Galaxy Note 9

[ice]

I was just in a chat with Samsung, who was expectedly useless in my scenario. They told me my S7 Edge is worth $300 provided that there is no major damage, it powers on, holds a charge etc. I told them I opened the back (I had to replace the battery myself) and they kept telling me as long as nothing is cracked it's eligible. Problem is, there is this nice little line that says "including but not limited to:" before they list all the requirements, which means just because they don't list the fact that the user opening the phone could void the deal, they may still consider it. So if for some reason they deem it ineligible, I don't get the phone back and I have to pay $275.

[NWR_Midnight]

Originally Posted by ice

I was just in a chat with Samsung, who was expectedly useless in my scenario. They told me my S7 Edge is worth $300 provided that there is no major damage, it powers on, holds a charge etc. I told them I opened the back (I had to replace the battery myself) and they kept telling me as long as nothing is cracked it's eligible. Problem is, there is this nice little line that says "including but not limited to:" before they list all the requirements, which means just because they don't list the fact that the user opening the phone could void the deal, they may still consider it. So if for some reason they deem it ineligible, I don't get the phone back and I have to pay $275.

First, if they keep your old phone, and not return it, they have no option other than to give you the $300. They can't keep your old phone and deny giving you the $300 credit, as that would be illegal, and be out right theft.

[ice]

Originally Posted by NWR_Midnight

First, if they keep your old phone, and not return it, they have no option other than to give you the $300. They can't keep your old phone and deny giving you the $300 credit, as that would be illegal, and be out right theft.

If you do not send in your Trade-In Device within 15 days of receiving your new device, you agree to reimburse Samsung for the full trade-in value that was applied to your purchase. If you send in a Trade-In Device, but Samsung determines that your Trade-In Device does not meet Samsung's eligibility requirements for your selected Trade-In offer, you agree to reimburse Samsung for the trade-in value that was applied to your purchase minus $25. You authorize any such charge to be made on the same payment method, or the same Samsung Financing offer if applicable, used for this transaction. No device will be returned to you. Click to see the Terms and Conditions and FAQs of the Samsung Trade-In Program.

That's from their terms.

[ice]

From my searching, Samsung is nothing but a scam when it comes to this. You get an email 4 months later saying your phone didn't meet their expectations, like the screen was broken or there's water damage, and they charge your card automatically. People have to get the BBB and AG involved as well as report it to their CC company. Despite all this I still want to go through it because I won't get $300 for my phone any other way, I guess I'm stupid.

It also makes me not want to do business with Samsung in general though so we'll see. If I do go through with it, I will be taking photos and video of the phone being mint and everything working as I box it up.

[somewon]

Originally Posted by ice

From my searching, Samsung is nothing but a scam when it comes to this. You get an email 4 months later saying your phone didn't meet their expectations, like the screen was broken or there's water damage, and they charge your card automatically. People have to get the BBB and AG involved as well as report it to their CC company. Despite all this I still want to go through it because I won't get $300 for my phone any other way, I guess I'm stupid.

It also makes me not want to do business with Samsung in general though so we'll see. If I do go through with it, I will be taking photos and video of the phone being mint and everything working as I box it up.

Keep in mind that most people will post their negative experiences with this sort of stuff rather than the positive outcomes (which are to be expected, the norm).

Having said that, I have previously gone through this process and got the most value from my trade-in without any issues.

[Nunz]

Hell no I wouldn’t send it in with those terms. Way too easy for something to happen during shipping or one of their idiots dropping it and blaming it on you.

No way.

[ice]

I don't really care about that, I know once I file formal complaints I'll get my money back. I still just want to see what the pixel 3XL looks like, I hate this right now trying to figure out what phone is going to be best.

[NWR_Midnight]

Originally Posted by ice

That's from their terms.

Just because it is in their terms, does not mean it is legally enforceable, or binding, as NO contract can take away your legal rights. If it comes to pushing and shoving, Samsung knows they have no leg to stand on if they try to use those terms against someone who sent in a working, acceptable device. They know this, but they have it in the terms to keep dishonest people from sending in crappy phones that do not work, are broken, etc..

They legally can't just say "sorry your phone doesn't meet the requirements, is broken, or what ever" and call it a day. If pressed, they are required to show proof of such findings, and return the phone, as it is still YOUR legal property. No contract can change that unless the contract is fulfilled on their end, meaning they give you the credit, which then, and only then will the device become their property to do with as they choose.

[Deimos]

So... has anyone here actually got one? I got mine yesterday.

The sound from the handset totally blows away the Note 8. Haven't had a great deal of time to mess around with it yet, but I like it so far. Got the 512GB version and I'm using the 256GB card I got free with my Note 8 purchase.

[0091/2]

Originally Posted by Deimos

So... has anyone here actually got one? I got mine yesterday.

The sound from the handset totally blows away the Note 8. Haven't had a great deal of time to mess around with it yet, but I like it so far. Got the 512GB version and I'm using the 256GB card I got free with my Note 8 purchase.

Does the phone include a Micro USB to USB C adapter? Customer support has been telling me it includes one for gear VR.

[Deimos]

Originally Posted by 0091/2

Does the phone include a Micro USB to USB C adapter? Customer support has been telling me it includes one for gear VR.

