It's hard to beat the blisteringly-fast Samsung Galaxy Note 2, as long as you don't mind big things in big packages. If you want a phablet, it's the best one out there -- don't even look at anything else.
The Note 2 is surprisingly thin at just 9-millimeters, but the height and width make it a two-hander. At just shy of 6 inches tall, it looks like a super-sized version of the Galaxy S3, and you'll look a little silly holding it up to your ear. But the big size speaks to the enormous power.
The Note 2 is an entertainment powerhouse and an equally potent communication center. It features a 5.5-inch Super AMOLED screen -- one of the most colorful and vibrant we've seen. It's also absolutely massive, so watching movies and videos are fantastic -- so detailed and sharp, you'll forget your carrying around a phone. But that also means if you're looking for something to slip in your pocket, this is not the right device.
At 720-by-1,280 resolution, and a true 16:9 aspect ratio, the Note 2 has a few less pixels than the original Note, which clocks in at 800-by-1,280. But you won't notice the 80 missing pixels, images are crystal clear images from any viewing angle, making it ideal it's used on a crowded subway, dangling from one hand or flat against a counter.
The original Note introduced "S Pen," Samsung's software-stylus combo that lets you write and draw with pressure sensitivity. Samsung touted it as being more accurate that other input methods, but the results were mixed. Now, an updated S Pen for the Note 2 makes it easier to write with a variety of nib sizes. In addition, you don't actually have to touch the stylus to the screen either -- "Air View" lets you browse by hovering the pen over the display. That means you can do some cool tricks, like record things that happens on your screen -- a moving screenshot -- perfect if you're showing a demo without blocking the view. You can also write notes on photos and images, making it a full-fledged digital notepad.
The 8-megapixel camera captures clear, vivid photos and records 1080p high-definition video -- on par with the original Note. You can focus with the touch of the screen, and illuminate dim environments with the glaringly-powerful LED flash. All the Galaxy S3 filters are here too, including Best Photo, which takes a rapid succession of photos and chooses the best one, Face Detection and Panorama. If you're into photography, you'll appreciate the ISO and exposure settings. But a slow shutter means you may miss the unexpected photo op. There's a second 1.9-megapixel front-facing lens for video chat. It's functional and not especially noteworthy.
The Note 2 is also one of the first devices to run on Android 4.1, dubbed "Jelly Bean." Bolstered by Google's Project Butter, Android is now smoother and easier to navigate than ever before. It's also the prettiest version yet, but Google's operating system continues to feel like revamps rather than a truly innovative interface, suffering from generic-itis. Android 4.1 isn't a bad platform. The new notifications area is a big improvement, and voice control is much better too. And Google Now, and "cards," grabs flight data, weather reports, appointments and even sports scores for a more convenient interface. The simple refinements add up to a big change, but Jelly Bean, well, lacks that game-changing feature, putting it behind rivals iOS -- and even Windows 8 -- on innovation.
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