Samsung Galaxy Note7 Specs Prices Features & Flaws Unveiled

Introduction to Samsung Galaxy Note7

The Samsung Galaxy Note7 was announced in August 2016 and released in September of the same year. It was a highly anticipated product due to the success of its predecessors and was seen as a flagship device by Samsung at the time. However, despite its innovative features and high expectations, the Note7 faced significant issues that led to its discontinuation. This article explores various aspects of the device, including its design, hardware, software, and the unfortunate issues it encountered.

Design and Build Quality

The Galaxy Note7 was lauded for its premium design and build quality. It had dimensions of 153.5 x 73.9 x 7.9 mm and a weight of 169 grams, making it a sleek and relatively lightweight phablet. The device featured a glass front and back made from Corning Gorilla Glass 5 and an aluminum frame, giving it a robust yet stylish appearance.

The Note7 was available in multiple colors, including Blue Coral, Gold Platinum, Silver Titanium, and Black Onyx, catering to a variety of tastes. It also offered a choice between Single SIM and Hybrid Dual SIM models, providing flexibility for users who required dual-SIM functionality.

Display

The display of the Galaxy Note7 was one of its standout features. It had a 5.7-inch Super AMOLED screen with HDR10 support, offering vibrant colors and deep contrasts. With a resolution of 1440 x 2560 pixels and an approximate pixel density of 518 ppi, the display was sharp and clear, making it ideal for media consumption. The use of Gorilla Glass 5 provided added protection against scratches and accidental drops.

Performance and Hardware

Under the hood, the Galaxy Note7 was powered by the Exynos 8890 Octa chipset, which featured an octa-core CPU with four Mongoose cores clocked at 2.3 GHz and four Cortex-A53 cores clocked at 1.6 GHz. The GPU was a Mali-T880 MP12, ensuring smooth graphics performance.

The device came with 4GB of RAM and 64GB of internal storage, expandable via microSDXC, albeit using a shared SIM slot in the dual-SIM model. This configuration provided ample power for multitasking and storage for apps, media, and more.

Camera Capabilities

The Galaxy Note7 was equipped with a 12 MP rear camera, featuring an f/1.7 aperture, dual pixel PDAF, and optical image stabilization (OIS). The camera supported 4K video recording at 30fps, among other resolutions and frame rates. It also included features like LED flash, auto-HDR, and panorama mode, making it versatile for different photography needs.

The front camera, designed for selfies and video calls, was a 5 MP sensor with an f/1.7 aperture. Additionally, the Note7 included a 2 MP dedicated iris scanner camera, which was a novel feature at the time, adding a layer of biometric security.

Audio and Communication

For audio, the Galaxy Note7 retained the 3.5mm headphone jack, a popular feature among users. It included a loudspeaker and various communication features such as Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, Bluetooth 4.2, NFC, and USB Type-C 3.1.

In terms of positioning, the device supported GPS, GLONASS, BDS, and GALILEO, ensuring accurate location services worldwide. However, the device did not include a radio feature.

Sensors and Other Features

The Note7 was packed with a variety of sensors: an iris scanner, front-mounted fingerprint sensor, accelerometer, gyro, proximity sensor, compass, barometer, heart rate sensor, and an SpO2 measurement sensor. These features enhanced the user experience and added layers of security beyond traditional PINs and passwords.

Battery and Charging

The battery was a 3500 mAh Li-Ion non-removable unit, supporting 15W wired charging with QC2.0 and wireless charging using Qi and PMA standards. Despite seemingly ample capacity, the battery became a significant point of controversy, as will be discussed.

The Recall and Discontinuation

Shortly after release, reports of the Note7's battery overheating and causing fires led to one of the most infamous product recalls in smartphone history. Samsung attempted to address the issue with replacement units, but these too experienced similar problems, ultimately resulting in a full discontinuation of the product.

Losses and reputational damage were significant, and it underscored the importance of thorough testing and quality control in product manufacturing, particularly for high-stakes items like flagship smartphones.

Conclusion

Despite the unfortunate circumstances surrounding its battery, the Galaxy Note7 remains a noteworthy chapter in smartphone history. Its design, features, and performance were cutting-edge for its time, and it highlighted the rapid evolution and competitive nature of the smartphone industry. Lessons learned from the Note7 have influenced how manufacturers approach testing and safety within their devices today.

Specifications Summary

• Dimensions: 153.5 x 73.9 x 7.9 mm
• Weight: 169 g
• Display: 5.7-inch Super AMOLED, 1440 x 2560 pixels
• Chipset: Exynos 8890 Octa
• CPU: Octa-core (4x2.3 GHz Mongoose & 4x1.6 GHz Cortex-A53)
• GPU: Mali-T880 MP12
• Memory: 4GB RAM, 64GB storage, expandable via microSDXC
• Rear Camera: 12 MP, f/1.7, OIS, 4K video
• Front Camera: 5 MP, f/1.7 + 2 MP iris scanner
• Battery: 3500 mAh, 15W wired charging, QC2
• Operating System: Android 6.0.1, TouchWiz UI
• Sensors: Iris scanner, fingerprint, accelerometer, gyro, etc.