Related
Hello
Has anyone defected from note 2? I am really eager to pull the trigger myself. Getting tired of flashing roms just want pure google stock experience. I am having a tough time letting go of this insane battery life tho as well as the 5.5 screen. How is the camera compared to note 2? Thanks for info!
Sent from SGH-T889v Canadian Wind Mobile
I did but I'm kinda regretting activating my nexus right away because I've lost hotspot now. The speaker Note2 seems louder than the N5. I was having second thoughts about going to a smaller screen but I find it easier to read text on N5. At first the N5 seemed small but they did a good job squeezing a 5in screen in.
I did. Only reason I did though is because my Note 2 screen has been acting up every since I had the glass replaced. I also had the spare battery cradle/charger with the note 2, so going from literally never having to charge my phone (only swap batteries every other day) is going to be pretty rough. Overall I was with you though, tired of flashing roms to get latest android. It is smaller, but definitely not terribly small like some other phones out there. Camera differences are negligible, but I only did a side by side in my room with the light on, so take that for what it's worth.
I'll probably be selling the note 2 on ebay/craigslist once I finally get it fixed. Nexus 5 seems like a solid device, already got some goodies coming for it, including a wireless charging pad.
I'm jumping ship. I'm just tired of having insane specs on a phone just to run TouchWiz. I've tried some AOSP ROMs but seems like there's always a small issue or two that keeps from being a great daily driver. I'm currently on CM 10.1 but still run into issues with GPS and camera.
I'm going to Nexus to run pure Android. I don't need s-pens and cameras watching me watching my phone. My only concern switching is related to Sprint, not N5. Sprint has an awesome visual voicemail feature which doesn't seem to be working well with Hangouts on the Note 2. I'll have to see how voicemail is handled on the N5 since Sprint is hands off.
I am jumping from the Note 2 as well. Just time for something new. I would have gone with the Note 3, but the lack of access to Sprint Spark network was a deal breaker. The size reduction will be welcome, though. Even though I like the Note 2 size well enough, it does get in the way at times.
Sent from my Nexus 10 using Tapatalk 4
I'm jumping ship as well. Don't get me wrong, I love my Galaxy Note 2, but as others have said, I value having the latest version of Android without the bloatware. I also find that when I'm going somewhere where I know I will be heavily surfing the net or otherwise needing a large screen, I take my Nexus 7 or Chromebook Pixel. The need for a phablet, while novel at first, has really just become cumbersome to carry around. I also rarely use the S-Pen. The AMOLED screen always annoyed me too -- way over-saturated (great blacks, though). I look forward to OIS on the N5, as a sharp picture on the Note2 is as rare as hen's teeth. The only things I will really miss are the microSD card, removable battery, and OEM flip cover (with built in back cover).
Wow i didnt expect so many replies in such short time. I agree with most of your comments. The battery might not be that big of an issue. I can buy a spare charger and keep it in my office as well as one in the car and i am covered all the way. Not having to wait for samsung to update the software will be a blessing. Besides 4.3 isnt even out and kit kat will be the last update and it might not even come around till early 2015 the way they are going. They have already decided not to port over all of the note 3 features on the 2. All these years i have been flashing and dealing with bugs and annoyances. Time to get something that works out of the box and gets timely updates.
Sent from SGH-T889v Canadian Wind Mobile
vseslija said:
Wow i didnt expect so many replies in such short time. I agree with most of your comments. The battery might not be that big of an issue. I can buy a spare charger and keep it in my office as well as one in the car and i am covered all the way. Not having to wait for samsung to update the software will be a blessing. Besides 4.3 isnt even out and kit kat will be the last update and it might not even come around till early 2015 the way they are going. They have already decided not to port over all of the note 3 features on the 2. All these years i have been flashing and dealing with bugs and annoyances. Time to get something that works out of the box and gets timely updates.
Sent from SGH-T889v Canadian Wind Mobile
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Click to collapse
i was debating between a note 3, g2, and the n5. and it's posts like these that make me glad I waited and am getting the n5. my only other android device is the N4, so bloatware, delayed updates, and bugs with custom roms is something that I thought about, but never put too much weight behind them until i see posts like this
I have a gnii and should get my nexus 5 tomorrow. I am hesitant to goto a smaller screen...I love the gigantic glowing blob of a phone. I have the r950 us cellular note 2...so dev. Is limited. I can wait for the plethora of roms and kernels. The s-pen is cool and all...although i havent ran a stock rom for ages. So i dont think I will miss using it to draw dicks on the snapchats all that much.
have high hopes for the nexus, enough to pay my etf and ditch the contract life. USCC sucks so much. That is another huge reason I'm counting on this new nexus.
PearcePowers said:
I'm jumping ship as well. Don't get me wrong, I love my Galaxy Note 2, but as others have said, I value having the latest version of Android without the bloatware. I also find that when I'm going somewhere where I know I will be heavily surfing the net or otherwise needing a large screen, I take my Nexus 7 or Chromebook Pixel. The need for a phablet, while novel at first, has really just become cumbersome to carry around. I also rarely use the S-Pen. The AMOLED screen always annoyed me too -- way over-saturated (great blacks, though). I look forward to OIS on the N5, as a sharp picture on the Note2 is as rare as hen's teeth. The only things I will really miss are the microSD card, removable battery, and OEM flip cover (with built in back cover).
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Click to collapse
QFT. I really liked having a phablet when I didn't have a good small form tablet to turn to. Also, I found that actually writing/drawing on the Note 2 was difficult. I now have a Note 8, which is the perfect size for that kind of functionality. Now I can return to a smaller form factor for my phone.
I, too, will miss the HUGE, removable battery. But those are the breaks. I'm hoping that battery performance for me is at least good enough to approximate my Note 2 use. May be picking up a battery pack at some point, too.
So, I have Had my AT&T Note edge since around April 2015. When I first Got the phone I was very happy with the new innovation of the edge screen and found it quite useful. Before, I had the Note 2 and I was in love with it, I had many different roms and dev's are still coming out with new roms for it and the only reason I got the new phone is because the screen cracked and I did not want to pay another 150$'s for a phone that was worth less than that on eBay.
Since receiving my note edge I have found nothing but problems with it (obviously after honeymoon period with the edge screen, lol). The battery life is abysmal at best, the screen transitions are slow and tedious at times, sometimes I have to launch the task manager and clean the apps(which that in enough itself is a challenge to get to launch), even if I am only using 20% of my memory. To put a little perspective on this, I have been rooting/jail breaking phones since the first iPhone came out back in 2007 and I have also switched out hardware on phones so I do know what I am doing and I realized when I bought the phone that it may be a while till a decent root/rom came out for the phone but honestly not one root or one rom for the AT&T note edge has come out.
