Samsung's Massive 5.3-inch Smartphone: Galaxy Note Review

Has lots of potential but is let down by OS. It looks like Ice Cream Sandwich is being replaced over the next couple of months by Jelly Bean which promises a much greater leap in capability from Honeycombe. Samsung in all honesty really got the timing wrong this time.

I was keen when I first heard about it....an LTE networked very large phone or small tablet. Should be marketed with small 'in ear' hands free set and very thin and longish microphone extension. When exactly does a phone become a tablet?
 
"When I am running to catch a subway train and need to bang out a quick message on my phone, the Note is the last phone that I want to be in my hand."

If you weren't diddling around typing messages maybe you wouldn't need to be running for that subway. In any case wait 'till you get situated.
 
I think every review of a phone device should have an additional bottom line sitting right next to the usual review categories. Since we're forever stuck in these carrier-connected decision points, that added bottom line should be: "Is this device worth jumping ship from carrier x and signing on with carrier y." Since iPhone is arguably the standard for smartphones, that would be a good benchmark to use for example. I would want to know whether it stacks up enough to jump ship. I understand that the reviews have to attempt to be neutral on things, but after my extensive experience with both Android and iOS, the app competition isn't even close. I'm not going to leave my extremely capable iPhone to switch to a platform filled with workarounds, bells and whistles, and limitations. iPhone is king of the hill for many reasons. A big display, a movie projector, an overkill camera, a stylus represent bells and whistles compared to the comparatively finished product that is the iPhone. Sorry. I would love to play with this Galaxy Note, but phones are not like shoes such that you can own several pairs of and alternate them day by day with your outfit. You have to pack up, move, and live with these things...and make payments.
 
I just don't like this phone. It eats up my data when NOT being used. Never use GPS. It has a mind of it's own. Unusable in bright light. Will not respond to instructions for hours at a time. Music plays on incoming message (and will not stop) instead. of set sound. Wipes photos off without bring asked to. etc, etc.
 
My biggest fear in holding a phone this big is dropping it. I carry mine everywhere! Since we got the 4GLTE here in New York, I've been tempted to get this with AT&T; taking notes would be great. But that 180 grams; heavy! Now they’re coming out with an even bigger one. Really?
 
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