Galaxy Note 3 specifications
Samsung Galaxy Note 3
Full HD Super AMOLED screen 5.7 inchResolution 1080 × 1920 pixels , 386ppp
Qualcomm Snapdragon Processor 800 2.3GHz 4 cores
Adreno 330 Graphics Processor MP
RAM 3 GB RAM
Memory 32 GB (25.6 GB for user) . Allows up to 64 GB microSD
Version S.O. Android 4.3
Wireless Connectivity 802.11a/b/g/n , Bluetooth 4.0 LE , LTE and NFC
Rear Camera : 13 MP / Front : 2 MP
Dimensions 151.2 × 79.2 × 8.3 mm
Weight 168 grams
Official starting price 749 euros
In the technical features worth stopping in striking three gigs of RAM which boasts Samsung 's new beast . You really needed to move Android ? The experience with smartphones this year - even mid-range - indicates that it is not necessary for the system to go fluid.
The reason why Samsung has loaded Note 3 in this aspect Knox has it , the system separates professional staff enabling environment switch between them with a click and discussed below . Having two profiles is active simultaneously which requires a minimum of 1.5 Gb, which added to the rest of the environment and space for applications is causing with Note 3 have beaten his record of memory in a phone.
Also striking microUSB 3.0 connector that gives this unusual aspect to the base, in fact it seems that is the entrance to two different connectors when it is just one backwards compatible with USB 2.0 micro to which we are more accustomed . The benefits should be granted the use of 3.0 are faster loading (compared to Galaxy S4 actually load faster, but neither is a brutal change ) and higher speed file transfer (which actually get it, although one has only to obtain the speed of USB 3.0 with Windows , not Mac )
In the gut there is a new element, the microSD card is inserted above the micro SIM , allowing Samsung to have more space available and reach a 3,200 mAh battery , which as we will give much despite the huge screen of the device.
design
The Note 3 has not grown in size compared to the previous version (it is 0.1 mm higher , yet is narrower and thinner ) , but that it has on display thanks to a narrowing of the frames. In this way we have 5.7 inches without increasing the size of the device (it is thinner and lighter ) , indicating the good work of the engineers and designers of Samsung in this section.In hand feeling is very good . Samsung has introduced improvements to the finishes that result in better grip , while size remains at 79.2 × 151.2 × 8.3 mm and the weight is going to the 168 grams , a brand more remarkable for a team of 5.7 inches.
The design of this phablet not deviate too much from what has been done in recent years Samsung . The Note 3 presents as a continuation of what we have seen in the S4 and the Note 2: Industrial cutting design , its classic layout of buttons ( on one side , the other volume , audio output up, physical button below) with speakers and microUSB connector on the bottom.
In fact at some points reminded me of the best phone in the history of Samsung , the S2 (understood as the differential with the state of the market at the time) , with less curvature in the corners and finish "square". On the side note another change wrought metal that gives a better grip point against other Galaxys plastic side .
But it is in the back where there is a major change in the Galaxy Note 3 . If previous top model of the brand had attended numerous reviews by the plastic finish in Note 3 We found an area that quite successfully simulated leather ... although it is an emulation developed by Samsung from plastics .
Both the touch and to the eye the Note 3 wins lot with this back. More grip , better feel of quality, less risk of scratches and maintain the ability to open the phone to replace the battery . For Samsung a big play in that it keeps the plastic and containing the costs versus switching to an aluminum finish while minimizing the criticism on this front. Evoking a quality book is presented in Note 3 from the first contact.
Crown design two microphones (one on top , one on the bottom) and the typical and hollow for Spen , as we will see the output nicely detected and pen input .
In short , Samsung has made a bet with his continuo part identity in general , partly shattering finish that simulates the skin with which neither have abounded in the plastic ( which incidentally the two terminals have appeared as the iPhone 5c and especially Nokia 1020 )
Note 3 is still a great device , will preserve for those who think their size is in the ideal smartphone 4.3 inches or less , to whom we have been accepting tasteful size increased until five inch screen we find a very attractive proposition to take the next leap , those who were already in size phablet little else to add , Note Note 3 is the best grip and better feel in hand makes the whole series .
screen
Note those two will have a display such as a major jumps in the product. Not only for the increase of 0.2 inches on the diagonal , but especially for the jump in resolution : Note 3 comes to the 1,920 × 1,080 by 1280 × 720 from its predecessor , which leads to a negligible density for of 386ppi . That's not all , improved brightness is even more marked .Following tradition, Samsung is betting on Super AMOLED , as we saw in the analysis of the Samsung Galaxy S4 had failed to mature to the point of solving some of the spots that trailed as was the " bluing " or losing fidelity to the colors in some situations .
Galaxy Note 3 S4Note 3 next to the Galaxy S4
If the S4 Samsung was considered settled that debate with a great screen , with Note 3, the challenge was to overcome the only aspect in which paled other IPS screens (especially assembled by LG , HTC and Apple) : experience under sunlight . After testing Note 3 for several days - some blessed by an unexpected autumn sunshine - we can conclude that this is another subject overtaken by Super AMOLED screens .
Experience with screen Note 3 is fabulous . Even under the sun the contrast is good and is perfectly legible anything that passes by it . At this point the note for Samsung is remarkable - not 10 yet bright sunshine but the improvement is obvious - as is of outstanding viewing angle .
