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Samsung Galaxy Note 3 review

8.6/10 AVG.
RATING
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Samsung Galaxy Note 3
Samsung Galaxy Note 3
Samsung Galaxy Note 3
Samsung Galaxy Note 3
Samsung Galaxy Note 3
Samsung Galaxy Note 3
Samsung Galaxy Note 3
Samsung Galaxy Note 3
Samsung Galaxy Note 3
Samsung Galaxy Note 3
...


8.6/10
Informr score
The Samsung Galaxy Note 3 currently has an Informr score of 8.6 out of 10. This score is based on our evaluation of 53 sources including reviews from users and the web's most trusted critics.

What's good

  • Huge display
  • Vibrant colors
  • Excellent multitasking capabilities
  • Decent battery life

What's bad

  • Complicated user interface
  • Slow camera
  • Potential S-Pen issues

Larger than many comparable smartphones and slightly smaller than your average tablet is the Samsung Galaxy Note 3, Samsung’s latest ‘phablet’. With a 5.7-inch AMOLED screen, it offers plenty of display to take notes, watch movies and more. A 2.3-gigahertz processor and 3GB of RAM keep the experience silky smooth. Combine this with the S-Pen, Samsung’s proprietary stylus, and you have a device that is geared toward productivity but has plenty of power for games, video and more.

Despite the large screen size, the phone’s boxy styling and soft leather-like backing make it comfortable to hold and provide plenty of grip. The display has received a boost in resolution from the Note 2 to 1080 x 1920 pixels. This provides a level of clarity and detail that rival the leading devices on the market. Rich Trenholm of CNET remarked that the phone was surprisingly light for its size and that its features justify the large size as well.

Unfortunately, there are a few shortcomings. Both Joseph Pisani of The Guardian and David Court of PC Advisor found the S-Pen’s new design difficult to use. If you have small hands, the thin profile of the pen will suit you well. Otherwise, it can be difficult to grip. This brings us to the next issue: the interface. Many of the Note 3’s new features are based around gestures and button presses using the S-Pen. If you find the S-Pen hard to use, this could cause some serious frustrations. However, once you adjust to the S-Pen, the Note 3 offers features that you will not currently find on other smartphones.


Android
Operating system
Operating system
Android
2.3 GHz
Processor
Processor
2.3 GHz
5.7"
Screen Size
Screen Size
5.7"
13+ MP
Camera
Camera
13+ MP
3200 mAh
Battery


What the Critics Are Saying...


What Hi-Fi
What Hi-Fi

The Galaxy Note family started the trend for phablets, and in many ways it is still leading the way.The Note 3 is an accomplished handset across the board, with a screen big enough to give your videos a boost without needing a whole lot of extra space in your pocket.If you’ve been sitting on t...

- Kob Monney, What Hi-Fi
Good Housekeeping
Good Housekeeping

Of our tested phones, the Note 3 boasts the largest screen at 5.7”. The Note 3 also scored the highest overall on our graphical benchmarking tests, meaning you can be sure this phone will play content, apps, and games with ease. The Note 3 also features superb battery life to boot, streaming v...

- Good Housekeeping team, Good Housekeeping
UnleashThePhones
UnleashThePhones

While the Galaxy Note 3 might seem like it shares a lot of similarities with the Galaxy S4, I think it perfectly compliments the ‘other’ flagship smartphone, offering better hardware, more functionality thanks to the S-Pen, and a slightly updated design.Granted, most of the software feat...

- Dheepak Krishnamurthy, UnleashThePhones
APC
APC

Samsung’s latest Note doesn’t mess with the winning formula, but it’s close to pushing the boundaries of one-handed usability.

- Dan Gardiner, APC
TechRadar
TechRadar

The Samsung Galaxy Note 3 is a great phone and if you were to own one you wouldn't be disappointed. It provides a great onscreen experience - as long as your hands are big enough to reach across it - and its stuffed full of tech to almost warrant its lofty price tag.This is the best Galaxy Note smar...

- John McCann , TechRadar


Prices (Where to Buy)




Common Questions


We've got you covered! Download a free PDF copy of the Samsung Galaxy Note 3 user manual here.


Samsung backs up the Galaxy Note 3 with a 1 Year parts & labour warranty.


If your Galaxy Note 3 has problems and is still within its warranty period, you could contact Samsung support or the retailer you purchased the phone from. You'll find Samsung's contact information here. If your phone is off warranty and needs repair for a physical problem such as a broken screen or bad battery, you should visit an authorized service centre or a local phone repair shop. You can also connect with others in The Informr Community Forum to find and share answers to questions.




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Quick view

Screen Size
5.7"

The Samsung Galaxy Note 3's screen size is 5.7 inches with 1080 x 1920 pixels resolution.

Processor
2.3 GHz

There is a Quad core 2.3 GHz processor (CPU).

OS

The phone runs on the Android 4.3 Jelly Bean (Update Available: 4.4.4 KitKat) operating system (OS).

Camera
13+ MP

You can take photos with the phone's onboard 13+ MP camera.

There is also a secondary front facing camera with 2+ megapixels resolution.

Storage
32/64 GB

Internal memory is 32/64 GB. An external, MicroSD, MicroSDHC (up to 64 GB) expansion slot is available for increased storage capacity.

Battery
3200mAh

The phone is powered by a Lithium-Ion (Li-Ion), 3200 mAh battery. Samsung's performance ratings are 1260 minutes, 780 minutes Wi-Fi surfing.

