Is it a bird? Is it a plane? Neither. It's a tablet. Or a phone. Or both. We really don't know – but it has some of the best specs around and Samsung's hoping this will ship by the bucketload.
The Samsung Galaxy Note is a phone/ tablet hybrid that doesn't really sit in any category - we've reviewed it as a smartphone simply due to the fact it can make calls, but Samsung is definitely trying to create a new category of device with this 5.3-inch screened behemoth.
It's funny how mobile trends can change. Just a few years ago, manufacturers were falling over themselves trying to outdo each other to to provide the smallest handset in the world. Motorola got them pretty thin with the RAZR line and Samsung's own D500 was titchy.
Then something happened and big became cool. Yet, we don't seem to mind any more.
Just as well really, because the Galaxy Note is just that – big. Falling somewhere between the tablet and phone goalposts, it's not as enormous as pictures may imply. But it is larger than your average smartphone.
Its dimensions come in at 146.85 x 82.95 x 9.65mm yet, at 178g, it's fairly light considering how heavy it could have been. This is a trait we've come to expect with the Galaxy line with both the Samsung Galaxy S and Galaxy S2 handsets also being light as a feather.
To look at the Note, it looks just like a larger version of the S2. The front is incredibly minimalist with only a Samsung logo and homescreen button visible to the eye (the homescreen button is a little more rectangular than that of the S2, almost in an effort to make it seem less iPhone-like.)
The front facing 2MP camera and light sensor are there but almost impossible to see on the black model. The left hand side holds only a volume rocker, the top houses the 3.5mm headphone jack and there's a power/lock-unlock button on the right. The micro USB charging and syncing port can be located on the bottom.
The 8MP camera with LED flash is located in the centre of the rear portion in the same way it is on the S2 although, bizarrely, Samsung has, once again, chosen to have the actual glass covering of the lens protruding.
We can't understand why it's not recessed as this merely makes the already vulnerable camera more prone to being scratched when the Note is placed on a surface.
The speaker is located near the bottom of the rear and just above the dock for the 'S-Pen' (i.e. fancy stylus) that Samsung appears to be so excited about.
The crowning glory of the Note is the screen: 5.3" of WXGA goodness (1280 x 800) and it is a belter. Samsung has always been renowned for its good screens with even the Galaxy S giving us that wow factor last year.
We were bowled over by the S2's Super AMOLED Plus but the Note just blows that out of the water. 285ppi is what it gives us and not only are colours vibrant and sharp, but it looks easily as good as anything that Apple produces with a 'retina' label, even though it's obviously a lot bigger.
Under the hood, you'll find a dual-core 1.4GHz processor powering this beast and either 16GB or 32GB of internal storage (which you can also expand by another 32GB with removable memory.)
A 2,500mAh battery should give you plenty of juice – but considering the size of the screen, which is always the biggest drainer, it may not go as far as one hopes.
It's difficult to see just who the Note is aimed at – mainly because it's hard to give it a label and put firmly in the camp of being just a phone or just a tablet. Samsung claims it's the kind of device a lady could carry around in her handbag but it doesn't feel like something that has been solely designed with the girls in mind.
The nearest device we can think it compares to is the HTC Flyer though that's been out a while now and is already being reduced in price. For some buyers it could very well be a choice between the Galaxy Note and Galaxy S2 and with the only real differences being size and the 'S-Pen', there's not much in it.
At the time of writing, you can pick the Note up sim-free for a shade under £600 which places it firmly at the top end of the spectrum and comparable with an unlocked iPhone 4S 32GB.
You can of course pick one up on contract as well – but due to its specs and positioning, it's not something you'll get for free unless you're willing to pay more than £40 a month. And that's on a two year deal.
Your comments (28) Click to add a new comment
anseam
February 12th
28. I blew about 500 euros with Dell Strak which did not work properly from day one.
I apprehended a bit before buy this (yes, I prefer large phones). It's been a love (four months since I have purchased it).
Taking notes is really a pleasure and the call quality is fantastic.
And that huge screen, wow !
I only wished that the phone be a bit wider than on the longer side.
Anseam
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rishi100
February 10th
27. I believe, it is no brainer in India to purchase a Note at Rs 30,500/- ($610), where Galaxy S2 sells at the same price. The advantage compared to S2 is pretty obvious to make it a natural choice. The Phone size doesn't pose any problem to use it with your ear as you do with regular mobile phone, rather I find it convenient as the mic comes just in front of your mouth. So it picks up voice than the indirect vibrations from muscles around mouth. I believe Samsung shall be able to release Ice Cream Sandwitch by march keeping intact the usability of hardware buttons and digitizer.
