Android

Samsung Galaxy Note II unboxing

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I’ve been waiting eagerly for the Samsung Galaxy Note II to arrive at my door ever since I decided that I might be okay with a larger primary mobile device like the ASUS Nexus 7. However, after posting that opinion, I got quite a few suggestions to check out the Galaxy Note II, since the device is something of a hybrid between tablet and phone. I’ve only had the device for a few hours, but I already know this is going to be an interesting review to write. I’m not sure how I feel about the Note II just yet, but what follows is an unboxing so that you can get a good look at the device and its packaging, with more coverage to come soon.

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I’m getting a bit tired of saying this, but just like every other smartphone I’ve opened for quite a while, the Galaxy Note II sits prominently at the top of the box, above all the accessories. Naturally, the box opens with a simple lid, is of reasonable quality, and looks good. But that’s enough about the box.

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The packing of the accessories is also quite standard, as they are found under a flap beneath the actual Note’s cradle. A USB cable, AC adapter, and start guide are included, the standard fare for most smartphones. In the past, Samsung has been one of the few manufacturers to include headphones with their devices, but they too seem to be abandoning this practice, along with most other manufacturers.

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Here is all the important stuff found in the box without all the packaging. If the USB cable provides any sort of perspective, it should be clear that the Note II is quite large. It isn’t exactly cumbersome, but it feels quite different from a standard smartphone, even one with a 4.7-inch display, in hand. Also, the inclusion of the Verizon checkmark logo on the home button is possibly the ugliest design decision I have ever seen on a smartphone of this caliber.

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On the back, the Note II reminds me quite a bit of the Galaxy S III. It has the same smooth plastic, camera placement, button setup, and removable back cover as its smaller sibling. In fact, it almost feels as if Samsung simply took the design of the S III and stretched it out with a bigger display. The device is very light, but also seems a bit thicker than other Samsung devices I have used.

So far, I’m not quite sure how I feel about the Galaxy Note II. It has a massive display, an interesting and potentially useful pen accessory, and there are so far no glaring problems. However, it seems like Samsung simply stretched out the Galaxy S III to get this device, interface and all, which I think makes it a bit less effective than it could potentially be. I’ll have to collect my final thoughts for the upcoming review, but feel free to ask any questions you may have about the device in the comments.

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Aaron Orquia

Aaron Orquia is an associate editor at Pocketables. He has been using Android and Linux since he bought his first computer years ago, and his interest in technology, software, and tweaking both to work just right has only grown stronger since then. His current gadgets include a OnePlus One, a Pebble smartwatch, and an Acer C720 Chromebook.

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