Samsung unveils latest Note device with S7-inspired design

Samsung has unveiled its latest Note device, the Note 7, pitching it as a replacement for the traditional notebook and pen, with added security.

As expected, Samsung skipped the Note 6, bringing the device in line with its flagship Samsung Galaxy S line.

It’s not just the name that the Note S7 is borrowing; the device also bears more than a little resemblance to the S7 Edge. The new Note comes with a dual-edge screen, similar to the S7 Edge, bumping the size up to 5.7 inches for the Super AMOLED display.

On the inside, the device is powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon or Samsung’s own Exynos chip, and has 64GB of internal storage. That can be expanded further if you need it, with up to 256GB micro SD cards supported to give users extra space.

The rear-facing camera is 13 megapixels, using a refined version of the camera module that was found in the S7 Edge.

The Note 7 is also water and dust resistant - or IP68 rated as they say in the business.

Iris scanner

Samsung has also beefed up security with Samsung Knox to encrypt the system, and a new iris scanner that will allow you to unlock your phone without laying a finger on it.

It also includes a secure folder, an area where you can drop your files and apps that you want to keep away from prying eyes. You can also have an email account in there on an app, while having a separate account on the same email app outside the secure folder. The system essentially duplicates the app and maintains both as if they are two separate programmes.

Samsung has also redesigned the S Pen, the stylus that comes with the Note. It’s sleeker, and also has the same waterproof and dust-proof rating as the phone. You can use it to create your own custom GIFs, selecting a portion of video and transforming it into a GIF with a few pen strokes, magnify text or translate websites. It also works as a note-taking implement, even working when the screen has water on it.

Phablet device

The Note 7 marks another step for Samsung in the large-screened phone category. The range is considered the first commercially successful “phablet” – a phone and tablet hybrid device – with the first version launched in 2011.

It is also another weapon in the Android phonemaker's war with Apple. Its US-based rival launched the iPhone 6 Plus in 2013 in response to growing demand for larger devices, and is expected to unveil its latest device in the coming weeks.

However, the latest rumours suggest that rather than the “tick-tock” approach Apple has previously taken with releases, the upcoming phone will be another evolution of its current range, rather than the iPhone 7.