Android
7 Best Galaxy Note 7 Alternatives
The Samsung Galaxy Note 7 was one of the best smartphones released in 2016. However, following a global recall the phone has been permanently discontinued. Over 100 devices exploded or caught fire in the U.S. alone due to a faulty battery or component. The phone is no longer available, and carriers are disabling it with software updates. As a result here are some of the best Galaxy Note 7 alternatives.
On September 2nd just two weeks after the Galaxy Note 7 release date Samsung issued a statement on the matter, and in an unprecedented event recalled over 2.5 million handsets. Following the recall newer safe models had the same problem, which led the company to stop all sales and replacements.
Read: Galaxy Note 7 Recall & Replacement: What You Need to Know
On October 11th Samsung confirmed the phone will no longer be available anywhere around the globe. They’ve instructed all owners to power down the device, leave it off, and return it for a full refund. In December and January updates started turning it into a paper weight. For those who still have one, we’ll help you replace it with something worthwhile.
The Galaxy Note 7 had a lot to offer, which makes replacing it rather difficult. Features such as a large 5.7-inch Quad-HD display that’s best in the industry, a powerful processor with 4GB of RAM, a great camera, microSD support for storage expansion, the S-Pen stylus, and of course it’s IP68 dust and water resistant.
There are countless reasons why a user would want this phone, but don’t worry, there are plenty of options that have similar features. In fact, the Galaxy S7 Edge from March is almost identical to the Galaxy Note 7. Instead of 5.7-inches it’s only 5.5-inches and doesn’t have an S-Pen stylus, but it’s close. Everything else remains, which makes it our first and best Note 7 alternative. Those who swap out the Note 7 for another Samsung device are eligible for $100 gift card from Samsung or carriers.
Between Google’s new Pixel to the iPhone 7 and LG V20, buyers do have capable options to use instead. Many of the phones below have a similar screen size or the same features, so the situation isn’t as bad as some news sources would have you believe.
In Korea Samsung will apparently be giving Note 7 owners the Galaxy S8 for 50% off. Which is coming in March or April and sounds very promising. That’s nice, but we need a viable replacement today. Now that Samsung has officially terminated the Note 7 owners need to look elsewhere. Our slideshow below goes over 7 good alternatives.
Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge | ||||||||
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As we said above, the Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge is the best possible replacement, minus the S-Pen. Simply because it's a similar software experience, nearly identical in design, and shares most of the features that makes the Note 7 great. You can even buy the S7 Edge in the same Blue Coral color from Verizon or AT&T. The Galaxy S7 Edge has the same glass and metal design, it's also water resistant. The screen is only 0.02-inches smaller, being 5.5-inches instead of 5.7-inches, and the difference is barely noticeable. It's actually easier to use. One other thing to consider is the Galaxy S7 Edge uses a regular microUSB charging port, not the new Type-C plug on the bottom of the Note 7. So most old cables, chargers and accessories will actually work perfect with the S7 Edge. It's also a lot cheaper, nearly $200 less if not more. Those who opt to return the Note 7 for the S7 Edge will get a refund for the difference, and likely a $250-100 gift card from carriers too. It's a pretty good route to take. Oh, and the Galaxy S7 Edge has a bigger 3,600 mAh battery, compared to just 3,500 mAh in the Note 7. So it could technically get better battery life while offering a near-identical experience across the board. Read: Galaxy S7 Edge Review And for those asking, yes you have to return the Note 7. T-Mobile, Verizon and AT&T are pushing updates that render it useless. Sprint will do the same on January 8th. | ||||||||
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Steve Bergman
09/17/2016 at 10:14 am
Countless units? Try 35 out of 2,500,000, or 0.0024%. Questioning my purchase? Hardly. Alternative to the Note 7? There is no such thing. No other phone matches the Note 7 feature set. The new Note 7’s are already available in some areas, and will be available world-wide this coming Wednesday.
Amir Nawaz (@ReconFX)
10/06/2016 at 11:22 am
Im in the same pool… my launch unit seems fine… no issues..originally, I remember seeing an article suggesting units that have “manufactured in China” on their backs are safe..
My Coral Blue unit has this on it’s back and it seems great. But friggin Sammy has force pushed an update to my phone which is asking me to install it so it can limit my battery to 60%…coercing me to swap out my perfectly good device most likely for a replacement that seem to still have this exploding issue.
So now I’m torn… ive always used Android but last year I tried out a iPhone 6S Plus…but ugh my god…sure it was smooth but holy crap it is a limited OS.. and I’m in IT so I’m a power user who needs function at my fingertips…iOS simply cannot provide that with its closed nature.
