Which should i get? Note 4 or iphone 6 plus

[cafekief]

Am a guy and 20 years old and looking for a new phone. I am thinking to get galaxy note 4 but the apples iphone 6 plus is in gold and they update their software mostly every month with android every 6 to 12 months. Or should i wait for note 5, so post to be big upgrade or wait for iphone 6s or 7?

[v9 · Accepted solution]

@kafekief-Welcome to: http://forum.telus.com/ :  When it comes to purchase a new Phone-You've to consider the Pros & Cons of each brand to make an informed decision. Most Smartphones users, buy Phones from the 2-Bigest manufacturers. (Apple-iPhone & Samsung)

You've pointed out some factors to consider, before select the "Brand & Phone model" You like an iPhone 6+ . Because the frequent Updates, than its rival Samsung-Note 4 

Frequent Updates it doesn't translate-always in better performance. Some updates create bugs on devices or change the way is operated..Note: Couldn't find a review of [iPhone 6+ VS-Samsung.Note 4]: iPhone 6 - got all the features..difference with the 6+ is size & storage of 128 GB. With an iPhone 6-Cafekief you've the world in 1-hand, with a 6+ You need 2-hands to operated it. So can't text on cars. Hu-ha!

Another factor to consider is Size I like 4" inch Phones it fit easily in any pouch & operated with 1-hand. Battery stand by is an issue to consider too. The iPhone 6-Pay system feature is attracting more users-Soon they'll leave the wallet at home.

But the SG-Note 4. It has key features as well. I'll provide you, with a link from the (Latinpost-2014-Review: No 2015 reviews yet) Here it goes...

http://www.latinpost.com/articles/26000/20141204/iphone-6-vs-samsung-galaxy-note4-comparison-price-specs-pros-and-cons-you-need-to-know-htm..CU

[xl]

Are you referring to OS updates?  Or App updates?

App updates depend on how many apps you have installed.  After two dozen apps, it feels like I have at least one app that needs to be updated daily.

I know there are annual iOS updates.  But I've never seen Android updates on my Samsung 7 tablet I bought 3 years ago.  Does legacy Android devices get software updates?

Family member got a Que 4.5 android phone.  We would love to get the OS updated to something that no longer states the device is "rooted" so we can run Optik on the Go.

[Nighthawk]

Android devices get abandoned by manufacturers quick and don't get updates. If a consumer is lucky, they'll get one update for their Android device. Two if the manufacturer isn't completely evil. Many cheaper Android devices never get an update. 

See the forum post here regarding users waiting for Motorola to release updates for their recent high end devices. Samsung has delayed or dropped updates in the past also.

[wally_west]

Hello cafekief, this is the eternal question, Android or iphone...first, you should go in a Telus store to play and feel both devices (size does matter lol) and my opinion is simple, I prefer the freedom provided by an Android device. Regarding the updates, not all of them are good. For example, I use a launcher in my old Samsung device which alloys me to customize the phone so the updates won't change much. If you have an Apple solution at home, iphone is a good option but otherwise, a good android device will do everything, no matter what you have at home. You can also search for reviews online, it helps. 

[jaystwin]

I have owned the Samsung Galaxy S, the Samsung Galaxy Note 2, and now have the Samsung Galaxy Note 4. What XL and Nighthawk imply above is not really true.

My Galaxy S--2011--got a couple of updates. My Note 2--2012--has gotten all of the Android updates and Samsung has announced it is also scheduled to receive the latest Lollipop update. That will probably be the last major update for the 3 year old Note 2. Not too different from the support lifetime of the iPhone: the iPhone 4 did not get the iOS8 update.

The Note 4 is the nicest phone I have ever used. If you like lots of features and lots of power, you will probably like the Note 4 compared to the iPhone 6+. If you like simplicity, go for the 6+. But I do a fair bit of work--editing photos, taking notes, diagramming logical problems, etc. on my Note 4 and find it extremely handy when I don't have my laptop with me. The hardware is incomparable. Its screen is significantly sharper and more beautiful than the iPhone. Actually, the hardware on my 3 year old Note 2 is very similar to the brand new iPhone 6+. 

