There are few at the moment on the market models that stand out from the crowd and memorable. Even fewer are those that stand out not only the appearance, but also offer something more classic competition which is not able to offer. Is the Samsung Galaxy Note Edge is such a device, or just trying to stand out at all costs, without giving much in return?
It is not at the first public attempt by Samsung with curved screens. Already at the beginning of 2013. The Koreans presented a prototype device with a display that occurs on one of the long edges of the phone. Sounds (and looks) familiar? Of course – in terms of appearance that the equipment was confusingly similar to the Galaxy Note Edge test.
But before we lived to Note’a unusual commercial debut in late 2013 and went on sale a different model with a curved screen – Samsung Galaxy Round . This, in partnership with LG G Flex, however, has not won a special recognition in the eyes of customers and ultimately did not live to successor (G Flex while anyway). Was he too brave, unnecessary, or simply was mediocre as a smartphone – the reasons for this turn of events could have been a lot. It was difficult to assume that Samsung expects sales giant, but still lack a successor is pretty clear signal that this is not the direction.
Is Note Edge is the right one?
Specifications
- Dimensions: 151.3 x 82.4 x 8.3 mm
- Weight: 175 g
- Display: 5.6 “Quad HD + Super AMOLED display, 2560 x (1440 + 160)
- Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 805 quad-core, 2.7 GHz
- Layout: Adreno 420
- Memory: 3 GB RAM
- Multimedia Memory: 32 GB RAM
- Memory Cards: Yes, up to 128 GB
- Camera:
- Front: 3.7MP, F1.9, the angle of 90º or 120º
- Back: 16M + Smart OIS, AF, Live HDR
- Wi-Fi: Wi-Fi 802.11 a / b / g / n / ac (2X2 MIMO)
- Wireless: NFC, Bluetooth 4.1 (BLE), IR
- GSM LTE cat. 4 or 6
- USB: USB2.0, MHL 3.0
- Sensors: gestures, accelerometer, geomagnetic, gyro, RGB, Proximity, Barometer, Hall sensor, fingerprint reader, UV, HRM
- Other LED notifications
- Battery: 3000 mAh removable
- Operating System: Android 4.4.4 (on the day of testing)
At the time of testing phone price was about 3500 zł, for both versions of white and black. This means that the difference compared to “normal” Note 4 at … about 1000 zł! In other markets, it is usually less, but in our reality dispersion in price between the two models is gigantic. So it comes to the question of whether it is worth enough to pay extra at all?
Appearance and construction
As for the phone so special, the first contact with the Note Edge, especially when the screen is turned off, it may be somewhat surprising. This is not the kind of equipment passport, which simply screaming about their differences and distance you can see that this is something different than the rest of the twin like smartphones. Untrained eye can have big problems, unlike him from even Galaxy Note 4 or … well, whatever. Showing such persons Edge require explicit attention to this, in what respect this particular phone is different from the competition. And only then mined from each other as the most deserved “wow”.
It is this characteristic can be treated in many cases an advantage. Or we do not have to get used to the unusual look of your device, or do not pay special attention to each other. Getting used to support (at least a basic level), or even holding the phone itself, also does not take too much time – in many ways it is an absolutely regular phone and supports it as well, such as. Note 4.
Unusual extension of the screen, however, resulted in the design of the phone. Elegance Note 4, which really can be enjoyed here was quite clearly zaburzono lack of symmetry. While the left edge remained almost unchanged, whereas the right side is happening much more. Solid frame, which is arranged on the left in the standard way – perpendicular to the screen, here – without interrupting – “poured” in large part on the back of the phone. The result is two completely different phone boundaries – a peaceful, non-irritating left, and sharp and not necessarily pleasant right.
This required significant effort is probably in the design and manufacture of the phone, which in some way is able to at least partially justify the high price, but all the discussion is rather unusual. Not only that interferes with the generally accepted “canon of beauty” – symmetry, it still makes first contact with the phone is just weird. One part of the hand rests on a flat surface Friend, while the other are inserted into the narrow portion of the hard frame.
However, just a few days to this problem is no longer any problem at all. Great finishing materials and make the appropriate balance between the Edge after a certain time is no longer strange – it is just a normal and comfortable, and the unusual becomes all the other phones. The only thing that can irritate when such construction is picking up the phone from the desk, starting just from the “screen” edge. Finger slippage during such attempts annoyed just the first day of testing, as well as the last one.
The solution however, may be pressing the edge on the opposite side and then undermine it – to this ideal. But here comes the second apparent defect – protruding camera lens, which helped in isolation smartphone from the flat surface, hurt, when you want to write on the phone lying on the counter. Rocking and tapping is definitely not what you want to hear using the device costing 3500 zł.
