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Samsung Galaxy Note 7

“The best phone Samsung ever made that you absolutely cannot buy.”

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3.5

Inside Scoop Score

Skip · 3.5 / 10

auto_awesome INSIDE SCOOP

The Inside Scoop

THE VERDICT

The Galaxy Note 7 was genuinely exceptional hardware — best-in-class display, top-tier camera, gorgeous design, and a feature set that embarrassed the competition. Then roughly 100 units caught fire and exploded, Samsung issued a full recall, and the phone was permanently discontinued. No amount of great specs matters when the product no longer legally exists on the market and airlines will confiscate it.

Anchored by Marques Brownlee's review

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Best display of its era

The 5.7-inch Quad HD Super AMOLED panel was hands-down the best smartphone display available in 2016, with vivid colors, extreme brightness, and sharpness that remained visible even in direct sunlight.

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Class-leading camera at launch

The 12MP f/1.7 sensor with optical image stabilization produced excellent color, dynamic range, and sharpness without the over-processing of previous Samsung cameras, and MKBHD called it the best all-around smartphone camera available at the time.

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Refined S Pen with new tricks

The updated stylus featured finer tip sensitivity, more pressure levels, and a new ability to instantly capture the screen and convert it to a shareable GIF — a genuinely useful addition for power users.

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Before You Buy — What Nobody Tells You

We analyzed the expert reviews and owner discussions to surface the surprises buyers only learn after.

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Battery swells and can explode

The Note 7's battery could overheat while charging — especially in hot environments or with third-party chargers — to the point of physically swelling and in some cases catching fire or exploding, which is what triggered the global recall.

— from MKBHD top reviewer transcript, What Hi-Fi? editorial review, TikTok buzz

lightbulb There is no fix — Samsung permanently killed the Note 7 and recalled every unit worldwide. Do not buy one.
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Banned on all commercial flights

Even the 'safe' replacement units with the green battery indicator were eventually banned from all commercial flights by aviation authorities after replacement units also caught fire, meaning you cannot legally fly with this phone.

— from MKBHD top reviewer transcript, What Hi-Fi? editorial review
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Edge display triggers accidental touches

The curved dual-edge display looks stunning in a store, but in daily use your palm naturally contacts the screen while gripping the phone, causing phantom inputs and making the phone feel unresponsive until you readjust your hold.

— from MKBHD top reviewer transcript

lightbulb Adjust your grip to rest fingers on the metal rails rather than the glass edges — MKBHD notes this mitigates the problem.

groups VERDICT

Who it's for

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Best For

Absolutely no one — this phone is recalled, discontinued, and banned from aircraft; if you want a premium Note experience, buy a Note 8 or Note 9 instead.

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Skip If

Anyone who values basic safety, legal air travel, or access to software updates and manufacturer support.

smart_display VIDEO REVIEWS

Video reviews

10:37

person

Samsung Galaxy Note 7 Review!

Marques Brownlee • 2602165

"Galaxy Note 7 - when it's not exploding, it's actually a pretty great phone! dBrand Galaxy Note7 Skins: ..."

10:44

person

Galaxy Note 7 Review: With Phones Like This, Who Needs Tablets?

MrMobile [Michael Fisher] • 1647485

"The first Galaxy Note was a remarkable smartphone when it hit store shelves in 2011. It was the first widely-adopted mobile to ..."

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