This is a good review and comparison of both of these phones, the Galaxy Note 4 and the iPhone 6+.

http://www.forbes.com/sites/gordonkelly/2014/10/28/galaxy-note-4-vs-iphone-6-plus/ 

[giantbrownguy]

In an earlier post I mentioned I may be a bit of an Apple Fanboy, but I am an all around tech lover as well. My buddy has a Note 4 and he does love it. My big beef is that there's no consistency in how often you get software updates and you risk obsolescence of the hardware by the time you do. I have had friends who have bought Android phones and never seen an update. I also recall a story from a couple of years ago where (I think) the HTC One M7 was released about 6 months before Android 4.4 came out, but because it was close to the release of the M8, they declined to offer the upgrade. My buddy has had his Note 4 since launch, Android 5 has been out since November, but he still has no idea when he will be updated. 

With Apple, in my experience (iPhone 3G, 4, 5s) you're pretty much guaranteed 3 years of updates before the hardware can't handle it at all or is declined from updates. They historically have offered updates yearly and specifically announce the days the software is available world wide, regardless of carrier. As mentioned in another post, if you have an issue, you're able to easily get support at the Apple Store. Furthermore, I've read that software developers prefer to offer software for Apple first, because it's easier to develop for a few models of phone (especially with the tools they provide) versus an infinite amount. That said, Samsung phones are more likely to get support first by virtue of their popularity, so it may be a non-issue. 

Personally, I can't complain about Apple, but you should consider going to a phone store and playing with both. Get a sense of what you like and how comfortable you are with the devices. Some people don't like Apple's "closed garden", but Android is at risk for a bit of malware because of its open nature. I would say it also depends on your familiarity with computers and what you want to do.

In terms of release, I don't know when the Note 5 will come out, but Apple pretty consistently releases a new phone around late September with the next OS. If history holds, late September will see an iPhone 6s/6s Plus and iOS 9. If you hold out, you'll be able to get 3 years of life from that. If you buy an iPhone 6 Plus now, it may be only 2 years, though that could change as the phones get more powerful.

[jaystwin]

Giantbrownguy said, regarding the Note 4, "my big beef is that there's no consistency in how often you get software updates and you risk obsolescence of the hardware by the time you do."

Actually, with Samsung's flagship phones you get all the major Android updates for 3 years in my experience. As I said earlier, my Note 2 is about to get Lollipop 3 years after the phone was released. Regarding the risk of obsolescence, the Note 2 from 2012 has the same hardware, more or less, as the iPhone 6+. Suffice it to say that if there is a risk of obsolescence with Samsung, it is a guaranteed fact with the iPhone. 😉 With Samsung on the Galaxy Note series, I have found that you get every major Android OS upgrade. You don't always get it in a timely manner after Google releases the new OS, but you do get it and that's the point. The delay, according to Samsung, is the result of having to make the new OS work with Samsung's feature rich software that makes all the unique Galaxy bells and whistles work.

Yes, Giantbrownguy is right, Lollipop has been out since November, but right away a significant bug was discovered causing some phones to brick (Nexus only) when receiving the OTA update. So Samsung waited, wisely, until that bug was resolved and Google had released 5.01 before they began working on the release for the Galaxy phones. The Note 4's delay is for all those reasons, plus compatibility fixes for the Gear Virtual Reality headset unique to the Note 4. 

App software updates are a non-issue as anyone who has used a flagship Galaxy with Google Play well knows.

Re malware, I have never ever had a malware problem of any kind, but then I only install major popular apps that I have heard of. Stay with that policy and you probably will never meet malware in the wild.

Giantbrownguy mentioned release dates for the hardware. The Note 2 was released in November 2012. The Note 3 in November 2013. The Note 4 in November 2014. With the Galaxy lineup you get a new model ever year versus the Apple practice of a slightly modified "new" model every other year. But my son is still using my 2012 Note 2 and loving it. It is well into its 3rd year and still going strong with no sign of slowing down or becoming obsolete. It's a workhorse. I expect the same outstanding performance from my Note 4 after having used it since December.