The much-beloved Galaxy Note Series was considered revolutionary when the first Galaxy Note was unveiled at IFA in 2011. The up-sized smartphone, which bridged the gap between conventional sized smartphones and tablets – and effectively ushered in the term ‘phablet’ — was a hit with people who appreciated the larger display size, the S Pen and eventually, the multitasking capabilities. Each Galaxy Note in the series was equipped with a high-end AMOLED display, which provides true-to-life colors through its large screen, which provides users with a truly immersive viewing experience. Each device in the Galaxy Note Series has become remarkably more powerful than the last. The Galaxy Note 4 multi-window functionalities have allowed users to take advantage of the extra screen space more effectively than ever before. For no particular reason, here’s a rundown of the first four devices in the Galaxy Note Series.

Galaxy Note

Slogan: It’s Galaxy Note!

Unveiled: IFA Berlin, October 2011

Features and specs: 5.3-inch WXGA HD Super AMOLED display; 8MP rear camera (2MP front); Android 2.3 (Gingerbread); 1.4GHz Dual Core processor; 16/32GB User memory + microSD; 2500mAh battery.

Size/weight: 146.85mm-82.95mm-9.65mm; 178g

What people loved: This was the original “phablet,” the first of its kind in the industry. What set this phone apart was its size and the S Pen. It was, at the time, the market’s largest HD Super AMOLED display. It was hailed as a smart device that was easy to carry but enabled the user to do more in a faster manner than existing smartphones. Read about its unveiling here.

Galaxy Note 2

Slogan: Be Creative

Unveiled: IFA Berlin, August 2012

Features and specs: 5.5-inch HD Super AMOLED; 8MP rear camera (1.9MP front); Android 4.1 (Jelly Bean); 1.6 GHz Quad-Core processor; 16/32/64GB User memory + microSD; 2GB RAM; 3100 mAh battery

Size/weight: 151.1mm-80.5mm-9.4mm; 180g

What people loved: The S Pen was vastly improved and Air View made its debut with the Galaxy Note 2. The S Pen was longer, thicker and more ergonomically designed and provided a more natural and precise writing and drawing experience. The fantastic display also set a new industry standard at the time. It was also the first to debut multitasking capabilities and Quick Command. Read more about all the bells and whistles that made their debut with Galaxy Note II.

Galaxy Note 3

Slogan: Design Your Life

Unveiled: IFA Berlin, September 2013

Features and specs: 5.7-inch Full HD Super AMOLED; 13MP rear camera (2MP front); Android 4.3 (Jelly Bean); 2.3 GHz Quad-Core processor; 32/64GB User memory + microSD; 3GB RAM; 3200 mAh battery

Size/weight: 151.2mm-79.2mm-8.3mm; 172g

What people loved: The Note 3 was the most elegant Note to date, with a more premium design. It was larger, yet lighter and thinner than its predecessor but the hardware, including the front camera, battery and RAM, got big upgrades making it a far more powerful device. It also came with smarter multitasking capabilities and it was the first Note to be designed to perfectly complement the new line of Gear devices Samsung had just unveiled.

Galaxy Note 4 & Note Edge

Slogan: Do You Note?

Unveiled: IFA Berlin, September 2014

Features and specs: 5.7-inch Quad HD Super AMOLED (Note Edge is 5.6 inches); 16MP rear camera; (3.7MP front); Android 4.4 (KitKat); 2.7GHz Quad-Core; 32GB User memory + microSD; 3GB RAM; 3220mAh battery (Note Edge is 3000mAh).

Size and weight: 153.5mm-78.6mm-8.5mm; 176g; Note Edge: 151.3mm-82.4mm-8.3mm; 174g

What people loved: Once again, the display was groundbreaking in terms of color, brightness and pixel density, providing a tremendous viewing experience. The upgraded cameras, with a F1.9 aperture, Smart OIS and real-time HDR, produce remarkably good photos. The S Pen got improved touch and feel, and the Galaxy Note 4’s seamless multitasking capabilities include all new multi-window, split screen, pop up screen and more. Users also loved faster charging and a higher capacity battery, ultra power-saving mode, as well as the fingerprint scanner and heart rate sensor. See more about the Galaxy Note 4 here.

The Galaxy Note Edge provided users with a new way to access information and express personality. The curved edge on the right side of the screen offered more functionalities and features, such as the ability to received notifications on the Edge Screen while watching videos and quick access to favorite apps and alerts.

In today’s modern lifestyle, people are busier than ever and they demand more from their smartphones so they can keep up with the frenetic pace of life. Naturally, people want to multi-task to be more productive and use their time more efficiently.

On the long list of intuitive and practical features offered by Galaxy devices, the Multi Window capability is perhaps one of the most under-appreciated. The Multi Window feature has been available on Galaxy devices since the Galaxy Note 2, released in late 2012, however users of the Galaxy S3, also released in 2012, were able to watch videos without interruption through Pop-up Play. And since then, the multi-tasking capabilities have only improved with each edition, and they have become a mainstay on Galaxy S, Galaxy Note and Galaxy Tab devices that followed.

It certainly comes in handy in lots of different situations, like using a map app while exchanging texts when making arrangements to meet a friend. Or, to keep an eye on sports scores while watching a video, or to browse the Internet to find information while also writing an email. With the Galaxy Note 4, you can easily take notes using the S Pen during a video chat by splitting the screen.

With the Galaxy S6 and S6 edge, you can quickly and easily open two apps at the same time. From any screen, simply touch and hold the Recent Apps button (just to the left of the home button). Apps that support Multi Window will be displayed.

Simply select the two you want to use and they will appear in split view, one on top, one on the bottom. You can also launch recently used apps directly into the multi window view. Apps that can be used with multi window will have the multi window icon on the title bar.

The window controls, which appear between the two windows, allow you to adjust the size of each window, minimize or maximize a window, drag and drop content from one window to another, or switch the location of the windows. When you minimize an app, it turns into a circular, movable icon that can be opened by tapping on it. It’s extremely easy and intuitive.

There’s also pop-up view. Simply open an app and then swipe diagonally from either top corner of the screen and the app will appear as a pop-up, which you can move around the home screen. So when you are multitasking but you need to focus on one app, you can keep another app just one touch away.

Tap the button to see the control options or hold and drag to create a pop-up window.

On the Galaxy Tab S, touch the recent apps button and swipe upwards or downwards and tap the Multi Window icon on the recent app window. The selected app will launch in the upper window. You can also launch the split screen by tapping and holding the recent apps button. Much like with the Galaxy S6, you can find additional options by tapping the circle between the app windows. If you are the proud owner of a Galaxy Note Pro or Galaxy Tab Pro device, it is possible to have four windows open simultaneously.

Also, Samsung’s SideSync 3.0 app is a PC-Mobile solution that enables screens, windows and data to be shared between PCs and Galaxy smartphones, or between Galaxy Tabs and Galaxy smartphones. The app allows you to connect to your smartphone and launch the phone as a window on the screen of your Galaxy Tab or PC, which can be adjusted for size. There are a whole host of sharing functions, including keyboard and mouse sharing mode, file and clipboard sharing and lots more.

Finally, with the Galaxy S6 and S6 edge and Galaxy Note 4, if you happen to be using an app, watching a video or playing a game when a call is received, a pop up window appears on the screen. With the pop up window, you can choose to answer, reject or tap expand to view the main call screen. After answering the call, you can exit the call screen during an active call to do something else, like access your contacts list, view an email or locate a picture. To return to the call screen, simply got to the notification panel and tap the call notification. You can also click end call from the notification panel.