Moving back to Android phone (is the DNA the phone to buy?)

**scottfish** · 01-02-2013, 12:28 PM

After playing with my Nexus 7 (this thing gets the smaller form factor right), I am ready to go back to Android from iOS.

So I want to hit the Verizon store and buy a new phone. Since I get an upgrade in June, I am going to pay full price this go round and sell my iPhone to offset price. This way I can upgrade in 6 months if some killer phone is announced in the next few months.

The Note 2 is simply too big for me. I am a big guy at 6' and 235 lbs on a good day, but if it doesn't fit in my jeans or khakis pocket, I don't want it as a phone.

The Droid DNA seems to be quite a phone, but the battery is a question mark. I was worried at first, but heard Phil on the AC podcast talk about how it wasn't bad. Can other DNA owners weigh in on this?

If not the Note 2 or DNA, is there some other top end phone on Verizon that I am missing? I definitely want to have a powerful phone if I am going to drop the $$ to pick one up.

**ZachA** · 01-02-2013, 01:30 PM

How about the S3 it has a 4.8 screen removable battery and expandable storage unlike the DNA.

Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Android Central Forums

**scottfish** · 01-02-2013, 01:42 PM

I completely forgot about the S3. It's funny because it feels like it's been out for so long now. I didn't really realize how relevant it still is.

**Cattails_r_Edible** · 01-02-2013, 02:06 PM

DNA is twice the phone that the s3 is! HTC sense is ten times better than tuchwizz!

Mosquitoes Refuse To Bite Me

**juststart** · 01-03-2013, 11:23 PM

I really liked the maxx hd.

Sent from my LG-LS970 using Android Central Forums

**scottfish** · 01-04-2013, 09:00 AM

I may look to grab a refurb S3 to tide me over. Thanks for the input folks.

**gollum18** · 01-04-2013, 09:30 AM

Sense is a resource hog more than touchwiz is and htcs phones are infamous for failed multitasking. But that's just my two cents. Why not wait until April/may until the s4 comes out. It has spen functionality as well as the quad core exynos with 3gb of ram.

Sent from my SPH-L710 using Tapatalk 2

**dasDestruktion** · 01-04-2013, 10:21 AM

If you're going to go with the S3, check craigslist in your area. I've noticed a slew of S3s being listed here in Washington DC. That way you're not screwed into a new contract or waste an upgrade!

Just be careful, meet in person (preferably at a VZW store to check ESN and get a new LTE sim if necessary), etc. You know the deal.

The thing I hate about many new, non-Samsung, devices is the lack of removable storage. Google encouraging the internal storage with MTP and unified file system is *only* an attempt at forcing people into their cloud services. Thank you Samsung for not giving in!

**epicness4G** · 01-04-2013, 10:27 AM

How can the note 2 not fit in your pocket. Let alone your hands at that size? Unless you're wearing really tight skinny jeans. The note 2 is the best phone out at the moment. 2GB of ram 1.6 quad core Exynos. Battery way better than The razr maxx hd (lol). Removable battery, better ecosystem and software, s-pen functionality, removable storage, better camera, better UI...

I came from an iphone 5 and now I've gotten used to this phone and its so perfect. Give it a chance you have a return policy

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I317 using Tapatalk 2

**scottfish** · 01-04-2013, 11:58 AM

Originally Posted by epicness4G

How can the note 2 not fit in your pocket. Let alone your hands at that size? Unless you're wearing really tight skinny jeans.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I317 using Tapatalk 2

Not sure what kind of jeans you wear, but I just measured the depth of my pocket (size 38 Loose Fit Buffalo Jeans) and the depth of the pocket is five inches. The Note 2 is 5.95 inches tall. Not carrying a phone in my back pocket. That seems absurd and an invitation for disaster.

I have used the phone and think it is awesome. If it were 20% smaller, it'd tick ALL boxes. I guess this is kind of like saying if the DNA had a 20% bigger battery it'd do the same.

**CodyAB30** · 01-04-2013, 06:07 PM

Have had the note 2 for 2 weeks now, fits in every pocket I own. Ill never buy a phone with a smaller screen now that I've got use to it, but that's just personal preference. It is a large device. Honestly If size is your only hesitation I would get it and give it 2 weeks, you can always return it.

**epicness4G** · 01-04-2013, 11:24 PM

Originally Posted by scottfish

Not sure what kind of jeans you wear, but I just measured the depth of my pocket (size 38 Loose Fit Buffalo Jeans) and the depth of the pocket is five inches. The Note 2 is 5.95 inches tall. Not carrying a phone in my back pocket. That seems absurd and an invitation for disaster.

