Samsung Galaxy Note Edge – Hypertext

Hardware

My Javier Merchan analyzed in great detail the basis of this Samsung Galaxy Note Edge, the great Samsung Galaxy Note 4 , so that this analysis only discuss in depth the changes I have experienced in the Edge respect to their older brother or those that I consider relevant treat even, briefly, because it would be redundant to mention the rest. If you want to know thoroughly the photographic section or special interface TouchWiz for this range, or recommend reading the analysis of my partner.

First, the material of the back cover, which although improved, still looks like a cheap plastic (and a terminal 900 €) versus old finishes Samsung itself, as found in the Samsung Galaxy Wave or R (or the edges of Note 4 and Note Edge itself, now anodized aluminum). As the speaker, also I have some complaints. I think the power is enough for what I need from a phone, but its position again not be the most appropriate, and lacks serious to give a more accurate sound. Nor do I think it was a good idea to move the power button at the top . I understand that at the edge could not be integrated, and the home button allows you to switch from the bottom, but when you want to turn off the Galaxy Note Edge, will cost us much to reach the top with one hand (and cost with shorter terminals, as the HTC One). Ideally, in my opinion, have been implemented double click on and, above all, to turn the style of LG.

The screen is very good , like the Galaxy Note 4. Of course, like all recent amoleds have a somewhat warmer white and alter colors to look good in the sun, compared to IPS that look perfectly at maximum brightness while maintaining fidelity. We should add a curious negative detail. The two units of Samsung Galaxy Note White Edge I could try presenting light leakage , not on the panel, but around the screen, as a result, probably, of poor workmanship. As for the controversy over 2K resolution on mobile, I think that unlike other models with screens IPS, here it is justified, since the PenTile matrix of this screen makes the actual density of this panel is between 350 ppi and 370, compared with 273 (below 300 recommended) Galaxy Note 3 or 306 of the Galaxy S5. Thus, sharpness is finally live up to what we find in IPS . The battery is a weakness compared to Galaxy Note 4 , since, losing only 0.1 “r educes battery 220 mAh. Thus, the results are nothing brilliant for a phone of its kind in 2014, being somewhat inconsistent and staying on average 5 hours screen without being too demanding, overcome from the Galaxy Note 2. There is one catch, but expected more.

camera is also another highlight (same as in Note 4 Sony IMX240 sensor with optical stabilizer) and, in my opinion, is the best we can find in Android today. Samsung has software camera, with his image processor (ISP), best result achieved in terms of processing on Android and something that see in the photo we took. Day get much vividness, detail and good dynamic range, and at night, although weakens, we can improve shots with manual mode.

Software

The software Samsung Galaxy Note Edge is, except for the added edge, the same as found in Note 4. Plasma good ideas like using the multi-window in different provisions and added the S-Pen (the auntentico Note hallmark of the line), but, from my point of view and experience watching other users are rarely used, and pure hobby, is more accurate than ever, and sometimes take a note or drawing is a welcome experience. I had a few months original Galaxy Note, and has little longer to do with that, the S-Pen now it is a professional tool

No embarto, as does the Galaxy Note 4 TouchWiz optimization is still not the strong point of Samsung . Although performs very well with games or other demanding applications, fails on the most mundane details showing frequent slowdowns when opening apps or reload the web content downloaded while we scroll in the browser (both own Samsung and Chrome) on simple websites.

Today, still seems incredible that any Samsung to acquire comes with a home button that presents lagged , which can only be solved if we disable power to launch S-Voice from it with double click. As I said above, this is compounded when we consider that the Galaxy Note Edge has an official price of € 900 and hardware consists of a Snapdragon 805 and 3 GB of RAM.

edge

We arrived at the key point of analysis. The aspect that you would buy or not the Samsung Galaxy Note Edge on the spectacular Note 4. I will summarize briefly before entering depth: not only that the edge does not contribute almost nothing to the user experience is that after a few days using it depth wish they were not there , and if you have paid the difference, you return the money and stay in Note 4.

What we first find the normal use interface is that, in the edge region, a black line is annoying occupy half leaving underutilized space so that very unsightly. I understand that stretch the normal interface so there would be uncomfortable and distort the image, but the solution is inelegant.

Samsung sells the edge as a space for shortcuts, but when we use it, what we really perceive is that the really “useful” in it is its function alternate notifications panel. Given the size of the terminal, it is true that achieving the notification bar can be annoying, so stay notices there can be a success, but also the terminal is not ergonomic at the rear edge (completely straight) , so use with one hand is almost a utopia.