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moodyman69
January 17th
26. This really is an awesome handset, in this modern age and the ongoing battle of mobile vs tablet vs laptop vs desktop this is a serious contender for all. All media and work based applications are a pleasure to use with the Super AMOLED screen and the Stylus just offers you that extra edge for anything more - range of features with this can be found at their YouTube page http://www.youtube.com/user/SAMSUNGmobile?blend=6&ob=video-mustanginstant - and to top it all off, the camera is excellent. All powered by a dual-core 1.4GHz processor, what's the problem with a bulge in your pocket?! You can actually trial it from these guys if your uncertain http://www.techtrial.co.uk/catalogue.php?&pid=125 which is a pretty cool deal...
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jorjxmckie
December 18th 2011
25. Actualist has the crux of it... the reviewer is clueless as to what the S-pen is for. If you can barely draw a stick figure, then your finger is enough for any phone or tablet... but I have yet to meet somebody willing to demonstrate their pressure sensitive fingertip on their iPhone, so a pressure sensitive stylus is a very, very useful tool used for thousands of years of human history. The Note is the first 'phone' that will be a useful tool for artists, business types, students, writers, etc. Why do journalistic types seem to go brain dead when it comes to the stylus? Is it just slavish devotion to the opinion of Steve Jobs?
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shutterbugguy
December 13th 2011
24. I own a Galaxy Note now for two weeks, having also owned a Galaxy S2, S1, and various iPhones. The Galaxy Note is fantastic, and I love it. The S Pen is very useful, allowing me to keep my fingers off the beautiful screen, and providing excellent additional functionality. It is large for a smartphone, yes, but that's one of the reasons I like it. It is big enough to actually browse other than mobile versions of websites adequately, while still being small enough to fit in my shirt or pants pocket. The camera provides photos that are not at all embarrassing, and even my iPhone 4S owner friends have had to admit it is a winner when we use them side-by-side. It might not be for everyone with its large size, but it is a winner for me.
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keysersoze
December 4th 2011
23. Another top class phone that Vodafone are not selling directly! Between this and the Sensation XE when / if they do.
Had a play with a friends Note this week. It's amazing. The size isn't at all an issue and the screen is outrageously good
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actualist
December 4th 2011
22. The S Pen is utterly not pointless as the review states. That is such a ridiculous statement that it itself is pointless. And, yes, you are "knocking" it by stating so. Furthermore, on these smartphones' virtual touchscreen keyboards, you shall not type it in half the time you would hand-write it; handwriting is much faster, easier and natural; and that's the point - it's android, i.e. automation incorporating human being. This also goes for such comparison with dictating using a third party app. Given the S Pen, which method would you immediately, instinctively, intuitively, and therefore initially lean towards using to make your ad hoc shopping list? Finally, good ol' Steve was referring to using that ol' stylus to interact utterly with such digital assistants, as opposed to controlling them NATURALLY with one's HAND - NATURALLY. So until they make those virtual keyboards just as efficient to type with as those actual physical ones, S Pen you are one heck of a humanoid link.
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itayigoto
December 2nd 2011
21. Hello, i own a samsung galaxy 11, is it woth to buy the galaxy note. is there a way i c an upgrade my galsxy 11, such that i can use the s pen
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allergy1
November 28th 2011
20. Hey Kathy, Samsung SII is 4 inch mobile phone and galaxy note is 5 inch Tablet! now you got it? if you dont read this" http://computersight.com/software/samsung-galaxy-note-n7000-a-real-notebook/ " For difference between them!
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craig.o
November 25th 2011
19. why is this just 4*?
is it considered inferior to the SGS2, or is this a (pre-) judgement on what people want to put in their pockets?
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vikaskaul7
November 20th 2011
18. I was Dell Streak user,,replaced it with Galaxy Note..
1. This is definitely a Best Android Phone available in market in premium range.
2. Awesome Phone with features like 3G based Video calling..which No other company provides except Nokia...As Video calls rate are much cheaper then Voice calls in India,,,around 0.20 Indian Rupees which comes to £0.0025 per minute and Voice Calls at £0.0049 per minute.
No need to use Fring type Applications..:)
Mobile Network - MTNL
3. Wide 5.3" AMOLED Screen.
2. Usually, every Electronics company has special rates for Indian Market, so well it is with Samsung also, Priced around at £380 ( 31000 Indian Rupees) in India directly from Samsung Dealers.
