Note 8 - 1 week in and loving it.

[mraikes]

Last year I whined and cried over having to return my Note 7 and settle for a Note 5. So of course, not learning my lesson, I had to try to be one of the first in the water with the Note 8. So far I've had it for a week and I'm not regretting it.

Anyone else made the move to the 8? If so, what do you think about it?

Things I like - some of which probably existed on my previous Notes ( 2, 4, 7 & 5) but I didn't notice or use them:

The split screen. It's finally useful to me. The Note 8 is very tall and that makes all the difference for a meaningful split screen. Each of the splits can now be tall enough to be usable rather than just a novelty. For example, at lunch I can watch Netflix on the top half while browsing Technibble in the bottom half. Pretty cool.

In a similar vein - "app pairs". Using the edge shortcuts, I've created app pairs to automatically display two paired apps in split screen. For example, my sales tax calculator on top and a normal calculator on bottom. I'm always running numbers in the regular calculator, and entering them into the tax calculator, trying not to forget the number I just looked at (I'm getting old). Now I just hit the app pair shortcut and both are on screen and usable at the same time. Another app pair is my Podcast app matched to my workout app - since I listen to podcasts at the same time I exercise, now I can launch, see and use both without toggling.

Samsung pay. I've used android pay in the past but on my new phone I'm trying Samsung pay. Not only works with regular NFC readers, but also non-nfc readers. Somehow even holding it close to a card swiper works much of the time, even if the card reader isn't technically NFC enabled. I also like just sliding up from the bottom of the screen to pop up my default payment card. Really convenient.

FM Radio is back. Uses wired headphones as antenna. Didn't even know this existed again until I got my phone and stumbled upon it. Isn't mentioned in common feature lists, but it's easy to access with the "NextRadio" app. I don't use wired headphone much anymore, but it's nice to know it's there if needed. Like during emergencies when phone & data networks may be down.

Remapped Bixby button to Google assistant. "OK Google" fails for me often enough that I like having a dedicated button to launch it.

The camera(s). Really work well and fast. Real zooming instead of just digital zoom. I like the old fashioned depth of field type pictures again.

EDIT: Almost forgot the reason the Note exists at all - love using the Stylus. Fast & responsive to handwriting.

And stuff everyone likes: Waterproof, dustproof, gorgeous screen, overall fast & powerful, plenty of memory.

And my few complaints:

Like everyone it seems, I hate the fingerprint reader on the back. It works fine, but it's awkward. I suspect we're being herded away from fingerprint readers and toward iris scanner instead. Someday dropping fingerprint readers will probably save them 30 cents in hardware.

The dedicated Bixby button. I constantly hit it by accident because it's right below the volume buttons. I've remapped it to Google to make it moderately useful, but I'd rather not have it at all.

That's about it. If you're a fan of the Note series, there just isn't much to dislike about this phone. And in case it matters, I use the Nova launcher. Nova's been on my phones for years and I love it.

 

[lcoughey]

As for me, I've been using a Galaxy S6 as a temp phone while my BlackBerry KeyONE has the earpiece speaker repaired. I'm on my second week with this thing and can't wait to get back to my physical keyboard and a phone that I can usually use 2 days without needing to charge it. I know that most of you have moved on from BlackBerry, but I cannot live with mine.

 

[mraikes]

As for me, I've been using a Galaxy S6 as a temp phone while my BlackBerry KeyONE has the earpiece speaker repaired. I'm on my second week with this thing and can't wait to get back to my physical keyboard and a phone that I can usually use 2 days without needing to charge it. I know that most of you have moved on from BlackBerry, but I cannot live with mine.

Long ago I really liked the physical keyboards on my original Google G1 and G2 phones (my Android love goes way back), but I moved on. I wouldn't trade the features of the newer phones, even with reduced battery life, for a physical keyboard.

My mother is planning on purchasing her first smartphone this week. I've told her owning a smartphone is mostly an exercise in battery management. And that she's not buying a phone, she's buying a small all-in-one computer that just happens to make calls.

 

[lcoughey]

@mraikes what features of the new phones are you missing with a BlackBerry KeyONE?

 

[mraikes]

@lcoughey I'm not very familar with the KeyOne, but maybe 50% more memory, 2 more inches (almost) of screen size, and a stylus - as much a must have for me as it sounds a physical keyboard is for you. Other than that it looks like the KeyONE stands up well against the Note as far as I can see.

The nice thing, and challenge for phone makers, is that Android is pretty much Android. I imagine that most of what I can do with a Note, you can also do with the KeyONE. Except the physical niches like a stylus vs physical keyboard vs huge screen, there aren't a LOT of differences anymore.

 

[lcoughey]

The larger screen only helps when you aren't typing on touch screen devices...then you lose half the screen. My keyboard works as a track pad, too.

3GB of ram is fine for most apps and if 32GB is not enough, add up to 2TB of AD storage. You can use a stylus with any touch screen phone, though the note pen has a few extra featurea and a storage slot.

I'm not arguing with you. We all have our likes and used for our phones. For me, I use mine to write a lot of notes and messages and the speed and accuracy of the physical keyboard are essential. It is the difference between my responding right away or waiting until the next day when I'm at my desk....and not having to plug my phone in every time I pass an outlet.

 

[sapphirescales]

I like the hardware, but I absolutely HATE Android. I don't understand how any computer person can be happy with a phone full of bloatware and BS. I assume you don't tolerate your Windows computers with all the crap from the manufacturer, so why do you settle for all the crap on your phone? The only Android phone I'd consider is the Pixel XL because it's a pretty clean install of Android. Or the Essential phone (they also have stock Android), but who knows how long that company is going to be in business? Regrettably, the only way to get a phone that performs well is to go with an iPhone. One or two Android version updates and your phone ends up being just about as fast as one of those bargain basement AMD A4 laptops from Walmart. NO THANKS!

 

[lcoughey]

I used my BlackBerry PRIV for 2 years and could have used it 2 more. Moved to the KeyONE because I wanted the change and liked the look.

I hope I'll never be in a spot so desperate enough to become an isheep.