Samsung Galaxy Note 3

Strong new Note wields mightier pen skills

The actual new $299. 99 Galaxy Note 3 is really a tour de force in juggernaut handset style. Not solely can it be massive, daring, and blazingly fast, the actual imposing device has an extremely razorsharpened 5. 7-inch show, and battery lifestyle to reach the actual length. Moreover, the actual Note 3 attributes a sleeker style than the predecessor, the actual Note 2, a streamlined S Pen interface, and a similar excellent camera you will discover upon the Galaxy S4.

The actual third generation from the Note, but, is the foremost significant upgrade yet and the very first Note device, because of a far more thoughtful S Pen interface, which mainstream consumers can truly need to purchase. Frankly it's the ability to faculty any flagship device in the marketplace, and also the solely device because the recent Palm Treos to obtain me seriously considering employing a telephone having a stylus.

Pricing and availability
Shipping currently and hitting US carriers in force in October 2013, the actual Note 3 prices $299. 99 on Verizon (in shops 10/10), AT&T (in shops 10/4) and Sprint (in shops 10/4). T-Mobile (accessible currently) sells the actual device for any lower $199. 99 early on, however you are upon the hook for 24 monthly payments of $21. U. S. Mobile have additionally mentioned it expects to scoop in the Note 3 soon.

What is new inside the Note 3
The actual Note 3 represents a large upgrade more than the earlier Note counterparts. Inside a nutshell, the actual Note 3 has a much bigger 5. 7-inch full HD screen ; revamped S Pen attributes and S Note app ; a thinner, lighter chassis ; huge processor pace bump ; and also a built-in information app powered by Flipboard technologies.

Style and build
Samsung's overarching theme of refinement is distinct inside the Note 3's physical look. Inside my read, it is a lot more elegant and refined than each Notes which arrived prior to it. Measuring 6 inches lengthy by 3. 1 inches wide and also a mere 0. 33 inches thick, the actual Note 3 is merely a hair taller and wider than the predecessor. Even thus, this new Note is thinner despite boasting a bigger screen (5. 7 inches compared along with 5. 5 inches).

Together with shaving off a couple of fractions in an inches, Samsung has additionally lightened the actual device by five-tenths in an ounce, that puts the actual Note 3 in 5. 9 ounces. However even like the sleekest Note yet, it still dwarfs flagship phones such as the HTC One, Galaxy S4, and Motorola Droid Maxx, all that were massive boys with their personal correct. However, the actual Samsung Galaxy Mega along with the gargantuan 6. 3-inch screen makes even the actual Note 3 seem a affordable size.

Designwise the actual Note 3 additionally takes huge departures coming from the swish, plastic, and oval body from the Galaxy S4 and Galaxy Notes prior to it. The actual Note 3 has a rectangular chassis ringed along with flashy faux-chrome edges which are ridged, and also the handset's patterned backing requires imitate the actual really truly come to sense of leather. This leatherette back again together with the actual Note 3's silver highlights evoke images of Samsonite briefcases coming from the 1960s. Additional channeling this retro style accessory vibe are phony stitches which operate along the rear fringe of the actual handset.

These style modifications are not only for show, both. The actual Note's textured rear surface handily resists fingerprints and provides a positive grip. Currently I'm certain some people out there'll discover this new look out for the actual Note 3 a tad more than the highest, even chintzy -- the actual phone's back again is plastic, in the end, and just patterned to imitate leather. Still, all this provides the actual Note 3 a really handsome and distinctive look, particularly compared using the slippery and truly cheap-feeling plastic chassis from the Note 2 and original Note.

Additionally on back again is that the Note 3's 13-megapixel camera lens and LED flash. Removing the rear include reveals some other welcome touches, specifically a high-capacity (and removable) 3, 200mAh battery and a microSD card slot. Interestingly, and little question to save lots of area, the actual device's SD card slot sits straight on prime of the micro-SIM bay. Which means you will need to eliminate the actual battery to feature a lot of storage.

The actual Note's S Pen stylus lives inside a receptacle upon the phone's bottom lip. The actual device sports activities simply 3 physical buttons, even if : a little energy key on the ideal side, a skinny volume bar published the actual still remaining aspect, and a big oval home button beneath the actual screen. Flanking both aspect of the are 2 capacitive secrets for Menu and Back again.

Higher than the actual show you will discover a 2-megapixel front-facing camera for self portraits, video chat, or just to amuse the actual kids. The actual Note 3's prime side houses the 3. 5mm headphone jack for wired audio.

