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[butalala]

I'm in the market for a new smartphone this fall/winter and one option that I want to explore is the Galaxy Note 5 because I think the stylus is way cool. I'm not crazy about the huge screen, but whatever.

The thing holding me back is that I've usually preferred phones that make limited changes to Android. My last two phones were the Nexus 4 and the T-Mobile/HTC G2. I like how "vanilla" Android looks and I like getting new updates quickly.

How easy is it to make a Samsung phone look and work like a Nexus phone? Is installing the Google Now launcher and Google Keyboard enough? Would I still have tons of Samsung crapware to live with? Would I have to wait forever to get Android upgrades?

Thanks!

 

[skybald]

Do people actually use the stylus? Why not Nexus?

 

[MikeDip]

Are you okay with putting custom roms on your phone?

 

[speculawyer]

Don't use the Samsung software.

 

[butalala]

Do people actually use the stylus? Why not Nexus?

The 2015 Nexus 5 is probably the top contender for my new phone, but I want to explore other options. Based on the Engadget review of the Note 5 I just read, the stylus is actually a useful tool for taking notes, but I admit that I would mostly like it for doodling. I just like stylus use, whether its on a DS, the Wii U, so on.

 

[Funky Papa]

Do people actually use the stylus? Why not Nexus?

The Note line exists solely because plenty of people demand a stylus.

It's very popular among journos, teachers and some professionals.

What is crazy is that there's not a single credible competitor to it. None. There are some other phones with stili, but they often suck and they all lack Samsung's productivity apps (which are as powerful as hideously designed). It amazes me that Microsoft hasn't tried to one up them yet with a proper Surface Phone.

 

[Volotaire]

Are you okay with putting custom roms on your phone?

The problem with this is that you will lose Samsung's optimisation of battery and the camera, which may a big improvement over stock/custom ROMs. I don't claim to be very knowledgeable about custom ROMS so I'm not sure if there are any that can match optimisations by OEMs.

 

[NeOak]

I'm in the market for a new smartphone this fall/winter and one option that I want to explore is the Galaxy Note 5 because I think the stylus is way cool. I'm not crazy about the huge screen, but whatever.

The thing holding me back is that I've usually preferred phones that make limited changes to Android. My last two phones were the Nexus 4 and the T-Mobile/HTC G2. I like how "vanilla" Android looks and I like getting new updates quickly.

How easy is it to make a Samsung phone look and work like a Nexus phone? Is installing the Google Now launcher and Google Keyboard enough? Would I still have tons of Samsung crapware to live with? Would I have to wait forever to get Android upgrades?

Thanks!

Get a GPE Galaxy?

Oh, Note 5.

Custom ROMs only.

 

[butalala]

Are you okay with putting custom roms on your phone?

That depends on the risk and effort custom roms require. I'm not really into troubleshooting/fiddling with shit for fun like I used to be.

Would a custom ROM remove the software that makes the Stylus useful?

Get a GPE Galaxy?

I don't think they do that anymore.

 

[malyce]

Get an iPhone.

People are gonna tell you about rooting and custom ROMs etc., but it's a crap shoot that often breaks more than it fixes.

 

[NeOak]

Get an iPhone.

People are gonna tell you about rooting and custom ROMs etc., but it's a crap shoot.

He wants the stylus.

There are no iPhones with Wacom digitizers.

 

[butalala]

Get an iPhone.

People are gonna tell you about rooting and custom ROMs etc., but it's a crap shoot.

Why do you suggest that?

From what I've experienced (my GF has an iPhone and iPad, I have an iPod Touch), both OSes work fine, but I like Android better.

 

[linkboy]

That depends on the risk and effort custom roms require. I'm not really into troubleshooting/fiddling with shit for fun like I used to be.

Would a custom ROM remove the software that makes the Stylus useful?



I don't think they do that anymore.

Yes, moving to a custom rom will decrease the abilities of the S-pen, unless it's a rom based on touchwiz, but then you still have to deal with Samsung's setup. A S-pen will work on an AOSP rom, but not all of it's abilities will work.

Another thing to keep in mind is that Marshmallow will support Bluetooth stylus's, so that's an option as well.

I'm in the same boat, I see all the things the Note line can do, but I loathe Samsung's implementation of Android.

 

[i3allistic]

i got a S6 Edge, and you can disable alot of the apps now ....im sure the S5 Note is the same?

