Samsung Galaxy Note II preview: First look

8MP camera with 1080p video recording

We won't spend too much time on the Samsung Galaxy Note II camera for now, but we'll revisit it in more detail in the next preview.

It uses the same interface as the Galaxy S III and snaps up to 8MP stills and records 1080p@30fps videos. It has advanced features like burst shot, HDR, Share shot and Buddy photo share.

Camera interface

Here are some camera samples along with a sample video.

Samsung Galaxy Note II camera samples

And the video sample, don't forget to choose 1080p and view it in full screen.

Samsung Galaxy Note II also has a feature called Best faces - it snaps a burst of 5 photos, keeping track of people's faces. Later, you can pick any of the 5 photos for each person's face individually.

First impressions

Our short time with the Samsung Galaxy Note II is over, but it was enough to whet our appetite and we'll surely be coming back for more.

The original Galaxy Note was virtually unchallenged in the phablet field, but it still faced the hard task of generating proper interest in the niche. The over 10 million units sold are the proof that it did a really good job. So in a way the Galaxy Note II is a lucky device - it comes in a market that is already starting to develop, but still devoid of any major competition. Now add the host of improvements it brings over its predecessor and things are looking really great for the Note II.

The way we see it, the Note II buyers will fall into two categories. First are the business people and artist who need the easy note taking, idea sketching or graphics tablet functionality.

The second category would be tech geeks who just want the big screen, powerful hardware and latest Android Jelly Bean goodness, with the S Pen being an extra rather than the central feature.

One thing is for sure though, the Note devices - both phablets and the tablet and tablet - have brought back the stylus from the brink of extinction. And while Android tablets are still having a bit of a struggle in the market, the Note hybrids are quickly conquering new ground for the Google OS.

No matter how you look at it, all indications point to the Galaxy Note II repeating - and most likely beating - the success of its predecessor. Here's hoping the good impressions stand after we spend a bit more time with the Note II.