14 DAY TRIAL // Unveiled last year at IFA 2011, in Berlin, Samsung Galaxy Note is one of the most controversial Android devices launched by the Korean handset maker. Large enough to go as a tablet, Samsung Galaxy Note ended up as a phablet, a smartphone/tablet hybrid.
Although the smartphone was introduced in Europe in October 2011, the Galaxy Note is expected to arrive in North America in Q1 2012. Samsung announced at the International Consumer Electronics Show that the device will be available “in the coming weeks” via AT&T.
Obviously, the US-based carrier will have a brief exclusivity over the Galaxy Note, after which customers will probably be able to purchase the device from other operators as well.
In this regard, Los Angeles Industry Analyst Paul Mueller told Examiner that the Samsung Galaxy Note will arrive at Sprint and Verizon Wireless in Q1 2012.
Even though Mueller does not reveal his sources, it seems safe to assume that the Galaxy Note release at other carriers is just a matter of time.
According to Mueller, Samsung Galaxy Note “will possibly be called the Galaxy Journal. But it is certainly coming to both Sprint and Verizon during the first half of the year.”
However, unlike the European variant of the device, the North-American Galaxy Note features a slightly different design.
Firstly, the big button under the display has been replaced with four touch-sensitive keys. Secondly, the battery hood has a textured pattern instead of the smooth and polished cover of the European version.
The rest of the specs remain the same, including the powerful 1.5 GHz dual core processor with Adreno 220 GPU, and the impressive 8-megapixel camera with autofocus, LED flash and full HD (1080p) video recording.
In addition, the Galaxy Note comes with an S Pen stylus that allows users to sketch drawings, take notes or quickly write emails and texts.