I don't find Note II is lag, it is pretty smooth even long use. My sister and colleague is using it, I always play their phone, the phone is pretty smooth.

Only 3 phones from Samsung I will ever recommended.

• Note 3 - if money is not your concern.
  
• Note 2 - if you got money constraint issue and want S-Pen.
  
• Galaxy Mega 6.3 - if you got money constraint issue and want much bigger screen.
  

** Sorry I got no recommendation for normal phone (5" or below) from Samsung yet until date.