Note 4 vs Nexus 6...

[daytontp]

The only Android devices I have ever owned were all Nexus devices, and my Nexus 5 is running CyanogenMod nightlies on it with TWRP and Nova Launcher. I much prefer this to stock Android.

I ordered a Note 4 today, and I would not be surprised if I get a Nexus 6 at some point. Yes, I am a gadget and smartphone junky.

But, as for my preferences.
- Nexus devices have never had good battery performance when compared to similar HTC and Samsung ROMed phones. The Moto X 2014 battery performance leaves a little to be desired.
- MicroSD card slot.
- Stylus.
- Note is slightly smaller and the screen is not that much smaller, and the Note 4 is almost 3 MMs thinner.

---------- Post added at 10:48 PM ---------- Previous post was at 10:46 PM ----------

NOTE 4 has a $200 rebate circulating

From what I have read, that is a old device trade-in rebate. Not a simple mail-in rebate.

 

[neyenlives]

As the owner of a Fascinate, Galaxy S3, and now Note 3 who has been pondering upgrading to the Note 4 or Note 4 Edge......I am sick and tired of a couple things with Samsung that the Nexus 6 should alleviate...

1. signal signal signal......it still has to be a reliable phone, Motorola radios are just beast compared to Samsung, having to toggle airplane mode to get it to pick up the LTE tower......screw that noise.... nuff said there

2. front facing stereo speakers......ever since the wife got her HTC One M8 I had decided no more mono speakers on the back (looking at you GS3), or speaker on the edge(Note 3) and the Note 4 moved it to the back again!!! Note 4 downgrade.......

3. charging....more specifically the charging port on my Note 3 has been horrible. Original lasted maybe 8 months, replaced and it lasted a month maybe......I don't do anything weird with it, I just plug it in a lot....I am replacing it again when the new replacement arrives and hopefully this one lasts until the Nexus 6 arrives......

4. Note 4 reverted back to USB 2.0 from 3.0, although it's a faster USB 2.0 than the older handsets, USB 3.0 functionality was FAST.....another Note 4 downgrade.....

5. Qi wireless charging is supposedly built into the Nexus 6. This will be very useful in combination with the Turbo Charge technology (15 minutes for 6 hours runtime), wireless overnight charging, get a quick hit with the cable at work before leaving......no more worries on charge.

I will miss the S Pen on the Samsung....but oh well....I don't use it excessively, I will give that up for a better radio, more solid hardware and front facing stereo speakers.

I am cautiously optimistic that the VZW version will be able to be rooted and unlocked....can't afford to outright buy an unlocked model....but the Note 3 never was fully unlocked and it had lots of developer love so I would at least expect as much effort if not more will go into being able to customize the Nexus 6....because Google...

 

[md1008]

It appears the note 4 and the N6 share a lot of the same specs. Same processor, same amount of Ram and think same GPU. This should make aosp Roms easy on the note 4 and possible TW on the N6. (Seen enough porting threads to not hold my breath)

 

[msal]

Why would you want to run TouchWiz on this device? The only useful feature I can think of is multi-window; however, we are getting multi-window support sooner or later.

 

[neyenlives]

I own a Note 3 and never use multi window. I find it quite annoying actually. I never need to see two things at once on my phone. ....If I am doing anything that involving I'm firing up a real computer....

 

[XxKINGxX2580]

Ugh I really can't decide. Note 4 better camera. Replaceable battery. Micro SD. TouchWiz. Late Android updates (probably)
Nexus 6. GIGANTIC 6" screen. No replaceable battery, no SD card, Earliest phone with Android updates...

I actually don't mind TouchWiz on the Note 4. It looks so smooth compared to the S5. Uuuuuuughhhhh I can't decide.

 

[msal]

Ugh I really can't decide. Note 4 better camera. Replaceable battery. Micro SD. TouchWiz. Late Android updates (probably)
Nexus 6. GIGANTIC 6" screen. No replaceable battery, no SD card, Earliest phone with Android updates...

I actually don't mind TouchWiz on the Note 4. It looks so smooth compared to the S5. Uuuuuuughhhhh I can't decide.

I had the same dilemma but finally decided to buy the Nexus 6 when it's released.

Just weight the various options and see how much you need sd card slot, removable battery, if you can stand touchwiz lag and slow updates, etc. See what works for you.

 

[windstrings]

I Was about to say that. You paid for note 4 features... why remove them for aosp rom? Install google launcher from playstore if touchwiz is annoying.