I have used the phone and think it is awesome. If it were 20% smaller, it'd tick ALL boxes. I guess this is kind of like saying if the DNA had a 20% bigger battery it'd do the same.

Well not really. The dna is not quite up to par. And really? I wear size 32 Levis slim fit and the phone fits perfectly fine. Even in my tailored made work dress pants. It even fits in my gfs pocket..... And she's like a double 0 petite...

Grab yourself the phone trust me on this.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I317 using Tapatalk 2

**Kmasum** · 01-04-2013, 11:30 PM

If you have good T-Mobile service in your area , I would recommend nexus 4 without contract

Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk 2

**DroidXcon** · 01-04-2013, 11:30 PM

Originally Posted by CodyAB30

Have had the note 2 for 2 weeks now, fits in every pocket I own. Ill never buy a phone with a smaller screen now that I've got use to it, but that's just personal preference. It is a large device. Honestly If size is your only hesitation I would get it and give it 2 weeks, you can always return it.

This phone is pretty awesome , but of course you can return. I mean , if you can. I doubt you'll want to.

**scottfish** · 01-05-2013, 07:25 AM

Originally Posted by epicness4G

Well not really. The dna is not quite up to par. And really? I wear size 32 Levis slim fit and the phone fits perfectly fine. Even in my tailored made work dress pants. It even fits in my gfs pocket..... And she's like a double 0 petite...

Grab yourself the phone trust me on this.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I317 using Tapatalk 2

I appreciate all of the Note 2 size posts about it fitting in your pockets. Post a pic? I have no reason to think people would just say it fits if it didn't, but I just can't see how it's comfortable.

LOL. No need to post pics. Just went on YouTube and watchd a bunch of really awkward folks doing Samsung Galaxy Note pocket tests.

**eyepaint2** · 01-05-2013, 08:12 AM

So tired of the arguments about the note size. I've had note 1 and note 2. Fits comfortably in every pocket I have. If your pants pockets are only 5 inches deep you need to take off your daughters low rize spandex pants. I put my slick note2 in my pocket and it falls several inches to the bottom of my pocket. And I just wear regular Levi Carpenter pants.
These people who cry about the note size should just keep wearing their Justin beiber skinny jeans and buy a iphone.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I317 using Android Central Forums

**scottfish** · 01-05-2013, 12:49 PM

Originally Posted by eyepaint2

So tired of the arguments about the note size. I've had note 1 and note 2. Fits comfortably in every pocket I have. If your pants pockets are only 5 inches deep you need to take off your daughters low rize spandex pants. I put my slick note2 in my pocket and it falls several inches to the bottom of my pocket. And I just wear regular Levi Carpenter pants.
These people who cry about the note size should just keep wearing their Justin beiber skinny jeans and buy a iphone.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I317 using Android Central Forums

It is very nice of you to make your first post here. Welcome! You are appreciated. As noted, there are no skinny jeans here. Only wear jeans fit for a man (and really, with my build, I have to). Also at my size (and build), I am apt to squash trolls when they are seen in meatspace. I'd reckon your Levi Carpenter pants would have some skid marks if your bold comments were made in person.

. I am sure your rant was all in good fun though..... I can't wait to see your second post.

Back on topic, I came here for advice to begin with, and I am heeding it. I am going to take advantage of the two week rule and try out the Note 2. I hope to be convinced by usage.

**eyepaint2** · 01-05-2013, 01:27 PM

No skid marks here. For every physical threat made be assured there is a counter action to surpass your enormous "build".
That being said, I guess my first mistake was to take out frustrations here for all of the comments I hear on various forums bashing on the size of the Galaxy note. Usually by people who have either never held the phone or have only held it for a minute at the wireless store.

So my sincere advise would be to carry it for a week. That will tell all. Your veiw changes drastically in just a few days. It seems smaller and more manageable every day. And other smaller phones seem dinky and hard to believe that you once considered using them.

My best friend who has been hard core iphone since the first one switched to the note 2 at Xmas. He is still in shock at how small his iphone5 seems now. But he also never carries it in his pants pocket. So your (phone in pocket) experience will just depend on what you consider comfortable I guess.

