Here on StreakSmart, we don't usually write about competitors to the Streak line of Android devices. But after watching the Samsung Unpacked event in Berlin yesterday, I was honestly shocked at the announcement of the new Samsung's latest Android 2.3 smartphone, the Galaxy Note. Why? Because of the similarities between the two devices. Even though the Galaxy Note's specs absolutely demolish the Streak 5 into the ground, it's still quite easy to draw comparisons.
For those who haven't heard, the Note has a 1.4GHz Exynos dual-core processor, a 1280 x 800 Super AMOLED HD 5.3-inch screen, Android 2.3.x (Gingerbread), Samsung's TouchWiz 4.0 UX, and even NFC (Near Field Communication). It also has a something that Samsung calls the S Pen, which is similar to the HTC Flyer/EVO View's Scribe pen, a pressure-sensitive pen that can be used with the Galaxy Note and supposedly future devices, mobile and tablets alike.
One of the most interesting features of the Note (and the reason why I'm writing this) is the 5.3-inch screen.
It is an interesting size for a major smartphone manufacturer like Samsung to have on one of their devices because it is generally considered too large to be a smartphone and too small to be a tablet. Samsung has solved this issue by calling its latest Android handset a "Smart Mobile Device" while still maintaining "smartphone portability." Obviously, if the Galaxy Note maintains "smartphone portability" then the Streak 5 does too, and maybe we could stop calling the Streak a tab-phone, tablet smartphone, etc. Maybe we should just call it a "Smart Mobile Device" and potentially re-categorize it altogether.
In my opinion, Samsung has created the Galaxy Note to try to dominate the "large smartphone market," which currently consists mainly of the Dell Streak (5") and Samsung Infuse 4G (4.5"). According to my theory (which is very likely incorrect), Samsung announced the Note after the discontinuation of our beloved Streak to try and pick up the users who like the large screen for web browsing, multimedia, games, etc. but aren't keen on having a phone that has been discontinued and will likely not receive any more software updates. A bit sneaky (and unlikely) but it would be a pretty clever plan if it were true.
Another theory of mine is that Samsung took a look at the Streak 5 and thought that the "oversized phone market" is somewhere it would like to be more distinct in. Maybe the company liked the 5-inch display and thought "how can we make this better and put our own spin on it?"
If you think about it, Samsung has taken the Streak 5 and changed every detail possible. The Note has a newer version of Android, a dual-core processor, a higher clockspeed on each core, a larger screen with higher resolution and better screen technology (TFT vs. Super AMOLED HD). It's also lighter, thinner, and has bigger battery (1530 mAh vs. 2500 mAh).
I suspect that the Galaxy Note will be more successful than the Streak and will increase interest in smartphones larger than the now more common 3.7- to 4.3-inch devices. Maybe it will even lay the groundwork for the release and wild success of the Opus One!
Assuming the Note is even released in the US (and you're in the US), will the Note be replacing your Streak? What about everyone else?
Ok I’m hooked. Should this Samsung device take off, I will release an unlocker software for it.
The key is “released in the US” – it’ll be interesting to see that happen and if the form factor catches on. Samsung is the major manufacturer that is inundating consumers with so many form factors in terms of size that confusion has to be ingrained in their strategy.
Ooh. Want!
I just can’t imagine going to a smaller screen after having a Streak. If this doesn’t come to the US, I don’t know what I will do next.
I will not replace my Streak atm. My next phone has to run ice cream sandwich and as long as this doesnt run on the galaxy note its no option.
im not sure if it has dual core.
So….
Check the site….
http://www.samsung.com/global/microsite/galaxynote/note/spec.html
Oh yes, i will be so getting the Note . .
It’s perfect.
It’s everything and more i had hoped for the Opus One to be.
But this one actually has chances of being released . .
I’m intrigued by those specs! Wow!
The big question will be; how to get one?
For me, this is a done deal. Au revoir, Streak! You were fun while you lasted!
