Finally got to give the Note 3 a tryout in the store yesterday. Some impressions:
- Yes, the screen is gorgeous. It does look to be a fair bit brighter than the Note II screen. I didn't test it outdoors, but it looked very bright under the very strong ceiling lights in the store. And I like the new Reading Mode.
- The camera is definitely good enough for me, meaning a clear step up from the Note II cam. I took a few test snaps in various modes and was generally happy with the results. The settings could be more accessible though, and I'd love to be able to save a few personal presets and be able to access them directly from the shooting window.
- The phone felt generally very snappy. Noticeable when flipping landscape/portrait, starting apps, and using the splitscreen mode.
- I found none of the reported lag when opening the gallery.
- Not too fond of the build/exterior design. The faux leather feels too fake for me and the fake metal rim looks and feels very cheap/fragile, worse than that of the Note II IMO. Not as comfy hold as the Note II. But - I will put a case on this one nonetheless, so not too bothered. I certainly wouldn't mind Sammy taking a step towards a more "premium" build though.
- S Note is still CRAP. I find this borderline insulting, as this very function is at the core of the whole concept. The app looks better than it did on the Note II (where it was nauseatingly ugly), and is smoother, but it's still just so counter-intuitive and complicated to use. And, it LAGS! While I tested various templates, the device would literally freeze up for seconds as I activated the preset text fields. This is just unacceptable. I cannot fathom why Samsung can't get this app right and bring out its real potential. Very disappointed here.
- Action Note is pretty nifty though, the handwriting recognition is pretty awesome. This is a useful one for me personally, as I often do use the pen precisely to jot down someone's name and number during a call.
- Scrapbook is not as cool as I had thought. I often found that my markings wouldn't copy in all the text I was trying to copy, leaving out words on the side. And the marking line looks kind of skeumorphics-cheap when it's drawn, making the function feel less elegant to use. Also, this is a feature I'd like to be able to access without the pen. As it is, I don't see myself having the patience to shift my grip and pull the pen out just to do this. I'll probably continue sharing web pages containing stuff I want to note down by simply sharing to Pocket, and getting back to them later through my PC browser.
- And actually, the S Pen in general... Regardless of its functionality, the pen itself is still way too thin for my taste. It still feels like a hollow plastic toothpick or a worthless toy pencil. And the button...after using the pen for a few minutes, I start to feel pain in these muscles I never even knew I had in my fingers, especially the thumb. Because of the tiny size of the pen, I'm forced to hold it with this awkward claw grip which just kills my hand, and my precision too. The button is hard to locate without looking and pressing in on such a small pen is difficult without upsetting the precision of my grip. I wish they'd just do away with the whole button thing, and go for tapping solutions only. Like, double tap and hold to bring up that nav widget (I forget what it's called).
Seriously Sammy, fix this pen. Another feature that is at the core of the whole concept but still just plain sucks. I'd happily take a thicker phone if it mean that the pen could be more comfortable to hold.
- Oh, and then there's TouchWiz in general of course, it just has to be mentioned. Seriously, why don't they just put a COMPETENT designer on the case?? The notifications area with that slime green color and ugly symbols is just such a freaking eyesore. And the various UI details and cues are just generally incoherent and arbitrary. It's nearly unbearable. Since getting my Note II (my first Samsung device), there have been quite a few moments when I've felt the urge to sell the freaking thing and buy an iPhone or a stock Android device just to have some damn order in my UI, and I don't see this changing with the Note 3. Unfortunately. Ultimately though, the actual functionality of TouchWiz always keeps me coming back for more, of course. But it's starting to feel more and more like some kind of blackmail.
- Overall though, the Note 3 is such a clear improvement of the Note II that this is a clear purchase for me. The improved camera, GORGEOUS screen and better camera seals the deal for me. As soon as I have the cash...
