Samsung Galaxy Note II

[editor]

This seems a worth a thread of its own seeing as the first version did so well. It's a big fella alright, with an even bigger screen than the first one (it's now 5.5").

Early reviews seem very positive and Gizmodo was impressed: http://gizmodo.com/5945272/samsung-galaxy-note-ii-hands on-bigger-better

More: http://www.samsung.com/global/microsite/galaxynote/note2/

 

[editor]

The updated Note 2 is slightly thinner than its predecessor at 9.4mm and packs a 1.6GHz 4+1 processor, 1280×720 Super AMOLED display and runs on the latest Android 4.1 Jelly Bean Android OS.

Big in size and big on features, the phone also comes with the rather natty S-Pen stylus, S-Beam sharing technology, NFC connectivity and an 8-megapixel camera aroun the back.

The Note 2 be served up in 16GB, 32GB and 64GB flavours, with a MicroSD card slot allowing additional storage

http://www.wirefresh.com/samsung-galaxy-note-2-gets-uk-pricing-and-release-date/

 

[elbows]

You are missing a d near the end of the article.

8-megapixel camera aroun the back

 

[barney_pig]

waiting for my upgrade has meant that I missed the note altogether and will be upgrading just in time for the release of the note 2

 

[Badgers]

Oooh
Oooh

Thank goodness I was too poor to get the first one that I REALLY WANTED A LOT.

/subscribed to thread

 

[editor]

You are missing a d near the end of the article.

I was trying to sound down with the kids.

 

[2hats]

Available tomorrow a day early from Westfield Stratford City apparently before going on UK-wide sale Monday. Some PAYM price plans are already advertised.

 

[ChrisD]

Very tempted to get one for work. Anyone used a note 1 with viewfinder OS mapping ?
Other option is to look for a discounted old model. Is there a formula for how much price reduction for the out of date version?
Annoying that (I assume) otterbox type cases for note 1 won't fit note 2...

 

[kazza007]

I have only one apple product (iphone 4), and want to get away from the pathetic hype kids being robbed hundreds of pounds for an average phone.

Think a samsung phone will be next...I saw someone with a note, and they're huge. God knows how this will look. I like the idea of a big old screen on a phone, to double up as a tablet..but is it too big...people watching you browse over your shoulder or send texts? Is the galaxy III a more viable option for me? Just something I'll consider in the future, to get away from the silly hype fanboys.

Is there much difference between the I & 2, and how much are off the peg models for each in a 16gb/32gb?

 

[editor]

The S3 is a good compromise for screen size.

 

[editor]

Here's a video showing off some of its features. It really does look rather good. Good to see some real innovation going on.

 

[pocketscience]

Here's a video showing off some of its features. It really does look rather good. Good to see some real innovation going on.

Who'd have thunk it. Samsung making great use of a rectangle with rounded corners

 

[pinkmonkey]

Very tempted to get one for work. Anyone used a note 1 with viewfinder OS mapping ?
Other option is to look for a discounted old model. Is there a formula for how much price reduction for the out of date version?
Annoying that (I assume) otterbox type cases for note 1 won't fit note 2...

Not with OS mapping but I find the size just perfect for any kind of map navigation, in the car or walking, which is my main reason for using it. I no longer need to take paper maps when I'm travelling, I find it handy that you can screengrab a Google map and mark on where the hotel is and save it to a desktop so there's no fumbling around or looking stuff up when you step off the metro. It is also just big enough for me to show and go through my design work with clients, should they ask me about stuff when I don't have my laptop with me. I would deffo get the 2 if I was upgrading.

 

[mauvais]

Not with OS mapping but I find the size just perfect for any kind of map navigation, in the car or walking, which is my main reason for using it. I no longer need to take paper maps when I'm travelling, I find it handy that you can screengrab a Google map and mark on where the hotel is and save it to a desktop so there's no fumbling around or looking stuff up when you step off the metro. It is also just big enough for me to show and go through my design work with clients, should they ask me about stuff when I don't have my laptop with me. I would deffo get the 2 if I was upgrading.

Did you know that you can download large areas of Google Maps for offline viewing now? Maps -> Menu -> Make available offline

 

[pinkmonkey]

Yes, that's what I do - then save on the desktop. I can then scribble my notes on if I want.

 

[mauvais]

Not a picture - the actual maps, e.g. all the map data for the Berlin area, for instance. Then you don't need Wi-Fi or mobile data access when travelling.

 

[barney_pig]

just seen an offer on vodafone for a new ipad for £30 a month, and am wondering whether to just go payg on my htc desire z and get one of these instead.

 

[editor]

Interesting: An LTE version of the Galaxy Note 2 will be available on both Orange and T-Mobile contracts from 15 October.