I bought the phone knowing I would have to wait for a root/rom but I did not expect stock to be so terrible. Even after the lollipop update, the phone may have gotten a little worse, to the point where sometimes my screen will stay black when I get a phone call then when the phone almost stops ringing the screen will come on and I can then answer (most of the time). To say I am disappointed in Samsung would be an understatement. Mind you, I fell in love with my note 2 and had it until it was non functioning anymore and more expensive to fix than replace. I have nothing but praise for Samsung but they really let me down with this phone.
I have taken all the steps I can think of to increase performance even to the point of just wiping it clean and starting from scratch and it's still no where close to the performance of my note 2
All this is to ask if anyone out there can give me some suggestions of a phone that A) has the ability to be rooted B) has sufficient roms out there to test out and find a good one. Money is not a problem but I figured that this would be one of the best places to ask because I am sure all you note edge fanboys and girls were looking at other phones before you decided on the note edge and I am sure there are other people like me who probably had too high of expectations for the note edge.
I would also consider staying with the edge if the root/rom would come out soon, but I honestly don't see that happening in the near future.
Also one last thing, I am not opposed to any brand or model I just prefer a 5" screen or bigger. Also, I have checked out the Neptune Suite which looks incredible. unfortunately, I can't post a link but just search it and you'll find it.
You can get root. It's just tough. The recommended way (depending on your variant) is to get CWM and root through recovery then flash whatever recovery you want to use. For me its TWRP. The above method works on my SM-N915G.
One thing I have seen and am a bit butt hurt by is the significant downturn on custom roms for this device, or at least for my variant. The note 4 has had heaps of dev work however this beauty of a phone has been neglected. More than likely die to uptake. I just hope that they bring out an edge 2 this year and that is widely taken up, so we can get some damn customisation. I hate this 5.0.1 touch wiz rom. I have constant lag issues and its just not on. However I digress. It's a beast of a phone. Just don't expect to many roms available seeing as it is hitting end of life i.e. new version coming soon
Flame_Beard said:
You can get root. It's just tough. The recommended way (depending on your variant) is to get CWM and root through recovery then flash whatever recovery you want to use. For me its TWRP. The above method works on my SM-N915G.
One thing I have seen and am a bit butt hurt by is the significant downturn on custom roms for this device, or at least for my variant. The note 4 has had heaps of dev work however this beauty of a phone has been neglected. More than likely die to uptake. I just hope that they bring out an edge 2 this year and that is widely taken up, so we can get some damn customisation. I hate this 5.0.1 touch wiz rom. I have constant lag issues and its just not on. However I digress. It's a beast of a phone. Just don't expect to many roms available seeing as it is hitting end of life i.e. new version coming soon
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Click to collapse
I completely agree with you that the note edge is a beast. It has all the features I was looking for in a phone EXCEPT the fact that the rooting is a mission and when you're finally done, there is little to no reward. I would have rooted a while ago but the root seems fishy at best and the temp root... well, its a temp root, lol. I miss my note 2 just for the pure simple fact that they had every single rom you could think of for that thing, hell, I would even switch to the note 4 if it was more heavily supported. Honestly, I am just saddened by AT&T's choice to lock everything and Samsung's horrific TouchWiz UI. We all know its awful. I am a die hard samsung fanboy but man, they are letting the ball drop. like the note 5, possible no removable back? What is this HTC?! I hope AT&T/Samsung realize that locking the bootloader is a pointless exercise. What modder out there ever returns their stuff for warranty?! Enough of the rant. I am most likely going to be switching to T-mobile by the end of this year(for other reasons than the phone) and was wondering if there is a better options than the note edge coming soon?
Flame_Beard said:
You can get root. It's just tough. The recommended way (depending on your variant) is to get CWM and root through recovery then flash whatever recovery you want to use. For me its TWRP. The above method works on my SM-N915G.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
also, from everything I have read, there is no secure root for the SM-N915A. I could be wrong but I don't think so unfortunately
mikeyvalentine said:
also, from everything I have read, there is no secure root for the SM-N915A. I could be wrong but I don't think so unfortunately
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Click to collapse
There is ROOT, for an SM-N915A but you have to be on kitkat and NOT lollipop. Also root for this device is "TEMP" and not permanent, after a reboot, you loose root.
IceTwig said:
There is ROOT, for an SM-N915A but you have to be on kitkat and NOT lollipop. Also root for this device is "TEMP" and not permanent, after a reboot, you loose root.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's the problem, If it was a perm root. I wouldn't be so negative about this phone but since its only Temp. I feel like I kind of got cheated with this phone. It's powerful but a hog with its power, its got a great display but mainly because of the edge, and a nice size battery that, again, gets killed by the display(even at low brightness) I might have just got a lemon from the start, its happened before. I just wish that rooting this phone was easier and more satisfying than "oh sweet, I was able to root my phone! Better not restart and better be okay with the non existent roms out for it right now!"
More than likely because when Samsung released this model, they initially said that they were going to drop only 1000 units so as to "test the market waters" for the device. So sad to see because she really is a beaut. I won't be moving to a Note 4, I have a new phone owed to me by my carrier this month, so I will be waiting to see what this years Note/Note Edge offering is and I will make the change then, Fingers crossed they do run with the Note Edge design. Also too, if they follow suit with their Note lines of phone as they have with Their Galaxy S line (no expandable memory, no removable back plate) I will not be buying Samsung again. Other than the lengthy feature set for the Note Edge, the fact that they have expandable memory was the tipping point for me. Failing that I will be going elsewhere from now on. Sad to say it, but Samsung is following in Apples footsteps by telling the consumer what they can and cannot do with a device that they choose to buy.
I have the v10, and it's an awesome phone don't get me wrong, but I don't really like the sizs of it and terrible battery life. I ditched Samsung when they ditched the SD card slot. If anyone came from it, what are your thoughts on jumping (on demand) to it from the v10?
Josh McGrath said:
I have the v10, and it's an awesome phone don't get me wrong, but I don't really like the sizs of it and terrible battery life. I ditched Samsung when they ditched the SD card slot. If anyone came from it, what are your thoughts on jumping (on demand) to it from the v10?
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Click to collapse
The V10 had horrible battery life, but I like the fact that the camera focuses really quickly. But the S7 is a better hand size, and it feels better, IMO. The S7 battery lasts much longer, and the low light pictures are incredible.
I always liked Samsung because of the capacitive touch buttons at the bottom of the phone, but I found LG V10 was disappointing with some good points.
