Request for honest feedback

[AntitheistMackem]

Yes. My Note 4 lags frequently and for multiple seconds at a time.
But I wouldn't swap it for any other phone.

 

[ron s2]

hardware wise, the note 4 surpasses the iphone 6 plus in many ways, but i am not going into that......i too was looking at the iphone 6 plus, but decided to get the note 4....the nexus 6 was also on my wish list, but did not have a chance to look at it since it was not yet available...i am not sure what the holdup from google is, but they lost my sale for the slow rollout...i went from the s5 to the note 4, for a couple of reasons...the first big one, the bigger display, i cannot tell you how much happier i am with the bigger display. .i am 64., and needed more space to view things...the second reason is the cameras image stabaliztion, a cool adition......i am very , very happy with the note 4, not the price....the downside to the phone is the same speakers, wish samsung would added a seconded...the speakers did not stop me from getting the note 4, and glad i did....the iphone 6 plus has a very nice case i must add, but for some reason, it just did not make me turn from android

 

[philip42]

I've had several phones over the years. HTCs and samsungs. I've bought and returned so many phones to Amazon that I got a mail from them saying they've noticed all my returns and is there anything they can do to help. The Note 4 (bought on contract) is the first phone I've had no regrets in getting. It literally ticks all the boxes. A big selling point to me is the swipe functionality on its 4x3 keyboard. No other manufacturer offers it and with one handed setting I can text with one hand no problem. The display is the best available on a phone at the moment. The speaker, although it's on the back, received an Excellent mark in GSMArenas review and it is plenty loud. I've used the multitasking surprisingly more than I thought I would. I haven't used the S Pen much but the fact that it's there as an option is a "nice to have" that I may use in the future. Getting back to your original question, yes, the phone does lag occasionally. Is it enough for me to go for an iPhone or a Nexus, I would say, definitely not. Take a look at Marques Brownlee's review of the Nexus at about 8 minutes in. He says the Nexus 6 has occasional stutters. In the review he also says that regarding the best displays available he'd "have to give that to the Note 4". Having said all that, the ultimate decision is going to be up to you.

Posted via the Android Central App

 

[nugj]

Surprised the OP is not interested in the HTC. If not for S-pen and N4 multitasking, I would likely have been seriously considering the HTC.

Depends on what you are looking for (brilliant response right). But seriously, if you are not going to use the S pen at all, and are not that interested in the multitasking features of the N4, I am really not sure that the super display, and other niceties like replaceable battery and microSD would be enough to kick me over to a N4.

The comments about the N4 truly being a phablet, a market space that Samsung literally invented is what resonates with me. Had an iPhone 4 wayyyyy too long....why....there was nothing compelling in the 4S, the 5 or the 5S. Waited for the 6 and and the 6+. Decided the 6 was just more of the same from Apple and the 6+ was just an overgrown smartphone. A big so what for 2014 headed to 2015. What does Apple think....its 1999 or something? Once I gave up waiting for Apple to actually do something again....that was it...N4 for me. I have not experienced excessive lag myself but as one other user has already commented, I also eliminate the frills that really do nothing for me in order not to bog the N4 down. The processor has to run that monster display for one thing. So as much of that junk that the phone manufacturers and the carriers stuff into these things....mainly designed to get you to buy or sign up for more junk that is similar but something you have to pay for one way or the other, the better your phone experience will be. IMO, one of the biggest differences between the N4 and even other Android based devices is that when you strip the garbage off the N4 you really have something compelling left. You really don't IMO get anywhere near as much functionality and as many useful features with many of the Android devices as you get with an N4. First device that truly has me comfortable with the idea of leaving my laptop at home. That in itself speaks volumes for this device.

