The second generation Note is a great device on its own - it packs a monster screen, processor and battery all working to create a smooth and long-lasting Android experience. Best of all, it runs on the latest Android, 4.1 Jelly Bean.
When it comes to software, though, Samsung focused most on what relates to the brand new, slightly thicker and easier to hold S Pen. It’s an essential part of the second Galaxy Note. It comes with plenty of new features that come to think about it look very natural but never made it onto Android smartphones yet.
Here’s a rundown of all the features of the second big phablet and its magical new S Pen.
Here’s a rundown of all the features of the second big phablet and its magical new S Pen.
The new S Pen: a summary of all the new features
Popular galleries
image
The Galaxy Note II is here and it’s narrower, thinner and lighter than its predecessor.
image
The screen is even bigger at 5.5-inches.
image
There is a slight drop in resolution to 267 pixels per inch, but in return the PenTile matrix with less pixel detail is gone for a new one, much closer in detail to the standard RGB.
image
The slight stutter from the original Note should be completely gone - courtesy of an Exynos 4412 quad-core chip with processors clocked at 1.6GHz.
image
And the biggest surprise - the Note II is shipping with the latest and greatest of Android, 4.1 Jelly Bean.
image
All of this performance is backed by a ginormous removable 3,100mAh battery.
image
Designwise, the Galaxy Note II looks almost exactly like the Galaxy S III. A bigger one, of course, but with the same soft and great looking Hyperglaze finish.
image
The new S Pen comes with an 8mm body for better grip and a rubber tip.
image
The magic starts when you take the pen out, an application automatically starts, allowing you to instantly start doing things with the S Pen.
image
The new S Pen features better pressure sensitivity with 1,024 levels of sensitivity, up from the mere 256 on the original G Note. Artists would definitely appreciate it.
image
The most amazing new feature is AirView - hover actions for the S Pen. Hover the tip of the S Pen around half an inch (10mm) above the screen and you get to peek inside applications.
image
AirView works with the mail application - hovering brings up a pop-up with contents of the email.
image
AirView works with S Calendar - hover for detailed look at events.
image
AirView works with the gallery - hover over an album to see the images in it pop up.
image
Finally, AirView works with the video player - hover over the timeline to see upcoming frames.
image
Next comes PopUp Note. Imagine you are speaking with someone on the phone, and you need to write down a note. Now most of us would start looking for a pen and a piece of paper in vain, and Samsung brings the solution - just take out the S Pen and you can automatically start writing down a note on the screen. Neat!
image
PopUp Video is something Samsung borrowed from the S III, allowing you to play a video on top of what you have on the screen. It's not directly S Pen related but you can move around the video with the stylus while you're doing other stuff.
image
Easy Clip is just what it sounds like - encircle an object with the S Pen and you get the option to easily clip it. Neat for making small collages!
image
Photo Note lets you write down notes on top of the images you've captured.
image
Screen Recorder is an app not directly related to the S Pen - it lets you capture a sequence of actions, not just a screenshot and record it.
image
Idea Visualizer is another new feature - you write a word in a dedicated box, and the Note II will generate an image that fits with that word.
The new S Pen: a summary of all the new features
1. The Galaxy Note II is here and it’s narrower, thinner and lighter than its predecessor.
2. The screen is even bigger at 5.5-inches.
3. There is a slight drop in resolution to 267 pixels per inch, but in return the PenTile matrix with less pixel detail is gone for a new one, much closer in detail to the standard RGB.
4. The slight stutter from the original Note should be completely gone - courtesy of an Exynos 4412 quad-core chip with processors clocked at 1.6GHz.
5. And the biggest surprise - the Note II is shipping with the latest and greatest of Android, 4.1 Jelly Bean.
6. All of this performance is backed by a ginormous removable 3,100mAh battery.
7. Designwise, the Galaxy Note II looks almost exactly like the Galaxy S III. A bigger one, of course, but with the same soft and great looking Hyperglaze finish.
8. The new S Pen comes with an 8mm body for better grip and a rubber tip.
9. The magic starts when you take the pen out, an application automatically starts, allowing you to instantly start doing things with the S Pen.
10. The new S Pen features better pressure sensitivity with 1,024 levels of sensitivity, up from the mere 256 on the original G Note. Artists would definitely appreciate it.
11. The most amazing new feature is AirView - hover actions for the S Pen. Hover the tip of the S Pen around half an inch (10mm) above the screen and you get to peek inside applications.
12. AirView works with the mail application - hovering brings up a pop-up with contents of the email.
13. AirView works with S Calendar - hover for detailed look at events.
14. AirView works with the gallery - hover over an album to see the images in it pop up.
15. Finally, AirView works with the video player - hover over the timeline to see upcoming frames.
16. Next comes PopUp Note. Imagine you are speaking with someone on the phone, and you need to write down a note. Now most of us would start looking for a pen and a piece of paper in vain, and Samsung brings the solution - just take out the S Pen and you can automatically start writing down a note on the screen. Neat!
17. PopUp Video is something Samsung borrowed from the S III, allowing you to play a video on top of what you have on the screen. It's not directly S Pen related but you can move around the video with the stylus while you're doing other stuff.
18. Easy Clip is just what it sounds like - encircle an object with the S Pen and you get the option to easily clip it. Neat for making small collages!
19. Photo Note lets you write down notes on top of the images you've captured.
20. Screen Recorder is an app not directly related to the S Pen - it lets you capture a sequence of actions, not just a screenshot and record it.
21. Idea Visualizer is another new feature - you write a word in a dedicated box, and the Note II will generate an image that fits with that word.
