AT&T Note 2 Initial Thoughts...Just got it today!

dponte · ‎10-27-2012

Got mine at 08:58 or something, FedEx overnight.

Some initial things I noticed...

As I noted with the AT&T tester's unboxing...NO HEADPHONES/EARPHONES!! I need these for calls, especially LONG calls. This is not good.

I've seen the Note2 Sprint model since the 25th, everyday, so some things I also noted as a difference so far:

- The AT&T model has the extended notification screen toggle options like the S3 has...Airplane mode, sound, etc. Sprint does not have this, and I am not sure if T-Mobile had it (I forget).

- Cannot remove the AT&T bloatware, it seems. I am new to android (and yes, I guess you can root it and remove it) but I think what is on here initially cannot be removed.

- My Sprint friend noted that the S-Pen seemed slightly heavier/different...hard to say, I don't see why. If so, it's SLIGHTLY...very slightly. I also noted that I had no issue thus far with the pen making marks while hovering over the note, but that may be because it's a new pen. Will keep on that 'bug' and still looking around for a way to toggle sensitivity.

Also, how do I know if my bootloader is unlocked/locked? (not trying to get too off-topic)

So, post what you notice about the Note 2.

21stNow · ‎07-07-2010

The T-Mobile model has the extended notification shade toggles, too.

For the apps that you don't want, go into Settings>Application manager>All and select the app that you don't want. Then select the "Disable" option. The app will still be on your phone (and alert you to updates, I think), but it won't show in your App Drawer.

dponte · ‎10-27-2012

Ok, wasn't sure about T-Mobile. Sprint's latest update DOES apply those 'missing' toggles PLUS the multi-window toggle (as that is part of the feature), so that is cool for them.

Ok, so I CAN disable and it won't appear...good.

Also...I noted that my storage (16GB phone) has 10.56 GB of available space. 10.97GB of TOTAL space. SD card (64GB) shows 59.45 (sandisk puts stuff on it, FAT32, etc).

My friends Sprint phone has 10.97 or so as well and I am not sure how many new apps he put on his so far/Sprint bloatware is more or less...etc.

Either way...where did the other 5ish GB go?

21stNow · ‎07-07-2010

The OS, system files and manufacturer skin (Touchwiz) take up the initial storage space on the phone.

jmblaney86 · ‎11-06-2012

That's for the android OS, bloatware, abs everything else running the phone, every phone that says 16GB isn't actually 16 sanme with micro sd cards acc ever other form of hard drive space, it's got The software that allows it to be read ny the devices, which is why I just bought a64 GB micro sd card from radio shack for 42.50 online

dponte · ‎10-27-2012

Right, just saying that seems like a lot. Maybe it's normal, as it's my first Android OS phone though.

I havent checked yet, but does anyone expect apps to be run/allowed to run or have DB's available from the SD card? That would help in the long run.

Jsucool76 · ‎07-11-2007

I'm still upset about the no earbuds. It is a $300 phone with upgrade and they can't throw in the $2 earbuds? lol

Congrats on your new phone!! Can't wait for mine, should be here tomorrow...I wish I sprung for the overnight shipping now...I'm jealius.

jmblaney86 · ‎11-06-2012

Since your new to android I'm assuming you don't see the difference between android ICS and Jelly bean, how is the smoothness of the phone

dponte · ‎10-27-2012

I had played around with the S3 at the store, and my friend had ICS on his old device too.

He and I both agree on the smoothness -being great. But, you can see video reviews about it to confirm too.

S-Beam was fun too, as we finally tried that. Weird, but fun

dponte · ‎10-27-2012

No US carrier advert had earbuds on their info pages.

Sprint got them, I assume TMobile did too (?). They did not repackage the phone though.

Not happy with AT&T on this...maybe a store will have them and/or I can get them there and corporate can reimburse the store later. I do not want to pay 30-40$ more for something all other carriers are getting and pricing the same. If the phone was cheaper than other carriers...say 30-40$, THEN fine.

dponte · ‎10-27-2012

Looking at my friends' Sprint headphones (that came with earbuds of different sizes to use...another thing I hope to find)...these original Note (1) earphones seem to be the exact same ones: http://compare.ebay.com/like/150925786514?var=lv&ltyp=AllFixedPriceItemTypes&var=sbar

Anyone else know of ones that will totally function with the Note 2? Again, concerned about call functionality for the most part.

Bruno5346 · ‎11-01-2011

OEM Samsung Note 2 ear buds are 8.00 free shipping on eBay.

Jsucool76 · ‎07-11-2007

Bruno5346 wrote:
OEM Samsung Note 2 ear buds are 8.00 free shipping on eBay.

So my phone should've only been $292...not $300

Bruno5346 · ‎11-01-2011

Lol well at least you know now what they did with them.

Droidnewb · ‎11-07-2012

DONT TXT AND DRIVE, IT CAN WAIT....yeah right, AT&T . so give us our headphones

21stNow · ‎07-07-2010

dponte wrote:

No US carrier advert had earbuds on their info pages.

Sprint got them, I assume TMobile did too (?). They did not repackage the phone though.

Not happy with AT&T on this...maybe a store will have them and/or I can get them there and corporate can reimburse the store later. I do not want to pay 30-40$ more for something all other carriers are getting and pricing the same. If the phone was cheaper than other carriers...say 30-40$, THEN fine.

The T-Mobile version did come with the earbuds. I finally remembered that someone commented on how weird it was to have white earbuds with a gray phone on the T-Mobile forum.

If I could give you mine, I would. I almost never use the ones that come with the phones.

redpoint73 · ‎10-01-2007

AT&T has been cheap with the pack-ins, like earbuds on many of their phones. While I don't have much experience with Sammy phones, HTC phones almost always come with headphones (sometimes even a case for the phone) on other carriers and other regions. But AT&T always leaves them out.

Its a cheap move. But on the other hand, do you really want a $8 pair of buds anyway? You're not going to get any decent sound out of a cheap pair of buds like that. Pack-in headphones are normally garbage.

dponte · ‎10-27-2012

Yes, Sprint's are white as well and was commented by my friend

I do recall now that I did see the earbud changes in a bag that the TMobile rep had.

---ALSO

Noted difference with Lock screen options for the Sprint and AT&T models...

Not sure if the camera shortcut (hold screen, rotate phone to the side) is a loophole in security or not...as it seems to bypass lock if you press the back button (it takes you to the home screen!!!)

UPDATE: i think i resolved the camera shortcut issue I had...has to do with lock screen timer setting. Again, Sprint phone has different setting option method for this it seems.

elantric · ‎12-17-2008

As a convenience here is a link to all version USA Galaxy Note 2 User Manuals , which may help folks determine the feature differences between the carriers.

http://androidforums.com/samsung-galaxy-note-2/645075-usa-carrier-os-fragmentation.html