With the Note 9,i now realize that 'Stock' android had me brainwashed.

[dsignori]

I have the Pixel 2 XL and the Note 9. I would guess that most folks dissing “stock” Android likely haven’t used a recent Pixel. I used to feel exactly like this , but I never felt anything missing on the 2 XL. The OS used to be missing what seemed like standard features years ago (how long was it until they got proper quick settings?), etc. But the OS is mature now. And while basic, it functions well and is super smooth (not counting the last 2 months where there was some weird ongoing lag). It’s better than it was years ago IMO by a mile. And folks should try it if they haven’t recently.

Similarly, I would venture folks complaining about Touchwiz lag and bloat haven’t used the more recent devices. It’s been about 3 years since I had a Note and I do feel like the OS is better, cleaner, though still packed to the brim with features. The duplicate apps don’t have to be used (I use mostly Google services), and they don’t get in the way. The OS looks nice IMO, and has lots of nice touches - secure folder, edge panels, a friggen headphone jack (H/W I realize), awesome S PEN software and functionality. , scroll capture screenshots, customizable soft keys, and themes, super AOD customization, and it goes on and on. All are great, none are on “stock” Android. It’s better than it used to be. And folks should try it if they haven’t recently.

So... while then2 OS’s are different by a lot, I really like them both, for different reasons. I don’t think you have to hate one to like the other...

 

[anon(3641385)]

I had the Note 9 , it takes awful pic too much junk app , 2 galleries, to app store ,the stylus it is worthless for everyday use, take a pic and then zoom in on it and see how bad the object looks, $100 for a phone that its performance it is not even close to the One plus 6 ( $575), memory card for what? App are faster if kept in the phone's internal memory, there are cloud to keep photos .$1000 what a rip off

What a strange experience you've had. Your experience seems to differ from many other people's experiences. Stuff happens, that's for sure

 

[anon(3641385)]

Still like BlackBerry launcher. I pay for their suite of apps and use a combination of Samsung and BlackBerry. Works pretty good. There's a feature on the Samsung goodlock where you can swipe away unused open apps to close them. Not bb10, but familiar and pretty slick

Yeah, I recognise you from the crackberry forums

I used blackberry exclusively from 2008 till 2017, and then after my priv I got the note 8, because I wanted the best phone on the market and Samsung note 8 was definitely that at the time. (and the screen is absolutely gorgeous) I've got the note 9 now.

The original blackberry apps, (pre Android), were excellent, and I never needed any others, which was another reason I chose samsung: I wanted to use their apps, for continuity, security and their cloud.

I also subscribe to hub, but only use hub and password keeper, and cobalt for bb keyboard.

Blackberry stuffed up their android contacts app, imo, and Samsung's calendar etc apps are very much to my liking.

And the blackberry dialler app, basically stock Android, is the pits.

 

[anon(3641385)]

Maybe I need more time with a Samsung phone, but I have hated the ones I haver tried...probably more a learning curve than anything...I have been using Blackberry Android for 3 years which is pretty close to "stock" Android, and been really happy with it, played with a Pixel and didn't see any real differences other than how launcher worked...

Yeah, as a blackberry person exclusively from 2008 until 2017 I've seen the very best of the blackberry experience, to the most basic Android experience, the priv etc. And I know what I prefer, the very best experience.

Which is why I chose Samsung, lol, it offers what bb used to, the apps I need (apart from hub, and password keeper which I subscribe to, and cobalt for the keyboard)

And the Samsung screens on the note 8 and the note 9 are unbeatable.

 

[anon(3641385)]

They are all good arguments but it all really depends on what you really need and want.

The best out there, with bells on

 

[anon(3641385)]

Well said.....I just wish everyone realized it.

Well you are posting in the Samsung note 9 forum/thread, so one does expect to see posts from people who prefer and support the Samsung devices, and probably less posts, to negligible, from people who don't want or use a Samsung device.

 

[anon(3641385)]

I don't trust Samsung, or AT&T, with apps. And prefer to avoid even Google's. Is that wanting stock? No, I don't think it is.

So what apps do you choose, and how do you select the app dev?

I trust Samsung as the dev way more than an independent dev. Trust Google, mmmm.... dunno....

 

[Mike Dee]

Well you are posting in the Samsung note 9 forum/thread, so one does expect to see posts from people who prefer and support the Samsung devices, and probably less posts, to negligible, from people who don't want or use a Samsung device.

Sorry you feel that way but I'm afraid that's not quite how it works here. It's an open discussion.

 

[Mike Dee]

The best out there, with bells on

The best is what what works best for you. If that happens to be a Note 9 at the moment you should enjoy it. That's the beauty of Android... Choices.

