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Samsung Galaxy Note 2 Features: What to Expect

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The Samsung Galaxy Note 2 is a device that is rumored to be replacing the original 5.3-inch Samsung Galaxy Note phablet in just a few days. And while we have already examined the Galaxy Note 2 release date, it’s time to take a closer look at the Galaxy Note 2 itself.

Samsung has announced an event for August 15th in the United States, an event that is rumored to be a launching pad for the upcoming Samsung Galaxy Note 2 smartphone.

While that has not yet been confirmed, it seems likely given that multiple sources have stated that that is the case and because the device has leaked out many times over the past couple of months leaving little to the imagination.

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We look at what to expect from the Galaxy Note 2 itself.

We have already taken a look at what to expect and what not expect from the Galaxy Note 2 release date and now it’s time to take a look at what to expect from the features of the Galaxy Note 2.

Samsung has yet to confirm any of the specifications but already have a pretty good idea about what is going to make up the Galaxy Note 2 when it finally arrives on shelves sometime later this year.

Here is what to expect from the Samsung Galaxy Note 2 features.

4G LTE

The last version of the Samsung Galaxy Note, at least the variant for AT&T, boasted 4G LTE data speeds. We expect no different from the Samsung Galaxy Note 2.

4G LTE has quickly replaced both 3G and 4G HSPA+ and 4G WiMax as the network type favored by American carriers. Carriers want customers to get off of their aging networks and onto their new ones and one way of doing that is by offering a wide choice of 4G LTE smartphones.

In fact, carriers that have 4G LTE networks only offer high-end 4G LTE smartphones.

This is not a bad thing at all. The Galaxy Note 2, should it have 4G LTE data capabilities, will be able to pull down data speeds that can reach up to 10 times faster than those found on normal 3G.

And for a device that is both a tablet and a phone, 4G LTE will only add to the device’s productivity value.

Don’t expect anything less than 4G LTE from the Galaxy Note 2, at least here in the U.S.

Large Screen

One of the staples of the original Galaxy Note was its massive 5.3-inch display. Part smartphone, part tablet, it was the first smartphone to fill this niche well. Sorry, the Dell Streak does not count.

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The Galaxy Note 2 will have a large screen.

Expect no different from the Galaxy Note. In fact, as of now, consumers should expect the Galaxy Note 2 to have an even bigger screen as whispers have pointed to the Galaxy Note 2 as having a 5.5-inch display instead of the original 5.3-inches.

Whatever the case, the Galaxy Note 2 will have a large display that will come in handy for watching videos and using the devices S-Pen stylus.

Better Screen Resolution

High-end Android smartphones in 2012 generally come with a high-resolution display checking in with 720p resolution. The last Galaxy Note did not have HD resolution and it’s safe to assume that the Galaxy Note 2 will follow this year’s trend.

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The Galaxy Note 2 should have a better screen resolution.

Benchmarks have seemingly confirmed this as the device is rumored to use a 5.5-inch display with 1280×720 resolution.

This is what interested parties should expect from the Galaxy Note 2. There is no way that Samsung, who is a leading display manufacturer, leaves an HD display off of this device.

Fast Processor

While the Galaxy Note 2 processor may not end up being the 1.6GHz quad-core Exynos 4412 that we’ve heard about, consumers should expect the device to feature an extremely fast processor.

Benchmarks have shown a Exynos 4412 processor and we know Samsung released a quad-core 4G LTE device in Korea, so it’s possible that the Galaxy Note 2 could be the first quad-core 4G LTE device in the United States.

The original had a dual-core processor on board clocked at 1.4GHz and we expect Samsung to pack something even more impressive inside the Galaxy Note 2 to better handle the Android software on board.

Upgraded Camera

The camera on the original Samsung Galaxy Note was only mediocre. With the Samsung Galaxy S III, Samsung really showed that it was interested in providing a great camera experience for its customers and we expect it to do the same with the Galaxy Note 2.

Rumors already peg the camera on the Galaxy Note 2 as either 12MP or 13MP and it’s possible that Samsung will include some of the camera software that it included along with the Galaxy S III.

Whatever the case may be, this is an area that Samsung needed to improve on with the Galaxy Note 2 and we expect that it did so.

Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich/Android 4.1 Jelly Bean

At the very least the Galaxy Note 2 will have Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich on board, benchmarks have alluded to this, but it would be silly not to see the phone launch with Android 4.1 Jelly Bean, Google’s new piece of mobile software.

If true, the Galaxy Note 2 would come with all of Android’s latest features including Google Now, re-sizable widgets, customizable Notifications, offline Voice dictation, a smoother UI, and more.

Of course, the Galaxy Note 2 is a tricky device considering its size and the fact that it employs a stylus, so it’s possible that it may come with Android 4.0 at the start.

10 Comments

10 Comments

  1. MT

    08/01/2012 at 11:50 am

    Contrary to what is stated above the existing note does have a “HD” screen with a resolution of 1280 x 800. The resolution you quote is lower than this. Benchmark testing which was supposedly leaked pointed to 1280 x 720 as the resolution that may come on the note 2 but I don’t buy that at all. Perhaps more importantly, I won’t buy it if that’s the resolution is ships with. PPI too low.

    • John

      08/01/2012 at 6:23 pm

      The current note at 1280×800 is 285dpi. If the Note 2 was 5.5″ at 1280×720 it would have 267dpi. Most people wouldn’t notice much difference. If the screen wasn’t pentile the 267dpi would actually be sharper that the current dpi. The other 5.5″ 16:9 options would be 1366×768 at 285dpi or 1600×900 at 334dpi…. one can only dream.

      Either way i will probably get a Note 2. I think 16:9 is a better ratio than 16:10. It is better for watching movies, makes the device slimmer and would be compatible with programming for all other 16:9 devices (SGS3, OneX etc).

      The current note screen is 71.3mm x 114.1mm with an area of 81.4cm.sq.

      A note 2 with 5.5″ at 16:9 would be 69.5mm x 121.8mm with an area of 83.4cm.sq.

      • MT

        08/02/2012 at 8:49 am

        I like your calculations, I’m only really hoping for a marginal improvement over the existing screen as that is pretty nice already. I still hope they do increase the resolution though. As for pentile vs rgb, I need to google that one as I know nothing about pentile. I know people say rgb is way better… and that’s all I know. Google here I come.

  2. Phone Fanatic

    08/01/2012 at 12:40 pm

    The main issue that the phone is getting consume more energy. Thus, for Samsung it is a great challenge to use a good long life battery.

  3. Damon

    08/01/2012 at 2:21 pm

    “While that has not yet been confirmed, it seems likely given that multiple sources have stated that that is the case and because the device has leaked out many times over the past couple of months leaving little to the imagination.”

    = While no one has any credible sources for their information, but since multiple non-credible sources have speculated about the phone’s features, and I can’t think of anything that hasn’t already been speculated about, so I, for one, believe them.

    -I’m not trying to be mean dude, but you would get grade-raped by a Lit Professor, if you turned a paper in with your quoted paragraph included in it.

    The only thing that I’ve read, is the one article by MK Business News out of South Korea, that was re-posted & re-worded about 200 times on the Internet, and the supposed GLBenchmark test that was ‘leaked’ by Engadget on a device with a lower resolution than the current Note, as previously stated. It’s just not good journalism to adopt mass speculation as source-worthy and assumed truth. You’re better than this Adam.

  4. lean6

    08/01/2012 at 2:48 pm

    Samsung needs to develop something in this class on carriers other than just AT&T. It just doesn’t make sense. If they don’t, some other company will….

  5. David

    08/01/2012 at 2:55 pm

    I really cannot wait to get my hands in the new note. I have had 3 generations of the iPhone, I checked out the s3 the other day and was really impressed. My 2 yr contract is about to run out and the s3 was going to be my choice. But the more cought my eye and was pleasantly surprised with its size and really felt fine in my hand. Now the note 2 is coming out with specs that make the s3 look poor in comparison, I really cannot wait to get one of these. Well done samsung!!

    • lean6

      08/01/2012 at 2:59 pm

      I wouldn’t call the S3 poor in comparison…but I would trade mine for a Note 2 if it came to Verizon. If it’s just AT&T, no chance.

  6. KID ANDROID

    08/01/2012 at 5:00 pm

    Like MT said the article states that the original Galaxy Note did Not have a HD screen but indeed it does have HD SUPER AMOLED Screen that looks incredible. I dont see them making the Note 2 with a lower grade screen. The article also states that it would be foolish for it to be released with ICS & not JB, but with the original Note this was the case releasing it with Gingerbread instead of ICS. ICS took nearly a year to hit the original Note after everyone expecting it to be released with it. As Jelly Bean was just released last month I really dont see the Note 2 having it installed at release. At the same time we could all be surprised with it due to it not being a drastic upgrade from ICS like ICS was from Gingerbread which was basically a complete rebuild of the OS from the ground up.
    My main hope for the G-Note 2 is a better design as the original Note is very fragile with the glass being so large & completely covering the front from edge to edge. I am on my second Galaxy Note in just a month because my first one dropped a mere 4 inches off something onto a wood table & half the entire face of the glass shattered into about 10 pieces. Luckily my wifey talked me into getting the insurance & my replacement Note was only $150. If you have the original Note make sure you have a good case that protects the edges of the screen, I recommend the Otter Box Defender its worth the $60 to protect your $800 investment in the Galaxy Note. – KID ANDROID (T.A.C)

  7. asdf

    08/07/2012 at 5:51 am

    1280 x 800 (or 720) would be disappointing.

    Earlier rumours (worthless I know) said 1920 x 1080, which would’ve been just great.

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