History of the Galaxy Note series: remembering the innovations that changed the smartphone market

There are several iconic smartphone lines, including the Samsung Galaxy Note series. With this line, Samsung boldly entered a segment where there were few smartphones before.

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With cutting-edge technology, high quality and a focus on design, the Samsung Galaxy Note series has always run parallel to its other flagship line - the Galaxy S. The series uses a niche solution such as a stylus, which is constantly receiving new features. And after the launch of the Samsung Galaxy Note 20 and Note 20 Ultra, it's time to take a quick look at all the pros and cons of this series of smartphones - from the original Galaxy Note, which had a huge impact on the Android smartphone industry, to the short-lived Galaxy Note 7 and the latest Galaxy Note 10 and Galaxy Note 20.

Content

Infographics: key innovations of all
Galaxy Note series smartphones (2011): a bold decision

Galaxy Note 2 (2012): improved version

Galaxy Note 3 (2013): Best for Business

Galaxy Note 4 (2014): a realistic approach to problem solving

Galaxy Note Edge (2014): time to experiment

Galaxy Note5 (2015): The Swiss Army Knife of the Smartphone World

Galaxy Note7 (2016): crashes and fires

Galaxy Note8 (2017): revival of the series

Galaxy Note9 (2018): lack of innovation

Galaxy Note10 (2019): one smartphone, two sizes

Galaxy Note20 (2020): a bold look

Display

The Galaxy Note Edge uses a 5.6-inch curved Super AMOLED touchscreen. Its right side bends towards the edge of the body, thus creating another edge on which information can appear. Thanks to this approach, the Note Edge screen resolution is 2560x1600 pixels (1440 pixels - main display + 160 pixels side), which creates a pixel density of 539 per inch. The image on the smartphone screen looks simply great. It is impossible to see individual points on it with the naked eye.

The color rendition of the Super AMOLED matrix may seem overly colorful, but you quickly get used to it, especially since in the display settings you can select one of four display types. The most natural among them is “Photo”.

The minimum screen brightness of the Galaxy Note Edge is 1.6 cd/m2, and the maximum is 335 cd/m2.

Galaxy Note (2011): a bold decision

2011 was a landmark year for the smartphone industry. Nokia had moved from Symbian to Windows Phone, Android Froyo was at the height of its popularity, and the Dell Streak, with its 5-inch display, looked so big it seemed like it had no right to exist.

Another significant event of that year was the launch of the Samsung Galaxy Note. Featuring a huge 5.3-inch display at the time, it was considered a “behemoth” and reviews and reviews often called it ridiculous and not particularly appealing to the masses. The public also reacted ambiguously to the return of the stylus, which was considered an obsolete item from the time of the first capacitive displays.

But in the end, the original Samsung Galaxy Note became one of the most influential smartphones and set the bar for Android flagships. In fact, it legitimized the flagship category thanks to its top-end specs and pressure-sensitive stylus. Selling 10 million copies, the smartphone exceeded all expectations and played a decisive role in changing the then widespread belief that users did not need large displays.

Facts about Samsung Galaxy Note:

• The original Galaxy Note debuted with a stylus capable of recognizing 256 levels of pressure.
• The smartphone came with Android 2.3 on board and received updates up to Android 4.1.
• While the model was sold in North America based on the Qualcomm Snapdragon S3, for most other regions the smartphone was supplied in the Exynos 4210 version.
• Its 5.3-inch HD display was one of the largest for its time.

Specifications

Galaxy Note 2 (2012): improved version

While the original Samsung Galaxy Note confirmed that there was market demand for a smartphone with a larger display and a stylus, the Galaxy Note 2, released in 2012, focused on improving the experience. The improved model was loved by the audience and Samsung managed to sell more than 3 million units of the Galaxy Note 2 within two months of its launch.

A more rounded body made the smartphone more ergonomic. Samsung has shrunk the Galaxy Note 2 on many fronts, including the bezels, allowing it to fit an even larger 5.5-inch display without making the phone noticeably larger.

And the S Pen stylus has new capabilities. For example, the Air View function allowed it to be used as a pointer. It could also be used to enlarge text in emails or contextual drop-down menus in a calendar.

