Hardware
The first thing that screams out at you is the sheer size of the handset, it’s a large devices, easily dwarfing almost all handsets out there, but in return you get a massive 5.3 inch 1280 x 800 Super-Amoled display. Samsung have done an admirable job at keeping the bezels to an absolute minimum, so what you get is a phone with best screen to size ratio.
In the hand its surprising light and thin. I were able to do most basic operations with one hand, but essentially this is a two handed handset, once I got over that hurdle, using the phone became very usable.
Samsung uses its typical hardwearing plastic throughout the phone, and while it does not feel super premium it does feel very well made and solid.
The display is a high resolution Amoled of the pentile variety, however, only those with eagle eyesight we feel will complain about the display. It is clean, crisp, wide viewing angles, infinite blacks and oversaturated poppy colours. With a display like this at 5.3 inches, it is a joy to look at.
Software
The phone ships with android 2.3.6 Gingerbread, with Samsung’s touchwiz overlay. It adds a host of useful additions such extra widgets, a more intuitive and efficient widget, folder and wallpaper picker, easy access to phone radios in a very smooth and mostly lag free interface. I particuary liked the ability to swipe left or right on a contact to either call or send a text. But it’s not all gravey, touchwiz is very cartoony opting to use bold colours, and while it does add functionality, at times it is at the cost of simplicity and elegance and of course Android 4.0 ICS improves vanilla flaour of android but leaps and bounds, however on the whole, I am fans of Samsung’s user interface.
Camera
Samsung have shown they know how to make excellent camera modules and, and the Galaxy note is no different, the handset takes excellent phones, with good levels of detail and colour reproduction. In particular macro shots turned out very well indeed, but like most phones, the Galaxy note did not fare so well in indoor situations.
Battery Life
With a massive screen one would expect battery like to be pretty dire, but the Galaxy note with its 2500mAh battery fared very well. I was easily able to get one full day out of it and two in low to medium usage.
Conclusion
The Galaxy Note is an excellent handset, once you get over its giant size. With a display so large it is a pleasure to use the phone for things like web browsing and watching media. Added to this the superb screen, great battery life and above average camera, you have an excellent all round device for those who think big can be better.
http://mobiletechblogger.co.uk/galaxy-note-review-fabulous-phablet/
The Breakdown
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Design
8
-
Display
9
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Camera(s)
8
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Reception / call quality
8
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Performance
7
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Software
7
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Battery life
8
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Ecosystem
8
