Samsung’s Galaxy Note 7 Features Improved Stylus, Enterprise Security

Samsung updates its latest Note smartphone with a better stylus, iris scanning capabilities and a number of security improvements.

The Note 7 has a 5.7-inch quad HD dual-edge Super AMOLED display (2,560-by-1,440 resolution, 518 pixels per inch) that’s covered with the latest Corning Gorilla Glass 5 for protection, a Qualcomm Snapdragon 820 octa-core 64-bit processor, 4GB of LPDDR4 memory, 64GB of onboard storage and a microSD slot for additional storage via memory cards up to 256GB. The phone runs on the Android 6.0.1 Marshmallow operating system.

The Note 7 also includes the high-performance “dual-pixel” cameras featured in the Galaxy S7 and S7 Edge, which capture rich low-light images. The rear camera is a 12-megapixel model with F1.7 lenses, built-in flash and smart optical image stabilization, while the front-facing camera is a 5-megapixel model to capture quality selfies. The phone also includes HDR video capabilities for multimedia playback and recording. For gaming fans, several games from Vulkan will be available when the phones are released.

The Galaxy Note 7 is a 4G LTE phone that also includes WiFi, Bluetooth 4.2 and near-field communication (NFC) connectivity options. It is equipped with a 3,500mAh battery with quick charging and wireless charging capabilities, a USB-C port and an always-on display so users can keep track of important information without having to activate the device’s screen. The handset, which is 6.04 inches long, 2.9 inches wide and 0.31 inches thick, weighs 5.96 ounces.

The Note 7 includes a wide range of enterprise-ready security features, such as Samsung’s Knox security suite to keep data secure. The Note 7’s new iris scanning capabilities allow users to choose from iris or fingerprint biometric security options to bolster device security. The handset also gets a new “Secure Folder” capability, which sets up a separate folder with an extra layer of authentication to keep private for users. The Secure Folder is only accessible to the user. The phone also meets IP68 water- and dust-resistance standards to withstand tough conditions.

The Note 7’s stylus gets a narrower, 0.7mm writing tip that glides better and more quickly over the device’s screen, as well as new functions, including the ability to make creative GIF images by editing video segments on the device. Users can also now post notes on the always-on screen for quick access. Erasing is also easier due to a new one-press process on a relocated function button on the pen. Other new S Pen features include a hover capability that allows users to magnify a section of a web page or screen, as well as new translating capabilities for some 71 languages using Google Translate. Integration with the built-in Samsung Notes app is also improved, making it easier to access all functions from one place rather than through separate apps in the previous Note 5 smartphone.

Compared with the Note 5 it replaces (on right), the Note 7 (left) is slimmer, more refined and more rounded than its counterpart, which was released in August 2015. The new phone, which will be available in Blue Coral, Silver Titanium and Black Onyx colors, will be available for sale in the U.S. on Aug.19 through AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile, U.S. Cellular and Verizon Wireless. Prices have not yet been announced by Samsung, but T-Mobile is listing the device for $849.99 or for $69.99 down and 24 monthly payments of $32.50. Customers who buy a new Note 7 or an S7 Edge smartphone can get a free Gear Fit2 or a Samsung 256GB memory card with their purchase under a limited-time promotion from Samsung.

Also being released by Samsung on Aug. 19 is the latest Samsung Gear VR virtual reality headset (left) and the new Samsung Gear 360 camera (right rear), a 360-degree, stand-alone camera accessory that can capture video for Galaxy smartphone users. The Gear VR headset, which is getting some updates and an adapter to connect it to the new Note 7, costs $99.99 while the Gear 360 is priced at $349. Also to be available is a new line of accessories for the Note 7, including covers, accessory external lenses, an IP68 water-resistant battery backpack accessory and more.