Alex-Davies
- edited
A few weeks ago I wrote about the Galaxy Note 10.1, Samsung’s second device (and first tablet) to use their S Pen stylus technology. Yesterday I got to spend some time with the successor to the original S Pen smartphone, the GALAXY Note II. This update to the original GALAXY Note has a bigger screen, faster processor and updated S Pen functionality, overtop of the latest version of Android, Jelly Bean.
The Note II has a 5.5” Super AMOLED HD (1270x720) screen, which is narrower (16:9 aspect) than the original Note, so while it IS bigger, it doesn’t feel as big in the hand as the first Note. All of the standard S Pen functionality carries over from the Note, with lots of new and enhanced features, such Air View that detects the S Pen hovering over items on the Note II and lets you see a preview of them. The S Pen itself is thicker and longer, and the pressure sensitivity has been increased to a more artist-friendly 1024 levels of sensitivity (over the original Note’s 256). The underlying OS itself is an updated version to that of the Galaxy S III, but running on the even faster and smoother Android Jelly Bean. The Note II’s OS, in combination with the insanely powerful 1.6 GHz Exynos 4 Quad-core processor, makes for one the best Android smartphone experiences I have ever had. All this power is also backed up by one of the biggest smartphone batteries I have seen -- 3,100 mAh!
Check out some pictures of the GALAXY Note II and some of its accessories at the end of this post, along with my video interview with Samsung Canada and a hands-on with their latest smartphone below.
I currently have a GALAXY Note II to play with for a few weeks, so check back soon on the Tech Blog for my full review. You can also learn more about the Note II on Samsung’s Note II microsite.
Full Specifications
Operating System: Android 4.1 (Jelly Bean) + Samsung TouchWiz overlay
S Pen Optimized Features: S Pen Experience - S Note, S Planner, Email with hand-writing integration. S Pen Keeper. Quick Command, Easy Clip, Photo Note, Paper Artist. Shape Match, Formula Match
Processor: 1.6 GHz Quad-Core Exynos 4412 Processor
Memory, RAM: 2 GB DDR2
Memory, Storage: 16 GB onboard storage, microSD slot for up 64 GB of additional storage
Display: 5.5" 16:9 HD Super AMOLED (1,280 x 720), 267 ppi
Connectivity: HSPA+ 21 Mbps, 4G LTE
Input: Capacitive touch screen, pressure sensitive S Pen
Connections: Bluetooth 4.0, Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n (2.4 & 5 GHz), Wi-Fi Direct, USB 2.0 HS, A-GPS, DLNA, Samsung AllShare Play, Samsung AllShare Cast (WiFi Display), NFC, S Beam,
Battery: 3100 mAh, removable
Camera (Main): 8 MP Auto Focus Camera with LED Flash, BSI
Camera (Front): 1.9 MP
Dimensions: 80.5 x 151.1 x 9.4 mm (5.95 x 3.16 x 0.37 inches)
Weight: 180g (6.35 oz.)
The grey and white versions of the GALAXY Note II will be released on Bell, Rogers and Telus on October 30th, and can be pre-ordered (in-store ONLY with a $50 desposit) from Future Shop now.
Sporting a 5.5" Super AMOLED screen and a speedy 1.6GHz quad-core processor, the Samsung Galaxy Note 2 - White provides the power and screen size to do justice to even the most demanding apps. Enjoy 2GB of RAM, an 8MP rear camera and 1.9MP front camera, NFC, 3,100 mAh battery for lengthy performance and Android 4.1 Jelly Bean in this stunning White shell.
Sporting a 5.5" Super AMOLED screen and a speedy 1.6GHz quad-core processor, the Samsung Galaxy Note 2 - Grey provides the power and screen size to do justice to even the most demanding apps. Enjoy 2GB of RAM, an 8MP rear camera and 1.9MP front camera, NFC, 3,100 mAh battery for lengthy performance and Android 4.1 Jelly Bean in this stunning Silver shell.
Sporting a 5.5" Super AMOLED screen and a speedy 1.6GHz quad-core processor, the Samsung Galaxy Note 2 - White provides the power and screen size to do justice to even the most demanding apps. Enjoy 2GB of RAM, 8MP rear camera and 1.9MP front camera, NFC, 3,100mAh battery and Android 4.1 Jelly Bean in this stunning White shell.
Sporting a 5.5" Super AMOLED screen and a speedy 1.6GHz quad-core processor, the Samsung Galaxy Note 2 - Grey provides the power and screen size to do justice to even the most demanding apps. Enjoy 2GB of RAM, 8MP rear camera and 1.9MP front camera, NFC, 3,100mAh battery and Android 4.1 Jelly Bean in this stunning Silver shell.
Sporting a 5.5" Super AMOLED screen and a speedy 1.6GHz quad-core processor, the Samsung Galaxy Note 2 - Grey provides the power and screen size to do justice to even the most demanding apps. Enjoy 2GB of RAM, an 8MP rear camera and 1.9MP front camera, NFC, 3,100 mAh battery for lengthy performance and Android 4.1 Jelly Bean in this stunning Silver shell.
Gallery of images of the GALAXY Note II
Comparison with the HTC One X 4.7" phone
Official Samsung GALAXY Note II accessories
Slideshow with additional pictures of the GALAXY Note II:
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