Samsung unveiled its anticipated Galaxy Note 7 phablet, stating that it offers “innovative features that set a new standard for large-screen devices”, with availability slated for later this month.
Noting that Samsung was a pioneer of the large-screen smartphone category with the first Note (launched in 2011), the company’s mobile chief DJ Koh said that “we faced sceptics who doubted us”. But after persevering with its efforts in this market, “today large-screen phones are the fastest growing segment of the smartphone market”.
As with previous incarnations, the device features the vendor’s S Pen stylus, in an updated form. It is coupled with a new Notes app, which enables users to create handwritten notes, draw, or edit memos from a single place; offers ‘air command’ features such as magnify and translate when hovering the pen over this display; and enables memos to be created without unlocking the screen.
It also has a smaller 0.7mm tip and improved pressure sensitivity.
Koh said it has been working with its ‘long term strategic partner Wacom’ on its stylus input for 7 years in order to evolve its functionality.
Samsung has also equipped the device with ‘advanced biometric authentication’, including fingerprint scanner and iris scanning technology. It said that the Note 7 “offers more authentication options that can be used interchangeably depending on how people use their phones, wherever they are, or whatever they are doing”.
It includes a secure folder which adds an additional layer of authentication to keep personal data safe.
Entertainment
The company also talked-up Note 7’s entertainment features, including its 5.7-inch QHD (2560×1440 pixel) curved screen, which it said is “ready to stream HDR video, enabling a cinema-like experience including brighter colours and a deeper black”. Samsung is working with Amazon to deliver HDR content to smartphones.
It includes the “dual-pixel sensor” 12MP camera introduced with Galaxy S7 and Galaxy S7 Edge. It also has a 5MP front-facing camera.
The device internals reflect its high-end positioning. It is powered by an octacore processor with 4GB of RAM and 64GB of storage (with microSD expansion slot).
The Android 6 (Marshmallow) powered device includes USB-C port and 3,500mAh battery with wireless charging support.
The company is also including an adapter to connect to devices with earlier USB jacks and, following reports that Apple is set to drop the headphone jack in its next-generation iPhone, the South Korean company highlighted that this is present in Note 7.
In addition Note 7 features an IP68 water resistant body (and S Pen).
Galaxy Note 7 will be available from 19 August, in four colours: blue, gold, silver and black.
VR update
Samsung also showcased an updated Gear VR headset, stating that “Galaxy Note 7’s incredible Super AMOLED screen and powerful processor delivers an ultra-immersive experience”.
It was described as “more ergonomic and comfortable”, with wider field of view (101 degrees, compared with 96 degrees for the earlier version).
It includes accelerometer, gyrometer and proximity sensor.
In addition to Galaxy Note 7, it supports S7, S7 Edge, Note 5, S6, S6 Edge and S6 Edge+ smartphones, with an adaptor to switch between USB-C and micro USB handsets. This, the vendor said, means it is both backwards compatible and future proof.
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