Beau HD gives us his first impressions of the Samsung Galaxy Note Edge smartphone for AT&T. While the Note Edge is very similar to the flagship Galaxy Note 4, it has been dubbed as an "experimental" device as it features a one-of-a-kind 5.6-inch 2560x1440 curved display that wraps around the right side of the device. The curved display can be used to present various news and weather info along with quick settings.
This is the Samsung Galaxy Note Edge for AT&T. To open the box, you simply need to slice off tape and pry off the top cover to see the Samsung Galaxy Note Edge sitting right on top. It looks really good and I can only imagine how much better it will look once all the plastic has been removed.
Underneath the item is a little AT&T Quick Start Guide for the Galaxy Note Edge. Nothing too special here. Below that is the Samsung-related guides—an instructions packet for the Edge and a little piece of paper promoting the new Samsung Milk Music application. The next big thing in music is here apparently, according to Samsung. Underneath that is a piece of plastic that at one time, held the 3000 mAh battery to power the Note Edge. The battery is missing because it was already pre-installed in the device. Below that is the standard microUSB charging cable. There are some additional S Pen Stylus tips with removal tool here and the USB wall charger used to power the Note Edge.
After taking off the plastic, it’s time to take a look at what looks like a pretty good device. It features a slightly smaller 5.6-inch QuadHD display as opposed to the 5.7-inch QuadHD display on the standard Note 4 but the right side is curved of course.
Looking around the device, you’ll find the Volume Up/Down control on the left hand side, a sleek curved display wrapping on the right side of the phone. The Power/Sleep On/Off button is now on top next to the 3.5mm headphone jack. The microUSB charging cable and S Pen Stylus is down at the bottom. The front of the Note Edge features a 3.7MP camera sensor with ambient sensor. The 5.6-inch QuadHD display is also here, as well as the standard Samsung Home button and capacitive touch buttons for the Back and Multi-tasking commands. The back comes with a slightly protruding 16MP camera sensor and heart rate monitor, along with the AT&T and Galaxy Note Edge branding. There’s also a very nice black leather back cover—it has a nice grip and premium feel. The device feels pretty good in the hand, the metal wraps around the entire device so it feels sturdy and premium.
After powering on the device, the first things I noticed is that it was fast and smooth. It resembled the Galaxy Note 4 with the exception of the curved display portion, which is controlled completely through software. It also feels really nice to swipe through the icons on the Edge. There’s absolutely no stuttering, glitches or hiccups. I also loved how when you opened one application, it opens from the right of the screen. It sort of reminds me of Stock Android, how apps slide up from the bottom of the screen.
Overall, the Note Edge is a very unique device. I can’t wait to test it out some more. The biggest problem or issue I see with it right now is that it’s made for right-handed people. Considering I’m a leftie, it doesn’t really work out so well when I hold it in my hand. In theory, I would have to hold it upside down so I think that would be an issue.
