This is the Samsung Galaxy Note 7

Earlier this morning, Samsung finally took the wraps off its heavily-rumored smartphone, the Galaxy Note 7. With some killer new S Pen features, top-of-the-line specifications, an iris scanner and plenty of other enhancements, the Galaxy Note 7 might be one of the best flagship phones of the year. Join us as we go hands-on with the Samsung Galaxy Note 7!

• Samsung Galaxy Note 7 officially announced
• Samsung Galaxy Note 7 color comparison
• New Gear VR hands-on
• Samsung Galaxy Note 7 iris scanner: here's how it works

Design

If you immediately get feelings of familiarity with the Note 7, you aren't far off the mark – this is the design language that basically started with the Galaxy S6 and has been the case ever since. Now, with the Note 7, design mostly takes the lead of the S7 and S7 Edge, though there are some refinements that actually make a world of difference.

Water resistance finally comes to the Note line, and it doesn't just help the body stay kicking when taking a dip; the S Pen gets the same benefits. This means that you get to take notes underwater, but we honestly aren't too sure when or why that might ever happen.

The designers of the Note 7 focused on symmetry, and it shows

The same dual glass panels are held together with a metallic skeleton that actually changes in hue depending on which color you pick. This time around there are curves on both sides of the phone, which greatly help with the handling and feel. Symmetry was a big deal to the designers of the Note 7, and it is something that definitely has to be held to be believed. The Note 7 has smooth sides despite there being a slight metallic ridge. And of course, the other main benefit of the curves is a slightly narrower phone all around, as the Note 7 definitely feels more comfortable for one handed usage and is noticeably less bulky than the Note 5.

Many of the other bits and pieces around the phone – the camera sensor, buttons, and ports – are all in the same places Samsung usually puts them. You'll find the power/standby key on the right, the volume buttons on the left, and the bottom houses the 3.5mm headphone jack, speaker grill, S Pen slot, and the USB Type-C port. The addition of a USB Type-C port would generally mean that Micro USB cords become immediately obsolete. That isn't totally the case, however, as an adapter for existing Micro USB cables will come in the box.

Display

Many of the specs and internals can be described as a simple combination between the Note 5 and the Galaxy S7/Edge. Samsung included a 5.7-inch Super AMOLED display with the same color saturation that we've come to expect and the flagship standard of Quad HD resolution. And just like the S7/Edge, the Note 7 gets the Always On Display treatment, which has further usefulness now compared to its smaller, S Pen-less brethren. More on that later, though.

And yes, the curves on the screen mean that the Edge UX and its curvy features come on the Note 7. However, if you are familiar with how it worked on the S7 Edge, there are no changes to speak of in this new Note.

See also: Galaxy S7 Edge Feature Focus: Edge UX6

Hardware

Under that surface, we get the same processing package that's found in the S7, only now it will be powering a larger display with more capabilities. Depending on the region, the Note 7 will be powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 820 or an octa-core Exynos 8 processor. It's also backed by 4GB of RAM. This should still result in great performance, especially considering the new, streamlined version of TouchWiz in this version.

You get just one storage option with the Note 7

There are a couple of changes in the internals that may appeal to the power users. For starters, the Note 7 has 64GB of on-board storage. Full stop. No 32GB versions, no 128GB versions. There is microSD expansion up to 2TB though, in case you're worried about running out of space.

The Note 7 also gets a big bump up in battery capacity this time around. It comes with a non-removable 3,500mAh cell that's pretty much in line with other larger devices. And as we mentioned before, USB Type-C will be the way to charge the Note 7. Samsung claims that the Note 7 can get a full charge in the time it takes the S7's smaller 3,000mAh cell to charge, too, which is quite impressive. The Note 7 also supports both WPC and PMA wireless charging standards.

So far, the Note 7's iris scanner is very impressive

Security takes on a new form in the Note 7 thanks to the new iris scanner. Though we have definitely seen iterations of eye scanning in the past, we were quite impressed with how well and how fast it worked on the Note 7. Glasses off, one can easily scan one set of irises to the phone. A disclaimer does mention that if glasses or contacts are on while unlocking, the iris scan can be disrupted.

