S4 to Note 2?

[Valkaneer]

And my saga continues, lol. I have watched reviews, read forums, gone to stores and played with the phone, etc. I honestly LOVE my S4, it's amazing. However, that extra bit of real estate on the screen for me is really swaying me! I am in my thirties, and tho I don't have vision issues, I am on electronic devices all day. Computers, iPads, etc. and my eyes get tired. I have the print bumped up to large on the S4 so that is taking away some real estate from the S4 screen.
I am worried most about a case for the phone adding bulk, but I need a good case to stop a crack. I don't make a lot of calls so I am not worried about holding the phone to my ear and it being awkward.
I am a bit concerned I am "downgrading" a bit spec wise, but I don't give a hoot about fancy air gestures and the like. I am concerned about updates. I need this phone to last me a minimum of 2 years, and I have a three year contract. But I usually always upgrade before it is up.
Will the note 2 run the latest jellybean eventually? Is it slower or laggier than the S4? Will it "feel" old in a year ? Security is a big deal to me. I don't want to get a phone that won't be supported.
I love the idea of a longer lasting battery too...decisions, decisions. However, will the store let me go back to the S4 after another 14 days if I decide the note 2 is too much?
I feel I am getting closer to a decision..

Things I can do with my Note 2 that I could not with my S4-

Text as fast as my wife. - I can write stuff out with the S Pen as fast as she can swipe text.
Use the S Pen to capture anything on line and Text or Email it to a friend. Why spend 5 min trying to describe something your looking at when you can circle and text it in less than 15 sec?
Read Flip board with ease of sitting back.
Edit, crop, draw, make funny pics in seconds.
multi task without constantly hitting the wrong button with my finger by using a much smaller S Pen.

These are just a few things I found in one day, while the S4 is a fabulous phone I just found more things that the Note 2 does that is more in line with my personality.

 

[sux2bu]

Advantages - Galaxy S4
Faster processor
Better screen
Newer OS version
Better camera
Probably other things. Ask an S4 owner.

Advantages - Galaxy Note 2
Bigger screen
S Pen
Better battery life

I have an S4 and switched to it for a whole week, now I'm back on my Note 2. The "S4 Lag", substantially less battery life and most importantly the much smaller screen was too much for me. It's a nace phone, but the Note 2 is the better phone for me. Also, the "better" camera is a moot point. It was VERY hard to tell a difference between pictures taken by the S4 and N2. The one difference I did see was that the N2 had a better viewing angle. I had to step back a few feet with the S4 just to get the same width of the N2. The better screen was also very hard to notice, unless you were looking at very small text on a web page.

Now come on, you know the Note 2 will never grow more pixels, It will always have extremely limited case selection, It will never get the new sensors, Inferred, thinner body, lighter, faster processor, the S4 will beat the Note 2 on any benchmark. It will never have a 9.7 or 13 mega pixel camera, brighter screen ect... We all know the test say the S4 battery is not much worse than the Note 2 since the S4 is more efficient. I like both a lot, both have there strong points, but lets be honest.

My own personal experience was that the battery was a lot better with the N2, the cameras were pretty even and the more pixels are only noticeable with small text. The S4 may beat the N2 on any benchmark, but the S4 was laggy and my N2 isn't.

I REALLY wanted to like the S4 since I love having the latest and greatest mobile phones, but it just felt too much like a downgrade from my Note 2, so I went back and gave the S4 to the Mrs.

 

[JenTDOT]

Went and switched out the S4 for the Note 2. Wow. Now to get a case...

 

[taniabonita52]

Went and switched out the S4 for the Note 2. Wow. Now to get a case...

I heard the Android Central store has nice, durable cases that don't add a lot of bulk to the phone. Might want to check that out. I think I mentioned it already, but I have an Otterbox Defender case on mine... Pricey, but well worth it. I dropped it a few times already and nothing happened. Good luck on your search!! and have fun with the Note 2!! What color did you get it in? White or gray?

