The Samsung Galaxy Note 3 is Samsung's latest attempt to grab your attention, and after going through the spec sheet, there is a fair bit here worth talking about. Announced in 2013, September 04. Released 2013, September, it arrives at a time when the competition is as tight as ever.
Design & Display
The Samsung Galaxy Note 3 comes with a 5.7 inches, 89.6 cm 2 (~74.8% screen-to-body ratio) display, pushing a resolution of 1080 x 1920 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~386 ppi density), which is more than sharp enough for everyday use, streaming and a bit of gaming. The build feels well put together, and Samsung has clearly paid attention to the in-hand feel. You can pick it up in a few finishes, including Black.
Performance & Software
Under the hood you will find the Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 (28 nm) - N9005, N9002 Exynos 5420 Octa (28 nm) - N9000, paired with 3GB of RAM. For the kind of tasks most of us throw at a phone, there is plenty of muscle here. It runs Android 4.3 (Jelly Bean), upgradable to 4.4.2 (KitKat), upgradable to 5.0 (Lollipop) out of the box, so the software experience feels current.
Camera
On the camera side, the Samsung Galaxy Note 3 is led by a 13 MP main sensor. Point-and-shoot results are reliable, and that is exactly what most buyers want.
Battery
There is a Li-Ion 3200 mAh, removable battery inside. With moderate use you can expect to end the day with charge to spare.
Our Opinion
After spending time with the spec sheet and what Samsung is promising, here is where we land. What you are getting is a device that quietly covers the fundamentals rather than shouting about them. It gets the basics right, offering a dependable main camera, a crisp display, which is exactly what most buyers are really after. If your priority is a phone that just works, day in and day out, then this one deserves a spot on your shortlist. Is it perfect? No phone is, and you will always find a sharper camera or a faster chip somewhere else for a little more money. But taken as a whole, the Samsung Galaxy Note 3 is a sensible, well-judged choice that should keep most users happy for a good while. If you have used this device or are planning to pick one up, do let us know your thoughts in the comments section below.
