Samsung Galaxy Note 3 Review
Many companies have tried to make a large, note-friendly smartphone, but none
have succeeded quite as well as Samsung. While the first Galaxy Note was rather
large and lacking in refinement,Samsung has steadily improved the line, this year
releasing the brand new Galaxy Note 3, and ithas some true competition for the
first time.
Samsung Galaxy Note 3 -
have succeeded quite as well as Samsung. While the first Galaxy Note was rather
large and lacking in refinement,Samsung has steadily improved the line, this year
releasing the brand new Galaxy Note 3, and ithas some true competition for the
first time.
Samsung Galaxy Note 3 -
- 5.7”, 1920x1080 Super AMOLED (388 ppi)
- Snapdragon 800, or Exynos 5 Octa SoC
- Krait 400 quad-core CPU, or Cortex A7+A15 octa-core CPU
- Adreno 330 GPU, or Mali-T628 MP6 GPU
- 16/32/64 GB internal storage, 3 GB RAM, microSD card slot
- 13 MP camera, 1/3.06” sensor, f/2.2 lens, up to 4K video
- 3,200 mAh, 12.16 Wh battery
- LTE or HSPA+, Wi-Fi a/b/g/n/ac, Bluetooth 4.0, NFC
- Android 4.3 ‘Jelly Bean’
- 168 grams, 8.3mm thick
Sharing similarities with the Galaxy S4 in design and hardware, the Galaxy Note 3 is impressive in many aspects. Depending on what model you choose you’ll be
treated to a powerful Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 or Samsung Exynos
5 Octa SoC, a 5.7-inch 1080p Super AMOLED display, removable storage,
a 13-megapixel camera and the ever-useful S-Pen. TouchWiz is also
included on the Note, but that’s a story for later in the review.
treated to a powerful Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 or Samsung Exynos
5 Octa SoC, a 5.7-inch 1080p Super AMOLED display, removable storage,
a 13-megapixel camera and the ever-useful S-Pen. TouchWiz is also
included on the Note, but that’s a story for later in the review.
I have both Galaxy Note 3 models with me for this review, making it an interesting
comparison between the new Exynos 5 Octa and the trusted Snapdragon 800.
Which model is best suited for users around the globe? Is the Note 3 enough
of an upgrade from the previous Galaxy Note?
comparison between the new Exynos 5 Octa and the trusted Snapdragon 800.
Which model is best suited for users around the globe? Is the Note 3 enough
of an upgrade from the previous Galaxy Note?
Design
Samsung has never been the king of smartphone design. The Galaxy S4,
while ergonomic and functional, lacked the refined feel of other smartphones
it was competing against. The Note 3 attempts to rectify some of the strange
design choices of its predecessors, but it’s not without the signature Samsung
oddities that we’ve come to know.
while ergonomic and functional, lacked the refined feel of other smartphones
it was competing against. The Note 3 attempts to rectify some of the strange
design choices of its predecessors, but it’s not without the signature Samsung
oddities that we’ve come to know.
Like previous models, the Galaxy Note 3 is quite large but it’s not ungainly once
you get used to the size. Unlike the Sony Xperia Z Ultra, the Note 3 fits reasonably
well in pockets and doesn’t restrict movement to the same degree. One handed
use isn’t the easiest when you’re dealing with a 5.7-inch display, but with practice
it becomes easier than it first appears.
you get used to the size. Unlike the Sony Xperia Z Ultra, the Note 3 fits reasonably
well in pockets and doesn’t restrict movement to the same degree. One handed
use isn’t the easiest when you’re dealing with a 5.7-inch display, but with practice
it becomes easier than it first appears.
Despite a 0.2-inch increase in display size compared to the Note II, the overall
footprint of the Note 3 has actually decreased. The screen of the Note 3 covers
75% of its front face compared to 69% on the Note II, and it’s also slimmer
(8.3mm versus 9.4mm) and lighter (168g versus 180g); all changes that improve
the usability of the handset. The reduction in the bezel around the display is a
marked improvement both from a visual and ergonomic standpoint.
footprint of the Note 3 has actually decreased. The screen of the Note 3 covers
75% of its front face compared to 69% on the Note II, and it’s also slimmer
(8.3mm versus 9.4mm) and lighter (168g versus 180g); all changes that improve
the usability of the handset. The reduction in the bezel around the display is a
marked improvement both from a visual and ergonomic standpoint.
