Disappointed / Missing Feature in Galaxy Note 4

[ECrispy]

There are two aspects to TW - 1) the aesthetic, and 2) the functionality it provides.

Let's talk about them...

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Most people bashing TW (or pretty much any OEM overlay) are comparing it to a Nexus device or AOSP. Google's mastery of UX/UI design has improved but benchmarked against "good" UX/UI design Android L is probably a 7 on the 10 scale. Their apps diverge from each other functionally and aesthetically, popular apps get the most attention leaving them ahead of the rest design wise, and they aren't terribly well integrated. Most of them are needlessly busy (Music and Play) or barren and hard to figure out (Voice). Making all that "flat" isn't really going to change anything. As for the appearance of TW I don't think it's any worse than native Android. Starting with the SGS5 Samsung's made an effort to make the UI more contemporary, their proprietary apps more consistent, and all of it thinner and less busy. Most people who hate TW do so because it's not AOSP, not that it's bad in and of itself.

I love the functionality Samsung's added to Android and am actually a heavy S Pen and productivity user. Most of the stuff I love the most I never see mentioned on XDA; probably because most people here aren't productivity users or primarily use their devices for consumption. For the latter group I totally get why they'd hate OEM overlays and can see why the simplicity of using everything provided "as-is" by Google would be attractive. To an extent, and it's kind of ironic, that's what Apple device users see as a benefit in iOS too. Everything's handed to you and you only have to go another route if you want to.

Here's what I use most in TW. And I mean every day.

• Multiview (drag and drop between windows, Pen Window allowing apps to be overlayed or minimized)
• Scrapbook (capturing and categorizing things I stumble upon, capturing something on one device and having it available on another)
• Persistent clipboard (anything you copy is saved for use across apps even after a restart)
• S Note (brainstorming, handwriting-to-text for meeting notes, syncing and editing between devices, creating S Notes on my PC and sending them to my devices and vice-versa)
• My Files (FTP & Dropbox integration especially, saving to external storage which Google f-d up)
• Editable screen captures with S Pen
• Action Memo
• S Voice driving mode (to send and listen to MMS, control the device without touching it [Hi Galaxy])
• Stock browser (being able to sync across my mobile devices, sending an open page between my tablet and phone)
• Samsung Link (moving content between devices (N3, N10.1-14, Gear, home PC, home server, work PC, Dropbox, multiple Samsung TVs, saving directly to external storage which Google f-d up)
• Pop-up-play (I like to watch HBO GO, Amazon, Hulu, and TBS while I'm working on gnarly projects)
• Hancom Office (the best faux-Office product out of a bad lot)
• E-Meeting (I'll hand someone my tablet and work the presentation from my N3; impresses every time)
• SideSync
• WatchOn
• Milk (love it, even once I have to start paying for it)
• Nokia Here (absolutely fantastic - it's lightweight like Google Maps but doesn't bombard you with advertising or capture your user data, soon to be available on your wrist too)
• Samsung's BT HID implementation (using a mouse and a Samsung keyboard is as close to using a PC as you'll ever get on Android)

The most legitimate ***** about TW is the amount of resources it consumes. But there's a caveat. If you're a consumption user and could care less about the stuff I've shared my use of then yes, TW is wasting resources and keeps a slew of processes and threads open in the background that you'll never use. But, and it's a big but, if you were using a Nexus device and wanted to replicate all the stuff I listed and downloaded third party apps (where they exist) from Play you'd be using as many or more resources and everything would be far less integrated.

So like most of the stuff discussed on XDA TW isn't black and white and people's individual views of AOSP vs. what OEM's do to Android is a huge YMMV. How you think about it depends on how you use your device. To each their own.

Thanks for your excellent reply and it really makes sense for your usage scenarios. I never owned a Note but do have a G2 and I don't really mind its UI skin that much. When I played with the Note 4 n store, I wasn't really that comfortable using S-Pen and its features. The phone I had before the G2 was S3, and I liked some of the features like the much nicer media support.

e.g. the G2 also has the multi clipboard feature and I like it. But there's no doubting that AOSP roms to run faster and its noticeable in things like multitasking.

If I ever got a Note and learnt to use its extra features, its quite likely I'd get to like them, but I'd still miss Google's beautifully designed and minimal UI.

 

[sonyfan12]

1) 240ghz flickering
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ynHdzrnBxI4&feature=player_detailpage#t=132
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mdneth_AKKA&feature=player_detailpage#t=130
http://www.ixbt.com/mobile/images/samsung-galaxy-note4/oled-mod.png
2) Bad camera. Note 4 have two bathes with different cameras, first with isocell (rosiness, blueness and oversatureted)
http://www.androidcentral.com/samsung-galaxy-alpha-vs-iphone-6
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rNAHv-E1HWU&feature=youtu.be&list=UUIrrRLyFMVmmL9NDAU2obJA
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=atqshKOP55c
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w9m3SskIIvI
http://www.mobile-review.com/review/lenovo-vibe-z2.shtml#s7
http://hi-tech.mail.ru/review/Apple_iPhone_6_Plus_vs_Samsung_GALAXY_Note_4.html
(hi-tech mail made wrong screen test)
also watch phonearena camera tests,
second with sony camera
https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=kMrybYOm8Sg#t=51
Need normal camera like in iphone 6 (not 6 plus)

As I said. Cold and rosiness colors, blue instead gray or white, rosines instead brown etc., no yellow color,
oversaturation
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9r732fu9TJE

 

[BarryH_GEG]

As I said. Cold and rosiness colors, blue instead gray or white, rosines instead brown etc., no yellow color,
oversaturation

You need to go away. Do you search the Internet far and wide until you can find some shred of evidence, no mater how weak or questionable, that supports whatever negative point you're trying to make? Read the two links at the bottom of my post if you're interested in objectively understanding the Note 4's display performance. If you're not interested in objectivity you really need to go away.

Basic Mode with the Standard sRGB / Rec.709 Color Gamut

The Basic screen mode provides a very accurate Color and White Point calibration for the Standard sRGB/Rec.709 Color Gamut that is used in virtually all current consumer content for digital cameras, HDTVs, the internet, and computers, including photos, videos, and movies. The Color Gamut of the Basic screen mode is very accurate, with a nearly perfect 101 percent of the Standard sRGB/Rec.709 Color Gamut. Even better, the Absolute Color Accuracy for the Basic screen mode is an impressive 1.5 JNCD, the most color accurate display that we have ever measured for a Smartphone or Tablet, which is visually indistinguishable from perfect, and is very likely considerably better than your living room TV. See this Figure for an explanation and visual definition of JNCD and the Color Accuracy Plots showing the measured display Color Errors, and also this regarding Bogus Color Accuracy Measurements.

Use the Basic screen mode for the best color and image accuracy, which is especially important when viewing photos from family and friends (because you often know exactly what they actually should look like), for some TV shows, movies, and sporting events with image content and colors that you are familiar with, and also for viewing online merchandise, so you have a very good idea of exactly what colors you are buying and are less likely to return them. See the Color Accuracy section and the Color Accuracy Plots for measurements and details.





http://www.displaymate.com/Galaxy_Note4_ShootOut_1.htm

http://www.displaymate.com/Colors_22.html

 

[BarryH_GEG]

When I played with the Note 4 n store, I wasn't really that comfortable using S-Pen and its features.

I have a N10.1-14 too. In listing what I do with Samsung's s/w it applies to both it and my Note 3. I use some stuff much more heavily on the N10.1-14 which has in some cases become my laptop replacement.



