Purchased/Initial Impressions

[ducster_usa]

Congratulations on being one of the first to purchase the Note edge !

Do you have a case for it?
Do you have any screen protector for it?
Having used the Note 4 before, do you find that it is much faster and convenient to multitask/quickly go from one program to the next on the Note Edge ?

 

[Jooxie]

Congrats!
Would you mind attempting to install a 3rd party launcher like Apex / Nova / Go Launcher to confirm how they work with the secondary screen? (Like are there unpractical overlaps / does the secondary screen work with the launchers activated all together etc.)

Thanks for sharing your experiences!

 

[mmx6688]

Congrats!
Would you mind attempting to install a 3rd party launcher like Apex / Nova / Go Launcher to confirm how they work with the secondary screen? (Like are there unpractical overlaps / does the secondary screen work with the launchers activated all together etc.)

Thanks for sharing your experiences!

Yes I would like to know as well. O use apex

 

[TokyoGuy]

Sorry for the delay in replying to everyone.

Yes I have a case. It's the official Samsung Flip Wallet case and is quite nice as it's asymmetrical design lets the Edge Screen show even when closed.

I will install Nova Launcher tonight and reply with my impressions. My guess is that the Edge Display will function as it normally does. Nova and other launchers can't seem to override hard-coded UI elements like the Settings menu.

The battery life... Honestly it's a bit disappointing. Yesterday it dropped below 15% well before the end of the day and I was only using the phone for email, Hangouts, and a some brief web viewing.

There was an astonishing amount of lag present in running Hangouts and Line simultaneously which surprised me.

Update: After installing Nova Launcher I can confirm the Edge Display panel is unaffected. It functions just as it does dunning the TouchWiz skin. I'm not sure if this will be considered a good thing or a bad thing.

Also on a totally unrelated note, does anyone know why the YouTube app no longer supports any resolution higher than 720? It used to have 1080 yet no matter which phone I try it on the app is capped at 720. It's definitely annoying.

 

[nihonjintaylor]

Sorry for the delay in replying to everyone.

Yes I have a case. It's the official Samsung Flip Wallet case and is quite nice as it's asymmetrical design lets the Edge Screen show even when closed.

I will install Nova Launcher tonight and reply with my impressions. My guess is that the Edge Display will function as it normally does. Nova and other launchers can't seem to override hard-coded UI elements like the Settings menu.

The battery life... Honestly it's a bit disappointing. Yesterday it dropped below 15% well before the end of the day and I was only using the phone for email, Hangouts, and a some brief web viewing.

There was an astonishing amount of lag present in running Hangouts and Line simultaneously which surprised me.

Update: After installing Nova Launcher I can confirm the Edge Display panel is unaffected. It functions just as it does dunning the TouchWiz skin. I'm not sure if this will be considered a good thing or a bad thing.

Also on a totally unrelated note, does anyone know why the YouTube app no longer supports any resolution higher than 720? It used to have 1080 yet no matter which phone I try it on the app is capped at 720. It's definitely annoying.

I have some suggestions that might help your issues.
In regards to the battery drain - I also had that (my phone wasn't sleeping when the screen was off) so I reset the phone and then just installed apps that I knew I must use. That helped in making sure my phone now sleeps.

Then I installed lollipop's keyboard as well as google's ime(jp input) that has helped with overall lag... but yeah, we shouldn't have to be worrying about these issues with how fast this phone should perform. I can only say I can't wait for further updates to help with issues and or rooting and hacking

 

[Jooxie]

Thanks for clarifying on the 3rd party launchers
Could you maybe post some screen on times / battery usage screenshots? I know you mention that the battery life seems disappointing, but how does it compare to the note 4, subjectively speaking, since you had access to both devices?

 

[blitz118]

Can you please post a picture with swift keyboard? Is the swift keyboard unusable with the Edge?

 

[invisiblesense]

Thanks for the answers TokyoGuy.
Quick question on the battery life - were you running on the battery saving mode or standard?

Could you please try to have the fingerprint sensor activated and see how the edge screen responds when just trying to access the edge screen?

Regards.

 

[CC Lemon]

I went to my local store and they said they won't have them on sale until the 31st. Definitely wish it was already available, but I guess it might be a location thing? They had one of the fake display units and, aside from actual functions, they seem pretty true to form usually. It definitely felt nice and I assume the real unit is just a good or better.

Since I have to wait a little longer, it's nice to see reviews popping up! Thanks for all the information you've provided. I'm looking forward to hearing about launchers, as I don't think I'll be too interested in keeping the stock launcher.

 

[nihonjintaylor]

The Docomo launcher is actually not too bad.

It seems to be surprisingly well thought out.

 

[gaikokujin]

The Docomo launcher is actually not too bad.

It seems to be surprisingly well thought out.

But don't you feel the performance is generally a bit sluggish?

Also concerning the docomo plan, what is the cheapest/lowest plan you must have to keep the monthly support?

