SINGAPORE — When the Samsung Galaxy Note first launched in 2011, it was the go-to device for consumers opting for a smartphone with a bigger screen.

Now that the Note is in its sixth iteration, here is the main question: Is the Note7 — numbered to align with both the S7 and S7 edge — still unique enough to stand out in a market saturated with similar spec-ed competitors?

The answer is a solid yes, if you don’t mind the price tag (S$1,168).

With its curved form and glossy back, the Android 6.0 Note7 looks a lot like the S7 edge, save for a bigger and slightly brighter 5.7-inch quad HD SUPER AMOLED dual edge display. No complaints here: The phone’s screen is crisp and colour-rich, and despite the extra real estate, the device feels comfortable to handle. At 169g, it’s slightly heavier than its peers but still lightweight enough.

The similarities with its S7 siblings aren’t just superficial: Like the pair, the Note7 also comes with expandable storage, IP68-certified water/dust resistance and the same excellent 12-megapixel dual-pixel f.17 camera. While there’s a sense of déjà vu, there’s still plenty to like on the Note7.

NOTE7’S UNIQUE FEATURES

One of the selling points of the Note7 is undeniably its S Pen tool — and it may be the best yet. With a smaller 0.7mm pen tip (down from predecessor Note5’s 1.6mm) and double the level of pressure sensitivity (4,096 vs Note5’s 2,048), the experience of writing on the Note7 is the closest to the real thing. Also important to note, the latest phone is the first in the series to be water resistant, which allows for note-taking under water.

The former is exactly what it sounds like: Other than fingerprints, the Note7 scans and records your irises using infrared technology and allows you to unlock your phone with them. Setup is relatively simple and speedy: Take off any eyewear, make sure the front-facing scanner is dirt-free and follow the on-screen instructions. While we initially encountered a small hiccup (it couldn’t register on the first try), using it was a breeze even with spectacles back on and in the dark. And yes, the iris scanner works as intended, and someone else’s eyes cannot unlock the phone.

Unfortunately, while the technology makes for a great conversation starter, there isn’t any real incentive to use it at the moment. The iris scanner may prove to be more useful later, with Samsung currently exploring partnerships with major financial institutions to possibly integrate the technology into mobile banking apps.

For added security, you can also choose to lock your Secure Folder via biometric lock types like your fingerprint or irises, or more traditional methods like a pattern or PIN code.

Do note that any apps under the folder run independently of the version outside it; i.e., you can run two instances of the same app, say Facebook or Pokemon GO, under different user accounts.

Another useful software feature that debuts on the Note7 is the blue light filter, which reduces eye strain at night and allows you to sleep better.

NOTE7’S HARDWARE

Under the hood, the smartphone comes with the Samsung octa-core Exynos 8890 processor (the same as on the S7 edge) and 4GB of RAM, both of which ensure that everything ran smoothly, down to app launches, video playback, gaming and animated transitions. For multimedia hoarders, the Note7 comes with 64GB of internal storage and MicroSD card support of up to 256GB.

In terms of battery capacity, the Note7’s 3,500mAh battery gave us about 12 hours’ worth of mileage on average. Our stress test includes putting the device on maximum brightness with regular usage, including playing Pokemon GO, web surfing, photo-taking, and getting constant Facebook, Twitter and email updates, as well as messaging.

The Note7 also takes a slight departure from its S7 siblings, opting for a USB Type-C port instead of the more widely used micro-USB port. Otherwise, charging is relatively swift at about two hours for a full charge.

SHOULD YOU BUY IT?


The Note experience has always centred around the S Pen, and it is no different on the Note7. The feature, and to a smaller extent, the iris scanner, will determine whether it’s worth shelling out hundreds more for a phablet-sized device. If the answer is no, and you are essentially looking for a barebones device with a bigger screen, brands with affordable bigger devices like Xiaomi will suffice. If you are fine with a slightly smaller screen (we are talking about two inches smaller), the slightly cheaper 5.5-inch S7 edge is another option worth considering. Otherwise, there’s also Apple’s 5.5-inch iPhone 6s Plus.

Suffice to say, if you already own any of the S7 devices, there’s not much more you can get out of the Note7 as they share very similar specifications.

The Samsung Galaxy Note7 will be available in Singapore from Saturday (Aug 20) in Black Onyx, Gold Platinum and Silver Titanium at S$1,168 at all local telecommunication operators, major consumer electronics stores, authorised mobile retailers, Samsung Experience Stores and Lazada Singapore.

For those looking to get their hands on one, the device is now available for pre-order.

Samsung Galaxy Note7 sample photos: