This phone is just perfect! Every thing in this phone is amazing. For example, the s pen has helped me in so many ways that other phones could not do. I also loved the 13 megapixel camera the way it captured a wide area of warmth color not like the apple phones. There are a list of reasons why this phone beats all the other phone on the market right now, but the main reason is that it is a SAMSUNG!
This has been what I have been waiting for since I got my first Samsung smartphone. It has been a great way for me to look professional while conducting business transactions, as well as impressing the younger generation with my agility using my phone.
Pros: Built-in speakers, Bright display, Durable, Realistic color, Lightweight, big screen, user friendly, easy to use, built in stylus, charges quickly
Great hardware here. Battery life to aesthetics this device is top notch. I will no doubt be using this phone for some years.
The bloatware from Samsung is out of hand. They are poorly executed, duplicate existing Android functionality (unnecessary), and have a tendency to be in your face with notifications and hotkeys; all of which thoughtfully cannot be disabled.
A great shame since I'm sure the Samsungware's existence adds to its msrp.
Of the hundreds of times I've triggered their "S Finder" app, usually interrupting my work flow or a game, I have never once used the obtuse functionality. (Triggered by holding down menu key, which is dangerously close to your palms when holding the Note in landscape orientation.
Not all the Samsung software is bad. The S Pen suite is slick and dual app function is very useful. But I would gladly trade away both if I could have all the Samsung ware removed.
The phone is great, but it is very expensive without some type of contract discount. I did find the number of pre-installed apps annoying. The built-in email app is good though allowing you to sign in to multiple accounts and allowing you to view a combined in-box. S-Voice needs some work to be useful. When you change a setting, you are supposed to be able to say "Hi Galaxy" at any point then give it a command. I have not been able to get that to work. Even after you touch the screen to start S-Voice, you still have to say "Hi Galaxy" before giving it a command--manually launching the app should be indication enough that I want to give it a command. Even at that point, most or all of the information is shown on the screen instead of read off to you. The whole point should be to make the phone fully functional to you when you have your hands and/or eyes otherwise occupied.