Why Samsung’s Galaxy Note7 Can Be an Instant Hit in a Crowded Market

A large, curved screen, powerful processor and support for the S Pen stylus are only a few of the things that make the Galaxy Note7 a standout smartphone.

If the Galaxy S line has proved anything, it’s that a curved screen can have its advantages. The feature allows a screen’s edges to show notifications and provides quick access to apps. Now it’s available in the Galaxy Note7.

Some mobile device users prefer working with a stylus to simply tapping on the screen with fingers. That’s where the Samsung S Pen comes in. The stylus allows users to write on the screen, tap on icons, access apps and more. It helps the Note7 stand out in a touch-first marketplace.

For some customers, design is all that matters. For those people, it’s hard to find fault in the Galaxy Note7. Although it is a large device, its curved screen and no bezel help to make it surprisingly narrow. In addition, it hides the S Pen with ease, and its big camera on the rear does little to detract from its design.

Customers looking to buy the Galaxy Note7 will walk into an entirely new ecosystem of Samsung apps and hardware. The company provides its own health service called S Health, as well as easy access to a wide range of supported accessories such as the Gear 360 for virtual reality. Like Apple, Samsung has built a full software and hardware ecosystem that some might want to try out.

Samsung’s Galaxy Note7 is surprisingly strong on the security front. In addition to a biometric sensor, the device has an iris scanner for another layer of user authentication. There are rumors that other companies, including Apple, plan to add iris scanners to their devices, but there’s no proof of that as yet. For now, if customers want iris scanning, the Galaxy Note7 is one place to find it.

There’s little debating that there are other well-designed handsets on the market, including Samsung’s Galaxy S line, HTC’s One devices and LG’s handsets. However, they all shipped earlier this year, and some with older components. Buyers looking for a big-screen handset with the latest features will want to take a closer look at what the Galaxy Note7 offers.

Arguably the biggest competitor to the Galaxy Note7 this holiday season will be Apple’s iPhone 7. However, nearly every rumor and leaked image has shown a new iPhone that comes with a barely upgraded design, some component updates and no headphone jack. If customers don’t like the sound of that, they might run to the Galaxy Note7.

The Galaxy Note7 comes with 64GB of onboard storage, but Samsung made the decision to support a microSD card. More specifically, the company says users can add cards with up to 256GB of additional storage to the device, giving them more than 300GB of total storage, before storage for the operating system and standard apps are factored in.

The Smart Switch feature could be an important factor in persuading people to buy the Note7. Smart Switch is designed to enable automatic transfer of basic data such as contacts or calendar information from an older handset to the Note7. Transitioning to a new device is never easy; Smart Switch provides a way to simplify this chore.

Samsung’s Galaxy Note7 is by no means inexpensive. Unlocked, the device carries an $850 price tag. That’s even more than Apple’s iPhone 6s Plus, which starts at $749, or $36 per month for its cheapest model or carrier option. However, while supplies last, Note7 buyers will also get their choice of a 256GB microSD card or a Gear Fit2 wearable at no charge. And for those who opt for an installment agreement, they can get a new Note7 for around $30 per month, depending on the carrier and how much they put down.