 

[monsieurms]

The things I like most about the Note 4 are the AMOLED display, camera, audio jack sound quality, expandable memory, IR blaster, fingerprint scanner, wireless charging and form factor (I Iike the textured back). I don't think I would use the S pen or multiple windows very often. I'm not looking for the promise of a perfect phone and I can tolerate a little lag here and there but the "all the time" comment sets off red flags. I also realize I'm being overly cautious because I already made a bad phone decision and don't want to make another one.

From the features you are rhapsodizing over---get the Note 4. Otherwise, you'll always wonder. I personally have always found lag complaints to be vastly exaggerated. As Duncan1982 and others have pointed out, everyone's experience differs. How you use it may create situations where you have no noticeable lag that bothers you even a little. And people's tolerance varies, too. Some here sometimes seem to act like every computer should be instantaneous with every function every time. That's not realistic. Finally, If you search the forum, there are things you can do if bothered---like the very simple one of turning off developer animations. I'm completely satisfied. There are too many features lost with the Nexus--and from your post, I think you'll yearn for the Note 4 if you go with the plain vanilla Nexus. You'll always be saying "what if?"

 

[nugj]

I forgot about the terrific camera on the N4. I hate to sound so enthusiastic but this thing is truly praise worthy.

To me it almost seems like there are three camps developing around the current crop of smartphone/phablets.
1) the want to keep it simple crowd.....should love whatever Apple does for a mobile device...to me that is a lot of money for what you get but hey I understand the allure of Apple
2) want the 500 lb gorilla of functionality and features in the room and willing to accept and in fact enjoy making anything from small to major modifications to get the most out of that device for them...enter N4
3) Everybody else interested in a specific feature set offered by one of the other Android or windows devices, like the HTC for its speakers just as an example

If you are in camp 2, I just don't see how anything other than the N4 will do.

 

[Ambivalencetech]

If you use it intensively enough it will lag. No doubt. Not many people need to do that. I debated the Nexus 6 for some time but this is the best phone out there imo.

Posted via the Android Central App

 

[mhettrich]

Every device is going to lag at one point or another, especially one like that Note 4 where multitasking is such a big part of the experience. That type of use puts a lot of strain on the processor. That's being said, any lag I've experienced (outside of the recent apps window taking forever to notice) has been minimal. I'd highly recommend this phone, and as a fellow user of the iPhone 6+, well, let's just say I don't miss the closed in experience of iPhone in the least bit.

 

[worwig]

I don't ever recall any lag on my VZW Note 4. Certainly nothing like in that video.
It is obvious, in that video, that there is an app sucking the processor cycles. When he shuts down all apps, it became smooth. He needed to find that app and replace it with a good app, or change a setting somewhere.

 

[deNOTEd]

I've gotten lag once or twice but nothing major. It would occur mostly when I go to kill apps. It's very minor, but noticeable though when it happens.

 

[LaTuFu]

I've never experienced anything like that video.

I've never encountered any of the "always happens on every Note 4" absolutes that some guys swear by.

Have I had random hangs from time to time? Yes. A small number. But nothing on a regular basis and nothing that makes me say this phone is a bad device.

 

[TheDonJ77]

My Note 4 has been fluid and responsive from day 1. I have had multiple apps and browsers open all at the same time and never, never experienced anything like in the video. The only issue and I mean very small I have had is when you switch back to the recent apps. There is a slight delay but nothing major

 

[drchimrichalds]

I dont have a note 4, but I have the s5, which I imagine is similar but probably not quite as good. I cant say I have ever experienced lagging, but I find that reasonably often ill be doing something and get an error message about google voice having to force shut down... then the hole phone is clunky for about a minute. I dont know what causes this, but it used to happen on my s3 as well, so that is my cautionary tale for samsung devices.

Although, besides that one little thing (which doesnt bother me too much), I love my phone and cant wait for the s6.

 

[trekk]

Alot of great info in this thread. Out of the box you "might" think its a tiny bit slow. Turn off power button for s voice reduce animation times and you should be good. Its not the smoothest phone, but its extremely quick. I am willing to accept a bit of jitters here and there for what this phone offers. The 6+ animations are smoother, but the Note 4 app per app is faster.