 

[malyce]

Why do you suggest that?

From what I've experienced (my GF has an iPhone and iPad, I have an iPod Touch), both OSes work fine, but I like Android better.

With android there's always compromise. A Nexus with subpar hardware compared to other android flagships or a great OEM device with a shit remix of android. There is no middle ground.

He wants the stylus.

There are no iPhones with Wacom digitizers.

He thinks the stylus is cool. Good luck getting full functionality out of it without touchwiz.

 

[Funky Papa]

With android there's always compromise. A Nexus with subpar hardware compared to other android flagships or a great OEM device with a shit remix of android. There is no middle ground.

There's always Motorola and (in Europe) the latest crop of amazing mid-rangers from newcomers such as Wiko and Bq.

But if you want a top tier Android phone... yeah. Shit can be rough outside of the Moto X range.

 

[soqquatto]

With android there's always compromise. A Nexus with subpar hardware compared to other android flagships or a great OEM device with a shit remix of android. There is no middle ground.

there's the moto line, pretty good hardware with a manageable price tag and one of the cleanest android build around (close to stock)

 

[Volotaire]

If you're deliberating on an iPhone, delay your decision until next month when the 6S will be revealed. The extra RAM in the devices will help a lot.

 

[partime]

i got a S6 Edge, and you can disable alot of the apps now ....im sure the S5 Note is the same?

Just received an Edge and noticed you cannot disable the Samsung Keyboard, ?!

 

[butalala]

With android there's always compromise. A Nexus with subpar hardware compared to other android flagships or a great OEM device with a shit remix of android. There is no middle ground.

I'd say that the iPhone line comes with a fair bit of compromise as well, even if they are great phones.

There's always Motorola and (in Europe) the latest crop of amazing mid-rangers from newcomers such as Wiko and Bq.

But if you want a top tier Android phone... yeah. Shit can be rough outside of the Moto X range.

there's the moto line, pretty good hardware with a manageable price tag and one of the cleanest android build around (close to stock)

Moto is certainly an option. I wish that the Moto X Play was coming to the U.S.

If you're deliberating on an iPhone, delay your decision until next month when the 6S will be revealed. The extra RAM in the devices will help a lot.

iPhone is not under consideration.

 

[Rogan]

My Samsung Note 3 is on 5.0 and its just horrible. Its extremely buggy.

Would love to read suggestions on what to do.

 

[NeOak]

My Samsung Note 3 is on 5.0 and its just horrible. Its extremely buggy.

Would love to read suggestions on what to do.

Downgrade.

I'm serious.

 

[CitizenVectron]

I'd like the hardware quality of a top-end Samsung with the awesome Android of a Nexus 5. Sadly no such options exist.

 

[ImpalingNarwhal]

I almost completely changed my S4 to Google software. Took care of most of the apps that annoyed me.

 

[Rogan]

Downgrade.

I'm serious.

Yeah, I am going to do this. I was in love with my Note 3 and after the update I just started to hate my phone.

I can't even take 2 screenshots, after 1 screenshot I need to reboot my phone to take the 2nd screenshot.

 

[hellmonkey]

With android there's always compromise. A Nexus with subpar hardware compared to other android flagships or a great OEM device with a shit remix of android. There is no middle ground.



He thinks the stylus is cool. Good luck getting full functionality out of it without touchwiz.

I have an S5 with a custom rom and absolutely love it. Its stable, lightweight, debloated, and I get 2 days of battery with might/medium use. I know ROMing isn't for everyone, but it is a great option. My biggest complaint is the lack of physical keyboards. I hate not having one.

 

[Roto13]

I almost completely changed my S4 to Google software. Took care of most of the apps that annoyed me.

That's what I did with my S4. Hell, that's what I did with my iPhone before that.

 

[butalala]

I almost completely changed my S4 to Google software. Took care of most of the apps that annoyed me.

Could you tell me more about what you did?

 

[malyce]

there's the moto line, pretty good hardware with a manageable price tag and one of the cleanest android build around (close to stock)

There's always Motorola and (in Europe) the latest crop of amazing mid-rangers from newcomers such as Wiko and Bq.

But if you want a top tier Android phone... yeah. Shit can be rough outside of the Moto X range.

......

I'd say that the iPhone line comes with a fair bit of compromise as well, even if they are great phones.

