What's good
- Innovative and functional curved screen
- Fast performance
- MicroSD card support
- S Pen
What's bad
- Awkward for left-handed users
- Uncomfortable grip
- Questionable support for curved display
When it comes to phablets, Samsung’s Note series has ruled the roost for some time. With the next wave of phones coming out, they’ve decided to try something a little different. One look at the Galaxy Note Edge is all it takes to see the difference. With it’s unique curved display, Samsung is touting increased convenience and new features other devices cannot offer. Does it live up to the hype? Let’s see what the reviews have to say.
With a 5.6-inch display, quad-core 2.7Ghz processor and 3GB of RAM, the Note Edge is definitely a beast in the specs department. Add in a Quad HD (1600-by-2560) display, NFC, Bluetooth, 4G LTE support and a MicroSD card slot and you have a phone that firmly carries the flagship label and price. Reviews noted that performance on the whole was snappy, lag-free and able to handle anything you can throw at it. In combination with the curved display and the S Pen, multitasking on the phone is simple. TechRadar called it, “is great to use and looks fantastic.”
The curved display is more than a simple eye-catching gimmick. It is actually an independent second display. What is displayed depends on your settings and what you might be doing at the time. From playback controls and sports tickers to full-on games and alarm clock apps, the curved section of the display has plenty of uses out of the box. Reviews note that Samsung plans to make it possible for developers to use the curved display shortly as well.
One small caveat to the curved display is that it is only on one side of the phone. TechRadar noted that left-handed users would need to flip the phone upside-down to effectively use the screen. Even then, CNet says, “the asymmetrical shape isn't one hundred percent balanced.” Many reviews also noted the straight edge of the phone feeling sharp and slightly uncomfortable in their palms.
The S Pen has been a major part of what helps the Note series stand out from other phablets. On the Note Edge, the S Pen can interact with the curved display and comes with increased sensitivity and multiple tip styles. For example, the highlighter function allows you to highlight text like you were using a mouse on a computer for simple web clipping or note taking.
Overall, the phone has received positive reviews. Most reviewers note that unless developers actively decide to support the curved display that it might not receive many updates as far as functionality is concerned. However, all agreed that is more than a gimmick and worthy of considering. When it comes to new devices, this is definitely one of the most unique around. Engadget stated, “It's a very sleek-looking device, and I found it hard to stop staring at it.”
What the Critics Are Saying...
- Jamshed Avari, Gadgets 360Buyers have not had something truly unique to experience (and to show off) in a very long time. The Galaxy Note Edge represents a remarkable technological achievement and is exactly the sort of product that will make people do a double-take when they see it for the first time. In that way, it succes...
- Bharadwaj, Fone ArenaSamsung has been very cautious for its latest flagship. There are indeed two variants, just like the Note, but there is no edge screen or its features on the S6 edge, which tells you more than what this review could ever tell you, about the Note Edge. The concept, revealed two years back at CES, was...
- Mike Norris, BitBitByteA day late and a curve short. Such is the life of a first gen device in the tech world. It’s often quickly enhanced and replaced. Still, for what it is, the Note Edge is a great device. Just not one we could recommend buying in the current mobile landscape. It’s a proof of concept that m...
- Callum Tennent, What MobileThe added display is not worth the Note Edge’s enormous price tag. There are lots of innovative things that can be done with AMOLED displays – since individual pixels can be turned on and off, data can be displayed in sleep mode with almost no power drain – but having them dip down...
- Chris Martin, Tech AdvisorThe Galaxy Note Edge is one of the most interesting smartphones around and while the edge screen is genuinely useful at times, it also remains a slight gimmick. Hardware is top notch and although we dislike the faux leather, build quality is good. The Note Edge is big and expensive so it might be wo...
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Common Questions
We've got you covered! Download a free PDF copy of the Samsung Galaxy Note Edge user manual here.
Samsung backs up the Galaxy Note Edge with a 2 Years parts & labour warranty.
If your Galaxy Note Edge has problems and is still within its warranty period, you could contact Samsung support or the retailer you purchased the phone from. You'll find Samsung's contact information here. If your phone is off warranty and needs repair for a physical problem such as a broken screen or bad battery, you should visit an authorized service centre or a local phone repair shop. You can also connect with others in The Informr Community Forum to find and share answers to questions.
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