Samsung Galaxy Note

[Brian Stirling]

OK, my HTC Evo was stolen a couple weeks back and I'm in the market for a new phone and I see Samsung has come out with this monster called the Galaxy Note. I've been expecting other 5 inch screen phones, other that is from the Dell thing, and now Samsung has gone to 5.3 inch with 1280x800 resolution. Call me interested!!!

I do think they could have made a better effort to minimize the bezel and maybe 5.3 inch is a bit large even with a small bezel, but having that big a screen and that kind of resolution is VERY tempting. If Verizon gets this phone and with LTE support I can't see why they would not then this may just be the beast for me.

When HTC jumped to 4.3 inch with the EVO there were a lot, no make that a LOT of people losing it because that phone was too big. Now, of course, the average smart phone is 4.3 inches so the early fears of the EVO being too big never panned out. But, I do expect the same folks to lose it once again with the Note.


Brian

 

[Fire&Blood]

I have large hands, can easily hold a basketball with one hand. While 4.3" & 4.5" screen handsets were no problem, I think the Galaxy Note is too big for the average consumer.


Due to it's pricing and size, the Note isn't a mainstream device so I doubt any US carrier would pick it up.


It's a great device though. I am sure that using it would seem practical in a 10 minute hands on, but in real life usage, this device is twice as likely to be dropped compared to existing phones.

It's headed for the niche market but that's not necessarily a bad thing, there are folks who would consider this the top phone right now and they wouldn't be far off.

 

[Brian Stirling]

Well if the replies to the videos on YouTube are any indication there seems to be quite a few people drooling over it. I do think they could have made it a bit smaller with the same screen and I'll withhold judgement until I have one in my hands, but I am interested.

I think the smart phone market will split in two with smaller ones being more limited with internet browsing so that to do that effectively you will wind up using it as a hotspot with another device (tablet, netbook, laptop). The larger smart phones will trend towards 5 inches so that you can use it effectively for browsing without needing another device. My EVO was close to enough for browsing but not quite so a 5.3 inch device with much higher resolution may just be enough.

You maybe right that none of the carriers will offer it so the full price will be paid upfront. If this is so then they will lose out on the 2 year contracts and early termination fees they love so much. It will be interesting to see what the fully zooted Note will cost -- I'm guessing $800+ USD...


Brian

 

[Fire&Blood]

Agreed that there is a trends towards even bigger screens, I disagree on the extent though, I think 4.5" is where mainstream consumers will draw the line, 4.7" may be experimented with though. Even with extreme reductions in bezel, 5.3" screens are out of reach for mainstream.

Looking at my HD2's footprint, 4.5" display could be fit within with slight reduction in bezel. Due to the nature of 16:9 displays, the space needed for bezel reduction is on the x axis, which most phones could shave off a lot.

Having played with the Streak, I think I have an idea how the Note may feel in hand.

I think 4.3" opened the door to prolonged viewing, for me content is simply much more immersive at that size, and 4'5" would be my sweet spot between immersion and portability.

As for the Note, it's a kick ass device, even if it's headed to the niche market. If I were to nitpick, I wish it had a 1280x720 resolution instead to ditch the black bars with 720p content.

 

[MrX8503]

I didn't think 4.3" was too big before it became mainstream. However, I think 5"+ is too big. If the phone had zero bezel then I would use a 5"+ screen phone.

 

[Fire&Blood]

Zero bezel is impossible though, palm of the hand holding the phone would interact with the screen constantly, sensors, mics and FF cams would have no room for placement.

 

[Brian Stirling]

Time will tell whether 4.5 inches will become the sweet spot -- I think it will be larger. My experience with the 4.3 EVO was that it was close but not quite large enough for prolonged viewing. Give that size screen something closer to 300 dpi and maybe it would be enough, but, once again, I think not. 4.5 is bigger but only an RCH bigger so I'd think it will be bigger.

In truth, I expect to see some phones with resolution in the 1920x1200 range within a couple years as that would be very HD compatible and given a couple years the CPU and memory overhead to drive that resolution will be no more of a challenge than today's iPhone4. A screen of that resolution in a 5.3 inch format would be about 425 dpi.

Again, I think we'll see the smart phone market fragment into smaller (iPhone or less) size phones that will be used as a hotspot and larger phones that do not require another device to use effectively.


Brian

 

[titan131]

When you said a lot of people were "losing it" I thought you meant they were leaving it places, maybe because it wouldn't fit in their pockets, and losing it like that I have browsed for prolonged periods on my motorola milestone and it was a pain in the ass! (it has a 3.7inch screen) but 5.3inch is too big to carry around imo.

 

[Brian Stirling]

When you said a lot of people were "losing it" I thought you meant they were leaving it places, maybe because it wouldn't fit in their pockets, and losing it like that I have browsed for prolonged periods on my motorola milestone and it was a pain in the ass! (it has a 3.7inch screen) but 5.3inch is too big to carry around imo.

No, when I said they were "losing it" I meant that they were worked up in a bad way about the idea of a phone so big (4.3 inches). Again, I think Samsung could have made the Note a good bit smaller with a reduced bezel and smaller still if they'd gone to 5 inches instead of 5.3 inches. I think I'd trade a little thickness for a bit smaller LxW. I like that they started with a 2500mAHr battery but it remains to be seen just how long that will last with this phone.

Perhaps the most interesting feature, beyond the screen size and resolution, is the S-pen. I've long said that what the smart phone needs more than anything is a better user input device to select things and modify them. I would love to be able to call up an AutoCAD drawing, zoom in to an area, and then pull dimensions from some of the entities, but the current finger touch method just aint gonna do it. This S-pen, however, may well have the capabilities to do all that and more. If this phone can do this I WILL buy it!


