Before Apple iPhone 6, Samsung pulls out all stops for Galaxy Note 4 and Note Edge

Samsung has finally launched a phone that could truly rival any other device both in terms of specs and design.

The Galaxy Note 4 was announced on Wednesday at the IFA in Berlin and will roll out into the UAE and the GCC market by October.

Samsung has improvised the device both in terms of design and specs with a fully aluminum back and s slightly bent glass, like that on the premium Nokia Lumia smartphones.

While the Note 4 will have the same 2.5D glass screen, inherited from the Galaxy S3, the Note Edge, which will roll out later in the year wlll have the new curved edge screen.

The feature allows users to quickly access frequently used apps, alerts and device functionality – even when the cover is closed. Users can also receive notifications directly on the Edge Screen while watching videos without disturbing their viewing.

The Note 4 comes with a 5.7-inch Quad HD (2560×1440) Super AMOLED display, a 16MP camera, which is an improvement compared to the 13 MP on the Note 3. Samsung has also improved the front camera specs with a 3.7MP sensor and an aperture of f/1.9.

Pic: AFP

There is only  marginal improvement in terms of battery. The new Note 4 is powered with a 3220mAh battery compared to the 3200 mAh on the Note 3. The international version of the Note 4 will come with a much improvised 2.7GHz quad-core Snapdragon 805 with a 600MHz Adreno 420 GPU, 3GB RAM, 32 and 64 GB internal storage with available slots for further expansion and a fingerprint scanner which is being introduced for the first time into a Note series.

Samsung had introduced the scanner into the Galaxy S5 and has now included it into the Note 4. The scanner is located on the front. The Note 4 also comes with two additional sensors, a heart rate monitor located on the back cover of the phone and a UV sensor.

“The Galaxy Note series represents the mobile innovation that we have presented so far,” said Shin Jong-kyun, CEO of Samsung Electronics’ mobile business division. “With our technology that realized pen writing and handwriting for mobile devices, the series has created a new market segment for ‘note-type’ smartphones. The Galaxy Note 4 will offer a chance to experience our most sophisticated and advanced technologies.”

Pic: AFP

Samsung has also improvised the features of the S Pen on the new Note. It now allows, according to Samsung, more natural handwriting on its screen due to improvised pressure sensors  - twice as complicated to the S Pen on the Note 3.

Samsung did not limit itself to launching the new Note. It also unveiled four other new gadgets including  - Gear S, the latest in the series of smartwatches; Gear VR, the virtual-reality head-mount display similar to an Oculus Rift and Gear Circle – a necklace-type wearable device.

Samsung Gear S

Samsung also unveiled the Gear S, a smartwatch with 3G connectivity, thereby allowing the device to function independently without the need for a smartphone.

But smartwatches are still meant to complement the smartphone and so even the Gear S works better when it is paired with one.

The design features include curved 2-inch Super AMOLED display and a flexible band.

According to Samsung, it allows users to read messages and notifications at a single glance with features such as conversation view and condensed font.

The Gear S connects to the outside world with 3G, Bluetooth and WiFi and users can switch easily between 3G and Bluetooth connections.

One can even use the onscreen keyboard to reply to messages or use the S voice functionality to complete tasks.

Users can make and receive calls directly from their wrist, or get calls forwarded from their smartphones.

Among the other features are turn-by-turn pedestrian navigation provided by HERE, news apps – the Financial Times ‘fastFT’, app even reads out the news for you.

​The Samsung Gear S also incorporates multiple sensors for health and fitness apps, has built-in GPS, and other S Health features. The Gear S also comes preinstalled with the Nike+ Running allowing users to track their runs.

Gear Circle

The Gear Circle is a Bluetooth headset type of device and when paired with a smartphone allows users to receive calls, listen to music, and make voice commands to the smartphone. Just like the Jabra Rox wireless earbuds, it has a magnetic lock, which clasps around the user’s neck when not in use. It even vibrates to signal incoming calls and notifications.

Both the Samsung Gear S and the Gear Circle will be available in global markets in phases, starting October.

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