Let us know how it plays out.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I317 using Android Central Forums

**scottfish** · 01-05-2013, 03:42 PM

I am glad to hear there will be no need for an underwear change. We have counter actions in these parts to, but they have always been less satisfying than making someone say uncle. I figured you were just picking an inopportune time to vent so there was no need to turn it into any sort of immaturity tag.

I picked up the phone just know. Purposely wore the jeans with the 5 inch deep pockets to the store. Although it barely sticks out the top, it does not feel uncomfortable at all. When I think about the bricks we carried around in the nineties, it seems kind of silly to worry about this phone's size, but those things also weren't shaped like Pop-Tarts. I also remember how crazy it was when the V-Tac slid comfortably into the coin pocket of jeans.

Funny about your best friend. I know a guy who went into debt up to his eyeballs with the Apple Store. Then he got an original Note and proclaimed he was free. Said it was all he needed anymore. Never asked him how it played out although I probably should have asked to take advantage of his tech hand me down sale.

**epicness4G** · 01-05-2013, 04:47 PM

Originally Posted by scottfish

I am glad to hear there will be no need for an underwear change. We have counter actions in these parts to, but they have always been less satisfying than making someone say uncle. I figured you were just picking an inopportune time to vent so there was no need to turn it into any sort of immaturity tag.

I picked up the phone just know. Purposely wore the jeans with the 5 inch deep pockets to the store. Although it barely sticks out the top, it does not feel uncomfortable at all. When I think about the bricks we carried around in the nineties, it seems kind of silly to worry about this phone's size, but those things also weren't shaped like Pop-Tarts. I also remember how crazy it was when the V-Tac slid comfortably into the coin pocket of jeans.

Funny about your best friend. I know a guy who went into debt up to his eyeballs with the Apple Store. Then he got an original Note and proclaimed he was free. Said it was all he needed anymore. Never asked him how it played out although I probably should have asked to take advantage of his tech hand me down sale.

Glad to hear you got it! Please do report to us your experience with the phone. I'm sure you'll love it!

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I317 using Tapatalk 2

**eyepaint2** · 01-05-2013, 07:05 PM

I would recommend SwiftKey keyboard right off the bat. The stock keyboard is ok, and I especially like the extra row of dedicated numbers. But there is no spell correct. And the punctuation is clunky to get to. SwiftKey has a punctuation key that you can hold down and slide up to desired character and when you let off it puts it in. Kind of like ios. That's the only thing in ios I missed.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I317 using Android Central Forums

**eyepaint2** · 01-05-2013, 07:06 PM

Also it is 3.99 in the play store but there is a free 30 version you can try. Plus it has several different colored themes.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I317 using Android Central Forums

**Nakrohtap** · 01-05-2013, 07:42 PM

Originally Posted by eyepaint2

So tired of the arguments about the note size. I've had note 1 and note 2. Fits comfortably in every pocket I have. If your pants pockets are only 5 inches deep you need to take off your daughters low rize spandex pants. I put my slick note2 in my pocket and it falls several inches to the bottom of my pocket. And I just wear regular Levi Carpenter pants.
These people who cry about the note size should just keep wearing their Justin beiber skinny jeans and buy a iphone.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I317 using Android Central Forums

Just for the record, I have tried many different brands of jeans and you would be surprised how some of them are totally useless by having shallow pockets. I had some on (somewhat loose fitting) last year when I first got my Nexus. First time in my front pocket, jumped down the steps from my porch and my phone flies out and lands on 3 of the 4 corners on the concrete.
Let's all end the skinny jeans/baggy jeans debate. Not all pockets are created equally. That is all.

Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk 2

**eyepaint2** · 01-05-2013, 08:10 PM

I guess I have been lucky with the pants I have bought in the past few years. My pockets are deep. Lol literally, not figuratively.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I317 using Android Central Forums

**Eclipse2K** · 01-06-2013, 02:36 PM

Originally Posted by scottfish

Not sure what kind of jeans you wear, but I just measured the depth of my pocket (size 38 Loose Fit Buffalo Jeans) and the depth of the pocket is five inches. The Note 2 is 5.95 inches tall. Not carrying a phone in my back pocket. That seems absurd and an invitation for disaster.

I have used the phone and think it is awesome. If it were 20% smaller, it'd tick ALL boxes. I guess this is kind of like saying if the DNA had a 20% bigger battery it'd do the same.

I guess it depends on the type of jeans. I wear boot cut and my pockets would be plenty big. But I agree - I would not put anything in my back pocket. I never do and never will.

Sent from my DROID RAZR HD using Tapatalk 2