Samsung Galaxy Note 5

Update: Samsung Galaxy Note 5 is over a year old, but because of the Samsung Galaxy Note 7 recall, it's now under our review microscope again. By default, it's newest S-Pen-equipped Android phone you can buy, and now the Note 5 price is a little more attractive. Here's how it does more then 12 months later.

The Samsung Galaxy Note 5 is a large phone that's either a game changer or deal breaker for longtime fans of the Android phablet, now that it has a premium look and feel.

See all Samsung Galaxy Note 5 deals

Its 5.7-inch display, super-fast processor, improved camera and S Pen stylus are joined by a new, glass-and-metal design that reflects the solid construction of last year's Samsung Galaxy S6 and the newer Samsung Galaxy S7 and Galaxy S7 Edge.

That makes it a huge leap over last year's Galaxy Note 4, which backed the phone in cheap, textured plastic. Samsung's build quality is finally fit to compete with the aluminum iPhone 6S Plus, Huawei Mate 8 and Nexus 6P.

All of this comes at a cost, however. There's no microSD card slot for expandable storage or removable battery to swap out, like on the Note 4, LG G4and the Samsung Galaxy S7, and the new sealed-shut glass design is slippery. This is far from the modular and upgradable Moto Z.

The microSD card slot feature returns inside the Galaxy Note 7, however. You may want the new version for that reason. Just don't expect it to support adoptable storage (to offload apps on the microSD card) without diving deep into the developer settings and tinkering around.

The Samsung Galaxy Note 5 is still among the best phones in the US, but it isn't for everyone who can't grip a two-handed phone, or its compromises in the name of style.

Price and release date

The Note 5 isn't for everyone simply because it's currently only available in the US and Canada in the Western world. It launched in the US on AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile, Sprint and US Cellular on August 21, 2015, but is now only available through Verizon and Samsung.

It never came to the UK nor the rest of Europe. Samsung instead focused on the Galaxy S6 Edge+ in the UK. Anyone outside of North America who wanted a new phone with a stylus had to wait 24 months for the Note 7 launch, and that phone didn't exactly pan out either.

Samsung Galaxy Note 5 through Verizon costs $29 a month for 24 month or, at full retail price, $696. That's the only place you can find it outside of Samsung's more pricey official website. At Sprint, it also sold for $29 a month, while AT&T encouraged 30 payments of $24.67. The Note 5 is sold out at both AT&T and Sprint. The Note 5 UK price would have likely been £600 if it launched, the same as the Note 4 price.

Design

The Samsung Galaxy Note 5 has the same basic shape as the Note 4, but the construction of the two phones couldn't be any more different.

Galaxy Note 5 (left) is smaller and more refined than the Note 4 (right)

Gone is the faux leather back that was made of plastic but felt more like cheap snakeskin. It's been replaced by a glass sheet that's infused into a metal frame, just like on the Galaxy S6.

At 153.2 x 76.1 x 7.6mm, the Note 5 dimensions are certainly bigger than Samsung's 5.1-inch flagship, but it's actually a hair smaller and noticeably thinner than the Note 4. It's lighter too, at 171g, shedding 5g, even with its metal-and-glass construction.

Its back glass also curves inward on the right and left sides. This smaller footprint and curved back made it easier to hold in my palm, despite its phablet size.

There's a curved glass back that makes it easier to hold

Glass does make gripping this 5.7-inch phone more of a challenge, breakable and a fingerprint magnet compared to its faux leather predecessor. There's less traction, but it's nowhere near as slippery as a super smooth aluminum iPhone 6S with rounded corners.

Cases will help with the grip and prevent my overarching palm from interfering with the touchscreen, due to its ultra-thin bezel. This happens more often as bezels wane, phone sizes increase and my hands get fat. But I don't suggest Samsung's default case offering. I know from my time with the Galaxy S6 – its slick plastic makes the phone even more slippery.

Here are the Note 5 colors. You can get three of the four of them in the US

The Galaxy Note 5 colors include Sapphire Black, White Pearl and, as of November, Gold Platinum in select sizes in the US. The Silver Titanium option is offered outside of North America. Interestingly, it's one of three new colors for the Samsung Galaxy Note 7 in select countries, as is Black Onyx and Blue Coral. Better late than never.

The Galaxy Note 5 aluminum frame is silver in all cases, with a color-matching power button on the right and volume rocker on the left. These buttons are thin, but feel strong when pressed and, importantly, are situated in the upper portion of the frame, exactly where my fingers clutch the phone.