Simply wake the device, swipe, and line up the eyes in the HUD-like elements that appear in the top third of the screen. Especially when lined up correctly, it takes close to no time at all for the lock screen to disappear. When done right, it might be faster than the fingerprint reader – and it does make some sense that when you're already looking at your phone, it should unlock as easily as possible.

Camera

We weren't able to get any samples from the camera package, but the experience should be incredibly familiar. That's because both cameras on the Note 7 are the same as what can be found on the Galaxy S7 and S7 Edge. It comes with a 12MP rear camera with an f/1.7 aperture, along with dual pixel technology that should help with autofocus and low-light performance. 

The front-facing camera is 5 megapixels at the same aperture with a wide-angle view. Samsung has also streamlined the camera app to make for better one-handed use. You can swipe left and right to switch between modes and filters, and swiping up and down will switch between the front and back cameras.

S Pen

The Note 7's S Pen looks and feels largely the same as before. It now measures 200mm in length, which is about the same size as a standard ball point pen. It also weighs 3 grams, making it very easy to use.

No, the S Pen can't be put in backwards

And before you ask, the S Pen cannot be put in backwards. Any attempts to do so will be stopped by the clicky top that keeps it from getting past the SA in SAMSUNG. There definitely won't be any more broken S Pens due any such design oversight.

The S Pen has also been given a few enhancements that make it a better writing companion than ever before. For starters, Screen Off Memo, the feature that allows you to take a quick note on the blank screen without unlocking the device, is getting a major enhancement. You'll now be able to pin your Screen Off Memo to the Always On Display so you can see it even when your phone is in standby mode. 

A few extra features also come to the already robust capabilities listed in the Air Command menu. Accompanying a quick shortcut to the Notes application and Smart Select, users can now use the S Pen to translate words from and to up to 71 languages. This can only be done on a word by word basis, but we were told that this functionality will expand over time.

Another nice, albeit rather simplistic, addition to the Air Command menu is Magnify. This new feature provides a small square of up to 300% magnification so that parts of the UI can be easier seen.

 

Smart Select also gets a new Animation Capture feature with the Note 7 that we actually might use quite often. Essentially, this is a GIF creator that provides a frame of custom size for capturing any part of the screen for up to 15 seconds of motion. Any non-DRM content can be made into an shareable GIF, which leverages the same easy way of sharing that Smart Select already provided.

And finally, speaking of the Notes app, it is now the de facto and consolidated home for a lot of functions that used to take up up to four spots in the app drawer – S Note, Action Memo, Scrapbook and Memo. The Notes app is now home to all of these capabilities and gives the user a ton of tools to type, write, paint, draw, and save notes that can be shared in Samsung's own PEN.UP sharing network or through any other means one might desire.

Software

Finally, as we alluded to before in talking about the camera app, the software experience in the Note 7 has been streamlined. For the most part, TouchWiz still looks and feels like it always has, but that is primarily true when looking at the home screens. A uniformity can be found throughout the menus and the settings, as much of TouchWiz has been given a lighter, almost white color throughout with text and icons providing the accent color.

We really like this newer, cleaner version of TouchWiz

The changes are, so far, noticeable enough to make TouchWiz feel fresh. After digging around in the settings, you'll also find a device manager that can help keep the phone in clean and fast working condition, including a battery saver that can make the display output resolutions as low as 720p.

Samsung's TouchWiz is also getting some more security-focused features. A new addition to the software experience is something called Secure Folder, which lets you store away apps, files and even accounts for safekeeping. You can unlock and gain access to the Secure Folder by entering in a PIN, password, pattern, fingerprint or even your iris.

