Should I get Galaxy S3 or Galaxy Note 2?

[dlee1001]

Since the Galaxy Note 2 is a rumored device, I figured that my question should go in this category of forums.

My AT&T upgrade date is on 12/31. By then, I'm hoping that the Galaxy Note 2 will be out in the U.S.. Some sources say that it'll be released in Europe later this month, so maybe it'll be released in this country by the end of the year. Who knows?

Anyway, my concern is that in the event the Galaxy Note 2 is released by the end of the year, I might not be able to decide between this phone and the Galaxy S3. The thing is, I want to stick with a flagship phone, not a niche phone. yohannie has given me lots of insight on that note.

Why am I concerned about this? Well, I have an Infuse 4G, which works well for me when it does. I say this because it acts up on me quite frequently. Before I did a GSM reset on it last Wednesday, it required a reboot every single day, much to my annoyance and frustration. GPS almost never worked. After the reset, things got a little better, but the niche factor still exists and there will probably be no more updates for the phone. (Side note: Is the Infuse a part of the Samsung Galaxy series?)

yohannie has said in some other forums that the Infuse was a niche phone. I don't want to choose another one of those kinds of phones. I want to choose something and later say, "I made the right choice." I don't want any AT&T clerk steering me towards a phone that is not a Samsung flagship device, because I like having a phone that gets prioritized for updates that enhance the phone's performance. The Infuse fell short of my expectations at that aspect, and I don't want to go through that again. But don't get me wrong: I like my Infuse when it works, which is now most of the time.

Sorry if I'm veering off topic. To clarify what my purpose of posting this is, I'd like to ask: is the Galaxy Note line a flagship phone and, based on the latest rumors, will it contain the same features as the S3 (Smart Stay, S-Voice, Popup Play, etc.)?

Also, if any of you have the Infuse as your main phone, I would like you to share your opinions (if any) about the flagship/niche status of this phone.

 

[Archienj7]

My brother has the Infuse, I have the S3. Get the S3.

 

[Will1524]

Since the Galaxy Note 2 is a rumored device, I figured that my question should go in this category of forums.

My AT&T upgrade date is on 12/31. By then, I'm hoping that the Galaxy Note 2 will be out in the U.S.. Some sources say that it'll be released in Europe later this month, so maybe it'll be released in this country by the end of the year. Who knows?

Anyway, my concern is that in the event the Galaxy Note 2 is released by the end of the year, I might not be able to decide between this phone and the Galaxy S3. The thing is, I want to stick with a flagship phone, not a niche phone. yohannie has given me lots of insight on that note.

Why am I concerned about this? Well, I have an Infuse 4G, which works well for me when it does. I say this because it acts up on me quite frequently. Before I did a GSM reset on it last Wednesday, it required a reboot every single day, much to my annoyance and frustration. GPS almost never worked. After the reset, things got a little better, but the niche factor still exists and there will probably be no more updates for the phone. (Side note: Is the Infuse a part of the Samsung Galaxy series?)

yohannie has said in some other forums that the Infuse was a niche phone. I don't want to choose another one of those kinds of phones. I want to choose something and later say, "I made the right choice." I don't want any AT&T clerk steering me towards a phone that is not a Samsung flagship device, because I like having a phone that gets prioritized for updates that enhance the phone's performance. The Infuse fell short of my expectations at that aspect, and I don't want to go through that again. But don't get me wrong: I like my Infuse when it works, which is now most of the time.

Sorry if I'm veering off topic. To clarify what my purpose of posting this is, I'd like to ask: is the Galaxy Note line a flagship phone and, based on the latest rumors, will it contain the same features as the S3 (Smart Stay, S-Voice, Popup Play, etc.)?

Also, if any of you have the Infuse as your main phone, I would like you to share your opinions (if any) about the flagship/niche status of this phone.

