Samsung Galaxy Note 3 Comprehensive Specs Pricing Pros & Cons

Introduction to Samsung Galaxy Note 3

The Samsung Galaxy Note 3, launched in September 2013, was an innovative smartphone that captured the attention of the tech world. Known for its large screen, robust performance, and multifunctional capabilities, it quickly became a favorite among power users. This extensive article explores the various facets of the Galaxy Note 3, from its design and display to its internal hardware and features.

Design and Build Quality

The Samsung Galaxy Note 3 features a sleek and modern design that was quite advanced at its time of release. With dimensions of 151.2 x 79.2 x 8.3 mm and a weight of 168 grams, it strikes a balance between a large-screen device and portability. The smartphone's build uses a combination of Gorilla Glass 3 on the front, a textured plastic back, and a plastic frame, offering both durability and lightweight characteristics. The Micro-SIM card slot is accessible through the removable back panel, allowing for easy swapping of SIM cards.

Display

The Galaxy Note 3 is equipped with a stunning 5.7-inch Super AMOLED display. With a resolution of 1080 x 1920 pixels and a 16:9 aspect ratio, the display boasts approximately 386 pixels per inch. These specifications result in sharp, vibrant visuals with deep contrasts and excellent color accuracy, making it ideal for multimedia consumption, gaming, and productivity applications. Protected by Corning Gorilla Glass 3, the display is resistant to scratches and minor impacts.

Performance and Hardware

At the core of the Galaxy Note 3's performance is the Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 chipset for models N9005 and N9002, and the Exynos 5420 Octa for the N9000 variant. These chipsets are known for their efficiency and power, with the Snapdragon model featuring a quad-core 2.3 GHz Krait 400 CPU and an Adreno 330 GPU. The Exynos variant houses an octa-core setup with 4x1.9 GHz Cortex-A15 and 4x1.3 GHz Cortex-A7 cores, supported by a Mali-T628 MP6 GPU. The device comes with 3GB of RAM, ensuring smooth multitasking and app handling.

Operating System and Software

The Galaxy Note 3 originally shipped with Android 4.3 Jelly Bean, and its software can be upgraded to Android 4.4.2 KitKat and Android 5.0 Lollipop. Samsung's TouchWiz user interface provides additional functionality with unique features like Multi-Window, S Note, and enhanced S Pen capabilities. The S Pen stylus further enhances productivity, allowing users to easily annotate, sketch, and navigate the UI.

Camera Capabilities

The device sports a 13 MP rear camera with an f/2.2 aperture that captures vivid and sharp images. Enhanced with features such as LED flash, panorama, and HDR, the Galaxy Note 3's camera is capable of taking stunning 4K videos at 30fps for models N9005 and N9002, and 1080p for model N9000. The front-facing 2 MP camera supports 1080p video recording at 30fps, making it suitable for selfies and video calls.

Battery Life

Powering the Galaxy Note 3 is a removable Li-Ion 3200 mAh battery. The phone delivers robust battery performance with up to 21 hours of talk time on 3G and a standby time of up to 420 hours. The removable battery offers convenience, allowing users to swap batteries on the go and extend the device's usability beyond a single charge cycle.

Storage Options

The device is available in multiple storage variants: 16GB, 32GB, and 64GB, all of which can be expanded via a dedicated microSDXC card slot. This flexibility enables users to store a vast collection of media, apps, and documents without concern for running out of space.

Connectivity and Sensors

The Galaxy Note 3 supports a wide range of connectivity options including Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct, DLNA, and hotspot capabilities. Bluetooth 4.0, A2DP, EDR, and LE are present for wireless connections, alongside GPS and GLONASS for positioning services. NFC and an infrared port add to the device's technological diversity, although the device does lack a built-in FM radio. The distinctive microUSB 3.0 port ensures faster data transfers and MHL 2.0 compatibility for TV-out support. The device is equipped with numerous sensors, including an accelerometer, gyro, proximity sensor, compass, barometer, temperature and humidity sensors, and gesture recognition.

Network Compatibility

The Note 3 is compatible with a variety of network technologies, making it versatile for global usage. It supports GSM, CDMA, HSPA, EVDO, and LTE network bands, ensuring excellent connectivity across different regions and carriers. It offers speeds of up to 42.2/5.76 Mbps on HSPA and LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps, delivering fast and reliable mobile internet access.

Price and Accessibility

Upon its release, the Samsung Galaxy Note 3 carried a price tag of approximately 420 EUR, placing it in the higher end of the smartphone market. The price reflected the advanced technology and features packed into this device, which was targeted towards users seeking a high-performance smartphone with productivity-enhancing tools.

Conclusion

The Samsung Galaxy Note 3 was a landmark device that set new standards for smartphone design and functionality. It combined powerful hardware, a vibrant display, and versatile software into one package, which appealed to both tech enthusiasts and professional users. Despite being discontinued, the legacy of the Note 3 continues to influence the design and capabilities of modern smartphones.