Facts about Samsung Galaxy Note 2:

• The Galaxy Note 2 introduced a split-screen feature to display two apps simultaneously.
• Samsung has increased the S Pen's pressure sensitivity to 1,024 levels for greater accuracy.
• The smartphone also debuted the Air View feature, which allows you to instantly view content by pointing the pen.

Autonomy

Unlike the Note 4, the Galaxy Note Edge uses a smaller battery - 3000 mAh, due to the thinner case. Despite this, the autonomy of smartphones is practically the same. In Note Edge it is also 1.5-2 days in medium load mode.

With active use, which includes up to 20 minutes of calls per day, browsing, email, Skype, watching videos, as well as about 30 minutes of games, up to 23% of the Note Edge was discharged in almost 10 hours, with more than 3 hours of screen operation. This is a good indicator for a smartphone, given the resolution of its display.

Like the Note 4, the Galaxy Note Edge has fast charging (charges the battery to 50% in about 40 minutes), as well as a power saving mode that switches the interface to black and white, simultaneously disabling background programs.

Galaxy Note 3 (2013): Best for Business

Since the general public was satisfied with the large screen, Samsung wanted to attract the attention of another segment of users to the Galaxy Note series - corporate and business clients.

With the Galaxy Note 3, Samsung has improved the design to make it more attractive to business users. Of course, the hardware, led by the large 5.7-inch display, was top notch. It became the first smartphone in the line with a Full HD screen. In fact, Samsung has packed the Galaxy Note 3 to the brim with top-end features like 4K video, Gorilla Glass 3, a high-quality DAC, and a host of new sensors, including humidity and temperature sensors.

As for the design, Samsung has combined a brushed aluminum frame with a faux leather back cover, adding a certain sophistication for business travelers. Solid appearance and new functions made the smartphone even more attractive.

Samsung managed to sell over 10 million units of the Galaxy Note 3 in the first two months, making it one of the best-selling premium smartphones in 2013.

The S Pen stylus has also received a major update and new features, including Air Command. This feature worked like a traditional right-click to access the most frequently used functions. Many of these features may seem like small things these days, but Samsung's commitment to getting the most out of the stylus can't be ignored.

Facts about Samsung Galaxy Note 3:

• The design of the Samsung Galaxy was a mixture of metal-look plastic and artificial leather.
• Its larger display supported 1080p resolution.
• Samsung Galaxy Note 3 became the first smartphone with 3 GB of RAM.

Interface

TouchWiz is back with new power. To date, Samsung's Android interface has divided users into two camps - one who enjoys the advanced functionality, and the other who consider most of these features to be unnecessary. After some time, it becomes clear that TouchWiz has improved the interface in many ways - the settings menu has become more convenient, the application bar has become more pleasant, and switching between it and the main screen has become smoother. However, switching between apps and the home screen remains sluggish and can be annoying when working with key programs.

Multitasking is definitely more convenient than in the Note 3 or Galaxy S5 - application windows are nicely split up on the screen, which makes the workflow more comfortable. The phone works great with five included apps and runs multiple programs at once with ease. The task manager and favorite apps tray allows the user to switch between screens in an instant, providing more options and saving valuable time.

S Voice assistant has gotten a bad rap, probably because its early functionality wasn't that advanced. However, during the entire testing period, the assistant did its job just perfectly and without any complaints. One thing that will take some getting used to is the delay when turning on and off. Such delays can lead to awkward situations - when, after pronouncing a command, the display indicates that S Voice is just being activated, in fact, the listening process has been working for a long time. And so, looking at the screen for several seconds, waiting for the command to be executed, the application suddenly closes and you have to start everything from the beginning. Involuntarily, you ask the question: “why not do everything manually?” To make the assistant work without brakes, you need to pronounce the command evenly and naturally, without waiting for the voice to be reflected on the S Voice screen.

Galaxy Note 4 (2014): a realistic approach to problem solving

By 2014, the Samsung Galaxy Note series was already a force to be reckoned with. The large screen size, user-friendly S Pen features, and stellar performance have made it a favorite for many users.

Samsung has returned to the standard plastic back panel and has used an aluminum frame to add a premium look. Additionally, the screen resolution was increased to Quad HD and the display itself was covered with Corning Gorilla Glass 4, making it one of the best at the time.

Other new features included a fingerprint scanner in the home button and an improved 16-megapixel camera. Samsung even added optical image stabilization, a feature we take for granted these days.

