Galaxy Note 2 Review – Intro
I think my initial reaction to the Galaxy Note 2 is the same as most peoples’. It’s huge.
I reviewed the original Samsung Galaxy Note just after Whatphone launched and to be honest, I enjoyed it. It’s a very different device to the iPhones I usually favour. But I work on the creative side of Whatphone, helping out with designs and the Galaxy Note, with it’s ‘S Pen’ impressed me more than many of the Android products I’d used.
They’re expensive devices though. All the hardware and screen in a Galaxy Note means you’ll be shelling out for a high end price plan – something in the $60 – $70 area. I was just as interested to see what Samsung would do with the next generation of Phablet as I was when I picked the original up. And the Galaxy Note 2 has not let me down. I love it.
Galaxy Note 2 Review – Size
Let’s start with the most obvious things. The look and the screen. The Galaxy Note 2 is a sexier device than the original was. Gone are the basic, black, plastic aesthetics of the Galaxy family’s last generation. The new Galaxy Note 2 has all the curves of the Galaxy S3 and a couple more colour choices to boot. It’s a genuinely beautiful phone with intriguing colours that will draw the eye.
The 5.5 inch, High Definition screen got my attention ! The specs say that it’s not got the same pixel density as the iPhone 5, or even iPhone 4S. In fact, resolution has dropped from 1280 x 800 on the original Galaxy Note to a more standard 1280 x 720 on the Galaxy Note 2.
It’s not a product to leap to conclusions about. It’s possible to write it off because of the size, straight away. But sticking with the Galaxy Note 2 for a few days, concerns disappear. It really is not that heavy in practical terms. You really do get used to it.
What you get in exchange for the 180 grams is an awe inspiring screen. The 5 x 5 icon grid ( with an extra row at the bottom which doesn’t change when you scroll, seems just right when I’m sitting at home, watching TV and playing with my phone.
Galaxy Note 2 Review – The Note 2 is fast
The Galaxy Note 2 runs Jellybean ( Android’s latest iteration, version 4.1 ) out of the box. Put that together with a quad core processor and boy, it’s fast.
On top of that, the Note 2 has LTE installed. I’m just getting used to my life being that little bit better on an iPhone 5 with LTE. Experiencing network speeds that fast, wherever I am, on a second device has made me realise that this is what the world’s like now. All devices are going to be LTE from here on in. And it’s great.
I literally found myself playing with the Galaxy Note 2 every evening, long after the initial ‘rush’ of having a new device has passed and I’m focused on using my phone as a tool again.
Galaxy Note 2 Review – Stylus
The original stylus was a bit of a gimmick. All plastic except for the tip, it was so round I worried it’d fall off the table if I put it down. Not so with the new one.
The new stylus is more comfortable to hold, it integrates better with the software and it won’t roll anywhere. Holding the S Pen over emails and it’ll preview them. Use it to scroll up and down. Apply different levels of pressure to the screen and it recognises whether you’re pushing hard or softly.
I used the S Pen for doodling, writing lists of things I had to remember and making notes on the back of pictures which was a feature I loved although I’m not sure I’d actually use it long term.
There’s still some way to go with the Stylus. The rubber tip helps but there’s still a gap between where I pressed and where the image of the line I drew came up. The Stylus on the Galaxy Note 2 is not perfect but it is worthwhile and usable.
Galaxy Note 2 Review – Fun to use
The Galaxy Note 2 is literally fun to use. Feet up on the sofa, I was browsing favorite and new websites, watching You Tube in commercial breaks, messing around with the Stylus. It’s a while since a new product has gripped me this way.
Galaxy Note 2 Review – Summary
The original Note pushed the limits of previous Smart Mobile Phones and, in so doing, invented a category. It was an experiment that worked. Here we are, a year later and they’ve improved on it again with the Note 2.
It’s blisteringly fast in every way. It’s a pleasure to use. The size can be accommodated without feeling like you’re lugging around a pocket full of 10 cent pieces and, most of all, like I say, it’s fun to use.
I’m sticking with my iPhone5 . I love it. But I’m leaving the Galaxy Note 2 on the coffee table in front of the TV and I reckon it’ll be a while before I pick up my iPad again. For many people, who prefer the Android platform and have a creative side, the Galaxy Note might just be the single device which replaces a phone and a tablet. It’s that good.