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Can the Galaxy Note replace an iPad?

Guitarfreak

Guitarfreak

macrumors member
Original poster
Jan 13, 2011
48
19
Birmingham, UK
Hi all,

Currently using iPhone X but im returning to a 512GB Galaxy Note 9 at least until the X+ is out :D

Anyway just wondering if anyone would be replacing there iPads with a galaxy note? I currently have the 12.9 but im wondering if the Note 9 can replace it for my sofa browsing and media consumption?
 
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For me the answer is yes, I used my iPad for those things but stopped when the Plus size iPhones came out. So the Note 9 display would be even more sufficient for me.

I don't use any iPad specific apps though, if you do that then of course the answer would be no.
 
I don't either! Its just browsing.. However im a huge fan of the Rplay app on ios for ps4 remote play. Will search for an android alternative!
 
Personally for me no, I have a Pixel 2 XL and a Fire HD 10 tablet. I use my phone mostly but the tablet comes in handy for browsing the internet better.
 
IMHO no!

Because you use a 12.9 screen now. That makes movies in bed really comfortable. I never ever watched a movie on my phone. I have a 9.7 Note pad. That is good enough for movies (at least for me) - but I also read a lot of magazines.

For that 12" is much better, unfortunately the Samsung 12" sort of phased out a few years ago. Pity, and iPads IMHO are less suitable (no torrent apps). And then the price....

So change of plan: I will get sooner or later a flip notebook (screen can move 360°) with touch screen and Windows 10. Nice big screen and good for magazines.
 
For me, not a chance. No mobile phone screen size compares to using a 12.9" iPad. No way I'd watch films on phone while travelling as well as all the times I use one at home.
 
Note 9 is a fun device. What is your primary concern? It's a pocket-able powerhouse!
 
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I've tried this for years, but it's never really worked. You can't compare a 6.4" screen (which is probably closer to 5.8" once you account for the aspect ratio and curved edges) with any of the ipads, even the ipad mini. Not only the physical size, but the aspect ratio is much better on an ipad. A phablet is ok for day to day use, but if I need to hunker down, or if I'm traveling, I will at least have something like an ipad mini at the minimum.
 
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For me, yes. I previously had a Mac, iPad, and iPhone that I traveled with. I now have a Surface Pro and a Note 8 and don't miss the iPad at all. For most of the things my wife uses her iPad for, I do them on my Note 8. The exception is that if I'm on a trip or something and want to watch a movie, I'll usually use the Surface Pro for that.... but certainly can also do on the Note 8. The iPad is just extra baggage to me, and one of the big reasons I parted ways with Apple's product strategy.
 
Just sell the 12.9” Pro and grab a Tab S4. 10.5” display with a 16:10 makes for a very nice media consumption device. The display is amazing!
 
Guitarfreak said:
Hi all,

Currently using iPhone X but im returning to a 512GB Galaxy Note 9 at least until the X+ is out :D

Anyway just wondering if anyone would be replacing there iPads with a galaxy note? I currently have the 12.9 but im wondering if the Note 9 can replace it for my sofa browsing and media consumption?
Click to expand...
Not completely.

In terms of productivity my Galaxy Note8 craps all over my Apple iPad Air 2 everyday of the week, it's just sooooo much more versatile.

BUT...

When I want to sit in bed and watch some Netflix, especially if I am binge watching a show or watching a movie, I prefer to use my iPad, but that is literally it's only real use at this point. It helps to have my phone free as I will be texting etc... while watching.

I'd say keep the iPad around but don't expect to use it much except for those particular moments.
 
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No way it is a decent replacement for an iPad. Maybe the rumored folding phone Samsung is apparently developing.

The big screen is just plain better for reading, watching videos, gaming or drawing and the 120 Hz display is really nice on the iPad Pro.

For me the Note is just an oversized phone.
 
Of course it could, but I wouldn’t as that’s a pretty dramatic difference in screen size.

If you’re using the iPad primarily for consumption, both it, the 10.5 iPad Pro and Samsung Tab S4 are overkill and way more than you need to spend for your needs. I’d suggest just selling the 12.9 and get a new 6th gen iPad or even last year’s 5th gen model for even less from Apple’s refurb store.
 
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woozor1 said:
No chance A note is a phone not a tablet. 6.3 inch is small.
Click to expand...

A more pertinent question is what use cases are better with tablet. There are very very few. Even watching video is non-issue with a 6.3 in as we can put phone closer to our eyes (unless you watch in a group). You get no advantage with tablet using most apps (except maybe drawing/cad type app). With most web-sites being mobile friendly now, web browsing on tablet has little advantage.

And a tablet is just way too uncomfortable to hold and much of a hassle to use on the move.
 
