My Samsung Galaxy Note 2 Review

The Samsung Galaxy Note 2 Review

Today I will review my Samsung Galaxy Note 2.  This unit was from SUN Cellular's Data plan P2,499.  With the addition of a thousand bucks and this unit will be mine after 30 months.  Anyway, the reason that I am getting the plan is for business use. The good thing about the plan is that it can call free landline calls and also have an unlimited data plan.  So here goes the review.

Screen and Size

The Samsung Galaxy Note 2 is quite incredible to look at.  It is a huge phone with a 5.5 inch AMOLED screen. This simply means that you can view more detail in every picture, text, video that you can play with this baby.  The Note 2 simply is an elegant device to put on the table while you are having a meeting with somebody.  No doubt that it can attract attention especially when the screen turns on if a text message or an email arrives.  The good thing about having a big screen is that it is very pleasurable to view videos and has a larger perspective of the pictures taken from its camera.  The Galaxy Note 2 is quite annoying when you operate it with only one hand. I often get false touches causing you to lose focus to whatever you are doing.  The screen is stretched out up to the side edges so a small overlapping finger would definitely trigger a tap.  But nonetheless the viewing experience is very good.  Good thing I have a large grip but there were times that I dropped the phone on the sofa while holding it with a single hand.

Network

The SUN Cellular Network is not that advanced compared to other providers like Smart and Globe. I think it was just recent that they upgraded their mobile internet into HSDPA. This is because previously, I always get a GPRS and EDGE signal from my past Prepaid SIM Card. It was just now that I am experiencing fast HSDPA speeds using SUN Cellular Network.  Well of course, that is my own opinion. For those who are already enjoying SUN's Mobile Internet then you do the talking.  As for now I often get EDGE signal from my screen and it is more than sometimes.  But when I get to have an HSDPA signal then I can send and receive emails fast.  Even downloading is quite fast. But since I always travel going from a part of the city to the next then the signal is really annoying.  There were these times where I cannot be reached by some of my contacts and wonder why this is happening when I am always on a full GSM Bar.  I called up SUN Customer Service and they told me that this sometimes happen to Galaxy Note 2 units.  They said that I should turn-off the WCDMA function in the setting in order to be reached.  This I did not agree, as what is the purpose of having an unlimited internet connection if you turn it off?  Anyways, that happened only twice and it usually happens when I am in the province which adds up the province's limited network capability.  So overall the Network experience using the Note 2 is not that nice.  Of course there could be a different story when you are using Globe or Smart. So I won't be the judge of that.

Processor

The Note 2's processor is 1.6GHz Quad-Core.  My comment on this is that is quite fast for a cellular phone to have.  It has almost the same processor speed as compared with my Intel i3 Laptop.  I have seen this video on Youtube where this guy actually used his Note 2 as a personal computer. No wonder, this baby has lots of juice, sometimes I think that it is overpowered as to where the rest of the resources will go. Based on the performance of the processor I have only one problem with it.  When I attach pictures to emails or in facebook it takes time to load the picture thumbnails on the process of selecting one.  I don't know if it's the processor's fault or the file allocation of the built-in memory or it might be that I am using a crappy SD Card.  If Samsung can improve this then it would be a perfect device in terms of performance.  I am not into playing games with the Note 2 as my apps are the boring ones like Unit Converter, VidTrim, Zinio, and Kindle.  I am not the gamer type so please forgive me for not including the games in this review.

Operating System

The Operating System is an Android 4.1 (Jellybean).  The system is very nice with the default home screen and the default Samsung system apps.  That is why I added extra skin on it with the use of GoLauncher and other alternate moving wallpaper to make it quite appealing to the onlookers.  If you want to improve your user interface then try looking Coldfustion in Youtube.  Actually this is my third Android Device so I am somewhat familiar with the interface.  I have been using Apple iPod Touch for years already and sometimes I find some functions in the iOS not present in the Android system.  It's like having a hangover over drinking apple juice the night before.  But overall the Android system is quite useful rather than visually appealing.  Apple is apple while Google is google.  It's like comparing a Ferrari with a Porche, the one is good looking while the other is ugly.  The feel and look of Android is nothing compared to Apple but the functionality is quite endless.  What I really love about the Android system is that there are more free apps and it is very flexible. The Play Store does not require credit card details for you to download apps and the data transfer from PC to your phone is just like a cut and paste function on a USB thumb drive.  What's even good is that all movies, videos, music files are viewable under the Android system. Only the .MOV cannot be played but the rest is no problem. No conversions needed and no waste of time and money.  Overall, the Android Jellybean makes me a happy man.

