Disgruntled Note 9 User

[Hollywoodin2001]

I got a Note 9 in December and it's been a dud. I'm hoping to get tips to make it less of a dud, unless I can get a refund.

Even the screen protector they applied for me fell off.

First problem was Bixby. Hated it, tried disabling, and several hours with support eliminated the automatic scroll-to-it on the leftmost screen feature and made it so I had to double click the button to activate. Small progress. I found a YouTube video about rerouting the Bixby button. Salvation!

Second problem was Google Play Store ads popping up when editing all apps. I solved that by disabling or removing all Google apps. Again, several hours of effort.

Third problem has been the pie downgrade. There were little things I loathed (shifting time to left, cartoon icons, battery drain) and one major downgrade: the destruction of the recents and split screen feature.

The difficulty I have is Samsung's poor corporate culture. Support staff were clearly never instructed on options. I was told that nothing could be done about Bixby. This was clearly false. There was an app! And Note 8 had an easy opt-out feature. Why remove options?

I had the same bad experience with pie. They told me a rollback was not possible. But I have seen apps, although I'm told I could void my warranty. And why would Samsung not provide a rollback option?

Better yet, have they not been informed of the doctrine of informed consent? Had I been advised of the upgrades and downgrades in pie I would have passed on the update. Now I'm left with a garbage phone, not anywhere near its purchase price.

To me this is like getting a recall notice on your new car then when you pick it up you find that heated seats are gone, and country music AM radio stations added. WTH! I'll never listen to those stations and I liked heated seats.

Hopefully I'll be compensated for my wasted time and given a full refund.

 

[TraderGary]

Welcome! I'm sure you will find answers and solutions here on Android Central.

 

[Hollywoodin2001]

Welcome! I'm sure you will find answers and solutions here on Android Central.

Thanks!

 

[belodion]

It is certainly true that the manufacturers and software companies do not always give customers what they want. I use iPhones as well as Androids, and wonder why Apple stopped making the SE. There is still a demand for it. There's nothing wrong with the phone, for all that it's an old model. Start the production lines again, and they"d have sales. But no, things are not done like that for some reason. I also suspect that if they ever make an SE2, it would be an SE with unnecessary and unwanted "improvements", like notches and no headphone jack.


Aaaanyways, welcome aboard. There are Note 9 users who will be glad to advise you.

 

[Mike Dee]

Welcome

 

[Morty2264]

Welcome to Android Central!

Ah yes, I did hear that Bixby was a bit of a bother for some users... Good for you for finding a workaround! I'm sure you'll find some comfort and advice from the other Note 9 users here! Those sub-forums are very active, so feel free to ask your questions and browse away!

 

[Ry]

Please keep us updated with your refund process.

 

[mustang7757]

Welcome aboard, hope your enjoying your Note 9.

 

[Itsa_Me_Mario]

I think you have to request the refund within the first 14 or 30 days of purchase.

 

[B. Diddy]

Welcome to Android Central! You can try using Odin to install the previous firmware: http://forums.androidcentral.com/am...w-flash-stock-rom-via-odin-new-interface.html. But the phone will then continue to prompt you to update again, and I think you'd have to root it to disable the system updater.

I'm not sure what you mean by Google Play Store ads popping up when you edit all apps. The key thing to remember here is that Google themselves don't push those popup ads on you -- it's some adware or ad network that is promoting an app (that happens to be on the Play Store). If you're having annoying popup ads, follow this guide to figure out which app is the culprit: https://forums.androidcentral.com/a.../901497-full-screen-ads-how-find-culprit.html

The question of being able to decide if you want to accept a system update is certainly not new. One of the main reasons that system updates are "forced" on devices is to address the age-old Android boogeyman, fragmentation. In addition, updates often come with important security patches. But granted, that doesn't make you feel much better if the update is riddled with bugs, or with design changes that don't work for you.

You may not want to hear this, but if you want a smoother update process, you should consider Pixel phones, since there's less chance of buggy updates (since the code that Google pushes doesn't have to be tweaked and modified by the other phone manufacturer and/or carrier).

 

[Ry]

You may not want to hear this, but if you want a smoother update process, you should consider Pixel phones, since there's less chance of buggy updates (since the code that Google pushes doesn't have to be tweaked and modified by the other phone manufacturer and/or carrier).

That probably won't help the OP since the UI changes seem to bother him.

The best bet would probably be a BlackBerry where they're good at security updates but "bad" at OS updates.

 

[STARGATE]

I got a Note 9 in December and it's been a dud. I'm hoping to get tips to make it less of a dud, unless I can get a refund.