I don’t know what to do…i need the pen, the AMOLED HDR10 1440p screen, the superior USB C, wireless charging..i already spent $50-60 on multiple fast wireless pads.. I have a gargantuan 256gb micro Sd card..smart gestures like taking screenshots by swiping screen with my palm and then capturing extra pages by scrolling down..omg I used that almost daily (i constantly share article screenshots with friends on group chats).
There simply is no mobile device that matches the Note phones in terms of capabilities in the entire market. Period. What do I do?
P. z
10/10/2016 at 12:15 am
Note 5 may be your only alternative p. I had one and was still a great phone.
Bone Datt
10/11/2016 at 6:17 am
The S-Pen defines the Note. There are no alternatives to the Note series unless it’s another Note. Stop already.
Cory Gunther
10/13/2016 at 9:30 am
While I agree completely and absolutely love my Note 7, and use the stylus often. A vast majority of owners just like the big screen and rarely if ever use the Note. Everyone is different. Guys.
sidofgyqwer
10/12/2016 at 11:47 am
stupid article. without the pen it is not alternative.
guinness 1999
10/13/2016 at 11:35 am
Are there any other phones that use a stylus?
MsGin23
10/14/2016 at 5:39 am
Like all the above statements I can’t/ don’t want to part from my note 7. Do we truely have/need to return????? Not having any promblems with mine. Can I keep it until I have problem
Hotness Gracious
10/14/2016 at 6:08 am
Do any alternative phones have the fire on demand function?
Mike Garcia
10/18/2016 at 10:49 am
It is especially annoying when manufacturers provide a new functionality, like hand grenade mode in this case, then withdraw it.
Krute Hammond
10/15/2016 at 7:59 am
I unfortunately have to part ways with my note, I’m going overseas and cant board my plane with it…. sigh. Went through four phones this year, make this the fifth. This is the best phone on the market period. Please hurry to fix the problem. I’ll still be loyal to this phone.
Michael
10/16/2016 at 8:10 am
Useless article. First why would you offer up an iPhone as an alternative. Too many Ads and no real specs. This site is hardly mobile friendly even on a large Note 7 screen. What are the best replacements for your website.
Mike Garcia
10/18/2016 at 10:47 am
I have a Galaxy Note Edge. It was a limited release product but I wouldn’t use any other. It has all the Note features but also has a curved edge which is very handy, especially for travel, I can see the time and alarm without touching the phone when sleeping, (or trying to). The only drawback is that is is not compatible with Samsung Pay. I wasn’t going to buy the Note 7 because of the lack of the curved screen. I wish I could buy an updated Note Edge but they don’t make one.
Nathan Warnock
10/18/2016 at 11:54 am
Mike, the Note 7 HAS the curved screen……….not sure what you are talking about. I am confused by pretty much everything in your post…..The Note 7 really is the best phone on the market and it is not close. I am incredibly frustrated. I am willing to resist the recall but you know Samsung is going to come out with an update that severely limits the functionality of the Note 7 in an effort to force people to exchange the phones……Keep an eye out before updating the phone automatically. Oh, and keep an eye on it just in case!
Casey milne
10/18/2016 at 11:21 pm
I am in total agreement with you guys, that was the first thing I thought, after exchanging it for supposedly fixed note 7 I am told that I now have to give it back! What!? I thought that is why you made me go back and hassle with att, now I have to choose some other phone? I only buy notes. There simply is not a phone out that even compares with the s-pen feature. I came from a note 3 and was on an old legacy plan through AT&T, in order to get the note 7 I had to switch to a newer plan as mine isnt offered, so when you say that I can get a full refund, so I can go back to the note 3 while I wait for a new note, this statement is untrue for some people. What am I supposed to do? Are you ready forcing me to get an S7 edge without the s-pen and then when you come out with the note again whether it be a 7 or 8, I should have a guarantee that I can trade that S7 edge in for the new note when you release it. Otherwise how it stands right now I am extremely mad at Samsung as a company for this, I have been a very loyal note owner for almost a decade, now you’re not going to be loyal to me? This really hurts samsung
Nehal
10/19/2016 at 2:05 am
Nice Suggestions
daniel
11/27/2016 at 6:36 pm
must have the stylus AND be waterproof for me – I see no alternatives
Andrei
02/20/2017 at 1:56 pm
Stylus. Period.
Did you know the note has a different touch kind with 1024/2048 pressure levels? Accurate to the millimetric stylus?
The norm finger precision touch solutions today are a pathetic joke. Just make me throw up.
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