galaxy note

Episode 18: The Galaxy Note 2 and a ThinkPad torture test

When Samsung debuted the Galaxy Note last year at CES, the phone met with, well, a mountain of mockery.

It was inexplicably huge, it came with a stylus, hallmark of the hopelessly unhip, and worse, pundits took to calling it a "phablet" -- half phone, half tablet. It appeared to be a product in search of a market it could never, ever hope to find.

We were wrong. The Note found a following, and Samsung reportedly sold 20 million of the funny little things. That's pretty good for a tweener device with no known purpose.

And here … Read more

Galaxy Note II coming to Sprint October 25, stylus in tow

Sprint has doubled down on Samsung's big Galaxy Note 2 bet. The carrier has just confirmed that the advanced, 5.5-inch screen Android device will hit its stores shortly.

Expected to cost $299.99 when it launches on October 25, both Samsung and Sprint hope the Galaxy Note 2 will offer plenty of catnip for Android users and possibly prove irresistible for users craving a smartphone with tablet-like features. Running Android 4.1 Jelly Bean, Google's latest and greatest software yet, the phone will connect to Sprint's new 4G LTE network and boast a 1.6GHz quad-core … Read more

Prizefight: The iPad takes on the Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1

Two of the hottest rivals in tech meet up in the ring to battle it out for tablet bragging rights: the third-generation Apple iPad and the Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1.

The Samsung brings a touch interface and a stylus in one single package. With those features, the Galaxy 10.1 is catering to a different type of use. Is the iPad still the tablet king of the ring? Or does Samsung bring a more innovative product this time around?

Which is your Prizefight champ? Vote now!

CNET UK reviews the Samsung Galaxy Note 2

Samsung has announced the Galaxy Note 2 smartphone/tablet hybrid, paraded it around our various U.S. offices, and is even planning a big ol' coming-out party. But we don't have the phone yet. Luckily for us, our friends at CNET UK do.

Not only does bigger equal even better according to CNET UK reviewer Andrew Hoyle, the "phablet," with its massive screen, powerful quad-core processor, and quirky-cool S Pen stylus dazzled enough to earn the phone a coveted Editors' Choice award.

Check out the full Samsung Galaxy Note 2 (II) review at CNET UK, and stick … Read more

AT&T's Samsung lineup: Note 2, Rugby Pro, Express, Tab 10.1 2

AT&T has unveiled its latest lineup of Samsung devices, including two smartphones, a tablet, and a tweener smartphone/tablet hybrid.

The Samsung Galaxy Note 2 and Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 2 were already unveiled at earlier Samsung events.

In addition, AT&T will sell the lower-end Samsung Galaxy Express, which AT&T said will target first-time smartphone users, and the rugged Samsung Galaxy Rugby Pro. Prices and availability details are still forthcoming, although the carrier said they would available "in the coming months."

The Galaxy Note 2 is the next jumbo phone from … Read more

Samsung teases Galaxy Note 2 launch party on Oct. 24

Just one look at the stylus in Samsung's Save the Date invite we received today will tell you all you need to know: it's time for the U.S. to get the Samsung Galaxy Note 2 (II) "phablet."

That's my educated guess, anyway, considering that the Galaxy Note 10.1 tablet is out in the world, and since Samsung will want to put great marketing and sales efforts behind their latest phone in a category they're aggressively pioneering.

The Note 2 smartphone has a 5.5-inch screen, Android 4.1 Jelly Bean, an 8-megapixel … Read more

Samsung expects big things from even bigger Galaxy Note 2

Samsung is expecting pretty big things out of its next major release, the Galaxy Note 2.

Indeed, even after the 30 million Galaxy S3s and millions of iPhone 5 sales, Samsung believes it could still move 20 million units of its 5.5-inch Galaxy Note II. Speaking with reporters recently, Samsung head J.K. Shin advised that the Galaxy Note II could sell "three times faster" than the first iteration over its first few months.

To ensure the handset is a success, Samsung has partnered with no less than 260 wireless providers across 128 markets. Starting with today'… Read more

Whose tablet ads are the worst of them all? Apple's, say ad mavens

It's a wonder Apple ever manages to sell any of those pesky iPads.

At least, that seems to be the pulsating thought that oozes from numbers analyzed by a company called Ace Metrix.

These no doubt diligent and well-meaning sorts decided to rate the TV ads for all the different tablets that are currently vying for a place in your living and rest areas.

You may be stunned into the principality of Catatonia to discover that real human beings were allegedly far more moved by ads for the Samsung Galaxy Note, Google's Nexus 7 and even Amazon's … Read more

Quad-core Samsung Galaxy Note 2 launches with 5 carriers

The first quad-core LTE smartphone in the U.S. is almost here, and it comes to our shores extra-large. In launching the Samsung Galaxy Note 2, Samsung is hoping to repeat its own success with sales on the Galaxy S3 just a few months before, while also setting a record for the first quad-core smartphone to reach U.S. retail shelves.

The Korea-based manufacturer announced today that it will kick off the 5.5-inch Android 4.1 Jelly Bean "phablet," a smartphone with tabletlike proportions, on the same five carriers that initially offered the Galaxy S3 this summer. Moreover, the smartphone will carry Samsung's 1.6 GHz Exynos processor.… Read more

Which phone should you buy?

This story originally published September 14, 2012, and updates often to reflect the arrival of new phones.

"Which phone should I buy?" This is the single most common question readers like you ask phone reviewers like us every day. With the launch of the Samsung Galaxy S4 and HTC One to join the BlackBerry Z10, Nokia Lumia 920 and 928, and Apple iPhone 5, the choices are more numerous than ever before.

On the bright side, options are a good thing -- if you're armed with the knowledge necessary to make smart shopping decisions. Sit tight as we lay out what you need to find the right mobile platform and model for you.… Read more