Specifications

	Samsung Galaxy Note 7
Display	5.7-inch Dual-edge Super AMOLED display 2560 x 1440 resolution 518ppi
Processor	Quad-core 64-bit (2.15GHz Dual + 1.6GHz Dual) Qualcomm Snapdragon 820 or Octa-core Samsung Exynos 8
RAM	4GB, LPDDR4
Storage	64GB
MicroSD	Yes, up to 2TB
Cameras	Rear: Dual Pixel 12MP sensor with OIS, f/1.7 aperture Front: 5MP sensor with f/1.7 aperture
Battery	3,500mAh Fast charging WPC and PMA wireless charging
Connectivity	WiFi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac (2.4/5GHz) MU-MIMO(2x2) 620Mbps Bluetooth v 4.2 LE ANT+ USB Type-C NFC Location (GPS, Glonass, Beidou)
Sensors	Barometer, Fingerprint Sensor, Gyro Sensor, Geomagnetic Sensor, Hall Sensor, HR Sensor, Iris Sensor, Proximity Sensor, RGB Light Sensor
Software	Android 6.0.1 Marshmallow
Colors	Silver, Gold Platinum, Blue Coral, Black Onyx
Dimensions and weight	153.5 x 73.9 x 7.9mm 169g

Gallery

Pricing and thoughts at a glance

Overall, the package of the Note 7 feels as robust as ever, which has always been the charm of the Note line. While it might be construed that the Note 7 is simply a stylus-toting version of the Galaxy S7 Edge, it's hard to deny that some real thought has been put into how this phone could provide at least that little bit more to users who want the most advanced bleeding edge Samsung smartphone.

The Galaxy Note 7 will be available for pre-order on August 3, and will be made available for all on August 19. Users can choose from four different colors – Silver, Gold Platinum, Blue Coral, and Black Onyx – and a brand new Gear VR will also launch with it, complete with USB-C compatibility and an adapter to put Micro USB-clad Galaxy smartphones in its updated body.

• Samsung Galaxy Note 7 officially announced
• Samsung Galaxy Note 7 color comparison
• New Gear VR hands-on
• Samsung Galaxy Note 7 iris scanner: here's how it works

We hope you liked our first look at the Galaxy Note 7! We still have the same feeling of excitement that we always get with new Note phones, and that's because Samsung has done a great job at refining an already great smartphone, rather than creating a new one from the ground up. If this is truly the complete package, it just might be the shining example for the now unified '7' series of Galaxy phones.

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Samsung Galaxy Note 7 officially announced: everything you need to know

Samsung's Galaxy Note series is one of the most iconic smartphone lines of all time. Not only do they come with great specifications and features for power users, but this is also the area in which Samsung decides to innovate a bit more than usual.

• Samsung Galaxy Note 7 hands-on
• Samsung Galaxy Note 7 color comparison
• New Gear VR hands-on
• Samsung Galaxy Note 7 iris scanner: here's how it works

Now, after weeks of leaked photos, specs and renders, Samsung has officially taken the wraps off its latest flagship phone, the Galaxy Note 7! It has a curved screen, some killer new S Pen features, top-of-the-line specs and many more surprises you'll want to check out, so be sure to read on for the full rundown on this new handset.

Related: A history of Samsung's Galaxy Note series: Big phones, big business77

Samsung Galaxy Note 7 design

It seems as though Samsung didn't really start focusing on design until a couple years ago with the launch of the S6 and S6 Edge. The days of plasticky, faux-metal materials are completely gone, and it's clear that the company is still choosing to stick with a more premium look and feel for their Note line. The Galaxy Note 7 looks like a Samsung device through and through; it's comprised of glass front and back panels and has a frame made of aluminum. There's one major design change with the Note 7, though, and it's pretty clear if you're looking at it head-on. It sports a curved display, just like the S7 Edge (we'll talk more on this later).

Love it or hate it, the curved display is here to stay

Above the display sits a front-facing camera module and speaker, and below you'll find a home button/fingerprint sensor setup flanked by Samsung's oddly placed back and recent apps keys.

The power/standby key sits on the right side of the device, the volume keys on the left, and the bottom sports the 3.5mm headphone jack, USB Type-C port, speaker grills and S Pen slot. Yes, you read that correctly – the Note 7 sports USB Type-C! While that would normally mean all of your standard Micro USB cords would become instantly obsolete, Samsung is including an adapter in the box. Around back, the Note 7 is nearly indistinguishable from the back of the Note 5. There's a squircle camera module towards the top in the center of the device, with the LED flash/HR sensor sitting to the right. Samsung also decided to keep the beloved curved edges on the back of the phone, which makes it much easier to hold.

And just like the S7 and S7 Edge, the Note 7 is waterproof. Samsung also says you'll be able to take notes underwater, if you're in to that sort of thing.

Samsung Galaxy Note 7 specifications, software and features

	Samsung Galaxy Note 7
Display	5.7-inch Dual-edge Super AMOLED display 2560 x 1440 resolution 518ppi
Processor	Quad-core 64-bit (2.15GHz Dual + 1.6GHz Dual) Qualcomm Snapdragon 820 or Octa-core Samsung Exynos 8
RAM	4GB, LPDDR4
Storage	64GB
MicroSD	Yes, up to 2TB
Cameras	Rear: Dual Pixel 12MP sensor with OIS, f/1.7 aperture Front: 5MP sensor with f/1.7 aperture
Battery	3,500mAh Fast charging WPC and PMA wireless charging
Connectivity	WiFi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac (2.4/5GHz) MU-MIMO(2x2) 620Mbps Bluetooth v 4.2 LE ANT+ USB Type-C NFC Location (GPS, Glonass, Beidou)
Sensors	Barometer, Fingerprint Sensor, Gyro Sensor, Geomagnetic Sensor, Hall Sensor, HR Sensor, Iris Sensor, Proximity Sensor, RGB Light Sensor
Software	Android 6.0.1 Marshmallow
Colors	Silver, Gold Platinum, Blue Coral, Black Onyx
Dimensions and weight	153.5 x 73.9 x 7.9mm 169g

Of course, it wouldn't be a proper Note device without the latest batch of top-of-the-line specs. It sports a 5.7-inch Super AMOLED display with a Quad HD resolution. And because the display is of the dual-edge variety, the Note 7 comes with all the Edge UX features we know and love. If you're unfamiliar with what the Edge UX software suite has to offer, be sure to check out our S7 Edge Feature Focus video, along with our full S7 Edge review for all the details.

Samsung has also brought another feature from the S7 line to the Note 7: Always On Display. With the Always On Display feature, you'll be able to see the time, your calendar and much more at a quick glance.

There's just one storage option available with the Note 7

Depending on the region, the Note 7 will be powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 820 or an octa-core Exynos 8 processor, and backed by 4GB of LPDDR4 RAM. Even though there are other devices out there with much more than 4GB of RAM, this still should be more than enough to handle graphic-intensive games, multitasking and more. The Note 7 also comes in just one storage option – 64GB – though it does support microSD expansion up to 2TB.

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Because Note devices are usually on the bigger side of the smartphone size spectrum, they usually offer up good battery life. The Note 7 sports a 3,500mAh non-removable battery, which is 100mAh smaller than the S7 Edge's battery and 500mAh larger than the S7's. It also comes with fast charging capabilities, and Samsung says it can actually achieve a full charge in the same time it takes to charge the standard S7. Pretty impressive stuff. Of course, the Note 7's fast charging capabilities extend to both wired and wireless charging (WPC and PMA).

The Note 7 has just about the same camera optics package as the S7 and S7 Edge, which isn't a bad thing at all. It sports a 12MP dual-pixel sensor with optical image stabilization and an f/1.7 aperture. The cameras on the S7 and S7 Edge are some of the best on the market right now, so the Note 7's camera will likely be right up there with the best. It also comes with a 5MP front camera sensor and an f/1.7 aperture.

All in all, Samsung did a great job at streamlining the software experience this year

In terms of software, the Note 7 runs Samsung's customized TouchWiz interface atop Android 6.0.1 Marshmallow. It still looks a lot like previous versions of TouchWiz, though Samsung says the experience has been streamlined this year. Much of the interface now sports a light colored or white color scheme, and more of the colors throughout the entire user interface now match. It seems as though Samsung is trying to simplify the software experience on the Note 7, and that's very clear when looking at the revamped camera application. The stock camera app is now much more simple to navigate; you can swipe left and right to select different modes and filters, or up and down to switch between the front and back cameras.

