No more drinking Samsung Cool-aid, what makes Samsung... Samsung was its value and innovation compare to iPhone. Standard micro USB, OTG cable, MicroSD card to expand memory, swap able battery, water proof. Take that away that they are truly copying Apple.
What I would have like to see is retaining MicroSD and water proof. Having these key different will help Samsung stay different and more competitive. Note 4 was perfect have it was not for lagged touchwiz and older 805 processor.

Welp... I'm convinced... I'm getting last year's Note 4...hands down.

No SD card?!? I don't know, I have a S4 and wanted to upgrade to a larger screen but I don't think this will be it without an SD card. . .

I own a Note 4 and work in mobile sales at a local retailer. I am going to be opening a new Verizon account on an employee plan. My Note 4 was my first Samsung smart phone and I have been nothing but happy with it after more than 6 months. I have tried to be optimistic about the Note 5 knowing that they would be going away from the strengths of the 4 to make it more similar to the new GS6 designs. I was still hopeful they would realize the power user features of the Note series and not deviate too far from those exclusive features but alas I am disappointed.
Note 5 negatives: Non-removable back/battery. No Micro-SD storage. Glass back (really?, glass has no grip and shows tons of dirt/smudge, not to mention is another side of the phone that can be cracked and worth less for trade-in values). Eject-able S-Pen (wtf is this garbage, push to eject is not easier than pulling it out). Conforming to the years of rivalry with Apple to make this phablet even more similar to the iPhone which I dislike so very badly.
Note 5 positives: 64 bit CPU. More Ram. Slightly better front camera. Wireless charging built-in. Touch fingerprint instead of swipe. Live YouTube streaming, love this idea! Multi-page screenshots, lots of potential.
Other thoughts: I feel like Samsung could have at least put a Micro-SD slot on the side, instead of not offering it at all. I was ok with no removable back while still offering some expansion. Some nice software changes that can be very handy: At lock screen double hit home key for camera shortcut, write on PDF's and save them. Both of which I believe can be implemented in a future software patch so I do not count them as points awarded to a new phone. I feel like Samsung has lost touch with it's original purpose for the Note series. This is a phone designed for power users. We use our phones all day long. We like convenience, expansion, diversity and a fully featured phone with as little limitations as possible. Why deviate from this? We are the core consumers for this line of mobile devices and now you have taken this away with the new Note 5. I predict that this new phone launch will only motivate people to buy more Note 4's. I have already decided to keep my Note 4 and in regards to me opening an employee account, my device will be another Note 4. Your Note 5 is a complete waste of an upgrade.

So..... Am I going note 4 or moto x pure? I'm half inclined to go note 2 and cyanogen.

Up until this point I could never say anything bad about the note series. The note 3 & 4 were above reproach and up until this point out performed their predecessors in almost every way but now it seems as though Samsung is focused more on design rather than functionality. Apart from an extra gigabyte of RAM, a much better processor and a better U.I, it seems as though they have improved on much. I for one feel the only way to go with a uni body design is aluminum, much like HTC did with One M8 and M9. And while a can move passed the no expandable storage, as long as I purchase the 64 gigabyte edition, I don't feel that sacrificing a larger battery for a phone that is 11% thinner is a fair trade. However, I'll still end up purchasing one once Samsung unveils the developers edition, but it's not worth trading the note4, just for a marginal improvement.

The Note 5 launch was very disappointing. I can live without the SD CARD feature, maybe even the removable battery but I was expecting a 4K display, waterproof and uni-body aluminum case, not to mention a side by side release of the new Gear VR. A glass back!? Even Apple figured out this was crap. I am still using my Note2 (on original battery) which I purchased pre-release so I guess I will be waiting on the Note 6 release next year, damn! If Samsung keeps going down this road however I am afraid the Note 6 will be running IOS and lacking an S-Pen.

I was looking forward to the Note 5. After checking the specs I purchased a Note 4. The deal breaker not to buy the Note 5 was: No SD Storage, No Removal Battery, No Water Resistance. I am using the Note 4 with a wireless charging case & love it. Fast charge is also available by wire if needed. Part of travel gear is a spare battery for those really long days in the field. Hopefully by the time the Note 4 wears out there will be another choice with what many consider necessary features.Samsung has lost a lot of prestige by removing desirable features from their equipment.

This comparison sums it up! Most of us stick our phones on a case any way UNLESS you have an iPhone and need to SHOW that (never mind the cracked screen and cratched back and the fact that's LOWBAT AGAIN).
Back to the guts of the two phones... Like many others I am extremely happy with my Note4 (and before a range of Galaxy S-series phones for almost 5 years). My choices were made on the guts of the phones and size. iPhone was never an option - why would I pay a premium price for a midget phone? However, my Note4 will now be my last Samsung phone. Mr Shanklin already put a question mark when talking about software upgrades with Samsung (which I have grown VERY DISAPPOINTED with) and I don't very much if the Note5 will ever see a a software upgrade (it usually skips a version).
Somebody commented that he would rather see a waterproof version than the incremental improvements that Samsung came up with. However, the S-Pen is the reason why this can't be done. DO WE NEED THE S-PEN? My personal reason for getting the Note was the SIZE. Perfect sized for me. And (of course) the Amoled screen and the off the planet quality of the camera. WHY ditch the replaceable battery and Micro SD card? I cannot fathom the shortsightedness of Samsung in this regard. Don't they understand that this IS what makes their phones stand out in the crowd? Makes them different from most other top of the range smartphones?
This is going to leave a HUGE gap that many other companies will JUMP in to fill. Other Korean companies but don't forget the Chinese! Xiaomi, OPO and Huawei are catching up very quickly and will GO FOR THE JUGULAR! Mark my words... they will do what Apple (in my opinion) always was after... to KILL SAMSUNG...
Thanks for having me Samsung... it was a JOY while it lasted. Why kill it?

I have been with Samsung Galaxy since the S4. Then I upgraded to the Samsung Galaxy S5 and despite the reviews on it, I very much liked it along with the ip66 rating which came in handy all the time. After a whole year of anticipation for the Galaxy s6, I was shocked at what they released. No ip66 no micro sd card, no removable battery. On a sealed phone you can't make it water tight? All the s5 had was a gasket running around the inside of the back and you tell me now it can't be made that way anymore. It is more like a conspiracy to the insurances and the manufacturers. Why make an indestructible phone when you can make a throw away model, which is exactly what this years Samsung models are. Your battery will be shot after a year of heavy use. I don't care how good it is. You can only get so many charges out of it. I bought a note 4 this year in anticipation of this crap that I was afraid they were going to release, and with out disappointment, here it is. I use to get good money for the unlocked phones. I sold my S4 for $425.00 when I bought my S5. The depreciation on the newer phones are remarkable. You loose your ass! Looks like I will be sticking with my note 4 for a couple years, especially since all the manufacturers seem to be hep to the idea people will spend money every year just to get the newest phone even with minuscule improvements. Saving my money from now on.