Gadget review: Samsung Note Edge has something for everyone

I've never been a big fan of Samsung smartphones. They're good, undeniably so, but to me they're an over-rampant, over-hyped and too-eager type of device to take too seriously.

But this is where it changes. The Note Edge, so called because the right side of the screen curves rather elegantly to display notifications and shortcuts, is an impressive device.

It shares pretty much the same specifications as the normal-screened Note 4, and while many view the curved edge as a gimmick, it proved to be a useful one (you can even use it as a ruler). It cuts down on the number of swipes and taps to get to applications, and when in clock mode it provides the time without the need to unlock the phone.

Lighting up the entire screen consumes a lot of the battery life; the Edge helps to cut back by providing the notifications instantaneously.

The Note Edge is 5.6 inches, with a Quad HD super AMOLED display that provides a top-end viewing experience. The camera at the back is 16 megapixels, and the phone also includes a 3.7MP selfie camera. They take good pictures, but it is not the best smartphone camera when in low light conditions – that accolade goes to Sony and Nokia, and sometimes the BlackBerry Passport when in focus.

The most innovative aspect of this device, however, is the S-Pen. Samsung has improved this dramatically from the Note 3. It writes like a real pen, immaculately transferring your handwriting to the screen. It is rather beautiful, helping to personalise messages, transcribe quickly and without error (unless you can’t spell) and it helps to bring back a personal touch to text.

This version also enables you to edit physical text and pictures or graphs; by taking a picture, the S-Note feature enables you to manipulate and edit the contents entirely. This was a little fiddly to get right instantly. Generally it works, but not well enough to warrant a thumbs-up.

The Note Edge is one of those phones that can offer something to anyone. It has the right amount of fun and play to balance the work aspect, making it a great all-rounder.

q&a nice, but not necessary

Triska Hamid reveals more about the Note Edge’s attributes.

Can you tell me a bit more about the specifications?

Sure. It weighs 174g, runs Google Android’s Kitkat version and has a pretty decent battery life that charges very quickly. It supports up to 128GB storage with a microSD.

Is the curved edge really necessary?

Is anything besides food, air and shelter necessary? Smartphone manufacturers are experimenting and innovating, and this curved edge is an example. There are many manufacturers battling it out for the top spot and they're all under increasing pressure from Chinese players that are luring customers away with cheaper prices. The edge is a nice touch, helping the phone stand out against others. But if you're asking whether one can live without it, then the answer is yes, one can. But one can also live without many other things in life, including a phone.

I am left-handed. Is this phone for me?

This phone has been created with the right-handed user in mind. The curved edge is easy to interact with using the right hand, rather than the left.

What happens if I misplace the S-Pen?

You ought to make a start on sorting out your life. The stylus fits snugly and neatly into the side, so it stays secure. Without the S-Pen, the Note is just a Galaxy.

How much is it?

I’m sure you can get a decent deal from either of the two mobile operators. Otherwise the device alone is priced at Dh4,499 from Etisalat.

thamid@thenational.ae

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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets

UAE v IRELAND

All matches start at 10am, and will be played in Abu Dhabi

1st ODI, Friday, January 8

2nd ODI, Sunday, January 10

3rd ODI, Tuesday, January 12

4th ODI, Thursday, January 14

Results

2.15pm: Handicap Dh80,000 1,950m

Winner: Hello, Tadhg O’Shea (jockey), Ali Rashid Al Raihi (trainer).

2.45pm: Handicap Dh90,000 1,800m

Winner: Right Flank, Pat Dobbs, Doug Watson.

3.15pm: Handicap Dh115,000 1,000m

Winner: Leading Spirit, Richard Mullen, Satish Seemar.

3.45pm: Jebel Ali Mile Group 3 Dh575,000 1,600m

Winner: Chiefdom, Royston Ffrench, Salem bin Ghadayer.

4.15pm: Handicap Dh105,000 1,400m

Winner: Ode To Autumn, Patrick Cosgrave, Satish Seemar.

