The OnePlus 3 vs the Note 7

[Aquila]

Ars has shots fired at the Note 7 here: Galaxy Note 7 review: What’s the opposite of “bang for your buck?” | Ars Technica

The overall theme is, why would you buy a Note 7 when you can get a OnePlus 3 for less than half the price? Isn't the OnePlus 3 basically the same phone minus an S-Pen?

To check that out, I did a quick spec comparison - since the spec sheet is the only place where they're "the same".

They have the same SoC, though OP3 modified theirs in a bad way. They have the same amount of storage, though all storage isn't created equal. They both have USB C, both have cameras, both have fingerprint sensors ... what's different? Well, as in most things - the details matter, not the high level "oh, they both have that feature". The quality of the feature matters.

There are four points on which the OP3 definitively beats the Note 7. Price, build materials, speaker quality, RAM quantity. Compared to over 20 points where the Note 7 is ahead, and usually not slightly ahead - but soundly trouncing the OnePlus 3 on the same category.

Is the Note 7 perfect? Absolutely not. Is it undeniably a better device? Yes, in almost every way. Is it worth over double the price? Dunno, that's up to you and your wallet. But $850 isn't really the full price of the Note 7. It's $850, minus rebates, minus the value of the free gift, etc. All in, I can't say the Note 7 is double the device to make it an equal or better value - the OP3 likely is the better value dollar for dollar. But I also don't buy cheap things just because they're cheap. I buy what I want and if it's cheaper, cool, if not - its' worth it.

Disclaimer: I didn't buy the Note 7.

 

[dpham00]

The baseband processor (modem) is integrated onto the S820 SOC. The S7 and Note 7 uses a modem capable of LTE Cat 12/13. The OnePlus 3 (USA model) uses a modem capable of LTE Cat 6, BUT doesn't support carrier aggregation, so it isn't truly LTE Cat 6. For reference, even a device like the Note 3 with the S800 chip supports carrier aggregation.

The downsides of the OnePlus 3 modem:
-NO carrier aggregation on the downlink (Note 7 supports 3x20 carrier aggregation)
-NO carrier aggregation on the uplink (Note 7 supports 2x20 carrier aggregation)
-NO 256 QAM (on the Note 7, the LTE stream is increased by ~33%.)
-NO Wi-Fi Calling
-NO VoLTE on AT&T
-NO WI-FI MIMO
-sub-par radio performance which the CEO attributes to metal construction (HUH?)

So now, you say...but I don't need 600mbps (3x20 CA + 256 QAM). This is true. But you have to understand that carrier aggregation isn't just about top speed performance, but rather a more uniform performance and of particular importance, to improve performance in low signal areas. Carrier aggregation can give you a smoother internet experience in these areas.

 

[SoundofReason]

For $850, I would rather buy 2 One Plus 3s! (Note 7 Review)

Galaxy Note 7 review: What’s the opposite of “bang for your buck?” | Ars Technica

Wow, this review is brutal but honest. He does bench marks and everything. The thing that I didn't like is that it has the same processor as the S7. I knew that the phone was going to have the same camera and megapixel, but same processor too? C'mon Samsung..wth.

 

[o4liberty]

Re: For $850, I would rather buy 2 One Plus 3s! (Note 7 Review)

Do you have a note 7? The note 7 is a premium device with great features, might be pricy but for me it's worth the money.

 

[ThrottleJohnny]

Galaxy Note 7 review: What’s the opposite of “bang for your buck?” | Ars Technica

Wow, this review is brutal but honest. He does bench marks and everything. The thing that I didn't like is that it has the same processor as the S7. I knew that the phone was going to have the same camera and megapixel, but same processor too? C'mon Samsung..wth.

What other processor could they have added? This review is seriously brain dead and tone deaf.

 

[sMt73]

Re: For $850, I would rather buy 2 One Plus 3s! (Note 7 Review)

That site publishes pure rubbish, moving on.

 

[SoundofReason]

Re: For $850, I would rather buy 2 One Plus 3s! (Note 7 Review)

/facepalm

He compares the Note 7 to other devices and says for the price you pay you can get a phone that works just as well for half the price.

 

[SoundofReason]

Re: For $850, I would rather buy 2 One Plus 3s! (Note 7 Review)

That site publishes pure rubbish, moving on.

lol, I have never heard of it..just stumbled onto it today.

