Yesterday I managed to get my hands on the Samsung Galaxy Note FE, which is the refurbished version of the ‘exploding’ Samsung Galaxy Note 7.

If you don’t recall, the Samsung Galaxy Note 7 was recalled from the market after a series of explosions, and it was refurbished and released in Korea as the Samsung Galaxy Note FE.

Anyway, to cut a long story short here’s my review after trying it out in a local telecommunications store in town.

THE ADVANTAGES OF THE SAMSUNG GALAXY NOTE FE

If you can’t afford, or you think the Samsung Galaxy Note8 is way too expensive, then the Samsung Galaxy Note FE is the phone for you.

I think the phone is just the right size with its 5.7-inch dual edge Super AMOLED display, and navigating around the phone was extremely snappy thanks to the 2.3GHz, 1.6GHz Octa-core Snapdragon processor which is paired with 4GB of RAM and 64GB of ROM.

The camera of the Galaxy Note FE is a 12.0MP Dual Pixel Rear Camera with F1.7 Aperture, which shoots very impressive photos, while the selfie isn’t shabby as well, spotting a 5.0MP with F1.7 aperture. The aperture speed ensure you won’t miss a moment, but I can’t share sample of the photos I took as I tried the phone in a local telecommunication shop.

Another thing I liked about the Galaxy Note FE is that it comes with an IP68 certification, which means it’s technically water and dust resistant and the battery of 3200mAh will make sure your phone last for quite sometime.

Anyway, I love how the Galaxy Note FE felt in my hands as it felt really fitting and nice, and the price of RM2,599 isn’t to high especially since you consider it is waterproof, has a very responsive S-Pen, and comes 64GB internal storage and 4GB of RAM, with a 3.55mm audio jack ready to be used.

PROBLEMS WITH THE SAMSUNG GALAXY NOTE FE

During my short use of the phone, it was not easy to find a flaw, but if I had to name any, it would be the price, and the fact that it is quite a finger smudge magnet.

Granted, the Galaxy Note FE is still cheaper to other flagship models with similar offering but I still think any smartphone above RM2,000 is a bit ‘expensive’, though you can argue that the price is justified with the perks it has.

Another thing which may not dwell well with many ‘trendy’ smartphone users is that the phone looks rather dated, having thick bezels on both upper and lower chins.

CONCLUSION

While the Samsung Galaxy Note FE isn’t the latest smartphone from Samsung, it still is a very good phone, worthy of challenging newer phones particularly with it’s 64GB internal storage and 4GB RAM.

If you are keen to grab the Samsung Galaxy Note FE at great prices, check out Lazada Malaysia as prices of the Galaxy Note FE are pretty insanely cheap if compared to the recommended retail pricing of RM2,599.