Samsung launches the Galaxy Note7

Six truly has enough reason to be frightened of seven. Because seven just trounced six as the new Samsung Galaxy Note. Skipping one whole number after the Galaxy Note5, the 5.5-inch phablet series receives its update for 2016—the Galaxy Note7.

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With an improved S Pen, last year’s Galaxy Note5 and Galaxy S6 edge+ excelled as experts in productivity. Now, the Galaxy Note7 has absorbed the power of the Note5 and the edge+ into one amazing release. We may not see the edge+ series anymore, but the Note7 now has a flurry of new doodads that will make even any smartphone lover goggle at the possibilities. Here’s a quick rundown: a much more improved Note7 S Pen, advanced iris scanner, HDR video capabilities, and a dual pixel camera.

Bringing ideas to life with the Galaxy Note7 S Pen

First and foremost, Samsung is bringing performance upgrades to the lauded S Pen. From a former latency of 70, the new S Pen has a reduced latency of 50, making it more responsive and accurate. The smaller 0.7 tip contributes to the S Pen feeling more like a real pen. The S Pen (and consequently, the screen) will function even when wet.

On the software side, the Note7 allows for a more functional Always On Display. The previous version was enabled for quick note writing even when the screen was turned off (upon disconnecting the S Pen). This version allows notes to be pinned even from the Always On Display, which makes even content retrieval convenient. Further, the Note7 does away with the Memo, S Note, and the Scrapbook app, which are replaced by a comprehensive Samsung Notes app.

The Note7’s Air Command functions receive additional options—Glance, Translate, Shortcuts, and Magnify. Glance opens a tiny window in the corner of your screen that gives a glimpse of an app you select. Translate allows on-screen translations of up to 37 languages. Finally, Magnify zooms in on your screen by 300% regardless of whether the content can be inherently zoomed in with a pinch.

Advanced security in the blink of an eye

The Note7’s most talked-about rumor is the inclusion of an iris scanner, making it the first ever for Samsung. This turns out to be true. More than anything, the Note7’s iris scanner adds a new layer of security to the Note series’ already efficient fingerprint scanner. Compared to the conventional fingerprint scanning, iris scanning is constantly immutable, difficult to forge, and needs no physical contact.

This feature’s main use is to unlock the screen. Additionally, the iris scanner is instrumental in unlocking sensitive files and apps in a folder, called the Secure Folder. This new feature can also be used to authenticate several apps and websites, including Samsung Pay.

Boosting content creation

While the Note7’s screen and camera technology largely retains what the Galaxy S7 introduced. The 12-megapixel OIS dual pixel camera carries an f/1.7 aperture and 1.4μm-pixel lens, allowing for crisper photos on the fly. The front-facing 5-megapixel camera similarly carries an f/1.7 aperture lens. Additionally, the camera will allow creators to capture videos in glorious HDR color, rising above the previous versions’ limitation to HDR photos. The videos it took may also be converted to GIFs using the Note7’s advanced GIF Maker.

On the screen side, the Note7 features a curved, dual-edged 5.7-inch QHD Super AMOLED screen. The screen can display content in 2,560 x 1,440, 518ppi resolution.

Built for performance and beauty

The Note7 is engineered in the same vein as the S7 series. The new design philosophy features less pointed edges and more curves. The unique front-to-back symmetrical dual-edge creates a more natural feel on the grip. Despite all its packed-in features, the Note7 is smaller and lighter than the Note5. The latter measures and weighs 76.1mm and 171g, while the former measures and weighs only 73.9mm and 169g, respectively. For durability, the Note7 is built with the sturdier Gorilla Glass 5.

The phablet is powered by an Exynos 8890, a 64-bit octa-core chip (2.3GHz quad + 1.6GHz quad)—the same technology that powers the Galaxy S7. The Note7 has 4GB of RAM and is capable of 64GB of internal storage, which can be expanded up to 256GB via microSD. Compared to last year’s 3,000mAh battery, this year has a capacity of 3,500mAh, but is still claimed to take only 95 minutes of charge time from zero to full battery.

The Galaxy Note7 is the first-ever Samsung phone to have USB Type-C capabilities. In the box, it will have a USB Type-C to microUSB adapter to allow transfer and connect even with older ports.

With IP68 resistance, the Galaxy Note7 survives in watery and dusty conditions. Further, the phablet and pen will work even under these rugged conditions.

Finally, the Galaxy Note7 is compatible with Samsung vast array of accessories, including the Gear VR (connected with the USB adapter), wireless charger, and S View Standing Cover (which can prop the device at a 60-degree angle for easier viewing).

Pricing and availability

The Galaxy Note7 is available in Black Onyx and Gold Platinum. It will retail for P39,990.

Pre-orders will start on August 6 until August 15 at Samsung Experience Stores and Abensons branches. The package will include a free Gear VR headset. The Note7 will be released officially on August 20, 2016.