Samsung Galaxy Note: The FAQ Review

With every phone that gets released, we get a bunch of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) from readers and friends, whether they are tech geeks or just regular users. Mobile phones are ubiquitous, so the questions are also almost always the same.

So we at Phone Mantra decided to round these up for every phone we review and answer them quickly. We do have a full review as well, but think of the FAQ Review as a quick glance that addresses the major queries that you might have about any handset.

Samsung Galaxy Note: FAQs

Q: Is the Samsung Galaxy Note too large to carry easily?

A: Although the phone seems large in images, it is not bulky at all owing to its light weight. It slipped easily into our jeans’ pockets but sitting down was a little uncomfortable. Unlike normal sized phones, you cannot put it into your pocket and not realise it’s there; the size will always make its presence felt.

Q: How comfortable is talking on the Note? Does it become tiring quickly?

A: The Note isn’t heavy so you wouldn’t feel tired holding the Note to your ear. The only bit of discomfort arises due to extending your fingers to an unconventional length to hold the phone. While not necessarily tiring, you will be better off using your hands-free earphones during a prolonged conversation on the phone.

Q: Is one-handed operation possible on the Note?

A: Unless you want to use your finger like a Russian gymnast, two hands will be required in most cases to operate the Note.

Q: How useful is the S-pen?

A: This largely depends on your usage. But for most users, the S-pen will spend a lot of time tucked in its holder. It doesn’t have to offer anything revolutionary, but the S-Pen has its advantages, such as using it instead of your fingers will ensure that your screen doesn’t get greasy. And there’s always the option of jotting down handwritten notes and sketching. However, when asked to jot down something, our first instinct was not to pull out the S-pen. Why write when you can type?

Q: How does the battery fare with the huge power guzzling screen?

A: The battery does its job just fine. The battery life will not disappoint you nor will it blow your mind with its performance. The phone made it through the day in even the heaviest usage test on a full charge.

Q: What are the advantages of having such a large screen?

A: Having the large screen transforms the Note into a brilliant multimedia device. With a good amount of pixels cramped in the huge screen, everything looks beautiful onscreen.

It is great for watching videos. Web browsing feels much better than on a standard 4-inch screen. Reading e-books also feels much more natural. The screen basically makes the Note one of the best devices for multimedia.

Q: Is it a worthy alternative to a 7-inch tablet?

A: According to us, the Galaxy Note is a great alternative to 7-inch tablets. It has got the size balanced very well. The screen is large enough without being outright unportable. Web browsing does not feel cramped at all. It offers most stuff which a tablet has to offer without compromising on portability.

Q: For the Note’s price, you can get a good mid range phone and a decent full fledged tablet. Is the hybrid Note better than the full fledged combo?

A: The Note cannot replace a full fledged 10-inch tablet. If you are comfortable with carrying a lesser privileged mobile phone, you should ditch the Note and get a Mobile-Tab combo. As an example, Motorola Xoom (Rs 20,000 for wi-fi version) and the Samsung Galaxy Ace (Rs. 13,000) makes more sense if you want a full fledged tablet experience instead of a portable pseudo-tablet experience.

Read the full Samsung Galaxy Note review.

Editor’s Note: We’re trying a new format of a review here, so please do let us know what you think about it and any suggestions on how we can improve it in the comments below.