On a less positive note, there is Samsung's odd choice of materials on the Note 3's
removable back panel. The company has addressed some issues I had with the
previous model – the back is no longer a smooth, slippery piece of cheap, flimsy
plastic – but not to the point of a complete
resolution. Aside from the front which is covered with Gorilla Glass,
Samsung has used plastic for the rest of the Note 3’s build.
removable back panel. The company has addressed some issues I had with the
previous model – the back is no longer a smooth, slippery piece of cheap, flimsy
plastic – but not to the point of a complete
resolution. Aside from the front which is covered with Gorilla Glass,
Samsung has used plastic for the rest of the Note 3’s build.
Generally speaking I don’t have a problem with plastic: when used well, it can be a
great alternative to metal on premium devices. However Samsung continues to
use plastic in a terrible way. It’s immediately obvious that the back panel is
not leather, but plastic made to look like leather with faux-sewn edges. It
feels reasonably decent on hand, but it looks so obviously fake that it resembles
more a Chinese knock-off than a premium smartphone.
great alternative to metal on premium devices. However Samsung continues to
use plastic in a terrible way. It’s immediately obvious that the back panel is
not leather, but plastic made to look like leather with faux-sewn edges. It
feels reasonably decent on hand, but it looks so obviously fake that it resembles
more a Chinese knock-off than a premium smartphone.
The same could be said about the edges of the handset. At a glance you may be
fooled into thinking it’s a metal rim, but instead Samsung provides a metal-lookalike
plastic rim. I wouldn’t have as much of an issue with the materials choice if Samsung
had unashamedly gone with plastic and used it like plastic. Instead it feels like they
are trying to cheat customers by designing a phone that looks like it’s made from
premium materials like aluminium and leather, but actually isn’t.
fooled into thinking it’s a metal rim, but instead Samsung provides a metal-lookalike
plastic rim. I wouldn’t have as much of an issue with the materials choice if Samsung
had unashamedly gone with plastic and used it like plastic. Instead it feels like they
are trying to cheat customers by designing a phone that looks like it’s made from
premium materials like aluminium and leather, but actually isn’t.
Moving on, the front panel of the Note 3 is dominated by the 5.7-inch AMOLED
display and a triangle-patterned bezel. Above it you’ll find the metallic speaker
grill, visible sensors which look somewhat strange, a front facing
camera, and the ever-useful, quite large notification light. Below is the traditional
physical home button, as well as the menu button to the left and the back
button to the right.
display and a triangle-patterned bezel. Above it you’ll find the metallic speaker
grill, visible sensors which look somewhat strange, a front facing
camera, and the ever-useful, quite large notification light. Below is the traditional
physical home button, as well as the menu button to the left and the back
button to the right.
Most other smartphones have the buttons in the opposite configuration, which
means upgraders from any non-Samsung smartphone could find themselves
confused for a few weeks. The menu button in the bottom left is hard to press
when using the phone in one hand (and with Android 4.0+ it’s an unnecessary
legacy button), so the more frequently used back button is actually in a better position.
means upgraders from any non-Samsung smartphone could find themselves
confused for a few weeks. The menu button in the bottom left is hard to press
when using the phone in one hand (and with Android 4.0+ it’s an unnecessary
legacy button), so the more frequently used back button is actually in a better position.
Around the edges the left hand side has the volume rocker,the top has the 3.5mm
headphone jack and infrared LED, and the right hand side has the power button.
In a comfortable holding position, the power button is in the perfect location for
easy operation.
headphone jack and infrared LED, and the right hand side has the power button.
In a comfortable holding position, the power button is in the perfect location for
easy operation.
The bottom panel has the microUSB 3.0 port, which is larger than the standard
microUSB 2.0 port that you’re used to see on other devices but still accepts legacy
cables. There’s also the speaker grill to the left and the built-in stylus port which
holds the S-Pen securely.
microUSB 2.0 port that you’re used to see on other devices but still accepts legacy
cables. There’s also the speaker grill to the left and the built-in stylus port which
holds the S-Pen securely.
The S-Pen is styled similarly to the Note 3, in that it’s made from white and metallic
colored plastic. It’s quite comfortable to use, and the function button is easy to press
and in a convenient location.
colored plastic. It’s quite comfortable to use, and the function button is easy to press
and in a convenient location.
As I mentioned earlier, the back cover of the Galaxy Note 3 can be removed,
revealing the removable battery, microSD card slot and SIM card slot. The
removable battery is a handy feature for some, but in many respects it becomes
a downside. Having to produce an extra plastic housing for both the internal
components and the battery itself makes the handset larger and battery smaller
than what would be possible otherwise. Build quality also tends to suffer when you
use a removable back panel.
revealing the removable battery, microSD card slot and SIM card slot. The
removable battery is a handy feature for some, but in many respects it becomes
a downside. Having to produce an extra plastic housing for both the internal
components and the battery itself makes the handset larger and battery smaller
than what would be possible otherwise. Build quality also tends to suffer when you
use a removable back panel.
