The move, apparently made for marketing reasons, is questionable. Previous Note generations have been available in Europe with the device appealing to business and power users because of its large display and S-Pen stylus. Market analyst Ian Fogg commented to the BBC that the withdrawal is “surprising” and “disappointing.”
Following Samsung’s reworked design language, the Galaxy Note 5 finally ditches the company’s tacky plastic used on its 2014 phones for the metal and glass of the 2015 line. Both the Note 5 and S6 Edge+ use a 5.7-inch, quad HD display that will look familiar to Note 4 users.
The Samsung Galaxy Note 5
Samsung Mobile Press
The Note 5 and S6 Edge+ have nearly identical hardware specifications. They both run on Samsung’s own octa-core Exynos 7420 processor and have 4GB of RAM – enough to should stay ahead of even the most intensive multitasker.
Elsewhere, the phones continue to provide everything that a modern flagship smartphone should: 16-megapixel rear cameras, 4G LTE, Android 5.1 (overlaid with Samsung’s TouchWiz interface), wireless and quick charging and 32GB or 64GB of storage are all present to keep owners happy, although the last item can no longer be expanded with a micro SD card. There is more to annoy veteran Note users too: any hint of waterproofing is gone and the battery has also travelled down the non-removable route.
The rear of the Samsung Galaxy Note 5 in White Pearl
Samsung Mobile Press
A major concern is that the 3,000mAh battery is actually smaller than in last year’s Note 4. Owners will be reliant on the new speedy quick charging to keep the phone topped up. Power users may be disappointed at the lack of a 128GB storage option while European fans are left with only disappointment as Samsung fails to deliver anything for them.
The Note’s famous S-Pen has received a healthy annual update. Initially hidden in the phone’s bottom, it clicks out when required and is now slightly more weighted and solid than before.
As Engadget reports, a new mode allows for S-Pen usage without first unlocking the phone or even switching the display on. Simply draw, doodle, scribble or write on the display and an “Instant Memo” will appear, automatically saved to Samsung’s S Note writing app.
The Samsung Galaxy S6 Edge+
Samsung Mobile Press
This time around, there is no option of a curved Note Edge though. This is where the S6 Edge+ steps in, becoming Samsung’s phablet device with a curved screen. This change is interesting as the Edge display technology debuted on last year’s Note Edge. It looks like Samsung is taking the Note back to its roots while leaving its most impressive unique technologies to its core flagship “S” line.
Samsung Unpacked has occurred much earlier this year than in the past. It has been widely reported that the mid-August timing has been chosen to give the new phones a good reveal before Apple disrupts the market with its updated iPhones next month, stealing news and reviews in the process.
Away from Europe, the Note 5 and S6 Edge+ will launch on August 21. They can be pre-ordered from all four major US mobile networks today. Samsung also announced at Unpacked that Samsung Pay — the company’s rival to Apple Pay — will launch in South Korea on August 20 and then in the US on September 28. A UK roll-out is planned for later.