Some of the biggest benefits to me of all the S Pen related s/w is capturing content when I see it, archiving and curating it, making it presentation worthy, and then sharing it. An idea can hit me or I'll need to reference something I've created or am working on. S Note, Scrapbook, and the Stock browser all sync with your Samsung account and S Note also syncs with your desktop PC. So if I'm in a rental car van or subway and want to add something to a project started on my N10.1-14 I can just pull out my Note 3. If it weren't for the Note-series I'd have a Galaxy Tab S and a Galaxy Alpha. The 5.7" Notes are comically large to be used just as a phone; especially for people who may already own a tablet.

When Samsung introduced the first Note three years ago it represented two things - 1) the first giant screen phone, and 2) a productivity tool relying on a stylus for some of its unique features. It also began to represent "flagship" status because its specs were typically the best Samsung had on offer.

Here's an interesting survey...



1/3 of Note owners could care less about the stylus which means they're buying it either for the specs or giant screen. Assuming the Nexus 6 really does have a 5.9" display and similar specs to the Note 4 it'll present a real opportunity for giant phone fans who see no value in S Pen or Samsung's productivity features. Same thing with the iP6+. For people who are consumption users looking for a giant phone either of those two would be a viable choice with the Nexus 6 most likely being priced more attractively than either of the other two.

If you do get a Note you owe to yourself to take the time to get to know some of the features I listed in the previous post. At face value it's easy to say "more Samsung bloatware" but there are some real gems among them. For example, my Gear auto-transfers pics I take to my Note 3. If I'm going to edit those pics, using Samsung Link, I can open them in my N10.1-14 or even on my home PC without having to transfer them to a cloud or between devices. Some of Samsung's stuff truly is crap but some is really well thought out and can make things you do easier. Clearly a YMMV.

 

[miztral]

Fingerprint scanner as implemented on the Huawei ascend mate 7 is something Samsung might have a look at. On the other hand I have seen video's where the finger scanner on the note 4 is demonstrated and seems to work very well.

 

[route9]

A simple question. I have read the online instructions for Note 4 but I cannot find a line in it, if Note 4 can be charged wireless?

 

[apprentice]

A simple question. I have read the online instructions for Note 4 but I cannot find a line in it, if Note 4 can be charged wireless?

Not natively. But they are launching cases for the Note 4 with wireless charging receiver built in. So the answer is yes with the case but when they will be launched is anyone's guess. Usually a few weeks after phone is on sale. (Also there will no doubt be wireless charge receivers that you stick inside the battery compartment available as used on the Note 3 etc)

Sent from my SM-T705 using Tapatalk

 

[route9]

This is good news, thank´s a lot.

 

[BarryH_GEG]

I have heard nothing but praise for the camera on the Note 4.

Still and video capture are both important smartphone features. How important varies by user. Nokia's produced some incredible smartphone cameras. The most avid photographers in my little mobile ecosystem wouldn't consider giving up Android or iOS and moving to Windows Phone even if the pictures were universally 50% better from a Lumia.

This was an incredibly funny and effective at making its point commercial for the Lumia 1020's camera. Sadly, it didn't sell more phones.

The 4MP camera on the HTC One(M7/8) is universally panned. It's a one trick pony (low light performance) that produces pictures fit only for social use (displaying a pic taken with a One on the Note 4's display won't allow zoom because it's displayed at full resolution). People knew that and bought the phone anyway because they liked its other unique features (Boom Sound, aluminum build and design). The only phone I've owned whose camera I really didn't like was the HTC One X (noise, compression artifacts) but that's not the reason I'm not interested in their current products.

The Note 3's camera is fine for my use and I've gotten some incredible content from it along with missing shots I shouldn't have because of focus or lighting. I'm sure the Note 4's won't be any worse and with OIS it'll probably be significantly better. I'd buy a Note 4 even if the camera was no better than the N3's or even a bit worse. The camera's just one of my selection criteria. Would any of you buy a car with a gorgeous interior if the exterior was ugly, it got bad gas mileage, had poor reliability, or handled poorly? Choosing a smartphone typically involves multiple selection criteria borne from differing individual priorities. On that note (no pun intended), how many people here buy a smartphone with camera performance being their highest priority and singular biggest decision criteria? And for those that respond, what smartphone camera are you using now?

