Samsung Announces the Galaxy Note 7 With Iris Scanner, New S Pen

I know you are probably watching along to the Galaxy Note 7 live stream, but the phone is now official. As we reported last week, the new Note does indeed arrive August 19 across the globe, with pre-orders opening up August 3.

As for the rest of the story that has been leaked in various forms over the past weeks, this is what we are looking at. You get the next Note, which jumps from Note 5 up to Note 7 to help align Samsung’s two major brands in the Galaxy S and Galaxy Note lines. You also get a phone that welcomes in IP68 water and dust resistance for the first time, a dual edge display, and a slimmer, more powerful S Pen. 

In terms of specs, you know the story – 5.7-inch Quad HD dual edge Super AMOLED display, Snapdragon 820 processor, 4GB RAM, 64GB storage with microSD support up to 256GB, 12MP f/1.7 Dual Pixel camera on the backside, 5MP camera on the front, USB Type-C, 3500mAh battery, and a metal and glass body that comes in black, silver, and blue.

Oh, it also has an iris scanner. Samsung says that the iris scanner is there to aid in security with Samsung Knox, but it can also be used with Samsung Pay as a way to authenticate before making purchases.

The new S Pen has been slimmed down, can work when the phone is wet or has water on the display, and even has some tricks up its sleeves, like the ability to translate on-screen text just by pressing the tip to it.

All in all, this is an improved Galaxy Note that expands upon previous years worth of features and also introduces new technologies that few if any smartphone manufacturers are using.

Pre-orders are expected to open up as early as August 3. Our hands-on videos will be up shortly!

Samsung Unveils the New Galaxy Note7 the Intelligent Smartphone That Thinks Big

The Galaxy Note7 combines advanced S Pen capabilities with ultimate security features to help users accomplish and do more

SEOUL, Korea – August 2, 2016 – Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. continues to drive the smartphone market with the Galaxy Note7 by building on the company’s category-defining leadership with innovative features that set a new standard for large-screen devices. With refined craftsmanship, premium materials and a unique, symmetrical edge design, the Galaxy Note7 features:

• A water resistant body and S Pen (IP68)*
• Top-of-the-line security that combines Samsung Knox with biometric authentication including a new iris scanning feature
• Immersive entertainment features with HDR video streaming capabilities.

The Galaxy Note7 strikes a balance between work and play, enabling people to achieve more than what they thought possible on a smartphone.

“The Galaxy Note7 combines productivity and entertainment, with strong security features. Powering a robust ecosystem, it is the ideal device for those who want to achieve more in life,” said DJ Koh, President of Mobile Communications Business, Samsung Electronics. “Life moves faster than ever now so we created the Galaxy Note7 to help users get things done more easily wherever, whenever.”

Galaxy Note7 S Pen: Quickly and Easily Bring Ideas to Life
The enhanced Galaxy Note7 S Pen is more than just a writing tool – it is the gateway to getting more done efficiently and accurately. Users can bring ideas to life the moment inspiration strikes without unlocking the screen by using Screen off memo and simply pinning the memo to the Always On Display. The S Pen also gives users the ability to easily create and share GIF animations with Smart Select. In addition, the new Air Command functions, including Magnify and Translate, enable users to zoom in on the screen or convert languages with a simple hover of the S Pen. It is even easier to access the best of the S Pen’s creative abilities with Samsung Notes, a new unified app allowing users to jot down handwritten notes, draw, or edit memos from one location.

The new S Pen writes with ease and precision. The smaller 0.7mm tip and improved pressure sensitivity provides a real pen-like experience. With the peace of mind that IP68 water resistant provides, the Galaxy Note7 S Pen lets users jot down their thoughts without interruption, even when the screen gets wet.

Advanced Security: Now in the Blink of an Eye
Samsung understands the importance of keeping content on users’ phone protected. Coupled with Samsung Knox, an industry-leading security platform, the Galaxy Note7 provides heightened security and privacy, with highly advanced biometric authentication, including fingerprint scanner and iris scanning technology. The Galaxy Note7 offers more authentication options that can be used interchangeably depending on how people use their phones, wherever they are, or whatever they are doing.

