Samsung Galaxy Note II (GSM)
Phone Scoop Review
Oct 24, 2012 by Eric M. Zeman
The Galaxy Note II proves that sometimes the sequel surpasses the original. The Note II, with its larger screen, faster processor, and much-improved camera, is a real contender for king of the phablets. read review ›
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A good phone, not a great phone
Carrier: T-Mobile
I have had the Note 2 for about two weeks. Good phone but it has a couple of serious issues.
Pros: -Screen size is outstanding, allows my aging eyes to see screen better
-Great reception
-OK apps
Cons: -Poor volume control placement (I oftentimes hit the down key when turning off the scree with the button on the opposite side)
-Apps not quite as good as with Apple
I overall like the phone, I wanted to try something different (I love the iPhone but had grown complacent with it). Many times when I go to turn off the screen, I accidentally push the volume button down causing me to miss a couple of calls. Poor placement of the buttons. Most of the apps for my old iPhone have their counterpart on the Android but there are several missing ones that I would really like to have. Also the headphones that came with this are HORRIBLE. A lot of distortion. Plugged in my iPhone headset and the music was MUCH better.
I was drawn to this by the screen size. HUGE. Sometimes I want to check things out without having to put my reading glasses on. Making the text larger helps and with more screen real estate, I can read more on one screen without having to scroll constantly.
Reception is pretty good also.
If iPhone made one with a screen this size, I would gladly go back, until then I am on this phone for the foreseeable future.
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Best phone I've ever had so far
Carrier: T-Mobile
Coming from an iPhone I was extremely happy on how much more I can do. Run two video apps at a time, very very quick processor and most amazing screen ever, nothing else compares side by side in HD new movie trailers etc.
Pros
Love the big screen, very accurate with texting and using the stylus. You can even use it too as if your writing a letter and the note will write it out as a text. pretty cool.
Quad Core Processor is awesomely fast! I don't know of any other cellphone that is currently on the market with a quad core chip or at least in the US to compete.
Reading anything in font is a lot easier on the eyes due to the big screen
Battery life is awesome! I use it all day for work/school and its not even in power saving mode
Galaxy S-Voice is very accurate along with google voice search
Camera is so good that I actually forget its only 8 mp and the features are very useful such as timer (which iPhones don't have) burst shots and more.
The speakers are also loud and clear compared to the iPhone.
Cons
Screen has a disadvantage of being so big, it's hard to text or do things privately. I'm always having someone over my shoulder or side looking at my phone. Also sometimes when talking on the phone, my face will somehow navigate its way to opening random apps and because the screen is so sensitive, it closes or does things without my intending to do so even when I'm just holding it.
Doesn't have group messaging like the iPhone iMessage or Blackberry BBM, I have to actually reply to each and every single person. Although I was told they have an app for it.
Overall I love the phone more than any of my previous phones. Treo, Sony, Samsung, Motorola etc being that used to work for t-mobile, I recommend trying this phone out cause who knows you might just actually get it! :)
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Hey iPhone users, eat your hearts out!!!
By far the best phone I've ever had.
Pros:
-Incredible and HUGE 5.5" screen
-Insanely fast 1.6 QUAD-CORE processor
-Awesome 2GB RAM
-Very fast HSPA+ (T-Mobile 4G)
-Android 4.1 Jelly Bean with Project Butter makes everything "buttery" smooth
-Incredibly lightweight for its tremendous size
-S-Pen works like an absolute dream
-TONS of ways to customize
-Air-View previews are extremely helpful and total eye candy
Cons:
-Difficult to operate with one hand but not impossible
-No "Multi-view" multitasking out of the box but coming in a later OTA
This phone is an absolute beast, in size and in performance. Opening, closing and switching applications is absolutely SEAMLESS thanks to its Quad-Core processor and the very generous 2GBs of RAM. The screen does cut down on PPI density from phones like the Galaxy S3 but its NOT noticible. I'm very confident in saying that Samsung has not only set the bar very HIGH but that they have totally reinvented the smartphone.
5/5 *NO QUESTION ABOUT IT*
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And we have a winner!!!
Wow! Where do I start.... Ok. The Galaxy Note 2 is absolutely hands down one of the best phone/tablet out! I've never had a phone that was this much fun and this well built! Lets give you some pros/cons:
Pros:
4.1 Jelly Bean is smooth and fast!
5.5 inch SuperAmoled HD is fantastic
Slimmer design is more hand friendly
Quad core Xynos is a demon!
2GB ram. No lag or hiccups there.
S pen is awesome!
New body is gorgeous!
Loud speaker is incredible!
Battery life by far is the best!
Camera is very nice and takes gorgeous photos and very fast.
Internet is blazing!
Customization is endless!
Cons:
Not a lot of cases out right now.
Can be too big for those with small hands.
Bottom line:
The Galaxy Note 2 is an absolute 10 and if youre thinking of picking one up then hurry! I love it and very pleased with overall performance!
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5 out of 5... 10 out of 10.. A++ Need I say more?