Eek, this sounds disappointing (though not definitive): http://www.gottabemobile.com/2011/09/01/samsung-no-plans-to-launch-galaxy-tab-7-7-and-galaxy-tab-in-the-u-s/
My voice modified Galaxy Tab has ALREADY replaced my Streak.
It has all the right bands… who cares if it comes to the US? Just buy it from Europe. Done.
Hopefully Samsung will have better support, where dell sucks and what killed the streak
I’m so looking out for this from Samsung. I was crushed when Dell EOL’d the Streak. I’d never be able to go back to a small screen for a phone again after having the Streak.
USB Host= love. Pen input is intriguing, but i wonder how practical it might be on a smaller-than-tablet screen.
The only thing AT&T would do to this phone is ruin it. They would remove native tethering, they’d stick a bunch of bloatware crap on it, and they would cause endless software delays. For all of that, you’d save what, $200? $300 at the most with a new contract?
The only thing that matters is this:
Network
HSPA+ up to 21Mbps 850/900/1900/2100
4G LTE
EDGE/GPRS 850/900/1800/1900
Whether it “comes to the US” is completely irrelevant.
I’ve read about this phone and it blown my mind! Will wait for Opus one for 3 month ofter Note release. If it will not be even introduced Note will be my next phone. There only two options that I want and this phone lacks – dragontrail glass and 3-4-core design with one-two slow core’s for longer work while not gaming. I’m excited of it’s 2,5 amph battery and waiting for battery life tests!
Cool! I didn’t know that was possible. Just did some reading – I may not wait for the Note
Please tell us how you like your mod Tab?
For voice do you use speaker phone, wired/BT headset, or hold the Tab to your head?
Which SIM did you put in it? (I read ATT is cutting off unlim data SIMs in Tab, and that’s what I have)
How do you carry this “phone” around?
This is so stupid why is it dell streak 5 didn’t get mass appeal but when a major manufacture decides to bring one out everyone wants it hmmm…. well I KNOW DJ_Steve wont touch it. Just something about my streak I love
When I seen the note my eyes lit up. this is what the streak should of been. Don’t get me wrong I do love the streak but when I read that dell let go of the person who invented the steak and weak and I do say weak support I just have to do something just tired of being left in the dust with android!!!!!!!!!!
when i saw the rumors about the Note i was very interested, and now that i can see its specs, i can only say: omg, absolutely wonderful.
i am a real streak lover, but the note promises to be superior to the streak in everything. i think we can consider the Note as the successor of the streak.
Since it was at an event in Euroland, the “Samsung spokesperson” was probably with Samsung Deutschland. Not only would she likely have no clue whether Samsung US will release these devices, she has a vested interest in denying it. Many Germans will buy electronics when they visit the US since those devices are typically much cheaper here due to lower tariffs and taxes – especially devices with video recording capabilities.
Samsung’s support for phones and ROM upgrades has been far worse even than Dell. That’s the main reason I might NOT buy the Note, even if it’s released here in the USA.
Excellent points – except that if it’s purchased “gray market” in the US, there’s no warranty. Although, upon second thought…
Dell let go of the guy in charge of the Streak. He didn’t “invent” the Streak by any means. You might want to look at Samsung’s history of broken promises on ROM upgrades and fixing GPS and other major problems before you get too excited.
Seems like many posters here forget that the Streak was originally released over 2 years ago. Of course the Note will be “superior in every way.” If the Streak never existed, it’s possible we still wouldn’t have any phone/tab choices in the 4.7 – 5.3″ range.
Given Samsung’s history of broken promises on ROM upgrades and fixing major problems (GPS?), I’d at least wait till this is on the street for a couple months before buying. And don’t expect any Ice Cream Sandwich upgrade.
Having said that, the Note absolutely rocks the spec sheet and looks sleek. I would miss the tapered ends of the Streak that make it so easy to slide in and out of a pocket.
