE version wasn't a consideration. Also, the branded at&t version won't have the home button, but the 4 capacitive buttons like the streak does, that is if you believe the leaks on the net, plus, I don't think at&t has a branded android device with a home button? or maybe it has something to do with some goofy patent that Apple has LOL.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ya know - I dunno? I am in NYC/NJ area. Would think we are getting LTE early in 2012? How do I find out?
deathpulse said:
what is the deal on LTE for AT&T? Should I wait for the AT&T LTE version - or just go ahead and buy the UK version from Amazon?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I considered the same thing, and got my Note just 2 weeks ago. (I'm in Baltimore)
We do have LTE here(baltimore city), though not where I live(though since I have wifi at home, that point is mute)
I decided to jump on the unlocked deal since I'm out of contract already, and wanted to use a iPad SIM for data only use. I use google voice for text/talk.
It's almost for sure that when ATT gets the Note it will have the snapdragon processor and NOT for exynos. It will possibly loose the physical home button. It will have horrible battery life(or at least worse then H+ version), just as Verizon LTE phones do.
I'm not willing to give those things up for ATT/locked down phone. H+ is very satisfying when browsing and watching netflix. Besides downloading files, I don't see where I need that kind of speed on the go. In Baltimore I get 6-7 down and 1.5-2 up. Not to shabby when I am just loading a few megabytes at a time to check gizmodo or watch a flick.
"Me too" - or rather I will be once the Note arrives. I have had a Streak since Autumn 2010 and it's been "ok" and I love the screen size - being large and fat fingered myself
I finally ordered the Note after seeing the official confirmation of support for ICS earlier this week. I bought from Amazon Germany on Tuesday and it's already showing it's with my local Citylink ("****tylink") this morning. About £100 cheaper from Germany than Amazon in the UK - or at least Amazon UK fulfilled.
I am looking forward to my Note as my Xmas present even if I was expecting it next week.
It arrived after some issue (Xmas I guess) where it lived in their depot in MK for 36 hours. First impressions: The screen is stunning. Same WxH as the Streak but thinner - once it's in it's cheapo case, it's still thinner.
Merry Xmas all
Well I picked up my Edge today. For reference it's the CDMA variant (Au) , not the WCDMA version (docomo). To my complete surprise, for pre ordering the store actually gave me a free Samsung Flip Wallet that normally costs over ¥6000, AND I got ¥5000 worth of store credit (points). Paying in one installment (¥92000) brought the total points to about ¥14,200, plus the case means almost ¥20,000 of "freebies".
Anyway the phone is very very nice. I bought a white Korean Note 4 a few weeks ago and absolutely despised it. The build quality in particular. The Edge is much better, perhaps because the screen slides off, and because it doesn't have that hideous double tapered silver stripe on the frame. I'd been using a Galaxy Alpha for about two months as well and despite my liking the size factor of the Alpha, the Edge really is fantastic.
I'm a bit annoyed by two things however:
1. All notifications appear on the side display. This is particularly annoying when you're trying to type or click something that is covered up by the panel. For example you get a notification and the panel turns on and actually layers itself on top of the content underneath. It's not as if the keyboard or whatnot will resize.
2. The side display will remain blank if you're using an application, and that makes it seem a bit as if the screen isn't being used completely.
Anyway I would be happy to answer any questions people might have. For reference if anyone is thinking about importing one, MAKE SURE it is there docomo version as Au will NOT unlock any devices. Furthermore if you do get the docomo version make sure the seller has unlocked it, as there is a ¥3000+ fee to do so; it's not unlocked by default. Finally make sure the seller has paid for the device in FULL as Japan has ESN slates as well these days and if they paid in installments (resulting in ¥0 upfront cost) and don't pay the bill, you may wind up with a locked device.
I have attached a pic of the box, in comparison to the (Korean) Alpha box.
Sorry for the horrible quality. The forms don't let you upload larger file sizes...
wow congrats congrats are u the first consumer to own it? hahahaha.
how much total did you spend?
ok you mentioned you have a note 4 as well, did you compare the screens side to side? what can you say?
does it come with the scrolling animation that seems to "race" to the edge screen?
spen works as good as in the note 4?
last question: how many stocks left? lol
---------- Post added at 06:12 PM ---------- Previous post was at 06:07 PM ----------
oh and i forgot, is the gear vr released there too? can you confirm if it doesnt fit at all or not compatible?
Hello. I was the first person at the store to buy it, but there were at least two others filling out contract paperwork to get one so definitely not the only person.