So Sony, LG, HTC (they have a camera announcement upcoming), The Chinese, or Apple could release a device with the ultimate camera. If it didn't have a stylus, active digitizer, multiview, and other stuff I use I wouldn't be moved. My Note 4 will be my sixth Samsung device (I only strayed once with the Teg 3 HTC One X). While they haven't been perfect and some h/w and s/w choices could be considered questionable they all served me incredibly well. Knowing what I'm getting next and what I can expect is worth something. In that regard, at least for me, Samsung's a safe choice. After all, I'm buying a phone with a camera, not a camera that does calls, MMS, and data. As always, YMMV.

BTW, the iP6+ camera that keeps being brought up as a reference device has got its own issues to contend with. Here's a professional photographers take...

If you don’t feel like reading a 3,000 word review of the camera in the iPhone 6 Plus and just want to have something to say at the water cooler, then here you go.

The iPhone 6 Plus camera has two significant improvements: improved focus and optical image stabilization (the 6 only has digital image stabilization). *The focus was better than I expected and I was rarely able to trick it into missing focus even when I pushed it hard in a very dark testing environment.

The image stabilization provides a nice improvement in sharpness in low light, but Apple used it in a very smart way to also reduce the noise in the photo (slower shutter speed and capping the max ISO lower). *This produced much better images in very dim environments.

However, it’s not all roses and balloons. For some reason that I cannot understand, Apple has changed the JPG processing engine and dramatically reduced the contrast in the photos. This produces blotchy, ugly skin tones and dull, lifeless landscapes. *It’s not a subtle difference at all.

I also picked up on a number of bugs in the system. *One of which is a dramatically reduced frame rate when shooting in dark or high dynamic range environments. *In fact, despite the faster processor on the iPhone 6 Plus, I found the iPhone 5s could shoot twice as many frames in a given amount of time.

In short, the iPhone 6 Plus improves on two of the most important aspects of the camera quality that give it better results in low light, but at the same time make missteps that hurt contrast and add bugs to the system.

http://improvephotography.com/30019/iphone-6-camera-depth-review/​

 

[apprentice]

There are two aspects to TW - 1) the aesthetic, and 2) the functionality it provides.

Let's talk about them...

...
So like most of the stuff discussed on XDA TW isn't black and white and people's individual views of AOSP vs. what OEM's do to Android is a huge YMMV. How you think about it depends on how you use your device. To each their own.

I don't mind TW as it does clearly have its uses as you've detailed in your post. But I do wish Samsung would lose that grey blue colour that they use everywhere and update their app icons to something more modern or match them to the notification panel icons at least.
.

Sent from my SM-T705 using Tapatalk

 

[Kawaisa]

wanted water resistance and 4GB ram and i forgot what else but all i know is i will pre-order it like i did the previous model and will the next one to follow LOL

OOH HOLD UP

i didnt see mention of external memory??? if they removed that then i will def stay with N3 as this is key for me.

What external battery? Removable battery? It has a removable battery.

Here's a new review: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Eibt5_0EVo&feature=youtu.be

 

[sonyfan12]

You need to go away. Do you search the Internet far and wide until you can find some shred of evidence, no mater how weak or questionable, that supports whatever negative point you're trying to make? Read the two links at the bottom of my post if you're interested in objectively understanding the Note 4's display performance. If you're not interested in objectivity you really need to go away.

Basic Mode with the Standard sRGB / Rec.709 Color Gamut

The Basic screen mode provides a very accurate Color and White Point calibration for the Standard sRGB/Rec.709 Color Gamut that is used in virtually all current consumer content for digital cameras, HDTVs, the internet, and computers, including photos, videos, and movies. The Color Gamut of the Basic screen mode is very accurate, with a nearly perfect 101 percent of the Standard sRGB/Rec.709 Color Gamut. Even better, the Absolute Color Accuracy for the Basic screen mode is an impressive 1.5 JNCD, the most color accurate display that we have ever measured for a Smartphone or Tablet, which is visually indistinguishable from perfect, and is very likely considerably better than your living room TV. See this Figure for an explanation and visual definition of JNCD and the Color Accuracy Plots showing the measured display Color Errors, and also this regarding Bogus Color Accuracy Measurements.

Use the Basic screen mode for the best color and image accuracy, which is especially important when viewing photos from family and friends (because you often know exactly what they actually should look like), for some TV shows, movies, and sporting events with image content and colors that you are familiar with, and also for viewing online merchandise, so you have a very good idea of exactly what colors you are buying and are less likely to return them. See the Color Accuracy section and the Color Accuracy Plots for measurements and details.





http://www.displaymate.com/Galaxy_Note4_ShootOut_1.htm

http://www.displaymate.com/Colors_22.html

:laugh:
I wrote something about the color reproduction of the screen?

 

[Hannah Stern]

The Design of the S5 is very Robust because the METAL FRAME is front of the screen it self. less scratches for Face.off Drops.
The Nokia 909 Uses the „CMOS-Pixel-COMBINING-Technologý.!
I also the new Galaxy S4's Camera UI. No „Switch(ing)·Between"" Photo and Video-Mode anymore - my wish since 2010! BOTH BUTTONS ON 1 UI!
[NOTE 4: NOW CHIP.DE #1!!!!!]



What Disappoints me:
This stupid 2.5 GALAXY Glass-Design (also seen on GT-i93xx; S3 Mini and Mini VE) makes the devices durabiltiy LOWER AT FACE-OFF DROPS!
Even if the S3 has GorillaGlass 2, the S2 Beats the S3 in the DropTest!
The S5-Models all have a very Robust Design. But also the S4 is very Robust and Underwater-Surviwal! But the S3 Not...

Note 4 Beats 40k in AnTuTu actually!

 

[Hannah Stern]

Note 4 CàmBtn. (Camera Button)

The Camera Photo Button of the note 4 is like on the S5.
Well, the Note 4's screen is bigger but the Camera Button of the S5 was REALLY SMALL!
Big chance to miss it in the decidin' moment!

The S4's Camera UI Was Better.
Also the Buttons looked much more valueable!


Well... the S5's/Note 4's Camera User Interface is ((by) far )( )much less confusing but confusion isn't actually MY PROBLEM!


In total the Note 4 is Superior but still not PERFECT!

 

[FireWall123]

My only disappointment is that only the exynos variant is available where I live lol

 

[Lodix]

My only disappointment is that only the exynos variant is available where I live lol

Apart from less repetitive roms I don't see the problem.

 

[FireWall123]

Apart from less repetitive roms I don't see the problem.

Well, its good to try something different from time to time I guess , haha

 

[Hannah Stern]

My only disappointment is that only the exynos variant is available where I live lol

Wow... really?
Well... i don't know which one is better - Exýnos or SnapDragon...
In AnTutu, Exynos has a Higher Score but that doesn't actaully says it all...
The Note 4 has got a higher performance than the Galaxy Alpha but the Alpha has 52223 or 53226 on AnTuTu!

 

[FireWall123]

Wow... really?
Well... i don't know which one is better - Exýnos or SnapDragon...
In AnTutu, Exynos has a Higher Score but that doesn't actaully says it all...
The Note 4 has got a higher performance than the Galaxy Alpha but the Alpha has 52223 or 53226 on AnTuTu!

I don't look at/rely on/base my decision on benchmarks...

I prefer trying the 2 version then decide

 

[rndinit0]

Fingerprint scanner also gone?

Sent from Galaxy Note 3 (The beauty & beast)

Nope, note 4 has a fingerprint scanner. [emoji1]