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mib1800 said:
A more pertinent question is what use cases are better with tablet. There are very very few. Even watching video is non-issue with a 6.3 in as we can put phone closer to our eyes (unless you watch in a group). You get no advantage with tablet using most apps (except maybe drawing/cad type app). With most web-sites being mobile friendly now, web browsing on tablet has little advantage.

And a tablet is just way too uncomfortable to hold and much of a hassle to use on the move.
Click to expand...
Agreed.

As I've said, my iPad is literally my "TV" in bed, I use it to watch Netflix, Amazon Prime, YouTube etc.... For longer periods, even then it's not due to the larger display but rather for the fact that I want to use my phone to Text and browse social media while I watch a show.

One issue I had with watching movies on my Note8 was that I'd get texts and then have to minimise the video window to respond to texts, now this gets very annoying when you have multiple WhatsApp Groups for family, friends, and work.

Every now and then I still watch short bursts of YouTube on my phone, e.g vlogs that are no longer than 40mins, and sometimes I put my phone into DND and enjoy Netflix and I am just blown away at the display quality.


Anything further than that the Note blows the iPad out the water. The iPad feels more like a larger iPhone while the Note feels like more of a laptop in your pocket.
 
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mib1800 said:
A more pertinent question is what use cases are better with tablet. There are very very few. Even watching video is non-issue with a 6.3 in as we can put phone closer to our eyes (unless you watch in a group). You get no advantage with tablet using most apps (except maybe drawing/cad type app). With most web-sites being mobile friendly now, web browsing on tablet has little advantage.

And a tablet is just way too uncomfortable to hold and much of a hassle to use on the move.
Click to expand...

I like to relax and watch YouTube and browse the internet on my iPad Pro in split screen in bed, Or watch Netflix and enjoy my experience with great sound and a large screen. I can pop it up on a stand, not lay there with a small phone strapped to my face giving me eye strain whilst I watch 2 hrs worth of content. Sure some people can deal with that, but not me.
 
woozor1 said:
I like to relax and watch YouTube and browse the internet on my iPad Pro in split screen in bed, Or watch Netflix and enjoy my experience with great sound and a large screen. I can pop it up on a stand, not lay there with a small phone strapped to my face giving me eye strain whilst I watch 2 hrs worth of content. Sure some people can deal with that, but not me.
Click to expand...

Ok.

Personally, if I'm at home watching video, I just use the TV or cast the Note screen to any TV directly.
 
Guitarfreak said:
Hi all,

Currently using iPhone X but im returning to a 512GB Galaxy Note 9 at least until the X+ is out :D

Anyway just wondering if anyone would be replacing there iPads with a galaxy note? I currently have the 12.9 but im wondering if the Note 9 can replace it for my sofa browsing and media consumption?
Click to expand...
You mean you already have a smartphone and don't use it for sofa browsing? My smartphone replaced my tablet and laptop several years ago, and that was before I even got a phablet phone.
I can do everything on my Note 8 but I could also do everything on my previous Xperia and iPhone 6S Plus before that...

It all depends what you're used to. I find tablets cumbersome, awkward to hold and type on. Sure I would rather watch a film on one than a phone but the expense just to watch films when I prefer browsing on my phone anyway isn't worth it for me. I have a smart TV to watch Netflix on and my phone for browsing. Suits me fine.
 
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sunking101 said:
You mean you already have a smartphone and don't use it for sofa browsing? My smartphone replaced my tablet and laptop several years ago, and that was before I even got a phablet phone.
I can do everything on my Note 8 but I could also do everything on my previous Xperia and iPhone 6S Plus before that...

It all depends what you're used to. I find tablets cumbersome, awkward to hold and type on. Sure I would rather watch a film on one than a phone but the expense just to watch films when I prefer browsing on my phone anyway isn't worth it for me. I have a smart TV to watch Netflix on and my phone for browsing. Suits me fine.
Click to expand...
The only thing I prefer a tablet for really is for watching videos. I might use my iPad on the sofa at night to to browsing and other stuff but I can easily and quite comfortably do most things on my phone. It’s more enjoyable on a phablet sized phone but I’d say since at least 2010 my phone has been my primary device and this continued even when I got my first tablet in 2012.
 
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woozor1 said:
a small phone strapped to my face giving me eye strain whilst I watch 2 hrs worth of content.
Click to expand...

Same here. I cannot stand watching a clip on my phone that's longer than 15min. As a few have mentioned, the iPad is much comfortable to use for a few hours than a phone whether it's for watching videos or viewing large photos.

Personally a smartphone cannot replace the iPad, iPad cannot replace the laptop and the laptop cannot replace the TV.

I enjoy roaming between 4 different screens depending on where in the house I am or what I'm doing.
 
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