Samsung launches the Galaxy Note II, gets a 5.5-inch display, Jelly Bean and 1.6GHz Quad-Core processor

Samsung has launched the Galaxy Note II at IFA in Berlin. The Galaxy Note II features a 1.6GHz Quad-core Exynos processor, a 5.5-inch Super AMOLED HD (non-Pentile) display which is reinforced with Gorilla Glass 2 and has a resolution of 1280×720 pixels which is in-fact lower than the original Galaxy Note. Apart from this, the ‘phablet’ has 2GB of RAM, a 8-megapixel rear camera that can shoot 1080p video, a 1.9-megapixel front facing camera, and also has a gigantic 3,100 mAh battery. Notably, the device actually looks like a stretched version of the Galaxy S III and it becomes the first Samsung device, apart from the Galaxy Nexus to run Android 4.1 Jelly Bean. The Galaxy Note II will be available in three memory variants of 16GB, 32GB and 64GB and will also have a microSD slot.
The Galaxy Note II is a hair thinner than its predecessor at 9.4mm, but at same time due to the larger battery it is heavier at 2grams. The Note series of devices have always been unique because of the type of S-Pen compatible apps they bring to the table and the Note II is no different. There is a new feature called ‘Air View’ that allows users to hover the S-Pen over e-mail, gallery or video to preview the content without touching the screen.
Talking about the S-Pen, Samsung has improved its touch response even further and has even included a rubber tip to make the experience more natural than ever. The S-Pen will also have a bevy of optimised third party apps from Autodesk who make Sketchbook and Moleskin.
The multi-tasking video feature called Pop-up-play makes a reappearance from the Galaxy S III and Samsung has added similar functionality for the note taking app in the form of Pop-Up Note that allows users to take notes while keeping another app open. Another feature called Quick Command gets enabled when the user swipes the S-Pen upwards which brings up quick short-cuts for an array of widely used features like e-mail, search, and voice calls.
As it runs Android 4.1 Jelly Bean, we can expect new Android features like Project Butter, Voice Search, Google Now, and expanded notifications too make an appearance. However, all this comes with a topping of the TouchWiz Nature UX. Samsung has announced that the Galaxy Note II will be available in Marble White and Titanium Grey colors and the company will begin shipping the product in Europe from October, though the company is yet to announce the pricing of the device.

Key Specifications:

• 1.6GHz Quad-Core Exynos processor
• 2GB of RAM
• 5.5-inch Super AMOLED HD display, 1280×720 pixels
• 8-megapixel camera, 1.9-megapixel front facing camera
• S-Pen
• Android 4.1 Jelly Bean, TouchWiz Nature UX
• 3,100 mAh battery
• Marble White and Titanium Grey colors
• Micro-SD card slot
• 16GB/32GB/64GB memory variants