--T-Mobile Samsung S7
I jumped from the v10 to the s7 edge. Got it yesterday. S7 beats v10 hands down no questions asked just do it!!! This thing is in a whole nother dimension compaired to the v10. Im never going back to lg. Unless its a nexus.
Not quite for me.. I Came from the G4 to the S7 (Flat)..
So far I am not missing anything other then the knock to wake from the LG. The camera on the s7 is better which is almost kinda hard to believe considering how good the g4/v10 camera is.
And the battery life is at least as good but seems to be a bit better.
Well I guess you guys sold me. I don't want the edge as I had the regular edge it was pointless to me and had so many problems.
BTW T-Mobile killed off jump on demand so we have to wait to see what happened, how they handle our existing jod.
Thanks guys, I do miss Samsung. I've had Sammy since the s3. As soon as root is achieved I'll be switching if not sooner
Josh McGrath said:
BTW T-Mobile killed off jump on demand so we have to wait to see what happened, how they handle our existing jod.
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Click to collapse
When did they kill this off? I still see it listed on T mobile website
Josh McGrath said:
Well I guess you guys sold me. I don't want the edge as I had the regular edge it was pointless to me and had so many problems.
BTW T-Mobile killed off jump on demand so we have to wait to see what happened, how they handle our existing jod.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
TheEmpyre said:
When did they kill this off? I still see it listed on T mobile website
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Click to collapse
Curious to see where this info came from as well. It's still on the T-Mobile site, and I was able to use my Jump On Demand to get my preorder S7 (Pre-Ordered Feb 23 and received it Monday, Feb 29).
I am a T-Mobile employee . They gave no explanation for it. Just to remove everything JOD related from the store and that is it. We're all still waiting for answers on what's going to happen with existing peeps. Hell, they might just be changing the name. They don't tell us ****. I was wondering why it still shows up on their site as well.
Edit.. Apparently there's a new uncarrier launch coming around March 13. Maybe it has something to do with it
grmcrkrs said:
The V10 had horrible battery life, but I like the fact that the camera focuses really quickly. But the S7 is a better hand size, and it feels better, IMO. The S7 battery lasts much longer, and the low light pictures are incredible.
I always liked Samsung because of the capacitive touch buttons at the bottom of the phone, but I found LG V10 was disappointing with some good points.
--T-Mobile Samsung S7
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Click to collapse
I came from the v10 to the s7. Samsung hardware is so much better. Screen, camera, solid state sd... You made a wise move. The v10 was dead on arrival becasue no devs will work on the second screen. Erwan is the only one who is working on CM and he got it ported but the CM second screen blows.
Good move. Hang tight, i will be working on some CM projects for this phone. I will begin pulling cm trees to samsung
bash_array said:
I came from the v10 to the s7. Samsung hardware is so much better. Screen, camera, solid state sd... You made a wise move. The v10 was dead on arrival becasue no devs will work on the second screen. Erwan is the only one who is working on CM and he got it ported but the CM second screen blows.
Good move. Hang tight, i will be working on some CM projects for this phone. I will begin pulling cm trees to samsung
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks man. I haven't jumped ship yet but I plan to. I am running no name rom on my v10 but seems development has stopped, or barely started. I love this phone but the the battery life is killing me. I like the s7 regular size better anyway.
Edit... I have been holding off until it's confirmed to have an unlocked bootloader with tnobile
I have the v10 and I am impatiently waiting for my s7 to arrive so I can dump this thing.. It's a nice looking phone and camera is decent but it's definitely not an Samsung.!!!
Josh McGrath said:
Well I guess you guys sold me. I don't want the edge as I had the regular edge it was pointless to me and had so many problems.
BTW T-Mobile killed off jump on demand so we have to wait to see what happened, how they handle our existing jod.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Josh McGrath said:
I am a T-Mobile employee . They gave no explanation for it. Just to remove everything JOD related from the store and that is it. We're all still waiting for answers on what's going to happen with existing peeps. Hell, they might just be changing the name. They don't tell us ****. I was wondering why it still shows up on their site as well.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I am also an employee, & have heard nothing at all of this. My guess if anything it will get modified like the original JUMP to JUMP2 did. That or maybe fix some of the details to ensure people dont lease like 4 devices on the same line (yes it happens & it makes for a very ugly bill).
My v10 is going back as soon as the s7 gets here hopefully tomorrow
Just pre-ordered my s7 with deferred trade in. It'll stay in the box until it gets root though. I'll be so pissed if it's a locked bootloader.
Gold s7 in hand
Same here. Now we need root on this thing
I came from the V10 to the S7 flat. Actually got the S7 on launch day which is odd for me since I usually sit back on a phone, but the V10 was bothering me too much.
While the V10 finally got a daily driver CM rom going (and huge props to the dev for that), there is one major flaw that will forever hold back development: the 2nd screen. I used UI Tuner to get rid of the 2nd screen, but then it basically turned it into a giant bezel. I highly doubt any AOSP devs will ever program something to work with the 2nd screen and I also realized that the 2nd screen was a total gimmick anyway. The only thing useful for me was the time being shown with the screen off. It was also nice to have the removable back and battery, but I hardly swapped it out.
The S7 having an SD slot again, a less phablet like size, and waterproofing (the REAL seller for me) are what sold me on the S7. The snapdragon was the icing on the cake, but the bootloader crap going on right now dampers that. Regardless, while the V10 was a good phone for me, it didn't have enough unique features and AOSP scene to keep me with the phone. I will miss knock on a lot and it's going to take a lot of time to get used to different button placements since I've been with LG since the G2.
Note 4 Story
Why this thread? Short background - I am building a '61 Chevy Bubbletop, and have a thread in a Chevy fourm that I have been posting pics, etc. Have had a lot of interest and helpful feedback. I thought it would be fun, and maybe helpful to some (maybe even me), so here goes.
I will have the phone in hand Monday. So first, background on my Note 4, and what I'm hoping to experience with the V20.
I have come to the point that I prefer to not install ROMs. I find that typically, no matter how great and stable everyone says a ROM is, it always has some issue of some kind. (Of course even stock ones do to).
So I went a long time w/o rooting or applying a ROM. I finally just had to have root. So I sold my AT&T Note 4 (couldn't root it), and purchased a T-Mobile Note 4 which could be rooted. I rooted it and used like that for quite a while.
I am one that uses a LOT of apps. (The phone is to use, no?) And with that comes more memory use, and lag. The phone got so laggy I just had to try a ROM. I tried 2-3 with varying success. I finally tried Maximum Overdrive's ROM for the Note 4 (he is now working on a ROM for the V20).
