Well, I finally got my Note 3 LTE yesterday. I wanted to get one from TM with the 5 GB data deal, but they had no stock and the salesman didn't sound confident that it would be anytime soon. MTN also had no stock, and they said they do not carry stock.
That left Vodacom and Cell C. Both of them had stock of both colours. After careful thought, I went for the Vodacom one. I hate dealing with Vodacom, but they have the (I think) better model N005 with LTE. This model also has a better camera 60fps and better picture resolution (I read that somewhere).
This is one fantastic device...dare I say, the best phone ever produced to date. Like I said, I hate Vodacom. My Vodacom contract SIM that came with my Note 3, has been stored in my cupboard, and I have put a prepaid Cell C SIM inside. Vodacom are very sneaky with their billing - run out of contract airtime and data, and you are charged an arm and a leg. What makes it worse, is that you are not allowed to put a cap on usage for the first 6 months of your contract. This tells me that Vodacon are hoping most users will go over their bundle, and they will then reap the rewards.
I used to be an iPhone fan - owned the first 4 models, but I think Samsung/Android has now left Apple in the dust. The Android software has become better and FAR more customisable than iOS, and the large clear screen of the Note 3 makes an iPhone screen look mickey mouse.
The only things where I think the iPhone beats the Note 3 on, are build quality...the shiny plastic S/S lookalike band going around the Note 3 feels really cheap. The fake leather back on the note 3 is better than having a smooth plastic back, but lacks the quality feel of glass or aluminium back of the iPhone - this isn't a biggie, as most people put their Note in a pouch anyway.
The other thing I like about iOS, is the ease of installing and syncing media - music, contacts, video etc etc. I am still battling to get my contacts onto my Note 3....I will get it done tonight.
Great phone....I am stunned by the post of someone a few posts back, who wanted to sell his one month old Note 3 LTE, because he doesn't like Android.... ?