Even the screen protector they applied for me fell off.

First problem was Bixby. Hated it, tried disabling, and several hours with support eliminated the automatic scroll-to-it on the leftmost screen feature and made it so I had to double click the button to activate. Small progress. I found a YouTube video about rerouting the Bixby button. Salvation!

Second problem was Google Play Store ads popping up when editing all apps. I solved that by disabling or removing all Google apps. Again, several hours of effort.

Third problem has been the pie downgrade. There were little things I loathed (shifting time to left, cartoon icons, battery drain) and one major downgrade: the destruction of the recents and split screen feature.

The difficulty I have is Samsung's poor corporate culture. Support staff were clearly never instructed on options. I was told that nothing could be done about Bixby. This was clearly false. There was an app! And Note 8 had an easy opt-out feature. Why remove options?

I had the same bad experience with pie. They told me a rollback was not possible. But I have seen apps, although I'm told I could void my warranty. And why would Samsung not provide a rollback option?

Better yet, have they not been informed of the doctrine of informed consent? Had I been advised of the upgrades and downgrades in pie I would have passed on the update. Now I'm left with a garbage phone, not anywhere near its purchase price.

To me this is like getting a recall notice on your new car then when you pick it up you find that heated seats are gone, and country music AM radio stations added. WTH! I'll never listen to those stations and I liked heated seats.

Hopefully I'll be compensated for my wasted time and given a full refund.

Hello there!
I preordered my blue Note 9 from the beginning and love it.
Yes, there are several things that I liked using and now are gone with the Pie update, but for the most part, the Note 9 still works great for me, on both; private and work life.
I personally don't have any ill sentiments against Bixby, I actually find it helpful for the most part. But since I use Google assistant more often, Bixby doesn't bother me or get in my way.
I know there are many that think or feel like me and others that hate part or all of the update, and that's understandable, nothing will ever give us complete happiness.
Anyway, hope you find common ground with the Note 9, it's still a great phone, don't let small stuff get in the way of using and enjoying your phone.
Unless, you feel better with another phone, return or sell the Note and get a phone that works for you.
Just have in mind, all devices get updates that many of us will like or dislike, that's the way it is. The way you cope with that and use it to your advantage, that's the key.

 

[Hollywoodin2001]

Thanks for the replies. To give my outlook, I have never been one to go crazy over my phone. I spend much more time on my home and office desktop and laptop computers. I went to the Note 4 a few years back because of the size and the pen. All was fine. I was borderline between getting a new battery and new pen for the Note 4 or a new phone.

To me, all brands were satisfactory. Once you get used to the quirks of a new phone you usually find unexpected bonuses.

What I do not fathom is the that cell phone users believe that phone manufacturers have the right to alter the product after purchase. We do not grant this wrt computers, televisions, or cars. I have a Samsung TV. If they did an update which removed certain channels on the theory that the update provides me with a bonus package, I would be ticked off. Consumer protection agencies would rally support for the consumer.

The problem is compounded by the corporate nonsense of refusing to advise customers of easy fixes. I have been told by customer service that:
1 Bixby could not be removed, but internet research showed me how with a free app;
2 Google Play ads were from some mystery app, but they disappeared when I disabled or removed all Google apps;
3 Pie could not be rolled back, but there is an app which could do that though it may void the warranty.

And it now appears that what was unthinkable is suddenly happening wrt the Bixby button.

I was demanding nothing but access to the features on the phone I purchased. I was given no advice as to what features would be downgraded when Pie came along. Under no scenario could it be argued that I granted informed consent. The fundamental prerequisites for a valid contract were not met.

 

[Itsa_Me_Mario]

Thanks for the replies. To give my outlook, I have never been one to go crazy over my phone. I spend much more time on my home and office desktop and laptop computers. I went to the Note 4 a few years back because of the size and the pen. All was fine. I was borderline between getting a new battery and new pen for the Note 4 or a new phone.

To me, all brands were satisfactory. Once you get used to the quirks of a new phone you usually find unexpected bonuses.

What I do not fathom is the that cell phone users believe that phone manufacturers have the right to alter the product after purchase. We do not grant this wrt computers, televisions, or cars. I have a Samsung TV. If they did an update which removed certain channels on the theory that the update provides me with a bonus package, I would be ticked off. Consumer protection agencies would rally support for the consumer.

The problem is compounded by the corporate nonsense of refusing to advise customers of easy fixes. I have been told by customer service that:
1 Bixby could not be removed, but internet research showed me how with a free app;
2 Google Play ads were from some mystery app, but they disappeared when I disabled or removed all Google apps;
3 Pie could not be rolled back, but there is an app which could do that though it may void the warranty.

