Samsung Note 4 launched ahead of schedule

[Spacescreamer]

South Korea's Samsung launched the latest version of its oversized Galaxy Note smartphone earlier than expected Wednesday after US rival Apple reported record sales of its latest iPhone 6.

Samsung said the Galaxy Note 4 -- initially scheduled for launch in October -- would hit stores in South Korea and China this week before being sold in 140 nations by the end of next month.

It would be the first time a flagship Samsung product has gone on sale in China ahead of other markets, reflecting the firm's desire to battle growing competition from cheaper Chinese-made rivals.

The decision to bring forward the launch date also came after rival Apple reported a record opening weekend for its latest range of iPhones, including the iPhone 6 Plus -- the US firm's first foray into the big-screen market. Sales topped 10 million in just three days following Friday's launch in the United States, Britain, Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Japan, Puerto Rico and Singapore.

The new iPhone is not yet available in China.

Samsung initially pioneered the market for the "phablet" devices -- sized between a smartphone and a tablet computer -- when it introduced its Galaxy Note series in 2011.

Along with the Galaxy S smartphones, they helped the South Korean electronics giant dethrone Apple as the world's top maker of smartphones.

But Samsung has faced a growing challenge in an increasingly saturated market, where competition from cheaper Chinese handset makers has intensified in recent years.

The company in July reported a 20-% drop in its net profit for the second quarter, and its shares are currently trading at a two-year low.

"We are temporarily going through a difficult business situation," Lee Don-Joo, head of sales and marketing for Samsung's mobile unit, told reporters at Wednesday's launch in Seoul

"But...we hope that we would be able to recover soon based on our fundamental capability for technical innovation," Lee said.

Sales of Galaxy Note 3 topped 10 million in two months after its launch in 2013, and Lee predicted the Note 4 would outperform that.

The 5.7-inch Note 4 comes with S-pen stylus allowing users to draw and write on the screen and perform various tasks simultaneously.

The presence of a stylus pen -- not offered by iPhone 6 -- offers a "unique input methodology," said Lee Young-Hee, executive vice president of Samsung's mobile unit.

"No other phablets offered by rival companies offer such an intuitive experience," Lee said.

Source: http://www.hindustantimes.com/techn...e-in-china-before-apple/article1-1267754.aspx

 

[blr_p]

The decision to bring forward the launch date also came after rival Apple reported a record opening weekend for its latest range of iPhones, including the iPhone 6 Plus -- the US firm's first foray into the big-screen market. Sales topped 10 million in just three days following Friday's launch in the United States, Britain, Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Japan, Puerto Rico and Singapore.

How well is the 6 plus selling ? how many 6 plus to every 6 sold.

might be a foray into phablet space but iphone users have been used to small sizes for ever now.

The company in July reported a 20-% drop in its net profit for the second quarter, and its shares are currently trading at a two-year low.

"We are temporarily going through a difficult business situation," Lee Don-Joo, head of sales and marketing for Samsung's mobile unit, told reporters at Wednesday's launch in Seoul.

Sony is also in trouble.

Sales of Galaxy Note 3 topped 10 million in two months after its launch in 2013, and Lee predicted the Note 4 would outperform that.

hmm, note 3 users do not see a reason to upgrade.

quad-hd screens are a drain on current gen cpus.

The 5.7-inch Note 4 comes with S-pen stylus allowing users to draw and write on the screen and perform various tasks simultaneously.

The presence of a stylus pen -- not offered by iPhone 6 -- offers a "unique input methodology," said Lee Young-Hee, executive vice president of Samsung's mobile unit.

"No other phablets offered by rival companies offer such an intuitive experience," Lee said.

yes note is the crown jewel for samsung. Almost 4 years later nobody has been able to craft a competitor.

is note really a competitor of iphone 6+ ?

 

[rakesh_ic]

yes note is the crown jewel for samsung. Almost 4 years later nobody has been able to craft a competitor.

The first phablet was from Samsung. Though it dint strike a chord initially, later it did fetch some serious fans and there by ending with 3 more iterations after that. Thats innovation.

 

[dafreaking]

As someone who used the Orignal Note for just under 3 years all I can say is that it was one of the most innovative devices Samsung has come up with, and the best part is that they try and add something or the other to it every year hardware wise. Sadly, it's size is something I never truly got used too and the cost of the new ones is something I don't/can't spend on a phone for a while.

 

[mh09ad5578]

I've used every note iteration these past three years and feel it's the best phone that suits my profession (I'm an Architect), just sold my mi3 and planning to get the note 3 again which I sold once note 4 is launched, so that there's a price drop in it. Note 4 is great but don't want to invest the 50k+that Samsung would want us to plonk for it! I'm expecting note 3 to hit the sub 30k price in retail market and around 20k in used one and that's superb vfm for an amazing phone.

