Anyone else exchanging Galaxy Note for the Lumia 900?

[GMJeff]

I carry both the Note and a Samsung Focus S. I had a GS2 which I traded in for the Note.

I have used Windows Phone since they were released last year when I bought the original Focus. I love the Metro interface, and am one user looking forward to Windows 8. Windows Phone was also a no-brainer for me because of the Hotmail, Xbox Live and Zune integration on the phones. All of which I use on a daily basis.

The iPhone 4 I had was just getting on my nerves. I literally felt like the phone was not enough for me. But there were apps that I was using on a regular basis that I still wanted to use. That is why I bought my first Android phone. Most developers were starting to port their apps over to Android, so I could still use some of my favorite apps without being locked into the Apple machine. By the way, I think itunes blows.

So now I have both Android with the Note and Windows Phone with the Focus S. I do use my Windows Phone as my primary device, with the Note as an overly large Ipod per se, for media consumption.

The specs for Windows Phone devices is not great, but it runs the OS as smooth as a dual core processor. The OS is still young, yes, but it can be as robust as iOS or Android, just without all of the clutter.

As for the marketplace, yes, there are far fewer apps than on the other two OS's, but Windows Phone is trying to get a lot of integrated features, so downloading some of the favorite apps like facebook or Twitter is unneccesary. Apollo is supposed to bring the free reign of hardware to Windows Phone, but Microsoft has already stated that the OS is running comfortably on current hardware.

Sorry for the long post.

 

[Beacio_mo]

I have the Nokia Lumia 900 currently and I'm planning on exchanging it for the Note. I have had numerous iPhones and have been trying several phones and abusing return policies lol. I have tried the Galaxy S2, the Skyrocket, and the Samsung Focus Flash. WP7 is great, but I don't think it's right for me.

I like the camera on the 900, it's not as bad as some of the reviews put it, the keyboard is pretty accurate, and the screen isnt too bad. Live tiles are pretty neat as well and the OS is very smooth. This was the first phone that I have not had to adjust the screen brightness on when in the automatic setting. There are numerous great features, but there are some real negatives.

1. I can't find a single wired headset set that works with it (none of my old iPhone or Skullcandy headsets work) that aren't $100+

2. Going from a retina display to 800x480 is very noticeable. Text looks jagged, pictures don't look as smooth as they should.

3. Im looking to get rid of my Touchpad with ICS and move to just a phone for work, instead of a phone and tablet. The 900 is not a tablet replacement where the Note can do it. (not really a negative to the phone, more of my needs but shows that WP7 is not a tablet replacement)

4. I use Google Music a lot and there is no app to save music offline like on iOS and Android.

5. I hear chimes on my phone but I have no idea what they are for as none of my tiles show the update. As mentioned before by other reviewers, WP7 definitely needs a notification bar or area to check what these chimes are for.

Hopefully I'll have a Note this Thursday and I think I'll finally be done with my phone search. That One X doesn't look bad either... Lol

 

[aewatsonsr77]

I've had my Lumia 900 for a couple of weeks and I can honestly say the only thing I miss slightly about the Note is the screen size. This is an amazing phone! Samsung needs to take notes from Nokia and stop using cheap plastic in their phones. The Lumia 900 feels like a premium device in the hand. The only phone that I've owned that comes close is the Iphone 4. The tiled interface in Windows Phone 7.5 took some getting used to but now I love it. It's simpler than Android but it puts all of your most important stuff front and center. The live tiles update and the People Hub is amazing. You don't have to open the FB or Twitter apps to update status or check on friends. The phone only has a single core processor but it is light years faster than my old Note. I have not experienced one instance of lag at all and I've never had to reset the phone! After owning several Android devices, this is amazing to me.
The app selection is increasing and I've managed to find most of my favorites. Also, the apps on Windows Phone look so much more refined than their Android equivalents. I truly hope this platform succeeds because it's impressive. For those who may think I'm biased towards one platform or another, I've owned just about every type of phone imaginable from Palm, Apple, Samsung, Htc, Motorola, and countless others. I love gadgets! The smoothness and fluidity of Windows Phone 7.5 is really nice. My only gripe is the lack of cases available. I prefer my phone on my hip instead of in a pocket. I'm looking for a case/holster combo for the Lumia 900. Also, the camera is impressive in well lit conditions but not so much in low lighting. That's not a big problem for me though.
My wife still has her white Galaxy Note which she absolutely loves and every once in awhile I'll play with it to marvel at that big ass screen. Overall though, I really love my Lumia 900. This is my first Windows Phone and I'm so glad that I waited. For anyone considering Windows Phone, my advice would be to visit an AT&T store and check one out. You have 30 days to return it if you aren't satisfied.

 

[Anonymous7532479]

Just played with the Lumia 900 for the first time.

I'm very familiar with Android and the iPhone OS, but I've never touched a Windows phone before tonight. Obviously, it was confusing because it was a new experience, but I couldn't even figure out simple tasks like Facebook. I clicked on the social networking tile and there were pictures of people and messages everywhere. It was a complete mess.