It was like a different phone. Fairly fast, not near as much lag. It has allowed me to extend the life of the phone over the past year. In fact, it works well enough that I wonder how smart I am spending several hundred dollars for a new phone.
So why the new phone? I moved to Florida a year and half ago, and AT&T's data here sucks ripe lemons. I'm going to move to Verizon. (My daughter has them, and we have compared speeds etc., and Verizon is much better here).
Choosing the V20
It has been a few months that I have been on the watch for my next phone. I won't bore you with the long story of that...just a few details.
One of my 'must haves' for the next phone was to have 6GB of memory...due to my high application load. Over time my highest priority switch from 6GB of memory to capability to use a phone on both GSM and CDMA (read that AT&T/Verizon) networks. That way I can tergiversate regarding carriers.
So, some of my top phone choices dropped off the list. In fact, pretty much all of them except for the US996.
Concerns
I do have a few concerns about the V20 that I hope will be alleviated quickly:
Battery - I've been reading posts regarding battery and it does not sound good. Since moving to the Max Overdrive ROM on the Note 4, my battery is unbelievable. I'd hate to go downhill with this phone. This may be something that necessiates rooting.
Camera Lens - I'm sure everyone knows why this is a concern
Performance - I read, for the most part, that this phone performs well. But I also read a lot of complaints about LAG. Ugh...my high app use may make this a likely scenario for me
Camera - I see some complaints about low light pics. But I've seen a lot of praise for the camera as well
Initial Plans
Once I get all apps installed, and data imported/restored for those that need it, I plan to use it stock for at least 30 days and see how it goes. Depending on how it goes, especially related to the concerns above, I'll either keep it and move forward, or return it.
I'll start out with it on AT&T. May hold off moving to Verizon until I pass the 30 day return availablility.
Rooting
I would really like to root the phone. But, as that the only way to unlock the bootloader is via the LG site for this phone, I don't know if I will or not...at least this early with the phone. Why does that make a difference? Will lose warranty, as they indicate that on the LG site where you go to get it unlocked.
Apply Rom?
Given that there is a Maximum Overdrive rom for the V20, you'd think I would want to put that on. Actually, this is true...but he is only making one for the 918, as that is the phone he has. So, I will miss out on that honey.
I have read some positive info on a couple others out there, but do see constant issues, even with just rooting. It's not near as smooth as a Samsung (I base that opinion on the issues I see here vs. have experienced with the Samsung). So, I'm skittish about doing anything to it. Given the 996 unlocking flags the phone as out of warranty, I fear that a bricked phone will be a several hundred dollar loss.
Summary
So, looking forward to getting the phone and seeing how it goes, and having fun communicating here about the journey.
ewingr said:
Note 4 Story
Why this thread? Short background - I am building a '61 Chevy Bubbletop, and have a thread in a Chevy fourm that I have been posting pics, etc. Have had a lot of interest and helpful feedback. I thought it would be fun, and maybe helpful to some (maybe even me), so here goes.
I will have the phone in hand Monday. So first, background on my Note 4, and what I'm hoping to experience with the V20.
I have come to the point that I prefer to not install ROMs. I find that typically, no matter how great and stable everyone says a ROM is, it always has some issue of some kind. (Of course even stock ones do to).
So I went a long time w/o rooting or applying a ROM. I finally just had to have root. So I sold my AT&T Note 4 (couldn't root it), and purchased a T-Mobile Note 4 which could be rooted. I rooted it and used like that for quite a while.
I am one that uses a LOT of apps. (The phone is to use, no?) And with that comes more memory use, and lag. The phone got so laggy I just had to try a ROM. I tried 2-3 with varying success. I finally tried Maximum Overdrive's ROM for the Note 4 (he is now working on a ROM for the V20).
It was like a different phone. Fairly fast, not near as much lag. It has allowed me to extend the life of the phone over the past year. In fact, it works well enough that I wonder how smart I am spending several hundred dollars for a new phone.
So why the new phone? I moved to Florida a year and half ago, and AT&T's data here sucks ripe lemons. I'm going to move to Verizon. (My daughter has them, and we have compared speeds etc., and Verizon is much better here).
Choosing the V20
It has been a few months that I have been on the watch for my next phone. I won't bore you with the long story of that...just a few details.
One of my 'must haves' for the next phone was to have 6GB of memory...due to my high application load. Over time my highest priority switch from 6GB of memory to capability to use a phone on both GSM and CDMA (read that AT&T/Verizon) networks. That way I can tergiversate regarding carriers.
So, some of my top phone choices dropped off the list. In fact, pretty much all of them except for the US996.
Concerns
I do have a few concerns about the V20 that I hope will be alleviated quickly:
Battery - I've been reading posts regarding battery and it does not sound good. Since moving to the Max Overdrive ROM on the Note 4, my battery is unbelievable. I'd hate to go downhill with this phone. This may be something that necessiates rooting.
Camera Lens - I'm sure everyone knows why this is a concern
Performance - I read, for the most part, that this phone performs well. But I also read a lot of complaints about LAG. Ugh...my high app use may make this a likely scenario for me
Camera - I see some complaints about low light pics. But I've seen a lot of praise for the camera as well
Initial Plans
Once I get all apps installed, and data imported/restored for those that need it, I plan to use it stock for at least 30 days and see how it goes. Depending on how it goes, especially related to the concerns above, I'll either keep it and move forward, or return it.
I'll start out with it on AT&T. May hold off moving to Verizon until I pass the 30 day return availablility.
Rooting
I would really like to root the phone. But, as that the only way to unlock the bootloader is via the LG site for this phone, I don't know if I will or not...at least this early with the phone. Why does that make a difference? Will lose warranty, as they indicate that on the LG site where you go to get it unlocked.
Apply Rom?
Given that there is a Maximum Overdrive rom for the V20, you'd think I would want to put that on. Actually, this is true...but he is only making one for the 918, as that is the phone he has. So, I will miss out on that honey.
I have read some positive info on a couple others out there, but do see constant issues, even with just rooting. It's not near as smooth as a Samsung (I base that opinion on the issues I see here vs. have experienced with the Samsung). So, I'm skittish about doing anything to it. Given the 996 unlocking flags the phone as out of warranty, I fear that a bricked phone will be a several hundred dollar loss.
Summary
So, looking forward to getting the phone and seeing how it goes, and having fun communicating here about the journey.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
just so you know att only has a 14 day return policy
jerrycoffman45 said:
just so you know att only has a 14 day return policy
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Click to collapse
I know. I purchased from B&H Photo. Besides. AT&T doesn't sell the 996, I don't think.