The infuse wasnt considered a galaxy series phone. It was somewhat awkward because it definitely had the specs to be one but it just lacked support and advertising that samsung gives to galaxy phones. That being said it really did pave the way when it comes to the design on the s2. The infuse was considered massive when it came out at 4.5 inches and it was really just a pre realese s2 with less beafy specs. When it comes to the topic of your upgrade im guessing you are AT&T. Your upgrade is 12-31 which is a LONG way away from now. You have to think that many flagship devices will be unveiled during the winter season for holiday shopping. We will see another flagship HTC device and a (couple) nexus devices. Honestly i wouldnt get the s3 that late because by that time it will be old technology. The Note 2 will probably come out sometime around october or november. IF one of the new nexus devices comes to AT&T i would highly suggest you use your upgrade on it. I have a samsung skyrocket and now realize that i will ONLY buy nexus devices from here on out. They get incredible support when it comes to updates and something about stock android just makes me want the phone even more.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I727 using Android Central Forums

 

[jev3gs]

I have owned the Galaxy Note twice and now have the S3. I can tell you that the Note is Fantastic if you enjoy the size. If you surf on it mostly you will live it. The only reason I got the S3 was because the Note had old hardware and I just couldn't get over it so I got the S3.

 

[Illustrator Joe]

I am also making the tough decision between the s3 and the note 2. My upgrade date through AT&T is middle of November. Not too far from now. People have speculated the note will be out around October or November. I hope they are right, Phil recently mentioned his doubt that it would be in the US any time before 2013. I hope he is wrong because I don't know if I can wait that long. I need to take my own advice and "just wait". Get the phone you really want which sounds like the note 2.

 

[royall81]

I also have the Samsung Infuse, freezing up and pulling battery, part of daily routine it seems.
My contract up in January, about the time 4G is going to be rolled out in my area, having owned my 4G capable Infuse now for over a year! I'm a heavy user of data, and go through three batteries a day streaming music, my next phone is going to quad-core, and have a 1Gig of RAM, i'm hoping. i would like Youtube videos to pop off quickly instead of loading for a half minute! Is the Galaxy S3 or Note 2 this phone, i doubt it, but they'll be rolling them out eventually. Can I hang with my Infuse til then, going to save my data and do Gingerbread update, rooting is the next possibility, hoping to make this last til early spring perhaps...I know if i get the Galaxy S3 that far after its release will make me regret that decision when "the next BIG thing" comes out!

 

[anon(847090)]

S3 for sure

 

[kembry]

Wow, memories. I went from the Infuse to the Galaxy Note. I had multiple headaches with the Infuse, but the Note is a dream.

To state the obvious, the longer you wait, the better device you can get. The Note 2 will definitely be a flagship phone like the S3 is now. I will say the Note has spoiled me from smaller screen sizes. But I would be willing to bet you'll be waiting awhile to get it. The S3 is excellent and here now. The Note 2 will be amazing...and you'll have to wait. Either will be a huge upgrade from the Infuse.

Just my two cents...I'd wait until I saw the Nexus devices presumably in November. Samsung has awesome hardware and cruddy upgrades. As an Infuse owner, you well know about the Gingerbread debacle. With my Note, it took WAY too long to get ICS. Nexus, on the other hand, is using Jelly Bean, and everybody loves it.

Again, my two cents. You have nothing but good choices here and all of them are better than the Infuse.

 

[MRGQ]

I'm in a similar situation but with a different carrier. I switch phones very often and made the dumb mistake of selling my VZ GNex to save money..saved money then couldn't find a deal on a GNex and settled for a Droid Razr (not a bad choice considering the guy sold it dirt cheap). Now I want a GS3 but with all the news of the Note 2 coming and my upgrade coming this September I am trying to stay as long as I can with this Razr. But I'm getting bored and inpatient lol if I get a deal on a GS3 I might just jump on it for now

 

[nuprotocol]

GNote 2 for sure. I have the att OneX and att GNote and loveeeeeee the Gnote. I just wish the screen was as nice as the OneX. For them to make a nicer screen, and thinner then its a sure winner. I have no issues with the OneX and only purchased the Gnote b/c I got it brand new on craiglist for a steal. Now its hard for me to go back to the OneX. If your always on forums, websites, and videos on your phone like I am, then the Gnote 2 is the only way to go. I'm going to sell my Gnote to get the Gnote2.

