22 replies to this topic

[papi92]

Samsung Galaxy Note 2 - More than a Smart Phone
By Anthony Fox

Please Login or Register to see this Hidden Content

 

Please Login or Register to see this Hidden Content

  35.86KB   80 downloads

The Next Big Thing is already here. A saying that in my mind will always point Samsung putting out a flagship device. This last week, I have had the pleasure to be reviewing the Note 2 by Samsung. The phone that people keep saying “Is it too big” came into my hands on December 16th and has not left them since.

Specs
1.5 ghz Quad Core Exynos Processor
2 gbs of ram
16 gb of internal storage with expandable memory up to 64gbs.
5.5 inch 720p Super Amoled Display
3100 mAh removable battery
8 mp rear facing camera
1.9 mp front facing camera
Available on all carriers. (LTE, GSM, and CDMA)
NFC
Corning Gorilla Glass 2
Mali-400MP GPU
Accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer
FM radio

UI and Features
The Galaxy Note 2 has the most features of any smart phone that I have had. The Note 2 is running Android 4.1.1 Jellybean with Samsung’s Touchwiz UI overlay. Touchwiz has brought many enhancements to Android. Touchwiz brings quick shortcuts to the lockscreen that can be setup by the user. Also, you can customize the lockscreen to show weather, stocks, and current news. The Touchwiz UI is very attractive as it uses bright colors to bring out the beautiful 5.5 inch display.
The first enhancement I noticed was the S Pen.The S Pen is a specialized stylus that is fully integrated into the software and hardware of the Note 2. The S Pen allows you to attach a personalized signature to any email, draw on photos, or even draw on whatever you're looking at. The S Pen will even allow you to crops part of photos or web pages on the go. After which you will have multi options of what you would like to do with this cropped image. With the S Pen, you can go into your gallery and hover over a photo or album to get a preview of what it is or what is inside of it this feature is called Airview. Airview will also allow you to hover or a spot in the timeline of a movie to preview that place of the movie so you will never have to guess of how far to skip ahead.
The second enhancement of the Note 2 is called S Note. S Note is exactly what the name suggest; a specialized notepad. S Note can be set to open up anytime you pull out your S Pen. When taking notes you can easily click the button on the S Pen and you will toggle between a pen or an eraser. This allows for the user to quickly take notes and erase errors without handing to touch the screen.
The third feature that I was very happy to find is called One-Handed Operations. This feature allows the user to pick a side of the phone in which they want to have the keyboard or dialer come up on.
The final feature I am going to talk about is called Blocking Mode. This option allows the user to create a list of numbers that can call them or even create a list of numbers that call them. There is also present options that will allow only people in your contacting to call you or text. Also, Blocking Mode can be used as a way to make sure you are not disturbed during a meeting or while sleeping. You can create exceptions to this rule though so you do not miss an emergency.

Camera
The Note 2 features an 8mp rear facing camera as well as a 1.9mp front facing camera. The rear facing camera is able to simultaneous record HD video and capture photos, geo-tagging your location, manual touch to focus, face and smile detection, and image stabilization. The camera on the Note 2 is overall a great smartphone camera. Samsung has included features such as Share Shot and Best photo to enhance the user experience. Share Shot is a feature that uses Wi-Fi direct to share photos between one user and another group of users on the same Wi-Fi. This allows you to see everything going on without having to be everywhere. You choose whom you will be sharing photos with and which photos they receive. Best Shot is a feature that allows the Note 2 to suggest a photo to be used after you use Burst Mode. Burst Mode allows a user to take many photos at once without having to continuously click the camera button.
Picture quality was great in well lighted situations but like other smartphones; it failed to impress in low lighted areas. The 8mp camera also did very well when it came to recording 1080p videos and the videos transferred over really well to other devices.

Please Login or Register to see this Hidden Content

 

Please Login or Register to see this Hidden Content

  67.36KB   76 downloads

Please Login or Register to see this Hidden Content

 

