Thanks for the additional responses. Everyone has given me something to think about. I go back and forth and then remember that only Samsung has both the removable battery and SD card. Since I have kept my current flip phone for 9 years, replacing the battery three times, I think that will be important to me. I will take advantage of the two-week trial period, but I think I would only return it if it was truly a terrible phone or clearly had some serious issues. I have been tempted by the Nexus, LG, or even Motorola brands, but I keep coming back to the included stylus and the removable battery, among other things.
One question that isn't limited to Note 3 users is whether anyone else here gets a phone and then keeps it for years? So many here seem to jump every couple years (or even more often) for the latest greatest phone. I am hoping for longevity with this phone. I'd like to find a good, reliable smartphone that I can use for years to come. I don't really need cutting edge, so I don't mind not having the latest OS. I think if I got a Note 3 and had it set up to suit my needs/wants, then I would be happy with it for some years, even without future updates. Is that a feasible plan? I'm pretty thrifty, so I know I'd be happy to keep the same phone for some time as long as it was working well.
One question that isn't limited to Note 3 users is whether anyone else here gets a phone and then keeps it for years? So many here seem to jump every couple years (or even more often) for the latest greatest phone. I am hoping for longevity with this phone. I'd like to find a good, reliable smartphone that I can use for years to come. I don't really need cutting edge, so I don't mind not having the latest OS. I think if I got a Note 3 and had it set up to suit my needs/wants, then I would be happy with it for some years, even without future updates. Is that a feasible plan? I'm pretty thrifty, so I know I'd be happy to keep the same phone for some time as long as it was working well.