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MyGadget : Galaxy takes aim at premium market with Note 4
Courtesy of SamsungKorean electronics giant Samsung says it wants to launch the latest Galaxy Note 4 in Indonesia by the end of October
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Courtesy of Samsung
Korean electronics giant Samsung says it wants to launch the latest Galaxy Note 4 in Indonesia by the end of October.
The smartphone, which sets itself apart with its stylus, is designed for users who depend on their devices for work as much as entertainment owing to its upgraded features.
The first thing users will notice upon getting their hands on the Galaxy Note 4 is an improved build. Gone is the brittle-feeling plastic casing ' not to mention fake stitching on the back cover ' that robbed the Galaxy Note 3 of elegance.
The Note 4 now sports a case that feels sturdier, including a back cover that nicely mimics soft leather, minus the tacky stitching. As with other smartphones, the metallic frame lends the device a polished look.
On capabilities, the Note 4 boasts an enhanced S Pen, as the stylus is called. According to Samsung Electronics Indonesia product senior marketing manager, Febri Rusli, the S Pen is 'more sensitive and smooth' than earlier versions.
'The S Pen is one of the four highlights of the Samsung Galaxy Note 4,' he said.
Upon testing, the S Pen responded well, allowing users to write notes quickly in their own handwriting ' or even do some calligraphy by switching the writing tool from pen to brush mode.
The S Pen is flat, instead of round, so a user must hold it daintily and cannot twiddle with it as with a regular pen or pencil.
The S Note app, the digital notebook embedded in the smartphone, complements the enhanced S Pen well. A user can easily add and edit pictures that have been dragged and dropped. The S Pen also lets users directly crop images found on a website before putting them onto the S Note.
Febri pointed out that better multitasking sets the Galaxy Note 4 apart.
'Besides drag-and-drop, users can also open up to 10 windows,' he pointed out, saying that memory and internal management has been enhanced as well to support multitasking.
The Galaxy Note 4, which runs Android 4.4 KitKat, has a 1.9 Ghz Octa-Core processor, a move up from the 2.5 Ghz quad-core running the Galaxy S5.
Users can view applications in use via the 5.7-inch (15.4-centimeter) display, slightly larger than the 5.1-inch display of the Galaxy S5.
Although the Note 4 retains the size of the Note 3, it ups its display game by using Super AMOLED with Quad HD, giving it a resolution of 2560x1440 pixels ' four times regular HD.
As a comparison, the resolution of the Galaxy Note 3 is only 1080x1920 pixels, with the Galaxy S5 sporting the same.
An enhanced display is welcome, considering that the cameras on the smartphone have gone through an upgrade as well.
The rear facing camera is now 16 megapixels, higher than the 13 megapixel Galaxy Note 3 and matching the Galaxy S5. In addition, the front facing camera is 3.7 megapixels for crisp selfies.
'The front camera can also take wide selfies,' Febri pointed out.
The Wide Selfie works like a panorama picture. The user can take pictures of himself or herself together with a big gang of friends by panning the camera left and right.
The camera then stitches the picture as one. Hence, the user has no need of camera holding sticks, which are often used to get a wide shot.
Overall, the Samsung Galaxy Note 4 offers lucrative features to smartphone buffs. Yet, the device, which is scheduled for pre-orders on Oct. 3 before hitting stores at the end of the month, carries a premium price tag, an estimated Rp 9.5 million (US$780), given what it offers.
Samsung says it is working with more than 10 banks and all major operators to provide promotions and discounts, including zero percent interest and cashback, to reduce that price.
'We were pretty amazed to see the excitement of banks in working with us for the launch,' he added.
'Our target market is the white-collar, mass market of 25 to 35 year olds with mid to high incomes,' he said.
He added that the potential market has stagnated in recent years, given that the battle for dominance was mainly between two big brands.
Apple's latest iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus is another release that has sent premium smartphone fans abuzz.
'However, Samsung has a strong lead in the Rp 7 million and upwards smartphone market,' he said, pointing out that Mont Blanc would prepare an exclusive version of Galaxy Note 4 flip cover and S Pen that would cost around Rp 10 million.
