Samsung Galaxy Note 7 Review
In early September, the Samsung Galaxy Note 7 was released to much fanfare with promises of a powerful smartphone with more of everything from security to storage. Samsung delivered on these promises with a water-resistant device with an iris scanner for security, a powerful camera, expandable storage and wireless charging options.
Unfortunately for Samsung, their flagship device that was supposed to be their answer to the iPhone 7 had its debut marred by reports of the battery malfunctioning and catching fire or exploding.
Our team takes an in-depth look at the Samsung Note 7, looking at all the positives and negatives about this device to ensure that you have all the information to make an informed decision when purchasing devices.
Samsung Note 7 Pros
The Samsung Note 7 is the flagship phone for this company, it has all the features that Samsung has been perfecting with the earlier models of the note and some new features that make it stand out in the marketplace.
The S Pen
The tech world saw the introduction of the S pen in 2011 with the first Galaxy Note, but in the last 5 years, this handy little tool has proven to be a powerful partner to the Note devices. With the Note 7, the S pen is redesigned and allows users to write, draw, edit and more right on your Note 7.
More Security
Samsung recognizes that our phones now carry almost our entire lives. From work emails and bank account access to family schedules and the contact information of loved ones, the Note 7 keeps that information secure. The new iris scanner ensures that user’s information is protected from prying eyes.
A Better Camera
The Note 7 has a new camera with Pro Mode, a faster autofocus allowing users to effortlessly take amazing pictures. Additionally, the Samsung Galaxy Note 7 has a camera lens that lets in 95% more light than the Note 5 allowing users to take better pictures in lowlight and when they are in motion.
More Storage
While the Note 7 already comes with 64G of storage, a removable SD card slot allows the memory on the device to be expanded to up to 256G for maximum photo, app, video and music storage.
Samsung Galaxy Note 7 Cons
While the Samsung Note 7 has some great pros, there are some pretty serious cons to consider before purchasing the phone.
Recall of Note 7
Unfortunately for Samsung, the unveiling of their new Note 7 and all its features was tarnished by reports of battery malfunctions in the device. Users began reporting that the batteries in the device were heating up to extreme temperatures causing the devices to catch fire or even explode. This has led to an official recall of the devices.
As a note, any U.S. users who purchased their Samsung Note 7 before September 15th should immediately discontinue use of the device, power it down, refrain from charging it and return the device to the retailer they purchased it from to obtain a replacement device (new Note 7, Galaxy S7 or Galaxy S7 Edge) or a full refund.
Users can check if their device is one of the defective ones by entering the IMEI or serial number (found by going to Apps > Settings > About Phone or General Management > Status > IMEI information or Serial number) of their device here: http://www.samsung.com/us/note7recall/
You can also use the following guide from TechRadar to check if your device is one of the ones impacted by the recall: http://www.techradar.com/how-to/phone-and-communications/mobile-phones/how-to-make-sure-you-have-the-new-galaxy-note-7-1328892
Other Common Issues
Aside from the battery issues and subsequent recall, some users have reported a variety of other issues with the Note 7. Here’s a quick list of some of the issues that have been reported thus far:
- Constant reboots, crashes and freezes;
- Custom wallpaper reverting to the default for seemingly no reason;
- Audio and video playback repeatedly pausing on their own;
- Vibration intensity weak or nonexistent;
- Phone not connecting to PC to allow for transfer of files to/from SD card
- Poor battery life;
- Phone overheats;
- Camera not working or doesn’t launch;
- Bluetooth won’t connect;
- App tray organization;
- Iris scanner doesn’t always work;
- Speaker audio sounds strange after being in water.
If you have experienced any of these issues you can use this article to try some common workarounds.
If you are still having issues with your Samsung Galaxy Note 7, contact your local CPR Store! We can help diagnose the problems with our free estimates and use our professional and quick services for any repairs you may need. Additionally, CPR also has a wide variety of cell phones for purchase if you need a new phone quickly and can’t wait for a replacement.
Samsung Galaxy Note 7 : To Buy or Not to Buy?
Since the company has officially recalled the faulty devices and is working towards a full resolution of the battery problem, the Samsung Galaxy Note 7 is a good option for users looking to purchase a powerful smartphone device with a host of new features. At the end of the day, the choice to purchase relies mainly on the trust that all the issues with the phone have been repaired.
The device itself is a great smartphone for people looking for an alternate to Apple, LG, or other phone manufacturers. With all of the new features offered on the device, the new Note 7 is a great smartphone option for people in the market.