Granted, I spent less than 5 minutes on it, since I was standing in the AT&T store - didn't get to sit and play with it as long as I would have liked.

I absolutely loved the hardware though! Seemed very sturdy. Gorgeous screen! It'd be great if we could get a Nokia Lumia Android


-mcskipp

 

[erike3198]

Beacio_mo :

In regards to saving music offline, do you mean save to your phone?

With Zune, which is amazing, as long as you pay $10 a month, you can stream whatever you want to your phone or PC or download offline to your phone.

Zune really is great, its very integrated into the phone and a beautifully done.

 

[Rev2010]

but what I know about the Galaxy Note is that it's not a mere smartphone. It's more for those that want to only buy, use, and carry one device.

Can someone please explain why Note users keep saying this?? I tried out the Note and outside of the S pen and playing HD 1280x720 movies I can't find anything on the Note that I can't do on my Droid 2. I can makes calls, send emails, texts, browse the web, watch videos, listen to music, use all the same apps, etc. So how are you guys saying the Note is for people that want to carry only one device? It's not a tablet, don't kid yourself... 5.3" screen web browsing, book reading, and magazine viewing is still is nothing like a 10" tablet. I still had to zoom up some forum text at times. Personally, I had no use for the S Pen and I couldn't even watch any 1280x720 HD movies I have because they are all a bit larger than 4gb (FAT 32 file size limit).

So, I just don't get this all-in-one argument when my current puny little Droid 2 is also an all-in-one device for me.


Rev.

 

[Rally Android]

Who said anything about comparing a Note to a 10" tablet? More then likely people are comparing this to a 7" tablet, when they see it they might compromise and just get the Note because it's "good enough" for them. Clearly it's not for you.

 

[Rev2010]

That still doesn't explain what tasks a 7" tablet can do that I can't do on a regular android smart phone.

Rev

 

[S-Doo-1965]

most things can be done on my Veer but doing on a lager screen makes it easier. Of course you can do all android things on a G2 or a Droid sumsuch. The Note just does it Bigger

 

[DAS]

That still doesn't explain what tasks a 7" tablet can do that I can't do on a regular android smart phone.

Rev

@Rev: Prior to owning the Note I carried a Galaxy S2 Epic Touch, and a Galaxy Tab 7.0 plus. When I would go into a meeting I would be carrying both devices because the larger screen of the Tab made reading documents and emails easier. I would use my Epic Touch as a mobile hotspot to enable connectivity with the Tab for internet use.

I would use the Tab for typing notes because the Epic Touch was too small to take notes comfortably.

However, with the Note I now only carry this one device. The screen is large enough to adequately read emails and other documents. The S-Pen is used daily to take handwritten meeting notes which I can then upload to Evernote or Dropbox. I use the S-Pen Holder Kit which allows for a more natural writing form as opposed to the installed pen for serious note taking.

No device is for everyone. However, for me the Note is the perfect balance.

It's not that there are tasks (other than the S-Pen which I use everyday) that are not available on other Android devices, but the larger screen makes each task easier and eliminates the need to carry two devices.

If you are a person who doesn't mind carrying a dedicated tablet, or have no interest in a tablet at all then maybe the Note is not for you.

However, I believe with all my heart that Samsung solved a problem by introducing the Note.

Many people are still confused about why they should spend $300-$400 on tablet because they're not sure why they need one; what they are suppose to use it for, and if the use case justifies the expense.

However, with the Note, a person has a hybrid device that gives them all the functionality of a smartphone and the usefulness of a tablet.

If I'm a consumer and want an all-in-one device the Note is that solution.

 

[rich250]

well said DAS

 

[DAS]

One more thing.

I respect that the Note is not for everyone, but what frustrates me the most is that many people, including most At&t reps, fail to understand why it exist.

People walk into an At&t store and the uninformed rep is baffled as to what it is, and they spend too much time believing they need to apologize for the Notes size, as if the size of the device is a liability.

I believe if a person truly takes advantage of the larger screen, uses it as the hybrid device it was designed to be, and At&t reps sold it with confidence instead of apology, so that consumers see the benefits of having such a device, then going back to using anything smaller is practically impossible.

5 million sold in such a short time is evidence to me that many people do understand the device. Personally, I do get it.

I sold both my Gs2, and Tab 7.0. Now, I will never use a mere phone only again. Any device I get from here on out must be rocking at least a 5.3 inch display.

 

[anon(785719)]

I did exactly the opposite -- i exchanged the lumia 900 for the note last week. I found the lumia to be a very smooth good looking device that was decently capable. The reason i switched was due to loose buttons, purple hue on screen when set to low and the low specs of the phone (smooth now but worried if it would be after Apollo update -- if it gets it). I went with the note because it is a unique and powerful device. It has specs that are equal to new android phones that are releasing in the US now and over the coming months.

I am completely happy with my decision! However, if you can deal with the idea of the hardware limitations and like windows phone 7 i highly recommend the device.

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