Samsung, the world’s largest smartphone maker, has launched plans to revive the Galaxy Note 7. The new Galaxy Note FE was launched on July 7th, 2017.
The revised smartphone is called the Galaxy NoteFE, short for Fan Edition. And for those who need a little convincing to buy a new version of a device that’s become synonymous with spontaneous combustion, Samsung has brought a few perks.
Most importantly, the Galaxy Note FE comes with smaller capacity batteries that have passed the company’s latest safety test. Earlier this year, Samsung blamed poorly designed and manufactured batteries for the overheating issues that caused some of its Note 7 phones to explode.
Samsung Galaxy Note FE price, release date
The refurbished Galaxy Note 7 was launched in South Korea on July 7, 2017 with only 400,000 units sold at a very reduced price of 699,600 won ($609). That price is about 30% off the original Note 7. The device also came with updated software and Bixby, Samsung’s new artificial intelligence assistant. Moreso, the company announced that it has not yet made a decision to sell the device outside of Korea. Therefore, Note 7 fans will have to take their time before getting their hands on the new device.
It’s not yet available in some African countries, including Nigeria, but is available online at some major e-commerce stores (Amazon lists the price at $819.99 with free shipping). The price in Nigeria is said to be lower than that of its predecessor, the Samsung Galaxy Note 7. It should be between 290,000 and 350,000 N.
Specifications, design and other information
The Samsung Galaxy Note FE kept the exact same designs as its predecessor – the Galaxy Note 7 – except for minor, non-standout variations. A notable difference is the fact that the battery has been reduced. The Samsung Galaxy Note 7 shipped with a 3,500 mAh Li-Ion battery. However, the Note FE comes with a 3,200mAh Li-Ion battery to ensure the explosions that have endangered the Samsung Galaxy Note 7 are managed and controlled.
The Galaxy Note FE runs on an upgraded Andriod software, the same version in the Galaxy S8 and S8 plus. It’s still waterproof and has an IP68 rating with Samsung’s latest smart assistant, Bixby. It is protected by Corning Gorilla Glass 5. It weighs 167g and is just under 8mm thick. The Note 7’s iris (eye) and fingerprint scanners remain, as does Qi wireless charging.
Samsung Galaxy Note FE specs include:
- CPU speed: 2.3GHz, 1.6GHz
- CPU Type: Octa Core
- Size (main display): 143.9 mm
- Resolution (main display): 2560 x 1440 (Quad HD)
- Technology (Main Display): Dual Edge Super AMOLED
- Color depth (main display): 16m
- S Pen Support: Yes
- Rear camera resolution: 12.0 MP
- Front camera resolution: 5.0 MP
- Video recording resolution: UHD 4K (3840 x 2160) at 30 fps
- RAM size: 4GB
- ROM size: 64GB
- External Storage Support: MicroSD (up to 256GB)
- Number of SIM: Dual SIM (Nano SIM-4FF)
- Infra: 2G GSM, 3G WCDMA, 3G TD-SCDMA, 4G LTE FDD, 4G LTE TDD
- USB Interface: USB Type C
- bluetooth: yes
- Wifi: 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac 2.4G+5GHz, VHT80 MU-MIMO
- Operating system: Android
- Dimension (HxWxD, mm): 153.5 x 73.9 x 7.9
- Weight: 167 grams
- Battery capacity: 3200 mAh (built-in)
More interesting facts about Galaxy Note FE’s predecessor, Note 7
The Samsung Galaxy Note 7 was introduced on August 2, 2016 and released on August 19, 2016 as the successor to the Galaxy Note 5.
The smartphone was in fact an evolution of the Galaxy Note 5, inheriting hardware components and improvements from the Galaxy S7, including restoring expandable storage and IP68 water resistance, and adding new features like a dual-curved display, support for HDR (High dynamic range) The included pens and the new software features that use them include an iris recognition system and a USB Type-C connector.
However, demand for the Galaxy Note 7 continues to rise, and the launch has been high, breaking pre-order records in South Korea. International releases have been delayed in some markets due to supply shortages. The Galaxy Note 7 also received positive reviews from critics, praising the quality of its build, HDR support, as well as the streamlined user interface, although it was planned because of its high price and the increasing similarity of the general specifications with the main phones of the Galaxy S series.
Unfortunately, there have been reports from around the world about the incessant smartphone explosions as a result of the excessive heat generated by the phone’s battery while charging.
On September 2, 2016, the Korean company stopped selling the smartphone and announced the recall of the smartphone after discovering the defect in the phone’s batteries.
The recall had a significant impact on Samsung, which the company expects operating income to fall 33% sequentially. Credit Suisse analysts estimated that Samsung would lose at least $17 billion in revenue from the production and recall of the Galaxy Note 7.
expectations
By the looks of it, the revived phone can be a very hard sell if you’re not a serious Note 7 devotee. Keep in mind the Note 8 reveal is likely weeks away. Many people would think that it’s probably not a good idea to buy last year’s phone (albeit at a discount) knowing that a big Note 8 upgrade is right around the corner. However, this is at least a wise use of resources. Activists feared Samsung would create massive amounts of e-waste by throwing away Note 7 units rather than reusing them.
According to reports, Samsung Galaxy Note 8 will be launched at the end of September this year and would be the most expensive model Samsung has ever produced. The retail price is 999 euros, which should correspond to around 900 US dollars. The release of the Note 8 will most likely come before the iPhone 8.