Galaxy Note is the
biggest smartphone we have ever seen - 5.3-inch AMOLED HD screen is larger than
Dell Streak’s screen. It looks like a super-large Samsung Galaxy S2, has faster
1.4GHz dual core processor, and point pen to take notes on screen and draw in a
scrawly way.
The device is rather
light for its size but appears to be compact, except for the back side that
looks like plastic. Size is not a problem until you put the phone to your ear –
it seems inconvenient while you are calling, so we suggest a Bluetooth headset
for long talks. However, it lies fitly in jeans’ pocket, except your jeans are
extremely tight.
Luckily, large screen
makes the size become deserving since it is so wonderful. It is Super AMOLED screen
with high resolution (800x1,280) that makes text incredibly sharp, creates high
contrast ratio and lively colors. It provides more space on each desktop screen
for app icons, and helps viewing photo, using app, and playing game be much
easier.
While 1.4GHz dual core
processor is extremely strong in theory, Android 2.3 operating system
navigation is not as smooth as Motorola RAZR or Galaxy S2. Apps are opened
quickly, but shifting among main screens is rather irregular; the phone does
not bring fast feeling as we expected for a phone at this price.
Android does well on
large screen. Keyboard buttons are larger, which makes typing easier and texts
easy to view. Most texts on websites can be read with an only touch to zoom in.
The problem with Android 2.3 is that Android 4.0 is now available on Google
Nexus, and while Note will certainly receive update, the price of £600 is
difficult to justify when the operating system is outdated.
Together with large
screen, the thing makes Galaxy Note outstanding is S Pen point pen. It lies
fitly in a slot at the phone’s bottom, and allows you to take notes and draw in
related apps. You will not be able to put an essay on the screen, but it does
well with noting inappreciable words. S Pen quite well keeps pace with our typing,
and like point pen on tablet, it recognizes pressure – the stronger you press,
the thicker the line gets, which makes drawing out become feasible.
Regardless of large
screen and dual core processor, the phone has good battery life. We saw 9 hours
of battery life when playing a H.264 video repeatedly, which is medium for
Android phone.
Galaxy Note’s pen is
interesting but we do not use it frequently. If you are Post-it’s fan, it can
be dedicate to you. It is the incredible screen that makes this phone become
such attractive. It is wonderful for videos and games. But if you use mobile
phone as a phone rather than a computer, such large size may make you hesitate.
It is quite expensive
for an Android phone, with a price nearly equal to iPhone 4S, but if you want
the best Android phone screen and something to show off to your friends, Galaxy
Note can be the thing for you.
Summary
Verdict. It is a hot phone with an interestng point pen
and a surprising screen, but Note can be a taste that you feel like when you
get used to it.
Smartphone. GSM 850/900/1800/1900, 3G 850/900/1900/2100,
GPRS, HSDPA, HSUPA, 5.3-inch LCD (800x1,280 resolution), 8MP camera, 16GB
storage, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, USB, 26.2 hours of talk-time, 38 days of wait-time, 146.9x83x9.7mm,
178g.
