Mobile Technology

Samsung announces Galaxy Note II, hits shelves in October

Samsung announces Galaxy Note II, hits shelves in October
The Galaxy Note II features improved specs, a slightly larger screen and the Android 4.1 Jelly Bean OS
The Galaxy Note II features improved specs, a slightly larger screen and the Android 4.1 Jelly Bean OS
View 17 Images
The S Pen has been redesigned and improved to be more ergonomic
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The S Pen has been redesigned and improved to be more ergonomic
Samsung unveiled the Galaxy Note II at this year's Berlin-based IFA tech event
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Samsung unveiled the Galaxy Note II at this year's Berlin-based IFA tech event
Launched at IFA in Berlin, the Galaxy Note II features increased S Pen software enhancements over its predecessor
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Launched at IFA in Berlin, the Galaxy Note II features increased S Pen software enhancements over its predecessor
The Galaxy Note II now features an 8 megapixel rear camera and 1.9 megapixel front camera
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The Galaxy Note II now features an 8 megapixel rear camera and 1.9 megapixel front camera
The Galaxy Note II is available in 16 GB, 32 GB, and 64 GB internal memory options
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The Galaxy Note II is available in 16 GB, 32 GB, and 64 GB internal memory options
The Galaxy Note II's RAM has doubled from its predecessor's 1 GB to 2 GB
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The Galaxy Note II's RAM has doubled from its predecessor's 1 GB to 2 GB
The tip of the S Pen is now rubber
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The tip of the S Pen is now rubber
Samsung unveiled the Galaxy Note II at this year's Berlin-based IFA tech event
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Samsung unveiled the Galaxy Note II at this year's Berlin-based IFA tech event
Samsung unveiled the Galaxy Note II at this year's Berlin-based IFA tech event
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Samsung unveiled the Galaxy Note II at this year's Berlin-based IFA tech event
Samsung unveiled the Galaxy Note II at this year's Berlin-based IFA tech event
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Samsung unveiled the Galaxy Note II at this year's Berlin-based IFA tech event
The Galaxy Note II has a slightly larger 5.5" 16:9 HD super Amoled screen, compared to the original Note's 5.3" screen
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The Galaxy Note II has a slightly larger 5.5" 16:9 HD super Amoled screen, compared to the original Note's 5.3" screen
The Galaxy Note II's internal memory can be expanded with a Micro SD Card slot
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The Galaxy Note II's internal memory can be expanded with a Micro SD Card slot
The Galaxy Note II has a 3,100 mAh battery
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The Galaxy Note II has a 3,100 mAh battery
Samsung unveiled the Galaxy Note II at this year's Berlin-based IFA tech event
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Samsung unveiled the Galaxy Note II at this year's Berlin-based IFA tech event
Samsung unveiled the Galaxy Note II at this year's Berlin-based IFA tech event
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Samsung unveiled the Galaxy Note II at this year's Berlin-based IFA tech event
Samsung unveiled the Galaxy Note II at this year's Berlin-based IFA tech event
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Samsung unveiled the Galaxy Note II at this year's Berlin-based IFA tech event
The Galaxy Note II features improved specs, a slightly larger screen and the Android 4.1 Jelly Bean OS
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The Galaxy Note II features improved specs, a slightly larger screen and the Android 4.1 Jelly Bean OS
View gallery - 17 images

Taking the stage at IFA 2012, South Korean technology giant Samsung has announced the successor to its stylus-equipped, supersized Galaxy Note, the Galaxy Note II. Due for release this October, Samsung is billing the Galaxy Note II as the “most powerful smartphone in the marketplace.” Besides upgraded specs, the substantial “phablet” as Samsung is now categorizing it, features a new and improved S Pen stylus, reduced bezel and slightly larger screen size - up from 5.3 to 5.5 inches.

The Galaxy Note II will arrive with the Android 4.1 Jelly Bean operating system pre-installed (also coming to previous-model Note's) and modified slightly to incorporate some software enhancements designed to make full use of that new S Pen, which is now longer, thicker and more sensitive than before.

On the software front, S Pen improvements include "Air View" - which allows users to hover over documents like photo galleries and emails to see a preview of content, and the ability to write comments on the "back" of a digital photo, lending the image something of an analog feel. A nice touch indicative of the care Samsung has taken with the S Pen improvements is that users can simply draw around something, such as a document, word or image, in order to copy it.

Launched at IFA in Berlin, the Galaxy Note II features increased S Pen software enhancements over its predecessor
Launched at IFA in Berlin, the Galaxy Note II features increased S Pen software enhancements over its predecessor

Referring to the writing experience offered by the Note II, Jean-Daniel Ayme (Vice President, European Telecommunication Operations, Samsung Electronics) enthused "It's not like the real thing. It is the real thing."

The Galaxy Note II's two cameras have also been upgraded to an 8 megapixel rear-facing, and 1.9 megapixel front facing camera, each with HD video recording capabilities. The Buddy Photo Share, Burst Shot and Best Photo features first introduced with the Galaxy S III smartphone earlier this year have been carried over to the Note II, and it also has an exclusive photo-related feature called Best Faces, which enables users to choose the preferred face or pose of each person from group portrait photos.

The Galaxy Note II's technical specifications are as follows:

  • 1.6 GHz quad-core
  • 2 GB RAM
  • Android 4.1 Jelly Bean
  • 3,100 mAh battery
  • 3G and 4G/LTE
  • 5.5" 16:9 HD super Amoled screen
  • 9.4 mm (0.37 inch) thick
  • 180 grams (6.3 oz)
  • 16 GB, 32 GB, and 64 GB internal memory options
  • Expandable micro SD memory slot
  • 8 megapixel rear camera, 1.9 megapixel front camera

The Galaxy Note II will be offered in "Marble White" and "Titanium Grey" and will begin to appear in "major European, Asian, and Middle East markets" from October 2012.

View gallery - 17 images
5 comments
5 comments
Dawar Saify
What about the resolution? And only 8 mega pixel camera?
christopher
1280x720 apparently ( 267ppi )
DrRich
Some of us live in the U.S.; when can we expect to see this? I am looking for a new smartphone in October, I would hate to have to buy something else because this is not available.
Jason McGovern
megapixel count doesnt matter, its the resolution that matters most. needs to come to america, otherwise i may have to buy an unlocked one on amazon.
Kevin Taylor
Jason - buy two on Amazon and send me one to New Zealand :)