Note Edge frame construction has forced some small changes, among others, the reallocation of keys in relation to Note 4. While the left edge of the volume buttons is still in the same place, so the power key no longer able to remain there, where it was previously, and therefore it was moved to the top of the phone, next to the headphone jack, IR port and one of the microphones. Unfortunately, in the case of phabletów, such a solution is not always good, and given the lack of a wake-up options by tapping the screen, we are left with a centrally placed “Home” button, or gymnastics.
The lower part of a longer while the “classic” with Note 4 – placed in the middle of USB 2.0 and two microphones and a slot for the stylus S-Pen, which – the same as the previous model – can be put without having to rotate it in the only right way.
Just as down, so the back of the device not really different from what we have seen in Note 4, of course, if you miss specifically drawn edge. All other elements remained exactly the same places where there were previously. The same is also a material which finished the rear, removable flap (also identical with that of Note 3 but without stitching). Leather-like material has probably as many supporters as opponents, but you can not deny him one – touch and use the solution for many enjoyable, more functional and more resistant than glass.
The difference in size compared to Note 4 is also not huge – Edge is 2 mm shorter, less than 4 mm wider and 0.2 mm thicker than his ” ordinary “counterpart, achieving a little bit better ratio screen / total area. There is also a 2 g lighter.
You have to admit, however, that in general both dimensions such equipment can not be defined as anything other than just gigantic. If someone does not correspond to a very large phone, or Note 4, and Edge Note will not be appropriate for him. If the Note 4 is not no problem for him, the change over Edge would not feel much of a difference, even despite the change in width.
Display
Even the description from the manufacturer – 5, 6 “Quad Super AMOLED HD + 2560 x (1440 + 160) – is impressive, but you have to admit that this time it is not just pure marketing. Do you like AMOLEDy or not (I for example. I do not like them), even apart from additional work space, the display in Note Edge is simply brilliant. There is no reason to argue here that the Quad HD is necessary or not – in the hardware as much money as we expect as much, and sometimes even more than you need.
All the displayed contents are of course extremely sharp, and noticing individual pixels – whether in normal use, or practically the phone up to your eyes – it is almost impossible. Colors, as you might guess, are simply insane (although no exaggeration) and do not want to fade even at fairly breakneck phone deviations, and the whole thing remains clear even in difficult lighting conditions. Such parameters as handling precision and speed of response you do not even remember. The more that the same thing can be said about the display properly Galaxy Note 4. Edge the most important is what N4 missing.
A lot or not much missing – it depends on how much area is, for us, was 2560 × 160 pixels for spectacular looking part of the screen that can “relieve” the home screen and at least partially clean it with notification or some menu items. Thereby making that we can focus exclusively on the interesting content, or simply view them more. For it is the final recipient is what dopłaci 1000 zł.
In contrast to the unusual appearance or construction, this item is hard not to like the first contact. Yes, it can sometimes introduce a bit of confusion, but the vast majority of the time is a great addition.
Why the confusion? There are several reasons that it is necessary to consider before any purchase. First of all the service bonus is not necessarily part of the display from the first minutes of fun seems to be completely intuitive. Yes, we serve it with gestures and clicks as the world’s most ordinary screen, but here we are faced with two difficulties.
First of all, the surface is relatively narrow, and this bent. This is largely based on the use gestures, where the “range” of such an action ends after only 160 pixels. It’s not much, but just to circumvent this problem clearly helps shaping the surface, skillfully guiding our finger in the direction of the edge, or “in the air”, so as not to perform unwanted gesture on the right of the display.
In addition, the mere presence of two screens one can cause some confusion. The boundary between the two is true, in terms of graphics, unquestionable, but still is not physical. Actually, it can be regarded as entirely imaginary – in display mode “string” (ie. Non-active), the bent portion of the above is not fully completed, while in active mode, additional text overlaps the flat portion of the screen.
Again, it has its good and bad sides. One result is a feeling of cohesion hardware, system, and the whole idea. We do not treat the surface as a surprise bonus, detached from reality addition, the strength appended it to the phone. On the contrary – everything is there as much as possible in order. On the other hand, it requires habits and reconcile with the fact that the physical continuity of the display not fully reflected in the continuity of service.
Besides all the other features of this unusual display even forced to use it and enjoy this pleasure.
While it is possible to say that the same thing could be achieved by introducing just a tad wider display, but it’s not true. Flat whole would be even less distinguished from the essential part, and through it – even less intuitive.
What can I do for her help? Here, there are four basic categories – ornaments, notification / information, applications and shortcuts / menu.
For the first group includes all more or less static elements that do not do anything, but they just look nice . Our graphics (obviously cut respectively), string or something like that. Tools at this from the collection, and no one should feel disappointed. Not a big deal, but certainly, if he ran, would be a scandal.
