With the Samsung Galaxy Note II CDMA, Samsung is clearly aiming at buyers who want a well-rounded phone without too many compromises. Here is our take on what it brings to the table. Announced in 2012, Q3. Released 2012, Q4, it arrives at a time when the competition is as tight as ever.
Design & Display
On the front you get a 5.5 inches, 83.4 cm 2 (~68.6% screen-to-body ratio) panel, pushing a resolution of 720 x 1280 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~267 ppi density), which is more than sharp enough for everyday use, streaming and a bit of gaming. The build feels well put together, and Samsung has clearly paid attention to the in-hand feel. You can pick it up in a few finishes, including Titanium Gray.
Performance & Software
Powering the Samsung Galaxy Note II CDMA is the Exynos 4412 Quad (32 nm), paired with 2GB of RAM. For the kind of tasks most of us throw at a phone, there is plenty of muscle here. It runs Android 4.1 (Jelly Bean), upgradable to 4.4.2 (KitKat), TouchWiz UI out of the box, so the software experience feels current.
Camera
On the camera side, the Samsung Galaxy Note II CDMA is led by a 8 MP main sensor. It is not a pro camera rig, but for everyday memories it gets the job done nicely.
Battery
There is a Li-Ion 3100 mAh, removable battery inside, and that is a healthy number that keeps range anxiety at bay.
Our Opinion
After spending time with the spec sheet and what Samsung is promising, here is where we land. Samsung has clearly gone for substance over gimmicks here, and we respect that approach. It gets the basics right, offering a dependable main camera, a crisp display, which is exactly what most buyers are really after. If your priority is a phone that just works, day in and day out, then this one deserves a spot on your shortlist. You could nitpick a few things, as you can with any phone in this bracket. But taken as a whole, the Samsung Galaxy Note II CDMA is a sensible, well-judged choice that should keep most users happy for a good while. If you have used this device or are planning to pick one up, do let us know your thoughts in the comments section below.