 

[siehead]

I apologize if this is not a direct answer to your question, but I honestly believe that the best phone for you is going to be the galaxy nexus. If support, stability and being on the cutting edge of software updates/custom roms is something you might be interested in, then the nexus line of phones is your best bet. Better yet, you can buy one directly from google for relatively cheap. I would recommend buying the new iphone when it comes out with your carrier subsidy, then selling it on ebay, and then buying a nexus and pocketing the remaining $200-$300 to spend on whatever you please.

Just my two cents, best of luck.

 

[samanthanielquel]

I think S3 would be a much better option. The note 2 has almost has the same features as note.

 

[severinj]

I think S3 would be a much better option. The note 2 has almost has the same features as note.

wait, what? the note 2 will at the very least have the same specs as the sgs3 with more features. the note 2 could potentially have the new exynos as well as a better screen.

 

[LegendOfSubZero]

I don’t see a huge difference between both the devices. I would simply state that Note 2 is a bigger version of S3 with almost similar features with some extra enhancements.

It depends on your need, I would prefer going for the S3 O

 

[my3chis]

I have the S3 right now and I love it. But...if the Note 2 came to Verizon I would jump ship in a heartbeat. I have had 3 HTC's with nothing but trouble so if that is the route that Verizon goes for their "phaplet" I'll stay with my S3.

 

[dlee1001]

Wow, memories. I went from the Infuse to the Galaxy Note. I had multiple headaches with the Infuse, but the Note is a dream.

To state the obvious, the longer you wait, the better device you can will get. The Note 2 will definitely be a flagship phone like the S3 is now. I will say the Note has spoiled me from smaller screen sizes. But I would be willing to bet you'll be waiting awhile to get it. The S3 is excellent and here now. The Note 2 will be amazing...and you'll have to wait. Either will be a huge upgrade from the Infuse.

Just my two cents...I'd wait until I saw the Nexus devices presumably in November. Samsung has awesome hardware and cruddy upgrades. As an Infuse owner, you well know about the Gingerbread debacle. With my Note, it took WAY too long to get ICS. Nexus, on the other hand, is using Jelly Bean, and everybody loves it.

Again, my two cents. You have nothing but good choices here and all of them are better than the Infuse.

While I have less headaches with the Infuse now that I GSM reset it, it doesn't solve the problem of missing out on all the 4G LTE fun. It also doesn't solve the support factor because this phone was not a flagship by Samsung. I just had such a bad experience with the Infuse overall: the first one's power button broke 9 months after I got it, and since the GB update on my replacement, things went downhill after that.

So I have very high expectations for my next phone that it will be absolutely better and will be nothing like the Infuse. Seems that I'm going to be in good hands though, since you and everyone else know that the S3 and the Note 2 is and will be, respectively, amazing. To be honest, I'm only interested in Samsung phones. I like how they skinned Android with their TouchWiz, and it provides more features to the OS like those found in the S3.

Your upgrade is 12-31 which is a LONG way away from now. You have to think that many flagship devices will be unveiled during the winter season for holiday shopping. We will see another flagship HTC device and a (couple) nexus devices. Honestly i wouldnt get the s3 that late because by that time it will be old technology.

I can technically get the Galaxy S3 now via an early upgrade, but the pricing is outrageous for me: I'd have to get it for about $250 more than I would for a full upgrade. If it wasn't for that, I'd get the S3 in a heartbeat. Since my replacement Infuse five months ago, I have checked every single day to see if I'm eligible for a full upgrade, with the exact same results every time: 2 year commitment pricing+$250+$36 upgrade fee along with a new 2 year contract. But still, miracles can happen, so something could come up before 12/31. Or am I just fooling myself?

Given that AT&T has never sold any Nexus phones, I wonder if they'll sell the upcoming Nexus. Just putting that out there.

One thing bothers me though: Wikipedia Samsung Galaxy Note - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia says that the Note's predecessor is the Infuse. I know that the saying goes that you shouldn't believe everything you read, but what are your thoughts on this? Is it true that the Infuse is the predecessor to the Galaxy Note?

It's just that I never want to be stuck with another terrible phone that has outdated, slow hardware out of the box and gets little to no attention in support. Samsung does make amazing and innovative phones, which defines my admiration for the company, but the Infuse was just a mess for me. It didn't, and never will, live up to my expectations anymore.

Are there enough rumors to say that the Note 2 will have the same exact features as the S3 and more? What could be some other features that might appear in the Note 2?

 

[kippykip]

I am an S3 owner. My AT&T upgrade was available way back in Feb 2012. I LOVED the Note and almost got it. I loved the idea of a larger screen but most of all, the stylus. I am an architect and would love the ability to draw or mark up stuff. That's the biggest incentive for me.
But it had Gingerbread and older tech. And soon after that, the S3 was announced. Soooo, I decided to wait. I waited until end of June, which was about 4.5 months after I was eligible to upgrade. I love my S3. But if I am eligible for another upgrade (which I won't be), I would get the Note 2 when it comes out due to the Stylus.
My point: get what you really want instead of settling. If you have to wait, just wait. It is not the end of the world.

 

[dlee1001]

I am an S3 owner. My AT&T upgrade was available way back in Feb 2012. I LOVED the Note and almost got it. I loved the idea of a larger screen but most of all, the stylus. I am an architect and would love the ability to draw or mark up stuff. That's the biggest incentive for me.
But it had Gingerbread and older tech. And soon after that, the S3 was announced. Soooo, I decided to wait. I waited until end of June, which was about 4.5 months after I was eligible to upgrade. I love my S3. But if I am eligible for another upgrade (which I won't be), I would get the Note 2 when it comes out due to the Stylus.
My point: get what you really want instead of settling. If you have to wait, just wait. It is not the end of the world.

This leads me to my next question that I haven't thought about in a while. I think you implied it here, but just to be sure, if I don't upgrade on 12/31 (my upgrade date), will I still be able to upgrade at the 2 year contract price at any time before my contract expires, which will be 5/31 next year?

How did you get your S3 after your upgrade date passed? Like, how much did it cost you to upgrade your phone after your upgrade date?

 

[kippykip]

@dlee1001

I got my iPhone 4 back in Sept 2010. I was eligible for an upgrade in Feb 2012. (So, it was like 17 mo cycle?) As you can tell, I am still well into my 2 year contract from iPhone 4.

When the S3 came out, I pre-ordered it. Since I was eligible back in Feb, when June rolled around, I was eligible for S3 at $199 (+tax, etc). I am in a 2 year contract again.

I even contacted AT&T to have my iPhone 4 unlocked, and they made it happen. I hope I will be in another 17-18 month cycle again. That would mean I am eligible for another upgrade towards the end of 2012. And then maybe a Note 3? a new Nexus? S4? Not sure.

 

[dlee1001]

@dlee1001

I got my iPhone 4 back in Sept 2010. I was eligible for an upgrade in Feb 2012. (So, it was like 17 mo cycle?) As you can tell, I am still well into my 2 year contract from iPhone 4.

When the S3 came out, I pre-ordered it. Since I was eligible back in Feb, when June rolled around, I was eligible for S3 at $199 (+tax, etc). I am in a 2 year contract again.

I even contacted AT&T to have my iPhone 4 unlocked, and they made it happen. I hope I will be in another 17-18 month cycle again. That would mean I am eligible for another upgrade towards the end of 2012. And then maybe a Note 3? a new Nexus? S4? Not sure.

So it's clear that the eligibility date (12/31 for me) just means that it's the date when you can start considering a full upgrade. There is no expiration date unless you sign a new 2 year contract without upgrading. Is that correct?

Sorry if I'm being persistent. I just want to make things clear before I set out to make a huge commitment to get a good phone. After all, this is 2 years that we're talking about. Don't want to be stuck with a bad phone for that amount of time.