76

Conclusion: We're mixed

For an unreasonably sized phone, we do like the way the Galaxy Note has implemented pen input. And hey, it does work pretty well as a small tablet. But we don't expect too many people will actually want to use this to make their calls, and it would be nice to see AT&T offer it with a tablet-style data-only plan, instead of treating it as just another phone. Bottom line: if you're one of the small number of people who might actually want a small tablet as your phone, the Note isn't half bad. If you just want a phone, look elsewhere.

Buy It:

$415.00

90-Day Price History

now
high
$499
low
$410

Critic reviews

7.6
7 reviews
  • Reception and call quality
    7.6
  • Display
    9.0
  • Battery life
    8.5
  • Camera
    9.1
  • Ease of use
    7.5
  • Design and form factor
    6.3
  • Portability (size / weight)
    6.0
  • Media support
    8.0
  • Durability
    8.0
  • Ecosystem (apps, accessories, etc.)
    7.3

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User reviews

8.9
82 reviews
8.0
Engadget Feb 15, 2012

It is, in fact, one of the best phones to hit the market since another Samsung powerhouse -- the Galaxy Nexus. It's a device with a lot to love and is the kind of phone that would make almost every Android aficionado swoon.

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7.0
Engadget Jul 30, 2012

We're more than a little disappointed that Samsung didn't take the opportunity to update the Galaxy Note with modern internals ahead of its debut on T-Mobile. What was once a premiere superphone is now beginning to show its age.

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8.0
PC World Feb 14, 2012

With its large display and stylus-like pen, the Samsung Galaxy Note is a refreshing departure from the smartphone pack, but its design won't please everyone. Additionally, not enough apps support the pen right now.

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8.0
CNET Feb 13, 2012

With its huge screen and throwback stylus, the Samsung Galaxy Note is a polarizing smartphone that winks at tablet territory. Those who like their screens XL will find a top-notch device that lets multimedia shine. The S Pen adds some artistic potential, but for some, the phone will just simply be...

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7.0
TechCrunch Feb 14, 2012

Unfortunately, you might look a little crazy with that huge thing up to your face. I found that it was really difficult to get comfortable with the device, never feeling like I had complete control over it as I would with a smaller phone.

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8.0
Consumer Reports Jan 12, 2012

Some knock the Note for being an inconveniently big smart phone and an inadequately-sized tablet. ... But for some people, including those for whom Web surfing and gaming are phone priorities, I think the Note might offer a welcome size niche.

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7.0
USA Today Feb 15, 2012

Galaxy Note grows on you as you get accustomed to its size (and that pen). I suspect, though, it will have a polarizing effect: Some will deem it gimmicky; others will happily take Note.

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10
peterosb peterosb

This phone is for people with larger than average hands who don't wear skinnyjeans. It's a big phone, but still a phone. It's also a tablet, but a small one. Perfect if you ask me. This is what I had wished the Dell Streak 5 to be, but Dell utterly failed. Samsung did it right. Now I don't...

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10
chicosy chicosy

At first the size is very intimidating. it takes a while for your hand to get used to the width. Let me get this out of the way by saying if you have BIG hands, then this phone will be a joy to use. If not, then this will feel more like a tablet than a phone. Feature wise, my complaint is the...

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9.0
monkeyboy monkeyboy

I use my Note primarily for internet and reading books, magazines and newspapers. It is perfect for this and means that I no longer have to carry around both an iphone and an ipad. Battery life is as to be expected and certainly no worse than my iphone, which means I tend to charge when in the...

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9.0
Saad Saad

The Samsung GALAXY Note is a marvel in phone design, a new category in mobile electronics and a breath of fresh air with all the look-a-like phones out there. Our phones define what we do, they are our everyday tool and our every hour object, The time you leave your desktops and laptops behind,...

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9.0
ohcapital ohcapital

This is a great phone if you're okay with the size. If not, go with a standard SGII or the SkyRocket (actually just wait for the SkyRocket HD). That being said, if you're excited about the prospect of all that you could do with a bigger screen then this is a great device. If you've got a 4-inch...

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10
plikestechno plikestechno

Have black (or carbon blue or whatever they call it) SGH-i717. Phablets aren't for everyone but they are for me. This is what I've been waiting years for. Everything including a fantastic media player in one unit. I actually almost bought an iPad when they first came out because I thought that...

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8.0
patelhemals patelhemals

Quickly Summarizing the Samsung Galaxy Note - 1] 5.3" Large AMOLED Screen 2] Best of the Best Screen to watch pictures & movies 3] Much better to read and reply emails or browse 4] Faster Processor and really fast 5] Latest OS and expected ICS 6] Pen support and good apps for it (haven't used...

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9.0
newpop1 newpop1

I was skeptical about the large screen on this device. I moved from an iPhone to a Moto Droid 1, then a Droid 3, then to a Samsung Focus S (WP7). It was hard to leave the Windows Phone 7 and move back to Android. Fortunately this cell phone has been solid since the beginning. If you are...

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6.0
agbenny agbenny

I use this for that 8 months. This is neither a phone not a full fledged tablet. Its just a fun device. Its good for Emailing, and social networking, bad for phone calls.! It cannot be anyone's primary phone, unless s/he has a hulk's palm. Battery life is poor, you must use a batter saving app (I...

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