The Note5 looks very much like earlier Notes, except for its sleeker, slightly thinner unibody glass-and-aluminum construction make it a bit easier to handle. It's slightly lighter, too. Samsung also tweaked the camera and the trademark S Pen while adding some convenient charging options, and other time-saving features. When you're not talking or browsing the Web, you can use the Galaxy Note 5's S Pen stylus, which we found was quite responsive. Pulling the S Pen stylus out of its holder in the Galaxy Note 4 calls up Air Command, a semi-circle-shaped menu that provides quick access to a number of intriguing features with just a peck. The Action memo app lets you scribble notes and phone numbers with the S Pen or your finger. The phone will scan that information and store it as editable, actionable text. For example, pecking a phone number will launch the phone dialer. The Screen write feature lets you use the S Pen to carve out all or part of an image on your screen and add comments in just several steps. You can use the S Pen stylus or finger to jot down notes or sketches with the included app, which lets you combine all of your pictures, voice recordings, texts, and scribbles into a single folder for easy sharing with others. You can write on captured browser screens and crop photos by simply tracing over them. The Galaxy Note5 can convert numbers, letters, symbols, and punctuation you jot down with the S Pen into text. Smart select provides a capture tool to select content on a screen and add it to your Scrapbook app or share it with your contacts. You can edit the cropped content, as well as write on it. S Note lets you create, manage, and edit notes, even actionable ones, right on the Note5. You can also add up to three apps and functions to the Air command menu. Air view lets you preview calendar details, e-mails, photos, videos, and other content just by hovering the stylus over them. However, these and other gestures might take some getting used to. The Note5 is brimming with other features and capabilities many smartphone users will relish. For instance, its display has a very high resolution, the camera has an optical image stabilizer, the phone can be rapidly charged, and more. Also, this smartphone supports BOTH Qi and Powermat wireless charging pads out of the box-a convenience many mixed-family smartphone users will relish. The Note5 is one of the best smartphones at handling office-type documents like Word and Excel, as well as portable document formats (pdf) with signature capability. Screen grabs aren't new, but the Galaxy Note5 is a bit more sophisticated. It lets you selectively capture more of a Web page with just a few taps. The included Samsung Pay app lets you make purchases with your phone. Swipe from the bottom of the screen to the top to access the payment cards, and right or left to access the preferred card. Merely authorize it with the touch of your finger and hold the phone near the credit card terminal. You still might need to enter a PIN, a signature, or verify charges, like you do now. The phone supports two mobile payment methods via Near Field Communication (NFC) and Magnetic Secure Transmission (MST). NFC is a short-range wireless communication technology that allows the phone to read "smart" tags, make mobile payments ,or handle other items that have NFC capability in them. MST emits a magnetic signal that mimics the magnetic strip on a payment card. Though these technologies are not yet widely deployed for mobile phone users. Other features are more regressive, at least for other Galaxy S-class phones. For instance, this is one of the first Galaxy "phablet" models with a non-removable battery. Also gone: the memory-expansion slots. That means Galaxy Note5 owners will have to bring their phone to a service center to replace the battery, or buy a more expensive version of the phone if more on-board storage is needed (just as you do with an iPhone). Also, these models built-in memory max out at 64GB, unlike the smaller-sized Galaxy S6 models of 128GB. Furthermore, this Galaxy lacks an IR blaster which, like a universal remote, could be programmed to control HDTVs and set-top boxes.
The Galaxy Note5 has a huge 5.7-inch display size and resolution of 1440x2560 (1440p Quad HD), which presents photos, videos, Web pages, and other objects with more than 500 pixels per inch of detail. Most users may not notice the benefits of those extra pixels in everyday use. The excellent quality display is also easy to see in bright light. The Galaxy Note5 battery life was very good, though a notch below other Samsung high-rated models, including the Galaxy Note Edge and Note 4. But with its rapid charging capability, in our tests, it took about 30 minutes to bring a drained battery to roughly 50 percent capacity using the included charger and cable. It also worked effortlessly with both the Qi and Powermat wireless charging pads we have in our labs. With Samsungs' fast wireless charger, it took about 45 minutes to bring a drained battery to roughly 50 percent capacity. The Galaxy Note5's camera took very good 1080p video, among the best in our Ratings. It can also record in Ultra HD (4K) video format, whose extra clarity can best be appreciated on an Ultra HD TV. The camera also took relatively very-good stills under low-light conditions. The camera's optical image stabilizer improves your chances of taking better handheld photos under low-light conditions. The cameras Live broadcast mode lets you beam your camcorder videos up to YouTube in real time. When you're done, you have an instant link to share with friends on social networks.