For reference the Note 4 is *NOT* being released here, ONLY the Edge. This is quite bizarre, as every previous Note was released, and given that Samsung itself allegedly can't make more than 1 million of these units before the end of the year, I don't know why it deemed this a good decision (supply issues). Then again it's possible that either not many Japanese buy phablets, or it wants to guarantee the full production run sells out.
Anyway I spent ¥92,880. This is roughly $900US. In Japan there are only two options for purchasing a phone: either pay in full (no carrier subsidiary) or pay 0 upfront and have a monthly installment. A discount of about ¥2000 is applied to the contract each month for two years either way, and in this fashion the carriers claim the price is actually lower than the full retail.
Unfortunately I don't have the Note 4 next to me anymore, having sold it a few days ago. When I had the Note 4 however, I did compare it to the Edge working store display model and it looked essentially the same, though obviously a bit smaller.
I'm not sure what scrolling animation you mean, but it does scroll up and down, yes.
As for the stock... The store I went to was one of the larger chain electronics stores in Tokyo and it looked like they only had about 10 units on the shelf. Of course some might have been in the back for pre orders. And this was only Au. Docomo may have had more inventory.
The Gear VR isn't on sale here to my knowledge, and there doesn't seem to be any press material for it either. I don't think it's been released outside Korea.
that is weird to sell the note edge first instead of the note 4 hehe.
anyway, here is the animation i was talking about invisiblesense posted it in another thread
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k1sLZHppKEw
Oh I meant I sold the Note 4 first.
If you're referring to the animation at the beginning of the video, yes it does do that. It actually works better than on the original demo models that were put on display here back in mid September.
Those demo models had one odd point: The "About Phone" option was nowhere to be found on the Settings menu. I tried finding it for several minutes but couldn't.
Everything works rather smoothly now.
great congrats im sure a lot of people like me are jealous haha. even hte note 4 is not released here in saudi
That's great, im in the US still waiting for a date. The $900 price sounds nice tho.
Well $900 is more or less now much all phones cost here these days. So it's actually not much more expensive than the Note 3 was in Japan last year.
I think the FCC certified the Edge this past week so it should probably release within the next few weeks.
Congrats! Which color did they have in the store and which one you selected? Can you post a picture?
TokyoGuy said:
Well $900 is more or less now much all phones cost here these days. So it's actually not much more expensive than the Note 3 was in Japan last year.
I think the FCC certified the Edge this past week so it should probably release within the next few weeks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I heard that we are waiting for Verizon to pass fcc then we should be getting a release shortly after that
Sent from my SM-N900T using XDA Free mobile app
Congratulations! Very happy for you!
I ended up buying Note 4 because I didn't want to wait for ages. Will put N4 on sale as soon as I hear of a release date for UK.
JoganJani said:
Congrats! Which color did they have in the store and which one you selected? Can you post a picture?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Only the black color released yesterday. The white won't be avaliable until the middle of November.
I guess dege catch more eyes than iphone6, share our experience when you use it and how others reaction.
Does the phone also have a LED notification light? How many apps can you put on the edge panel? Can you add more than one app panel? I would like to place a bunch of my favorite apps on the edge panel. Have you tried any aftermarket keyboards like Swift key?
this is what i interested about the Edge.
can the Edge screen able to stream live stock quotes (not delayed quotes)?
Are shops in Japan selling the Note Edge sim free?
invisiblesense said:
Are shops in Japan selling the Note Edge sim free?
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Click to collapse
Nothing in Japan is sold SIM free from the carriers. The Au version, which I have, cannot be unlocked. The docomo version can be unlocked by docomo for about $35. It must be done at the store however and thus if you buy one make sure to verify the seller has unlocked it AND paid for it in full or else you risk ESN problems.
blitz118 said:
Does the phone also have a LED notification light? How many apps can you put on the edge panel? Can you add more than one app panel? I would like to place a bunch of my favorite apps on the edge panel. Have you tried any aftermarket keyboards like Swift key?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes it has a notification light to the left of the earpiece. The Edge panel can scroll up and down, so it's not a problem if the list is longer than the space available. Yes I've used SwiftKey, but when activated the Edge panel will actually place itself over the keyboard...
As for the person who asked about stocks. I will check and get back to you.
TokyoGuy said:
Nothing in Japan is sold SIM free from the carriers. The Au version, which I have, cannot be unlocked. The docomo version can be unlocked by docomo for about $35. It must be done at the store however and thus if you buy one make sure to verify the seller has unlocked it AND paid for it in full or else you risk ESN problems.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you!
I hope you don't mind answering some questions I had - apologies if you have already answered any.
1. Now that you've had the phone for a day, what are your thoughts on the Edge screen?
Have you experienced any accidental launching of apps?