With the Galaxy Note 4, the company is focusing on expanding the ecosystem rather than just focusing on hardware. The smartphone, which features a heart rate monitor and pulse oximeter on the back, underscores Samsung's focus on fitness and health technology.

The sensitivity of the S Pen has doubled to 2048 levels, making it more comfortable for drawing.

Facts about Samsung Galaxy Note 4:

• In the Samsung Galaxy Note 4, the metal-look plastic frame was replaced with an aluminum frame.
• The stylus has again been upgraded and has the ability to recognize up to 2048 pressure levels.
• In addition to a heart rate monitor and a sensor for determining the level of blood oxygen saturation, the smartphone also had a sensor for measuring ultraviolet radiation.

Design

As for appearance, the Note Edge won't get old for a long time. The metal frame, artificial leather on the back panel, chrome elements in the right places - all this makes the phone look impressive and you can tirelessly admire its appearance. Thin front stripes that add originality to the phablet, and the fact that the LED and capacitive buttons are completely invisible unless lit, add premium motifs. And the increased attention to small details can be appreciated every time you look at the device.

After two weeks of carefully studying all the external elements, it is worth noting how it is in use. The most important points are that the Note Edge is quite wide and it will take some time for your hands to get used to it. It will be especially difficult for those who often have to talk and do other things at the same time. But if users want to buy a similar device with a functional side panel and/or for the sake of prestige, then they will have to make a compromise.

Galaxy Note Edge (2014): time to experiment

After the Galaxy Note series became firmly established in the market and became part of Samsung's flagship lineup, the company decided it was time to experiment a little, and as a result, the Galaxy Note Edge was born.

Although its specifications were identical to the Galaxy Note 4, the Edge model took a bold step forward for its time. It was the first high-profile attempt to add a convenient curved display to a regular smartphone. On the curved edge there was a side panel, which was proposed to be used to display various data and application shortcuts. Samsung has also given developers access to an API to create apps for the curved screen. And the elegance of the curved display was added by the function of displaying the time on the side panel even when the display is turned off.

Facts about Samsung Galaxy Note Edge:

• The smartphone first debuted as a concept device called Youm at CES 2013.
• The Galaxy Note Edge was one of the first smartphones to feature a curved display.

A spoon of tar

All devices have disadvantages. Somewhere they are insignificant, and somewhere they are critical. And it is in the second category that the disadvantages of the Samsung Galaxy Note can be attributed. Especially if you take into account the high cost of the device. For such a price, buyers expect a high-quality smartphone that will work and delight them for a long time.

Indeed, Samsung Galaxy Edge is a new generation gadget. And it will work for a long time. But is it only quality? Over time, according to many buyers, the device’s performance drops several times. True, sometimes it is unnoticeable. But just until you fill up the memory card too much. As soon as the space starts to run out, all the “delights” of failures will become noticeable - long command processing, long loading of images, videos, and so on. Sometimes the smartphone may reboot and turn off on its own.

Buyers also claim that if handled awkwardly, the model quickly breaks. That is, it is not very well protected from falls. In this case, you will either have to buy a special silicone case or handle the device extremely carefully.

The touchscreen sometimes starts to get out of control too. Especially in cold weather. More precisely, in the cold. The screen reacts to an electric charge. This means that in the cold it will be very difficult and inconvenient to operate the phone.

Price is another significant drawback of the device. If it were not for all the previous disadvantages of the smartphone, then the cost could be called acceptable. But taking into account all the positive and negative aspects, we can only say that the appropriate price for such a mobile device should be 15-20 thousand rubles.

Galaxy Note5 (2015): The Swiss Army Knife of the Smartphone World

Released in 2015 as part of the annual update cycle, the Samsung Galaxy Note5 received noticeable improvements on all fronts. Of course, the processor has become faster, but most importantly, the design and finish have seriously changed.

The Galaxy Note 5 features a glass and metal design with a focus on ergonomics and ease of use. But, unfortunately, in the pursuit of comfort, it lost several valuable functions. Let's start with the fact that the Samsung Galaxy Note5 did not have a removable battery. Moreover, the smartphone also lacked a slot for a microSD card. Also, due to the design, the spring block would break if the S Pen was inserted incorrectly into the slot.

