So I've had the 6+ for about 9 months, and I'm bored with it. I can't go back to smaller screens, not even 5.1", so I look around at LG, Nexus and Samsung. The LG just felt a little bit odd in my hand and first impressions (all of 2 minutes) of their UI made me feel like I was holding a kid's toy.
Nexus 6... nice screen, screen size wow'ed me. $349? Midnight Blue please! Ordered from Best Buy and it took more than a week for availability. Once I got it in hand with a Spigen Neo Hybrid case on, I realized it was simply too HUGE. I returned it the very next day. But I did like the little I saw of Lollipop. Back to the 6+ I go...
Two weeks pass and I read a lot about the Moto X and the upcoming Pure Edition. Placed my order for the Moto X Pure and received it in 3 days. Used it for a week and really, really liked it! I continued reading reviews and other users' experiences, and of course comparisons to the Note 4 and 5. My teen-aged daughter's S4 started to malfunction (discovered it was a stuck power button), so I let her use the XPE. Back to the 6+ I go...! But I continue reading about the comparisons and the Note 4 began to intrigue me. I saw one for auction on eBay, and on a whim, I dropped a bid that was $10 over the current winning bid... 30 minutes later I became the owner of a near-mint white 32GB Note 4.
A few days later, the N4 arrived, in mint condition, if I didn't know it was used, I'd think it was new. Did all the checks and examinations and I believe it's not a counterfeit but the genuine article. See ya later XPE, back to Motorola you go! Here's my initial take on the Note 4:
- Screen... great size, brightness, colors, and resolution
- Camera is superb
- Size... hits the sweet spot, very comparable to the XPE and 6+
- Nova Launcher Prime and the ability to use icon packs (no such flexibility with iOS)
- Wireless charging... slipped in a receiver coil and I'm good to go
- Available accessories... like the iPhone, there a multitude to choose from; there was a very, very limited selection available for the XPE.
- Battery life so far has far exceeded the 6+ and XPE
- Gotta learn what makes this SPen useful, haven't quite read up on it yet.
I've got a few questions though:
1. I really like the format of the Photo Gallery in iOS, and have never liked it in Samsung. Any available Gallery apps available to give me what I want?
2. I liked the feature on the XPE that showed the time and notification banners whenever my hand came near the screen, or I moved (or picked up) the phone. It was great taking the phone out of my pocket to instantly see the time and notifications without having to press a button. I see how Air Wave works, but can I wake the screen by just moving the phone?
3. Music.. I have approx 100 songs I bought on iTunes, Double Twist can't access them because of the copy protection from Apple (I stopped buying music on iTunes because of this). Any way around that?
4. Cases... I like minimalistic cases like the Spigen Neo Hybrid and Air Cushion, rejected the Thin Fit because the top and bottom edges are not protected. The Slim Armor is too slippery. Anyone using the Tough Armor? I have the TA for my 6+ and it is one of my preferred cases because it actually allows more grip than most, but retains a VERY slim profile. The TA for the Note 4 looks very bulky in photos, and I want to stay away from bulk. I seem to be stuck on Spigen these last few years, but would not mind trying another brand (I have the i-Blason Clear Case on order right now). I've read so many case threads and "Best Case" reviews from CNET, phonearena, etc., that all say the same thing... Any recommendations from actual owners?
If you've read this entire thread, thanks for taking the time to do so. I look forward to another year or so with the Note 4, at least until the new phone bug bites again. Cheers!
Nexus 6... nice screen, screen size wow'ed me. $349? Midnight Blue please! Ordered from Best Buy and it took more than a week for availability. Once I got it in hand with a Spigen Neo Hybrid case on, I realized it was simply too HUGE. I returned it the very next day. But I did like the little I saw of Lollipop. Back to the 6+ I go...
Two weeks pass and I read a lot about the Moto X and the upcoming Pure Edition. Placed my order for the Moto X Pure and received it in 3 days. Used it for a week and really, really liked it! I continued reading reviews and other users' experiences, and of course comparisons to the Note 4 and 5. My teen-aged daughter's S4 started to malfunction (discovered it was a stuck power button), so I let her use the XPE. Back to the 6+ I go...! But I continue reading about the comparisons and the Note 4 began to intrigue me. I saw one for auction on eBay, and on a whim, I dropped a bid that was $10 over the current winning bid... 30 minutes later I became the owner of a near-mint white 32GB Note 4.
A few days later, the N4 arrived, in mint condition, if I didn't know it was used, I'd think it was new. Did all the checks and examinations and I believe it's not a counterfeit but the genuine article. See ya later XPE, back to Motorola you go! Here's my initial take on the Note 4:
- Screen... great size, brightness, colors, and resolution
- Camera is superb
- Size... hits the sweet spot, very comparable to the XPE and 6+
- Nova Launcher Prime and the ability to use icon packs (no such flexibility with iOS)
- Wireless charging... slipped in a receiver coil and I'm good to go
- Available accessories... like the iPhone, there a multitude to choose from; there was a very, very limited selection available for the XPE.
- Battery life so far has far exceeded the 6+ and XPE
- Gotta learn what makes this SPen useful, haven't quite read up on it yet.
I've got a few questions though:
1. I really like the format of the Photo Gallery in iOS, and have never liked it in Samsung. Any available Gallery apps available to give me what I want?
2. I liked the feature on the XPE that showed the time and notification banners whenever my hand came near the screen, or I moved (or picked up) the phone. It was great taking the phone out of my pocket to instantly see the time and notifications without having to press a button. I see how Air Wave works, but can I wake the screen by just moving the phone?
3. Music.. I have approx 100 songs I bought on iTunes, Double Twist can't access them because of the copy protection from Apple (I stopped buying music on iTunes because of this). Any way around that?
4. Cases... I like minimalistic cases like the Spigen Neo Hybrid and Air Cushion, rejected the Thin Fit because the top and bottom edges are not protected. The Slim Armor is too slippery. Anyone using the Tough Armor? I have the TA for my 6+ and it is one of my preferred cases because it actually allows more grip than most, but retains a VERY slim profile. The TA for the Note 4 looks very bulky in photos, and I want to stay away from bulk. I seem to be stuck on Spigen these last few years, but would not mind trying another brand (I have the i-Blason Clear Case on order right now). I've read so many case threads and "Best Case" reviews from CNET, phonearena, etc., that all say the same thing... Any recommendations from actual owners?
If you've read this entire thread, thanks for taking the time to do so. I look forward to another year or so with the Note 4, at least until the new phone bug bites again. Cheers!
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