Display
The Samsung Galaxy Note 3 is all about the display. A 5.7-inch FHD Super
AMOLED panel affords a whopping 89.6 sq. cm of screen real estate: 30%
more than a typical 5.0-inch display you’d find on a device like the Galaxy S4.
It also represents a small 7% increase on the last generation Note’s display,
which isn’t a huge amount, but still nice considering the actual size of the device
hasn’t increased as a result.
AMOLED panel affords a whopping 89.6 sq. cm of screen real estate: 30%
more than a typical 5.0-inch display you’d find on a device like the Galaxy S4.
It also represents a small 7% increase on the last generation Note’s display,
which isn’t a huge amount, but still nice considering the actual size of the device
hasn’t increased as a result.
The 5.7-inch display has a resolution of 1920 x 1080, which is the standard for most
high-end smartphones this year, especially those with larger screens. It comes with
a pixel density of 386 PPI, dense enough that you won’t be able to distinguish individual
pixels on the display, even when it’s quite close to your face. The 2.07 million pixels
crammed into the display makes everything look
very sharp, especially high-resolution images and text, where jagged edges are a non-issue.
high-end smartphones this year, especially those with larger screens. It comes with
a pixel density of 386 PPI, dense enough that you won’t be able to distinguish individual
pixels on the display, even when it’s quite close to your face. The 2.07 million pixels
crammed into the display makes everything look
very sharp, especially high-resolution images and text, where jagged edges are a non-issue.
However it’s not quite smooth sailing with the Galaxy Note 3’s display,
as there has been a slight quality degradation compared to the Note II.
Where the Note II’s Super AMOLED featured an S-stripe
(RGB stripe) subpixel matrix, the Note 3’s regresses to a PenTile matrix.
If you’re not familiar with display subpixel matrices, the PenTile matrix,
in its Note 3 layout, includes lines of green subpixels
with alternating red and blue subpixels in between. As there isn’t one red,
blue and green subpixel for every pixel, the Note 3’s display has a lower effective
resolution than a 1080p LCD panel, which uses the superior RGB stripe three-subpixel
matrix.
as there has been a slight quality degradation compared to the Note II.
Where the Note II’s Super AMOLED featured an S-stripe
(RGB stripe) subpixel matrix, the Note 3’s regresses to a PenTile matrix.
If you’re not familiar with display subpixel matrices, the PenTile matrix,
in its Note 3 layout, includes lines of green subpixels
with alternating red and blue subpixels in between. As there isn’t one red,
blue and green subpixel for every pixel, the Note 3’s display has a lower effective
resolution than a 1080p LCD panel, which uses the superior RGB stripe three-subpixel
matrix.
The lower effective resolution of the Note 3’s Super AMOLED is noticeable to a
trained eye; it simple doesn’t look as good as a competing LCD panel. That’s
not to say the Note 3 suffers from poor display sharpness or clarity – it’s still very
good in most respects – but it’s not quite as good as what is possible with other
display technologies. The PenTile matrix is most noticeable around the edges of text,
where sharp lines aren’t as defined, although the issue is nowhere near as
pronounced as first- and second-generation AMOLED panels.
trained eye; it simple doesn’t look as good as a competing LCD panel. That’s
not to say the Note 3 suffers from poor display sharpness or clarity – it’s still very
good in most respects – but it’s not quite as good as what is possible with other
display technologies. The PenTile matrix is most noticeable around the edges of text,
where sharp lines aren’t as defined, although the issue is nowhere near as
pronounced as first- and second-generation AMOLED panels.
Will you notice the slightly lower display quality due to the PenTile subpixel matrix?
Without anything to compare it to, probably not, especially as the 1080p resolution
makes it very hard to distinguishthe pixels themselves. I’d prefer an RGB stripe matrix
for the extra clarity, but it’s far from the end of
the world.
Without anything to compare it to, probably not, especially as the 1080p resolution
makes it very hard to distinguishthe pixels themselves. I’d prefer an RGB stripe matrix
for the extra clarity, but it’s far from the end of
the world.
One area of AMOLED panels that cannot be beaten by LCD technology is in the
contrast ratio. Blacks on the Note 3’s display look stunning, as the display is
physically off when black needs to be displayed due to the lack of a backlight in
the panel’s construction. The levels of black the display is capable of are good
but not fantastic: I couldn’t distinguish the difference between five of the squares
in a standard 256-level black test, which means a small amount of detail in dark
scenes could be lost.
contrast ratio. Blacks on the Note 3’s display look stunning, as the display is
physically off when black needs to be displayed due to the lack of a backlight in
the panel’s construction. The levels of black the display is capable of are good
but not fantastic: I couldn’t distinguish the difference between five of the squares
in a standard 256-level black test, which means a small amount of detail in dark
scenes could be lost.