 

[blr_p]

As someone who used the Orignal Note for just under 3 years all I can say is that it was one of the most innovative devices Samsung has come up with, and the best part is that they try and add something or the other to it every year hardware wise. Sadly, it's size is something I never truly got used too and the cost of the new ones is something I don't/can't spend on a phone for a while.

Size ?

You held onto it for nearly three years. nah i don't but that. If size was a problem you'd have dumped it in under a year. Not to mention you'd have got the best price for it then rather than wait as long as you did.

So what made you replace it in the end. Your usage pattern has changed requiring a faster cpu and more ram. 1GB can be cramped today but its not unusable.

its got 4.1, the screen is normal by today's standard so buying it in 2012 makes you a visionary

The only thing i find average and that is by today's standards is its battery life. About as mediocre as a nexus 4.

I know someone that has the oringal note and is in no hurry to get rid of it because of replacement cost.

 

[paarkhi]

The rates will be steep somewhere near 55K in the initial launching 2 months.

 

[dafreaking]

Size ?

You held onto it for nearly three years. nah i don't but that. If size was a problem you'd have dumped it in under a year. Not to mention you'd have got the best price for it then rather than wait as long as you did.

So what made you replace it in the end. Your usage pattern has changed requiring a faster cpu and more ram. 1GB can be cramped today but its not unusable.

its got 4.1, the screen is normal by today's standard so buying it in 2012 makes you a visionary

The only thing i find average and that is by today's standards is its battery life. About as mediocre as a nexus 4.

I know someone that has the oringal note and is in no hurry to get rid of it because of replacement cost.

Weird huh! It was the width of that thing and on top of that I used to use a TPU case which would make it bigger. It felt a bit awkward holding it up to the ear for extended conversations.

I would manage about 2 days of battery life, though my usage was limited to about 4 hrs screen time and 2 hrs of calls over those 2 days. Had purchased a second battery after the first one put on major weight on it's waste. The phone was sluggish. I think NOVA launcher was the only thing keeping it going. I was comfortable with most features/functionality of a stock based custom rom so didn't keep up with AOSP/CM based roms.

The only reason why I switched was because the Mi3 was available. Call me crazy, but I don't miss anything about the Note anymore. It was the first high-end phone I had purchased and while I have strong memories, it was replaced by the Mi3 at the right time.

I bought the Note for 28K with bill & warranty in Dec 2011. My father bought it for 32K in Jul 2012. Today the Note 4 will probably cost at least 50% more than what I paid. In the current scenario I can't justify it. Maybe in the future with the Note 5?, then again. After you spend 14K (Net 6K) on a phone that works pretty well, spending 3-4 times that just feels... whatever..

 

[Doc Holliday]

I have never looked back after joining the Note bandwagon, though I must admit I was a Samsung-hater to begin with. I find it the most convenient phone I have ever used. And I have used all types of them. The only quam I have about them is that in India they launch the underpowered and overpriced ones. I got my N9005 from HK and it a truly flagship phone.

 

[blr_p]

Weird huh! It was the width of that thing and on top of that I used to use a TPU case which would make it bigger. It felt a bit awkward holding it up to the ear for extended conversations.

Here's the thing. Without mi3 the width isn't an issue. With mi3, you sacrifice 0.3 inch screen size (negligible) and get 1 cm less width, 20% less weight, double the RAM and a faster cpu. The key point here is you never got used to the stylus otherwise you could not have switched away from the note. You'd be locked in.

I would manage about 2 days of battery life, though my usage was limited to about 4 hrs screen time and 2 hrs of calls over those 2 days. Had purchased a second battery after the first one put on major weight on it's waste. The phone was sluggish. I think NOVA launcher was the only thing keeping it going. I was comfortable with most features/functionality of a stock based custom rom so didn't keep up with AOSP/CM based roms.

Dual core and 1gb ram wasn't doing it any more. The decision would have been to either get the mi3 or wait for mi4. You passed the 70% mark of the note anyway.

The only reason why I switched was because the Mi3 was available. Call me crazy, but I don't miss anything about the Note anymore. It was the first high-end phone I had purchased and while I have strong memories, it was replaced by the Mi3 at the right time.

Exactly, figuring out which phone to get is tricky, it gets even more interesting and revealing when you see what people switch to. Something new & unexepcted appeared out of the blue and the former phone plays a deciding factor.

I bought the Note for 28K with bill & warranty in Dec 2011. My father bought it for 32K in Jul 2012. Today the Note 4 will probably cost at least 50% more than what I paid. In the current scenario I can't justify it. Maybe in the future with the Note 5?, then again. After you spend 14K (Net 6K) on a phone that works pretty well, spending 3-4 times that just feels... whatever..