 

[editor]

Slashgear love it.

For some, the original Galaxy Note was a monstrosity: not quite a phone, not quite a tablet, and not standing any chance at all of ending up in their pocket or bag. They’re unlikely to be any more convinced by this refined, faster successor, since the main criticisms are the same: it’s big, it’s heavier than many phones, and it often requires two hands to use it properly.

Those not immediately turned off by the Note II’s size have a more tempting prospect ahead of them. The new phone offers a bigger display and better pen functionality, not to mention a jump in core performance and – until Samsung can push out OS updates – a newer and more user-friendly version of Android and TouchWiz than its predecessor. It’s nicer to look at and hold, faster in use, and lasts longer; most importantly, it takes greater advantage of the digital pen, something which continues to set the Note II apart from most of the competition.

First time around, Samsung had to convince us there was still a place for the stylus with today’s smartphones. That ice has already been broken for the Galaxy Note II, and while its audience is undoubtedly smaller than for the Galaxy S III, perhaps, or the iPhone 5, those opting for Samsung’s biggest smartphone will find themselves with a handset whose capabilities are even bigger than its display.

http://www.slashgear.com/samsung-galaxy-note-ii-review-06250653/

 

[editor]

If these rave reviews keep on coming in, I'm going to have a good look at one of these.

Samsung Galaxy Note II review

Samsung’s Galaxy Note II is a massive improvement on its predecessor – Matt Warman says he wants one.

On 4G, it will offer an overall experience as yet unprecedented in the UK. With the added bonus of Android Jelly Bean and Google Now, it’s hard to find any reason not to recommend the Galaxy Note. At around £30 per month, or roughly £500 unlocked, it’s not bad value either – for that money you're getting an extraordinary phone and a stunning tablet.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/technology/samsung/9590562/Samsung-Galaxy-Note-II-review.html

 

[Badgers]

I want one too (still) but just can't stretch to it. Getting by okay with the HTC Desire HD but it is not quite cutting it anymore

Off contract £500 is not outrageous for a phone of this size/type. However you could get a lot with that amount.

 

[ChrisD]

I've just realised that it uses a micro-sim. That annoys me as it prevents emergency swapping the sim into an old phone when the battery runs out option. Are all posh smart phones using that size sim these days?

 

[editor]

Samsung have just released the source code if you're techie enough to do anything with it:
http://www.engadget.com/2012/10/08/samsung-releases-galaxy-note-ii-source-code/

 

[2hats]

Heh. Have just ordered one.

 

[editor]

Look forward to your verdict!

 

[2hats]

I played with one the other day in a Phones4U (I think it was) store. Yes, it's a little big but it was impressively fast. Nice vivid display. Am looking forward to being able to swap batteries after several years with various iphones (upcoming flights to Oz+beyond dictate a decent run time for my in flight entertainment) and stuff SD cards with movies, etc.

Don't think I care about the size of the phone and looking somewhat Dom Joly-esque since I so rarely make (or indeed receive) calls on a mobile these days (even then could use a headset). It's all about the data.

 

[Onket]

This is the future of mobiles, for me. Can't see the point in a small screen when the technology is there for your phone to also be a tablet, etc.

Only downside is using it as a camera. There is a point when it becomes too big to hold up to take pics/video with (like those seen holding up their ipads like a big fucking window in front of them).

 

[editor]

This is the future of mobiles, for me. Can't see the point in a small screen when the technology is there for your phone to also be a tablet, etc.

Only downside is using it as a camera. There is a point when it becomes too big to hold up to take pics/video with (like those seen holding up their ipads like a big fucking window in front of them).

I'd say this screen is just about as big as you could ever get for using as a camera without looking an utter arse.

 

[editor]

I played with one the other day in a Phones4U (I think it was) store. Yes, it's a little big but it was impressively fast. Nice vivid display. Am looking forward to being able to swap batteries after several years with various iphones (upcoming flights to Oz+beyond dictate a decent run time for my in flight entertainment) and stuff SD cards with movies, etc.

Don't think I care about the size of the phone and looking somewhat Dom Joly-esque since I so rarely make (or indeed receive) calls on a mobile these days (even then could use a headset). It's all about the data.

That's true. I imagine I use my S2 as a phone around 1% of the time it's turned on.

 

[Hocus Eye.]

I've just realised that it uses a micro-sim. That annoys me as it prevents emergency swapping the sim into an old phone when the battery runs out option. Are all posh smart phones using that size sim these days?

Yes the market leaders, the Galaxy S3 and the iPhone5 do. You could always get a spare battery for the Samsung which would be a lot smaller than carrying an old phone. HTC went the wrong way with this though in their latest model and adopted the wired in battery system like Apple.