Galaxy Note 3 Specs

Overview
Release Date September 17, 2013
Regions Available USA, Canada, United Kingdom
Operating System Android 4.3 Jelly Bean (Update Available: 4.4.4 KitKat)

Compare Android Smartphones

Processor Quad core 2.3 GHz
Internal Storage 32/64 GB
RAM 3 GB
Hearing Aid Compatible No
TTY/TDD No
Noise Cancellation Yes
SAR Head: 0.29 W/kg
Body: 0.363 W/kg
Manufacturer Warranty 1 Year
Accessories Included AC Charger, Manual, Standard Battery, Stylus
Cellular
Networks
GPRS, EDGE, HSUPA, HSPA+, LTE
Mobile / Cellular Data
4G/LTE
Push-to-talk (PTT) No
Wi-Fi Calling Unknown
Voice over LTE (VoLTE) Unknown
SIM card size
Micro-SIM
Dual SIM No
Connectivity
USB Micro-USB 3.0
USB OTG Support No
GPS Type A-GPS
Infrared Yes
Bluetooth 4.0
Bluetooth Profiles A2DP, AVRCP, OPP/FTP, HID, HFP, HSP, PAN
Bluetooth Audio Codecs SBC, aptX
Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n
Mobile Hotspot Yes
Memory Expansion Slot Yes
Expansion Slot Info MicroSD, MicroSDHC (up to 64 GB)
NFC Yes
Data Tethering Compatibility Yes
Camera
Main Camera
Resolution / Aperture
13+ Megapixels
Zoom
Yes
Flash
Yes (LED)
Additional Rear Camera Info
Auto focus, Effects, Face detection, Geotagging, Image stabilization, ISO, Multi-shot, Panorama, Zero shutter lag, HDR, Exposure compensation, Scenes, Slow motion recording (HD 120fps)
Video Recording Formats
3GP / 3GPP, H.264 / AVC, MPEG-4, WMV, ASF, FLV, AVI
Video Recording Parameters
Full HD (1920 x 1080 pixels), 60 fps
Front Camera
Resolution / Aperture
2+ Megapixels
Additional Front Camera Info
No
Video Recording Parameters
Full HD (1920 x 1080 pixels), 30 fps
Display / Screen
Type Color
Technology Super AMOLED
Colors 16.7 million
Resolution 1080 x 1920 pixels
Pixel Density 386 pixels
Size 5.7 inches
Secondary Display No
Sensors Ambient Light, Proximity, Motion / Accelerometer, Gyroscope, Digital Compass
Multi-Touch Yes
Fingerprint-Resistant Coating No
Additional Display Features Capacitive touch screen
Power & Battery
Battery Type Lithium-Ion (Li-Ion)
Battery Capacity 3200 mAh
Removable Battery Yes
Wireless Charging No
Fast Charging No
Video Playback Time Up to 780 minutes
Internet Use (Wi-Fi) Up to 780 minutes
Internet Use (Cellular) Up to 660 minutes
Talk Time Up to 1260 minutes
Standby Time Up to 17.5 days
Mixed Usage
Physical Characteristics
Design Type Bar
Material Plastic
Colors Jet Black, Classic White, Blush Pink, Red, White Gold
Dimensions [H x W x D] 15.1 x 7.9 x 0.8 cm (5.9 x 3.1 x 0.3 in)
Weight 168 grams
Water Resistant / Waterproof Unknown
Rugged design No
IP Rating No
Headset Jack 3.5mm
External Speakers Yes
Input / Navigation
Sleep / Wake Key Yes
Home Key Yes
Input / Keyboard Type Touchscreen
Navigation Type Touchscreen
External Volume Control Yes
Fingerprint Sensor No
More
Additional Information Messaging: SMS, MMS, Google Talk
Multi-Use Smart Phone / PDA: Yes
Graphics: Yes
Backlit Illumination: Yes
Zoom / Magnification: Yes
Screen Orientation Lock: Yes
Predictive Text Entry: Yes
Voice Commands: Yes
Keypad/Screen Lock: Yes
Multiple Numbers Per Contact: Email address, Other fields
Contact Groups: Yes
Voice Activated Dialing: Yes
Photo Caller ID: Yes
Web Browser: Yes
Email Client: Yes
Email Protocols: POP3, IMAP, SMTP, Microsoft Exchange
PC Synchronization: Yes
TV Out Info: HDMI
DLNA Support: Yes
Audio Formats: AAC, AAC+, AMR, AMR-NB, AMR-WB, eAAC+, MIDI, MP3, M4A, OGG, WMA, WAV
Video Playback Formats: 3GP / 3GPP, ASF, AVI, FLV, H.264 / AVC, MPEG-4, WMV
Streaming Video: Yes
Custom Ringtones: Yes
Vibration Alert: Yes
Downloadable Ringtones: Yes
Ringer ID: Yes
Speakerphone: Yes
Haptic Feedback: Yes
Data Tethering: Yes
Mobile Hotspot: Yes
Games: Downloadable
Apps: Downloadable, Pre-installed
Included Software / Apps: -
To-Do / Task List, Calendar, World Clock, Alarm, Stop Watch, Timer, Calculator, Maps, NotePad, Voice Memos / Recorder

Other Names (AKA): Samsung Galaxy Note III, SM-N9005

S Pen Optimized Features: Air Command: Action Memo, Scrapbook, Screen Write, S Finder, Pen Window S Note, Multi Window, new Easy Clip, Direct Pen Input

Additional Sensors: Barometer, Temperature & Humidity, Hall Sensor

Additional Features: S Voice Hands Free, S Health, Samsung Adapt Display, Samsung Adapt Sound Auto adjust touch sensitivity (Glove friendly), Samsung Smart Scroll, Samsung Smart Pause, Air Gesture, Air View
Related Links Manual (PDF)
Samsung Galaxy Note 3 Reviews
Where to buy Samsung Galaxy Note 3
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