Sure, if you wait 2 months the price will drop 25%. it might happen sooner. But since you can get away with a mi3 then why get a note. Back in 2012, it was a good idea. Am interested to understand what made you go for the note in the first place. Specs wise note will always be at the top. But it was massive then. When we see other phones matching and at times exceeding it then it looks like a good idea.

But even today there is push back . see the comments of people with iphone 6+ or new moto x -- its too big.

 

[blr_p]

I've used every note iteration these past three years and feel it's the best phone that suits my profession (I'm an Architect), just sold my mi3 and planning to get the note 3 again which I sold once note 4 is launched, so that there's a price drop in it. Note 4 is great but don't want to invest the 50k+that Samsung would want us to plonk for it! I'm expecting note 3 to hit the sub 30k price in retail market and around 20k in used one and that's superb vfm for an amazing phone.

Right, so this is the ideal profile of a note owner. Heavy stylus user. Locked in and happy

 

[dafreaking]

Here's the thing. Without mi3 the width isn't an issue. With mi3, you sacrifice 0.3 inch screen size (negligible) and get 1 cm less width, 20% less weight, double the RAM and a faster cpu. The key point here is you never got used to the stylus otherwise you could not have switched away from the note. You'd be locked in.

The Note has been the widest of the series. While the real estate offered was good, I can live without it for a while. I didn't mind the weight of it. Used it just for a day without a case so yeah that added to the bulk.

The stylus unfortunately was very gimmicky in the beginning. It could have had so many features but Samsung took their own sweet time by the end of it. If there was an easy software implementation to sync notes (S-Note/S-Memo) with a PC it would have been brilliant. By the time some of the better cut/copy, etc features came in the phone was too sluggish.

Dual core and 1gb ram wasn't doing it any more. The decision would have been to either get the mi3 or wait for mi4. You passed the 70% mark of the note anyway.

Exactly, figuring out which phone to get is tricky, it gets even more interesting and revealing when you see what people switch to. Something new & unexepcted appeared out of the blue and the former phone plays a deciding factor.

Let's just say that even while it was top dog, the phone was never zippy. The apps usually took a little time to load but that was fine. After a while though opening websites was a pain. The camera lagged and post Gingerbread the scrolling was never super smooth. I was actually waiting for the Note 4 and would have tried getting a piece from abroad though I never am able to take the risk. When the Mi3 became available and I managed to snag one in the first sale, there was no looking back.

What do you mean by passed the 70% mark?

Sure, if you wait 2 months the price will drop 25%. it might happen sooner. But since you can get away with a mi3 then why get a note. Back in 2012, it was a good idea. Am interested to understand what made you go for the note in the first place. Specs wise note will always be at the top. But it was massive then. When we see other phones matching and at times exceeding it then it looks like a good idea.

But even today there is push back . see the comments of people with iphone 6+ or new moto x -- its too big.

One can keep waiting for price drops. My plan was to replace the Note every year. But then the price went up from 30K odd to 40+ So the strategy of paying approximately 1000-1500 per month (as I would spread the cost over a year and use the proceeds from the previous phone as a down payment) didn't materialize.

My brother bought an S2 a month before me. I could afford to buy a flagship so just took a gamble. It was something I thought I would be more productive with than I actually was. The stylus was a nice selling point in theory. I am into production so things like taking a picture and annotating was something I wanted to do but the performance was never exceptional.

 

[m-jeri]

I used my Note 3 stylus around 2 or 3 times. Just to see what it does. Its just not my cup of tea. Anyways ordered the 6 Plus. Lets see what it offers. Height is almost same. Not as wide as Note 3 though.

 

[rakesh_ic]

I used my Note 3 stylus around 2 or 3 times. Just to see what it does. Its just not my cup of tea. Anyways ordered the 6 Plus. Lets see what it offers. Height is almost same. Not as wide as Note 3 though.

Are u gonna try the bend test too ?

Is it a good idea to buy one at this point of time when there is lot of hungama on this front? Your money, your choice buddy. I was just thinking loud

 

[blr_p]

The stylus unfortunately was very gimmicky in the beginning. It could have had so many features but Samsung took their own sweet time by the end of it. If there was an easy software implementation to sync notes (S-Note/S-Memo) with a PC it would have been brilliant. By the time some of the better cut/copy, etc features came in the phone was too sluggish.

Perils of going with v1 of any product. v3 is perfect. v2 if you can't wait for v3.