The Galaxy Note5 also delivered top-notch performance in many key areas of our tests, including display quality, messaging, and Web browsing, and has an abundance of other features and capabilities that include:
Safety. This mode will automatically blast SOS messages to designated contacts. This is a feature designed to help if you're in a car accident or other emergency situation. To activate this feature, press the Galaxy Note5's power button three times. The screen can also be changed to a black theme to reduce battery consumption via Emergency mode.
Multi window. This convenient feature has evolved for more multi-tasking options. You can choose how to access select applications with full, split or pop-up screens, and can change the size and positioning of apps. You can have up to five apps open at once, but we found it's difficult to manage more than a few on a relatively small screen. For instance, in a split-screen view, you can handily watch a video while viewing an e-mail, or you can use Google Maps and Messaging. Multi window also lets you interact with two apps on a screen simultaneously, so you can drag a photo from the gallery into a text message to attach it, for example. To activate Multi window, press and hold the recent apps key, then just drag and drop two apps onto the home screen. Or you can access this feature by sliding your finger down diagonally from the upper left corner of the screen of the open app. When minimized, they reside as icons on whichever home screen you're on, for easy access.
Flipboard Briefing. This gives you a snapshot of news, business, technology, sports, science, and more. You can customize it to your own interests, or turn it off.
Smart Stay. The front-facing camera monitors your eyes while you're reading a Web page or other document to prevent the screen from timing out.
S Health. The integrated health and fitness apps include a heart-rate monitor. The sensor is below the main camera's Flash. When you put your index finger on it, you should see your heart rate on the phone's display.
There are also numerous features and capabilities that let you wirelessly connect nearby compatible Galaxy phones or other devices to share pictures, music, documents, and more.
The Galaxy Note5, though, lacks some features we've become accustomed to with other Galaxy phones. For instance, you can't accept a phone call, flip through photos, or skip to the next song on your playlist by waving your hand in front of the phone. Also gone is the On/Off toggle switches, in settings, for Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and more, which we found very convenient.
The Galaxy Note5 has two home screen modes: an easy experience mode for new Android users and a standard experience mode. The Easy mode has icons and widgets that are larger and simpler, and there are "+" icons users can push to easily add an app to the phone's desktop or add a contact. In the Standard mode, the Galaxy Note5 has intuitive navigation that provides easy access to all its main functions via a highly responsive touch screen that supports more than seven home screens of apps, programmable shortcuts, as well as a home button flanked by recent apps and back keys. The recent apps key lets you see a stack of screen shots of your most recently used apps. Tap any one of them, and you can jump to that app. Pressing and holding the recent apps key launches Multi window. Also, pressing and holding the home button directly launches the search function. The Home button has a fingerprint scanner for unlocking the phone or authorizing purchases with a touch. The phone allows you to launch the camera directly from a locked screen without the need to first unlock the screen. You do this by swiping upward on the camera icon that is visible on the locked screen. The Galaxy Note5 lets you perform Google searches by voice command and lets you download applications, services, games, and more from the Google Play Store. Its multi-touch screen lets you zoom in and out of photos or Web pages using two fingers (for instance, your thumb and index finger). A handy on-screen drop-down status bar alerts you to and takes you to new messages, upcoming appointments, and other items that need your attention, even when your screen is locked. Its Android OS offers better text editing tools and controls for managing data usage, and enhanced voice-activated navigation and dictation. If you find holding this size phone while on a call or performing other one-handed operations difficult, you can shrink the dial pad and keyboard and slide them to either side of the phone's screen to bring them closer to your thumbs in portrait mode.
The Galaxy Note5 supports a "4G" LTE network (some models HSPA+ too), allowing fast streaming, downloading, and uploading of high-definition videos and other large files. The fast network also facilitates better Web browsing experiences. The Wi-Fi connection provides another way to access the Web, e-mail, and other Internet-based content, without using your data plan allowance.