 

[anon(3641385)]

Sorry you feel that way but I'm afraid that's not quite how it works here. It's an open discussion.

Not sure why you're sorry

This is a Samsung thread, and I expect to see posts from lotsa Samsung users, and sometimes others.

That's why I made light of my earlier response to you

Edit
I've been a crackberry member since 2010, and here on Android Central for less time, and I speak of my posting experiences.

 

[Mike Dee]

Not sure why you're sorry

This is a Samsung thread, and I expect to see posts from lotsa Samsung users, and sometimes others.

That's why I made light of my earlier response to you

Edit
I've been a crackberry member since 2010, and here on Android Central for less time, and I speak of my posting experiences.

Great

 

[ihbsbA]

Hey, All,

After rooting and modding Android devices for the past Decade, it's nice to see that the OS has matured to a point where messing around with is isn't necessary like it once was to get the features I liked.

Starting with the Nexus line, I once thought that stock android was the way to go for pure power, and the Pixel predecessor (specifically the Pixel 2XL) also had me thinking that this device running 'stock' was the mother of all flagships...

Well - after checking out (and, in turn, pre-ordering the unlocked, blue 512GB Note 9), I now realize that the power and productivity aspect of the Pixel 2XL pales in comparison to the Note series...

Glad to be back!

I said almost the same in the "what have you discovered" thread, up top.
I used to root all my phones for hotspot - no need anymore.. and after 2 years on the Pixel, the note 9 is just as fluid.

I'm so happy to be back!

 

[chyeo1979]

I had the Note 9 , it takes awful pic too much junk app , 2 galleries, to app store ,the stylus it is worthless for everyday use, take a pic and then zoom in on it and see how bad the object looks, $100 for a phone that its performance it is not even close to the One plus 6 ( $575), memory card for what? App are faster if kept in the phone's internal memory, there are cloud to keep photos .$1000 what a rip off

Except for the camera which you might thought it's better, everything else you're dissing like the s-pen, sdcard slot, duplicate apps, high price you should already know it before you bought Note 9. So why did you even buy it I wonder

 

[monterxz]

I've got my note 8 after being an early adopter and one of the last users of windows phone. so I use everything from Microsoft, even edge (disabled chrome uninstalled Samsung internet), here maps (disabled maps), outlook (disabled gmail and uninstalled Samsung mail), one drive (uninstalled google drive and disabled Samsung cloud)… I can continue, but the point is: apps are not a problem. now to the features: i'm a designer... the pen... I use it daily... I could stop here but I'll say something about the camera: I have the adobe creative cloud subscription and lightroom mobile and I don't need (to say it better: don't want) any google ai to make my photos look great. also Samsung camera has the pro mode which can save raw files along with jpegs.

 

[cacarr]

I've used Samsung for years, can't stand stock Android.

Most of the new features that Google adds Samsung already has, so I see little benefit from getting the latest version of Android faster. I still get security updates almost monthly for 3 years.

TouchWiz is so frickin' ugly -- tasteless.

 

[Mike Dee]

TouchWiz is so frickin' ugly -- tasteless.

While I am not a fan I don't see how anyone can say TouchWiz or any other UI is ugly. That's why it's good to have choices with Android and launchers.

 

[anon(20964)]

I believe they're referring to the all the Samsung apps pre-installed that you can't uninstall, alongside the native Google apps. Some people just don't like the Samsung apps. I've tried both and I just find everything Google does to be smoother, more user-friendly, and cleaner. It's about the experience and some of us don't get that with Samsung.

I can definitely understand the point made here. I've never had a Samsung Galaxy S series phone but I have nearly all the Notes with exception of 4, 5 and 7. Didn't upgrade to the Note 4 because of the removal of SD card slot.

Samsung phones can seem to suffer from schizophrenia because of the duplicity of functions between Google and Samsung apps. That aspect does need to be managed by the user unfortunately. It is doable.

I enjoy the Note devices because of the integrated stylus and bleeding edge tech specs. Take away those and chances are great that I wouldn't own a Samsung device.

 

[Jaskaran Bhatia7]

Just went to party with my cousin always thought pixel 2 XL was best as it always left my iPhone X in dusk. This time at party with dim light situation my phone clicked much better pic atleast for me and my friends..

 

[anon(3641385)]

TouchWiz is so frickin' ugly -- tasteless.

Ugly? Now that's a way to get a reaction. I presume that's what you were looking for....

 

[anon(1733)]

Personally I like touchwiz. I think Samsung has done a good job. Its slimmed down. Functions well just like Bixby. I know some dont like it. I personally do. It's really useful for me. That's why I purchase Samsung devices.