Seriously considering upgrading my Galaxy S2 but which is the better choice Note 2 or S4?
A mint condition 2nd hand Note 2 will cost me 15-16k pesos (HK$ 3k), a mint condition 2nd hand S4 about 20k pesos (HK$ 3.6k).
My purpose: 1. Camera Capture via Voice Command  2. Simultaneous Video Capture and Still Shots  3. Burst Shots

The mind boggles...




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the note 3 has just come out and will be on the market next month

i'm seriously considering the new nexus (aka google phone) that will be coming out shortly
i reckon the hardware would not be as good as the samsung
but i've always favored the nexus series, still have my previous model as second phone for overseas usage

back to topic; i personally think the s4 is better than the note2. on the basis that you are replacing a phone, s2 for another phone. something like the note 2 is a hybrid between a phone and a tablet. and the tablet was design to evolve from a notebook. have you tried typing on a tablet? its ridiculous.

buy the s4 primarily as a phone, and consider everything as a bonus

That is the one  (Note 3) I will be getting next month.  It is a great device.

Yes the Note 3 is a great device but it will cost me over 30k pesos (HK$ 6k) to own that gadget.
During the Nokia domination of cellphones, i usually buy units brand new but when smart phones started to take over the market, i simply search our local buy and sell online markets for mint condition 2nd hand units to avoid much depreciation of prices.
Many people buy impulsively, use the new gadgets for a few months then when they're tired with it or simply done playing with it, they post the gadgets online selling 25-30% off from the original price they bought it.
Another advantage of buying a 2nd hand unit is they usually came with screen protector installed and some protective cases inclusive in the package.

I have a Bnew sealed O+ 8.15 smart phone w/c i won during the dice game in celebration of the Mid Autumn Festival here but it doesnt have the camera features w/c i need so i'll be selling it online for 10k pesos (HK$ 2K) then chip in more cash to get a Note 2 or S4.
I'll be keeping my S2 as a back up phone.

The S 4 has the better camera for your purposes and all around.

As an aside, does anyone know where in Hong Kong to buy a used S 4 or Note 2? I've been looking to pick one a spare phone to play with Android 4.x.

I agree

I had an S2

I chose to skip the Note 2, although most of my family had one I looked at it and decided to stick with the S2 at that time ...  

So I went from S2 to S4 and am very happy with the increased performance and flexibility ... and if you liked the camera on the S2, it is EVEN better on the S4.  Faster, sharper, bigger, and with many more special functions and effects.

I imagine the Note 3 will probably be a step up ... but as you say, getting an old device will give you 90% of the performance for 50% of the price!!  

I also like the Note 3 and pair it with a Samsung Gear but i think i have to wait for 6 months or more to get a 2nd hand unit at 25-30% off its original price.
I'll probably settle for an S4 before the year ends. Simply waiting and hunting for the best price and package available online which may include extra casing, flip casing and even better with an extra battery so i can prolong its usage.

I read the note 3 will be region locked... could be an issue if you travel... just another example of Samsung trying to control our lives while pretending otherwise...

DETAILS HERE

[ Last edited by  TonyToro at 26-9-2013 20:05 ]

I just visited a Samsung Mobile Store and the Note 3 is priced at 36k pesos (over HK$ 6K).
The store is offering 3 months 0% interest deferred payment on credit cards.

Hi Im also from the Phil.
Heres my take!

Go with the size you are comfy. Seriously tiny specs differences wont really make a diff with the samsungs. The OS and all feel pretty much the same.
If you find yourself always using your phone to text, Go with the S4, if youre the "only when important" Guy, the Note is for you.

Just personally, I'd take the S4 since it IS the latest, at least your get something cooler since you are spending money anyways. I feel that the small-tablets like note/ipad mini was marketed for on-the-go workers who really need portabiility but want to do docs/excel/powerpoint and such. if you dont need on the go work always, s4 should do it.

I think it's a pretty clear choice given what you want to do (photo capability).

The S4 would be far superior for your purposes, not least of which that it will be far easier to hold and take a picture with one hand.

