Samsung Galaxy Note review
Is it a very big phone or a very small tablet? Julian Prokaza takes a look at the unusual Galaxy Note in our review.
Samsung may think it bridges the gap between two different mobile devices, but the Galaxy Note GT-N7000 ends up being neither one thing nor the other as a result. The big screen certainly looks great, but the overall size makes it awkward to use and it’s just not as practical as either a more traditionally proportioned smartphone or tablet.
Steve Jobs once questioned the need for a smartphone stylus when people have five such tools attached to each hand, but Samsung has still decided to supply one with the Galaxy Note GT-N7000. It slots into a hole at the bottom right of the case and is about the size of a ballpoint pen. On a smartphone with a capacitive multi-touch screen, it's about as useful, too.
The thinking no doubt is that a screen this size offers almost the same surface area as a notepad and so can be used as such. Indeed, the only stylus-specific app the Galaxy Note comes with is the template-based S Memo app (which still works with a fingertip), but while this offers the usual options for creating colourful scribbles, the screen response is too laggy to make it effective for note-taking and there's no handwriting recognition. It's also tricky to write on the screen in portrait mode without the hand holding the stylus making contact with the two touch-sensitive buttons below the screen, which interrupts the scribbling somewhat.
Sign up today and you will receive a free copy of our Future Focus 2026 report - the leading resource for IT decision-maker insight on priorities and investment areas in AI, security and more.
-
16-year-old boy arrested for masterminding KillSec ransomware groupNews Police have taken control of KillSec's leak site, securing at least 110 terabytes of data against further unauthorized access
By Emma Woollacott Published
-
Chinese hackers impersonate leading AI figures to harvest credentialsOne phishing incident saw email recipients invited to join an AI policy advisory committee
By Emma Woollacott Published
-
New Omdia study shines light on Kaseya's unified IT service delivery platformNews MSPs save more than $310,000 on average per year after standardizing on the vendor's offering, according to the findings
By Daniel Todd Published