Should I get a Note 3 or a Note 4?

[AnimeKing]

Hello wonderful people.

So I'm upgrading my phone fairly soon here in December of 2014, and I know I want a good android phone. I've had the iPhone 4 8GB white model for 2.5 years, before that I had an Iphone 3GS, 2 or 3 crappy early model touchscreen phones before that, a few Razr phones before that, and a funny little LG flip phone was my first ever cell phone.

Well back on topic, I just want a change from iPhone. I have many friends that have android phones and they have convinced me to get one instead of an iPhone. Now I'm trying to decide which one to get. After doing a bit of research, it seems like the Galaxy Note series appeals to me the most because of the S Pen functions , the huge screen, and great processing power.

I'm sort of on the fence with whether I should get an Galaxy Note 3 or Galaxy Note 4. I'm expecting to have $150 saved up by Christmastime, and want to get a new phone then. I've seen the Note 3 for $100.00 (AtandT, thats my cell phone service) at Best Buy and I said to myself "damn, what a deal!". It seems like the Galaxy Note 4 is $300.00 no matter where I go.

My main question is, coming from a dude that has an Iphone 4 as his most recent cell phone for the last 2.5 years, is it worth it to make some sacrifices for the Note 4? Not like drastic sacrifices haha, I mean that I could sell my Playstation4 for about $330 (no games for it) and that would be more than enough to get the Note 4 and I could use the other ~$150 for a really good case and maybe some accessories for the phone... I got the ps4 for my college graduation this past December as a surprise gift.

Or should I just get the Note 3 with my savings? Is the Note 4 really that much different from the Note 3?

 

[bobxxz]

IMO pick up the note 4 over note 3 if you want the phone to last at least 2-3 years without lag.. Plus you'll enjoy the crystal clear screen QHD and feel the premium of the phone. I just picked up a note 4 couple days ago, and it's been great! But thinking about your budget, note 3 fits perfectly to your budget..
So it is totally up to you.
Posted via the Android Central App

 

[bembol]

The new build quality IMO is more than enough to go with the Note 4.

Sent from my SM-N910W8 using Tapatalk

 

[nugj]

I understand....I came out of an iPhone 4 myself. Just did not find anything compelling in the iPhone 4S, 5 or 5S and waited for the 6 and 6+ to see if they would do it for me. They didn't. I got the Note 4. But I totally understand the cost thing and wanting to make the right decision.

I tend to keep my phones and more often than not, force the manufacturers to really do something to pry me out of what I have and shoehorn me into the next one. I know many of the experienced Android users have not really been super impressed with the N4 vs the N3. But I actually think Samsung did just enough better to push the N4 away from any consideration of the device as just a smartphone. It is as complete a representative of the category they themselves created as they have released IMO. It is a phablet. So is the N3. But I am not sure the N3 would have helped coax me to leave my laptop home as readily as I do now with the N4.

Those that had the N3 and now have the N4 often comment about the improvements made in the S-pen. Myself, I really do think that you do yourself a disservice if you get an N4 and then don't really figure out how the S-pen fits into your life. As good as it is, it is not going to hop out of its slot and dance its way into your heart. You have to take the time to figure it out. But just like everything else Android....even with the stuff you don't end up liking.....learning about it is all good and you will enjoy learning how to make the S-pen work for you.

I will say this.....if I could not or did not want to spend the extra money for the N4, then I would definitely have to be committed to the S-pen to go for the N3. There are some other Android based devices out there that I think just make more sense i you are just going to leave the S-pen in its slot. The HTC for one. I think they have done a great job with that device. But the S-pen puts the Note series is a category all its own...but not if you are going to leave it in its slot.

Hope this helped.

 

[Almeuit]

I'd get the Note 4 if you're going to upgrade. Worth it for sure !

 

[MightyMike]

All my friends that have Note 2&3's have checked out my phone and are upgrading. The screen and build are the clincher. Honestly, the guy with the 3 said his N3 looked cheap next to my N4...and it did. His plastic chrome was peeling off and his screen didn't look nothing close to the 4.

Posted via the Next Big Thing, My Galaxy N4.

 

[stackberry369]

The new build quality IMO is more than enough to go with the Note 4.

Sent from my SM-N910W8 using Tapatalk

I got mine the 1st day with sprint and had the 3 and love the 4

Posted via the Galaxy Note 4

 

[dpham00]

My thoughts on the Verizon Note 4 advantages over Verizon Note 3:
-Significantly better battery life
-Significantly better radio, especially in lower signal areas.
-Runs substantially cooler
-Charges significantly faster with adaptive charging.
-Significantly easier to read outdoors
-Camera is a MAJOR improvement in low light/motion shots. Note 4 has OIS.
-Added fingerprint scanner (can be a bit finicky to use)
-Added Heartrate monitor
-Usage of Google "always listening" even when screen is off. Note 3 only had S-Voice always listening

Minor points:
-Added aluminum frame
-QHD

Cons:
-Marginally heavier (I didn't really notice it)
-No USB 3.0 (slower transfer speeds)
-A hair taller (I didn't really notice it)
-Speaker on the back




Sent from my Verizon Samsung Galaxy Note 4

 

[codeda]

I'd just check the sales on amazon and best buy. I bet you can get the note 4 in your budget range with all these holiday sales. I know for a fact best buy is having a note 4 sale this weekend, just cant remember the details. Anyway, Then you don't have to sacrifice money or the newer phone.

