Samsung GALAXY Note Preview
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Our Samsung GALAXY Note Review is now published - click here to read it.
Well, it's finally here – the Samsung GALAXY Note – the largest “smartphone” ever created. If you wonder why we placed “smartphone” in inverted commas, that's because this thing is so big that it's blurring the lines between being a phone and a tablet. Really, when you look at it, the Galaxy Note can hardly be classified as a normal smartphone. On the other hand, it feels a bit too small to be considered a normal tablet. This device has found itself somewhere in between. And naturally, the first question that comes to our mind right now is: Is there a place for such a device on the market?
But we never jump to conclusions without first having to play with the actual handset. Now that the Samsung GALAXY Note is right here, in our hands, we do have a few things to say about it. Being pretty impressive in terms of specs, same as any other high-end Android smartphone, doesn't the Galaxy Note mark the spot where big becomes too big? Read on to find out!
Design:
So, um... what should we say? The Samsung GALAXY Note is one monster of a phone! It is gigantic, and it doesn't feel like anything you've used before. And if you're the type of person who'd say that the Galaxy S II is just too big, then wait until you see this guy. Don't think you'll be able to use it just like you use your typical smartphone – you can't fit the Galaxy Note comfortably in your pocket. Well, you can carry it in your pocket, but don't try to sit while it's in there. It's by no means heavy, but it is too cumbersome to handle normally. This “phone” is designed for the biggest of hands, but we don't believe that even such hands will find it okay.
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The Samsung GALAXY Note is designed for the biggest of hands | |||
The Samsung GALAXY Note is made of plastics, but it doesn't feel cheap at all. The device is solid, and even the capacitive stylus stays very firmly in its spot, and requires a bit of force to be removed. No wiggle whatsoever.
Now, let's turn our attention to the gargantuan 5.3” display of the Galaxy Note. It is, of course, of the capacitive type and utilizes the Super AMOLED technology, which translates into rich colors, deep contrast levels and wide viewing angles. Having so much real estate however, means that screen resolution should also be abundant, in order to keep a respectful pixel density. This is one are where the Galaxy Note performs admirably, having an 800x1280 pixel res, which translates into 285 ppi. We're happy to say that everything on the screen is very clear easily readable.
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The Samsung GALAXY Note uses a gargantuan 5.3” display | ||
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Apple iPhone 4 (left, top), Samsung GALAXY Note (center, bottom), Samsung Galaxy S II (right, middle) | |
All the keys around the device are comfortable to press, while the special capacitive stylus is positioned at the bottom of the device. As we said, it requires a bit of force to have it removed, but that's fine, as it wouldn't have been better if it was wiggling. The stylus itself is long enough, and more importantly – isn't too thin, so overall we are happy with its design.
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The special capacitive stylus is positioned at the bottom of the device | ||
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Volume rocker (left) | Power key (right) | microUSB jack (bottom) | 3.5 mm jack (top) |
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Back | Camera | Battery compartment |
Drag the picture or use the keyboard arrows to rotate the phone. Double click or press keyboard Space to zoom in/out
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39 Comments
This comment is hidden because of its low rating. Show
2. kbayer posted on 19 Oct 2011, 06:14 31 6
Crappy review, Ray S.. You place too many negative "opinions". Just show what it offers and let the reader draw their own conclusions. Phone is "too big"? For who, YOU?
I'm 6'3" and love my Dell Streak 5". Fits in my pocket with no problem, sitting or standing. EVERYONE that sees it wishes that they would have got one when it was available... yes, tall and short people, big pockets and little pockets. The "little people" that I know who have 4.3" EVO's don't carry their phones in their pocket anyway.
Who says all phones must be pocketable?
Also, pretty crappy of you waiting till the end of the review to casually mention that it's not available in the US. Could you have at least offered the expected release date in the US? Never mind, don't go to the trouble. I'll check another site for that.
Great phone, game-changing, check the videos on YouTube.
17. RORYREVOLUTION posted on 19 Oct 2011, 19:57 3 1
Ray S loves his iphone so you gotta expect him to give negative points to anything that is bigger.
