If you're in the market for a new smartphone that goes above and beyond what you're exiting one can do, get your hands on the Samsung Galaxy Note ($199.99 on a 3-year plan), a 5.3-inch Android-powered device that folds in tablet-like functionality.
Yes, that's right, it's a hybrid product that acts like a smartphone on one hand -- you can make calls and send text messages, and it can still slip it into your pocket or purse – but its larger real estate means it's also ideal for consuming media, be it reading e-books, watching video and playing games.
For businesses, the Samsung Galaxy Note is also great for working on documents, web browsing and reading long email messages without having to continuously scroll down the page.
If you can get past its supersized body – it might look a little odd held up to your ear – you'll no doubt agree this two-in-one device borrows the best from both worlds.
In other words, don't knock it 'til you try it.
Before we get to other features, including an integrated stylus pen and support for Telus' fast LTE (Long Term Evolution) network in select cities, a few other words about the Galaxy Note's screen – which is, after all, the first thing you'll notice when you boot it up. The 5.3-inch screen (measured diagonally) isn't just big, it's beautiful. Called an "HD super AMOLED display," the detail on video, games, websites and other Android apps is simply stunning. This 1,280 x 800-resolution display also has excellent contrast (resulting in dark blacks), high brightness and wide 180-degree viewing angle -- in case you want to share the device with someone while watching a video or playing a game. The Samsung Galaxy Note is 9.65mm thin and weighs about 178 grams.
The large screen might also mean it's easier to type on the virtual keyboard than smaller phones, like the 3.5-inch iPhone. You can use the soft QWERTY keyboard to type vertically or horizontally or opt to use the Swype option, where you simply drag your finger from letter to letter and lift up to make space between words (those who use Swype swear by it). There's also a speech-to-text option but this Android feature doesn't work as quickly or accurately as Apple's Siri, found on the iPhone 4S.
If you prefer to use a stylus pen instead of your fingertip, there's one bundled in the back of the Galaxy Note. Called an "S-Pen," this small stylus lets you sketch or draw on the screen. A small button on the side of the pen can perform extra functions, too, such as snapping a screenshot of what you're looking at. For example, take a snapshot of a map, write something on the screen (such as "meet me here") and then email ot text the image to someone. The S-Pen also offers 256 levels of pressure sensitivity, so the screen knows how thin or thick you want the line to be.
You can expect powerful speeds, too, from the peppy processor (1.5GHz dual-core) and the fast LTE speeds for broadband-like downloads and uploads, media streaming and web browsing. In cities without LTE support (yet, that is), the Galaxy Note will revert back to HSPA+ speeds across Canada, which covers the majority of the country.
Finally, the Samsung Galaxy Note includes 16GB of integrated memory, but you can expand it up to 32GB via removable microSD cards. The back of the device sports an 8-megapixel camera with LED flash (capable of shooting HD video, too) while a 2-megapixel camera is at the front, ideal for video calling (though not tested for this review).
The battery was good as it lasted all day when using Wi-Fi for the most part, but it didn't fare as well when using 4G in Toronto as the device's "Low Battery" warning popped up at dinnertime.
Overall, however, the Samsung Galaxy Note is an extraordinary smartphone/tablet ("phablet"?), ideal for both consumers and businesses. It might sound like it's simply too big to use as a phone, but before you pass judgment visit your local carrier's store or other electronics retailer to try it out for yourself.