 

[LaTuFu]

I would go with the Note 4. It is the new flagship, so it is going to get all of the love from Samsung now. That doesn't mean the Note 3 will no longer be supported, but it is definitely not going to get near the same level of resources that the Note 4 will be getting.

Keep saving your money, and if you can, wait it out until after Christmas. You may find that once the holidays are over and the sales begin to slow down, the carriers lower the contract price to $200 or less.

 

[Almeuit]

My thoughts on the Verizon Note 4 advantages over Verizon Note 3:
-Significantly better battery life
-Significantly better radio, especially in lower signal areas.
-Runs substantially cooler
-Charges significantly faster with adaptive charging.
-Significantly easier to read outdoors
-Camera is a MAJOR improvement in low light/motion shots. Note 4 has OIS.
-Added fingerprint scanner (can be a bit finicky to use)
-Added Heartrate monitor
-Usage of Google "always listening" even when screen is off. Note 3 only had S-Voice always listening

Minor points:
-Added aluminum frame
-QHD

Cons:
-Marginally heavier (I didn't really notice it)
-No USB 3.0 (slower transfer speeds)
-A hair taller (I didn't really notice it)
-Speaker on the back




Sent from my Verizon Samsung Galaxy Note 4

This has been my experience pretty much.

 

[philip42]

I came from the S4 to the Note 4. I love the Note. Having said that, I was considering buying a Note 3 off contract so that I wouldn't be bound in but I couldn't resist. I wouldn't sell your PS4 though. That will have a shelf life of about ten years! The phone will only last about 2 at most. You'll be sorry if you sell it. I'd say, get what you can afford and keep your graduation present.

Posted via the Android Central App

 

[Duncan1982]

Well weigh it up if your not really using the PS4 then yes it would be good for that to then go to a gamer and for you to get something you would make use of.

The Note 4 really is a step up from the Note 3 in many area's. But build being one that you now know you have a premium device.

There are quite a few other features like improved TW and multitasking oh and enhanced S-Pen. The processor & graphics chip and this Screen is brilliant.

It really is your call but if I were you, and like I said not to fussed about the PS4 then yeh its only logical to get something that you will.

Good luck with your decision.

Posted via the Android Central App

 

[zeuswsu]

I'd go with the 4. I agree with dpham's list with the most significant upgrades for me being the improvements in battery life and radios.

 

[AnimeKing]

Thanks a bunch for your responses so far guys, they have been really helpful.

As far as I can tell, there will be no black Friday sales for the AtandT version of the Note 3 or Note 4.

I went to Best Buy today and the prices are exactly the same ($150 for Note 3 and $300 for Note 4). Best Buy has a Black Friday deal for the Galaxy S5 , its like $2 or something for a 2 year upgrade for that phone. I admit it looks nice and the display looks a little better than the Galaxy Note 3, but I still won't get it because I want a bigger screen!

Right now I'm leaning towards getting the Note 3. After playing with it for about 30 minutes at Best Buy today, I can actually tell that just looking at pictures and videos of it on my computer don't do it justice (Guess my computer screen only goes up to 720p so that's probably why?). My main objective is to buy a phone that has a big screen and that can run all of the applications available for android phones. I think I'm a bit more flexible the most people when it comes to being out of date with phone technology, as I had iPhone4 for 2.5 years , and even when I got that phone for my 21st birthday it was already 2 years old it seems.. And I may be one of the only people who actually think the stitching pattern on the back of the Note 3 looks pretty cool

I might just get the Note 3 in a few weeks. Then in 2016 when as soon as the year starts I will start saving for the Note 6 and buy when I'm due for my 2 year upgrade in December 2016. By then my Note 3 would be like a Dinosaur I'm sure.

 

[Duncan1982]

Thanks a bunch for your responses so far guys, they have been really helpful.

As far as I can tell, there will be no black Friday sales for the AtandT version of the Note 3 or Note 4.

I went to Best Buy today and the prices are exactly the same ($150 for Note 3 and $300 for Note 4). Best Buy has a Black Friday deal for the Galaxy S5 , its like $2 or something for a 2 year upgrade for that phone. I admit it looks nice and the display looks a little better than the Galaxy Note 3, but I still won't get it because I want a bigger screen!

