Galaxy Note 2 vs. Droid DNA-- which Verizon device deserves our money this holiday season?

[varucell]

I had the DNA and switched to to note 2. I had the DNA for little over a week and the battery life wasnt good enough for me. However it was pretty decent. Also it was verizons fault there was no sd card slot this has been confirmed by htc.

Sent from my SCH-I605 using Tapatalk 2

 

[rkeenan]

I am waiting for my Note 2 in the mail. I looked at the DNA but the phone did nothing for me. I have owned 2 HTC phones before but not a fan of this one.

Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk 2

 

[Como4076]

Well I have jumped fro my TB and got the Note2 and I can say is WOW !!!! Very nice upgrade best choice I made in a long time !!!

 

[The Hustleman]

Stop talking and check the facts before you post. Verizon has no say on a sd card slot. The international version does not have a sd slot.

Sent from my SCH-I605 using Tapatalk 2

As does the rezound, the RAZR, RAZR maxx, the RAZR M, the GS3, the note 2, among others.

That was HTC's choice

sent from the best smart phone (not phablet) on the worst network- the galaxy S III unfortunately on T-Mobile

 

[Coug]

I was having trouble with the gps on my N2, and in the back of my mind I have been wondering if I should have bought a DNA. I took it in to the VZW store and played with the DNA some more, and I just can't give up the N2. The only thing I do not like about the N2 is the size, but both the N2 and DNA are huge compared to my old Incredible 2. And the N2 offers so much more. I was using the note function all week and do not want to go back to having "just a phone."

 

[MiXoLoGiSt]

Stop talking and check the facts before you post. Verizon has no say on a sd card slot. The international version does not have a sd slot.

Sent from my SCH-I605 using Tapatalk 2

Actually Verizon has a big say on SD card slots when the phone is being made for them. The J Butterfly has an SD card slot which is what the DNA is based on. The Droid DNA was made specifically for Verizon, hence the DROID name, which means Verizon had a huge say on what was included on the phone.

It's a possibility HTC decided to leave it out but most likely it was Verizon that said they didn't want it. Most of the other HTC phones have SD card slots.

 

[grumpyjoe]

I can't upgrade till Feb but with all the hoopla going on about these phones I just had to stop up at Verizon to see what going on. I am using a HTC ThunderBolt now. I really do like it. Was in no rush to upgrade. So I went to Verizon just to look. First I saw the HTC DNA. Spent about 20 minutes messing with it. When I got done I thought to myself that this was just a bigger faster version of the TB. Sense might have changed but basically it is still the same. Still does the same things. When I went to the Note 2, I was like DAMN this thing is big. It might just take two hands to hold this bad boy up to my ear. Then I picked it up. Hmm, not that bad. Kinda light. Not really as big as I first thought. Screen looks good. Can't tell to quickly which is better. Then I got the pen out. Wow, this is pretty cool. Reminds me of my Palm Treo 700P. Whats this? I can bring up two screens at once? WOW! Really cool. I'm starting to like this. Ok lets go back over to the DNA. How big is the battery? Mmm, not really that big. Well thats ok I can charge it in the car. OK, Wait a minute. No slot for a SD card? Check my phone and see how much room I have used on my 32 Gig card. 10 Gigs left? Thats a problem. Well, I think I know where this is going. Back over to the Note 2. Yea, I'm really liking this now.

 

[enfuego360]

hey Anndrew, how is the data connections for both phones? what about data speed comparisons? i hear some same that the dna has better radios, and others say that the note 2 is just as good as the dna. i dont know who to believe. what are you seeing?

 

[Anndrew Vacca]

Good question. Both offer similar, if not identical, data speeds and connections. Here in NYC, I consistently get results on both devices that are too close to call them anything other than identical. Call quality, however, differs, and the DNA slightly outperforms the Note 2 in terms of clarity.

