Take Note: Samsung said to be thinking about killing off Galaxy phablet series
- Reference: 1606844704
- News link: https://www.theregister.co.uk/2020/12/01/samsung_galaxy_note_report/
- Source link:
This would mark the end of a nearly 10-year run for the Galaxy Note series, which won fans thanks to its large screen and stylus. It's believed that Samsung intends to absorb the distinguishing features of the Note into the rest of its premium device portfolio, bringing the pen to the next addition of its S-series, as well as the foldable phone lineup.
The [2]first incarnation of the Galaxy Note initially raised eyebrows due to its large screen, as well as its commitment to pen input, which was largely regarded as anachronistic. By that point most vendors had moved to capacitive touchscreens, aping the design first pioneered by the iPhone, which would eventually set the tone for the rest of the industry.
Dulux feel lucky, punk? Samsung wades into paint world with interior emulsions designed to 'complement' your, er, TV [3]READ MORE
Samsung had the last laugh. In the first two months, the Galaxy Note sold one million units.
Follow-up devices swiftly followed, with some less successful than others. The Samsung Galaxy Note 7 is perhaps the best example, which [4]became infamous for its propensity to catch fire . This was due to a manufacturing defect with the internal battery, which struggled to dissipate heat. Samsung issued a recall. [5]Airlines banned them . It was bad.
While the latest version, [6]the Samsung Galaxy Note 20 , has not proven quite as dangerous, it has nonetheless failed to capture the enthusiasm of previous models. Reviewers criticised its build quality and display, and the absence of a real raison d'être when compared to the firm's other premium blowers.
According to analyst house Counterpoint, sales of the Galaxy Note series are expected to drop by a fifth to 8 million this year. This is due to a slower upgrade cycle, as well as decreased consumer spending on smartphones, which disproportionately affects premium devices.
We have asked Samsung to comment. ®
Get our [7]Tech Resources
[1] https://www.reuters.com/article/us-samsung-elec-smartphone/samsung-may-discontinue-high-end-galaxy-note-smartphones-sources-idUSKBN28B3U5
[2] https://www.theregister.com/2011/12/05/review_samsung_galaxy_note_android_tablet_and_phone/
[3] https://www.theregister.com/2020/10/22/dulux_feel_lucky_punk_samsung/
[4] https://www.theregister.com/2016/12/09/samsung_note_7_to_be_killed_dec_19/
[5] https://www.theregister.com/2016/09/09/nofly_zone_suggested_for_galaxy_note_7/
[6] https://www.theregister.com/2020/08/05/samsung_note20_launch/
[7] https://whitepapers.theregister.com/
Re: And people are surprised?
For sure, it did seem an arbitrary choice to bundle stylus support to expensive cameras and bleeding edge spaghetti (or whatever else Samsung is throwing at the wall that year). I mean, you might have a solid use case for stylus input but no need for a fancy expensive cameras system.
Makes sense I guess... The Galaxy S20 Ultra had the same size screen as its Note contemporary, but had a a battery that was 500mAh bigger since internal space wasn't taken up with a stylus.
I imagine there is overlap with the 'want big screen' and 'want stylus' crowds, and so I can see a good chunk of stylus users moving to a foldable phone once that tech has matured and becomes more reliable and cheaper. After all, the screen aspect ratio of unfolded phones is usually closer to 4:3 - useful for note taking etc - than it is something suitable for merely watching video.
Curious that it's headed in the direction of Microsoft's aborted Courier device (clamshell device, two screens opposite each other, pitched as a notebook for collating text and images).
Lack of onboard stylus storage might not be a deal killer. Stylus can be stowed in aftermarket case. Stylus could double as Bluetooth headset / remote and live in shirt pocket.
In any case, the cost of developing a Note X in addition to a Galaxy S X Ultra is hard to justify.
The Advantage of a Stylus or a Substitute
As someone with hands and fingers that touch screens delight in ignoring, does a stylus work better? I am currently forced to use a 'touch substitute' with my mobile and all other touch screens I have the misfortune to encounter.
Note 4
The Note 4 was the range's high water mark, IMO. Right up to the moment that the eMMC chip failed. Still, at least it was unlikely to catch fire.
The Note stylus
I have a Note 9, and I mostly use the stylus when playing SCUMMVM games (ported old click'n'point adventure games)....
I thought when I first go it, it'd be great for quick note taking..... nope.
Occasionally use it for sketching a diagram that I can't visualise in my head (eg, trig calculations in my DIY projects around home)
Is not a Galaxy
As seen with the "Fan edition' Samsung most popular phones are the Galaxy models.
Plus you know, Galaxy phones are not usually know to explode
And people are surprised?
Hmm, which shall I buy? This top of the range highly expensive thing, or the almost identical thing from the same manufacturer at half the price? Tough one that...