Last Sunday marked a lot of firsts for me – first time in Bacolod, first time to experience the MassKara festival and the first time to see in person and play around with the Galaxy Note 2. And you know what they say about first impressions – they last. Or at least for the most, that is.
I admit. I had mixed expectations for the trip, being my first time and all in Bacolod, and most especially the Galaxy Note 2, being bigger than the average smartphone and all.
Panorama shot using the Galaxy Note 2
But just like with masks, it’s only when you learn to look past the guise that you can begin to discover the person behind it. The same is true with new places and devices. And thankfully, the negative ones I initially had were quickly brushed aside once we got to City of Smiles and finally got to spend some quality time with Samsung’s newest phablet.
My teammates in #TeamSNote
And so, without taking anything away from the full review we’re cooking up for you, I present to you my top 3 Galaxy Note 2 initial impressions that were gladly proven wrong:
It’s too big
Yeah, it’s big alright, but it’s also wickedly thin and light. That last two, actually, makes a world of a difference. It compensates for the added inches in size. In fact, just after a few hours of playing around with the Note 2, I already got so accustomed to its size (and brilliant 5.5-inch Super AMOLED display, might I add) that using my 4-inch HTC Sensation felt awkward already. In the end, instead of the Note 2 being too big, it suddenly felt like the HTC Sensation was too small.
The S-pen is just a gimmick
On the contrary, the S-pen is what really separates this ‘droid from the rest of the pack. Unlike most styli out now, this one’s made to perfectly complement the Note 2, both in design and features. It’s got neat tricks up its sleeves, including one that allows you to preview Calendar events without even having to physically tap on it and a nifty alarm system to warn you in case you forget to dock the stylus in the Note 2. Coolness!
Mobile Internet sucks
Ok, so this last bit isn’t really about the Note 2 but more of the services available for it. But mobile Internet does make you appreciate the Galaxy Note 2 more, and I’m happy the HSPA+ network of Globe was more than ready to accommodate our online needs in Bacolod. If this is a sign of what’s to come when Globe finally completes their network modernization, I’m definitely stoked for it.
And with that, I leave you now with more snapshots I took while in Bacolod, which also goes to show how able and ready the Galaxy Note 2 is to be your daily digital camera proxy.
Next up, full Samsung Galaxy Note 2 review.
