The Samsung Galaxy Note 5, released in 2015, was a powerful phablet that pushed the boundaries of Android devices at the time. But how does it hold up in 2024? Here’s a closer look at its strengths and weaknesses:
Strengths:
- Beautiful Design: The Note 5 ditched the plastic of its predecessors for a sleek glass and metal design, making it feel premium and luxurious.
- S Pen Stylus: A hallmark of the Note series, the S Pen offered precise pressure sensitivity and intuitive features for writing, drawing, and taking notes.
- Top-Tier Performance: With a powerful processor and 4GB of RAM, the Note 5 could handle demanding tasks smoothly.
- Excellent Display: The 5.7-inch Super AMOLED display offered vibrant colors, deep blacks, and sharp resolution for an immersive viewing experience.
- Solid Camera: While not the best camera system available even in 2015, the 16MP rear camera took good quality photos in well-lit conditions.
Weaknesses:
- Outdated Software: The Note 5 is unlikely to receive any further software updates, leaving it vulnerable to security risks and lacking the latest features of modern Android versions.
- Limited Storage: With only 32GB of internal storage and no option for expandable storage via microSD card, the Note 5 can feel cramped for users who store a lot of photos, videos, and apps.
- Average Battery Life: The 3000mAh battery may struggle to last a full day on a single charge with heavy use, especially by 2024 standards.
- No Removable Battery: The sealed design of the phone prevents users from replacing the battery if it degrades over time.
- Large and Pricey: The Note 5’s large size might not be comfortable for everyone to use one-handed, and its price point at launch was quite high.
Overall:
The Samsung Galaxy Note 5 was a great phone in its time, offering a powerful processor, beautiful display, and the productivity-boosting S Pen. However, in 2024, its outdated software, lack of expandable storage, and average battery life make it a hard sell compared to more modern smartphones.