MESSAGING: The virtual keyboards were excellent to use. In portrait orientation, it features five rows (a rarity among phones) with dedicated keys for numbers across the top row. A useful feature is the cursor control on the Samsung virtual keyboard which makes it easier to change text. You can move the cursor by just sliding your finger across the keyboard. The virtual keyboard also supports a method that allows users to type words without lifting a finger-literally. You enter a word by dragging your finger across the screen from letter to letter. Though it's initially awkward to use, we eventually had a lot of success "typing" quickly and accurately. The virtual keyboard has an advanced voice command feature that supports text fields, allowing you to dictate e-mails, text messages, Tweets, and other normally typed forms of communication. This phone comes with common preset text messages and allows you to create your own custom preset messages for your individual special situations or frequent use. Excellent e-mail readability and attachment capabilities. This phone allows you to create and edit Word documents and Excel spreadsheets out of the box, which can come in handy when working on the go. The Galaxy Note5 also supports Microsoft Exchange and Outlook for work e-mail. When connected to Windows or Macintosh computers, this phone can appear on the computer as another drive. You can then transfer data to and from your phone as you could on a regular drive.
PHONE: We tested the Galaxy Note5 under a variety of conditions to simulate environments ranging from the quiet indoors to noisy roadsides. We found voice quality good when talking and listening. Talk time was an ample 17.5 hours. Its Ultra Power Saving Mode can squeeze out even more battery life by adjusting the screen from color to use the more efficient grayscale and limit access to your applications, such as sending and receiving voice calls and texts. The phone has an excellent mixture of controls and features for making and taking calls. Excellent keypad readability under most lighting conditions, even bright light. Its voice command allows you to conveniently dial numbers from your phone book by speaking the name, without the usual training. You can also dial numbers by pronouncing the digits. It has Bluetooth for wireless hands-free voice communication. Some models can simultaneously be on a phone call and an Internet-based connection over the cellular network. Can be used internationally.
MULTIMEDIA: The 15.9-megapixel camera has a very short shutter lag, and produced good-quality pictures at ISO settings up to 800. The camera performed very well under low-light conditions. And the camera's optical image stabilizer improves your chances of taking better handheld photos under low-light conditions. The camera's built-in flash and ISO-setting controls help improve your chances of taking better pictures under low-light conditions. Its face detection comes in handy when you're snapping pics of children or other fussy subjects. Its touch focus feature lets you override the autofocus by tapping on any subject on the screen. You can also snap a still picture at any moment while shooting a video. Its voice control allows you to snap a picture or record a video by saying, for instance, "smile", "cheese", or "record video". The camera took very good 1080p video, on par with what you'd get with the better pocket camcorders. The Galaxy Note5 can record in Ultra HD (4K) video format, which has benefits when viewing on an Ultra HD TV, giving you more detail for extra clarity. But the file size in Ultra HD is about three times the size of HD, and you are limited to 5 minutes per recording. An effect, called Virtual shot, lets you take a panoramic image or selfie (imagine how the background would change if you took an image or selfie and slowly rotated in place). Later, you can get the background to pan left or right by tilting the phone. You can also record in fast or slow motion. The front-facing high-resolution 5-megapixel camera allows easy self-portraits, and can support video chats. It can also take wide-selfies, and record at WQ HD (2560x1440).
The music player has the capabilities and controls of a typical stand-alone MP3 player, including an equalizer, music shuffle and repeat controls, and options for sorting music by album, artist, etc. This model also supports Bluetooth stereo headsets, can download music over the phone network, and some models have an FM radio. Its Bluetooth data support enables the phone to wirelessly share pictures, contacts, and other files with compatible printers, computers, and mobile devices.
GPS navigation capability provides spoken turn-by-turn directions and automatic re-routing. The Galaxy Note5 also supports the Digital Living Network Alliance (DLNA) standard. This lets the phone connect via Wi-Fi to share content with other compatible certified devices such as a TV, printer, and computer.
The Galaxy Note5 can act as a mobile hotspot for at least eight Wi-Fi-enabled devices. Some models support Wi-Fi calling. It has 32, or 64GB of built-in memory. Its memory capacity is beneficial for storing music, videos, pictures, and other types of files. But the battery is non-removable.