Please Login or Register to see this Hidden Content

  1.35MB   71 downloads

Build Quality, Display and Signal Strength
Samsung devices are not known for their sturdy build quality or amazing radios but with the Note 2 they did it right. The Note 2 is made of a light plastic with a glossy finish and with most phones this wouldn’t be a good thing. The Note 2 feels heavy enough that it doesn’t feel cheap while keeping to the slim and sexy design of Samsung Phones. Also, the radio is the Note 2 was able to keep up with my Maxx HD in every area. I was using a T-Mobile Note 2 and obviously the Verizon HD. Most GSM phones can’t come close to CDMA because of the technology but the size of the Note 2 really allows it to find great signal anywhere.
The main question I have gotten from the Droidrzr community is it able to be held in one hand and the answer is yes. The Note 2 has been shaped like the S3 so that it feels natural to hold in one hand. The original Note felts too wide. Samsung really put a lot of work into slimming down the side bezel while extending the screen size. That being said I mostly use two hands on any phone just because I like to firmly grip the phone in one hand while typing with the other.
The display on the Note 2 is my second favorite display of the year. The display is coming in at a whooping 5.5 inches. The screen is Super Amoled meaning colors will seem darker and less natural. This makes photos really stand out but when transferring them to a non amoled display the pictures don’t look the same. Watching videos on this phone was entertaining and addicting. The larger display along with fast data speeds made it addicting to watch Netflix every chance I got. Samsung also brought in a Multi Mode feature into the Note 2. This feature allows you to split the screen between two applications meaning for a true multitasking experience. At first I really thought I would never use it but I found myself taking notes while on the internet or cheating in Words with Friends. The other cool feature that Samsung has introduced is a Pop Up Video Player. The Pop Up Video Player allows you to open a video up and drag it around the screen while surfing the web, sending a text message, or anything else. Once again, Samsung is the King of Multitasking at this point.

Conclusion
The only thing I really can say is until you pick up the Note 2 and give it 48 hours you can not appreciate it fully. The Note 2 is by the far the best phone I have owned and I can’t wait to see what Samsung does next. Samsung really put a lot of features into the device and I know I probably missed some. I would have no problem recommending the Note 2 to anyone regardless of hand size. The Note 2 is the first phone that I would give a 10/10 in terms of overall quality. I have nothing bad to say and I can’t say enough to really get you to understand how much I will miss this phone and enjoy this phone.

[osnoozeo]

I've been saying this for almost a month now, I couldn't get rid of that crappy og razr fast enough. I guess I'm still bitter about maxx coming out month after the I paid 300 for it. Btw the note 2 battery is up there with maxx. I had to pay full price to keep unlimeted data. Btw great review. On to gn3 next yr ;-)

[leviwg]

i love this phone! i just got it last night and flashed my first rom as we speak!

[papi92]

Im really excited to see Samsung at CES

from my HTC6435LVW using Tapatalk 2

[osnoozeo]

Rumor has it. There gonna show off the new flex screens

[papi92]

Yeah lol everyones going to have flex screens soon. I mean what can be next

Sent from my HTC6435LVW using Tapatalk 2

[BytecodeMe]

Flex screens are a terrible idea. They gotta get it right before they use it, fully polished technology.

Especially with crappy Samsung build quality, that's gonna be broken screen heaven.

Yeah... Samsung isn't my favorite smartphone manufacturer lol

Sent from my DROID RAZR using Tapatalk 2

[papi92]

Flex screen is a great idea lol they won't break as easy. Motorola will be using it in the RAZR X. Or Project X? Lol

Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk 2

[BytecodeMe]

Flex screen is a great idea lol they won't break as easy. Motorola will be using it in the RAZR X. Or Project X? Lol

Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk 2

Not buying it unless everybody loves the damn screen lol

Sent from my DROID RAZR using Tapatalk 2

[papi92]

You'll love it lol ill love it

Sent from my HTC6435LVW using Tapatalk 2

[wulf]

I have no complaints or regrets about this phone.


Sent from my SCH-I605 using Tapatalk 2

[papi92]

Its literally my favorite phone. And I am seriously looking into buying one now lol

Sent from my HTC6435LVW using Tapatalk 2

[wulf]

Its a good phone. I was very impressed with it and I was never a Samsung fan before this phone.

Sent from my SCH-I605 using Tapatalk 2

[wabmorgan]

I have to admit.... I have been looking at the Note 2 as my next phone. When you consider than VZW sells it at a full retail price that is only $50 more than the Razr Maxx HD.... seems like a winner !!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[papi92]

I'd choose note 2 over maxx hd. But both are amazing and in my top 3 favorite Verizon phones. 1. Note 2. 2. DNA. 3. Maxx HD

Sent from my HTC6435LVW using Tapatalk 2

[bwheelies]

How was GPS signal?

I think Samsung build quality is great but different then Motorola. Light weight!

This review makes me want to pull the trigger on the note.

[wulf]

I never had issue with gps locking on. Pretty quick actually. I used it for a trip one hour there and one hour back and held signal the entire time.

Sent from my SCH-I605 using Tapatalk 2

[papi92]

See the note 2 feels like moto quality bc of how big it is. If Samsung would have used anything but plastic it would feel like a brick.

Sent from my HTC6435LVW using Tapatalk 2

[osnoozeo]

Note 2 size and weight is about perfect. Perfect balance for me

[papi92]

Nice

Sent from my HTC6435LVW using Tapatalk 2