Bigger Screen - but, Much Less Usable Area!

[ggrant3876]

I had to return two Note 7's and purchased an S8+ prior to the Note 8. Came from a Nexus 6 and didn't like the tall and narrow screen at first but it has grown on me. Looking at the LGV30 it looks like all the top smartphones are going to the 18.5:9 aspect ratio so you might as well get used to it or go back to a three year old smart phone.

 

[DeetzSw]

Some of you are missing my point. The Spec looks like it's much bigger, and it is (taller much taller)

But when it comes to the functionality of being able to write, and sketch, and draw - I find that I have less real estate to use the S-Pen on the current Note.

Ok, maybe for lists, but....

And as for FAKE NEWS and TB,GB,MB base 10 vs. base 2 - it is all about reporting a SPEC that makes the consumer think this is better, bigger, more more more than it really is. It is deception at worst and misleading at best.

Not withstanding, the Note 8 is a fantastic piece, and any engineering endeavor is a compromise between decisions, but the CORE of the REASON for the Note8 is the distinguishing feature - the S-Pen. In this iteration, the S-Pen is compromised because the screen limits it.

 

[shdwphnx]

All I can really say is that I have been using an Asus Zenfone 3 Ultra with a 6.8" 16:9 screen for the past year, and loved every minute of it. For me, that phone was the perfect size. The only reason I switched to the Note 8 is that I needed 4g with T-Mobile U.S.A.

While the Note 8 is a well built phone with a great feature set, Samsung's decision to go with the long, narrow screen was very disappointing (and is becoming more so the more I use it).

 

[gingi999]

While the diagonal of the display is "more", what concerns me is that the usability of the area is much less.

Consider the real strength of the Note line is the use of the S-Pen. Taking notes and drawing or writing we have LESS real space unless in horizontal mode - this is not my preferred orientation.

If you align the FLAT (non infinity) area - comparison from NOTE-4 to rumored NOTE-8 yes it's taller, but the writable area in width is compromised. Take a look at the attachment. the lower left display area is aligned discounting the "curved" portion of the NOTE-8 - you can't write on curved surface without difficulty... The width is 6.5mm narrower - that's ALOT!

I don't write TO-DO lists that are 25 items long! I write in sentences and paragraphs for inclusion in reports and analysis - and the NOTE-4 (my current device) is better at that.

I want a NOTE-8, but I'm somewhat concerned. How about you all? Do you like the direction that the Note line is headed with aspect ratios?

It's narrower PLUS the infinity display narrows the width even more -

Deetz

write notes horizontally?

 

[DeetzSw]

write notes horizontally?

what about a sketch or drawing? one line or paragraph, ok, but...

 

[gingi999]

what about a sketch or drawing? one line or paragraph, ok, but...

I happen to like writing notes that's why the note Series has been my number one choice and I also 10 to write in full sentences. So I just been writing horizontally because I feel like the phones are too skinny or my handwriting is too big.

 

[ZeroDefined]

My point is not only that it is narrow, but with the curvy edges of the "infinity display" it limits the usable area even more.

It's FAKE NEWS - reporting a screen size for the sake of numbers - you can't use the edges - nice for photos and videos, but not much else. Have you plugged in your 4TB hard drive only to discover you've got 3.6 of usable space after formatting? Same thing.

The display is not bigger - just squished around to fit narrow Asian girl hands - does not help me with the functionality or "productivity" that Samsung espouses. It

Coming from a Note 5, I can say that I do not miss the wider display at all. As much as I enjoyed that phone, it was awkward to use and you were always aware of its width whether it was in your hand or pocket. Not the case at all for the Note 8. The added ergonomics of the taller 18.5:9 aspect ratio is realized almost immediately, the phone is totally usable in one hand and much more pocket-able. Moreover, the taller aspect ratio adds greatly to overall productivity as its perfect for multi-tasking and running apps simultaneously. I'll take vastly improved multi tasking capabilities on a daily a basis over being able to squeeze an extra character two on the edges of the phone any day! Furthermore, the S-Pen has double the pressure sensitivity of the Note 4/5, coupled with the finer tip this allows you to write smaller and much more accurately - thereby making better use of the available screen real estate.
@DeetzSw If your massive neanderthal hands can't handle it then stick to the precious Note 4, don't be blasting the device or its users when you have no first hand experience with it at all. The removable battery, flat screens and IR blaster are long gone, get over it! Don't like it? There are several other OEM's to choose from.

 

[pcriz]

I write pages of notes and dont have an issue, I also can draw and sketch fine.

