REVIEW - Samsung Galaxy Note 5
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Back in 2011, Samsung took a
calculated risk -it released a highend Android phone with a large
screen. The screen was 5.3-inches (pretty large back then, when 4-inch
and 4.5-inch screens were the norm). Apart from the screen though, the
Note was novel because of the precise stylus which could be used for
drawing, scribbling notes, annotating documents and the like. The Note
created a whole new category of smartphone and in less than a year, they
sold more than 10 million of them. The same recipe was used to
create subsequent Notes (the Note line expanded into tablets in 2012),
each one with a fairly long list of improvements over the predecessor.
Coming back to the latest generation, the 5th edition retains all the
functionality of the original Note but with a massive design makeover,
in keeping with the company's latest design language for its premium
smartphones. Like the Galaxy S6, it has a tough (and beautiful) hardened
aluminium frame sandwiched between Gorilla Glass 4. Look around the
back though, and you'll see curved class. Unlike the edge series of
phone which have a dual curved screen, the Note 5 has a dual curve on
the back -this makes fit better in most hands.Despite the screen size,
this phone is actually quite comfortable to hold. Overall size has been
kept down (thanks to the really thin bezels around the screen) and the
weight is a very manageable 171 grams. In comparison, the iPhone 6s
Plus, with a smaller 5.5-inch screen is taller, wider and heavier (192
grams vs 171 grams -a very substantial difference when it comes to
phones).
Looking around the Note, you're constantly reminded that this is a premium device. It has subtle chamfered edges, a dazzling amoled screen and surfaces that glint with even the faintest amount of light. You can get it in gold, black or silver and all three colours look great. The power button is on the right and individual volume buttons are on the left -all of them are very tactile.Up front, the screen dominates -again, you'll be amazed at how thin the bezels around the screen have become. The oval home button includes the fingerprint scanner, flanked by capacitive buttons. Above the screen, you'll see a notification light, proximity light sensors and the 5MP front camera. Underneath, you'll see the speaker grill, micro USB port, audio port and the stylus.
The stylus has a new eject mechanism -you have to push it in to eject rather than pull it out. The top of the stylus has a satisfying clicky mechanism -which does nothing except aid in its removal.It also has a button which activates the Air Command menu when in close proximity to the screen. It's probably a slight design oversight, but the stylus can also be inserted in the wrong way -doing so will damage an internal mechanism that detects when the stylus has been removed.
One of the best new features is the screen off memo. If you eject the stylus with the phone in standby, you can immediately start writingdrawing on the screen. Since its amoled, only the area you write is lit while every thing else stays dark. Once done, simply place the stylus back into the silo -the memo is saved and the device goes back into standby .
This feature alone was so useful that we found ourselves using it a couple of times a day . Obviously, there are a bunch of other im provements too, such as a custom isable Air Command menu.
The camera is the same as the S6, S6 edge and edge +, which is to say, it's spectacular. You'll get amazing results with zero fuss.
It's easily the best camera of any smartphone we've used. At the time of writing, we're yet to try out the iPhone 6s Plus, but that's probably its closest competitor.
In terms of specifications, it has a lot in common with the S6 edge +. While the S6 edge + is all pomp and show, the Note 5 is more subdued, more practical and more functional. In that sense, it's an ideal choice for the e power user while the S6 edge + is more for someone who prefers form over function (what we g said in its review).
Certain sacrifices have been made to achieve the svelte form -the most notable of which is the battery life. The 3,000mAh battery doesn't seem enough for a device of this kind, with this kind of screen, with this of power, camera and use case. It can last you a full day with normal use but that screen just begs to be used. Luckily, it charges really fast and wireless charging is built in too.
Overall, it's the best Note ever and the price is palatable -we've seen online prices as low as `47,000 for the 32GB version (and Samsung is currently including a free wireless charger). If you like to do most of your work on a smartphone, there's nothing bet ter than this.
Looking around the Note, you're constantly reminded that this is a premium device. It has subtle chamfered edges, a dazzling amoled screen and surfaces that glint with even the faintest amount of light. You can get it in gold, black or silver and all three colours look great. The power button is on the right and individual volume buttons are on the left -all of them are very tactile.Up front, the screen dominates -again, you'll be amazed at how thin the bezels around the screen have become. The oval home button includes the fingerprint scanner, flanked by capacitive buttons. Above the screen, you'll see a notification light, proximity light sensors and the 5MP front camera. Underneath, you'll see the speaker grill, micro USB port, audio port and the stylus.
The stylus has a new eject mechanism -you have to push it in to eject rather than pull it out. The top of the stylus has a satisfying clicky mechanism -which does nothing except aid in its removal.It also has a button which activates the Air Command menu when in close proximity to the screen. It's probably a slight design oversight, but the stylus can also be inserted in the wrong way -doing so will damage an internal mechanism that detects when the stylus has been removed.
One of the best new features is the screen off memo. If you eject the stylus with the phone in standby, you can immediately start writingdrawing on the screen. Since its amoled, only the area you write is lit while every thing else stays dark. Once done, simply place the stylus back into the silo -the memo is saved and the device goes back into standby .
This feature alone was so useful that we found ourselves using it a couple of times a day . Obviously, there are a bunch of other im provements too, such as a custom isable Air Command menu.
The camera is the same as the S6, S6 edge and edge +, which is to say, it's spectacular. You'll get amazing results with zero fuss.
It's easily the best camera of any smartphone we've used. At the time of writing, we're yet to try out the iPhone 6s Plus, but that's probably its closest competitor.
In terms of specifications, it has a lot in common with the S6 edge +. While the S6 edge + is all pomp and show, the Note 5 is more subdued, more practical and more functional. In that sense, it's an ideal choice for the e power user while the S6 edge + is more for someone who prefers form over function (what we g said in its review).
Certain sacrifices have been made to achieve the svelte form -the most notable of which is the battery life. The 3,000mAh battery doesn't seem enough for a device of this kind, with this kind of screen, with this of power, camera and use case. It can last you a full day with normal use but that screen just begs to be used. Luckily, it charges really fast and wireless charging is built in too.
Overall, it's the best Note ever and the price is palatable -we've seen online prices as low as `47,000 for the 32GB version (and Samsung is currently including a free wireless charger). If you like to do most of your work on a smartphone, there's nothing bet ter than this.
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