Samsung Galaxy Note 2 16GB Sim Free Smartphone - Ceramic White

Having the Galaxy Note 1 and awaiting the Galaxy Note 3, I ogled the Note 2 - in most ways its better than the note1 - twice the cpu horsepower is great. The 2GB RAM is the key feature because of the way Android keeps background apps running, means that 2GB can fit more in so as you switch apps, less waiting as it has to restart the app.I had to get my SIM cut to a microsim size (2 GBP at local phone shop). Everything works. Signed in on my gmail account and all the apps were restored (but I had to reconfigure the GO Explorer home screen), and remember to set up certain things etc.The phone feels fast. The battery life seems good so far.There are two downsides: 1. Its narrower than the GNote1 but slightly taller - the screen feels more squashed - we are losing a few pixels in width which is a crying shame. Pixels are good - the more the merrier. 2. Its a shiny plastic cover - it looks great, but its slightly too slippery. I dont normally use a case (they make good tech look ugly and fat), so I worry more it could slip out of the hands.It feels like a powerhouse. Snappy and the screen looks great and bright.The power button on the side - always incredibly annoying on the gnote1 is smaller and slightly lower down, so I hope the turn on/off as you go to pick it up is less of an issue.Oh, and this has a blue/red LED to show emails or other stuff (havent figured out what its for).The pen is still an interesting 'toy' - I dont know if I will use it much, and it works from 2-3" above the screen.NOTE: Dropping to three stars - since I havent figured out how to mount the device as a drive yet - the stupid MTP/CTP interface are very annoying. Thanks Google a bunch for removing a key reason to use Android.

Some say it's too big to be a phone and some say it's too small to be a tablet but here's my two cents about the phablet.I recently ordered the Note 2 (grey colour) and it arrived yesterday and I haven't been able to put it down. Before the Note 2 arrived I owned a HTC Desire HD with specifications of single-core, 512 RAM, 1GB storage etc so personally for me this was a massive step up.Like others have said the screen will be like marmite however I think it's absolutely stunning. I've had the brightness on maximum and the colours appear really rich, sharp and true. These days more and more of us are using phones for more than just calling others, our phones have become our portable multimedia centre and with a 5.5" screen you will not be disappointed when using the internet, watching/streaming movies, using social media and so on.The camera is superb, once again this is comparing it to my old phone but the camera produces stunning pictures. The options available whilst taking a photograph are endless, you will always be able to capture the picture you want the way you want to.The battery life seems amazing. With my old phone I had to charge it twice a day and that was with normal use, the Note 2 (on full brightness) I have used heavily over the past day and the battery has only gone down to 40% after 24 hours. Can't complain on the battery front so far.The storage technically isn't 16GB, after adding phone software, pre-installed apps etc the storage is reduced to about 10GB. Personally for me this is more than enough, my music and pictures are all stored on my 64GB SD card and 10GB for apps alone is way more than I need.I haven't had much time to use the S-Pen however it feels really nice and comfortable in the hand. I've used it for air-view as well as grabbing screenshots and it seems to be doing the job, overtime I will find more uses for the S-Pen.In terms of performance the phone is lightning fast, I've stated the specifications of my old phone so it must be no surprise the phone to me personally feels a lot faster however I've read reviews on here and people have made the same comment in comparison to the original Note. The speed truly blew me away.I've only had it for a day so this review isn't a comprehensive one, theres only a certain amount I could try/do with the phone over a 24 hour period. However so far it's met and exceed all expectations I've had.As far as the phone goes I have nothing to complain about, so far. The only issues I have is that Samsung don't seem to go that extra mile especially when forking out £500 for a device like this. Firstly the back cover is plastic, it does feel cheap but I guess on the bright side it can be replaced very easily and cheaply if any damage/marks occur on it. The second is the charger. I ordered the grey colour however I recieved a white charger (I'm assuming this is the standard unless if I was accidentally given the wrong one). This does make it look as if I've just ordered a cheap charger from ebay or what not and it's not the official one that comes with the phone. Even a black charger would have looked better but the white charger, dare I say it looks like I've pinched it from an iPhone. I'm nit picking here however I think small details like that should be addressed.If you are thinking of getting the phone I wouldn't hesitate at all, I would recommend going to a retail shop and holding the phone to see if the large size feels comfortable but apart from that the phone will do everything you need it to do and them some. Personally I can actually use the device with one hand and to be honest my hands aren't massive. Can't wait to play around more with the phone, I will post another review once I've had enough time with the phone but I thought I'd share my first opinions on it.