The Galaxy Note7 instills a new level of user confidence with Secure Folder, a separated folder that adds an extra layer of authentication to keep private and personal information safe. The iris recognition technology will also be used to authenticate secure purchases that are made on Samsung Pay**. The Galaxy Note7 will also support Samsung Pass, bringing authentication such as iris scanning and fingerprint recognition to more apps and services.

Best-in-Class Entertainment
The phone is one of the most important screens in a user’s life because it’s with them all of the time. The Galaxy Note7 features a gorgeous, curved 5.7-inch QHD Super AMOLED screen delivering a bold and immersive picture on a smartphone. It is ready to stream HDR video, enabling a cinema-like experience including brighter colors and a deeper black, which ensure users get the full experience that the filmmaker intended. The Galaxy Note7 also features Game Pack, available through Google Play, including top game titles, an easier redemption process and new user benefits.

By pairing the Galaxy Note7 with the new Gear VR powered by Oculus, users can experience premium virtual reality almost anywhere. Galaxy Note7’s incredible Super AMOLED screen and powerful processor delivers an ultra-immersive experience. The vast and ever growing library of apps, photos, games and more puts, users in the center of the action. Whether it’s next level gaming or journeying to places users have never been before, there’s always something new to discover.

For people who live to create, tell stories and transport people to entirely new worlds, the Galaxy Note7 can be used with the new high-resolution (3840×1920) Gear 360 camera, to capture, edit and share 360-degree images videos on the go. These memories can then be shared with friends via platforms including YouTube 360 and Facebook, and can be relived with the ultra-immersive Gear VR.

Galaxy Foundation with Refined Craftsmanship

With Galaxy Note7, Samsung continues to defy boundaries of engineering to perfect the user experience through innovative design. Every edge, surface and detail of the device’s design has been refined to provide a comfortable grip, easier one-handed operation, and durability with Corning® Gorilla® Glass 5. Although the Galaxy Note7 features a large-screen, the unique front-to-back symmetrical dual-edge curve remains balanced and light with the sleek feel users have come to love from the Galaxy series. The curved screen lets the Galaxy Note7 add the powerful Edge Panel for one-tap user access to applications, news and functions.

The Galaxy Note7 is equipped with the advanced camera that was introduced on the Galaxy S7 and Galaxy S7 edge The dual-pixel sensor technology, wide aperture and fast auto focus, work together to create sharp and beautiful photos even in low-light environments.

In addition to 64GB of internal memory, the Galaxy Note7 offers expandable storage and microSD support up to 256GB. The Galaxy Note7 is equipped with a 3,500mAh battery, easy Power Management UX through Smart Manager, and charges quickly using the new USB-C port. Recharge the Galaxy Note7 wherever wireless charging is available.

A new line of accessories will be available to complement the Galaxy Note7, including the new S View Standing Cover, a light and portable cover that can be used to prop the device at a 60-degree angle for easy viewing of content, as well as an IP68 water resistant Backpack for on-the-go charging.

Creating a Phone+ Ecosystem of Connected Experiences

The Galaxy Note7 is more than just a smartphone; it’s a connection point to Samsung’s ecosystem of devices, software and services. Users can monitor their fitness activities on the Gear Fit2 or Gear IconX and track their data through S Health 5.0.** In addition to accurate and robust fitness tracking and measurement, the new S Health enables users to stay connected to family and friends by sharing fitness updates or competing in friendly challenges with one another.

With the Galaxy Note7, consumers can use the iris scanner to access value-added Samsung services like Samsung Pay** for quick and easy mobile payments.

The Smart Switch feature has been enhanced further with Samsung Cloud, which supports a seamless device experience by providing continuous backup and easy transfer of content including data, apps, settings and layouts between devices. Galaxy Note7 users will be able to use up to 15GB of free space to store and restore information on Samsung Cloud.**

The Galaxy Note7 will be available starting on August 19, and will be offered in Blue Coral, Gold Platinum, Silver Titanium and Black Onyx.

Via:  Samsung