Will the Samsung Note replace the Dell Streak?
Everyone knows that I am a current iPhone owner. Not a fan boy though. After owning the iPhone 4 since December I have never been labeled as one, but I really like the device. But I also own other devices. If you follow my writing, you would know that one is the Dell Streak. I have been a closet user of the device since it was released and occasionally pop in the ol’ iPhone SIM card and take it out for a walk. It’s big, but I like the experience and the Streak is a seriously well made piece of hardware. The Gorilla Glass is very reassuring and the processor continues to hold it’s own. I also like the cult community carved out with our celebrity ROM Developer DJ_Steve. There are a few others that have made some very cool ROMs like Simple Streak, but there is a great group still committed to it.
The Dell Steak goes EOL on August 11th. Not a very big surprise. Sales weren’t there and pricing continued to drop. Carrier support from AT&T was as usual at it’s worst with Froyo taking months after the Dell unlocked versions getting theirs. A serious hurdle for the Dell Streak to overcome was the Android 1.6 operating system it launched with.
So now what? HTC is getting ready to launch the 4.7 inch screen Eternity for Windows Phone fans, Samsung already has the Infuse 4.5 inch screen for Android. None of those will step up and replace the Dell Streak mini 5. The device caught between a tablet and a phone. Tabone? A Phoblet? Maybe not.
Today we have some pretty exciting news in the wake of the Dell Streak exit stage right from the mobility scene. The Samsung Galaxy Note. As Kristofer wrote about this morning, the Samsung Galaxy Note, a 5.3 inch HD Super AMOLED screen device packs a 1280 x 800 screen punch! Slightly bigger than the Streak’s 5 inch screen and way WAY nicer!
So let’s measure these bad boys up.
The Dell Streak measures: 152.9 x 79.1 x 10 mm and weights 220g
The Samsung Galaxy Note measures: 146.85 x 82.95 x 9.65 mm and weighs (n/a)
The tale of the tape? The SGN is actually 6.05 mm or .24 inches shorter than the the Streak. The bad news is the SGN is wider with the bigger and better screen by 3.85 or .15 of an inch. This does not seem like much, and it’s not, but the primary problem I had with the Streak as a daily driver is that I could not wrap my hand around it for smooth one handed commuter use. It’s a two hander to do anything with these devices. Yeah, it’s to be expected, but for me, keeping it small enough for one handed traveling use is a key.
The SGN will also come out of the box with the latest OS and a heap of new software from Samsung. Android Gingerbread version 2.3 will great you when you fire the Note up for the first time. A much more developed OS that I have really liked on the Droid 3 I have been using. Samsung is also adding a lot of their own enhancements to the SGN like TouchWiz and and other software to support the stylus that will come equipped. Whoa! Wait! Did I say stylus? Heel yeah! check the video out below and behold stylus goodness once more and some of the cool things you can do with it.
So what are you thinking people? Is the Samsung Galaxy Note going to replace the Dell Streak Community or will the Gorilla Glass beast hang around awaiting another successor? I know we have some closet Streak fans out there. Drop a comment and let us know what you think.
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I think this is neither fish nor flash: as you say, it is a 2 hands device. For my everyday calls I need a 1 hand device, so between 3.5″ and 4.5″ is OK to stay also connected with emails and occasional browsing, plus a few applications. If I need to do more and want to use 2 hands then I prefer to go up th the 7″ (or more) and enjoy more screen space.
I currently use an HTC Desire S (3.7″) that’s always with me, and when I need more screen I take out of my bag the HTC Flyer (7″). I wouldn’t make good use of an intermediate hybrid.
I think this is neither fish nor flash: as you say, it is a 2 hands device. For my everyday calls I need a 1 hand device, so between 3.5″ and 4.5″ is OK to stay also connected with emails and occasional browsing, plus a few applications. If I need to do more and want to use 2 hands then I prefer to go up th the 7″ (or more) and enjoy more screen space.
I currently use an HTC Desire S (3.7″) that’s always with me, and when I need more screen I take out of my bag the HTC Flyer (7″). I wouldn’t make good use of an intermediate hybrid.
As a Streak user the SGN definitely has my attention. Yes, you really need to use both hands for most functions of the Streak, but fortunately I have two hands and am not afraid to use them. At least it (barely) fits in my pocket, and, well, is a phone.
I’m very curious about the screen of the Note. Namely, will it use Gorilla Glass? It’s going to be hard to move on to anything else from the Streak that doesn’t have both a large screen and Gorilla Glass. I’ve had it for almost a year, haven’t babied it at all nor used a screen protector, and the glass is in pristine condition. Not a hint of a scratch. In fact, the only mark on the thing is a spot on the (metal) battery cover where I think the car dock is starting to rub the paint off at the edge. It is fantastic hardware.
I’m tied to ATT (not unhappily), so I’m hoping it lands there. It would be nice to have a phone that they actually support, too (for insurance purposes, if nothing else).
I am also a Streak user since Aug ’10. Perfect condition, no problems except android itself. (I was dragged away from WinMo 6.x and I am still kicking and screaming.)I do not need a phone, just text and e-mail, and internet, and all the other smart phone goodies. I want only one device, and the Streak is it! And it fits in the back pocket of my Levis. At+t takes my money for insurance…Don’t know what that would get me, never had a claim in 15+ years that wasn’t covered by manufactor warranty.
This Samsung has my attention. The stylus I miss, but have learned and moved on. But this device is just more of the same, no real change from the Streak in form and function.
What realty has my interest is the Sony Tablet P. I have atleast 6 months left before I buy, What else ya got?
Happy Hunting. Peace
JR – you never said a truer word
Streak-User and proud
Well, interesting post,
thanks!
Your imformation is usefull. Thanks for share.
Just 8Mp camera
We like 15mp camera
Just 8Mp camera
We like 20megapixel camera
I personally love the dell streak and it is a one of the kind phone. I would like to try the sgn just to try it out but I will alway remain a dell streak fan.