The second category is much more interesting. Here, in the framework of the supported applications and sources of information, we can choose a separate information panels that will be displayed on a curved section of the screen. Sorry, but there are quite a lot, unfortunately they do not include too many sources relevant to Polish users. Those who still follow eg. The results of foreign clubs, global stock market trends from Twitter (but without a preview of entries – only local trends) that are generally based on Yahoo as their primary news provider, should be happy.
There were fortunately display options in the sidebar smartfonowych standard notifications that inevitably (vertical display) are now more room for “self-expression”. Also here you can freely choose which notifications are to be sent to the bar, and which are not. Some disappointment is the fact that it is impossible to completely remove the top notification bar, and move everything to one side. Only full-screen applications such as calendar samsungowy, show how it might look like made from 100% as it should. In other cases, we have two strips notifications – for what?
So, regardless of the system, I hate this top bar, which is mostly to do anything you do not need (who continually interested in the range operator?), And only steal valuable place.
Most of the content is displayed at the same time, of course, fully interactive, or to put it bluntly – clickable. The exceptions are few, but they seem to be quite incomprehensible – eg. The factory only a weather bar will show the current temperature – we can click on it to the bitter end, and even then we do not get the Weather app. Why?
It is a pity that the development of related applications notification is solved in a rather artificial way. While open to the animation on the right side of the screen, so that the right, but it looks like going the path of least resistance. As much as one would like to make it more consistent with the whole system and the addition, and not just … added.
The ease with which these notifications are read, even though we got there mish-mash of notifications vertical, horizontal, and “iconic” is surprising.
In theory, this should result in a further loss, confusion and reduce readability to zero, but … it is not. Somehow, at a glance, without leaving the application or developing the top menu to check the weather in Wroclaw, the result Arsenal BBRY course, or keep track of what is happening on Twitter. Cervical dislocation luckily so do not threaten us.
Category “Applications” hides a few items at the moment, actually … one game and five programs that can operate entirely with the help of only an additional screen surface. The first one is a simple game Memory Match, in which we can play during such. Browse the web, while the remaining five are a set of tools (expand the list is done by dragging the bar down) – ruler, stopwatch, timer, controller, flashlight and sound recorder. Not much, but at a time when developers will pick up Samsung’s proposal, and this in turn will show that it intends to stick to this solution, we can expect more.
The last set of hides two subgroups. “Shortcuts” is the most basic function of the side of the screen that displays the 7 (or more, but it is necessary if vertical scrolling) application icons or entire folders or on a separate panel, our most active contacts. Simple and convenient pop-up list, you can always have with you.
“Menu” on the other hand refers to applications such as S-Note, camera and audio and video players (and actually only Samsung programs) that are able to display the menu pop on the curved area. And this is brilliant.
You can laugh at this, but they will do only those who Note Edge never had in his hands. The behavior of a nearly complete home screen surface for the application currently displayed at the same time (!) Wygospodarowaniu space on the menu (without the special activation) is, simply put, fantastic. When taking pictures we see a full frame and at the same time at hand are all options, not covering or little bit of the future of photography. We are working on a text document while listening to music? Side panel gives us a trivial view and manage playback. Watch a movie? Always at hand, we have the control of its operation, without losing the smallest part of the image, indeed, we can continue watching the movie to check the results of the game, which we can not just see it. Without closing the application.
However, as in the case of an application, so there would like to supported programs was more, much more.
For now, it is only a foretaste of the future, but very functional and tasty. From Samsung and developers depends only on whether it will be just the appetizer to the main course, or the last meal.
All the attractiveness of the side of the screen may, however, at some point lead to a desire to use it as much as possible and attempts to clog it too a large number of panels. You need to be careful, because this solution works only until it is really easy when we know where it is that the panel (and the presence of their order can be freely modified). If we have to perform on this tiny area too many gestures, everything loses its meaning and becomes more time-consuming and reckless to use than a normal screen.
It is also important to remember one thing – in applications not designed to fully integrate with additional strap, that when activated can cover some of the UI elements and immediately retracts when you touch the area beyond. If you want to use it again – we have to pull it back gesture.
With useful trivia, additional Note screen can be used in some hours for the … night clock, fulfilling this task very well (the entire panel, outside pixels responsible for displaying the hour is blank). Although if we use it only in this way, well, there are probably more interesting watches with alarm clock for 3500 zł.
Convenience
Unbalanced, great, with an additional area of sensitive touch – this may not be comfortable to use. And yet … it is!
Of course, the fact that the Note Edge is a gigantic phone, it is difficult to simply argue. Regardless of what we think is the optimum size, the new Galaxy is just great, as well as all other equipment Note Series. Likewise, its mass is felt (though not so great!), So can cause problems in some pockets and so we look to him during a conversation – as if we were holding the head pocket book. And so did the hand thumb reach you hold the phone, to the corners of the screen is very difficult or sometimes impossible. There is no mercy, and there are no miracles.