Additionally living upon the Note 3's bottom side is what initially I assumed was a proprietary port. Rather it is a combination Micro-USB connector together with perhaps one of the new USB 3. 0 jacks. USB 3. 0 provides faster charging times and knowledge transfer rates (as much as 10 times quicker) during the older USB 2. 0 normal, however you will need to personal a compatible PC.

A screen that is stunning
Believe me when I claim that the actual Samsung Galaxy Note 3's screen is merely beautiful. Measuring a vast 5. 7 inches across, the actual AMOLED show has an ultracrisp full HD resolution (1, 920x1, 080 pixels) that translates into an amazingly razorsharpened 385ppi. That is a degree of detail which puts the actual smaller screens from the iPhone 5S (4-inch, 326ppi) and Samsung's personal Galaxy S4 (5-inch, 441ppi) to shame.

It certainly outdoes the actual Note 2's (5. 5-inch, 267ppi, 1, 280x720 pixels) viewing expertise. The actual Note 2 produces textual content that is noticeably less crisp than upon the Note 3. Additionally, whilst the actual HTC One (4. 7-inch, 468ppi) technically has a sharper screen, the viewing space is minuscule when saddled up against the actual Note 3.

The newest Note's high-contrast show produces well-saturated colours also, along with deep blacks and really wide viewing angles. As using the Note 2, you've 5 screen modes to select from (Adapt Show, Dynamic, Normal, Skilled Photo, and Movie), that supply specially tweaked colour settings. I like the Movie method, because the colours are the foremost lifelike. Samsung apparently honed this method additional as a result of the colours look much more natural than a similar choice upon the Note 2.

And since the screen is brighter and sharper than the predecessor, watching all kinds of visual content material upon the Note 3 is very captivating. Characters in movie trailers practically leap off from the screen and within your lap, and detail in photos and video is extremely crisp. Viewing desktop versions of Internet sites, an activity I do not recommend on devices along with cramped shows, was additionally pleasurably not eye-straining.

It is all in regards to the S Pen
I doubt even the foremost avid Galaxy Note adherents use their S Pens typically, a minimum of these who do not primarily communicate in complicated character-based or pictographic languages. Samsung hopes this third iteration from the Note franchise, even if, can convert a lot of users into becoming S Pen faithful. For this finish, the corporate states it's revamped the actual S Pen expertise upon the Note 3 (and new Note 10. 1 pill) to supply a refinement of existing attributes, not overwhelm all of these having a confusing laundry collection of abilities and resources.

I believe Samsung has created giant strides towards the objective because this is actually the first implementation from the S Pen I have truly been tempted to make use of. Here is how it works.

Whenever you pull the actual S Pen from the sheath, just a little fan-shaped graphic known as Air Command seems. You may also activate it from any screen or app by holding the actual pen near the actual show and pressing the actual S Pen's button. This one alter alone, the actual addition of Air Command, will the foremost in order to make the actual S Pen a persuasive instrument for normal individuals than at any time prior to.

Unlike along with older Notes, that diluted the actual S Pen's abilities across the complete OS (exactly in which they might turn out to be lost or forgotten), Air Command places all of these all in one place. And every thing is boiled down into 5 primary choices : Motion Memo, Scrap Booker, Screen Create, S Finder, and Pen Window. Simply tap a choice to release the actual function.

Motion Memo allows you to produce a handwritten note, then gives a couple of choices to manipulate the actual information you've got simply jotted down. For instance you are able to scribble a name, variety, along with other particulars, then have the actual alternative to both mail the actual knowledge, save it within your contacts, apply it inside a textual content, or look it up on a map. You may also convert notes into to-do lists as well as port all of these more than to Evernote for safe keeping.

In fact the actual apply does not function perfectly. The actual telephone had issues accurately transcribing my admittedly awful handwriting into textual content. I typically had to scribble words multiple times for it to properl register what I needed to jot down.

The actual Scrap Booker lassos images and content material you observe, regardless of whether which become a Website, photos, or YouTube videos, to save lots of inside a virtual scrapbook. You are able to produce and name as much volumes as you would like, then accessibility all of these with the scrapbook software.

In apply the actual function worked nicely sufficient and I was capable of to get images along with other content material then save straight to a private scrapbook. Individually, but, I am not somebody who scrapbooks in actual lifestyle or perhaps will thus nearly utilizing sites such as Pinterest. Which mentioned, if you are researching projects which need sifting through many visual information (home improvements, buying a brand new wardrobe, and so on.) then I will notice it becoming handy.

Think about S Finder as universal lookup. The actual purpose can sift with the phone's memory for key phrases, as well as your handwritten notes, and present a listing of paperwork containing related info.