I agree, but if you want something out of the box you can relay on to just work an iPhone is gonna win that 9 times out of 10, and I say that as someone who thinks iOS is the fisher price of mobile operating systems. There are too many variables with android. Too many compromises. There are ways to get what you want, but most times the end results and the hassle isn't worth it.

I have an S5 with a custom rom and absolutely love it. Its stable, lightweight, debloated, and I get 2 days of battery with might/medium use. I know ROMing isn't for everyone, but it is a great option. My biggest complaint is the lack of physical keyboards. I hate not having one.

I've been on android since eclair, there isn't an android phone I've owned that wasn't ROMmed up, even my Nexus devices. Maybe I've just grown tired of it. It's 2015, I shouldn't have to hack phones to get intuitive functionality.

 

[air jordans for dogs]

My note 4 has slowed down significantly since the 5.1.1 update, battery went to shit as well. Loaded up M build 3 on my nexus 5 and i have been using that for a few days, feels good. Never buying a samsung phone again.

 

[prelude514]

My Samsung Note 3 is on 5.0 and its just horrible. Its extremely buggy.

Would love to read suggestions on what to do.

My Note 3 is running this ROM, based on 5.1.1: http://forum.xda-developers.com/galaxy-note-3/development/hlte-spr-vzw-temaseks-unofficial-t2953375

I absolutely love it, it's given my phone a new lease on life. I feel absolutely no need to upgrade since switching to that custom ROM. The ROM's creator is very active in that thread, and is quick to fix bugs if any.

 

[taybul]

I went from a Nexus 4 to a Galaxy S6. It was a tough decision because I also loved the vanilla-ness of the Nexus line. The UI isn't that bad and I've disabled most of the unnecessary bloatware. I don't think I'll get anywhere close to vanilla. The new Nexus 5 coming out is enticing me though...

 

[Symphonia]

I got an S6 Edge, and you can disable alot of the apps now. I'm sure the S5 Note is the same?

You can disable a lot of the Samsung bloatware on the S5, too, but you still get lumbered with TouchWiz and their ugly keyboard. If I were to find a way to recreate the look of iOS, I'd be all over it in a heartbeat.

 

[i3allistic]

Just received an Edge and noticed you cannot disable the Samsung Keyboard, ?!

im using google keyboard as default keyboard on my S6E (shrug)

 

[capslock]

I'm in the market for a new smartphone this fall/winter and one option that I want to explore is the Galaxy Note 5 because I think the stylus is way cool. I'm not crazy about the huge screen, but whatever.

The thing holding me back is that I've usually preferred phones that make limited changes to Android. My last two phones were the Nexus 4 and the T-Mobile/HTC G2. I like how "vanilla" Android looks and I like getting new updates quickly.

How easy is it to make a Samsung phone look and work like a Nexus phone? Is installing the Google Now launcher and Google Keyboard enough? Would I still have tons of Samsung crapware to live with? Would I have to wait forever to get Android upgrades?

Thanks!

Coming off 2 straight Samsung phones I switched to Motorola and am never going back.

Samsung makes the best displays and cameras in phones bar none, and now have best looking phones as well with the S6's and Note 5. But they will abandon software support in a heartbeat to chase that next magic bullet against Apple.

Software sucks. Support sucks.

 

[Rogan]

My Note 3 is running this ROM, based on 5.1.1: http://forum.xda-developers.com/galaxy-note-3/development/hlte-spr-vzw-temaseks-unofficial-t2953375

I absolutely love it, it's given my phone a new lease on life. I feel absolutely no need to upgrade since switching to that custom ROM. The ROM's creator is very active in that thread, and is quick to fix bugs if any.

What can I expect? Stability? No bloatware? (I'm at work, the website is blocked here. Neogaf does work, but whatever lol)

I never used a ROM or did something to my phone to change the official software, so I am a bit cautious in doing this stuff.

 

[Divvy]

As someone who bought a Note 4 for the stylus, and who really prefers stock android, it's really not that bad. Most of it is fairly unobtrusive, and you can skin most of touchwiz away. The only exception is the butt ugly notifcation dropdown which is some turqoise abomination. Otherwise you can pretty much ignore or hide everything else away.

 

[SMattera]

Disable the crapware, install Google Now launcher and Google keyboard. Use Google apps, third party apps over Samsung's defaults (Chrome over the Samsung browser, gmail over the email app, etc).