 

[Anndrew Vacca]

Day 3?Let?s go shopping for some accessories

During my first weekend with both devices, I decided to do some shopping, in particular for cases. I know, I know?both devices are gorgeous enough to leave naked for the whole world to enjoy. But I?m a firm believer in cases, not only for the protection, but for the personality they add. I don?t want my phone to look like everybody else?s, and slapping a cool case on it is my way of making the device my own.
I stopped by my local Verizon Wireless store and was faced with a vast sea of nothing. Nada. Zip. There wasn?t one case for the DNA, and the only thing in stock for the Note 2 was Samsung?s Flip Cover, which I?m trying to avoid. Herein lies the problem?even at Amazon, Ebay, and other online retailers, there are few, if any, cases for the DNA. The only remotely attractive option I?ve found are the Otterbox varieties, but I?m looking for something a bit more stylish.
On the other hand, the Note 2 already has plenty of choices, and from the Verizon Wireless store I walked across the street and found a great Speck Candyshell case for the Note 2. This says a lot about this predicament?since the Note 2 is on nearly every carrier right now, your accessory options are multiplied. You?d be hard pressed NOT to find a case in either T-Mobile, Sprint, AT&T, or Verizon stores. And open up your search to Amazon or Ebay, and you?ve got a plethora of cases to chose from.
This is a major pro for the Note 2 and con for the DNA, not just in terms of cases, but all accessories. Whenever a device is limited to one carrier, the available accessories lacks dramatically. And if you?re buying into an obscure or unpopular phone, forget it?you?ll be left with nearly nothing. I trust that manufacturers will eventually release more cases, chargers, docks, and car mounts for the DNA, but the device?s options will never reach what?s out there for the Note 2. In a case like this, it helps to own a popular and widely-available device.
I left with my Candyshell case and never looked back. The Note 2 wins another round, has temporarily taken the lead.

 

[thejuiceman236]

Please keeo the impressions coming! I just bought the DNA it will be deliverrd today. The note 2 is still in the running mainly because of the hack ability and the battery life.

 

[orgelbau]

When comparing these two devices, the DNA and Note 2, I tried to clear my mind of the minor differences in performance and functionality and take a different approach to arrive at my decision. Which device will provide the best experience and get me to the next upgrade in TWO YEARS? The Note 2 is much more "future proof" than the DNA due to its replaceable battery and expandable memory. It also is the only device of these two to have just about everything you could want; it's lacking nothing compared to other current devices (especially if someone figures out a hack to get around the app to SD reality we now have).

As far as size: very few who have owned the N2 persist with the assertion that the device is too large. Complaints about size seem to be coming from those with either a size phobia (preferential, perhaps) or size envy (because you aren't up for your upgrade for a while and it's good to feel that the tiny device that you can hold between your thumb and index finger is all that you need. You know that you want one). Reality is that the N2 does still fit in one hand and it will also fit in most any pocket--unless you're wearing iJeans, of course. The extra screen real estate can not be denied. This will not be the last "giant" phone we will see. Next year at this time we may even find out that 25% or more of our upgrade choices will have screens at least 5 inches in size. I personally find the N2 to be comfortable to use.

Judging by the fact that the US retail market is lacking any good accessories seems to indicate that there are millions of us that have voted for the N2 with our wallets. I can't buy a case for it anywhere but online. I wouldn't be surprised if the N2 outsells the DNA by 3:1. It is just a more capable device and a bettter investment. We're taking about $100 difference over 24 months. Plus the fact that the DNA will probably force owners into the next tier of data use if they use the device to its glorious 1080p-otential.

Oh, and for those of you who have the perception that the N2 is just an oversized S3 with an S-Pen, I think you couldn't be more incorrect. While they do share the same TouchWiz underpinnings, the N2 is a completely different, fresher, faster experience. It destroys the S3 in performance an functionality. The S3 was my most recent device and I really liked it. Get a Note 2 and you will really LOVE it.

So, instead of getting something that is "an amazing device, but...", I decided to go all-in on the phone that IS already an amazing device, period.

 

[Mco119]

When comparing these two devices, the DNA and Note 2, I tried to clear my mind of the minor differences in performance and functionality and take a different approach to arrive at my decision. Which device will provide the best experience and get me to the next upgrade in TWO YEARS? The Note 2 is much more "future proof" than the DNA due to its replaceable battery and expandable memory. It also is the only device of these two to have just about everything you could want; it's lacking nothing compared to other current devices (especially if someone figures out a hack to get around the app to SD reality we now have).

As far as size: very few who have owned the N2 persist with the assertion that the device is too large. Complaints about size seem to be coming from those with either a size phobia (preferential, perhaps) or size envy (because you aren't up for your upgrade for a while and it's good to feel that the tiny device that you can hold between your thumb and index finger is all that you need. You know that you want one). Reality is that the N2 does still fit in one hand and it will also fit in most any pocket--unless you're wearing iJeans, of course. The extra screen real estate can not be denied. This will not be the last "giant" phone we will see. Next year at this time we may even find out that 25% or more of our upgrade choices will have screens at least 5 inches in size. I personally find the N2 to be comfortable to use.

