Tag: smartphones

Samsung Galaxy Note Edge

laurenkortbeinLeave a comment

If you ask Samsung, bigger is absolutely better. The Galaxy Note Edge is absolutely HUGE. But does screen size and one unique feature help it stand out in a sea of iPhones?

Obviously screen size is a big source of debate. Some people like having smaller phones that they can easily use one-handed, while others like to have big screens that are easier to read. The more important (and unique) feature of the Note Edge is, well, the edge! The right hand side of the phone curves across, giving extra screen space. Samsung makes use of it by allowing users to customize the display when it’s in lock mode, and choosing what apps to display when the phone is on. I think this feature only works because it’s on a phone that runs on Android. On my iPhone, I have all my apps sorted neatly into folders. But whenever I use an Android, I don’t focus on icons as much as I do the widgets. Most of the apps I download on an Android are unorganized on whatever page they first showed up on. Because of this, I liked being able to quickly access my favorite apps with a swipe and click.

Other than the extra sliver of screen that the Note Edge provides, I wasn’t super impressed with the phone. The typical Android features are all there, along with the pen that comes with owning a phablet. Plus at $100 more than the normal Galaxy Note, this phone just doesn’t make sense to me. It’s a good idea in theory, but not quite edgy enough (sorry).

Final Thoughts on the LG G3

laurenkortbeinLeave a comment

I want to start off by thanking Verizon for the opportunity to test out the LG G3 for the past few weeks! It’s been fun using a new device and a new OS. There are so many features of this phone, so let’s jump right in!

The most noticeable thing about the G3 versus the iPhone 5 is, of course, the screen size. The LG has a 5.5″ screen, which was fun to use at first, but too big for my liking. I use the phone one handed a lot, and this proved to be difficult even with the “one handed use” features Android has. I did love the screen resolution, which was very noticeable when using Instagram! Even though this is a brand new phone, the OS seemed to be laggy at times, even when I wasn’t asking it to do much. I’ve never had lag on my iPhone, even though it’s 2 years old. iOS seems more refined than Android, and although you can’t customize as much, you don’t need to on an iPhone because everything works the way it should. The features of Android itself go on and on. You can customize almost everything, and the lists seem to be infinite. For example, you have 6 different options just to unlock the phone, including knock code, where you tap a specific combination on the locked screen. With swipe to unlock enabled, double tapping the screen when it was off turned it on. Since the lock/unlock button is on the back of the phone, this was handy if you wanted to check notifications while it was on a flat surface. This unique feature ended up being my least favorite of the whole phone. I use phones on a flat surface a lot, whether I’m in class or at work, and I like being able to press the lock button without having to pick it up. The volume buttons on the back make sense when you’re on a phone call, but the power button on the back is just a hindrance. Another feature located on the back of the phone is the speaker. An interesting placement, but not as bad as the power button. The speaker itself sounds great, and was crystal clear even with the volume turned all the way up! The battery life was absolutely incredible. I only charged it a few times during the week, whereas I charge my iPhone a few times a day. I was pleased to find that the large and vibrant screen didn’t negatively affect battery life. I was also impressed by the quality of the phone itself. The back is made of plastic, but that doesn’t mean it looks cheap. I’m confident this phone is durable enough to withstand a fairly high drop.

Since I’ve used recent versions of BlackBerry, Android and iOS, I now understand the pull of each of them. BlackBerry is definitely the powerhouse, meant to get things done. iOS is great for people who need apps, and want compatibility between different types of technology. Android is meant for people who need choices, not only in the features they enable on their phone, but the phone itself. There will always be people who claim one platform is superior to all others, but I think each platform is great in their own way. It would take a novel to compare these three OS’, and talk about the features I liked on each one and didn’t on the others. Depending on what you’re looking for from a mobile OS, there is something for you out there!

Android seems to make this phone a great daily device, especially for someone who doesn’t want to carry around a laptop, but doesn’t own a tablet. Overall, although I’m very appreciative that I was able to test the G3 out, it’s definitely not the phone for me. The screen was too big, the power button is poorly placed, and Android seems unfinished. But just because it didn’t work for me doesn’t mean that it’s not right for others! The beauty of everyone having different wants and needs for their phone is that there are so many phones and OS’ to choose from! Read reviews, ask opinions, but most importantly, test these devices out for yourself to see what works best for you. Don’t knock it ’til you try it!