 

[butalala]

Coming off 2 straight Samsung phones I switched to Motorola and am never going back.

Software sucks. Support sucks.

As someone who bought a Note 4 for the stylus, and who really prefers stock android, it's really not that bad. Most of it is fairly unobtrusive, and you can skin most of touchwiz away. The only exception is the butt ugly notifcation dropdown which is some turqoise abomination. Otherwise you can pretty much ignore or hide everything else away.

Thanks guys, this is the kind of feedback that I was hoping for. Seems like it makes sense to stay away from Samsung for the time being.

Another thing to keep in mind is that Marshmallow will support Bluetooth stylus's, so that's an option as well.

Interesting... something to keep an eye on.

 

[Dicer]

So much FUD when it comes to custom roms...

Find a debloated rom that still has touchwiz and go for it.

You can always revert back, there is no reason not to try.

 

[IchigoSharingan]

Get an iPhone.

People are gonna tell you about rooting and custom ROMs etc., but it's a crap shoot that often breaks more than it fixes.

Fundamentally wrong and potentially disingenuous. There are stable and experimental roms and the differences are labeled as such.

The problem with this is that you will lose Samsung's optimisation of battery and the camera, which may a big improvement over stock/custom ROMs. I don't claim to be very knowledgeable about custom ROMS so I'm not sure if there are any that can match optimisations by OEMs.

KToonSez kernel > Samsung's battery optimization.
Using Motorola's camera apk has been a far more pleasant experience than Samsung's take on cameras, especially for macro focus in pictures.

 

[Funky Papa]

Using Motorola's camera apk has been a far more pleasant experience than Samsung's take on cameras, especially for macro focus in pictures.

I kinda fucking hate the new camera app and the way it handles zoom, tho.

 

[VoxPop]

Don't the newer Samsung phones have some hardcore bootloader locking with Knox or whatever?

What do you got against

Milk.apk
Milk Video.apk
HancomOffice.apk
Airmotiontryactually.apk
Alarmwidget.apk
AllShareCastPlayer.apk
AllshareControlShare.apk
AllshareFileShare.apk
AllshareFileShareClient.apk
AllshareFileShareServer.apk
AllshareMediaServer.apk
AllshareMediaShare.apk
AllSharePlay15.apk
BasicDreams.apk
Blurb.apk
Books.apk
ChatON_feature.apk
ChatONV_J.apk
ChocoEUKor.apk
Chrome.apk
CHS_J_Device_only.apk
CloudAgent.apk
Clockpackage.apk
Collage_fhd.apk
Colourblind.apk
Com2usPoker_ASGC.apk
CoolEUKor.apk
DigitalClock21.apk
DigitalClock.apk
DioDict3service.apk
Directconnect.apk
DirectshareManager.apk
DSMForwarding.apk
DSMLawmo.apk
DualClockDigital.apk
Earth.apk
EasyFavouritesContactsWidget.apk
Easylauncher.apk
ELMAgent.apk
Episodes.apk
Eraser.apk
FotaClient.apk
FWUpgrade.apk
GroupPlay_20.apk
GroupPlay_20.apk
HealthContentProvider.apk
Hearingdro.apk
InteractiveTutorial.apk
Kies.apk
kieswifi.apk
KikinSearch.apk
KnoxAgent.apk
LocalFOTA.apk
Magazines.apk
Match3VS.apk
Minimode-res.apk
MobilePrint2.apk
MobilePrintSvc_CUPS.apk
MobilePrintSvc_Epson.apk
MobilePrintSvc_HP.apk
MobilePrintSvc_Samsung.apk
MobileTrackerEngineTwo.apk
MusicLiveShare.apk
MusicPlayerWT.apk
Music2.apk
Navigator_Select_Samsung.apk
NfcTest.apk
NoiseField.apk
OmaCP.apk
Peel.apk
PageBuddyNotiSvc2.apk
PhaseBeam.apk
PicAction.apk
PickUpTutorial.apk
PlusOne.apk
PolarisViewer5.apk
PreloadInstaller.apk
PrismBooks.apk
PrismGames.apk
PrismLearning.apk
PrismMusic.apk
PrismStore.apk
PrismVideo.apk
RoseEUKor.apk
S-Voice_Android_Phone_J.apk
S_Translator_CSLi.apk
SamsungApps_J_Only.apk
SamsungAppsUNA3.apk
SamsungBooks.apk
SamsungGames.apk
SamsungHub.apk
SamsungHubUpdater.apk
SamsungLearning.apk
SamsungOCR2.apk
SamsungSans.apk
Samsungservice.apk
SamsungTTS.apk
SamsungTTS_white.apk
SamsungWidget_ProgramMonitor.apk
SamsungSans.apk
SBrowser.apk
SBrowserTry.apk
sCloudBackupApp.apk
sCloudBackupProvider.apk
sCloudDataRelay.apk
sCloudDataSync.apk
sCloudQuotaApp.apk
sCloudSyncCalendar.apk
sCloudSyncContacts.apk
sCloudSyncSBrowserBookmark.apk
sCloudSyncSBrowserTabs.apk
sCloudSyncSNote.apk
SecDownloadProviderUi.apk
SecEmail_J.apk
SecExchange.apk
SecSafetyAssurance.apk
SecNoteMyFiles.apk
SecSetupWizard2013.apk
SecVideoList.apk
SecWalletManager.apk
SetupWizard.apk
SHealth2.apk
SimpleWidget.apk
SmartBriefing4x2.apk
SNS.apk
SMemo2.apk
SNoteProvider.apk
SphericalMosaic.apk
SPlannerAppWidget.apk
SPPPushClient_Prod.apk
StoryAlbumWidget.apk
S_Translator_CSLi.apk
S-Voice_Android_phone_J.apk
Talk.apk
Talkback.apk
TravelService.apk
TravelWidget.apk
TrimApp_phone_J.apk
Velvet.apk
VoiceRecorder.apk
VoiceSearchStub.apk
WeatherWidgetDaemon.apk
WebManual.apk
WfdBroker.apk
WlanTest.apk
wssyncmlnps.apk
YosemitePHN.apk

?

They all make your phone the most feature packed on the market.

and don't forget your carrier apps!

 

[uncelestial]

Install the Google Now Launcher and Google Keyboard and turn off S * software and you will really never encounter Samsung.

 

[dragonlife]

You can disable a lot of the Samsung bloatware on the S5, too, but you still get lumbered with TouchWiz and their ugly keyboard. If I were to find a way to recreate the look of iOS, I'd be all over it in a heartbeat.

The Themer app has an iOS theme. Themer made my phone lag (SIII), so I uninstalled it. I also think it eventually started opening ads through my browser; I don't know if that's fixed now or what, though, since it's been a while.

 

[Allforce]

I'm confused on the fundamental differences between a Custom ROM and a Launcher. Is it basically a ROM REPLACES the OS and the Launcher runs over top of the original OS?

I have always used a Launcher on every Android phone I've owned (pretty much been on Themer now for ages) and can never understand when people base their purchasing decision on "well I hate Touchwiz". I've never seen that interface on any of the 3 Samsung phones I've owned other than the first day I've had it before I could get a launcher installed and hide all that crap.

 

[uncelestial]

You can disable a lot of the Samsung bloatware on the S5, too, but you still get lumbered with TouchWiz and their ugly keyboard.

You can install Google Now Launcher and the Google Keyboard and you won't be lumbered with either thing.

 

[Herne]

Install some custom rom on there. Is Cyanogen still around?

 

[dragonlife]

You can install Google Now Launcher and the Google Keyboard and you won't be lumbered with either thing.

Just did this. How do I get rid of the Google search bar at the top? It's totally fucking with my wallpaper and it saddnes me greatly.

 

[Seraph_Nicholas]

I'm confused on the fundamental differences between a Custom ROM and a Launcher. Is it basically a ROM REPLACES the OS and the Launcher runs over top of the original OS?

I have always used a Launcher on every Android phone I've owned (pretty much been on Themer now for ages) and can never understand when people base their purchasing decision on "well I hate Touchwiz". I've never seen that interface on any of the 3 Samsung phones I've owned other than the first day I've had it before I could get a launcher installed and hide all that crap.

A launcher is... Basically something like explorer.exe in windows. Just a desktop application. A ROM is the entire OS. You saw Touchwiz in the settings menu, likely your clock, your status bar, and your notification drawer.

To the OP, though, if you're deadset on samsung hardware, I would look into getting something from overseas and installing custom ROMs. Western Samsung phones are locked up tight with Knox these days, as far as I know. This will make your stylus... Well, it'll still work, but the button won't do anything, nor will any shortcuts.