Samsung is currently king of the Android smartphone market with the Galaxy Note 2 passing the five-million sales mark not too long after its release. Despite other high-end Android smartphones out there, the Galaxy Note 2 should be high on every Android shopper's wishlist - here's what critics and users have to say if you're wondering about purchasing the handset.
The Samsung Galaxy Note 2 is 4G LTE capable, and costs $299.99 with a two-year contract from AT&T, Sprint, Verizon, and U.S. Cellular. T-Mobile's Galaxy Note 2 is more expensive, priced at $369.99 after a $50 mail-in rebate, and does have an LTE chip, but won' be able to take advantage of LTE speeds until T-Mobile rolls out its LTE network in 2013.
Reviewers
Critics generally found the Galaxy Note 2 a great Android smartphone, with website TheVerge giving the Galaxy Note 2 a score of 8.5 out of 10. The only real drawbacks TheVerge cited were an imperfect display, lack of great stylus-utilizing apps, and a plastic-feel to the handset's construction.
"It offers best-in-market performance, an S Pen experience that blows its predecessor out of the water, a solid OS in Jelly Bean and plenty of other features that will make this a tempting offer to even the most petite-handed individual," says Endgadget in their review.
While the smartphone is considered a smartphone-tablet hybrid, the Galaxy Note 2 is not a complete replacement for your iPad or Nexus tablet.
"The huge display makes the Galaxy Note 2 unwieldy to carry, and hiccups in the S Pen stylus and apps can slow you down. The pricey Note 2 isn't a suitable tablet replacement across all categories," writes CNET.
Users
Generally speaking, consumers seem to love the Galaxy Note 2, with the size factor being the only real issue to speak of.
"At times, you'll have to use two hands to use it, much more so than you would for any other phone on the market today. My hands are larger than average, and I still have to use two hands periodically. If two-handed operation bothers you quite a bit, don't purchase it," writes Paul M. in an Amazon review titled "Best combination of power and portability in a smartphone."
Users gave the Galaxy Note 2 an average score of 8.8 out of 10 on TheVerge.
"After 5 years of ios I have made the switch and I absolutely love the thing, cant put it down. Best phone by far and the size isnt too big either the one thing I did worry about coming from a 3,5" phone and the plastic is of good quality. Do reccomend to anyone," says Wh@tever.
Users on CNET gave the Galaxy Note 2 an average of 4.5 stars out of 5.
"I am neither an Android or Apple homer as I have used everything from an HTC Evo 4G LTE to an Iphone 5 and the Note 2 is hands-down, the best phone on the market.," says mayer7196.
If you've purchased a Galaxy Note 2, let us know what you think of the handset and be sure to stay tuned for our upcoming T-Mobile Galaxy Note 2 review.
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