All of uniqueness, after getting used to the lack of symmetry hand devices but has a minimal effect on how you use this Samsung product. If we had phablet of similar size – Edge of the Note will be used by us to be virtually the same. If you wanted to buy a big phone – we will be happy with it. This is not an alien equipment, where for an hour wondering how to grab it at all, and which part of the body is best to do it. We take it in your hand, touch, press, Musk and forget about the fact that everyone on the internet wondering how you can use it at all.
This is just a smartphone – slightly different finish, but However, smartphone, with all its advantages and disadvantages.
Apart from the already small difficulty in lifting the desk (though perhaps only bother me), it is difficult to find any negative elements that differentiate Note Edge. The sharp edge is not sharp enough to cut off his leg when holding the smartphone in your pocket, it does not separate bags or backpacks.
It’s easier to find the pros while. Excellent balance, stiff, comfortable feel (especially the left) side metal frame provides a solid sense of hardware implementation, as well as eye-catching glass protecting the display. For this just add a rough rear surface, which – if you swallow the fact that it only pseudoskóra – will reward outstanding even “feeling” the phone and offer a secure grip without the risk of slipping the phone. With such a large size, certainly appreciate it more than once or twice.
Contrary to initial fears, side screen does not mean that all the time accidentally launch a web browser or other unwanted applications. During the two-week test not happened to me not once, but hold my Edge as chwytałbym any other phone. But we can not completely exclude such cases. After the transfer of the smartphone in the hands of a typical “spoils” is still on receipt before I finished saying that “it can not be accidentally activate” … accidentally launched just one of the programs in the list. So there is always a risk.
A little uphill, but they will have left-handed. My attempts have shown that even without having big hands can reach the right edge of the left thumb (with proper effort), but it is difficult to assess right-handed regarded as decisive in this regard. Although you can turn the phone besides upside down (after activation of the corresponding function strap adjusts to the change), but with permanently invested buttons below the screen, it sounds absurd.
The Samsung Galaxy Note may therefore Edge in the eyes of some at least look grotesque, but it certainly is not the use. It is quite … normal.
The quality of the
The first device Galaxy Note was a watershed in many ways, but not in terms of quality. It was okay, but still it was a plastic-fantastik and aesthetics, for which Samsung lingers to this day. Note Edge, like the Note 4, is a completely different story.
There are not really the elements that you can say anything bad here. Frame, in whatever form that takes place in a phone currently watching is always the same sturdy and stylish. Each hole is cut precisely, and each button is held in place, put the appropriate resistance and gives a satisfying click. Easy invoice occupying around the display, the protective glass, makes, however, that the front of the phone is a little less boring, and at the same time consistent with the style of Samsung.
Of course, there can be no scraping and folding housing is extremely high. The existence of the gap, on which was the case with loud Note 4, unfortunately you can not unequivocally confirm let alone put there business cards. At certain angles you can see though, that there is a minimum distance, but it may be an illusion.
The only thing that really bothers in terms of aesthetics, and it’s even more than the lack of symmetry, the two microscopic elements placed at metal frame at the bottom of the device (the antenna). The reason? They look like two chipping paint and draw on each other too much attention. It could not paint for a less irritating color?
Still, even taking into account the fact that Edge Note is a phone definitely structurally different from the Galaxy Alpha, almost as you want to hold it in your hand and just as good (apart from acute frame) makes an impression. One, solid lump, not a patchwork of plastic parts that just somehow fit together.
It’s not even the level of sophistication and subtlety Apple, but the gap between the Edge and the models introduced by Samsung on the market over a dozen months ago, is huge. Even Note 3, which is difficult to name unreliable, there is no chance at the Edge.
S Pen
A separate topic, also in terms of quality of performance, it is S-Pen stylus, which is visually not really different from this, which can now be used even if the holders of Note 3. Unfortunately, this also applies to just the quality of workmanship and finishing materials – some may seem too light, too plastic, or just … too cheap to listen to. It is still convenient and practical, but it still does not match the hardware at this price. Especially when we are talking about the price of Edge, and not the usual Note.
Besides all that has been written of the stylus in Note 3 and Note 4, is used to scribe Note Edge. Changes compared to the previous generation are rather cosmetic and mainly include more levels of sensitivity stylus (twice more – with 1024 levels of pressure up to 2048), additional writing tools, Smart Select / The Intelligent Choice (cut mode to recognize the type of content and capable “draw “with the text), or a great tool to select text. Evolution, not revolution.
Overall, however, nothing has changed. Edge Note or Note 4 are absolutely the best devices on the market with a stylus.