 

[SoundofReason]

Re: For $850, I would rather buy 2 One Plus 3s! (Note 7 Review)

I trust Michael Fisher more than this guy, and Michael calls it the best phone of the year. This review is just weird. Why would you buy two of any device? Does he think that getting two makes it twice as fast or the pictures twice as good? Silly stuff. Just because you buy two does not mean you have the equivalent of an S Pen, or the best camera available, or the best screen available.

Michael Fisher, Jaime Rivera X3 lol, MKBHD, and Flossy Carter are the ones that I listen to.

 

[ThrottleJohnny]

/facepalm

He compares the Note 7 to other devices and says for the price you pay you can get a phone that works just as well for half the price.

Except the Note 7 can't be compared to other devices so simply. Name another device with the features of a Note. Once again, tone deaf.

If he had said to pick an older Note device if you value an S-Pen, I would have respected his views a lot more.

A One Plus cannot do what a Note can.

 

[dohlo]

Re: For $850, I would rather buy 2 One Plus 3s! (Note 7 Review)

I feel as if the vast majority (a good amount anyway) aren't all that worried about the real world performance tests of this phone and how much (or maybe lack thereof?) of a powerhouse it is. They want it for the design, display, features that it has, IP68 rating, camera, etc etc etc.

 

[sMt73]

Re: For $850, I would rather buy 2 One Plus 3s! (Note 7 Review)

For comparison sake - I had a OnePlus 3. It is a great device that will do most anything you throw at it. The screen is great, it is fast, etc... but not Nearly as nice as the Sammy phones in the 7 series. I had both of them for a couple days, and the screen, camera, and user experience is just more enjoyable on the 7. One thing to consider, which ultimately led me to selling my OnePlus 3... the company has crappy customer service. If something goes wrong with the device, it is a nightmare to get it resolved, and takes a long time since all phones come fro China. I experienced it first hand with the OG OnePlus. In the end.. you get what you pay for.

 

[SoundofReason]

Re: For $850, I would rather buy 2 One Plus 3s! (Note 7 Review)

read the review and you will see what he said. He says it in the review.

 

[SoundofReason]

Re: For $850, I would rather buy 2 One Plus 3s! (Note 7 Review)

For comparison sake - I had a OnePlus 3. It is a great device that will do most anything you throw at it. The screen is great, it is fast, etc... but not Nearly as nice as the Sammy phones in the 7 series. I had both of them for a couple days, and the screen, camera, and user experience is just more enjoyable on the 7. One thing to consider, which ultimately led me to selling my OnePlus 3... the company has crappy customer service. If something goes wrong with the device, it is a nightmare to get it resolved, and takes a long time since all phones come fro China. I experienced it first hand with the OG OnePlus. In the end.. you get what you pay for.

Thanks for your insightful post. It helps people that may be on the fence and see articles like this to decide.

 

[blackhemi4x4]

Re: For $850, I would rather buy 2 One Plus 3s! (Note 7 Review)

Just like comparing a Kia to a BMW. Sure, they both accelerate when you press the gas and one will save you a heck of a lot of money, but one does it in style and has a heck of a lot more to offer

 

[LegalAmerican]

Re: For $850, I would rather buy 2 One Plus 3s! (Note 7 Review)

He does bench marks and everything..

benchmarks and everything? That told me immediately what I needed to know about this 'review'.

 

[SoundofReason]

Re: For $850, I would rather buy 2 One Plus 3s! (Note 7 Review)

I like that comparison! lol.

 

[donm527#IM]

Re: For $850, I would rather buy 2 One Plus 3s! (Note 7 Review)

If you read most reviews, even if all agree it's the best phone, they have all mentioned price.

Flossy, "Too god damn high!"... "Do not front. You know this doesn't feel like a $1000 phone." lol
And used comparison too that if you don't need the S-pen then the $400 ZTE or One Plus 3 feel similar with the latest processor and memory/ram. And it's true and seen comparison tests with One Plus 3 to show run as well if not smoother :-\

Michael Fisher, Jaime Rivera X3 lol, MKBHD, and Flossy Carter are the ones that I listen to.

 

[TJA3500]

Re: For $850, I would rather buy 2 One Plus 3s! (Note 7 Review)

/facepalm

He compares the Note 7 to other devices and says for the price you pay you can get a phone that works just as well for half the price.

How well does the S Pen work on those other phones?

 

[Joseph Guy1]

Re: For $850, I would rather buy 2 One Plus 3s! (Note 7 Review)

If you already have an s7 then no point in upgrading just for an s pen hell I still have my note 5, Samsung is starting to be like Apple wroth upgrades