But thanks for the warning. Had I purchase it from them, and expected 30 days, it would have been a pain to learn the hard way that I can't return it if I decide to.
I had the Note 3, 4 then 7 and this phone is larger than all 3. I just recently switched from Sprint and traded in my s7 edge for the V20 and I am happy so far. I purchased a OtterBox Defender case for the phone and with it installed I no longer have any worries of the camera glass, the case is very solid. Plus I left the factory plastic on the camera which people say will help if the phone was to be dropped.
Good luck!
I had been anxiously awaiting the Note 7. At the time 6GB memory was the top of my 'must have' list. So, when it came with 4GB, I was disappointed and decided to watch for a while. Then we know what happened.
I've actually been very interested in chasing some of the better priced competitors, such as Axon 7 or OnePlus 3t. But both the cameras were rated poorly, and then are GSM only.
But, I'm getting tired of these $800 prices. Rumor now is 1K for the Samsung 8.
I ended up purchasing an open box V20 from B&H, has full factory warranty. Got it for 675, no tax, no shipping.
ON the case, I have been using a Bestbuy PLatinum case, which comes with a belt clipped holster, and a kickstand in the case itself. Been great for me. Coming from IT and needing the phone on my at all times, and not wanting to fight the pocket, I used that.
Turns out it is made by Seido, and they have the same for the V20. It arrived from Amazon today. I'll add some pics when I get the phone and get it set up.
This story will continue. Hopefully it will be a pleasant one.
ewingr said:
Note 4 Story
Why this thread? Short background - I am building a '61 Chevy Bubbletop, and have a thread in a Chevy fourm that I have been posting pics, etc. Have had a lot of interest and helpful feedback. I thought it would be fun, and maybe helpful to some (maybe even me), so here goes.
I will have the phone in hand Monday. So first, background on my Note 4, and what I'm hoping to experience with the V20.
I have come to the point that I prefer to not install ROMs. I find that typically, no matter how great and stable everyone says a ROM is, it always has some issue of some kind. (Of course even stock ones do to).
So I went a long time w/o rooting or applying a ROM. I finally just had to have root. So I sold my AT&T Note 4 (couldn't root it), and purchased a T-Mobile Note 4 which could be rooted. I rooted it and used like that for quite a while.
I am one that uses a LOT of apps. (The phone is to use, no?) And with that comes more memory use, and lag. The phone got so laggy I just had to try a ROM. I tried 2-3 with varying success. I finally tried Maximum Overdrive's ROM for the Note 4 (he is now working on a ROM for the V20).
It was like a different phone. Fairly fast, not near as much lag. It has allowed me to extend the life of the phone over the past year. In fact, it works well enough that I wonder how smart I am spending several hundred dollars for a new phone.
So why the new phone? I moved to Florida a year and half ago, and AT&T's data here sucks ripe lemons. I'm going to move to Verizon. (My daughter has them, and we have compared speeds etc., and Verizon is much better here).
Choosing the V20
It has been a few months that I have been on the watch for my next phone. I won't bore you with the long story of that...just a few details.
One of my 'must haves' for the next phone was to have 6GB of memory...due to my high application load. Over time my highest priority switch from 6GB of memory to capability to use a phone on both GSM and CDMA (read that AT&T/Verizon) networks. That way I can tergiversate regarding carriers.
So, some of my top phone choices dropped off the list. In fact, pretty much all of them except for the US996.
Concerns
I do have a few concerns about the V20 that I hope will be alleviated quickly:
Battery - I've been reading posts regarding battery and it does not sound good. Since moving to the Max Overdrive ROM on the Note 4, my battery is unbelievable. I'd hate to go downhill with this phone. This may be something that necessiates rooting.
Camera Lens - I'm sure everyone knows why this is a concern
Performance - I read, for the most part, that this phone performs well. But I also read a lot of complaints about LAG. Ugh...my high app use may make this a likely scenario for me
Camera - I see some complaints about low light pics. But I've seen a lot of praise for the camera as well
Initial Plans
Once I get all apps installed, and data imported/restored for those that need it, I plan to use it stock for at least 30 days and see how it goes. Depending on how it goes, especially related to the concerns above, I'll either keep it and move forward, or return it.
I'll start out with it on AT&T. May hold off moving to Verizon until I pass the 30 day return availablility.
Rooting
I would really like to root the phone. But, as that the only way to unlock the bootloader is via the LG site for this phone, I don't know if I will or not...at least this early with the phone. Why does that make a difference? Will lose warranty, as they indicate that on the LG site where you go to get it unlocked.
Apply Rom?
Given that there is a Maximum Overdrive rom for the V20, you'd think I would want to put that on. Actually, this is true...but he is only making one for the 918, as that is the phone he has. So, I will miss out on that honey.
I have read some positive info on a couple others out there, but do see constant issues, even with just rooting. It's not near as smooth as a Samsung (I base that opinion on the issues I see here vs. have experienced with the Samsung). So, I'm skittish about doing anything to it. Given the 996 unlocking flags the phone as out of warranty, I fear that a bricked phone will be a several hundred dollar loss.
Summary
So, looking forward to getting the phone and seeing how it goes, and having fun communicating here about the journey.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
About Battery>> Remember that a) you will be dealing with a phone with IPS screen instead of AMOLED (this has a huge impact on the battery). b)the amount of apps that you have (specially those that requires to sync in the background are often part of the issue of battery drainage (my v20 used to last up to 7+ or 8+ with screen on with just about 7 user apps and the rest system apps, now i have 85 user apps + the system apps which make my phone last about 5+ hours screen on). On the other hand, The Doze mode of this phone is INSANE!!!! OUTSTANDING! With screen off your phone can easily last a day or even two (if you like to listen to music with pandora or Spotify >>> it will still last a lot with screen off).
About Camera Lens>> This is just an opinion but im starting to believe that the camera lens sensitivity is just to a small percent of the stock. Believe me when i tell you that i have throw my phone so hard to the wall (by accident) and with that kind of pressure (even with the poetic revolution cover) it should have made the glass of the camera crack (not to mention my phone has fell a lot). On the other hand, do not remove the plastic it comes with , just to be safe.
About Performance>> The phone is fast but just like any other phone, regardless of the processor, or the amount of ram, it has its limits. Thus, at the beginning i had a blazing fast LG V20. But put 85 user apps inside any phone and see how this will change lol. IT still fast. But every once in a while i experience a little lag. But that is just when i have only 500+mb left of ram. ( how can i know my ram quickly? OvrDrive Rom has the ram bar)
About Camera>> The camera does become slower when you are at very dark environments. But many report, including me, that using manual mode and adjusting it to your liking will make it very fast. I believe the issue is the automatic mode. Although sometimes for me the automatic mode in the dark works great. Also, some people report their photos looking like water paint (it does happen to me only with the wide angle camera. Not very often, but it does)
Now, if you are looking for developments and all that, this phone seems to be going in the right direction. We pretty much have root for every variant, we have some custom stock roms, and also we have LineageOS, Resurrection Remix, and AOKP among others so far for almost every variants.