Or Nova... It's great!

 

[barondebxl]

I had the same dilemma but finally decided to buy the Nexus 6 when it's released.



Just weight the various options and see how much you need sd card slot, removable battery, if you can stand touchwiz lag and slow updates, etc. See what works for you.

What made u go nexus? I'm kinda in the same dilemma.


Sent from my iPhone 6 using Tapatalk

---------- Post added at 11:17 PM ---------- Previous post was at 11:16 PM ----------

I own a Note 3 and never use multi window. I find it quite annoying actually. I never need to see two things at once on my phone. ....If I am doing anything that involving I'm firing up a real computer....

Same here. I tried forcing myself to use it but don't really need it. Still I think it's a great feature for those that use it.


Sent from my iPhone 6 using Tapatalk

 

[msal]

I Was about to say that. You paid for note 4 features... why remove them for aosp rom? Install google launcher from playstore if touchwiz is annoying.

This is a great way of speeding up TouchWiz lag; however, launchers do not affect the rest of the UI. You will still get lag when switching between apps, in the settings, notification and all throughout the phone.

 

[droidguy22]

I do wish the nexus was thinner though. 10.1 mm thick sounds huge compared to my 6.9 mm iPhone 6


Sent from my iPhone 6 using Tapatalk

It's not 10.1 mm thick all over the phone, it's only on the middle part, edges are only 3.8mm,

Curve: 3.8-10.1mm (0.15-0.39 inches)

phone has curved back and would be a lot better in hand compared to slippery 6.9mm IP6

 

[barondebxl]

It's not 10.1 mm thick all over the phone, it's only on the middle part, edges are only 3.8mm,



Curve: 3.8-10.1mm (0.15-0.39 inches)



phone has curved back and would be a lot better in hand compared to slippery 6.9mm IP6

I know it's not 10.1 mm all over bro, I can see that from the pic. Yeah it should be less slippery than the 6 plus


Sent from my iPhone 6 using Tapatalk

 

[jasonleb1]

NOTE 4 has a $200 rebate circulating

Not anymore (if you're ordering from AT&T or T-Mobile). Date says the 16th but I spoke to two Samsung reps who said the rebate is already over. The Note is available for regular order from ATT/T-Mobile, not pre-order anymore so the rebate doesn't apply to any new trade ins.

 

[msal]

What made u go nexus? I'm kinda in the same dilemma.

I decided by just weighing my options. I've never really had to change batteries although I can see the big appeal, especially if your battery somehow starts to malfunction. It's as easy as buying a new one and putting it in.

MicroSD cards were a big deal for me but this phone is being offered in 64 gbs which is enough for me.

I like the design of the Nexus 6 more than I like the Note 4's design. Not to say that the Note 4 looks bad - quite the contrary but the Nexus is a bit more appealing.

The biggest thing that pushed me towards the Nexus 6 is the software. I just hate TouchWiz. It lags. I hate the way it looks. Everything about it is unappealing to me. I would know since I've owned Samsung devices in the past. For almost 3 years, I've used a Galaxy S2 as my daily driver until it died a few weeks ago. It originally launched with Gingerbread but during those days, I was new to Android. Some of my friends had Galaxy nexus phones running ICS. Only after several months did Samsung finally release an ICS update. That's when I said enough was enough. I eventually found Cyanogenmod and flashed CM9 and haven't looked back. One of the biggest issues with Android right now is fragmentation but Nexus devices can solve that issue. You get the updates when Google releases them. Simple.

Of course, you can always flash CM on ayy device but I like getting Stock Android straight out of the box, especially with the new direction that Google is taking things. You know, with Nexus becoming a "mainstream" device. People also buy Samsung devices for Samsung features so they would lose out on that if they purchased the Note only to flash CM on it. Not to mention CM always has bugs, although they are certainly tolerable and they are addressed very quickly.

Of course, TouchWiz has grown in the past few years and has some very nice features, notably multi-window. TouchWiz camera also blows Stock camera out of the water, so if you love taking pictures, you might want to consider the Note 4.

tl;dr: Weigh your options and see what fits your needs. For example, if you're big on taking pictures, the Note 4 has a better camera. If you need an sd card or a removable battery, the Note 4 also has them. If you want Stock Android and fast updates, then go for the Nexus 6. There isn't a right or wrong option (in most cases). It's just about what fits your needs.