For writing, the handing writing to text of the stock keyboard works fine for me as well as the google keyboard. For drawing there is this magical ability to manipulate the photo with your fingers to get the best drawing angle. There are a lot of "would be nice" elements to any phone so when you find a phone that isn't well into its planned obsolescence that can do those things please share it with the community.

Ultimately the screen isnt completely usable on the curve but if that sliver is preventing you from enjoying the device it seems to be a personal problem. Saying its "fake news" is kind of silly since the edge does have a function and displays an image. This is like complaining about the onscreen keys counting as part of the overall screen space.

If you don't like it then vote with your wallet.

 

[DeetzSw]

Maybe I'll skip this version and wait for the "Note X"
if you could double the Note8 side by side, I'd see how the trend evolves into something more usable... Wonder what you all will say when you have much greater expanse to use?

http://www.techadvisor.co.uk/new-pr...release-date-features-concept-images-3653300/

or the ZTE ?

 

[rbeavers]

Got $1200. Saved up for the X , and still saving. Will be getting it if they ever release it.

Sent from my SM-N950U using XDA-Developers Legacy app

 

[vadimo]

Correct me if I am wrong but note 8 screen width is same or more than previous notes? Whilist the older versions looked like had more width space this isn't the case because it was non usable are - bezel space, note 8 just got rid of it.

Sent from my SM-N950F using Tapatalk

 

[DeetzSw]

no - it is substantially narrower. as the first picture shows - over 6.5 mm

 

[vndnguyen]

Totally agree with the OP

 

[Kamikaze_Ice]

Some of you are missing my point. The Spec looks like it's much bigger, and it is (taller much taller)

But when it comes to the functionality of being able to write, and sketch, and draw - I find that I have less real estate to use the S-Pen on the current Note.

Ok, maybe for lists, but....

And as for FAKE NEWS and TB,GB,MB base 10 vs. base 2 - it is all about reporting a SPEC that makes the consumer think this is better, bigger, more more more than it really is. It is deception at worst and misleading at best.

Not withstanding, the Note 8 is a fantastic piece, and any engineering endeavor is a compromise between decisions, but the CORE of the REASON for the Note8 is the distinguishing feature - the S-Pen. In this iteration, the S-Pen is compromised because the screen limits it.

This is not consumer misinformation (hard drive sizes, screen of Note 8). Neither of those things are presented to be deceptive in any way, unlike some displays supported refresh rates or resolutions on some 720p displays (some are actually 1366x768 yet marketed as 1270x720, or 120Hz panels are 60Hz input with post-processing for 120Hz yet listed and marketed as a true 120Hz supported display).
This is simply misinformed consumers (comparing ratios vs diagonal measurement vs length x width = pixel count).


I know many don't like this aspect ratio, but here's how I see it.
It's taller in portrait mode, and wider in landscape mode. Seems like a logical solution to me.
I do agree about the usable surface area though. I'm always trying to draw on the curved edges. It would be nice if this margin was excluded or reduced when using the S Pen. It's needed for fingers (I still manage to hit the screen by accident with my palm due to by grip. Corner pushed into palm and ring+pinky are used to pivot the phone at that corner letting other fingers hit sensors/buttons/screen with no problem.)

Also, am I the only one who turns their phone sideways? I need to see more horizontally than vertically 90% of the time (websites, text, writing, etc).
That's why I turn my phone sideways.... Now I have MORE room to write. :silly:

Here's a fun site (Google's resource for material designers) that has quite decent compilation of devices for comparison (Note 4 and S8/S8+, but no Note 8. However the S8+ makes a close substitute in this case.). Click a device to get full details, including Portrait vs Landscape modes.
https://material.io/devices/

And this will explain what density (pixels per inch (px/in) & dots per inch (dp/in)) in actual practice for Androids. This is slightly different than the typical DPI vs PPI cases.
https://material.io/guidelines/layout/units-measurements.html

The Note 8 screen is still better overall (and one of the most accurate displays EVER MADE, amazing for video grading work even vs high end OLEDs with a 3D LUT calibration. First display to ever get an A+ grade from displaymate!), but I'd love a little more width just so the usable flat area matches how Samsung measures their displays (they don't curve around the edge like the actual picture does). Black bars on top/bottom don't bother me with OLEDs, as controls can be placed there or notifications or other crap that would irritate me popping up over a video

 

[AlexHarvard]

Note8 screen width is 2.756 inches. iPhone X is 2.475 inches wide, if you're curious. The Note8 has 22 percent more usable space, that 99% of apps can utilize, or 18% more space if you allow the iPhone's ridiculous cutout.