4.45pm: Shadwell Farm Conditions Dh125,000 1,200m

Winner: Last Surprise, James Doyle, Simon Crisford.

5.15pm: Handicap Dh85,000 1,200m

Winner: Daltrey, Sandro Paiva, Ali Rashid Al Raihi.

Living in...

This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.

Key facilities

Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
Premier League-standard football pitch
400m Olympic running track
NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
600-seat auditorium
Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
Specialist robotics and science laboratories
AR and VR-enabled learning centres
Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills

While you're here

Con Coughlin: Nato must renew its sense of common purpose

Sholto Byrnes: In today's times, what is Nato really good for?

C Uday Bhaskar: Could the 'Quad' become Asia's new Nato?

Some of Darwish's last words

"They see their tomorrows slipping out of their reach. And though it seems to them that everything outside this reality is heaven, yet they do not want to go to that heaven. They stay, because they are afflicted with hope." - Mahmoud Darwish, to attendees of the Palestine Festival of Literature, 2008

His life in brief: Born in a village near Galilee, he lived in exile for most of his life and started writing poetry after high school. He was arrested several times by Israel for what were deemed to be inciteful poems. Most of his work focused on the love and yearning for his homeland, and he was regarded the Palestinian poet of resistance. Over the course of his life, he published more than 30 poetry collections and books of prose, with his work translated into more than 20 languages. Many of his poems were set to music by Arab composers, most significantly Marcel Khalife. Darwish died on August 9, 2008 after undergoing heart surgery in the United States. He was later buried in Ramallah where a shrine was erected in his honour.

SPECS

%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EEngine%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E2-litre%204-cylinder%20petrol%20(V%20Class)%3B%20electric%20motor%20with%2060kW%20or%2090kW%20powerpack%20(EQV)%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPower%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20233hp%20(V%20Class%2C%20best%20option)%3B%20204hp%20(EQV%2C%20best%20option)%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETorque%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20350Nm%20(V%20Class%2C%20best%20option)%3B%20TBA%20(EQV)%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EOn%20sale%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EMid-2024%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPrice%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ETBA%0D%3C%2Fp%3E%0A

ESSENTIALS

The flights

Emirates flies from Dubai to Phnom Penh via Yangon from Dh2,700 return including taxes. Cambodia Bayon Airlines and Cambodia Angkor Air offer return flights from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap from Dh250 return including taxes. The flight takes about 45 minutes.

The hotels

Rooms at the Raffles Le Royal in Phnom Penh cost from $225 (Dh826) per night including taxes. Rooms at the Grand Hotel d'Angkor cost from $261 (Dh960) per night including taxes.

The tours

A cyclo architecture tour of Phnom Penh costs from $20 (Dh75) per person for about three hours, with Khmer Architecture Tours. Tailor-made tours of all of Cambodia, or sites like Angkor alone, can be arranged by About Asia Travel. Emirates Holidays also offers packages.

The candidates

Dr Ayham Ammora, scientist and business executive

Ali Azeem, business leader

Tony Booth, professor of education

Lord Browne, former BP chief executive

Dr Mohamed El-Erian, economist

Professor Wyn Evans, astrophysicist

Dr Mark Mann, scientist

Gina MIller, anti-Brexit campaigner

Lord Smith, former Cabinet minister

Sandi Toksvig, broadcaster

Director: Laxman Utekar

Cast: Vicky Kaushal, Akshaye Khanna, Diana Penty, Vineet Kumar Singh, Rashmika Mandanna

Rating: 1/5

Company Fact Box

Company name/date started: Abwaab Technologies / September 2019

Founders: Hamdi Tabbaa, co-founder and CEO. Hussein Alsarabi, co-founder and CTO

Based: Amman, Jordan

Sector: Education Technology

Size (employees/revenue): Total team size: 65. Full-time employees: 25. Revenue undisclosed

Stage: early-stage startup

Investors: Adam Tech Ventures, Endure Capital, Equitrust, the World Bank-backed Innovative Startups SMEs Fund, a London investment fund, a number of former and current executives from Uber and Netflix, among others.