Samsung isn’t a manufacturer with the most clear conscience, having taken inspiration in design from its Cupertino competitor a few times in the past. But the Korean company has also seen many of its own phones getting 100 percent clones over in China, with the infamous Goophone often coming out with knock-offs of Galaxy flagships soon after they were announced by Samsung.
Well, the Galaxy Note 5 is the latest target of the photocopiers in the world’s most populous country. Local manufacturer UMi is gearing up to launch a device called ROME, and a picture of the phone published by Phone Arena makes it clear where the design has been lifted from. The ROME even has the same curved sides at the back, and a similar looking camera module. The golden paintjob on the phone is similar too, and it’s one of the nicer Galaxy clones that we’ve seen.
It might have a copied design, but the UMi ROME does seem to have an important weapon to attract consumers: The phone apparently comes with 3GB of RAM at a price of $90. It’s not a high-end phone though, and it will be very interesting to see how this thing looks from the front when UMi launches it next month.
The Galaxy Note 5 and Galaxy S6 edge+ are two of the best and most complete flagships from Samsung, but there’s an annoying little bug that ruins the experience on these devices every now and then. Sometimes, when you wake up the phone and try to unlock it, the Note 5 and S6 edge+ become extremely slow. This slowdown corrects itself in a few seconds, but it does so by reloading the entire UI.
This UI reload sends you back to the lock screen, making you unlock the device again. It doesn’t kill or restart any apps that you might have running, but the trip back to the lock screen and the slowdown means you have to wait for a few seconds before getting back to using the phone.
This bug crops up at least once every day; it’s not that frequent, but it’s still an annoyance that has existed since launch and wasn’t fixed in the first software updates to the two devices. It’s an issue on both standard swipe screen unlock and when you use the fingerprint option, and Samsung will hopefully implement a fix in the next update that comes along for the Galaxy Note 5 and Galaxy S6 edge+.
Does your Note 5 or S6 edge+ suffer from this issue? Let us know in the comments!
hen the revolutionary Galaxy Note was first released in 2011, the device set a new standard in smartphone culture, setting a high bar for all up-sized mobiles that would soon follow. Since then, the Galaxy Note series has expanded and improved with each new model; now, the Galaxy Note5, the latest addition to the series, is also the most carefully and beautifully designed.
Perfectly Portable
As the Galaxy Note has changed the smartphone from a device to consume content to one that can be used to create content, it only makes sense that its aesthetics should inspire. Influenced by the Galaxy S6, Samsung has given the new Note model a facelift, incorporating a harmonious blend of metal and glass into its premium design.
Although its screen size is the same as the previous model’s at 5.7 inches, Samsung has made the Galaxy Note5 a bit slimmer with a narrower bezel and curved back to provide a more comfortable grip so the device can be easily operated with one hand when on the go. The oversized, flat screen is easy to write on and better optimized with a 5×5 grid home screen, allowing more apps and widgets to be displayed in plump square-shaped icons at one time.
The Note5 also boasts faster charging than ever. It can fully charge in just 90 minutes through a connected charger, or 120 minutes with wireless charging through Samsung’s latest wireless charger.
Another portability feature is Samsung Pay, a simple and safe mobile payment service you can use virtually anywhere that cards are accepted. With tokenization, Samsung KNOX, and fingerprint authentication, Samsung Pay provides a secure payment system and reduces the security risks inherent to plastic cards.
The Power of the Pen
What sets the Galaxy Note series apart from its competition is the S Pen, which has also received an upgrade. While the previous version featured enhanced handwriting capabilities, increased pressure sensitivity and support for pivot, speed and tilt, the latest was designed with ergonomics in mind, to be more solid and balanced in the user’s hand. With a “push-pull” design, it also ejects more easily from the device, requiring only a quick click.
The new, more practical S Pen allows for greater productivity, thanks to a suite of new functionality features that let users collect and clip images, and capture and annotate lengthy webpages and documents through the fast-launching Air Command. When combined with Multi Window, tasks such as locating an address on a map or sharing information with a friend can easily be carried out in a fraction of the time.
Furthermore, for those moments when using multiple devices is necessary, SideSync allows for the easy transfer of content from the Galaxy Note5 to a PC or tablet. Effortless installation and automatic connection between devices make tasks like accessing files or checking phone notifications on a PC incredibly easy.
Yet, the coolest of these new features is a function which allows users to jot down doodles and memos on a black screen, without even unlocking the Note. No fleeting idea is ever forgotten with the screen-off memo feature of the new Note5.
Creativity at Its Finest
Sticking to its roots as a device that inspires creativity as well as enhances productivity, the Galaxy Note5 has optimized its multimedia capabilities to allow for more creative and customizable content development.
In addition to being able to launch the camera in less than one second with a double click of the home button, users can enjoy improved video capabilities, including Steady Video, which provides Video Digital Image Stabilization on both the front and rear cameras for sharp, crisp video on-the-go, Video Collage Mode, which allows users to record and edit short videos easily in various frames and effects, and 4K (UHD) video filming. Similarly, the “Live Broadcast” mode in the native camera app lets users live-stream Full HD video to personal contacts or the public.
With such innovative video features, family members and friends that live thousands of miles apart no longer seem so far away from one another. Journalists and filmmakers can cover big stories without having to tote around loads of bulky equipment. Individuals have the means to have their voices heard in an entirely new way.
The features that enhance the content consuming experience on the Galaxy Note5 are just as spectacular. The device boasts the same stunning 5.7-inch Quad HD Super AMOLED screen, which provides true-to-life colors and an immersive viewing experience.
As a more powerful and personal device than ever, the new Galaxy Note5 promises a more enhanced user experience, more immersive multimedia and a greater way to create. Take note—this device has got it all.
