The Samsung Galaxy Note7 Launches With an Iris Scanner

The Samsung Galaxy Note7 is now official. The latest iteration of the phone that started the phablet craze back in 2011 replaces the Galaxy Note5 on top of Samsung's Android smartphone lineup. The company deliberately skipped a model number in order to bring the device's naming in line with the Samsung Galaxy S7 product family.

The phablet will be available for pre-order
beginning today, August 3. Pre-order
customers will get to choose between a free
Samsung Gear Fit2 fitness tracker, or a free
256GB memory card. Retail availability is
scheduled for August 19.

Just like in its Galaxy S7 and Galaxy S7 Edge
siblings, the most significant new feature of the Galaxy Note7 is its IP68 rating for water and dust resistance. Samsung has even ensured that the device's signature S Pen stylus is capable of scribbling notes underwater in case circumstances require it—you never know!

The new S Pen stylus is not only capable of
working underwater, but is also twice as
sensitive as its predecessor. It also comes with a rich set of new software tricks, including the ability to easily create GIF animations from anything a user does on the Note7.

A built-in iris scanner is another all-new
feature that the Galaxy Note7 brings to
Samsung's smartphone lineup. It allows users to access their phone by simply looking at it, and adds to the already-impressive security repertoire of the handset.

Of course, the Galaxy Note lineup is all about the big screen, and the latest iteration doesn't disappoint. The device packs a stunning 5.7- inch curved QHD display, which supports HDR content playback. The display is covered by the just-announced Corning Gorilla Glass 5, so it is quite tough too.
Samsung Galaxy Note7 features the same
speedy processor and excellent camera as the Galaxy S7 and Galaxy S7 Edge. However, the newcomer boasts twice the internal memory, which can also be expanded via a microSD card slot.

Alongside the Galaxy Note7, Samsung also
announced a new Gear VR virtual reality
headset. Designed to work with all top-shelf
Samsung smartphones going back to the Galaxy S6 and Galaxy S6 Edge, the Oculus-powered accessory features sleeker design and improved ergonomics over the model it is about to replace. In addition to the new Gear VR, Samsung will launch a bevy of accessories for the Galaxy Note7. Those include waterproof battery cases and battery packs, among others.