Sent from my awesome Note 2!!!!!!!

 

[LadiJae]

Went and switched out the S4 for the Note 2. Wow. Now to get a case...

So you did it huh!!!!! what you think so far? And are you able return it ?

My hands are getting used to the phone size, they dont hurt today lol

This is the STARTER case I have http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...ag=hawk-future-20&ascsubtag=UUacUvbUpU2827100

~Jae, tap'n on my Galaxy Note 2~owned since 5-30-13

 

[JenTDOT]

Jae and Bonita-I am LOViN this phone! I got the white. I feel 100% confident I made the right decision. I am so shocked, because thesis faster than my S4! It has zero lag and is smooth as butter. The screen real estate is amazing. The phone just feels "right"....and with my S4 something just seemed off.I think the S4 is a great phone, but the Note 2 is very much my style. Thanks somuch to you all for helping me with the decision. Jae, lol, you sound like me , I am always on the hunt for the right case. I have 4 I need to sell on Craigslist. On the hunt for my first starter case. I might go with the Speck pink candy shell.But I need a good clear screen protector first....

 

[taniabonita52]

Jae and Bonita-I am LOViN this phone! I got the white. I feel 100% confident I made the right decision. I am so shocked, because thesis faster than my S4! It has zero lag and is smooth as butter. The screen real estate is amazing. The phone just feels "right"....and with my S4 something just seemed off.I think the S4 is a great phone, but the Note 2 is very much my style. Thanks somuch to you all for helping me with the decision. Jae, lol, you sound like me , I am always on the hunt for the right case. I have 4 I need to sell on Craigslist. On the hunt for my first starter case. I might go with the Speck pink candy shell.But I need a good clear screen protector first....

Awesome!!! I'm glad everything is going smooth for ya It's just keeps getting better and better with the Note 2. The possibilities are endless with this device. And you're absolutely right... The big big screen is omg amazing.

I also have the white one I haven't charged this thing since yesterday morning around 7am... And it's 3am now and I still have 28% battery left. I've done a lot of messaging, Web surfing, photography, drawing, photo editing, etc.

Oh, and about the screen protectors... I really like Zagg brand screen protectors... But they are pricey... So you might want to see if there is something out there that's cheaper and still works great. Sometimes you can get great deals on stuff like that.

Have you used the s-pen for anything yet? I love that thing

Sent from my awesome Note 2!!!!!!!

 

[JenTDOT]

No s pen use yet. Waiting to get a screen protector and case first. I feel vulnerable that my phone is naked lol

- - - Updated - - -

No s pen use yet. Waiting to get a screen protector and case first. I feel vulnerable that my phone is naked lol

 

[taniabonita52]

No s pen use yet. Waiting to get a screen protector and case first. I feel vulnerable that my phone is naked lol

- - - Updated - - -

No s pen use yet. Waiting to get a screen protector and case first. I feel vulnerable that my phone is naked lol

I understand how you feel lol. When I had the Evo 4G, my case for it broke... And I was also broke lol... So until I managed to get money for a new one, I was using a crocheted phone "sock" that my mom made. Every time I went to use the phone I was so nervous lol. I'm so clumsy, and I was afraid I'd drop it.

Sent from my awesome Note 2!!!!!!!

 

[LadiJae]

Jae and Bonita-I am LOViN this phone! I got the white. I feel 100% confident I made the right decision. I am so shocked, because thesis faster than my S4! It has zero lag and is smooth as butter. The screen real estate is amazing. The phone just feels "right"....and with my S4 something just seemed off.I think the S4 is a great phone, but the Note 2 is very much my style. Thanks somuch to you all for helping me with the decision. Jae, lol, you sound like me , I am always on the hunt for the right case. I have 4 I need to sell on Craigslist. On the hunt for my first starter case. I might go with the Speck pink candy shell.But I need a good clear screen protector first....