I was thinking about what you said concerning the WiMax router and am wondering if subscribing to another carrier just for sim-free data could reduce the monthly bill.

You probably know of it but here is a list: http://ma-bank.net/word/92/

 

[nihonjintaylor]

But don't you feel the performance is generally a bit sluggish?

Also concerning the docomo plan, what is the cheapest/lowest plan you must have to keep the monthly support?

I was thinking about what you said concerning the WiMax router and am wondering if subscribing to another carrier just for sim-free data could reduce the monthly bill.

You probably know of it but here is a list: http://ma-bank.net/word/92/

Yeah, performance is sluggish, so I have it on the default galaxy setting (as opposed to docomo).
The monthly support is actually so low, that it's cheaper without it. My phone bill was 1500 a month when I didn't have to pay monthly for my phone (I bought my note 2 used, for half the price of the contracted one)

Then, when I signed up for this - I opted out of all net and just paid for my plan (1500) + the phone(3000) for a now total of 4500 a month.
Sure, I have to pay for the router - but at least it's unlimited and I can use it for all my devices on me (which tends to be a lot.. )

I checked the site - but this site: https://www.iijmio.jp/hdd/service/about.jsp seems to have the better rates.

 

[gaikokujin]

Yeah, performance is sluggish, so I have it on the default galaxy setting (as opposed to docomo).
The monthly support is actually so low, that it's cheaper without it. My phone bill was 1500 a month when I didn't have to pay monthly for my phone (I bought my note 2 used, for half the price of the contracted one)

Then, when I signed up for this - I opted out of all net and just paid for my plan (1500) + the phone(3000) for a now total of 4500 a month.
Sure, I have to pay for the router - but at least it's unlimited and I can use it for all my devices on me (which tends to be a lot.. )

I checked the site - but this site: https://www.iijmio.jp/hdd/service/about.jsp seems to have the better rates.

Nice find!

I wonder if I can change my contract after I started it. If so the iijimo plan sounds pretty nice (i use less than 2GB a and only have the Edge). But how would that work with the SIM card? I assume you have to keep the Docomo one in the phone. Correct?

 

[nihonjintaylor]

Nice find!

I wonder if I can change my contract after I started it. If so the iijimo plan sounds pretty nice (i use less than 2GB a and only have the Edge). But how would that work with the SIM card? I assume you have to keep the Docomo one in the phone. Correct?

For AU, there might be a possibility - for docomo, I believe there is a fee (like 10,000).
In terms on how to use it, you'd need either an old phone to put it in and tether, or to use a pocket router or something you can get second hand(Like from craigs list / metropolis classifieds)

 

[gaikokujin]

Thanks again. I will go to the shop and ask. Otherwise, what are your impressions of the phone? What did you have before the edge? I have to say that I was a bit intimidated by the size but it is quite easy to hold and so thin it does not bulge so much in my front pocket.

 

[nihonjintaylor]

Thanks again. I will go to the shop and ask. Otherwise, what are your impressions of the phone? What did you have before the edge? I have to say that I was a bit intimidated by the size but it is quite easy to hold and so thin it does not bulge so much in my front pocket.

I was hoping for something more like the Note 4 - as in more polished and overall better battery life. I got the edge because it's not released here, but yeah, I still stand by wanting the note 4. My only hope now is that it'll get better with an OS upgrade and or hacking.

I had the note 2 and heard wonderful things about the note 3 - I really like the note 4 features they've put in with the pen so that has me satisfied for now. Still not super satisfied though ^^; I wonder if someone would trade the note 4 with me for the edge? lol

 

[gaikokujin]

---------- Post added at 01:36 PM ---------- Previous post was at 01:32 PM ----------

---------- Post added at 01:44 PM ---------- Previous post was at 01:36 PM ----------

 

[invisiblesense]

I was hoping for something more like the Note 4 - as in more polished and overall better battery life. I got the edge because it's not released here, but yeah, I still stand by wanting the note 4. My only hope now is that it'll get better with an OS upgrade and or hacking.

I had the note 2 and heard wonderful things about the note 3 - I really like the note 4 features they've put in with the pen so that has me satisfied for now. Still not super satisfied though ^^; I wonder if someone would trade the note 4 with me for the edge? lol

I have the white Note 4 but I am desperate for the Edge. Would probably consider trading, not sure if your device would work in UK with my carrier?

 

[avenging]

im not sure trading the edge for a note 4 is a good idea not only would the resale value be higher coz its a limited edition thingy but you will always turn heads with your note edge haha (i know superficial reason but whatever haha)

 

[invisiblesense]

im not sure trading the edge for a note 4 is a good idea not only would the resale value be higher coz its a limited edition thingy but you will always turn heads with your note edge haha (i know superficial reason but whatever haha)

I agree. I am loving the Note 4 so far but would not settle until I have Edge. Having said this, not everyone will probably want the Edge though.