Right now I'm leaning towards getting the Note 3. After playing with it for about 30 minutes at Best Buy today, I can actually tell that just looking at pictures and videos of it on my computer don't do it justice (Guess my computer screen only goes up to 720p so that's probably why?). My main objective is to buy a phone that has a big screen and that can run all of the applications available for android phones. I think I'm a bit more flexible the most people when it comes to being out of date with phone technology, as I had iPhone4 for 2.5 years , and even when I got that phone for my 21st birthday it was already 2 years old it seems.. And I may be one of the only people who actually think the stitching pattern on the back of the Note 3 looks pretty cool

I might just get the Note 3 in a few weeks. Then in 2016 when as soon as the year starts I will start saving for the Note 6 and buy when I'm due for my 2 year upgrade in December 2016. By then my Note 3 would be like a Dinosaur I'm sure.

There is nothing wrong with the Note 3 and its still spec wise a very solid device.

Its no doubt at present the best option for you in the finicial aspect so yes go and grab it and have fun.

I really enjoyed my Note 3 and its just my addiction that led my to sell it so I could obtain the G3.

Sounds like you have almost made up your mind and I support that wise decision.

OK its not the latest and greatest but its still a very capable device that will do what you want it to. Run the latest games, apps etc etc.

Enjoy the Note 3 should that be your final decision.

Posted via the Android Central App

 

[dj2big]

Hello wonderful people.

So I'm upgrading my phone fairly soon here in December of 2014, and I know I want a good android phone. I've had the iPhone 4 8GB white model for 2.5 years, before that I had an Iphone 3GS, 2 or 3 crappy early model touchscreen phones before that, a few Razr phones before that, and a funny little LG flip phone was my first ever cell phone.

Well back on topic, I just want a change from iPhone. I have many friends that have android phones and they have convinced me to get one instead of an iPhone. Now I'm trying to decide which one to get. After doing a bit of research, it seems like the Galaxy Note series appeals to me the most because of the S Pen functions , the huge screen, and great processing power.

I'm sort of on the fence with whether I should get an Galaxy Note 3 or Galaxy Note 4. I'm expecting to have $150 saved up by Christmastime, and want to get a new phone then. I've seen the Note 3 for $100.00 (AtandT, thats my cell phone service) at Best Buy and I said to myself "damn, what a deal!". It seems like the Galaxy Note 4 is $300.00 no matter where I go.

My main question is, coming from a dude that has an Iphone 4 as his most recent cell phone for the last 2.5 years, is it worth it to make some sacrifices for the Note 4? Not like drastic sacrifices haha, I mean that I could sell my Playstation4 for about $330 (no games for it) and that would be more than enough to get the Note 4 and I could use the other ~$150 for a really good case and maybe some accessories for the phone... I got the ps4 for my college graduation this past December as a surprise gift.

Or should I just get the Note 3 with my savings? Is the Note 4 really that much different from the Note 3?

Get the Note 4 the closer to Christmas you buy you can get a bigger discount from best buy negotiate with them offer them $0 and they will do it just promise to buy the monthly best buy insurance sales reps there get paid on that not on sold phones

 

[AnimeKing]

Well I've taken even more time to think about it, and I believe that many of you are right, in this situation it seems like being just a little more patient and saving more money will allow me to obtain a substantially better phone overall. I've decided to just wait a bit longer to save fore the full amount of the Note 4 even if I have to get it in January, February, or March of next year. I know I'll at least have $150 saved up by the 31st of December, and maybe $200 optimistically thinking. I was told at AT&T my Iphone 4 is worth $30 trade in value, so that makes the total cost of the note 4 on 2 year contract upgrade about $293.99 . Think I'll get the white version, and I'll also tack on $70? or so to get a good otterbox defender with it when I upgrade.

Again I thank you all for your opinions and for answering my topic question. I'll try to remember to make a post here when I get my Galaxy Note 4..

 

[AnimeKing]

Got $55.00 out of selling some old schoolbooks I found in my garage.. I'll have $150 saved up by the end of the year, and also my old Iphone4 (in great condition due to being in otterbox commuter or defender for 2.5 years) is worth $30.00 trade in value. So $55 + $150 + $30 = $235.00 I have on me by December 31st. So $323 (Note 4 two year contract) - $235.00 = $88.00 short

Maybe I can do some kinda odd job or rake a bunch of leaves to make up for the rest haha. Wish I had a more valuable old phone to trade in, probably would have made up that difference quite easily.. probably just end up getting it in January or February.

I haven't seen any of my friends/family or even just random people to own this phone in real life, so it'll be cool to be different from everyone else . A lot of students at my college have iPhones , same with my old college. If you were curious I'm a first semester graduate student, ready for the holidays. Thursday (last exam) can't come soon enough!

 

[derekfaircloth]

I had my Note 3 and loved it. At first I was not going to upgrade but my phone ***** came out and I did.
I am glad I did and my 2 main things are the better camera and improved S-pen. Screen not too shabby either Iol

John 3:16