And it now appears that what was unthinkable is suddenly happening wrt the Bixby button.

I was demanding nothing but access to the features on the phone I purchased. I was given no advice as to what features would be downgraded when Pie came along. Under no scenario could it be argued that I granted informed consent. The fundamental prerequisites for a valid contract were not met.

You actually don't buy the software or features, you purchase the hardware which includes a license granting you access to the software and apps. The software on your phone at all times remains the property of the OEM and other rights holders. As an example, carriers used to and still have the right to disable apps access to their network if they feel that there is a credible threat to their network performance or network security. The one might not be so obvious part of that statement is that it means that the carrier knows which apps you are using, and generally for what, because they are granted access to much of that data as part of their consent to allow this licensed software to interact with their network. Samsung, in this case, offers no warranty on software features, including any poor interactions with apps that are downloaded.

 

[Hollywoodin2001]

You actually don't buy the software or features, you purchase the hardware which includes a license granting you access to the software and apps. The software on your phone at all times remains the property of the OEM and other rights holders. As an example, carriers used to and still have the right to disable apps access to their network if they feel that there is a credible threat to their network performance or network security. The one might not be so obvious part of that statement is that it means that the carrier knows which apps you are using, and generally for what, because they are granted access to much of that data as part of their consent to allow this licensed software to interact with their network. Samsung, in this case, offers no warranty on software features, including any poor interactions with apps that are downloaded.

That's no different from the software in other computers.

 

[Itsa_Me_Mario]

That's no different from the software in other computers.

Correct, so when you said, "What I do not fathom is the that cell phone users believe that phone manufacturers have the right to alter the product after purchase. We do not grant this wrt computers, televisions, or cars. I have a Samsung TV. If they did an update which removed certain channels on the theory that the update provides me with a bonus package, I would be ticked off. Consumer protection agencies would rally support for the consumer." - in all of those cases, we actually do grant them permission to do so, because they, the manufacturers and support providers, are the owners and can more or less do what they want with it, within bounds of reason. So with your Samsung TV, if they do a software update that removes an app, let's use Hulu for an example, that would not be in violation of any agreement between you and them, it would be the result of a licensing agreement between Samsung and Hulu.

 

[recDNA]

That's no different from the software in other computers.

At least when I updated from Windows 8.1 to Windows 10 I had the option to roll back... and I did! (Loved W10 but my touchpad wouldn't work properly and Asus has no plans of providing a W10 update for the touchpad software)

Bottom line is there was a choice.

I have often found that OS updates have taken away features I loved and added features I loathed. In fact I have never ever had an Android phone that ran better after an OS update from the original. I just think the hardware and software are more carefully married in the first version of every phone. Pixel is probably an exception but I prefer the added features offered by LG and Samsung.

 

[kudzus]

When I got the update to Pie my compass is now off 90 to 180 degrees. I'm not alone thousands have reported the same problem. Check your compass.

 

[Hollywoodin2001]

Correct, so when you said, "What I do not fathom is the that cell phone users believe that phone manufacturers have the right to alter the product after purchase. We do not grant this wrt computers, televisions, or cars. I have a Samsung TV. If they did an update which removed certain channels on the theory that the update provides me with a bonus package, I would be ticked off. Consumer protection agencies would rally support for the consumer." - in all of those cases, we actually do grant them permission to do so, because they, the manufacturers and support providers, are the owners and can more or less do what they want with it, within bounds of reason. So with your Samsung TV, if they do a software update that removes an app, let's use Hulu for an example, that would not be in violation of any agreement between you and them, it would be the result of a licensing agreement between Samsung and Hulu.

What you described would more closely parallel an app which no longer works on a given platform. If YouTube stops working on Apples due to a change in YouTube, Apple users could not complain to Apple. However, if it's due to a change in Apple's OS, they could scream bloody murder.

 

[Hollywoodin2001]

At least when I updated from Windows 8.1 to Windows 10 I had the option to roll back... and I did! (Loved W10 but my touchpad wouldn't work properly and Asus has no plans of providing a W10 update for the touchpad software)

Bottom line is there was a choice.

I have often found that OS updates have taken away features I loved and added features I loathed. In fact I have never ever had an Android phone that ran better after an OS update from the original. I just think the hardware and software are more carefully married in the first version of every phone. Pixel is probably an exception but I prefer the added features offered by LG and Samsung.

That lack of choice is bothersome. I, too, rolled back Windows 10 because too much hardware would not work.