Of course, it wouldn't be a Note device without the S Pen. Before we get into the software details, let's first talk about the S Pen's design. It weighs only 3g and measures 200mm in length, which is the length of a standard ballpoint pen. Thankfully, there won't be an S Pen debacle this year, as the Note 7's S Pen can't be inserted backwards.

Samsung continues to offer compelling S Pen features that make buying a Note device more and more appealing

Samsung continues to offer compelling S Pen features that make buying a Note device more and more appealing. It still comes with the same bevy of standard S Pen features like Smart Select and Screen Write, but a few things have changed this time around. For starters, the Notes app now consolidates Action Memo, Memo, Scrapbook and S Note applications into one. In addition, the Air Command menu now includes a magnifier, as well as an easy way to translate text in up to 71 different languages.

Another big addition to the Note 7's S Pen functionality is that Smart Select will now let you capture a 15-second GIF that can be easily shared to other services. So, if you'd like to take a small recording of a YouTube video, you can easily share that with your friends. This GIF-taking feature adheres to DRM rules, so if you can't already take a screenshot of something, you won't be able to record it either.

That handy Screen Off Memo feature is still here, which, in case you're unfamiliar, allows you to take a quick note on the blank screen without unlocking the device. This time, though, you can pin a note to the Always On Display, so you'll be able to see it even when your phone is in standby mode.

The rumors were right - the Galaxy Note 7 has an iris scanner

The Note 7 also has some new security features that you might like. For starters, Samsung included an iris scanner this time around. It uses the infrared scanner on the front of your device to search for your eyes. In our brief testing period with the iris scanner, it's been quite fast. Samsung does note, however, that you'll want to remove your glasses or contact lenses, otherwise the device might have a hard time recognizing your eyes. You can also choose to register only one iris, if you'd like.

One other cool feature: if you'd like to keep anything hidden from prying eyes – photos, apps, anything – you can now store it in the new Secure Folder. This new folder is password locked, so only you can get into it.

New Gear VR for the Samsung Galaxy Note 7

Since Samsung has finally made the switch to USB Type-C with the Note 7, the company is also launching a new Gear VR headset. This new version comes with a bigger touchpad that's no longer recessed, so navigation and gaming will be a little easier now. It's field of view has also gotten a bump up to 101 degrees, up from the 90 degrees in past Gear VR headsets. Samsung will also make an adapter available for Micro USB smartphones like the Galaxy S7, S7 Edge, S6, S6 Edge, Note 5 and S6 Edge+.

	Gear VR for the Samsung Galaxy Note 7
Dimensions	207.8(W) x 122.5(L) x 98.6(H)mm
Weight	345g (312g without front cover)
Field of view	101°
Sensors	Accelerometer, Gyrometer, Proximity
Colors	Blue Black
Compatibility	USB Type-C and Micro USB port connection to the Galaxy Note 7, S7, S7 Edge, Note 5, S6, S6 Edge and S6 Edge+

Samsung Galaxy Note 7 pricing and availability

Like what you've seen so far? The Galaxy Note 7 will be available for pre-order in Silver, Gold Platinum, Blue Coral and Black Onyx color options from Wednesday, August 3, and will be made available to all on Friday, August 19. Pricing details still haven't been revealed, but we'll be sure to update you as soon as we hear anything.

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So what are your thoughts? Will you be picking one of these up as soon as you can? Let us know what you think in the comments!

• Samsung Galaxy Note 7 hands-on
• Samsung Galaxy Note 7 color comparison
• New Gear VR hands-on
• Samsung Galaxy Note 7 iris scanner: here's how it works

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Samsung Gear VR gets an upgrade, we go hands on

Virtual reality has made some great strides over the course of the last year, thanks in large part to the introduction of high-end VR headsets such as the Oculus Rift and HTC Vive. Unfortunately, the costly investment needed to get in on the action leaves both of these devices out of reach for all but the most serious VR enthusiasts. In comparison, mobile VR is a better candidate for consumers that are looking to jump into virtual reality for the first time, as most smartphones are capable of delivering the experience with little added cost.

There's an obvious difference between the quality found in mobile VR and higher-end PC-based experiences, though the Samsung Gear VR arguably does the best job at bridging this gap. With the arrival of the Samsung Galaxy Note 7, Samsung has now introduced the second consumer iteration of the headset. The big question is whether or not the new Gear VR offers much different from its predecessor.

Thankfully we had the opportunity to go hands-on with the new Gear VR to help better answer that question.

Visually, the Gear VR (2016) headset doesn't look all that different from its predecessor at first glance, though it does feature a new, all-black finish that's consistently employed throughout the body. There's no more white with this model, and the new paint job does give the headset a more cohesive finish. We wouldn't go far to say that it's the most intriguing or stylish looking headset, but there are still nonetheless a few noteworthy changes that are worth mentioning.

First and foremost, the padding around the headset, as well as those put around the straps, are a bit more substantial this time around. The padding helps in giving the headset a comfortable feel when it's put on. Other changes to the headset includes the touch sensitive pad on its side, which is now in the shape of a cubicle (cube-square shape), to allow for better distinction with our finger while the headset is worn. They've even added a dedicated home button, in addition to the back button near it, just to make it easier to get back to the Oculus home screen.

Just as before, placing the phone into the headset is done by removing the protective plastic cover on the front, which now is less transparent and more solid in tone to help reduce ambient light from interfering with the lenses. In a change from past Gear VR iterations, the headset is now connected to the phone via a USB typ-C connection, but is also compatible with older Samsung flagships, like the S6 and S7 series, thanks to an adapter that accommodates the microUSB connection.

All in all, the new handset features a few visual changes and makes some minor changes to the way its controlled, but probably the most substantial improvement would be the headset's wider field of view, which jumps from 96-degrees with the previous model, to now 110-degrees.

Since we didn't have the previous model on hand to compare with, it's really tough for us to say right now with confidence that the wider field of view makes for that significant of a difference at this stage. We were able to try out this skateboarding experience using the new headset, where we stood on top of this articulating skateboard that placed us in that first person view going down a hill. It was good, but not nothing we'd say was noticeably better than what we've seen and experienced previously with other mobile VR headsets. Regardless, this wider 110-degree field-of-view should help in making the visuals appear less cramped.

Although it's hard to believe it's been that long, the Samsung Gear VR was actually first introduced in 2014 in the form of an "Innovator's Edition" during the company's press conference for IFA. Two years is a long time when you think about the yearly refreshes we see with smartphones. So if you already own the previous generation Gear VR, is it really worth picking up the new one?

While we'll reserve full judgment until we've had more time with the headset, we'd say its unlikely we'd recommend picking it up if you already own a Gear VR and aren't upgrading your phone anytime soon. Of course if you plan on getting the Note 7, you'll be forced to upgrade, as the older Gear VR models will not work with the latest Note.

See also: Galaxy Note 7 hands on

Pricing is expected to be set at the same $99 price tag as the original consumer edition of the Gear VR and it should likely arrive around the same time as the Note 7. What do you think of the latest model based on what you've seen so far? Share your thoughts down in the comments.

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Samsung Galaxy Note 7 iris scanner: here is how it works

Security is a big focus in nearly every smartphone these days, and to Samsung, fingerprints are so passé – now, it's all about the eyes. Is the future really here? That's what we attempt to find out here, as we take a closer look at the Iris Scanner and security features of the Samsung Galaxy Note 7.

The first part we'll delve into with the security features of the Note 7 are the myriad ways that you can unlock the device. PIN, pattern, simple swipe, and fingerprint are all still available and all still work as well as they always have. Samsung has done a great job of expanding and evolving the methods used to better protect their handsets over the years, and the company clearly isn't holding still here with the introduction of the Iris Scanner into the fold.

Accompanying the front facing camera is another camera dedicated only to recognizing the composition of one's eyeballs. On the other end of that panel is an infrared light, used to make the scanner work in low light situations. These two modules work in conjunction to unlock the Note 7 simply by looking at it.