Judging by the fact that the US retail market is lacking any good accessories seems to indicate that there are millions of us that have voted for the N2 with our wallets. I can't buy a case for it anywhere but online. I wouldn't be surprised if the N2 outsells the DNA by 3:1. It is just a more capable device and a bettter investment. We're taking about $100 difference over 24 months. Plus the fact that the DNA will probably force owners into the next tier of data use if they use the device to its glorious 1080p-otential.

Oh, and for those of you who have the perception that the N2 is just an oversized S3 with an S-Pen, I think you couldn't be more incorrect. While they do share the same TouchWiz underpinnings, the N2 is a completely different, fresher, faster experience. It destroys the S3 in performance an functionality. The S3 was my most recent device and I really liked it. Get a Note 2 and you will really LOVE it.

So, instead of getting something that is "an amazing device, but...", I decided to go all-in on the phone that IS already an amazing device, period.

Well said.

 

[killroy420]

^ lol. I love fanboys. They are so entertaining.

If my Note 2 and Nexus could have a baby, I would cheat on both and commit phonophelia.

 

[1dtb]

I have had my DNA since it was released. I held my Verizon upgrade 6 months waiting for something and this DNA is something else. I picked it based on the processor speed, HD screen and size.

I have played with the Note, which I recommended to my mother long before there was a DNA. She got it, and likes it. The N2 looks like an improvement. I played with it as well.

For me I could fill the memory on any phone. So SD card makes no difference. I just do not bother putting all my work on something so easily lost or stolen.

My world is filled with electrical outlets, battery life therefore makes no difference.

Since I am not forced to work from a phone screen all day, I picked the DNA.

Accessories, good thing the Note has a lot. You are going to need them as it won't fit in any third party phone pocket.

Both Android and Google have amazing apps and Verizon has an amazing network. In a pinch the other day I was travelling on interstate highway in Tennessee. I was able to modify a shared calendar with details and save it for others to view. Now I would not do that normally but I was more than able to cut and paste, spell check and switch between pages and apps to quickly and finish my work. Not recommended for the eyes on any size phone. Now I hope you don't have to rely on your Note to work daily like that. If you do get a tablet and save your eyes. Meanwhile, I stash my phone anywhere, and Go.

Just give one reason why the N2 will rule the world. GS3 and DNA sized phones do rule.


Sent from my HTC6435LVW using Tapatalk 2

 

[prepaidguy9081]

Note ii on straight talk pays for itself in 8 months [130 monthly att-45 st=85x8=680.

Two year contract blows

Tmobile noteii has excra wcdma antenna over att. Idk about verizon

Verizon full price 699, tmobile full price 649

Just puttin it out there for yall.

And I get h+ 4g

If you have any questions please feel free to PM me. I am always willing to help anyone willing to learn.

Donations never expected but always gratefully accepted: prepaidguy9081@riseup.net on payal.

 

[orgelbau]

Ok. I may have gotten a little carried away killroy. It's from lack of sleep because I can't put the N2 down.

My point was that for me, I could see the N2 getting me through to the next upgrade cycle. I loved what I saw in the DNA, but for my tastes I knew there were a couple things that would nag me to overspend and jump on the DNA sequel.

They are both fantastic devices. We are never going to arrive at the right answer in this thread. Everyone has different needs and preferences.

At least for now Verizon has two devices good enough to cause such discussion.

 

[The Hustleman]

Only advantage the dna has is the screen and thinness. Other than that it's just another android phone with sense with nothing revolutionary, just the same old features.

sent from the best smart phone (not phablet) on the worst network- the galaxy S III unfortunately on T-Mobile

 

[yankeesusa]

I was getting about 12 hours. My iphone got better life then that

The iPhone might get great battery life but look at all the dna and note 2 can do. Not to mention their lte. I'm sure the iPhone your talking about is the 4 cause the 4s went down in battery life compared to the 4 and the 5 I have seen a lot of reviews saying battery is the same or worst compared to 4s. So if it's the 4 your talking about there's no point in comparing it to battery on dna or note 2.

Sent from the Beast that is Galaxy Note 2

 

[Johnly]

Both phones are fantastic. I do love the multi window feature on the note. Texting and browsing forums is a blast. The note just has more of what I need in a phone, and is more future proof for my needs. DNA is a great phone. I think it is whats right for you. Get what makes you happy, cant go wrong with that. Cheers.