But despite all these problems, Galaxy Note5 broke the sales record for the series and became one of the most popular smartphones of that year.

Facts about Samsung Galaxy Note5:

• Galaxy Note 5 came with a glass back and a spring-loaded stylus. If you insert the stylus backwards, it gets jammed, which can lead to damage.
• Galaxy Note 5 also marks the beginning of the Galaxy Note series' use of built-in batteries.

Galaxy Note7 (2016): crashes and fires

Samsung skipped the Galaxy Note 6 and instead released the infamous Galaxy Note7. He had a lot of interesting things to say. This was the first smartphone in the Galaxy Note series to be equipped with a USB Type-C connector. It also brought back support for microSD cards, which the Galaxy Note5 lacked, and received protection against dust and moisture with an IP68 rating.

The S Pen has all-new capabilities, including translation, Magnifier, and GIF recording. The device combined the newfangled iris scanner with Samsung Pass, allowing it to be used for secure payments.

The smartphone was a major update to the Galaxy Note series, and therefore caused great delight. Pre-orders for the Galaxy Note7 in its domestic market in South Korea have exceeded expectations. Demand for the new smartphone was also high in other countries.

However, soon after its launch in August 2016, many Galaxy Note7 owners began receiving reports of the smartphone overheating and in some cases even exploding. First, Samsung recalled the first allegedly defective batch of smartphones and replaced them with new ones, but smartphones from the new batch were also prone to fire. Samsung ended up shutting down all Galaxy Note 7s less than two months after launch.

• On topic: Review of the Samsung Galaxy Note7 phablet

Like a phoenix from the ashes, the Galaxy Note7 was reborn a year after its demise, in mid-2022. A refurbished model with a smaller battery was sold in some Asian countries under the name Galaxy Note Fan Edition. She was the first in the line to receive a built-in Bixby voice assistant.

Facts about Samsung Galaxy Note7:

• The smartphone has an infrared iris recognition system for safe unlocking.
• Samsung sent fire-resistant boxes to Galaxy Note7 customers to ensure the safe return of the smartphone. Later, a software update came out that disabled the Galaxy Note7 completely.
• A year later, the Galaxy Note7 returned as the Galaxy Note7 Fan Edition with a smaller battery and new security features.

Galaxy Note8 (2017): revival of the series

After the failure of the Galaxy Note 7, Samsung again had to prove itself. It took a risk by launching the Galaxy Note8, but tried to avoid potential problems by making a number of compromises, such as reducing the size of the battery.

Having updated the characteristics of the smartphone, Samsung has also implemented Dex technology in the Galaxy Note8. This feature allowed the Galaxy Note8 to be used as a computer by connecting it to a monitor and keyboard. Also, Galaxy Note8 became the first representative of the Galaxy Note series, equipped with a dual camera - a main 12 MP and an additional 12 MP with a telephoto lens.

• On topic: Samsung Galaxy Note8 review

Thanks to comprehensive improvements, Samsung managed to sell a record number of Galaxy Note8 - more than 270 thousand units in just the first few days after the start of sales.

Facts about Samsung Galaxy Note8:

• Galaxy Note8 was the first smartphone in the series to feature a dual-lens system.
• The smartphone had a special key to call Samsung's virtual assistant Bixby.
• The updated camera application made it possible to adjust the intensity of the background blur both before and after shooting.

Galaxy Note9 (2018): lack of innovation

The Galaxy Note9 was a slight upgrade in many ways, but that doesn't mean it lacked features. As you'd expect, it had a top-of-the-line chipset and was the first Samsung smartphone to feature up to 8GB of RAM and up to 512GB of internal storage.

With the Galaxy Note9, the company has focused on improving the existing features. Thus, the Dex technology in the new smartphone did not require the mandatory use of a docking station. The company has also added a carbon fiber heat pipe cooling system for better heat dissipation while gaming.

However, the biggest changes are to the S Pen. Thanks to advanced Bluetooth capabilities and a built-in battery, the stylus could be used, for example, as a clicker during presentations.

However, the slowdown in innovation has impacted sales. Samsung shipped a total of about 9.6 million Galaxy Note9s, which is less than the Galaxy Note8 it sold. This indicated a decrease in demand for premium Samsung smartphones.