2. Since you also had Note 4, does this feel ackward to handle?
3. How is the battery life so far?
4. Is the band around the phone made of metal or plastic?
5. Overall, are you impressed with it?
6. Anything you don't like about the note edge thus far?
Many thanks in advance!
The Axon7 seems to press most of the right buttons - QHD OLED screen, microsd slot, USB-C etc - and also great sound which for me is a bonus. However, I am concerned about the reports of poor reception / signal quality, especially since the 4G signal where I am is pretty low.
Is this an issue for many? Has there been any improvement? Is it still something to be concerned about? I'd appreciate your thoughts.
Thanks
EDIT: I am in the UK, btw. Should I go for the A2017G or A2107U? I hear bad things about the A2017G but not sure the A2017U supports all the LTE bands I would need?
A2017G is good.
A2017U is good.
Its up to you which you want to buy, im not having many problems with the G and the support in Europe is good for me plus comes with a 3 year warranty which ive taken use of already.
Who is your cell phone carrier? I have the U variant and I reside within the states.. Signal is good for me. I don't live in a rural town, has 4g but not the same way a big city like Los Angeles does.
I've never had any dropped calls, text messages that wouldn't send etc.
Signal improved a lot with b27 update I think it was.
The US variant gets better updates from what I understand.
rikin93 said:
A2017G is good.
A2017U is good.
Its up to you which you want to buy, im not having many problems with the G and the support in Europe is good for me plus comes with a 3 year warranty which ive taken use of already.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks. Anything I should take note of?
You won't need a fire extinguisher anymore.
adampdx said:
You won't need a fire extinguisher anymore.
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Click to collapse
You mean a kevlar suit and bomb disposal gear. Never far from my side, lest it should go off at any moment.
adampdx said:
You won't need a fire extinguisher anymore.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You mean a kevlar suit and bomb disposal gear. Never far from my side, lest it should go off at any moment.
It's SUCH a worry, I don't know how I sleep at nights.
When I got the phone here in the US there was a 30 day period where you could return the phone if you didn't like it. If there's something like that in the UK, I'd go that route. In my opinion, there's no better way to know how you'll like a phone till you experience it in your day-to-day use
I, for one, do not regret my purchase. Even on stock it's still an improvement from my Nexus 5. The build quality is great and I'm even fine under the stock ROM- though I did eventually switch to CyanogenMod.
If you're in it for customization I'd probably go to another phone such as the OnePlus, throw down some cash for a Pixel, or get a Nexus 5x or 6p and wait for the next interesting phone to come out.
Chippy_boy said:
Thanks. Anything I should take note of?
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Not really! You wont be able to find the phone on sale in the UK anymore so it would have to be from Amazon Germany where they wont send you a three pin charger, you'll need to find an adapter for that in Poundland.
Id say the amount of updates theyve given the EU is nothing to think bad off, they may be a bit slower than the USA but the updates are continuously coming and improving the phone.
At the end of the day there are still many guides on how to unlock the bootloader, root and flash for A2017U and A2017G so theres not a big difference in the phones. The only main difference i see is the headphone output volume in the EU is a bit lower than the USA but this can be fixed with root.
Its really up to you, but i really enjoyed the 3 year warranty they gave:
-Please be noted -----
ZTE provides VIP service for Axon7 customers in UK/Germany/Spain/France/Italy/Russia. you can benefit from the Axon VIP service as follow:
1.ZTE provide an additional one-year warranty for your product after the expiration of the standard warranty； Europe countries increased from 2 years to 3 years, Russia from 1 year to two years.
2.ZTE provide one free screen replacement for the accidental screen damage within 6 months from the date of the first purchase；
3.ZTE provide one free liquid damage repair within the manufacturer warranty period；
Unofficial Root Guide for G version:
https://forum.xda-developers.com/ax...k-bl-flash-t3517379/post70041680#post70041680
Hope all this helps.
I would say, maybe let's see what the nougat update will be made off first.
As for me, I have it since more than 2 months now (A2017G, I'm coming from a galaxy note 2) and honestly all the software quirks are really frustrating when added up, it just feels clunky overall (bad translation doesn't help either, but I guess it should be okay in english, I use it in french). There is energy management that is half assed and very amateurish (hello app killer on lock), the dolby app always resetting itself, the camera very hard to use in moderate light environment (even inside with ceiling lighting), erratic multitasking, synchronization delays, notification glitches on lock screen, etc. I for one still have signal issues: get continuous connection/disconnection from a particular WiFi access point (the only device which ever did that), 4G working but suddenly can't connect to any server, stuff like that.