 

[blecap]

I understand -
Plus:
Asians and women with narrower hands
Less scrolling, able to see more per page
Better spec's
VR may be better field of view
Con:
S-Pen has less writable area, you write on the "flat"
More scrolling, doc's that "word wrap" end up being longer, so more scrolling.

All that said, the writing and drawing is what the Note series is differentiated about.
It would make more sense to have more flat area.

Deetz.

I love the Note 4 width probably the best Note series ever, In fact, I still have it as a backup phone. Btw not all Asian men have small hands, don't stereotype please. I've seen Caucasian men having smaller hands than me. Doh.

 

[favvomannen]

I have a note 8 and basicly must have the phone sideways to do real work now. A bit sad.

 

[centaur31]

The same to me, I have both the 5 and the 8 here on the table, and I prefer the 5.
Also wearing it in my shirtpocket it extends too much.
No need either for a software home button. I really see not much advantage for a larger screen.
Was completely happy with the note 5. I bought the 8 because more memory. I use dual SIM so no SD card.
Disppointed? No, but still...

haha,
Huib

..............................................................................................................................................................

Hi,
I just wanted to tell you that I'm also using a dual SIM on my note 8 Indian/exynos variant but am also using a 128 gb memory card with it.

It is made possible by a small smart adaptor meant for phones with a hybrid SIM slot. There's a wafer thin nano sized SIM kind of thing on one end which extends to a nano SIM slot. The wafer part is put under your microsd where your SIM would be if you were using 2 Sims. The memory card goes on top of it and the SIM tray is closed. The nano SIM slot extends outside and in my case I put in my second SIM there and simply hide it under the back cover/case that I use with my device.

I have used it with different hybrid SIM slot phones and never had any issues at all. I do wonder though, why is it that if you buy a phone that is cheaper than the note 8, from Samsung like the A5 or the J7 etc you get all 3 slots ie 2 SIM slots and a dedicated microsd slot for the micro sd.

Why is it that though we pay much more, we are given this reduced functionality and the choice between using 2 Sims or 1 SIM and 1 microsd card, isn't that kind of stupid??

 

[myechophone]

The same to me, I have both the 5 and the 8 here on the table, and I prefer the 5.
Also wearing it in my shirtpocket it extends too much.
No need either for a software home button. I really see not much advantage for a larger screen.
Was completely happy with the note 5. I bought the 8 because more memory. I use dual SIM so no SD card.
Disppointed? No, but still...

haha,
Huib

..............................................................................................................................................................

Hi,
I just wanted to tell you that I'm also using a dual SIM on my note 8 Indian/exynos variant but am also using a 128 gb memory card with it.

It is made possible by a small smart adaptor meant for phones with a hybrid SIM slot. There's a wafer thin nano sized SIM kind of thing on one end which extends to a nano SIM slot. The wafer part is put under your microsd where your SIM would be if you were using 2 Sims. The memory card goes on top of it and the SIM tray is closed. The nano SIM slot extends outside and in my case I put in my second SIM there and simply hide it under the back cover/case that I use with my device.

I have used it with different hybrid SIM slot phones and never had any issues at all. I do wonder though, why is it that if you buy a phone that is cheaper than the note 8, from Samsung like the A5 or the J7 etc you get all 3 slots ie 2 SIM slots and a dedicated microsd slot for the micro sd.

Why is it that though we pay much more, we are given this reduced functionality and the choice between using 2 Sims or 1 SIM and 1 microsd card, isn't that kind of stupid??

Capitalism at its best. Hence, less features - more expensive !

 

[Gizmoe]

While the diagonal of the display is "more", what concerns me is that the usability of the area is much less.

Consider the real strength of the Note line is the use of the S-Pen. Taking notes and drawing or writing we have LESS real space unless in horizontal mode - this is not my preferred orientation.

If you align the FLAT (non infinity) area - comparison from NOTE-4 to rumored NOTE-8 yes it's taller, but the writable area in width is compromised. Take a look at the attachment. the lower left display area is aligned discounting the "curved" portion of the NOTE-8 - you can't write on curved surface without difficulty... The width is 6.5mm narrower - that's ALOT!



I don't write TO-DO lists that are 25 items long! I write in sentences and paragraphs for inclusion in reports and analysis - and the NOTE-4 (my current device) is better at that.

I want a NOTE-8, but I'm somewhat concerned. How about you all? Do you like the direction that the Note line is headed with aspect ratios?

It's narrower PLUS the infinity display narrows the width even more -

Deetz

Here's a solution, dont buy one. There, wasn't that easy...

I find the size just right. I dont feel like that douche with the ridiculous sized phone like some older models...