Appreciate the input. We'll see how my experience goes.
I have a comment/reply or two in blue down in the quote of your response.
jinkerz9430 said:
About Battery>> Remember that a) you will be dealing with a phone with IPS screen instead of AMOLED (this has a huge impact on the battery). b)the amount of apps that you have (specially those that requires to sync in the background are often part of the issue of battery drainage (my v20 used to last up to 7+ or 8+ with screen on with just about 7 user apps and the rest system apps, now i have 85 user apps + the system apps which make my phone last about 5+ hours screen on). On the other hand, The Doze mode of this phone is INSANE!!!! OUTSTANDING! With screen off your phone can easily last a day or even two (if you like to listen to music with pandora or Spotify >>> it will still last a lot with screen off).
Yup. All understood. My comparison will be to my almost 3 year old Note 4. It has all the apps I will have on the V20, Doze mode (Max Overdrive ROM), etc. This has a just barely smaller battery than the Note 4 (which is disappointing...would prefer a fatter phone with fatter battery). So, I would hope the processer is more efficient, and in the end, at least as good on battery as my Note 4.
About Camera Lens>> This is just an opinion but im starting to believe that the camera lens sensitivity is just to a small percent of the stock. Believe me when i tell you that i have throw my phone so hard to the wall (by accident) and with that kind of pressure (even with the poetic revolution cover) it should have made the glass of the camera crack (not to mention my phone has fell a lot). On the other hand, do not remove the plastic it comes with , just to be safe.
I will definitely have the phone in cases. Hopefully I'll have same experience as you.
About Performance>> The phone is fast but just like any other phone, regardless of the processor, or the amount of ram, it has its limits. Thus, at the beginning i had a blazing fast LG V20. But put 85 user apps inside any phone and see how this will change lol. IT still fast. But every once in a while i experience a little lag. But that is just when i have only 500+mb left of ram. ( how can i know my ram quickly? OvrDrive Rom has the ram bar)
I'm sure it has it's limits. I do abuse them, with lots of apps. MOre than 85, I'm sure. I do have a tendency to freeze apps I don't use often. But of course that requires root. With the Maximum Overdrive ROM on my Note 4, the lags aren't too bad. I'm thinking (hoping) that this phone will shine in comparison to my Note 4 with the better specs.
About Camera>> The camera does become slower when you are at very dark environments. But many report, including me, that using manual mode and adjusting it to your liking will make it very fast. I believe the issue is the automatic mode. Although sometimes for me the automatic mode in the dark works great. Also, some people report their photos looking like water paint (it does happen to me only with the wide angle camera. Not very often, but it does)
I use some modes other than automatic on my Canon. I'm excited to see the capabilities of the camera on this phone. With an understanding of shutter and aperture as an advantage, maybe I'll be very happy with it.
Now, if you are looking for developments and all that, this phone seems to be going in the right direction. We pretty much have root for every variant, we have some custom stock roms, and also we have LineageOS, Resurrection Remix, and AOKP among others so far for almost every variants.
If only Overdrive developed for the 996, I would know what ROM to use. I will likely hold off on ROMS for a while. I still see lots of folks struggling with the ROMS and reporting issues or help needed.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Tomorrow...the journey begins
SHAMELESS PLUG, to remind everyone that not everyone has 800$ to throw at a phone upfront.
I was in your boat. I had my eyes dead set on the US996.
Did my research and ended up on the H918.
Look at the ROM development, it's flooded with H918 support.
Will the US996 pick up traction and have as much support as the H918? Who knows.
I even wanted the dual sim, but that isn't even rooted if my memory serves correctly.
Regardless, this phone is stellar.
WETA rom has an US996 version, which I'd definitely recommend. I have my eyes on Max Overdrive, NATF and Resurrection remix, but after flashing WETA, i wouldn't change a thing.
Best of luck to you, m9.
Thanks for the best luck wishes.
I am seeing more dev for the 996. I am hopeful that I'll be happy with it stock. Although, I really want Root, so I may give in.
One thing for sure, it is confusing having all various models in the same forums, and most folks don't indicate which model they are on.
ewingr said:
Appreciate the input. We'll see how my experience goes.
I have a comment/reply or two in blue down in the quote of your response.
Tomorrow...the journey begins
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah i would say that Max ovrdrive and Weta are the 2 most stable ones regarding stock roms. Have you tried to talk with OvrDrive ? The h918 and US996 are pretty much alike in all the aspects except some frequencies added to the us996. Maybe you can be a tester for the us996 version. But yeah, first try the phone for a while without any root until the 14 days or possibly some more days are over. If you decide to keep it, then you can jump into the v20's board lol . By the way, you said that you rather a fatter phone? I have seen some battery replacements from third party brands such as zero lemon (which is usually a great brand that produces great batteries) their batteries have way more mah than the original battery from the v20. But it comes with a cost that you might get along with them. It requires to put a very fat case to the phone. I personally dont like it but if you dont care about how fat it looks then you coupd go for it.
I didn't personally talk to Overdrive, but it was asked in his thread of his ROM would work on the 996, and his reply was he would not be supporting it as he does not have one. I too have noticed that ROMs are working on more than one model.
I'll wait and see how the stock battery works out before I go try a fatter one. I'm hoping to stay in the Seido case and belt clip I had already purchased.
Good news/Bad news
Bad news first...but not that bad
I won't have the phone in hand until late Thursday, instead of today
Now the great news
I'll have a brand new phone instead of open big phone, and will sane $175.
I went to Phandroid a bit ago and they announced a sale of the V20 at B&H for $499.99. I had paid $675 for the open box. I called B&H to see if they would refund the difference. Nope. Buy the sale phone and return the open box phone.
Fine with me ?
ewingr said:
Bad news first...but not that bad
I won't have the phone in hand until late Thursday, instead of today
Now the great news
I'll have a brand new phone instead of open big phone, and will sane $175.
I went to Phandroid a bit ago and they announced a sale of the V20 at B&H for $499.99. I had paid $675 for the open box. I called B&H to see if they would refund the difference. Nope. Buy the sale phone and return the open box phone.
