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The Samsung Galaxy Note is a conundrum. The device looks like and behaves like a tablet, but has phone-like qualities. This factor along with a stylus as standard equipment and it’s enough to confuse any uninformed consumer about what the device is meant to do and how they might find it well suited for their needs.
Samsung itself has faced some trouble marketing the product and to this day can’t quite provide a simple elevator pitch telling the world how they should use it.
And yet, the Galaxy Note is a popular mobile device. The first version, which came with a 5.3-inch screen, was welcomed with open arms around the world. Recently, Samsung announced the Galaxy Note 10.1, delivering what is ostensibly the same product with a bigger screen. Once again, critics and customers alike celebrated the device. And it proved that maybe Samsung really does know what it’s doing with the Galaxy Note.
When taken at face value, the Galaxy Note is impressive. It’s a design feat in an increasingly boring and crowded marketplace. In some ways, it achieves a level of innovation not even Apple has been able to muster with its iPhone and iPad.
Here are the reasons why.
1. It bridges the gap between smartphone and tablet
Samsung has found a way to bridge the gap between smartphones and tablets with the Galaxy Note. The smaller device comes with phone qualities and will work on carrier networks, but it also delivers a stylus and tablet functionality. The Galaxy Note has done what no other device has. And it should be complimented for that.
2. It offers a neat input system
The addition of the stylus to the Galaxy Note is what makes the device specialâand a worthwhile purchase for many customers. Styluses just aren’t seen in tablets today. And the fact that they offer so much more in terms of functionality and input functions add more versatility to the device and its applications.
3. Sizes for all customers
When Samsung was selling only the 5.3-inch Galaxy Note, it couldn’t quite appeal to those who want a bigger display or need more screen real estate to write notes or ideas. With the Galaxy Note 10.1, however, that has all changed. Now, the Galaxy Note comes in sizes that appeal to anyone.
4. Proof that Android is flexible
Android has been criticized for offering too many flavors and too much variety among different vendor devices. However, its implementation in the Galaxy Note proves that it’s an extremely flexible operating system. Kudos to Samsung for taking Android and extending its functionality beyond its initial implementation.
Galaxy Note Fits in the Enterprise
5. Samsung’s design is spot-on
Samsung, like Apple, has understood from the beginning that design is extremely important in today’s mobile market. And with the Galaxy Note, the company has delivered a really great design that allows users to comfortably bring the devices with them on a long ride or business trip. From a design perspective, it’s hard to find many faults in the Galaxy Note.
6. Quality is everything
The Galaxy Note is more evidence that Samsung is delivering quality products each and every launch cycle. The company’s devices, from the Galaxy S III to the Galaxy Note, come with solid hardware designs, powerful components, and usable software. These factors are giving buyers confidence in the Galaxy Note’s value.
7. It appeals to enterprise customers, too
The corporate world largely ignored the 5-inch Galaxy Note. However, with the 10.1-inch model now available, the enterprise is warming to the idea of acquiring it for employees. After all, they’ll be able to write on the screen, take notes, allow customers to sign for purchases and more. It’s a good fit for a lot of business applications.
8. The value is there
Although the 10.1-inch Galaxy Note lacks 4G LTE, for $499, it’s perfectly priced. At that price, Samsung is matching Apple’s iPad, and given all of the device’s functions, it’s going a long way toward matching the iPad on value. The same can be said for the smaller Galaxy Note. There is real value in Samsung’s product line.
9. Apple has yet to respond
Apple is the company that all others worry about. When Apple enters a market, it usually doesn’t take long before the iPhone maker wins. But so far, Samsung isn’t facing off with an iPad that comes with stylus support. Some might claim that’s because Apple knows what it’s doing. Others, however, might say that the Galaxy Note’s impressive functionality might appear to be a bit too much for Apple to handle.
10. It won against all odds
Let’s face it: when the Galaxy Note was first announced, it was confusing. Many industry critics believed that it would fail miserably. But the Galaxy Note has not failed. And now, Samsung is offering up new iterations of the device. Against all odds, the Galaxy Note is a winner.