Well, won’t this be interesting. Dell “suppose” to have a 5″ screen opus in 2011 (believe that when I see it), Samsung has this on the front burner, Nexus Prime suppose to be out soon. That gives me plenty of CHOICE. Now, I’ll wait and see which one comes out and XDA starts following. I’m still running 2.2.2 + go launcher and the V6 Supercharger script, smooth and lightning fast, but, in 5-6 months…who knows.
I’m like the rest…I really can’t see ever going back to less than a 5″ screen now.
I believe HTC has a 4.7″ phone coming. It certainly does seem like the Streak was ahead of its time. When it was released, 3.7″ phones were the norm, and 4″ was considered big. I remember when the first 4.3″ phones arrived, and everyone was like ZOMG!!! They are SOOO HUUUUGE! Now 4.3 is normal, and the second batch of 4.5″ phones are coming from Samsung and Motorola.
I think next year 4.5″ will be normal, and there will be more phones that are 4.7″+. People who said “that will NEVER fit in your pocket” will suddenly realize that hey actually they fit in pockets.
As for Samsung, the GPS issues on the original Galaxy S series were quite real – they are pretty much useless as navigation devices. From what I’ve heard the Infuse is comparable to the other guys in GPS performance, so I’m not that worried. I’m sure with the GSII and the Note, they’ve worked it out by now.
If you want a timely Rom update, the worst thing you can do is buy an AT&T branded device. It’s pretty much guaranteed to take forever – see Dell Streak. Us unlocked users and the rest of the world got our 2.2 updates.
An EU spec Note is probably the most likely to see an Ice Cream Sandwich update.
When I read the rumors then the announcement here on streaksmart that Our Beloved Dell Streak was EOL, I felt distressed, I thought I had nowhere to go, I love this form factor, it’s the only deal for me.. everything else was either too big, or too small. And then I read about the “NOTE”.. big sigh of relief, yeah I know corny huh, but when youve gotten so used to the size of this device, you never leave home without it, ever reliable Streak/DJ Steve Streakdroid 1.9.1..
Hey Jen.. Lets get a http://www.NoteSmart.com/ over here huh. I’m sure most of us who got the streak will get the note for the exact same reason. and we’ll all still be seeing each other in the community.
See y’all in the other side.
5″ screen with stylus? Sign me up! I will load up Palm’s old Grafitti and say goodbye forever to sh*tty thumb keyboards forever…
Well, by my opinion Samsung did it wrong.
They should keep 5″ instead of 5.3 and make it even more pocketable and even lighter then 172g. That could be the winner for me. And that was, what I’ve expected from Opus. Now the size of Note is same like Streak, a little shorter but wider. Yes I love my Streak and I can wait a little for my favorite 5″ replacement.
But I must say : Well done Samsung! If nothing comes next year Samsung Note will be mine!
I was able to “preorder” the Note [unlocked] on Expansys.ca (Canada).
No word on pricing or availability. I suppose it might not materialize, but I ordered it none the less.
I tend to agree. Keep it 5″ and find a way to make the form factor smaller.
Agree….I’m use to the palm graffiti also. My first PDA was a Handspring Visor, then a Palm M130, Dell Axum, then smart phones. Got use to writing that way and for me and my big thumbs, I prefer it.
I disagree, Dell Streak owner here, and none of that AT&T Crap either.. at least former flagship galaxy S has Gingerbread. Heck it doesnt even matter if samsung is slow in support and roms, considering how huge their community is, it’s overwhelming the number/choice of custom roms you get with captivate/vibrant/i9000. With us streakers there was only 1 for the longest time just 1, it was DJ_Steve. Now we got maybe 4 or 5 on and off. I’m wondering if maybe it is because its a dell device? its difficult to work with, or is it because of the relatively small audience it has that no one wants to dev for it.
I’ve been a stylus user since the palm and Pocket PC days too.
