The Samsung Galaxy Note pairs Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich with a 5.3-inch screen, HSPA+ speeds, and stylus-friendly apps.
Jessica Dolcourt
Jessica is a passionate content strategist and team leader across the CNET family of brands. She leads a number of teams, including commerce, performance optimization and the copy desk. Her CNET career began in 2006, testing desktop and mobile software for Download.com and CNET, including the first iPhone and Android apps and operating systems. She continued to review, report on and write a wide range of commentary and analysis on all things phones, with an emphasis on the iPhone and Samsung devices. Jessica was one of the first people in the world to test, review and report on foldable phones and 5G wireless speeds.
Jessica began her leadership role managing CNET's How To section for tips and FAQs in 2019, guiding coverage of topics ranging from personal finance to phones to home. She holds an MA with Distinction from the University of Warwick in the UK.
The Samsung Galaxy Note has made a name for itself as a phone/tablet crossover device. On T-Mobile's network, the stylus-toting Note packs Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich, T-Mobile's HSPA+ 42 speeds, and several writing and drawing apps with the stylus in mind.
A 5.3-inch screen is no joke. The device is awkward to hold for some, but the larger screen size makes an excellent platform for viewing videos, reading articles and e-mail, and sure, reading the weather report.
There are Android 4.0 features on here, like NFC with Android Beam and the capability to view recent apps, but the aesthetic is all Android 2.3 Gingerbread. That's comforting or disappointing depending on your aesthetics.
S Note, S Memo, and Quick Memo are three flavors of Samsung's vehicle for jotting notes and drawing. Templates and tools help fuel artistic and corporate impulses.