Brian

 

[ponyo]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bfMmMrUwRnI

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QMvMWyXldzk

 

[Pliablemoose]

First Samsung product I've wanted in some time.

I have to read the reviews, but I really want one.

 

[Brian Stirling]

In addition to those videos I saw one showing built in hand writing recognition. Using the S-pen to enter text this way could be a game changer and really give Apple fits as they (Jobs) has been so public with there disdain for that type of input. And, as mentioned in my prior, if the S-pen can be used to select things it will make doing AutoCAD and Photoshop work way WAY more practical. I had an AutoCAD app for my EVO but didn't use it much, but the S-pen may make all the difference.

Brian

 

[Fire&Blood]

...In truth, I expect to see some phones with resolution in the 1920x1200 range within a couple years as that would be very HD compatible and given a couple years the CPU and memory overhead to drive that resolution will be no more of a challenge than today's iPhone4. A screen of that resolution in a 5.3 inch format would be about 425 dpi...
Brian

Agreed, that's where we are headed. I would prefer the display resolutions equal to media content, 720p and 1080p. Not only for full screen video viewing, the benefit of 1280x720 vs WXGA is narrower displays and ultimately, narrower devices. It's the width of these 4.3"+ devices, not the length that effects handling (yes, I know, that's what she said). I think all major OEM's will venture occasionally into the 5" zone.

S-Pen implies using both hands on the Note or a table to set the device on, remains to be seen how practical the use of it is. Likely to be sold unsubsidized, expact that the Note will be priced astronomically, beyond the SGS2 launch price. Unless heavily discounted sometime in the future, I wouldn't recommend buying one.

 

[Brian Stirling]

Interesting video showing the handwriting recognition and pen functionality.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Qv3coj2uc4

The interesting thing about the various videos is the high number of comments indicating a desire to own one. Looks like it may be available, at least in the UK, by early November. I'd guess more like December in the USA...


Brian

 

[foghorn67]

First Samsung product I've wanted in some time.

I have to read the reviews, but I really want one.

This is what I have been truly wanting since iPad's came out.
Everyone's afraid to merge consumable and productive.

 

[Fire&Blood]

Estimated prices differ by so much. Engadget Sep 6th:

Here's the letdown: the Galaxy Note is expected to top the charts in pricing as well, as it's being reported that we should see the device show up in Scandinavia by year's end for no less than €715 ($1,000 in the US).

Techwalls Sep 7th:

The good news is the tablet-phone hybrid will start shipping very soon. At the moment, you can pre-order it on Clove for the price of £600 (about US$ 960) including VAT. This is quite a mighty price but it hasn’t been confirmed yet, this is just a speculative price from Clove. Moreover, we all know that prices for electronic devices in UK are always higher than in other countries due to the high tax, so I believe the price for Galaxy Note will be much cheaper in other markets. Its price is expected to be just around $700.

If it's $1000, you could have bought both the SGS2 and a pretty much any tablet combined for the price of the Note.


$700, even if it's worth the money for some, still steep for a GB device.

 

[Brian Stirling]

Yep, price estimates are all over the map. My guess is it will come in about $50--$100 more than the Galaxy S II. Other than the pen the big difference is the screen and its resolution and I'd guestimate that difference at $50 with the pen adding a bit more.

It looks like my company will be sending me an iPhone4 this coming week even though I'd prefer not to have one. They changed there phone policy and now everyone gets iPhone4's. The prior plan reimbursed us at 90% of the monthly cost plus $200/year for hardware -- great while it lasted!

So the iPhone4 will be my only phone until I pick up my next personal phone and maybe that will be the Note.


Brian

 

[foghorn67]

Yep, price estimates are all over the map. My guess is it will come in about $50--$100 more than the Galaxy S II. Other than the pen the big difference is the screen and its resolution and I'd guestimate that difference at $50 with the pen adding a bit more.

It looks like my company will be sending me an iPhone4 this coming week even though I'd prefer not to have one. They changed there phone policy and now everyone gets iPhone4's. The prior plan reimbursed us at 90% of the monthly cost plus $200/year for hardware -- great while it lasted!

So the iPhone4 will be my only phone until I pick up my next personal phone and maybe that will be the Note.


Brian

This is exactly what happened to me. But the hypocritical guys in IT and upper management are running around with any Android they want.

 

[krumme]

In calendar view, is it possible to see 5 working days at the same time, and read the names and subject for around 4 meetings a day?

 

[OBLAMA2009]

if that thing is 1280x800 and you had a grandfathered unlimited plan what would you ever need a tablet for? these high res screens are supposed to become pretty common in the next year according to this website, i doubt phones like bionic will seem high end for very long

 

[NikolaeVarius]

I want one, so bad.

The large the screen the better.

 

[Brian Stirling]

Well many of the reports seemed to indicate that the Note would not be coming to the USA but it now looks more like it will.

http://www.slashgear.com/samsung-galaxy-note-headed-to-usa-on-att-says-fcc-30184411/

If the reports of early/mid November for the EU is right then early 2012 for the USA is my best guess and it could be earlier given the problems Samsung has had due to Apples legal maneuvering for the Galaxy S line. If they can manage an early December date for the USA this thing is going to fly off the shelves...


Brian

 

[poofyhairguy]

That article assumes a lot. Much of the world uses AT&T bands.

When the SGS2 first was released, Samsung ran the International Version (with its AT&T bands) through the FCC even though we never saw that device in that form. This could be the same thing all over again.

 

[Brian Stirling]

Yeah well I didn't say it WAS coming -- only that it looks more likely...


Brian

 

[poofyhairguy]

I hope so. I want the 7 inch SAMOLED tablet that seems to be its cell buddy.