Used to love Graffiti, but with android, there seemed to be a bug as it would delete a letter when I’d tap on a word. And this was even after I paid for it in the android market. Drove me mad.
I use the SlideIT keyboard now.
If the bezel is small, my shirt pockets will handle a six inch device.
Let there be every possible size filling the market with choices.
You can imagine my great delight on the 1st Sept when Samsung announced the Note.I have used a HP Ipaq 214 for the past 5 yrs & previously used a Dell PDA. I have wished for a device that would combine smartphone & pda features. Dell are not serious about competing in the big smartphone segment.The way the Dell streak was handled was mediocre, if there is anything I know about Samsung, it is that they are innovators and come up with top notch products. I was initially looking forward to buy the dell streak but now I cant wait for the release of the NOTE.I mean check out those specs, even Apple can’t beet that. My advise to Dell – WAKE UP before it is too late. You don’t show up in a gun fight with a stick.
I was just going off of what gizmodo was reporting.
I’m in for a Note as well. A worthy successor to the Streak. If you haven’t seen this nifty size comparison tool from Phonearena, check it out: http://www.phonearena.com/phones/LG-Secret_id2654/size
That’s how it always is with that website though… no guarantee that you’ll get anything.
oh man this is what i’m talkin about! this will replace both my notebook, dell streak and my little tablet. thank goodness! lets just make sure it makes it to canada!
——Dell is partnering with China’s top search engine Baidu to develop tablet computers and mobile phones. Analysts told Reuters that Baidu was one of China’s best known brands, and that carrying the name would boost recognition across the country for any tablet or mobile. The Chinese market is growing rapidly, and already holds more than 900 million mobile subscriptions. “We have a partnership with Baidu and you know we have the Streak 5 tablet, so the partnership will be in that space,” a Dell spokeswoman said on Tuesday.
let’s wait to see what the price is before we all start worshiping the note.
Thanks for the info. İ preordered my note and tab 7.7
uhhhh what galaxy note? have u guys heard about the ACER ICONIA SMART (tablet-phone) with 4.8 inch screen? acer calls it 100% smartphone and 100% tablet. Its another dell streak 5 successor which acer will be releasing this month.
http://www.slashgear.com/acer-iconia-smart-drops-in-september-10170909/
i have heard from rumors that its not going to be cheaper than 800 euros. check this other alternative instead.
http://www.slashgear.com/acer-iconia-smart-drops-in-september-10170909/
acer iconia smart with 4.8 inch screen… acer calls it 100% smartphone and 100% tablet….another challenger to our beloved streak 5
you are right man
Dell support really made the streak SUCKS.
i think if the streak was a different made ( HTC, Samsung, even Nokia ) will be a great product with great support.
Even with the latest official rom from dell, the streak 5 was slow, laggy and mostoy unusable. That said i hade it for the best part of a year and only because i was running a custom launcher which made it faster and fit for purpose. I have been waiting for the successor to the streak to be launched and have become tired of waiting and have ordered galaxy note, i will miss the landscape mode which was default in the streeak and looking at the picktures of the note, it appears to be potrait. Lets wait and see.
by the way i only want a big screen for streaming and watching media.
The streak doesn’t have a default layout?? Which is what I like about mine. If yours was laggy you had a lemon. My Streak is on par with my wife’s Atrix for speed. Aside from the .3 and a pen I would probably loose the better camera is the only thing I find appealing, but is that worth an extra 400 dollars? I’m still using a rear projection tv too so I suppose the screen res isn’t going to be worth the extra either.
Having owned the dell streak now 1 1/2 years, I love the product but I long since abandoned the O/S from Dell as there support sucks. Dell long since abandoned the U.S. market as well not to mention support out of india. I think Samsung should take a point from Dell in giving some better support in their product line. Dell left the U.S. in the cold when they decided everyone would get an upgrade long before the U.S. did. Hey Dell, I’m holding up one finger, can you guess which one?