The Samsung Galaxy Note is the first Smartphone to deliver a 5.3 inch display. Why? This mobile includes a stylus and supports pen input for note taking or other stylus entry capable apps. A specialty feature which may not appeal to all prospective mobile users. The large screen makes multimedia easily viewable on this device, but its standard mobile call quality leaves a little to be desired. The Samsung Galaxy Note is blazing fast with 1.4 GHz dual processors and 1 GB RAM producing no noticeable lag time in any of its features. The size of the mobile takes some getting used to, but if size matters, then the Note has it.
Samsung Galaxy Note, 50 minutes to any network and 150 texts.
Tariff Name: Talk 50 £7.99 (24m), Network Talk Mobile, 24 Month Contract, 50 Anytime Minutes, 150 Free Text Messages, Samsung Galaxy Note, Phone Price 460, Total Cost After Discounts £652
Overview
The Samsung Galaxy Note, while a mobile Smartphone, is obviously designed to support its specialty note taking features. This mobile runs a large 5.3 inch super AMOLED screen running RGB color in 800 x 1280 pixels. The screen is sized and designed to support the new stylus and pen features for entry, but is also great for video display. The size of the mobile borders on unwieldy for one hand operation. While its 146.85 x 82.95 x 9.65 mm size is a benefit for multimedia and the note apps, it becomes a liability on use as a true mobile phone. The Note’s 178 grams is heavy and if it fits in your pocket you will know it’s there.
The Samsung Galaxy Note can record and playback video in full 1080p High Definition at 30 fps and marvelously presented on the “big” screen. The 8 MP camera with LED flash produces highly satisfactory images both indoors and out. A front facing 2 MP camera allows you to chat with your mates face to face via video phone apps.
Samsung has apps especially for the Galaxy Note and its stylus. Bringing you the experience of note-taking via a digital pen, S Memo is the special notes app leveraging the possibilities of the included stylus. Options such as brush type, thickness and color are available and the app isn’t difficult. Writing with the Note’s pen takes some practice but in the end you can achieve satisfying results. The settings are adjustable to dominant hand so make sure you select left or right before beginning. A handy feature is the screen capture activated by pressing the key on the stylus while holding on screen for two to three seconds. Other stylus apps are the S Planner (calendar) and Photo Edit which allows you to use the pen to tweak photos taken with the Note.
Of course Internet browsing is enhanced by the larger display, but only slightly as you will still need to zoom to adequately read text on web pages. For standard keyboard entry, the mobile’s size may keyboard pose problems in portrait, one hand mode and when used in landscape mode there may be some difficulty comfortably reaching the center keys. As a mobile phone, you may feel awkward holding such a large device to your ear. The earpiece renders a “tinny” quality while listening to your mates, but the microphone transmits your voice quite clearly during the call.
If you are looking for a portable note taking device bundled with multimedia and mobile phone capabilities then the Samsung Galaxy Note will fill your pocket nicely.
Features
- Band: Quad-band GSM support, 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
- Memory: 1GB; expandable microSD card up to 32 GB
- Connections: Bluetooth 3.0, dual MHL/microUSB port; Wi-Fi: Yes, EDGE, HSUPA, 4G
- Display: 5.3-inch 17M-color, Super AMOLED
- Camera: 8.0 megapixel rear / 2.0 megapixel front
- Dimensions: 146.85 x 82.95 x 9.65 mm
- Weight: 178 grams
- FM Stereo with RDS
- Battery: Li-ion battery
- Battery Life in Stand-by Mode: Up to 390 hours (3G)
- Battery Life in Talk Time: Up to 4.6 hours (3G)
Pros
- Android 2.3 (Gingerbread) OS
- Network support
- Full HD Video
- Huge Super AMOLED Plus display
Cons
- Battery life
- Plastic construction
- Size when handling