Comments on: Samsung Galaxy Note II: Preview

By: LaughingBubba

LaughingBubba — Wed, 17 Oct 2012 19:51:51 +0000

thanks for the Review Renai but as a current Note user l would be more interested in Note 1 Vs2 Comparison. what’s the stylus like? the screen is bigger but resolution lower. Does that make a difference? Do the Soft keys still pick upt ithe base of your hand when writing ? Is there improvement in handwriting recognition? is it using Samsungs handwriting SDK or Google’s? Etc

Cheers

By: Renai LeMay

Renai LeMay — Tue, 16 Oct 2012 23:54:36 +0000

This is why it’s important to do actual testing and reviews of products. I’ve often found that readers had one impression of a piece of technology following what they’d read online, but that this impression didn’t reflect the reality of holding the device in their hand. This also holds very true with video game reviews — the previews we get often don’t show the negative points of the games.

By: James

James — Tue, 16 Oct 2012 22:45:31 +0000

Agree.
The plastic cops a lot of flak on internet, but Samsung has done really well to make it feel solid and well built *and* have a removeable battery cover.
I was pleasantly surprised when I used one for the first time.

By: Alex

Alex — Tue, 16 Oct 2012 21:41:06 +0000

I use a microSIM adapter and it’s fine. Cost $1 for 3 of them on eBay including postage. It is a tiny bit fiddly but unless you’re swapping the card between phones all the time, no big deal.

By: Graham R

Graham R — Tue, 16 Oct 2012 06:34:04 +0000

Yes I know getting a microSIM is no problem, but I want to be able to swap the card in to my old backup phone which uses a full size SIM. With all the manufacturers going to microSIMs it looks like I might have to use an adaptor.

By: Renai LeMay

Renai LeMay — Tue, 16 Oct 2012 06:28:22 +0000

Graham,

microSIM isn’t an issue. You can just get your old number ported to a microSIM — your telco will do it for you — or use an adapter, which also work fine.

Personally I wouldn’t buy a smartphone right now without 4G support — especially if you consider that most people keep their phones for at least a year or so.

By: Renai LeMay

Renai LeMay — Tue, 16 Oct 2012 06:26:42 +0000

Have you actually played with a Galaxy S III? It feels awesome in the hand — and the build quality is definitely there. I, and most people I know who have played with both, rate it at least on par with, if not better than the iPhone 5 and 4S.

By: Graham R

Graham R — Tue, 16 Oct 2012 06:16:25 +0000

Thanks for the review Renai. The 4G version of this phone might be my next phone. The non 4G version is already available from online dealers like Kogan. Unfortunately the Note 2 uses (like the GS3 but unlike the GS2 and Note 1) a microSIM card %^$#.
There may be light at the end of the tunnel with rumours of a dual SIM version for the Chinese market which does use a full size SIM card, but that version could exclude other features.
I wish Samsung and other manufacturers would stop copying Apple – next thing they will start using the ridiculous nanoSIMs like the new iPhone5!
Yes, I could use a microSIM to SIM card adaptor but have heard they are a bit fiddly and possibly somewhat unreliable – anyone out there using them? Any comments?

By: damien

damien — Tue, 16 Oct 2012 06:15:54 +0000

Quote: “Two things are immediately apparent with respect to the Galaxy S III’s design aesthetic when you pick it up. Firstly, this is a phone which absolutely screams “build quality””.

Really? Almost every review I’ve ever read mentions how ‘plasticy’ it feels, especially compared to the iPhone (both the GS3 and GN2).

And the ‘metallic’ rim you mention, is just chrome-look plastic, according to other reviews. You might want to check that when you do a ‘proper’ review.