Samsung launches Galaxy Note 5

NEW YORK – Samsung’s Galaxy Note smartphone comes early this year, and it’s got company.

The annual announcement is expected every September, but the world’s largest smartphone manufacturer is employing a different strategy this year. The timing ensures that Samsung’s new Note 5 will hit stores well before Apple can announce its next iPhone lineup.

Announced today at its Unpacked 2015 event at the Lincoln Center were the Galaxy Note 5 – a 5.7-inch smartphone with a bundled stylus, and the Galaxy S6 Edge Plus, a super-sized version of last February’s double edge screened S6 Edge.

Both phones share similar specs including octal core processors, 4GB of RAM, and 32GB of internal storage and 3000 mAh batteries. They also sport the same exact cameras on the Galaxy S6, a 16 megapixel main camera with optical image stabilization, and a 5 megapixel, wide-angle selfie camera. Most of these spec upgrades are purely incremental improvements to already good hardware.

Here are 5 new features of the Note 5:

New design

The biggest change of the Note 5 is in terms of design. Unlike the last two versions that sported faux backs, the Note 5 has a glass back that curves downward.  It’s very similar to the curved screen on the Galaxy S6 Edge. The curved back makes the phone grippable, it’s a natural fit atop the curves of your palm.

Improved S-Pen

True to its name the Note 5 is designed for note taking thanks to a bundled stylus called the S-Pen tucked into the bottom right hand corner of the phone. Like the phone, the S-Pen has been redesigned it looks as premium as the phone itself. It also has a new spring loading mechanism that ensures it stays in place when not in use. You press in to eject, then pull out.

Sensitivity is great with an improved nib, and reduced latency. It’s a close enough experience to writing on paper. You will also love the screen off feature which lets you scribble notes discretely when the display is off, and then come back to them later.

Enhanced Air Command

The key to the S-Pen’s functionality is a software feature called Air Command. Previously, to summon Air Command you had to either remove the stylus, or press this button while hovering over the screen.

On the Note 5, once you remove the stylus – Air Command will reside in this bubble, which you can position anywhere on the screen. One tap on the button brings up Air Command and its improved features including the ability to capturing long webpages or chats.

Fast wireless charging

The Note 5 doesn’t have a removable back so users won’t be able to carry around an extra battery to pop-in when the need be. To compensate for this the Note 5 comes with ultra fast charging, a full charge takes 90 minutes when plugged in, and 120 minutes using the optional wireless charger.

Camera

Always an impressive smartphone camera, the Note 5 can outshoot any smartphone this year. It has the same exact camera as on the S6, which for us is one of the best in 2015.

Pressing the home button twice in succession launches the camera in under a second, even when the display is off. This is a massive feature, coupled with quick reflexes, it will be much easier to capture those out of the blue moments.

Content creators will like the fact that YouTube live broadcasting is built-in.There’s a new video collage mode for creating Vine or Instagram videos, and if you’re into selfies…Beauty Face has been expanded with more options so you can get that perfect look.

For more on the Note 5 and the Galaxy S6 Edge, tune in to GadgetMatch’s coverage over at gadgetmatch.net/note5. You can also watch our hands-on video & first impressions below.

Samsung Galaxy Note 5 Hands-On:

Samsung Galaxy Note 5 First Impressions: