A Note- worthy Galaxy

> We look back on the history of the smartphone series that changed the mobile landscape with its innovations

THE SAMSUNG Galaxy Note series went through a turbulent time last year with the Note7, which it discontinued. Samsung is now aiming high with the Galaxy Note8 ( right). The Note8 is the latest in the series of phablets, which started life in 2011. Here’s a look at the earlier Note devices ( above) launched by Samsung over the years:

Samsung Galaxy Note

At the IFA in Berlin, Samsung created a sensation with the unveiling of its first phablet, a smartphone equipped with a 5.3in Super Amoled HD (800p) screen, which was considered very large at the time.

The 3G- and WiFi-compatible device became the first phone in the Galaxy Note series, which differs from the competition in that all models ship with the S Pen stylus.

Launched progressively across the world in the fall of 2011, the device, which ran under Android Gingerbread (2.3), was a massive commercial success.

Samsung Galaxy Note II

At the next year’s IFA, Samsung presented an even larger successor to the first phablet with a 5.55in screen. More an upgrade than a revolution, the Samsung Galaxy Note II featured a more advanced stylus, sensitive to 1,024 levels of pressure, for better handwriting recognition.

Samsung Galaxy Note 3

The Galaxy Note 3, presented in the fall of 2013, had a still larger 5.7in HD (1080p) display. Features like 4G compatibility and 4K video recording set new standards for performance.

It was also the first smartphone to be compatible with the brand’s Galaxy Gear watch, launched at the same time.

The following year, Samsung released the Galaxy Note 3 Neo, a more affordable version of this ground-breaking phablet.

Samsung Galaxy Note 4

With its 5.7in QHD (2560 x 1440 pixel) display and radically-improved performance, the Samsung Galaxy Note 4 caused a sensation at the 2014 IFA.

It was also the first smartphone compatible with Samsung’s new virtual reality headset, the Gear VR, which was sold at a reduced price in a bundle with the phablet.

At the same time, Samsung presented the Galaxy Note Edge, with a display that curved over the side of the device, which worked as a sidebar displaying shortcuts and notifications, notably when the device was in sleep mode.

Samsung Galaxy Note5

Announced earlier than expected in the summer of 2015, the Galaxy Note5 didn’t offer much in the way of innovation, and even lacked some of the Note 4 features, like a removable battery and a microSD slot. It was also distinguished by the fact that it was not released in Europe, where Samsung decided to focus its marketing campaigns on the S6 Edge+.

Samsung Galaxy Note7

Samsung skipped directly from the Note5 to the Note7, which proved to be a disastrous move. Shortly after its launch, it emerged that the Note7’s internal battery was prone to overheating and could even explode. The phone was rapidly withdrawn, even before its launch in some countries. Many were disappointed that the device, which was supposed to set new standards for highend smartphones, had failed to live up to expectations. The Note7 had broken new ground with an iris scanner that could be used for unblocking and identification. A reconditioned version, christened Galaxy Note Fan Edition (FE), was released this year, in a limited edition currently only available in South Korea.

Samsung Galaxy Note8

The Galaxy Note8 will be the first Galaxy Note to be released in several countries since the Galaxy Note 4.

It has a large display (6.3in) with curved sides as well as a new version of the S Pen stylus. The device also features a dual rear camera with 2x optical zoom.

Depending on its destination market, the Samsung Galaxy Note8 will be equipped with a Snapdragon 835 or Exynos 8895 processor, 6GB of RAM, and 64GB of storage (expandable with a microSD card). – AFPRelaxnews