After knowing high rates of this model in UK & US market, i am happy to get it so cheap here in India.
In end, Must buy for Dell Streak Users,,and who looking for Video Call option in Premium Android range.
:)
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musaedt
November 15th 2011
17. @photovisionary
Did you pay VAT for the phone from Singapore? If yes, how much? Thanks.
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vezyrek
November 14th 2011
16. Photovisionary@ i know I can buy it on ebay, clove and many more places, but I cant spend 580 on phone specialy that I need 2 , one for me and the other for my wife. So cheaper might be go with upgrade , specialy that we are due in december. If I had spare 1100 I would buy note simfree :-)
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loaddown
November 14th 2011
15. I agree with CreativityCorp and parasitius regarding the S-Pen. I can't understand why all the iPhone based reviewers out there insist that everyone must use the same apps that they use. Please, have a little wider scope in your reviews. We all don't play games and watch videos. And I don't like to booger up my display with my finger anyway.
I have never been able to use my fingers when using research software without constantly making wrong selections. Did you comment on the handwriting recognition software? I have taken hour long meeting notes with my old Dell Axim and Omnia II using Pocket Word and PhatWare. I welcome the S-Pen! Too bad it is proprietary - goodbye to my stylus/pen combo, it won't work on the Note!
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photovisionary
November 14th 2011
14. Guys, some of you need to do your resarch. You don't have to have a "contract" with any company to buy and use the note without issue. There are multiple sites (including ebay) that you can now buy one "unlocked". As far as T-mobile compatibility, go to the official Samsung mobile website and look at the network frequencies it is designed for. Then go to T-mobiles website and compare to their network frequencies and you will see they are a match. I bought my Blackstone unlocked from a company in Singapore and had not issues using it for calls/web. Some are going to miss out on this great device because of what you don't know. Research it and don't feel like you have only one choice.
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twitchy
November 13th 2011
13. Who would want a 5.3inch phone that thinks it's a tablet? The answer ... Dell streak 5 owners. I bought mine 2 years ago and have been wondering what my next phone would be. The Note seems to be it. Admittedly, the Streak 5 was not a big seller and Dell really did not support it properly but it demonstrated there was a need and market for a larger phone that filled the void between phone and tablet. Samsung has taken the idea and updated it. The Stylus is great for writing. Why not use your fingertips to write? We're taught to write with pens at school and paint with our fingers.
I will be keeping my eye on this one as I am due my next phone and I really don't want to have to move to a 4.3 inch scree.
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musaedt
November 13th 2011
12. @vezyrek
When I saw the offer on www.buymobilephones.net but not on T-Mobile, I thought it is a scam. But if your friend bought a mobile from them already, then I'll wait for T-Mobile as well.
Cheers mate.
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vezyrek
November 13th 2011
11. @Musaedt , go on company www.buymobilephones.net there from 18th of november they will have in stock g note. And they offer it with T-mobile, Orange, O2 and I think Vodafone. So you can buy Galaxy note with T-mobile but from this company. My friend bought from them one phone already. And I will take galaxy note on 4th of december because I also want to be with T-mobile.
@parastius. I have now htc desire and I cant wait for galaxy note :-)
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creativitycorp
November 13th 2011
10. At CreativityCorp we test many smartphones and tablets to run our Mobile Data Studio software to collect business data. The Samsung Galaxy Note is the best mobile device yet for business data use. In the field collecting business data, users prefer to have one device rather than a phone and another perhaps larger screen device to enter data. The Samsung Galaxy Note perfectly covers both requirements and fits in a pocket.
Tech Radar query 'What's the point' of a stylus. This misses the point that for many business data entry applications a stylus is required. For example, for customers to sign on accepting deliveries, or acceptance of field service of an air conditioner or photocopier, to sketch identify crash damage on a photo of a motor vehicle, identify a person in a large group photo, sketch on photos during home inspections etc. A stylus is essential for many business data requirements but most third party styluses are weak compared to the excellent S Pen which fits neatly into the body of the Galaxy Note.
In our experience the GPS in the Samsung Galaxy Note gained a fix within 10 seconds 'out of the box' which is excellent for field surveys requiring GIS information alongside other data collected in environmental, mining, asset tracking and other projects. And the 5.3 inch screen is large enough for practical use of maps.
Add to these attributes, good battery life and screen visibility outdoors and the Samsung Galaxy Note is the best mobile device yet for business data. We give it 5 stars and number one for business data collection and use amongst smartphones and tablets.
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