I have a S3, Note2, and S4, and the S4 is far better for taking pictures.  The S3 battery drives me absolutely insane (it's horrible), and the Note2 is great and I use it for my primary phone, but it's quite the pain in the ass if trying to take pictures one handed.

Don't wait for the Note3.  I will be getting that for sure as an upgrade to my primary but I won't be using it for picture capability.

I think it's a pretty clear choice given what you want to do (photo capability).

The S4 would be far superior for your purposes, not least of which that it will be far easier to hold and take a picture with one hand.

I have a S3, Note2, and S4, and the S4 is far better for taking pictures.  The S3 battery drives me absolutely insane (it's horrible), and the Note2 is great and I use it for my primary phone, but it's quite the pain in the ass if trying to take pictures one handed.

Don't wait for the Note3.  I will be getting that for sure as an upgrade to my primary but I won't be using it for picture capability.

Not sure exactly why Samsung is doing this with the European and Americas models of the Note 3... doesn't make sense at all, but I feel the full story is not out yet (although it should be...).

But the news is that the HK and Singapore versions are NOT region locked, and apparently neither is the Australian version once that's released, so buy those ones!

Of course, check the box and ask your questions before buying to make sure.

[ Last edited by  angst at 27-9-2013 16:50 ]

Is the region locking hardware/sim based or is it software and backed into the O/S?  If it is O/S, I'm sure someone will come up with a mod for it.  

I imagine that Sammy has managed to get the manufacturing costs down and want to sell cheaper into developing markets.  Those ones may be region locked.  If they keep the full priced ones not locked that would verify that thought - there's no point in locking the high-priced ones.

The locked devices are those purchased in Europe and USA... not what I would call developing.

I got my hands on a Note 3 a few days ago and it is a great phone.

Lightning fast.  Incredible screen clarity and resolution.  Feels great in the hand.

However, I didn't pick one up as the Hong Kong version is a variant that was unreported in the original launch.  It comes with only 16 GB storage and the pink version isn't yet available in that market.  The pink version I can do without, but 16 GB makes me a little uneasy, as my Note 2 LTE was 16 GB, and a quick check shows only 4 GB remaining, and I have very few apps installed on the phone.  I've noticed that as time passes (updates and the like) I am losing more and more space, so I really wanted to get the 32 GB version.

At launch, they said it would have 32/64 GB only, but obviously they blew smoke up our asses as the Hong Kong and Macau versions are 16 GB only!  You can't find a 32/64 GB version anywhere in either city I've looked at.

For those asking, they are not region locked (HK/Macau versions), and I dont see the stickers on the box anywhere that say it is.  I was told the region locking only applies on the first activation, so this is likely done to discourage people from buying new from certain territories and then scalping it in others.  This is an Apple issue, where the 5s Gold is selling for triple its retail price (Apple fanatics are insane).

The Philippine version is 32 GB minimum, so I'll grab that when its widely available or wait until HK has the 32/64 GB versions.

Between the black and white, the white is definitely a lot nicer.  The black is sleek, but for some reason I've always like the galaxy phones in white with a clear or black casing.  The blacks are just too black.

DGS: Yes, all my S.Galaxy phones are white.

I will likely be picking up a pair of Note 3s from the telcos for work, so this time I'll get one in black and one in white so I can easily tell them apart.  However, if I were to only get one, it would definitely be the white one.  The Note 3 in white has a nice texture under the front glass, take a look and you will see what i mean.  

Usually I pick the black phones and black cases, so this affinity for white only extends to the S.Galaxy phones.  They just look better imo.

@greypath - Please keep us advised what you buy and what price paid.

After selling my Bnew Sealed O+ 8.15 Android Phone for 10k pesos, i was able to get myself a mint 2nd Samsung Galaxy S4 package via online buy and sell.
I got the Galaxy S4 black mist complete package with box and all original accessories plus an original PINK Flip case and a BLACK otter box casing all for 20k pesos.

   

Very excited to use it on my next punt this coming Sunday.