Hitting Pen Window lets you draw a box upon the screen, then choose an software that could fill which area. Thus as an example you are able to have your email or Web browser open up then pull up just a little window to the calculator, telephone, or contacts, which should float higher than every thing. It is an fascinating plan, and I will notice it becoming useful in sure things.

For instance, imagine reading through email, then punching out people's telephone numbers, creating calls to follow-up, all whilst digging through messages for Web links and office memos. In fact it will take concerning 3 actions to make an software windows vs. simply switching in among apps.


We do assume the actual Advanced Multi Window function is extremely useful, particularly to energy users who juggle knowledge from multiple apps directly. The actual purpose lets you open up 2 software windows directly, then drag and drop content material in among all of these. I truly found it fairly useful, particularly for grabbing area particulars straight from email and utilizing it to make conferences inside my calendar -- an activity We do continuously. You may also produce paired windows to make use of later.

Software program, interface, and Samsung extras
It might not be KitKat, however the actual Galaxy Note 3 runs the actual contemporary Android 4. 3 Jelly Bean operating method, which happens to be the most recent accessible. Android KitKat is due out soon, and I am hoping the actual Note 3 can obtain this update inside a timely style.

Layered on prime of that's Samsung's custom interface, once referred to as TouchWiz. Aside from all of the S Pen enhancements, it is basically a similar skin you observe inside the Galaxy S4.

Whilst it is highly useful and crammed along with attributes and methods to tweak all of these, I discover Samsung's UI a lot of confusing than these from some other telephone manufacturers. Simply wanting in the quick settings menu inside the notification shade alone provides us a headache. HTC's Feeling software program upon the HTC One is easier to comprehend, as an example, as is that the near stock Android UI on Motorola's Moto X.

One aspect that is new towards the Note 3, even if, is how Samsung has pregrouped sure apps inside the software tray into custom folders. Front and center is really a “Samsung” folder, that holds shortcuts for most of the company's self-made software program and solutions. Highlights embrace the actual S Health pedometer, Motion Memo, S Voice for voice commands, Cluster Play, that shares video and photos along with Galaxy devices, and utilities for example My Files and Voice Recorder.

Interestingly, all Google's installed programs will also be tucked away with their personal virtual home. Honestly, my eyes kept sliding past it because stock Android never arranges Google apps such as this. This folder houses Gmail, Google Lookup, Google+ social networking, together with icons to the company's digital content material storefronts such as Play Publications, Games, Movies, and Music.

Samsung has additionally taken a cue from HTC and the BlinkFeed information aggregator, that first appeared inside the HTC One. Swiping way upwards coming from the home screen upon the Note 3 launches the actual My Magazine information viewer. Utilizing technologies from the favored Flipboard app, My Magazine serves up content posts and information tales from a spread of sites.

Much like HTC's answer, even if, there isn't any method to eliminate My Magazine, because it is apparently baked correct straight into the Note 3's OS. Additionally, you do not have management more than that media outlets and Internet sites the actual reader pulls information from. The foremost granular choices you are able to exert are selecting that topics of information My Magazine can fetch for you personally.

Camera
In case you such as the Galaxy S4's digital camera, then you will do not have complaints in regards to the Note 3's shooter. The actual device is equipped along with a similar razorsharpened 13-megapixel sensor along with companion LED flash.

The actual Note 3's camera app has an enormous bucket of shooting modes, unlike Motorola phones, for instance, which have pared-down menus and settings. Actually the actual camera choices upon the Note 3 are identical to these you will discover upon the Galaxy S4. They vary from the same useful for example HDR, Burst, Panorama, towards the strange, such as Beauty Face, Golf (captures your swing for study), and Eraser, that removes individuals and moving objects inside the background. You may also fiddle along with nearly each aspect of image seize for example photo and video size, ISO settings, white balance, and light-weight metering.

Indoors, the actual Note 3 snapped breathtakingly clean still-life images, along with vibrant colours and crystal-clear particulars. Pictures within were additionally properly exposed and white balance selected properl in automatic method.

In the sector, the actual Note 3 additionally captured photos of flowers in terribly vivid colours, even below overcast skies. Particulars were razorsharpened, as well, particularly in the highest picture size (4, 128x3096 pixels).

Additionally, akin towards the performance of some other flagship mobiles this kind of like the HTC One and Galaxy S4, the actual Note 3 nabs photos practically instantaneously. Which causes it to be nimble sufficient to seize unruly topics, for example enjoying toddlers and scampering pets.

One space in which the Note 3's camera did not impress me was shooting below low-light conditions. Whilst the actual fill-flash did a fairly good occupation of painting topics in dark areas evenly, not blowing all of these out such as less-capable telephone cameras, without having the flash the actual sensor merely couldn't get sufficient light-weight to labor along with.