However, if we are intensive users of messaging applications or receive many notifications, the receive notifications is really uncomfortable. We may be writing eg WhatsApp with the black line on the right, but a notification, for example, arrives Facebook or Telegram, it will occupy the entire right edge covering the submit button WhatsApp, so if at that time We were about to send the message, change application unintentionally, which is very annoying, intrusive and makes us want to disable this function.

Imagine that normally using mobile’ll click an icon of an app and a millisecond before him put another on top, so you will not go where you wanted. Too bad I thought. As notifications mirror, we also found there playback controls music apps, yes are comfortable for its accessibility and proximity to the hand, and the possibility of picking up and hanging up calls. During the call shows the duration and other options.

As for what to shortcuts, is good to switch between applications, but since that is their primary function and we usually switch between applications we have in the multitasking option, nor is it something that comes to fill an important gap. If for whatever reason we like it that way, android no long applications that replicate the function, hiding in one of the sides. Slipping from them, we get a small drawer vertical applications, without taking up a border permanently.

But not only that, the edge has more features. As we have seen, with the app open chamber, it becomes the area where the buttons shutter are located, which is not bad but not great news, because it has less visibility outdoors the normal screen, and could not see what to press with light. Samsung also offers other panels between which we can do side-scrolling (like we notifications to access apps, for example) and trending topics on Twitter , sports scores and weather forecast and other curious features as countdown, stopwatch, a rule or consumer panels with information and data available RAM.

Beyond that, there is virtually any application that supports what Samsung called Revolving UX , so that the edge transmits only redound or OVERLAP function as though Samsung has been removed the lower TouchWiz launcher dock, with others like Nova or Action surely repeat shortcuts.

Another thing that is there, nor contribute anything, is the ability to put text or drawings on the edge , both the black line and the lock screen. What I dislike is that the source can not be changed, and breaks the aesthetics of the panel itself a little, since the source is different from the other ones we see displayed. Even if we change the system font, there will be consistency with the font. Taking advantage of the panel is SuperAMOLED and consumption on black background is negligible, Samsung allows us to activate a night clock mode on edge, but only for 12 hours, which can be chosen by the user. I suspect that unlike other similar ways as the “Glance” Nokia, turn it off to avoid burned and withholdings.

Provision for lefties Galaxy Note Edge

Another controversial launch of Galaxy Note Edge was that no model for left , to which Samsung said yes, the Edge does not need it, because the software is ready for them. The proposed solution again is inelegant. Mode operation is simple, flip the mobile and thus turn the interface. What do we get? The speaker calls down (so to call’ll have to flip the phone) and the home button above, with a navigation bar at the bottom enabled the Nexus style to meet the capacitive buttons. Something that, as shown in picture above, is far from finished to a left handed person wants to purchase to use at all hours phone.

Conclusion

5.5

Note that you get the Samsung Galaxy Note is a 5.5 Edge. “If you is the same terminal as a Galaxy Note 4 with the unique added edge” will think. And yes, it’s the same except for the edge. Y Note represents the value of the edge, which adds to the purchase of a Galaxy Note 4 . With it, the best Android Samsung released the year, while the Note Edge not only adds nothing, but makes the experience much worse. That’s the main thing from my point of view there is to know, it’s an experiment that leads nowhere, with which he is made to pay more to the public due to investment in research and the point of exclusivity.

As terminal repeat, is the best we can find in the market. But he, alone, should make one thing the Galaxy Note 4. And this introduces, again, gives no satisfaction to most users and me in particular . No doubt that in the future there will be more application for this type of display, but right now I think something as meaningless as the LG 3D in his day. I am in favor of innovation and everything that can contribute to enhance the mobile phone, but I think everything that comes must be invisible and grow our experience without compromise. In this case, the worst is that the user has to make a sacrifice ergonomics, practicality and economy. Therefore, no excites me too the future of mobile with curved edges, at least from this approach.

Pros

• Base : The Samsung Galaxy Note 4 has the best hardware of the year Android, and here is what saves the Note Edge

• Software :. Samsung remains ahead as far as approach big screen (with own software) refers.

Cons

• edge : As we said, if the main point in favor of a device like it’s not there, there is a serious problem

• optimization : Repeats every analysis of a Samsung terminal. Gross as the most power, but slowdowns in simple tasks

• Price . If we consider that the Note 4 costs 150 € less, we end up wondering why the additional outlay.