 

[wtherrell]

Must be able to unlock bootloader.
So the choices are :
1. Stay on Verizon network with my UDP. = 64gb NEXUS 6. $$$$
2. Go T-Mobile. Inferior network, whatever data plan I can get. Get Note 4 with unlockable bootloader. $$
So I guess I really need to decide how important $$, S-pen and microsd slot are to me Versus Verizon network and UDP.

 

[barondebxl]

I decided by just weighing my options. I've never really had to change batteries although I can see the big appeal, especially if your battery somehow starts to malfunction. It's as easy as buying a new one and putting it in.

MicroSD cards were a big deal for me but this phone is being offered in 64 gbs which is enough for me.

I like the design of the Nexus 6 more than I like the Note 4's design. Not to say that the Note 4 looks bad - quite the contrary but the Nexus is a bit more appealing.

The biggest thing that pushed me towards the Nexus 6 is the software. I just hate TouchWiz. It lags. I hate the way it looks. Everything about it is unappealing to me. I would know since I've owned Samsung devices in the past. For almost 3 years, I've used a Galaxy S2 as my daily driver until it died a few weeks ago. It originally launched with Gingerbread but during those days, I was new to Android. Some of my friends had Galaxy nexus phones running ICS. Only after several months did Samsung finally release an ICS update. That's when I said enough was enough. I eventually found Cyanogenmod and flashed CM9 and haven't looked back. One of the biggest issues with Android right now is fragmentation but Nexus devices can solve that issue. You get the updates when Google releases them. Simple.

Of course, you can always flash CM on ayy device but I like getting Stock Android straight out of the box, especially with the new direction that Google is taking things. You know, with Nexus becoming a "mainstream" device. People also buy Samsung devices for Samsung features so they would lose out on that if they purchased the Note only to flash CM on it. Not to mention CM always has bugs, although they are certainly tolerable and they are addressed very quickly.

Of course, TouchWiz has grown in the past few years and has some very nice features, notably multi-window. TouchWiz camera also blows Stock camera out of the water, so if you love taking pictures, you might want to consider the Note 4.

tl;dr: Weigh your options and see what fits your needs. For example, if you're big on taking pictures, the Note 4 has a better camera. If you need an sd card or a removable battery, the Note 4 also has them. If you want Stock Android and fast updates, then go for the Nexus 6. There isn't a right or wrong option (in most cases). It's just about what fits your needs.

Thanks for this. I'm also tired of touchwiz and trust me I have always liked Samsung devices. It's not until I got away from Samsung devices for a few months, used the M8 for a while then the OnePlus and now iPhone 6 that I really appreciate a polished software. Now I look at touchwiz with almost disgust. When I went to best buy and checked out the note 4 it looked amazing especially the display, then I looked at the note 3 and I swear to u I asked myself "how the hell did I use this ugly UI" lol. I mean the old touchwiz is so freaking ugly it's not even funny. The newer one is definitely better but still ugly. Watching the note 4 reviews and every time I see the cartoony icons or how everything is kinda messy it just turn me off. So I think I'll go nexus too. Besides I never use the S pen not any of the features but they are great features though.


Sent from my iPhone 6 using Tapatalk

 

[windstrings]

I'm not convinced at all, I'm sticking with note 4
http://www.phonearena.com/news/Goog...laxy-Note-4-in-depth-specs-comparison_id61766

 

[md1008]

Why would you want to run TouchWiz on this device? The only useful feature I can think of is multi-window; however, we are getting multi-window support sooner or later.

I personally wouldn't want to run touch wiz unless it has spen, other than that variety is nice. One of the biggest pluses of owning m8 is ability to switch between sense, GPE and Cm.

And yes multi window on a phablet would be sublime.

 

[kuromusha38]

I do wish the nexus was thinner though. 10.1 mm thick sounds huge compared to my 6.9 mm iPhone 6


Sent from my iPhone 6 using Tapatalk

Is that why your iPhone 6 bends?

 

[juscozimme]

There is no 16GB this time around. Only 32 & 64.

The Droid Turbo would've been an interesting option if it wasn't tied to Verizon. Maybe a GSM variant will make an apperance

My fault, 649 for a 32 GB Nexus is still ridiculous. When I attempted to post this earlier, I checked Moto's site and the Nexus 6 is there. The 32 GB Moto X is 599, the X2 is not available yet and Nexus 6 is not available yet. MOTO just started to offer 64 GB option on Moto X, and the price for that was 649 off contract. Maybe 649 for Nexus is reasonable considering it is a better device than the X an X2.