Large mobile power
Within the Galaxy Note 3 is really a cutting-edge 2. 3GHz quad-core Snapdragon 800 processor. That is backed up by not 2GB however 3GB of RAM, together with 32GB of internal storage.

And also as I anticipated, the actual Note 3 handles using the maneuverability in an attack jet, zooming through menus along with alarming swiftness and popping open up applications along with zero hesitation. The actual Note 3 blew a fiery hole through all of the mobile benchmarks I threw in it, as well. It incinerated Quadrant, achieving the very best score I have at any time noticed (23, 048). I confess I did a double-take and had to confirm which I did not accidentally add an additional zero.

This result basically buries what each the actual HTC One (12, 194) and Galaxy S4 (11, 381) managed. Even the actual vaunted LG G2 (19, 050) along with a similar Snapdragon 800 processor couldn't catch the actual Note 3 upon the Quadrant benchmark.

Knowledge speeds
I tested the actual T-Mobile variant from the Samsung Galaxy Note 3, and also the device was capable of to link towards the carrier's 4G LTE network in New York. I observed quick otherwise blisteringly fast download speeds, that averaged 8. 3Mbps. Uploads weren't as well shabby, both, clocking in in an average of 6Mbps.

This enabled the actual Note 3 to fireside up CNET's mobile website in simply more than 4 seconds and also the desktop version in 8 seconds. I additionally managed to download a 4. 96MB software in 8 seconds.

Contact quality
Samsung did not neglect the actual Note 3's voice conversation abilities, both. Whilst testing the actual telephone on T-Mobile's GSM network in New York, I experienced wonderful contact quality. Callers explained my voice as sounding refreshingly distinct along with nearly no background distortion. Which mentioned, in the event that they listened clearly sufficient they might detect the actual telltale hollowness mobile connections typically have.

Voices arrived in with the earpiece along with lots of clarity and volume, forcing me to dial the actual phone's loudness down a couple of notches. A similar goes for words piped during the Note 3's strong speakerphone. Individuals I spoke to were additionally surprised in simply how great I sounded conversing hands totally free of charge.

Battery life
Despite the wafer-thin body, the actual Galaxy Note 3 has oodles of mobile stamina. The large-capacity 3, 200mAh battery propelled it for an astonishingly lengthy 15 hours upon the CNET Labs video battery drain benchmark. This check consists of enjoying an HD video continuously till the telephone calls it quits.

By comparison, the actual Motorola Droid Maxx, whose most touted function is the longevity, survived a moment back of 16 hours throughout a similar demo.

Exactly in which it stands and who ought to buy
Once Samsung commits to made a product, it plays to succeed. The corporate might not obtain issues correct the very first time about, however it patiently persists till it creates a truly seductive section of hardware. The actual third time is indeed a elegance, since the Galaxy Note 3, whilst certainly a niche gadget, is the foremost persuasive telephone/pill mashup Samsung has at any time produced, and the very best I have at any time used. Which checklisting contains a growing of phablet monsters this kind of like the LG G2, Motorola Droid Maxx, and LG Optimus Vu II.

I confess several of the attributes won't attract many people. The sheer size is a challenge to ignore, or squeeze into tight pants pockets. The actual handset's textured imitation leather backing and retro styling will certainly be a stumbling block also. Frankly, even if, I am totally in adore using the Note 3's aesthetics, particularly in the classy black hue (additionally is available in white). To me it harkens to the actual venerable Galaxy S2's style also, one among my personal favorite phones of all time.

And regardless of whether you at any time unsheathe the S Pen stylus and much-improved stylus interface, the actual Note 3 is an amazingly advanced device in the personal correct. The elements and swift processor are top-notch, and the partaking screen practically functions like a transmoveable HDTV. Positive, priced in $299. 99 having a two-year contract, the actual Note 3 is among the most expensive mobile phones in the marketplace, correct up there using the Droid Maxx ($299. 99).

It is additionally true the actual Maxx is much more pocket-friendly and provides longer battery lifestyle, however the actual Note 3 packs a far better camera and comes near the actual Maxx's lengthy runtime. Which latter accomplishment is that the Note 3's most heroic achievement checking device brings towards the party a a lot swifter processor, a lot of RAM, Android 4. 3 (compared using the Maxx's 4. 2. 2), and a bigger and sharper show. That's the reason in case you think about your self a energy Android consumer who'd rather not pay additional on a little pill such as the Nexus 7, or just simply need the foremost telephone you can purchase, the actual Galaxy Note 3 is that the distinct selection.