Samsung Galaxy Note Review

This is the Samsung Galaxy Note.

I have visited the IFA 2011 Expo and saw what appears to be the most unique mobile computer at the event – the Samsung Galaxy Note, a 5.3-inch Android hybrid between a smartphone and a tablet, with support for pen input.

The Note includes Android 2.3 “Gingerbread” OS version running on an 5.3″ 800×1280 Super AMOLED 285 PPI display and a fast 1.4GHz dual-core processor. It has a rear 8MP and front 2MP camera, capability for Full HD video recording and playback, 16GB of internal memory expandable via a micro SD card, and support for 3G HSPA+ and 4G LTE connections, besides Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 3.0, and A-GPS. The smartphone features an FM radio receiver, accelerometer, digital compass, proximity, barometer, and light sensor.

After an hour of use, the Galaxy Note impressed me in multiple ways, so I’ve decided to share my thoughts about the device in this mini review.

Samsung Galaxy Note Size

First about the new form factor: it’s larger than ordinary smartphones and, on the other side, smaller than popular 7-inch tablets, such as Galaxy Tab or HTC Flyer. If you are a smartphone user and ever wanted a larger screen for web browsing, apps, and multimedia, and a bigger on-screen keyboard than on your Android or iPhone phone (like I did) – the Note is for you. Also if you like to use pen input, but the HTC Flyer and Lenovo ThinkPad tablets are too large for carrying around – the Note is for you again.

The Galaxy Note's keyboard in landscape mode.

Keys in portrait.

With 9.65-mm profile, the device looks thin. Its weight is 178 grams, which feels light when you are holding a device with a screen diagonal of 5+ inches.

This is how it looks from the right side.

Samsung Galaxy Note Display and Pen Input

The included S Pen gives you ability to hand-write texts and make drawings on the screen. Its 800×1280 pixel resolution combined with Super AMOLED + tech gives an amazing picture for whatewer you have on the display – apps, images, movies, and from whatever angle you are looking at it.

A wide viewing angle.

Here’s the main drawback I have noticed on the Galaxy Note: although great itself, the screen reflect lights a lot, because its glossy. It feels very slippery, which could be great for multi-touch gesutres, but for pen input its not very convenient. The pen had been making slips a lot, while I was trying to write, draw, or click on app icons, so the pen use was a little bit hard for me. After a cuple of minutes of drawing and writing the things got a little bit better, but my general feeling is that this kind of display coating is not suitable for pen input, but just for finger gestures.

This is how writing on the Galaxy Note looks like.

The S Pen in its hole.

I have tried to see if puting more pressure on the screen via the pen will make lines more bolder, but that wasn’t the case, as well as making lines thiner with less pressure.

Sofware & Performance Benchmark

On top of Gingerbread, there’s preloaded Samsung Touchwiz user interface, and besides standard apps and Android Market, you also get S Memo app for taking notes and drawings with the pen, Samsung’s S Planner calendar, and access to Social, Readers, and Music Hubs.

Its 5x5 app icon list.

Going through the UI is snappy and very responsive. Also Web browsing, Youtube playback, Google Maps, and other apps run smoothly, and I haven’t experienced any glitch. No wonder, since the smartphone scores amazing 3,791 points in Android Quadrant benchmark, while for example the high-end 1.2GHz Samsung Galaxy S II scores around 3,400.

The device achieved 3,791 Quadrant benchmark points.

Samsung Galaxy Note as a Phone

Well, the screen size is the one of the Galaxy Note’s “Pros”, but on the other side, it could be unconfortable to hold such a large device on your ear (not to mention that you may look funny ). The solution is to get a Bluetooth or use headphones, and you’ll feel comfortable and look normal while making phone calls. However, I hadn’t have chance to make a call with the device to check out call quality.

The Galaxy Note used as an usual cell phone.

Look and Build Quality

I have no objections to build quality. The glossy plastics covers sides of the phone, while the plastics back has a textured matte finish. Everything looks and feels solid, but IMHO the back would look better if it was made of brushed aluminum.

Samsung Galaxy Note from the back. You'll notice here a nice textured finish.

Samsung Galaxy Note Review Conclusion

I’m a little bit sorry since I hadn’t chance to test some things, such as phone-speaker and main speaker quality, as well as battery life, but other than that my overall impression is that the Samsung Galaxy Note is a high-quality product, especially regarding the spacious and beautiful screen, fast CPU, and look.

So here are some Pros:
- great balance between screen size and mobility;
- amazing picture quality of the display;
- excellent performance;
- nice and responsive UI;
- and qood build quality.

The Cons are:
- size of the device inconvenient for phone calls without a BT or headphones;
- glossy display finish reflects lights a lot;
- slippery screen makes writing and drawing with the pen hard;
- casing could be made of aluminum instead of plastics;
- rumored starting price of 715 Euros (if true).

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