Pre-jumping-in questions

[philliplavelle]

Hey folks.

I had the Note 8 back in early October but I returned it. I felt like I needed to wait for the iPhone X to see what it was like.

(Had the X since launch - but man, I'm bored of it. I've flip flopped between iOS and Android over the years, but I'd describe myself as always being Android deep down at heart.)

I've increasingly been itching to go for a Note 8 again, so before I do, I wanted to get a few thoughts, if I may.

First of all, how's the lag? I noticed this very site publish an article about the lag that's now present on their model.. Is this something others have noticed? (and are you using carrier or unlocked?)

Also, any preferences over carrier vs unlocked? If I buy outright, it looks like they're the same price. Kinda feel carrier is a worse bet though because it's locked and therefore resale value in a few months time when the Note 9 comes out will be way lower than unlocked. For reference, I'm on T-Mobile.

Thirdly - insurance. This is one of the reasons I returned the Note originally. I'm careful with my devices and even though there would be case and a TP glass protector, I'd be kinda paranoid about breaking it. With AppleCare, I can just waltz down to the local store, pay through the nose and stand unhappily in a line for a while, but know that it will be fixed there and then.
I've never experienced insurance policies with Android phones. I briefly read about Samsung Premium Care but saw a lot of unhappy people and I wonder if there is anything that is an equivalent. What I don't want to do is have to send my phone off, wait a week for it to be fixed and returned which is what I *believe* still is the case with many Android devices.. is that fair? And if so, what insurance options could you recommend and which have you actually used? What's your experience been?

For reference, I'm on T-Mo.

Thanks in advance!

Phil

 

[Gayle Lynn]

A cheap older backup phone.
Also for if there are software glitches with updates.
I was PO'd with AT&T that they could send out new phone FedEx ivrrnight but when it's DOA they couldn't and wouldn't even after I paid off full balance.

iOS 11 is freaking and their new software management team.

I'd put up with the boredom. Seriously. 11.3 is okay. Unless you like being under the hood, the onsite car mechanic.
Reliable and dependable are positives.

 

[pinkvikchick]

I'm on AT&T- no lag. I don't usually have insurance, but when I do I use squaretrade or protect your bubble. I had to go with a carrier because my signal at home is limited forcing me to use wifi calling. No insurance this time- I'm alright with my phones and I have a Huawei Mate 9 for a fall back (no wifi calling though).

 

[chazglenn3]

I have a Sprint model because I wanted to be sure that Wi-Fi calling worked and I've heard mixed results on the Unlocked phones. I also have Samsung Premium Care, but haven't had to use it yet. I have not experienced any lag from my Note 8 so far and I ordered at launch directly from Samsung.

 

[andytiedye]

Verizon Note 8 IS unlocked (and does WIFI calling)

 

[philliplavelle]

Have they sorted out the issue with Android Auto yet being able to compose new WhatsApp and Facebook messages?

 

[Jesus Barrera1]

I have unlocked note 8 and I'm on tmobile and my Wi-Fi calling works really good on it

 

[Rukbat]

If you get Assurion insurance, they normally ship out a new (or refurb, actually, but their refurbs are pretty good) phone within a day, with a "reversable" package to ship your old one back (if I remember correctly, you get at least a few weeks to send it back, so if you stick it in the mailbox the same day, it gets to them more than a week early). I've had 2 phones replaced under "warranty" (legally it's a service contract, not a warranty) and never had a problem, or was without a phone. (But I'm not in the habit of dropping my phones, and they're always in Otterboxes.)