Whites are okay from the Note 3’s AMOLED, however it hasn’t been a strong suit of
this display type. There is a tendency to tint the display slightly blue-grey, but not
by as much as previous models. Brightness is again good, but not great, falling
behind most current-generation LCD panels in maximum brightness levels. The few
layers the display is composed of helps visibility outdoors significantly,
but it’s not the easiest panel to view in strong sunlight, especially if you have a white
model where the bezel reflects a lot of light.
this display type. There is a tendency to tint the display slightly blue-grey, but not
by as much as previous models. Brightness is again good, but not great, falling
behind most current-generation LCD panels in maximum brightness levels. The few
layers the display is composed of helps visibility outdoors significantly,
but it’s not the easiest panel to view in strong sunlight, especially if you have a white
model where the bezel reflects a lot of light.
Like other AMOLED-packing Galaxy smartphones, there are four screen modes to
choose from in the device settings: Dynamic, Standard, Professional Photo and
Movie. The default setting is to have the display “adapt” (aka. choose the setting
for you depending on the conditions), and in all respects it looks quite good, albeit
oversaturated like the typical AMOLED. Colors pop and images look vibrant, but it
certainly isn’t the most accurate setting to leave it on.
choose from in the device settings: Dynamic, Standard, Professional Photo and
Movie. The default setting is to have the display “adapt” (aka. choose the setting
for you depending on the conditions), and in all respects it looks quite good, albeit
oversaturated like the typical AMOLED. Colors pop and images look vibrant, but it
certainly isn’t the most accurate setting to leave it on.
In the default setting, gamma is way off (around 2.5 rather than the standard 2.2)
and oversaturation causes detail and nuances in color to be clipped away,
especially in the red and blue channels. There’s also noticeable color banding
when looking at full-spectrum gradients, which cannot be resolved through changing
the screen mode.
and oversaturation causes detail and nuances in color to be clipped away,
especially in the red and blue channels. There’s also noticeable color banding
when looking at full-spectrum gradients, which cannot be resolved through changing
the screen mode.
Annoyingly, it’s impossible to just change the screen mode and fix the issues.
Dynamic mode produces accurate gamma, but makes the oversaturation issue
worse, while Movie mode dramatically pulls in the saturation and makes the white
point less blue, but gamma remains an issue. And that’s not the only problem, as
setting the Note 3 to the most accurate screen mode (Movie) makes the operating system
in general look very dull, because Samsung has developed it for the vibrant AMOLED panel.
Dynamic mode produces accurate gamma, but makes the oversaturation issue
worse, while Movie mode dramatically pulls in the saturation and makes the white
point less blue, but gamma remains an issue. And that’s not the only problem, as
setting the Note 3 to the most accurate screen mode (Movie) makes the operating system
in general look very dull, because Samsung has developed it for the vibrant AMOLED panel.
Viewing angles from the FHD Super AMOLED are very good, as always, with text
readable at basically all off angles. There’s very little color or contrast shift when
adjusting the angle of viewing, which is normal for an AMOLED and fantastic as always.
The lack of layers in the display’s composition also reduces reflectivity, so you can
see the screen quite well in the presence of bright windows.
readable at basically all off angles. There’s very little color or contrast shift when
adjusting the angle of viewing, which is normal for an AMOLED and fantastic as always.
The lack of layers in the display’s composition also reduces reflectivity, so you can
see the screen quite well in the presence of bright windows.
Overall, the Galaxy Note 3’s display is vibrant and saturated under default
conditions (if inaccurate), and the large amount of screen real estate is perfect for
writing tasks and media consumption.The 1080p resolution keeps the display crisp,
but it’s not the sharpest panel I’ve come across, both due to the size and PenTile matrix.
I’m not convinced AMOLED panels are the best choice, especially
as LCD offerings are so strong these days, but the Galaxy Note 3’s panel packs
enough quality to satisfy most buyers.
conditions (if inaccurate), and the large amount of screen real estate is perfect for
writing tasks and media consumption.The 1080p resolution keeps the display crisp,
but it’s not the sharpest panel I’ve come across, both due to the size and PenTile matrix.
I’m not convinced AMOLED panels are the best choice, especially
as LCD offerings are so strong these days, but the Galaxy Note 3’s panel packs
enough quality to satisfy most buyers.
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