Fine with me
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
my v20's price was practically speaking $331 dollars Brand new sealed . Because of the promotion of the $200 off and the earphone of $149 plus an extra earphone ($149) sent to me from the defective lg v20 returned. I think im going to finish of paying by the 27 of this month
tl;dr version: If I see a US996 for sale that says it "only works with US Cellular" do I take the seller's word for it, or do I know better that the US996 is unlocked for all carriers if you have the right SIM card?
"I've got time" version:
I too am considering a journey from a Note 4 to a US996.
I'm on Verizon, and I just dropped my Note 4 Dev Edition (not that the DE means anything now that the BL unlock was released), cracking the LCD and rendering the digitizer useless. A new(ish) Note 4 is around $200... so I wouldn't bother replacing the screen on my otherwise well-used phone. PS... The phone was in a case, in a belt holster (Spigen Slim Armor / Seidio respectively) and a tempered glass screen protector. ugh.
If it wasn't obvious from my owning a Developer Edition phone... I like to have an unlocked bootloader and root. I had CM13 installed on the Note 4 because TouchWiz was so far behind in a lot of ways. So, I'm considering a V20. I'd rather spend a little more and get a phone that has a SUPPORTED BL unlock method. The Verizon V20 version can be BL unlocked via a hack with a debug bootloader, but it's irreversible and that may lead to issues with being painted into a corner. Enter the US996.
So, I started researching the V20, making sure that there was stable bootloader unlock method, the dev base for ROMs is strong, the reviews are good, etc... and I came across some sales that say that the phone is ONLY for US Cellular. Is this true? The US996 is the unlocked version, correct?
I tried to navigate LG's and USC's websites to get a model number and some info... but I'm not seeing it. Could US Cellular have somehow SIM-locked the phone so that only USC's SIMs work in it? Or... does the seller just not know any better, or wants to play it safe by saying it will only work with the carrier listed?
Thanks for the help! Also... anyone switching from the Note 4, please let me know what you miss. I use my stylus a lot for drawing or annotating on pictures and screenshots... so I think it will be the hardest thing to give up if I go to a V20 or other stylus-less phone.
DrPhant0m said:
tl;dr version: If I see a US996 for sale that says it "only works with US Cellular" do I take the seller's word for it, or do I know better that the US996 is unlocked for all carriers if you have the right SIM card?
"I've got time" version:
I too am considering a journey from a Note 4 to a US996.
I'm on Verizon, and I just dropped my Note 4 Dev Edition (not that the DE means anything now that the BL unlock was released), cracking the LCD and rendering the digitizer useless. A new(ish) Note 4 is around $200... so I wouldn't bother replacing the screen on my otherwise well-used phone. PS... The phone was in a case, in a belt holster (Spigen Slim Armor / Seidio respectively) and a tempered glass screen protector. ugh.
If it wasn't obvious from my owning a Developer Edition phone... I like to have an unlocked bootloader and root. I had CM13 installed on the Note 4 because TouchWiz was so far behind in a lot of ways. So, I'm considering a V20. I'd rather spend a little more and get a phone that has a SUPPORTED BL unlock method. The Verizon V20 version can be BL unlocked via a hack with a debug bootloader, but it's irreversible and that may lead to issues with being painted into a corner. Enter the US996.
So, I started researching the V20, making sure that there was stable bootloader unlock method, the dev base for ROMs is strong, the reviews are good, etc... and I came across some sales that say that the phone is ONLY for US Cellular. Is this true? The US996 is the unlocked version, correct?
I tried to navigate LG's and USC's websites to get a model number and some info... but I'm not seeing it. Could US Cellular have somehow SIM-locked the phone so that only USC's SIMs work in it? Or... does the seller just not know any better, or wants to play it safe by saying it will only work with the carrier listed?
Thanks for the help! Also... anyone switching from the Note 4, please let me know what you miss. I use my stylus a lot for drawing or annotating on pictures and screenshots... so I think it will be the hardest thing to give up if I go to a V20 or other stylus-less phone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm not sure what to say. Can you link the one you are looking at? I think by only work with US Cellular, they MAY (I don't know) mean a U.S. Carrier, ie. Verizon, AT&T, Sprint or T-Mobile, as opposed to the company US Celluar.
One thing you need to be aware of for the US996...the only way, right now, that it can be bootloader unlocked is by going to a LG site to get an unlock code from them. At that point it will lose warranty. Due to that, I'll be holding off on unlocking for a while. At least, that is my current plan.
Only thing I miss is the stylus going from the note 3 to the v10.
Though I suppose I don't miss the stylus that much since I jumped from the v10 to v20 instead of going back to the note series.
I would love to see lg put some effort into it and make a stylus based top end model instead of putting a stylus version as a middle model. I was hoping the v series would feature a stylus and the g series be a non stylus version but alas it hasn't happened.
Sent from my LG-H918 using XDA-Developers Legacy app
evo4g63t said:
Only thing I miss is the stylus going from the note 3 to the v10.
Though I suppose I don't miss the stylus that much since I jumped from the v10 to v20 instead of going back to the note series.
I would love to see lg put some effort into it and make a stylus based top end model instead of putting a stylus version as a middle model. I was hoping the v series would feature a stylus and the g series be a non stylus version but alas it hasn't happened.
Sent from my LG-H918 using XDA-Developers Legacy app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
But i think that LG is trying not to copy other brands such as samsung. For this reason they should limit the amount of resemblance between the features of each phone. Thus, there are just a handful of LG's with stylus in comparison to the note series . After all i doubt LG wants to experience the same thing that happened with samsung been sued by apple, and then apple been sued back by samsung (quite a hilarious story though lol) but if i had a company such as LG, i would definitely not want to even put a step in court for a battle that can easily last more than a month of constant interventions and proofs and etc... and could easily cost me 100+ or 200+ millions. In a lg v20 , i believe the stylus is not a necessity (Even for people that would love to have stylus for the v series). On the other hand, one could buy one of this or similars:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/1xTouch-Scr...485550?hash=item33c8e075ee:g:0RkAAOSwIgNXmXla
and see if there is an application that resembles what one can do with the note's stylus. you will definitely wont find one that will be exactly the same. But maybe similar and who knows maybe better.
DrPhant0m said:
tl;dr version: If I see a US996 for sale that says it "only works with US Cellular" do I take the seller's word for it, or do I know better that the US996 is unlocked for all carriers if you have the right SIM card?
"I've got time" version:
I too am considering a journey from a Note 4 to a US996.