I don't think it does actually, I didn't see one in the box.

The GearVR (new version) has both plugs anyway, you just remove the microUSB connector and insert the USB Type C connector. If you don't have the latest GearVR you wouldn't be able to get the note 9 in there anyway, I know that my Note 8 won't fit in the older one as it is too big.

[0091/2]

Originally Posted by Deimos

I don't think it does actually, I didn't see one in the box.

The GearVR (new version) has both plugs anyway, you just remove the microUSB connector and insert the USB Type C connector. If you don't have the latest GearVR you wouldn't be able to get the note 9 in there anyway, I know that my Note 8 won't fit in the older one as it is too big.

I have note 8 ED but Samsung says a new adapter is required to fit it. They say it's included with the note 9 when I called them. They said to call them If the adapter it's missing. This whole gear VR support for the note 9 is very confusing.

[somewon]

Originally Posted by Deimos

So... has anyone here actually got one? I got mine yesterday.

The sound from the handset totally blows away the Note 8. Haven't had a great deal of time to mess around with it yet, but I like it so far. Got the 512GB version and I'm using the 256GB card I got free with my Note 8 purchase.

Sweet.
What did you upgrade from?

[0091/2]

Originally Posted by somewon

Sweet.
What did you upgrade from?

He's comparing it to his note 8.

[A2597]

Mine should be delivered today. Looking forward to playing with it.
(Coming from Note 5)

[somewon]

Originally Posted by A2597

Mine should be delivered today. Looking forward to playing with it.
(Coming from Note 5)

Wow, you should be in for a treat -- I went from a Note 4 to a Note 7 (now Note 8), but yours is an even bigger leap.

[ice]

Mine will be here today along with my screen protector, case, and Dbrand skin.

[logical]

Originally Posted by ice

Mine will be here today along with my screen protector, case, and Dbrand skin.

FEED THE SYSTEM!

[A2597]

So far liking it.
Battery life remains to be seen (One day of intensive downloading, updates, app installs, etc is not a good way to judge a device).

Also looking at better battery health management this go around. Always left my note 5 plugged in all night. With the note 9 my plan is charge before bed, stop around 90% (80 would be better, I know) and then see how it goes.

Right now, I'm at 45% mid day. Keep in mind, I had an update this morning and did play some fortnight earlier, and keep the AOD running. but looks like it should make it to this evening no problem. Android usually takes a few days to settle after updates and mass installs too.

Also, this is at medium brightness. I had to keep my note 5 on minimum brightness and still couldn't last a day. So, that's a plus!

[ice]

Not a good comparison, but just a low light look at my old S5, my S7 Edge, and Note 9. Not as big as a difference from S5 to S7 but there is a lot less noise in the Note 9. S7 really held up in the photo category.

[A2597]

Today was much better. 23.5 hours off charger, 3.5 hours screen on time (gaming and browsing and photography) and still 43% battery left.

[ice]

Pretty happy with battery so far. A lot was off wifi.

[A2597]

So now very happy with battery life.
Charged last night to 100% because on sundays I run sound at church, and my phone is used for the walk in music for two services.

With my note 5, I would be at less than 30% by end of two services.
Note 9? No issue charged last night and now at 8pm and still 53% battery left. I could probably wait until tomorrow to charge this phone!

[ice]

First day at work with my Note 9, by this time with my S7 Edge even with the new battery I probably would be at about 70-73%. I'm still sitting at 87% after 7 hours.

[A2597]

Originally Posted by ice

First day at work with my Note 9, by this time with my S7 Edge even with the new battery I probably would be at about 70-73%. I'm still sitting at 87% after 7 hours.

Sweet.

I chewed through a bit more battery today, but am still around 53% with just a couple hours left until I put it on the charger.

That said, I also haven't been charging to 100% to try to help maintain the battery over the life of the phone. It still feels weird to charge the phone in the evening before bed, and leave it off charger overnight until the next day...but so far so good!

Really been liking the performance as well. Asphalt 9 looks amazing, zippy for every task I do so far.

The screen is way better than the note 5, which is impressive in and of itself.

The pen, still haven't used the remote functions much, but do use the pen regularly for notes/general use.

Cameras - getting used to the dual lens focus. I'm used to the IPhone 8 way of doing things with depth sensors. This one works differently. Better at some cases, worse at others. But overall very happy to have a non-digital zoom option on the camera.

speakers. Oh wow, SO much better than the note 5. Stereo and rich for a phone IMHO. No complaints at all.

[ice]

It's 9pm and I just finally went through a quarter of my battery haha.

And yeah, the speakers are pretty great coming from an S7. They have some actual depth.

[ice]

I'm on day 2 at work with 53% battery and 3 hours of screen time.

[A2597]

Today was probably the day I pushed it most. 5.5 hours screen on time anywhere from medium to full (max outdoor sunlight) brightness.

Multiple conference calls, browsing, gaming, youtube.

Still went to bed at 20% battery.

[logical]

Come back in a couple of months and report. Most batteries are amazing the first couple of months people get it. But things start to equalize, phones arent fresh and batteries goes out of that honeymoon phase.

[ice]

I haven't had a phone ever last this long out of the box. Of course batteries age.