Before buying it I spent 45 minutes with it at best buy comparing it with my Nexus 5, after that time I was convinced its the device to buy. It obliterated my Nexus in speed.

 

[goin_nil]

I forgot about the terrific camera on the N4. I hate to sound so enthusiastic but this thing is truly praise worthy.

I agree, the camera is really great. If you care about the camera, the Note 4 is hard to beat.

This is one of the best pictures I've ever taken with a smartphone (enhanced with Snapseed app).

 

[NVNJ]

I have had ZERO lag issues with my note 4. I absolutely love this phone!!!! Remember, you should have some sort of time period to try the device to see if you like it or not before you get locked into a 2 year commitment.

Posted via the Android Central App

 

[tech_fan]

I was a fan of Apple until I got my first Note. I find the Apple IOS dated. All the IOS consists of is rows of icons and folders, Whenever I switched back to Apple, I got bored quick. I use Nova Launcher which helps to improve the lag. Every phone has lag to include my wife's Iphone 6 plus.

The videos that you stated above, I really do not listen much to their views. I like Flossy Carter on Youtube and you should check out his videos. He goes into depth with all of his devices.

I too do not like the lag. I decided to try out the Moto X 2014 to see if I wanted stock Android. I was pretty pleased for awhile and then found myself missing the features of the Note. Plain Android is just that. It does not include much which allows more room for customization then TW.

 

[GSOgymrat]

I bought the Note 4 today. I am still installing apps and figuring out how it works. Simple things like the better keyboard and a back button are already making me feel like I made a good decision. I know some people complain about Samsung's bloatware but I like Samsung's internet browser better than Chrome because it has a reader mode, which I use frequently. I also like the free monthly book from Kindle for Samsung, even if it is from a limited selection. One thing I have discovered that has not made me happy is Microsoft Office will not work on Note 4. I'm going to try Hancom Office and see how that goes.

I've already put the iPhone 6 Plus up for sale.

 

[billbrobaggins]

I bought the Note 4 today. I am still installing apps and figuring out how it works. Simple things like the better keyboard and a back button are already making me feel like I made a good decision. I know some people complain about Samsung's bloatware but I like Samsung's internet browser better than Chrome because it has a reader mode, which I use frequently. I also like the free monthly book from Kindle for Samsung, even if it is from a limited selection. One thing I have discovered that has not made me happy is Microsoft Office will not work on Note 4. I'm going to try Hancom Office and see how that goes.

I've already put the iPhone 6 Plus up for sale.

Congrats on the purchase, not sure if you'd be into launchers but IMO THE note performs better with Google now launcher set as your default launcher. I have nova prime as well but it's been my experience that Google now makes the UI more fluid. I tried with TouchWiz but I just cant. The features of the note make it a fantastic device.

Posted via the Android Central App

 

[monsieurms]

I bought the Note 4 today. I am still installing apps and figuring out how it works. Simple things like the better keyboard and a back button are already making me feel like I made a good decision. I know some people complain about Samsung's bloatware but I like Samsung's internet browser better than Chrome because it has a reader mode, which I use frequently. I also like the free monthly book from Kindle for Samsung, even if it is from a limited selection. One thing I have discovered that has not made me happy is Microsoft Office will not work on Note 4. I'm going to try Hancom Office and see how that goes.

I've already put the iPhone 6 Plus up for sale.

I predict you'll be happy. If not, at least you know.

---> Hancom comes free. However, what used to be a freebie included was Polaris Office. There are a couple of versions of that floating around PlayStore. Personally, I like Polaris Office 5 better. If you don't like Hancom, try Polaris. There is also Docs to Go.

I paid for DTG a long time ago, so I continue to use. Otherwise, for my modest uses on a phone, I would've been happy with Polaris and Hancom.