I'm on Verizon, and I just dropped my Note 4 Dev Edition (not that the DE means anything now that the BL unlock was released), cracking the LCD and rendering the digitizer useless. A new(ish) Note 4 is around $200... so I wouldn't bother replacing the screen on my otherwise well-used phone. PS... The phone was in a case, in a belt holster (Spigen Slim Armor / Seidio respectively) and a tempered glass screen protector. ugh.
If it wasn't obvious from my owning a Developer Edition phone... I like to have an unlocked bootloader and root. I had CM13 installed on the Note 4 because TouchWiz was so far behind in a lot of ways. So, I'm considering a V20. I'd rather spend a little more and get a phone that has a SUPPORTED BL unlock method. The Verizon V20 version can be BL unlocked via a hack with a debug bootloader, but it's irreversible and that may lead to issues with being painted into a corner. Enter the US996.
So, I started researching the V20, making sure that there was stable bootloader unlock method, the dev base for ROMs is strong, the reviews are good, etc... and I came across some sales that say that the phone is ONLY for US Cellular. Is this true? The US996 is the unlocked version, correct?
I tried to navigate LG's and USC's websites to get a model number and some info... but I'm not seeing it. Could US Cellular have somehow SIM-locked the phone so that only USC's SIMs work in it? Or... does the seller just not know any better, or wants to play it safe by saying it will only work with the carrier listed?
Thanks for the help! Also... anyone switching from the Note 4, please let me know what you miss. I use my stylus a lot for drawing or annotating on pictures and screenshots... so I think it will be the hardest thing to give up if I go to a V20 or other stylus-less phone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've been thinking a bit. I know I saw in a thread somewhere about the US996 being the same model for the Unlocked and for a carrier (don't recall if it was US Cellular). I think the key is 'Unlocked'. Maybe you should put your question in it's own post. May bet more input, from someone who knows for sure.
Thanks for the replies. Take a look at this auction: http://www.ebay.com/itm/381960164377
The seller says they are an authorized US Cellular reseller… so it seems they'd know. And I doubt that they'd distort the truth about the phone being unlocked just to keep USC customers. So maybe there are US996s out there that are locked to USC. It doesn't make sense that there'd be a carrier-locked version of the US996 sold by LG… so maybe USC is locking them. Perhaps I'll ask the seller.
I ended up ordering a "like new" note 4 for $200 before I found out that B&H was selling the US996 for $300 off retail, and now I've missed that deal. So hopefully this Note4 really is in new condition and it will serve long enough for me to try out a V20 while the price drops again somewhere else.
Sent from my SM-N900V using Tapatalk
Update… this is the response I got from the seller:
Thank you for your question. We are not selling the phone as compatible with other carriers or carrier-unlocked. We can't guarantee that the phone will work with an another carrier. We are only saying the phone will work with the carrier US Cellular. We can only guarantee that it works with US Cellular.*
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What do you all think?
Sent from my SM-N900V using Tapatalk
I've been a Samsung Note fan since forever. Started with the Note 2 which still works running Bean Stalk ROM. Note 4 running Bean Stalk still going strong. My current phone is the Note 5 which I recently dropped and cracked the rear glass. Since then its been somewhat unstable. Press messages or phone and it takes around 10-15 seconds before the app opens. Little things like that. Did some searching and sure the Note 8 looks the business but I'm kind of thinking maybe the Note isn't for me anymore and came across the Razer Phone. At the moment there are some good prices for the Razer Phone and I was certain to get one. Checked it out and seen all the issues people are having with it, the camera, which is no deal breaker for me. Screen brightness isn't a problem I'd worry about. Updates are slow, but again, not a deal breaker for me. It looks the business, I really love the design. The speakers look the business too and I love love love a loud phone.
But before I commit to purchase I knew I'd have to see what's happening on XDA, what ROMs are available for it, mods, and just the general communities developments on what I would consider a pretty awesome device. I am shocked! this place is almost dead?
I understand its Razer's first phone and it isn't perfect. What is? And I understand the current issues it has and the price point combined with the issues might put some off getting one. But I didn't expect such little interest and little development here on XDA? If there was any place that would be alive and kicking the Razer it would be here. Now I'm not too sure about getting one. And that sucks because I really like it. Bookmarked some sites for screen protector and found a couple of really nice cases for it. But half the fun of owning a device is the development put into it by the community. The ROMs to try, the mods, the enhancements to features and functions. Its all part of the experience that makes owning an android phone unique and fun.
What happened with the Razer Phone? Really disappointed. So, talk me into it, or talk me out of it. Should I get one? If so why? If not, why? You guys own one, best to talk to people who own one I guess. Will it improve? Is this a dying community? Does Razer have a future on XDA?
In my opinion, it's a pretty good phone. It performs very fast, and the 120hz screen really makes a difference for me, mostly when I'm scrolling. The display was brigther than I expected, and I don't think the camera is bad, I can take decent pictures with it, but not better than the ones I could take with my Note 5. The sound is really amazing and loud.
The problem is that it doesn't feel premium to me, for example, the crappy vibration motor that makes a weird rattling sound when I receive a notification. There are some apps that don't open (like Netflix for me). My keyboard sometimes gets super slow, or the figerprint not being able to detect my finger until I turn the screen off and on again.
I can deal with all that though. What does not make me feel 100% happy with this phone is the same reason you're mentioning, the lack of development. I bought this phone before checking xda, but I was hoping to see different choices of custom ROMs and apps to take more advantages of the amazing features of this phone. Until now, the closest thing I've seen has been the GSI (which I've tried, and come back to stock because couldnt deal with the bugs). Another thing that bothers me is that I haven't found how to install custom themes on my phone. The only way I know to install themes is Razer Theme store, but it doesn't have one that I like.
Overall, I think is a very good phone, loud, fast and sleek, but it doesn't like a Note 5 in terms of quality and developer community.
What happened to the Razer community? The Razer phone happened. I had one for a while, but the HORRIBLE stock software and HORRIBLE implementation of Project Treble support, to go along with the fact that I had to modify the stock fastboot flash files given to us from Razer just to make them flash on my Razer phone made me realize how good a company OnePlus really is. I got rid of the Razer phone as fast as I could and bought a OnePlus 6. It is kinda sad actually though. The hardware is great and I loved the look of the phone and the fact that it is metal instead of a glass sandwich. But nothing can make up for horrible software and even worse customer support.
The only advantage of the lack of development and community support is the fact that it's really pushed prices down as most peeps who buy these beasts anticipate activity on xda. However with dev support being dead the phone, s prices are tumbling and when you really look at it, it's a great phone after all.
Overall, I am happy with my Razer, and dont have anything major to complain about. Yes, its not perfect, but I am hoping LINDA comes along soon, and I am sure additional development will come as well. Screen is great, Audio is great.