Editorials
5 Thoughts on the T-Mobile Galaxy Note
Today is a big day for those who are looking for the Samsung Galaxy Note on a carrier not called AT&T. That’s because today is launch day for the T-Mobile Galaxy Note.
After a lengthy wait, those consumers looking to get the 5.3-inch phablet on T-Mobile’s HSPA+ network now have the option of doing so.
The Galaxy Note that is launching on T-Mobile is the same device, sans the 4G LTE speeds, that has been available on AT&T’s network since earlier this year.
Read: T-Mobile Galaxy Note Dead in the Water?
It features a spacious 5.3-inch display that is compatible with Samsung’s S-Pen stylus. A dual-core processor that can easily handle Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich, an update that will be on board right out of the box. A rear camera and a front-facing camera for video chat. And a design that is part smartphone, part tablet, making it a quality productivity tool.
The T-Mobile Galaxy Note has launched.
That being said, there are still a number of questions swirling around in consumers heads related to this device. Fortunately, those are the same questions that have been swirling in my head since I heard the Galaxy Note was headed to T-Mobile.
Here are my thoughts about those questions regarding the T-Mobile Galaxy Note.
A Hard Sell
No doubt about it, T-Mobile has a tough sell on its hands with the Samsung Galaxy Note. Many people, who wanted a 5.3-unch phablet, have already bought into AT&T’s device. And it doesn’t help that a majority of people, including us, loved the original Galaxy Note.
T-Mobile is asking for $250 on-contract for the Galaxy Note which does not make it the most affordable smartphone on the market.
The T-Mobile Galaxy Note is also old, so old, that’s about to be replaced.
Samsung is slated to announce the Samsung Galaxy Note 2 later on this month which means that T-Mobile is offering a device that is set to be come obsolete in just a few weeks.
I have no doubt that many people who live and breathe T-Mobile will pick up this device but the appeal of a T-Mobile Galaxy Note this late in the game is zero for me.
Promise to Jelly Bean Android 4.1 Would Have Been Nice
At the very least, T-Mobile could have promised a swift update to Android 4.1 Jelly Bean, Google’s latest operating system. We’ve heard the device will be getting the software at some point in Q4 but it would have been nice to see T-Mobile come right out and be bold about upgrading its device as soon as it possibly can.
That would at least be a little bit of a draw for new customers not on T-Mobile who are, unfortunately, searching pretty hard for a draw at this point.
No 4G LTE is Brutal
Sure, T-Mobile’s HSPA+ 42 network is fast but it’s not as fast as 4G LTE and I couldn’t see myself using a non-4G LTE device for the next two years. Not when 4G LTE is quickly becoming the standard and especially not if I was on T-Mobile.
Read: Samsung Galaxy S III 4G Showdown: T-Mobile HSPA+ v. AT&T LTE (Video).
T-Mobile will be launching a 4G LTE network in 2013 and personally, if I had to stay on T-Mobile, I’d keep my current phone and wait for that network to arrive.
I can’t imagine being tied down to a new two year contract and having to watch T-Mobile launch 4G LTE smartphones.
4G LTE, for those who don’t know, allows devices to pull down data speeds that can reach up to 10 times faster than those on 3G. Those speeds are perfect for a device like the Samsung Galaxy Note that is at the top of list (that’s what the stylus is for) in terms of best devices for on-the-go productivity.
I’d Wait for the Samsung Galaxy Note 2
Personally, I’d wait for the Samsung Galaxy Note 2 launch on August 29th. Maybe I don’t like it, maybe I do. Either way, waiting allows me to look at my options.
Read: Samsung Galaxy Note 2 Release Date: What Not to Expect.
It’d be a shame to buy the T-Mobile Galaxy Note now, and then fall in love with the Galaxy Note 2 which is supposed to improve on the Galaxy Note in just about every possible way.
So if you can, wait.
But If You Can’t…
If you can’t wait, know that, besides the lack of 4G LTE, you’re getting a quality device. The Samsung Galaxy Note is a fantastic device for those who want a big-screened smartphone. Me? I like to stick to 4-inch displays or below but that’s just a personal preference.
Wevenhuis
08/09/2012 at 10:24 am
I would also advice waiting for Note 2. I hope the major improvement in version two will be the improved inking experience. I have a galaxy note with gingerbread and one of the unlucky ones still trying to get ICS on my device with the samsung inking upadtes. Compared to my HTC Titan, the samsung note is a workhorse, but visibly slower and not buttery smooth. this makes a poor inking experience and the software is not up to scratch with the expected promise of good inking support. The main selling point for me was the bigger screen and a pocketable format for mobile inking and ink to text recognition. Using Draw something is a joy, but the experience of the S-memo’s ink to text recognition is poor at best. The text recogntion on windows 7 is much better. I think it would be a good service for samsung to be able to add 4.1 to the Note two and a promise of improved inking and inking software. Only then would I consider the Note 2. Strangely enough, until that time I think windows 7 or 8 will be the better support choice. Inking should not be a mainstream gimmick, but also be offered as a serious productivity tool.