Samsung Galaxy Note 5

Samsung Electronics

Industry	Consumer electronics
Founded	March 1, 1938 (1938-03-01) in Su-dong, South Korea
Headquarters	Suwon , South Korea
Products	Smartphones, tablets, consumer electronics
Owner	Samsung Group
Website	www.samsung.com

Samsung Galaxy Note 5 Overview

The Samsung Galaxy Note 5 (stylized as SΛMSUNG Galaxy Note5) is an Android-based phablet smartphone designed, manufactured, and distributed by Samsung Electronics. Announced on 13 August 2015, it serves as the follow-up to the Samsung Galaxy Note 4 and belongs to the Samsung Galaxy Note series lineup.

This model adopts several hardware and software enhancements introduced with the Samsung Galaxy S6, featuring a redesigned chassis with a glass rear panel, an upgraded camera system, and an integrated fingerprint sensor. Its camera application includes native livestreaming capabilities along with specialized functions tailored for the device's spring-loaded stylus (S Pen). The Galaxy Note 5 was launched simultaneously with the Samsung Galaxy S6 Edge+.

Critics generally responded favorably to the device, highlighting its superior build quality compared to earlier iterations, alongside notable advancements in processing power and camera performance. However, similar to the S6, Samsung faced criticism for eliminating both the removable battery and expandable storage via microSD card. These alterations were perceived as potentially distancing from power users, a demographic traditionally targeted by the Note series.

The Galaxy Note 5 was succeeded briefly by the Samsung Galaxy Note 7, which debuted in August 2016. Nevertheless, due to multiple battery overheating incidents resulting in fires, the Note 7 was recalled and withdrawn from sale. Subsequently, Samsung reintroduced a refurbished version named the Samsung Galaxy Note Fan Edition in July 2017. The next full successor, the Samsung Galaxy Note 8, became available in September 2017.

Design

The Galaxy Note 5 shares a design approach and build quality closely resembling the Galaxy S6, incorporating a unibody metal frame paired with a glass rear panel. However, unlike the flat back of the S6, the Note 5 features a curved rear surface. It is available in several color variants including dark blue, white, gold, and silver. The S Pen stylus slot employs a spring-loaded ejection system to facilitate easy removal. A known issue, dubbed "pengate", arises when the stylus is inserted incorrectly backward, potentially causing it to become lodged inside.

Functionality

Similar to the Galaxy S6, the Galaxy Note 5 omits the MHL feature, which had originally been introduced with the Galaxy S II and first-generation Galaxy Note models in 2011.

The device is equipped with a fixed 3,000 mAh lithium-ion power source and supports the wireless charging standard Qi.

Its display consists of a 5.7-inch 1440p resolution Super AMOLED panel. Underneath, it runs on a 64-bit Exynos 7 Octa 7420 system-on-chip, featuring four Cortex-A57 cores clocked at 2.1 GHz alongside four Cortex-A53 cores at 1.5 GHz, complemented by 4 GB of LPDDR4 RAM.

Storage options for the Note 5 include either 32 GB or 64 GB capacities, with an exclusive "Winter Edition" in South Korea offering up to 128 GB. The device utilizes a 3020 mAh battery capable of both wireless and fast charging through Qualcomm Quick Charge 2.0 technology. Samsung states that wired fast charging can fully replenish the battery within approximately 90 minutes, while wireless fast charging completes in about 120 minutes.

In line with the Galaxy S6’s design choices, the Note 5 does not support expandable storage via microSD cards nor does it allow battery removal.

The fingerprint sensor integrated into the home button has transitioned from swipe-based recognition to touch-based scanning. Additionally, the handset supports Samsung Pay.

Camera

Featuring a 16-megapixel sensor, the rear camera matches that of the Galaxy S6, equipped with an f/1.9 aperture, optical image stabilization, object tracking autofocus, and real-time HDR capabilities. Video capture supports 2160p at 30 frames per second, 1080p at 60fps, and 720p at 120fps.

Software

The Galaxy Note 5 was initially launched with Android 5.1.1 Lollipop paired with the TouchWiz Noble UX interface. A notable addition is the "Screen off memo" function, which enables users to immediately access a note screen upon removing the stylus. The device’s Camera application also facilitates both public and private livestreaming directly to YouTube, alongside support for exporting RAW image files.

In February 2016, Samsung started rolling out Android 6.0.1 Marshmallow featuring TouchWiz Hero UX for the Note 5.

Throughout early to mid-2017, the Galaxy Note 5 received the Nougat update (Android 7.0) accompanied by Samsung Experience 8.0.

Although not officially supported, enthusiasts can install Android 9.0 "Pie" with One UI 1.0 on the Note 5 through custom ROMs since February 2019.

European release

Samsung chose not to introduce the Galaxy Note 5 in Europe, opting instead to promote only the S6 Edge+ within this market. Rory O'Neill, Samsung’s European Vice President of Brand and Marketing, stated that research indicated European consumers generally perceive large-screen smartphones as entertainment devices rather than productivity tools, influencing this strategic decision.

Reviews

The Verge praised the Galaxy Note 5 for its improved build quality, calling it a "more humane device" thanks to its lighter frame and slimmer bezels compared to the Galaxy Note 4. The publication also highlighted the device's display, performance, and enhanced S Pen capabilities. On the downside, the Note 5 faced criticism for lacking a removable battery, expandable storage options, and a 128 GB variant—features considered essential for a model aimed at "power users." The review suggested Samsung had restrained itself by abandoning the "old, unfettered excessiveness of the old Note" in favor of creating a more "consumer-friendly" product with only modest improvements over the Galaxy S6.

Similarly, TechRadar expressed a generally positive view of the Galaxy Note 5, acknowledging that some long-time fans might be disappointed by the compromises made to achieve the premium design. Nevertheless, they emphasized that there was considerably more to appreciate in this upgrade than to criticize.

Issues

Shortly after launch, it became apparent that inserting the S Pen into its slot backwards could cause irreversible harm to the spring mechanism, potentially causing the stylus to become stuck or damaging the sensor responsible for detecting pen removal. These malfunctions rendered the stylus unusable and led to the issue being nicknamed "pengate".

Samsung acknowledged this problem and pointed out that the user manual included warnings against inserting the pen incorrectly. For later production runs, more conspicuous warning labels were added directly onto the device itself.

By January 2016, Samsung had redesigned the pen slot mechanism to allow safe ejection even if the stylus was inserted backwards, preventing damage to both the sensor and spring. This fix involved implementing a stronger clip with a new design capable of accommodating pen insertion in either orientation. Identifying whether a particular device includes this updated mechanism requires opening it, as there is no external indicator.

Sales

Within the initial three days following its release, combined sales of the Note 5 and the S6 Edge+ surpassed 75,000 units in South Korea, marking a faster sales pace compared to the previous year's models. According to a report by AnTuTu, this smartphone ranked among the top-selling Android devices during the first half of 2016.

Other

This model made an appearance in the music video for Focus, performed by Ariana Grande, where she inscribed the words "Focus on me" utilizing the stylus.

External links

• Official website

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