Samsung Unpacked: Episode 2 Premiers The Galaxy Note 4, Galaxy Note Edge, And Gear VR
Samsung announced some exciting products today during its Unpacked event, among them the newest Galaxy Note device, the Galaxy Note 4. Not only is the Galaxy Note 4 faster and more power efficient than its predecessor, it also brings with it an evolved S Pen with several improvements intended to make it feel more like a real pen.
The Galaxy Note 4 features a 5.7-inch Quad HD (2560x1440) Super AMOLED display. Samsung showed a side-by-side comparison of its Super AMOLED screen next to a regular Quad HD LCD, and while we'll reserve judgement until we do the same in person, the Super AMOLED was clearly more vibrant and colorful. Have a look for yourself:
Other hardware features include either a 2.7GHz quad-core processor or 1.9GHz octa-core (1.9GHz quad-core + 1.3GHz quad-core) processor, depending on country and carrier, 3GB of RAM, 32GB of internal storage, microSD card slot, 16MP rear-facing camera with autofocus and Smart OIS, 3.7MP front-facing camera with f1.9, 802.11ac Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4.1, USB 2.0, and a few other odds and ends.
Samsung spent some time tweaking the cameras and photo software. For example, there's a button on the back of the Note 4 that makes taking a selfie a lot easier (because, you know, the world needs more selfies). In addition, the front-facing camera with f1.9 offers a default 90-degree shooting angle and up to 120-degree wide angle so you can pan the camera for a group selfie.
According to Samsung, the Note 4 uses 7.5 percent less power than its predecessor. On top of that, it features a fast charging capability that allows the battery to charge 30 percent faster when using the charger that comes with the handset.
Samsung also surprised the audience by rolling out a special version of the Galaxy Note 4, the Galaxy Note Edge. It has a slightly smaller display (5.6 inches) on the front but that's to make room for a angled display that bends around the side. The curved edge is intended to complement the Note 4 and give users a new way to access information -- even when the cover is closed, you can still access frequently used apps, alerts, and other device functionality.
Look for the Galaxy Note 4 to be available in October and the Galaxy Note Edge sometime "later this year."
Getting away from smartphones and phablets for a moment, Samsung kept things interesting by unveiling its Gear VR powered by Oculus technology.
Short and to the point, the Gear VR transforms the Galaxy Note 4 into a virtual reality device. It has a removable front cover so that you can insert the Galaxy Note 4 into the Gear VR, therefore the Gear VR itself doesn't have its own display.
"Samsung Gear VR goes far beyond expectations of how mobile technology can be used to consume content, and is a powerful representation of the progressive innovation of the Gear series," said JK Shin, President and CEO of IT & Mobile Communications Division at Samsung Electronics. "We are pleased to have partnered with Oculus VR to bring this incredibly immersive mobile content experience to consumers."
The Gear VR will be available sometime later this year.
The Galaxy Note 4 features a 5.7-inch Quad HD (2560x1440) Super AMOLED display. Samsung showed a side-by-side comparison of its Super AMOLED screen next to a regular Quad HD LCD, and while we'll reserve judgement until we do the same in person, the Super AMOLED was clearly more vibrant and colorful. Have a look for yourself:
Other hardware features include either a 2.7GHz quad-core processor or 1.9GHz octa-core (1.9GHz quad-core + 1.3GHz quad-core) processor, depending on country and carrier, 3GB of RAM, 32GB of internal storage, microSD card slot, 16MP rear-facing camera with autofocus and Smart OIS, 3.7MP front-facing camera with f1.9, 802.11ac Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4.1, USB 2.0, and a few other odds and ends.
Samsung spent some time tweaking the cameras and photo software. For example, there's a button on the back of the Note 4 that makes taking a selfie a lot easier (because, you know, the world needs more selfies). In addition, the front-facing camera with f1.9 offers a default 90-degree shooting angle and up to 120-degree wide angle so you can pan the camera for a group selfie.
According to Samsung, the Note 4 uses 7.5 percent less power than its predecessor. On top of that, it features a fast charging capability that allows the battery to charge 30 percent faster when using the charger that comes with the handset.
Samsung also surprised the audience by rolling out a special version of the Galaxy Note 4, the Galaxy Note Edge. It has a slightly smaller display (5.6 inches) on the front but that's to make room for a angled display that bends around the side. The curved edge is intended to complement the Note 4 and give users a new way to access information -- even when the cover is closed, you can still access frequently used apps, alerts, and other device functionality.
Look for the Galaxy Note 4 to be available in October and the Galaxy Note Edge sometime "later this year."
Getting away from smartphones and phablets for a moment, Samsung kept things interesting by unveiling its Gear VR powered by Oculus technology.
Short and to the point, the Gear VR transforms the Galaxy Note 4 into a virtual reality device. It has a removable front cover so that you can insert the Galaxy Note 4 into the Gear VR, therefore the Gear VR itself doesn't have its own display.
"Samsung Gear VR goes far beyond expectations of how mobile technology can be used to consume content, and is a powerful representation of the progressive innovation of the Gear series," said JK Shin, President and CEO of IT & Mobile Communications Division at Samsung Electronics. "We are pleased to have partnered with Oculus VR to bring this incredibly immersive mobile content experience to consumers."
The Gear VR will be available sometime later this year.