There is also the general "unsmoothness" of the OS: jerky notification panel scroll down, sudden change of brightness before auto lock instead of a gradual one, double vibration on press when pressing once a capacitive button, displaying the lock screen for a quarter of a sec before the home screen when finger unlocking, etc.
That's why I would want to see what they baked in a major update, maybe everything will feel smooth and resolved at last or maybe it will have gotten even worse: it'll be a good measure in term of what you can except from the devs from then on.
The hardware is mostly great though: sturdy build and high end components. The sound is a bonus like you said because it isn't that great either with the A2017G, listening with a headset/earphone seems to have been improved on the last build (slightly more volume on the last notch) but the speakers aren't very loud and can start to hiss... it sure isn't a must buy feature. There is also the capacitive button... I'm pretty sure nobody is completely satisfied with them, they'll just do: bad spacing and above all no backlighting which is inexplicable (see the ZTE Nubia which have the same backlit keys for instance), so it's hard to get used to them in the dark (at least with a galaxy note you have a physical button at the center which help find the capacitive keys on the side). The vibration when touching them when haptic feedback is enabled is also too strong and make their use uncomfortable for me. Now there is Mi-Pop if you want some kind of on screen navigation buttons but like everything ZTE has baked, they are quite half assed and the UX is bad: you need to slide it once in order to have other buttons appearing which is very tedious, so you will just use the one always displayed...
It's not a bad phone per se but months after its release it's still crippled with software bugs, the dev process is rather slow and there will be a time not that far in the future when all work on it will be stopped and things'll be let unfinished.
Now if you plan on installing third party roms (effectively one for now I guess) it could be a whole other story, but I've not tested them so I can't tell much about them.
I have the USA variant. Everywhere I have been in the SE US the reception is roughly the same as my iPhone 6s+ on T-Mobile. So I don't really see any issues with it honestly.
Thank-you very much to everyone who's replied. I really appreciate your thoughts and comments.
I don't mean to hijack this thread but I've been thinking about getting the ZTE Axon 7 a lot as well to replace my aging OnePlus One and I'm also in the UK. I originally was saving up to get the Note 7 like you but of course, the big fiasco happened and I never got a chance to get it. This phone seems to tick most, if not all, the boxes that the Note 7 does. I missed out on getting the Axon 7 on Amazon UK a couple times now and I don't really want to pay more for it from Amazon Germany. I've stumbled across a ZTE Axon 7 being sold for £337 on GearBest and they say that it's the A2017G version which I might bite the bullet and buyit but in case it's the A2017 Chinese version, it wouldn't work here right? Also, I too am worried from what I've read around XDA about cell signal problems, the annoying quirks of the software, lesser priority to updates, no unlocked bootloader and the biggest issue of all, the EU law limit on audio levels and really bad dolby atmos problems.
Mibutastic said:
I don't mean to hijack this thread but I've been thinking about getting the ZTE Axon 7 a lot as well to replace my aging OnePlus One and I'm also in the UK. I originally was saving up to get the Note 7 like you but of course, the big fiasco happened and I never got a chance to get it. This phone seems to tick most, if not all, the boxes that the Note 7 does. I missed out on getting the Axon 7 on Amazon UK a couple times now and I don't really want to pay more for it from Amazon Germany. I've stumbled across a ZTE Axon 7 being sold for £337 on GearBest and they say that it's the A2017G version which I might bite the bullet and buyit but in case it's the A2017 Chinese version, it wouldn't work here right? Also, I too am worried from what I've read around XDA about cell signal problems, the annoying quirks of the software, lesser priority to updates, no unlocked bootloader and the biggest issue of all, the EU law limit on audio levels and really bad dolby atmos problems.
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Debenhams sell it and had it in stock last time I checked a day or so ago.
Chippy_boy said:
Debenhams sell it and had it in stock last time I checked a day or so ago.
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They are overpricing it quite a bit with their £410 price tag. I have no clue where they got their pricing for the Axon 7 and they have the balls to say it's a savings of £89. Amazon UK was selling the gold and grey versions for £359 before they went out of stock. As of the time of writing this, Amazon Spain currently is selling at the lowest price with the grey version in stock which is the colour that I want for €434.99 = £377 if I wanted to buy it from a more secure source. GearBest is a chinese retailer that caters to global market but I have purchased items from them before and their customer service is great. I'm just not sure whether to take the plunge or not on this phone.
Mibutastic said:
They are overpricing it quite a bit with their £410 price tag. I have no clue where they got their pricing for the Axon 7 and they have the balls to say it's a savings of £89. Amazon UK was selling the gold and grey versions for £359 before they went out of stock. As of the time of writing this, Amazon Spain currently is selling at the lowest price with the grey version in stock which is the colour that I want for €434.99 = £377 if I wanted to buy it from a more secure source. GearBest is a chinese retailer that caters to global market but I have purchased items from them before and their customer service is great. I'm just not sure whether to take the plunge or not on this phone.
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Inflation + Brexit.
rikin93 said:
Inflation + Brexit.
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Indeed. The weak pound pushed UK prices for things like this up at a stroke.
Mibutastic said:
They are overpricing it quite a bit with their £410 price tag. I have no clue where they got their pricing for the Axon 7 and they have the balls to say it's a savings of £89. Amazon UK was selling the gold and grey versions for £359 before they went out of stock. As of the time of writing this, Amazon Spain currently is selling at the lowest price with the grey version in stock which is the colour that I want for €434.99 = £377 if I wanted to buy it from a more secure source. GearBest is a chinese retailer that caters to global market but I have purchased items from them before and their customer service is great. I'm just not sure whether to take the plunge or not on this phone.
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You'd have to pay VAT + Duty on the £337 from Gearbest, wouldn't you? Which would make it about £420, unless I am missing something?
FWIW, based on feedback here and research elsewhere, I have decided not to buy one myself. I'm sticking with my Note 7 until a more suitable replacement can be found here in the UK. I'd be tempted by a Huawei Mate 9 Pro, but it's very expensive and I'd have to import a Chinese one, which I don't want to do.
Chippy_boy said:
You'd have to pay VAT + Duty on the £337 from Gearbest, wouldn't you? Which would make it about £420, unless I am missing something?
FWIW, based on feedback here and research elsewhere, I have decided not to buy one myself. I'm sticking with my Note 7 until a more suitable replacement can be found here in the UK. I'd be tempted by a Huawei Mate 9 Pro, but it's very expensive and I'd have to import a Chinese one, which I don't want to do.
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I've not bought anything that expensive from them before so I'm not sure how much I would have to pay but they usually ship it with lower value declaration to avoid custom charges. I've not had to pay any custom charges so far but everything was under £100.
I'm kind of leaning towards waiting to see what happens in the near future as well. Not only to see what future updates will do for this phone but new phones waiting to be released. I feel like ZTE REALLY dropped the ball with this phone especially in Europe starting with the abysmal launch and supply issues for European markets and the unreliable software. I'm glad my Oneplus One is still going strong after 2.5 years and with custom ROMs.
---------- Post added at 02:15 PM ---------- Previous post was at 02:12 PM ----------
rikin93 said:
Inflation + Brexit.
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Don't get me started on Brexit. Lol
I don't know how people in this country are still cheering for Brexit.
Well big V is going to start blocking calls ...So I bought an N4 on ebay last night to tie me over until the N8 comes out. I suspect there will be many of us coming home.
Looking forward to getting back into the customization game again. haven't done it much since my N2.
Hopefully it's gotten easier
same here. the note 4 from ebay arrives today. time to locate a rom for it - any suggestions?
btw, the rep who submitted my cancellation form today reluctantly admitted i can keep the note 7 at my own risk.
We had a good run, but I reluctantly re-activated my Note4 a couple minutes ago and will be*sending my Note7 to meet its maker this afternoon.
As much as I enjoy the prospect of getting back into customization, it was*a surprising relief to not*feel that it was a necessity for the last 5 months.*It's all a bit bitter-sweet.
serusaert said:
same here. the note 4 from ebay arrives today. time to locate a rom for it - any suggestions?
btw, the rep who submitted my cancellation form today reluctantly admitted i can keep the note 7 at my own risk.
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So they aren't going to make you pay for it?
that's what the phone rep said after a spiel about it being at my own risk - which mean that the "may" qualifier in their nastygram seems to be in order to enable their scare tactics so as to get as many back as possible in order to reduce any liability they may face.
I just got back from a big V store...the rep had an N7 in his pocket he said he used as a media player....so I guess we can keep our phones if we want to....hope that's not like Obama's promise about my doctor...(I went there).
sudermatt said:
Well big V is going to start blocking calls ...So I bought an N4 on ebay last night to tie me over until the N8 comes out. I suspect there will be many of us coming home.
Looking forward to getting back into the customization game again. haven't done it much since my N2.
Hopefully it's gotten easier
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Big V can suck it lol note 3.5. isn't SIM LOCKED ( lil joke hehe. I mean it's really just a tricked note 3 . Not that I dislike it mind you . Clearly has its fans but it's like they. Reinvent the wheel with the. 2 and 3 . I just expected the same . Still take it all day over that terrible edge garbage)