Samsung finally revealed to the world their anticipated Galaxy Note 2 handset at an August 29 Samsung Mobile Unpacked event in Berlin. The handset sports some impressive technical specs, and with the Galaxy S3, forms a great flagship lineup for Samsung.
Before the Galaxy Note 2 was officially unveiled, leaked images and rumors on the internet pointed to the fact the Galaxy Note 2 looks incredibly similar to the Galaxy S3, only bigger. The official pictures have confirmed the suspicion: the Galaxy Note 2 does look like an over sized Galaxy S3. But make no mistake, these are not the same two phones.
To begin with, let's get the technical specs out of the way. Both are powerful enough to run the latest Android operating systems and deliver stunning visuals and performance. The Galaxy Note 2 comes with a 1.6 GHz quad-core processor while the U.S. Galaxy S3s come with a 1.5GHz dual-core Qualcomm processor. The Galaxy Note 2 will launch with Android 4.1 Jelly Bean, while the Galaxy S3 should be getting a Jelly Bean update very soon.
The Galaxy S3 comes in 16GB and 32GB models, while the Galaxy Note 2 comes in 16GB, 32GB, and 64GB models. And both handsets come with 8-megapixel rear-facing cameras and 1.9-megapixel front-facing cameras. They also both support 4G LTE and have Wi-Fi and Bluetooth capabilities.
As you can see, technically, both are sound devices that even have a similar design casing. But it's in the size and the S Pen stylus that the Galaxy Note 2 sets itself apart.
The Galaxy Note 2 has a whopping 5.55-inch display compared to the Galaxy S3's 4.8-inch display. Both are bigger than the iPhone and both are at the larger end of the spectrum of Android phones, but the Galaxy Note 2's increased size allows it to interact with its main feature: the S Pen.
The S Pen turns your Galaxy Note 2 into a digital notepad. Samsung is pushing the "creative" aspect of handset - for instance, you can simply pull out the stylus and activate a notepad app for jotting down numbers, thoughts, sketches and more. There are also a number of S Pen-specific apps that will come with the device that offer more ways to use the stylus. The device also allows for more multitasking than the Galaxy S3 between apps.
So while these two handsets are top-of-the-line Android phones, there is no doubt that the Galaxy Note 2 is a different device to handle. It may look similar to the Galaxy S3, but its larger size and S Pen will make using it a unique experience. The Galaxy S3's smaller size and smartphone feel will appeal to those who would rather have a seperate, bigger tablet to complement their handset. But if you're interested in something in-between, then the Galaxy Note 2 is worth a shot.
The Galaxy S3 is available on AT&T, Verizon, Sprint, T-Mobile, and U.S. Cellular and starts at $199 with a two-year contract. No pricing or carrier information on the Galaxy Note 2 has been released.
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