GPS

One app that I always use is the Map.  But sorry to say that the built-in GPS sometimes misses the exact location to where I am standing.  Maybe because of the slow cellular network that is aiding the GPS receiver or the GPS receiver itself.  But overall, I use this as secondary to my Garmin.  It is easier to navigate with the Note 2 because of the more responsive Google Map.  Another downside is it does not display all the alternate routes at the same map displayed giving you just one choice of route when travelling.  I hope that I just haven't discovered it yet or I hope that Google will add this up to their next update of their Google Maps.

The S Pen

This device actually replaced my small sterling notebook. This can accept handwriting as if I am using a Pilot ballpoint pen.  It is good in responding to hand writing.  But there were times when it lags especially when a lot of programs are opened in the background. Also there is a problem with the touch back button as it is oftentimes pressed when using the Note 2 on portrait mode while I am writing something.

Battery Life

The Galaxy Note 2 is a combination of a phone and a tablet. And due to this it enjoys an energy source same as a tablet.  With my normal daily activity: Evernote Note Taking, S-Pen Note Taking, Wifi Internet, E-mail sending & viewing, Mobile Internet, GPS navigation, and Facebook picture uploads, the Note 2 never failed on me when it comes to giving up it's juices. When I am fully charged in the morning leaving home, the recharge will be on the next morning. I really don't need to bring the charger and micro usb cable with me all the time. No need for a power bank also.

Camera

The 8 Megapixel Camera backed with an LED flash gives off more picture quality as compared with my Dad's iPhone 5.  The colors bursts out of the screen viewing it from the AMOLED display. And the auto-focus is excellent, almost works like a normal digital camera. There are really cool functions which I haven't explored yet but I find it quite useful from the persepective of my daily business use.  The only downside I see is that it takes a longer time to turn it on especially on candid shots unlike the iPod Touch 4th Gen I had before where there is an option of using the camera even if the phone is locked.  Maybe I need to research more of this function as soon as I get my hands free from my very busy daily business work.  I am no photo guy anymore but I find the Note 2's camera very useful especially when you need to photocopy a document or instead of copying the notes on a blackboard or whiteboard I simply just snap a shot and store it in my notes folder. You just have to take caution of your storage space since my Note 2's storage space is limited to just only 10GB.  I see that the specs in Samsung's website says that the minimum is 16Gig but mine's not the case. Usually I store pictures in the smallest size since the picture quality and the auto focusing is supreme, no need to worry about the quality degredation.  The smaller the picture, the easier it is to share or send via email.  The front camera is quite the mediocre one but enough to snap some decent shots but not in low light conditions.

Earbuds

The Note 2's default earbuds are one of the best I've ever worn.  I am not a big fan with in-ear earbuds. But the Samsung's earbud changed all that.  I enjoy wearing it even if I am just listening to audiobooks. When listening to lossless FLAC music the bass is superb with full rich sound coming in your ear. I am no Audiophile, all I want is a thumping bass and rich clarity of the music. Well this earbud satisfied my crave for it.

CONCLUSION

The Samsung Galaxy Note 2 is quite a beast and the 5.5” AMOLED display makes it one of the top Smartphone that really lives up to it’s specifications.  The usefulness of the device is the big plus for me, in fact, it literally replaced my small sterling notebook.  I can live without a laptop for weeks by just using this device.  For me it really outclassed the rest of the competition including the Big A.  The overall verdict is that it is worth the purchase on a 0% interest plan either in 12 or 24 months.  As long as you have it in your hands then it’s a worthy everyday smartphone at all.