Facts about Samsung Galaxy Note9:

• The S Pen has a battery that is charged through a slot at the bottom of the smartphone.
• 40 seconds of charging was enough for 30 minutes of stylus use.
• Galaxy Note 9 was the last smartphone in the Note series to feature a dedicated headphone jack.

Multimedia

The Galaxy Note Edge uses Samsung's standard music player, which includes a manual equalizer and Adapt Sound technology.

The latter allows you to adjust the sound of the headphones to the user’s hearing characteristics through a procedure of short tests. The Note Edge sounds very good even without any additional settings.

The volume of the external speaker is above average, but it lacks volume to listen to music through it. Due to the fact that the speaker is recessed into the housing, it is difficult to accidentally block it.

The Galaxy Note Edge's built-in player supports popular AVI and MKV formats, but not all codecs are supported by the device, so it's better to use a third-party player.

Galaxy Note10 (2019): one smartphone, two sizes

As smartphones kept getting bigger, it was time to take decisive action. Samsung Galaxy Note10 came out in not one, but two versions. This decision allowed Samsung to target several price segments on the market at once, which was extremely important after the frankly weak sales of the Galaxy Note 9.

The older model featured a massive 6.8-inch AMOLED display with features like HDR10+ for more accurate color reproduction. The smartphone was slightly taller, and its screen had an aspect ratio of 19:9. Meanwhile, the younger model was still equipped with a 6.3-inch display with Full HD resolution, but at the same time had reduced dimensions compared to its predecessor.

Apart from screens, smartphones had a lot in common, including processor and cameras. Both models were equipped with a new 16-megapixel ultra-wide-angle camera, which complemented the main module and a telephoto sensor.

As before, the S Pen also received an update and now you can use it to control your smartphone from a distance.

In addition to display sizes, smartphones also differed from each other in batteries. In the Galaxy Note10+, Samsung installed a 4,300 mAh battery, while the regular model received a smaller 3,500 mAh battery. The older model supported charging up to 45W, while the regular model's charging power was reduced to 25W. And finally, the Galaxy Note10 smartphones became the first in the series without a 3.5 mm headphone jack.

The Samsung Galaxy Note10 series has broken sales records in South Korea. A million smartphones were sold in the first 25 days alone. Reducing the body size helped attract another group of users - Samsung announced an increase in the number of women among buyers of the Galaxy Note series.

Facts about Samsung Galaxy Note10:

• For the first time, smartphones feature an Infinity-O display with a cutout for the selfie camera.
• Samsung Galaxy Note 10 has combined the power button and the button for Bixby.
• Samsung introduced a stripped-down version called the Galaxy Note 10 Lite with reduced processing power and more modest display specs, but with fast charging, a stylus and a headphone jack.

Galaxy Note 10 and Galaxy Note 10+

In 2022, for the first time, the Galaxy Note line was replenished with not one model, but three different ones at once: Galaxy Note 10, Galaxy Note 10+ and Galaxy Note 10+ 5G.
They use a Snapdragon 855 or Exynos 9825 processor, a triple camera and an in-screen fingerprint scanner. The difference is in dimensions, screen size, memory capacity and battery capacity. Galaxy Note 10 has a 6.3-inch screen with Full HD+ resolution, an Exynos 9825 processor, 8 GB of RAM, a 256 GB storage and a 3500 mAh battery with support for 25-watt charging. The Galaxy Note 10+ has a 6.8-inch screen with Quad HD+ resolution, the same processor, 12 GB of RAM, 256 GB storage and a 4300 mAh battery with support for 45-watt charging.

The Galaxy Note 10+ also has a ToF sensor that improves the quality of portrait photography, and the Galaxy Note 10+ 5G model supports fifth-generation communications networks and is sold only in the United States. Another important feature of these models is the lack of a 3.5 mm audio output. This is very unusual for Samsung.

As you can see, the Galaxy Note line has had its ups and downs.
There were very successful models, devices with dubious improvements, and outright failed devices. Not only the hardware component has evolved, but also the software: these smartphones use Android shells with many proprietary applications and features created specifically for them. Galaxy Note has a lot of loyal fans, and all because this series is special, it has no analogues from other manufacturers. iGuides in Telegram - t.me/igmedia iGuides in Yandex.Zen - zen.yandex.ru/iguides.ru