IFA 2012: First Look at the Samsung Galaxy Note II - 3DNews

Samsung Galaxy Note II has become the most anticipated device IFA 2012. In the sense that it was probably the only device, about which no one in doubt – in Berlin, it will definitely show. So, actually, what happened

With iron

Samsung decided to outperform all at once: in Note II a quad processor with 1.6 GHz and 2 GB of RAM. The device operates in the networks as GSM/3G, and LTE, so the theoretical maximum data transfer rate up to 100 Mbit / s. Naturally, in the Galaxy Note II, and there is Wi-Fi 801a/b/g/n, and Bluetooth 4.0, and even NFC.

Not without its ubiquitous support for GPS and GLONASS. Flash memory ranges: 16, 32 or 64 GB. The phone supports MicroSD memory cards up to 64 GB – so there is room enough in any case. Is that a camera in the latter-day “courtesy light” is not the most-8 MP camera with flash on the rear side and 1.9 megapixels – the front. On top of all of this is set Android 4.1, tucked in, of course, proprietary shell Samsung.

display – the main component of any smart phone, but in the case of Galaxy Note is a really major-major component. It is because of the huge screen with a diagonal of 5.3 inches and buy these “lampshades”. In the second generation Note diagonal display has grown even more, up to 5.55 inches. Needless, Super AMOLED – differently in top smartphones and Samsung does not happen.

display is stretched out of proportion: the width of it was even lower a couple of millimeters. But considerably increased in length (height?) – Has increased from 115 to 123-124 mm. Changing proportions affected the formal definition, it is slightly decreased, from 1280×800 to 1280×720 pixels.

, however, declined to permit – depending on how you count points. In the first Galaxy Note colored diodes are arranged according to the scheme PenTile RG-BG, in which each pixel has only two subpixels – red + green + blue or green. In the Galaxy Note 2, as well as in the Galaxy S II and Galaxy Tab 7.7, using a simple, honest layout: a pixel here we have three diodes of each of the primary colors – RGB.

So the real solution grown from 2 to 2.7 million sub-pixels, and the picture in the end is a bit smoother. Aesthetes can rejoice: “Christmas tree effect” on the borders of flowers finally absent – though see it at this resolution it was still extremely difficult. Markedly changed and color: the screen Galaxy Note, pretty “green” image, and the display Note II of its “Shinichi.” Also not ideal, but still better than before.

Accordingly

display reformatted and housing: a little longer, a little narrower. The right decision – despite the larger display, a new “bubble” in the hand is even better than the old one. We can assume that in the next generation Galaxy Note width will return to its original value, the length a little longer to grow, and the screen size while maintaining approximately the same level of convenience has become quite appalling – something like 5.8 inches.

Design Galaxy Note II – a cross between the first Note and Galaxy S III: the same glossy plastic, but less rounded form. As for colors, Note II is available in two variants, white and dark gray. It is gray, not gray-blue, like a dark version of the Galaxy S III.

White – a white, austere. In the embodiment, the dark as in the Galaxy S III and tablets line Samsung ATIV, a transparent laminate surface metallized. In bright light it gleams a la “shredded aluminum.” Probably will later, and some ladies’ version – pink, red, flowered with Hello Kitty?

Battery compartment, as in the rest of smartphones Samsung, is made of polycarbonate. In the Galaxy Note II it is more thorough than in the previous model: keeping it in his fingers as shown in the picture is more complicated – tries to straighten up and slip out.

battery is hidden under her amazingly high by the standards of smartphones capacity: 3100 mA * h Budding battery. However, it should be borne in mind that an extensive display and driven to slightly compared with what was Galaxy S III, quad-core processor capable of active use quickly empty battery. Therefore, the question about the battery life of the staff responsible as evasive promises only that it does not disappoint. It is clear, does not disappoint. Yet 3100 mA * h

Also under the hood you can find two pairs of contacts, and something like a connector for an external antenna. About this Koreans generally do not tell. It’s too bad.

reason good sales of the first Galaxy Note is obvious – a huge screen and a long operating at acceptable for continuous wear dimensions. Nevertheless, Samsung pretend that lured users the ability to use the pen. And for the Galaxy Note II prepared a number of improvements in this respect.

Improving

first, so to speak hardware: feather was a little longer and noticeably thicker. Its use has become more convenient than the pen of the first Note, but still not as good as a normal pen. Why, even ikeevskie pencil-cores will be more comfortable.

When removing the pen from the cavity in which it is stored, the screen shows a window, which collects all the pre-installed applications that are relevant to the pen input.

will be an additional mode of use of the pen, if they drive a certain distance from the screen, then activate all sorts of pop-up windows. This may be, for example, tip as pictured on. Or preview frame of a movie, like in the following picture.

Range – about one and a half inches from the tip of the pen to the screen. So afraid of accidental contact is not necessary – except in traffic. The chip is theoretically easy, but it has the obvious drawback: it is necessary to get a pen, and do it, as a rule, once again do not really want to.

For fans of pen input has a number of features from the Formula Auditing, and the form of simple shapes to the ability to cut a pen circled portion of the image and paste it wherever you want. Of course, there is also a handwriting recognition. Works, but not quickly and not without errors. The most “nyashnaya” function – the ability to insert a picture by keyword. For example, writing on the screen «cat» – and get to choose from several kartinochek. Workshop about Film starts.

However, in order to activate this mode, it is necessary for a second hold on the pen that is extremely uncomfortable, even for people with smaller hands. So in practice it will hardly be used. All the more so by default, the system does not know so many words. It is certainly possible to train and expand the supply of pictures. But it is difficult to imagine anyone who would want to do that.

general, in the opinion of the author, using the stylus to Samsung too clever by half. Let the activation of “pen mode” when removing the stylus – it’s definitely good. But further bells and whistles are somewhat doubtful. What percentage of owners Note II will use them? It would be even cheat?

could be easier to do: to make uncomplicated, but really handy application for handwritten notes, which would be started automatically when you remove the stylus. And concentrate on how to bring the pen to the haptics to the usual pen or pencil. To do this, you just have to pokoldovat with the material from which made the tip of the pen. Could get really handy notebook, built-in smartphone.

But in general, if the Galaxy Note II looks very similar to its predecessor, from the point of view of the hardware and software filling the new model is a cut above. In the Russian market “bubble” of the new generation should appear around October 2012. The price is still unknown, but it is low it will not be. However, it is clear that the newcomer will be cheaper than the cost the first Galaxy Note at the time of the appearance on the market. The Russian Samsung realized that at that time a little too far, and repeat the tactical error, improve sales of their European colleagues, now is not going to.