Nay, I don't need to say more but I will. The first words out of my mouth were "Holy Cow!" The next words were "Wow... amazing!" I didn't think that I would be that impressed coming from the original Samsung Galaxy Note, but I was. This device is earth shattering. Blazing fast internet speeds, smooth, super snappy application transitions and brain busting display colors make this phone a 5 out of 5, or a 10 out of 10. Or an A++. What ever your rating scale may be... this phone sits at the top.
I won't give you all the tech specs... those are already listed by other users and readily available publicly. I will give you an honest non-biased review.
OMG this phone is awesome. The white version has a sleek, elegant look. The blue has the same look but with a masculine metal look, and blue color give it a manly. Either one has incredible aesthetic appeal that I often find myself just looking at it sitting on the desk.
The display colors are so crisp, and clear that when looking at a photo it almost appears that you are looking thru the picture.. or even feels like you could actually be in it.
Jelly Bean is fast, reliable and loaded with such a huge host of features it would take you a few months to know the full capabilities of the phone and operating system.
I like virtual buttons better than mechanical buttons, but this phone has both, and the mechanical button really isn't a CON, tho the virtual buttons more of a personal preference.
The phone does fit in my front pants pocket, no problem. I don't wear overly baggy pants, or overly tight pants, just regular pants/jeans, and it fits.
This phone is light years in technology ahead of the apple iphone. I feel bad that apple users are throwing their money away on technology that is already old. Dear apple users, I have some old computers that I'll sell you for new computer prices. And I'll even add all the hype to convince you that you're buying something special, even tho you are not.
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The best phone I've ever had
Not only is this the best phone I've ever had, it's possibly the best electronic device of any kind I've ever had. It's lightweight, huge screen, extremely colorful display, super fast processor, takes great pictures including panoramic, battery life is great and it feels solid. The s-pen is great for taking notes, previewing emails, movies, pictures, and other media. I had an iphone before this and almost bought the iphone 5 and boy am I glad I didn't. There's nothing wrong with the iphone but I like this phone much better. It also takes a micro sd card which is great for storing pics, videos, and files. My only real con is that it's got a slippery back casing so I can't wait for my ordered case to get here. Seriously, there's not another phone like it and if you like the size - it's the perfect phone.
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Samsung reinvents the wheel
Absolutely the best phone I have EVER had. I owned 5 iphones, two HTC, two Nokia and one other Samsung note. This phone is amazing, it is so good, I have authorized my company to issue them to our road crews. Fast, beautiful, extremely vibrant display. All the speed and options you could imagine! I will never return to Apple, this phone is far more powerful and flexible!! Thanks Samsung -
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Great Phone For The Right Person
Carrier: AT&T
I just upgraded my phone to the Galaxy S4 but I really liked the Note II. The battery lasts me all day of moderate to heavy use, and does not go into the Yellow or Red. I havn't found much use for the pen feature, I am sure there are some that love this feature.
Pros: Long Battery Life
Big display
Great sound quality for calls and music
Good camera
Cons:Display is only 720P and not 1080P if
your watching movies.
Multi-screen mode does not work like the ads
show.
Over all this is a great phone. I did have issue's with one handed operation and I have large hands, and finding case's can be a challange. Looking forward to the Galaxy Note III.
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Love this Phone
I love this phone, it took me only a week to get used to the size (and it's huge make no mistake about it). But the camera is awesome, I got compliments on pictures I took and people asked me if I had a digital camera or a camera phone and when I told them a phone they were shocked. The phone is very speedy, and I never had issues with dropped calls. The information widgets are great (active applications, energy savers). The only things I don't like about the phone, which I heard has been addressed on the Note 2, is there is no push to talk button which is kind of a pain. The pen is awesome but I found I didn't use it as much as I thought, but those days when I didn't feel like typing my texts or email it came in handy. I love this phone and until I can get the Note 2 I will be loving using this one.
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Me, daily: "These guys have thought of everything!"
Carrier: AT&T
I am a design engineer, mostly telecom (not mobile). The only fault I can find with this phone is that I wish the screen were brighter. I am coming from the LG Nitro HD which has an IPS HD display that is probably the best I've seen.
Capability-wise, this device does everything, but what blows me away, is the level of integration: Pull out the pen while you're on a call- it pops up a notepad, then lets you send the notes to the caller at the end of the call, if you wish. Look at a picture, and tap, and press the S-Pen button, you can annotate right on front of it, or annotate on the "back". Swipe the side of your palm across the phone to take a screenshot anytime, if your pen is out, you can write on that.
I've had it for about a week, and every day I learn something(s) that make me realize the amount of thought these guys put into the device! (They weren't copying anyone.) You can activate a camera mode where a photo is snapped when you say "cheese" or "capture", great for low-light situations where tapping the button would cause blur, or for self-portraits without the timer.
Pros: It does everything I never thought of, but realize I'll use. Way too many to list
Con: The screen could be a brighter
You have to live with one for a little while. Download the user's Digest app, flip through it and watch the embedded tutorial videos. They thought of that too!
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