[Galaxy Note5 Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] cdeister:
Thoughts on upgrading from the S6.

I have been an iPhone user since the first iPhone but started using the Galaxy S6 soon after its release. I had wanted to use android for sometime but I was always disappointed by the cameras — until the S6. To me the S6 camera was so good that it has been hard to justify switching back. However, the battery life of the S6 was/is just below my tolerance level and I was hoping for a slightly larger screen (I was using an iPhone 6+). I was getting about 3:15 screen on time and in general 20 hrs max of total charge time regardless of anything I tried. I figured the slight increase of the Note 5 was enough to move to the other side of my tolerance point and so I ordered one from AT&T. I've noticed a number of subtle improvements that were noticeable and important to me so I figured I would share these in case one of you is considering an upgrade. So here are some random thoughts/observations:

Cruft: I was concerned enough about the AT&T junk on the S6 I had moved to an unlocked version, but that led to a hit in battery life (slight). I ordered the AT&T note 5 so I could get it sooner and hit the right radios (or whatever). On the AT&T S6 there was a lot of stuff I could not even disable, which pissed me off. After rooting I could disable this crap, but I knew I would not be able to root the Note 5 (at least not for now). Fortunately, the vast majority of the bloatware can easily be disabled. The only thing I could not disable is AT&T remote support. Overall this was an improvement.

Battery life: I have had the note for a few days. I saw some outlandish battery life on an early reddit post (7 hrs SOT). I have seen the battery life go from ~20 hrs total charge time w/ 3:15 max screen on time, on the S6, to ~24 hrs total charge time w/4:40 max screen on time. I would say this is a tad higher than just added capacity, but certainly in that range. Overall, this is about what I had hoped for when making the switch so I am happy, but I have not noticed what some people have experienced.

Details: I use the Google keyboard and on the S6 there was this constant switch input method icon that would pop up in the upper left part of the status bar. And while I could not prove it I swore this was causing some jank lag when starting up chrome. The reason I felt this way is that when I removed all keyboards but the Google one that lag went away. Regardless, on the Note 5 this alert isn't there. I can use my Google keyboard in peace. Also, I do not notice lag starting up Chrome.

When I shot video with the S6 I was getting some pretty bad OIS wobble, but that is MUCH improved here. This could just be a batch thing, but I noticed it on both of my previous S6s. I still think it is a batch thing however.

Both of my previous S6s had the iscocell camera sensor. My Note 5 has a sony.

The screen is the same but blown up. However, I notice that I get a wider range of viewing angles before the screen goes noticeably green. Overall I like using the screen on the Note 5 better, even though it is the same panel I imagine. Another thing is that I think the resolution of the screen makes more of a difference at this size.

I was worried that the phone would be too big. However, it feels great in the hand. I really like the size and I think the form factor helps the usability a great deal. The only thing I plan to do is add a dbrand skin (when the Note 5 versions come out) to the back to make it less slippery.

I actually find the S-Pen useful, especially the screen off write feature.

RAM/Lag: RAM usage has been pretty consistent as far as what is earmarked for system/apps/free and the amount cached. I am getting (in GB) ~1.6 reserved for system, ~0.47 for apps and ~1.6 ‘free.’ When you factor in cached things that has been (in GB) ~2 system, 0.88 apps and 0.73 free. The total RAM is actually 3.663 GB not 4, but this isn’t too surprising and consistent with the S6.

Overall I noticed random lags all the time on the S6, even with early usage of the phone. Everything so far on the Note 5 for me has been super smooth. I am even using a theme from the store. I am very happy with whatever improvements Samsung has made to their 5.1.1 build.

Audio: There is a new UHQ upscalling feature. Using decent headphones (akg 545) I notice a pretty dramatic improvement in audio quality. Specifically, separation and soundstage improves. This is a nice and unexpected feature.

I would say if you were on the fence in wanting to upgrade to the Note 5 from the S6 you will be very happy you did. However, I wouldn’t if you are happy with your S6. For me it came down to the fact that I was just slightly too frustrated with the battery life and lag and was hopping to get a bigger screen. In the end I am very happy with the jump.