Samsung unveils Galaxy Note 7 with iris scanner

The new device employs a similar design to the Galaxy S series, but offers a larger screen and functions


Tech Desk August 02, 2016
Samsung Galaxy Note 7. PHOTO: SAMSUNG

Samsung Electronics Co Ltd on Wednesday unveiled a new Galaxy Note smartphone with a curved screen and iris-recognition technology, seeking to build on the sales momentum that has helped it roar back to surging profit growth.

Samsung, the world's top smartphone maker, saw its January-June mobile profit jump 49 per cent from a year earlier, thanks to robust sales of its flagship Galaxy S7 devices as well as a line-up overhaul that ditched unpopular models for fewer but more attractive new mid-to-low tier products, Reuters reported.

https://twitter.com/SamsungMobile/status/760495711083307008

Key features:

  • 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 capabilities with HDR video streaming capabilities


The South Korean firm is betting the new big-screen device - the Galaxy Note 7 - will help sustain its mobile business revival through the second half, though new launches from rivals like Apple Inc will likely steal some of the thunder. Samsung is using a 5.7-inch, curved screen display for the Galaxy Note 7.

PHOTO: SAMSUNG

The new device employs a similar design to the Galaxy S series, but offers a larger screen and functions involving a pen accessory. Grip on the device was also improved to make it easier to be used with one hand.

The firm didn't disclose pricing, but said sales will begin in a first group of markets on Aug 19 without saying exactly where.

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The new smartphone is a successor to last year's flat-screen Galaxy Note 5, but the firm opted to skip a digit and give it the number 7 to make numbering consistent with the latest version of the Galaxy S which began selling in March.

PHOTO: SAMSUNG

Researcher Strategy Analytics said the curved-screen Galaxy S7 edge was the world's best-selling Android smartphone during the first half of this year. Samsung hopes the new curved-screen Note phone will enjoy a similar appeal.

The Note 7 also features an iris scanner, allowing users to unlock the device through the recognition of their eyes – the first such application for a Samsung smartphone.

With smaller 0.7mm tip and pressure sensitivity, the Galaxy Note7 S Pen provides a real pen-like experience. The new water resistant S Pen gives users ability to ability to easily create and share GIF with Smart Select, and new Air Command functions, including Magnify and Translate, enable users to zoom in on the screen or convert languages by simply hovering even if screen is wet.



The firm earlier this year announced a tablet device with the feature for India. The Galaxy Note 7 will also be compatible with Samsung Pay, a mobile payments service that competes with Apple Pay, among others, which Samsung hopes will help boost margins for its devices and set its products apart from other Android phones.



Samsung also unveiled a new version of its Gear VR virtual reality headset with upgraded features such as improved viewing angles.

Company executives say promotional activities pairing a VR device with the Galaxy S7 phones helped boost sales this year.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a0a6Y9JvPqo

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