Good for you, use the spen. I love it. I also have the white one. My husband has had is for a few months now and he rooted it last night. I'm so tempted. It's amazing lol.... Never had a rooted phone. I think I'll wait til we the update though and see how that goes. Glad you're loving it so far. My hands don't hurt now... So it took about a day and half to get used to the size.

~Jae, tap'n on my Galaxy Note 2~owned since 5-30-13

 

[LadiJae]

And I hate screen protectors, I just can't do it. So I've stopped wasting my money on them. My husband uses them.

~Jae, tap'n on my Galaxy Note 2~owned since 5-30-13

 

[universeand]

On the size issue I would go to a store and actually try it out by getting my hands on it.

 

[jdub1981]

I thought I had read somewhere that an update was released for the S4 that fixed the lag issues. It may be specific to only a few carrier models. My friend got a verizon s4 on launch day. He let me play with it for an hour or so. I noticed no lag and it seemed absolutely speedy. I definitely dont prefer it over the note 2, but thats because ive gotten used to basically all aspects of the note 2. 4.2.2 comes with some new settings menus and the layout has changed so it took me awhile to find certain settings but all in all it should be a decent upgrade

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I317 using Tapatalk 2

 

[_X_]

And I hate screen protectors, I just can't do it. So I've stopped wasting my money on them. My husband uses them.

~Jae, tap'n on my Galaxy Note 2~owned since 5-30-13

Me too, I went 2yrs without a scratch on my previous phone. With my note I went a month before I got my first scratch. After my third scratch in 3mo. I decided I do like screen protectors and bought one.

 

[Jude526]

I am a woman with small hands. I have the note2. Love it. Never doubted my decision. Best phone ever. Personal preference.

Sent from my SCH-I605 using Android Central Forums

 

[JenTDOT]

Yes, this phone is awesome! I am loving it.

Sent from my Note 2 using Android Central Forums

 

[drsuse74]

The larger screen and S-pen features would probably do you a great deal with your business.

As far as battery life you could always get an extended battery for either.

I by passed the S4 and ordered the Note 2 on Friday. And the Note will be updated with some of those new features eventually

~Jae, Tap'n on my White Samsung Galaxy S3 ~

i just wanted to say thank you.... I have had a note 2 since Dec and i love it.. then the s4 came out.. i got it the day of.... but honestly.. the screen is so small compared to my note2. the speed, and camera are not that big of a deal. I just kept trying the S4 because of all the hype and I wanted to have the latest and greatest. I did not ever think about using the as s pen doing, the multiscreen and worrying about using it more for business. Yes, the battery is amazing on the note but not that bad on the S4. I know I'm staying with my note 2 and leaving my S4 as a spare phone because it does not compare to what I just tried on my note 2. I actually have rooted and put a custom ROM so it allows all of my applications to be on the multiscreen. So now I can actually take notes while watching a video or reading an email with my S Pen... Sometimes the easiest answer is right front of you... thanks again

 

[LadiJae]

i just wanted to say thank you.... I have had a note 2 since Dec and i love it.. then the s4 came out.. i got it the day of.... but honestly.. the screen is so small compared to my note2. the speed, and camera are not that big of a deal. I just kept trying the S4 because of all the hype and I wanted to have the latest and greatest. I did not ever think about using the as s pen doing, the multiscreen and worrying about using it more for business. Yes, the battery is amazing on the note but not that bad on the S4. I know I'm staying with my note 2 and leaving my S4 as a spare phone because it does not compare to what I just tried on my note 2. I actually have rooted and put a custom ROM so it allows all of my applications to be on the multiscreen. So now I can actually take notes while watching a video or reading an email with my S Pen... Sometimes the easiest answer is right front of you... thanks again

Awesomeness! I knew the S4 wouldn't do a thing for me ... Especially after coming from a S3. Glad you decided to go back... I love this thing!!!!!!

~Jae, tap'n on my Sexy White Galaxy Note 2~