Setting up irises in the security and lock screen settings requires very little time, actually, but there are a couple things to keep in mind. The Note 7 shows a disclaimer that glasses and, ideally, contacts should not be worn when registering the one set of irises that can be used. After a couple of prompts, the upper third of the screen turns into the viewfinder for the iris scanner, where Terminator-like heads-up display elements are shown so users know where to put their eyes.

These same graphical elements are used to unlock the device, though the disclaimer will appear once again to tell the user that glasses and even contacts can keep the iris scanner from recognizing the unadulterated iris stored during setup. In my initial testing of the scanner, I wore contacts during setup and continued to unlock the device with them on. So at least in this limited test, I didn't run into any issues, but mileage may certainly vary, and likely, colored contacts could throw things off.

Somewhat surprisingly, the iris scanner works very efficiently. As long as the phone is held correctly and at the typical distance away from one's face, eyes should be well within the HUD elements shown after waking the Note and swiping to start the scanning process. Though it might seem cumbersome to still have to slide up, we were told that having the Iris Scanner always firing was far from ideal and adding in the swipe also added one final layer of protection.

If the eyes are within the proper range and are "open fully," as the phone might prompt users to do sometimes, the successful scan will simply open up into the user interface. When all elements are in place, this is a very fast and smooth process.

Our first impressions on the Iris Scanner are pretty positive. Especially considering we have seen iterations of this security feature before and they have definitely not been as responsive or seemingly reliable. As it stands, the Iris Scanner would be an interesting addition, but Samsung went a step further and brought a new security feature that leverages their lesser known but powerful system KNOX.

For those who don't know, KNOX was, among a few other things, a way for Samsung to allow users to have essentially two different profiles for work and normal usage. On on profile would be a particular set of apps, accounts, and content for business use, and the other profile would be for everyday, personal use.

Though KNOX is still available across current Samsung devices, the Note 7  offers a modified version of this experience called a Secure Folder which is more geared towards everyday users and not just the business-minded crowd. In short, Secure Folder is a special folder that can house all of the same things a KNOX profile can, like specific apps, files, folders, and even accounts, with the ability to keep it locked and protected by all of the same measures used on the lock screen. This includes fingerprints and irises.

The Secure Folder could be a great place to store very sensitive information – our demo mentioned legal documents as an example. For an added layer of protection, the Secure Folder can be taken off of the homescreens and app drawer, leaving the only way to access it in the settings under 'Secure Folder.' Overall, however, it is an easy way to keep what you want away from prying eyes.

We applaud Samsung for making a step forward in security features for their phones, and if the Iris Scanner is our next general way of unlocking our devices, at least it has been executed pretty well thus far in the Galaxy Note 7. Whether this method is better than fingerprint scanners, pins, and passwords? That honestly will come down to personal preference.

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Deal: Galaxy S6 edge+ for just $359.99

It's Galaxy Note 7 day and that means Samsung's other curvy large screened competition has got to go. Over on eBay right now you can pick up the dual-curved 5.7-inch Galaxy S6 edge+ for just $359.99 – that's less than half of what the new Note 7 will cost you.

See also: Samsung Galaxy Note 7 – everything you need to know

The phone is an unlocked SM-G928V (Verizon) model in the original packaging but it works just fine on other GSM carriers including T-Mobile and AT&T. There are limited quantities available, so there's no telling how long this deal might be good for. But with the Note 7 hitting shelves soon, you can bet the S6 range and Note 5 will continue to be discounted.

The Galaxy S6 edge+ has a 5.7-inch QHD Super AMOLED display, Exynos 7420 chipset clocked at 2.1 GHz and 1.5 GHz, 4 GB of RAM and 32 GB ROM (remember that the S6 series doesn't include a microSD card slot). It also has a 16 MP/5 MP f/1.9 camera combo with OIS and 4K video on the back, a 3,000 mAh battery and fingerprint scanner (but no IP rating).

What is your favorite sized Samsung phone of the last few years? Pumped for the Note 7?

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