Samsung Electronics announced the global launch of the Samsung Galaxy S6 edge+and Galaxy Note5. Both devices represent Samsung’s commitment to the big screen smartphone market, which Samsung boldly pioneered in 2011 with the original Galaxy Note.
The Galaxy S6 edge+ and Galaxy Note5 blend form and function with industry leading features, including: the best screen technology, the most advanced camera for high quality photos and videos, the latest fast wireless and wired charging, and an incredibly powerful processor. With increased 4GB RAM, both smartphones offer the most powerful capacity and processing power on the market, enabling users to enjoy more seamless multi-tasking, keep up with messages, post updates to social networks faster, and enjoy graphic-heavy games without suffering lag time.
With its curved 5.7-inch Quad HD Super AMOLED screen, the Galaxy S6 edge+ makes the edge experience even bigger to provide a more immersive multimedia experience. The newly-designed Galaxy Note5 provides an unmatched set of productivity tools such as SideSync, along with a much refined 5th generation S Pen capabilities to better serve the major multitasker.
Samsung Pay, Samsung’s simple, safe and virtually anywhere mobile payment service, will launch in Korea on August 20 and in the U.S. on September 28. Protected by Samsung KNOX, fingerprint verification and digital tokenization, Samsung Pay works with both MST (Magnetic Secure Transmission) and NFC (Near Field Communication) technologies, bringing consumers closer than ever to a world without wallets.
“At Samsung, we believed in the promise that large screen smartphones could actively address some major consumers pain points by providing users with a better viewing experience and more productivity on-the-go,” said JK Shin, CEO and President of IT & Mobile Division, Samsung Electronics. “With the launch of the Galaxy S6 edge+ and Note5, we’re reemphasizing our ongoing commitment to bold, fearless innovation that meets the needs of our consumers.”
Galaxy S6 edge+ Best for Multimedia Experience
Samsung Galaxy S6 edge+ succeeded the unique and distinctive design of Galaxy S6 edge, and becomes even more elegant, understated, and finely crafted. It features the new ‘Apps edge’ for easy access to favorite apps, and enhanced ‘People edge’ for easy communications with preferred contacts. ‘Apps edge’ allows users to access their favorite apps by just swiping the edge display. ‘People edge’ helps users to connect their close contacts easily. From the edge screen, users can quickly find their pre-set contacts and send message or give a call directly.
Galaxy Note5 Perfect for Multi-taskers
The Galaxy Note5 is a stunning upgrade to Samsung’s flagship Galaxy Note line – more powerful and more personal than ever. Inspired by the design legacy of the Galaxy S6, it ergonomically fits in one hand with a narrower bezel and curved back. The flat screen is great to write on and the curved shape makes it easier to use the phone with one hand.
Engineered to help people get more done faster, the Galaxy Note5 includes all new S Pen that feels more solid and balanced in the user’s hand, offering improved writing capabilities and a variety of practical tools. A unique clicking mechanism offers a joyful experience of popping the S Pen out with just one quick click. Users can now quickly jot down ideas or information when the screen is off without even unlocking the phone. ‘Air Command’ feature gets more intuitive and practical as well; now the icon hovers for instant access to all of S Pen tools from any screen at any time. Users can also annotate on PDF files and capture lengthy web articles or long images at once via ‘Scroll capture.’
Powerful Core Galaxy Features
Both the Galaxy S6 edge+ and Note5 feature unprecedented multimedia capabilities with deeper screen contrast and details through Samsung’s industry-leading 5.7-inch Quad HD Super AMOLED display.
As social networking becomes more ubiquitous, consumers expect to share the moments of their lives through photos and video and Samsung is enabling that desire with improved video capabilities.
These include Steady Video, which provides Video Digital Image Stabilization on both the front and rear cameras for sharp, crisp video on-the-go, and Video Collage Mode, which allows users to record and edit short videos easily in various frames and effects. The Galaxy S6 edge+ and Note5 also feature 4K(UHD) video filming and Live Broadcast, which lets users instantly live streams Full HD video straight from the phone to any individual, group of contacts, or even the public through YouTube Live. Anyone who receives the YouTube link from a Galaxy S6 edge+ or Note5 user is able to enjoy live stream video from his or her smartphone, tablet, PC or Smart TV with YouTube connectivity.
Galaxy S6 edge+ and Galaxy Note5 users will also benefit from Samsung’s advanced camera system, including Quick Launch (double click the home button to launch the camera in less than one second*), Auto Real-time High Dynamic Range (HDR), and Smart Optical Image Stabilization(OIS) and brand-new filters.
The Galaxy S6 edge+ and Note5 feature Samsung’s fast wired and wireless charging technology and the embedded wireless charging technology is compatible with virtually any wireless pad available today. With wired charging, both devices can be fully charged in approximately 90 minutes, and through Samsung’s latest wireless charger, they can be fully charged in approximately 120 minutes.
Samsung’s newest devices are further upgraded to support SideSync, which offers both wireless and wired PC-smartphone integration for seamless connections across devices. Thanks to auto-detection and an ultra quick setup, users can instantly connect their Samsung device to their PC or tablet for easy access to files and data across all platforms and operating systems.
In addition, Samsung’s Galaxy S6 edge+ and Note5 features enhanced security features with KNOX Active Protection (built into devices / out of the box) and My KNOX (app with simple/fast setup) to further protect sensitive personal and work data.
The availability and launch timing of both products vary by markets and mobile carriers. Both devices are available globally starting from August, 2015. Both have 32GB or 64GB storage options available in White Pearl, Black Sapphire, Gold Platinum and Silver Titanium.