Let's just say that even while it was top dog, the phone was never zippy. The apps usually took a little time to load but that was fine. After a while though opening websites was a pain. The camera lagged and post Gingerbread the scrolling was never super smooth. I was actually waiting for the Note 4 and would have tried getting a piece from abroad though I never am able to take the risk. When the Mi3 became available and I managed to snag one in the first sale, there was no looking back.

What do you mean by passed the 70% mark?

was comparing specs over the years from samsung and there is a pattern..
it takes a new entry level phone
4 years to match a flagship from 4 years earlier
2 years to match a midrange

They do this to give you an incentive to go for higher price models. What this means is a flagship should be good for 4 years. Android is more mature now. The hardware upgrade required from 2 to 4 i think was much more than will be required from 4-5+.

Still you managed to come close to the 3 year mark (75%). Course note is unique with the digitiser but if you don't use stylus much then its a bigger, little better galaxy s.

But the Chinese are messing with this plan. Instead of 4 years they are trying to reduce it to two years.

If the mi3 did not come out you might have held on to the note a little longer, maybe until the note 4 or note 3 became cheaper.

One can keep waiting for price drops. My plan was to replace the Note every year. But then the price went up from 30K odd to 40+ So the strategy of paying approximately 1000-1500 per month (as I would spread the cost over a year and use the proceeds from the previous phone as a down payment) didn't materialize.

20% rupee devaluation and won getting stronger messed things up. It's a good incentive for them to keep prices down--more yearly sales wich will be good for them but they always want to chase iphone pricing.

My brother bought an S2 a month before me. I could afford to buy a flagship so just took a gamble. It was something I thought I would be more productive with than I actually was. The stylus was a nice selling point in theory. I am into production so things like taking a picture and annotating was something I wanted to do but the performance was never exceptional.

Then there is still a chance to get a note later.

 

[m-jeri]

Are u gonna try the bend test too ?

Is it a good idea to buy one at this point of time when there is lot of hungama on this front? Your money, your choice buddy. I was just thinking loud

Am I going to "try" bend test?.. No.

Is it a good idea to buy? Well out of 10 million that was sold, for argument sake say 5 million was the plus model. Or even say 1 million was the plus model sold. In that only handful faced this issue.
Just like many other phones that faced that issue. Of that I own the 5S too. Even the Note 3 bended somewhere. Which also I own.

So is it a good idea to buy this coz it bend for a handful of people?. My only concern is the cost for this thing. Not if it bends or not. I have 2 year Apple care with this.

However I do have question. "Apple, why didn't you make this few mm thicker? At least the size of the camera module?"

No Bending
No eject mode camera
Bigger Battery..Moar Battery life.

 

[rakesh_ic]

Am I going to "try" bend test?.. No.

Is it a good idea to buy? Well out of 10 million that was sold, for argument sake say 5 million was the plus model. Or even say 1 million was the plus model sold. In that only handful faced this issue.
Just like many other phones that faced that issue. Of that I own the 5S too. Even the Note 3 bended somewhere. Which also I own.

So is it a good idea to buy this coz it bend for a handful of people?. My only concern is the cost for this thing. Not if it bends or not. I have 2 year Apple care with this.

However I do have question. "Apple, why didn't you make this few mm thicker? At least the size of the camera module?"

No Bending
No eject mode camera
Bigger Battery..Moar Battery life.

I am planning to get myself a iPhone6 as soon as i reach UK by mid November. So I dont care the bend test on iPhone6 as it is a safer bet among the lot and I dont need a bigger gadget anyway.

I know there are only handful of them reported, but I am sure Apple will respond soon on this as they have gained a lot of negative feedback in a weeks time. So waiting it out and buying after Apple's response would have been wiser. Anyways enjoy your phone

 

[smnrock]

^Apple always correct lots of stuff in their S model based customer's testing So its better to wait for 6s!

 

[m-jeri]

Its not with me. Oct 20 to Oct 27 is the arrival time. I am getting an unlocked 128GB plus. Apple.com is the ONLY source for now.

Otherwise I need to go contract way. 2 years I resisted contracts in US. Not going to start now.

Anyways buying from UK?. Bloody expensive things are there. I have friends who shuttle between UK and US. They always buy from US. When I was in Copenhagen, I wanted to buy the iTouch. It was around 40USD(conversion from DKK) more than in US. I don't understand why the price is more in EU generally. Even my eldest brother wants me to buy stuff from here and take it to them. He is in Ireland. More More exp than UK he says all the time.

 

[sabby]

I don't understand why the price is more in EU generally.

I believe that's because of the 20% VAT in EU. In US, except in some states, usually no taxes are levied if you shop online. And even if you get stuff from brick and mortar store, only the state taxes apply and are usually much less than 20%.