21. roldefol posted on 20 Oct 2011, 09:18 1 7
"Who says all phones must be pocketable?"
You're kidding, right? How are guys supposed to carry a phone in the summer if not in a pocket? And no, I will not wear a clunky belt clip.
26. gregoryyy3 posted on 20 Oct 2011, 17:51 4 2
You have hands idiot. Obviously someone's not going to get this phone cause 'in the summer time they can't carry it in their pocket' and who says you have to get this phone? Your annoying
36. amar0513 posted on 29 Oct 2011, 19:01 1 1
haha lmfao bro i literally lol'd
40. RageQuit posted on 31 Oct 2011, 14:08 1 1
Most women i know carry their phones in their purse or handbag, so the who "can it fit in my pocket" thing is kinda irrelvent for them. Most of my male friends i have asked can fit my 5' Glaxay S wifi in their pockets so i dont see why this slightly larger phone would not be pocketable.
22. _VipeR_ posted on 20 Oct 2011, 11:11 3 0
KBayer, I am soo glad that you pointed this out! Reviews of the smartphones these days, however detailed and informative they are, are completely biased. Why? How? Because they are given from the standpoint of the average sized person. To say that the Galaxy Note was designed for the biggest of hands and still won't be handled with ease is pure skepticism! Not only am I 6'3", 275 lbs, I can pick up most adolescent children by their heads with one hand. I look forward to this phone!
24. _VipeR_ posted on 20 Oct 2011, 13:20 2 0
Additionally, this PHONE would be perfect for those of us who prefer a physical keyboard. Those individuals, like myself, are being forced to go to all out touch. Seeing as how I always use my keyboard anyway, this device it the first that might actually have a large enough visual keyboard to be able to type with both speed and accuracy in landscape. The SGSII is decent, but for the size of my fingers and speed in which I type, it still presents too much of a hassle. Seeing as how I don't foresee any High-End Powerhouses being released anytime soon with a physical keyboard (preferably the Epic keyboard) I'd say that this would be a "bridging the gap" device as it will present a very feasable alternative to many different facets in day to day life.
25. RORYREVOLUTION posted on 20 Oct 2011, 17:01 0 0
Yes, this is a device for people with large hands that want the super size screen. I would pick this up but at only 5'9 and having average hands, the Epic Touch does the job for sure.
3. marcoguzm posted on 19 Oct 2011, 06:15 4 1
I'm looking forward taking a look on one of this!
4. AKm007 posted on 19 Oct 2011, 06:23 8 1
The review is highly biased. I've played around with the SGS2 and while I don't have abnormally large hands, it still felt a bit cramped. The whole review is based on the reviewer's opinion.
6. networkdood posted on 19 Oct 2011, 07:43 2 2
ok, why do the review with a prototype?
Be patient, and just do it with the real device.
You can already get touchWix UI with 5 icons across on normal devices, but the change is expected.
I have some cargo shorts that this behemoth would fit into the pockets of, but I am waiting for more phones to come out before I choose another device.
In the end it will get an 8.5 or 9.0 review when it is done with the actual device, as iPHONEARENA always does.
7. henrickrw posted on 19 Oct 2011, 07:48 1 7
This is a waste of time. I rather if they make an Ice cream Sandwich update for my GS2
8. weishin92 posted on 19 Oct 2011, 08:22 0 0
seriously, wad to do with those capacitive buttons when the phone is being updated to ICS?
31. andygallo posted on 21 Oct 2011, 19:59 0 0
They will probably just disable the on-screen buttons and use the capacitive. Saves screen real estate that way.
9. ChodTheWacko posted on 19 Oct 2011, 09:11 5 0
I made a. mockup and find the phone surprisingly pocketable. I'm 5'7, and it fits nicely. in my front jeans pocket and yes, I can sit down no problems.
I don't. see what the problem is with typing in portrait mode is - seems just fine to me. Can you elaborate?
This is definitely more tablet than phone and even though I have big hands - forget about using this one handed (just like any tablet). That being said, I am 100% interested, due to my hands, in he largest touchscreen phone that still fits in my pockets. so I can't wait for this phone.@