I already owned a Galaxy S2 which met most of my requirements and I struggled to justify upgrading to the Galaxy note 2, however there were 3 main issues that I felt I needed to address.1. I found it tedious to have to keep pinch and zoom on web pages to read information.2. The note taking ability of the phone was very appealing to me as I would like to be able to take notes at my work place.3.While I like larger screen size on phones would this become a hinderance when I used this phone.After much deliberation I purchased the Galaxy note 2 and I am pleased to say that my best expectations were met.I can now visit most websites and read the information without difficulty and when I sit down in the evening I longer have to wait forever for my laptop (which is pretty much redundant now) to boot up When I use the pen to write notes,emails or text messages I was pleasently surprised to find that the note2 recognises and converts all my scribble with hardly any errors.So how about the larger screen, well it fits in my pocket and I don't notice it anymore that my old GS2 (though might be a sqeeze in tight jeans).What I will say to those who are attracted to this phone for its large screen size,is that I became comfortable with the size of the phone immeadiately and I really can't go back to a smaller screen which would be a backward step for me.Are their any issues with this phone , well I still get the odd crashes with some APPs but that is probably more to do with the owner of the app rather than the phones ability.To be honest, because I feel at one with the note 2 ,I am not looking for problems and I just love the fact that I can discard my ebook reader,ipod music player, pocket radio, camera, video camera,because my new phone does all of this, oh and I can use it to make phone calls too.Battery life is good as is the screen, which is fantastic when viewing a HD video.This is not intended to be a detailed review just my thoughts on what I think of this phone but in my opnion it is definately a step up from a GS2 and the new GS3.PS. BTW unlike some phone manufacturers, Samsung allows for the battery to be replaced and has included the option to use SD memory cards (I have a 32gb).

I work on the basis that you can live with the good points, it is the bad points that lead to regrets. So here are my comments after 10 weeks use, and a lot of wasted time.1. No paper manual in box or on Note 2. I suggest you download now to your PC, check Note 2 does what you want and copy manual to Note 2. It's 139 pages, there is a lot to learn & not everything is explained.2. Note 2 only takes microSIM cards. Most UK phone companies refuse to sell or give you one, unless you buy Note 2 from them. Orange & EE will. I wanted Virgin Media and got round it by getting a free standard SD card via their website, then viewing a YouTube video on how to convert SD card to microSD card, and getting the template mentioned in it. Cutting it to size with scissors is scary but very easy. Use the free SIM not one of your own with money on it. Once fitted dial 789 for Virgin to check it works.3. It only takes microSD cards, & manual says some are incompatible, but doesn't tell you which are or are not. I fitted a Sandisk 64GB SDXC Class 10 microSD from Amazon & it works correctly.4. I cannot find a way to install apps and offline Google maps to my microSD card, all go to the 16GB internal memory. This means you only use your SD card for your personal files.5. Display is superb indoors & poor in the sun.6. Internet downloads over the phone are very expensive, you will really have to set up the wifi to your router. If like me you have not done it before it is a bit of a hassle to learn what to do.7. Note 2 comes with Polaris Viewer - NOTE Viewer, not Polaris Office v4.0. From the internet it seems Jelly Bean v4.1 cannot use Office, even though you can download, instal and start it, nothing then 'Opens'. Therefore I can't type on my Note 2 and transfer to my PC. Kingsoft Office is a reasonable alternative. S Note's .snb files can be saved as .pdf files & do copy to my PC.8. Closing an app is a pain > Back button, Home button, long press on Home button, long press on app, 'Remove from list'. It would also help if you could go Forwards, not just Backwards.9. If you leave your pen behind - called walking - it does not sound the alarm unless the Note 2 has been given a vigorous up-&-down movement. Walk away with Note 2 in your hand & it remains silent, the same silence if you walk with the S pen & leave the Note 2 behind.10. Tap & hold Back button to get dual screens menu did not work till Samsung update was downloaded, it requests to do this when you first go on the internet.11. Manual says some Blutooth devices may be incompatible. My Sony v2 earphones will not work with Note's v4 Blutooth.12. Battery life is very good, so long as you remember to turn off Wifi, GPS & Mobile Data when not in use.13. Speakers are good - loud & clear.14. GPS works fine in Cambridgeshire. Google Maps need to be downloaded for offline use & only cover about a 40x40 mile square at a time, & is 80MB, but you have to go online to 'Find a Route'.15. I bought a wonderful case on e ba y - search for 'KLD Flip PU Leather Wallet Pouch Stand Case Cover Samsung Galaxy Note II 2' - it came safely from Singapore to UK in 12 days without any problems, no Customs duties, & only cost £6.88So would I buy it if I had known, yes, for the maps, satnav, camera, phone & MP3 player.

Bought from Amazon with next day before 1pm delivery all worked out really good and hassle free.I researched this phone and viewed it a few times in phone shops before ordering from Amazon. I'm glad I did so I knew what to expect in respect of the size. Having had the phone now for several days I don't even notice that the phone is big until I look at my wife's Galaxy S2 which now looks really small !This phone is a pleasure to use for Email/web surfing and running applications. It feels a little uncomfortable when held to the ear for making a phone call but as I use my phone more for Internet access than phone calls means this is an ideal solution for me. If your use is more phone calls using the handset to the ear, I would consider a (smaller) alternative.The Android Jellybean OS is really suited to this handset because with the Note's fast processor it makes loading screens and applications really slick, no sluggish loading that ICS can deliver on a lower spec handset.Best things Screen Quality and size Processor Speed Jellybean Slim for pocket and not over weight Speaker quality and volume Real joy to useWorst things Phone size for voice calls Nothing else reallyIn conclusion I can recommend this phone to anyone who uses their handset more for apps/surfing/email/texting than for calls with the handset held to the ear. If handheld calls is the most important thing for you I'd go for one of the smaller Galaxys.