As with S4 , the trend of Samsung with some display modes ( and the image that brings the default lock screen is very pronounced ) is a style oversaturate " I'm a TV in a mall and I call attention " . Once past the pull effect , my recommendation is the movie mode that saturates much less and being less flashy, is much more faithful to the original image. Certainly the dynamic mode enhances the experience in dark places , but I keep running average yield with the film as it was in Galaxy s4 .
At this point of excellence in OLED displays ( is remember the Nexus One and all its limitations on the screen and could not believe how much they have evolved ) my impression is that the improvement will come a better case for automatic operation : brightness, hue and so perfectly adapted to the ambient light in each time without that we adjust for the best experience. In Note 3 auto brightness is going pretty well , worse mode remains our choice in each case.
software
Samsung continues to show that the manufacturer you get faster update the version of the OS with the exception of the Nexus range . Note 3 comes with Android 4.3 as standard , so there are several developments to which we give access , one of which is the existence of limited profiles .On him we have known layer Samsung , Touchwiz , and multitude of applications and services that Koreans seek to differentiate their handsets. When we discussed this in the S4 my conclusion (and that of many others with whom I've discussed later) is that at that Samsung stacked many applications gimmicky but very unequal value for the average user . In Note 3 are in a somewhat different scenario since most of the features are linked to the S -Pen.
In this analysis we will not analyze everything that brings Note 3, but it does try to weigh the real value added by Samsung software . Since we have a section dedicated entirely to the S Pen, here we review some of the additional functionality to the pencil .
Something that was a hit in s4 and remains in Note 3 is the ability to configure the screen lock detail from the image and how to unlock the messages and information present in the same widgets . The option to unlock and go directly to the application we choose is still a very good shortcut to productivity , while partly alleviates the absence of a direct button for shooting .
Along with the notification bar we still turn section to access the activation and deactivation of connections and functions, from wireless , bluetooth or mobile data until reading or multi mode . At first glance we have the most used and with a click the more we can enter a full menu with 22 options on / off .
Of the many options offered by Samsung , in the Note 3 improves especially "Air view" , which is used S4 approaching a finger and the phablet shines when using the stylus. The idea is to approximate a different button applications jump we explanatory dialogue than it does before you click. Another interesting option is the multi window, although it is arguably the value of it in phones the truth is that we are in 5.7 inches at the border, but with the ease that is integrated through the pencil ( draw on screen space where we want to appear , and we have selected app ) I opted to make the choice in favor of a use case that I love: the more notes video .
Also new is the integrated news reader , created half with Flipboard . Immediately we remember Blinkfeed HTC , although in this case there is less role and to access the news reader will have to make a gesture from bottom to top of the screen to display it. It is well settled - people of Flipboard is a guarantee - although integration with the famous application is confusing , first access the reader , on the other we have our personal Flipboard is not always clear when we are in one or the other .
No surprises there increasingly making , Note 3 extends the mode " one-hand use " than previously to the keyboard and the calculator and it can go around the interface. With this system we have held to the inches you want ( four by default, you can change) , with the rest of the screen black . It seems to me difficult for someone to buy the Note 3 look for this kind of functionality (perhaps some context that escapes me requiring use one hand ) , and that the effect is somewhat disconcerting ... but if someone wants it , there it is.
Regarding customizing Touchwiz and Samsung , little new there . By default the widgets brings giant Note 3 dedicated to their ecosystem ( eg hub ) occupying much of the initial panels . The can remove, of course, but touchwiz is still present and that is something to consider for those who do not take kindly . My impression is that it is a customization that works well in some small details , but overall it has been a bit behind and need an upgrade aesthetically intense by Samsung .
Touchwiz with a " minimized window " , the native browser
Exclusive section worth Knox , spearheaded Samsung 's attempt to get into the corporate market by way of having the blessing of IT managers . In the case of Note 3 is " installable " , we run it, accept the terms , provide a password and additional PIN and only then we can start using it.
From that moment we may be in personal mode ( the usual, you have nothing to switch the mobile ) and the "professional" in which all applications disappear , we have nothing set a priori and can only install selected applications from Samsung Apps. Both environments are isolated and do not share data , switching between them is easy as long as your passphrase to access the training.
The idea is that if we are in an organization the administrator to decide what we can use from the professional area , which will be with us to access mail and business applications . In Note 3 is installed to consumer tastes , but it shows that the terminal can move with perfect ease even with these two profiles in memory at once .
Last aspect software that comment before passing the pen : the " kids mode " . Having different profiles is something that Android 4.3 allows and in this Note is articulated with Zoodles system . There's an app for that parents can configure which applications are accessible to children (you can have as many users as you want ) and give the phone to be running another application (so called " kids mode " ) of which only can go putting the year of birth of the parent .
Works as promised , although there is a wide scope for improvement in both usability and to understand what the child can see ( in the application itself there is a market , there are videos that we have not selected a priori) and the detail that when leaving the confusing situation because the system is expected to choose one launcher.
S Pen
It is undoubtedly the star of Note 3 and what he phablets Unlike other tablets on the market and . This is why maintaining the approach that it integrates Samsung across the range : Wacom technology that works with a remarkable accuracy and sensitivity , detecting when you draw from your hollow and support the wrist when drawing or writing to not interfere and a lot of software to take advantage.In this last section there is exciting news from the point of view of usability . Just get the S Pen on Note 3 vibrates and displays the menu " Command Air" with five options for use directly without any additional steps. This relieved ring-shaped menu so we can return to the front approaching the pen to the screen and pressing the same button .
What gives us this Note through " Air Commando " ? It is access to many features - by this time five and fifty and sometimes makes Samsung - which we summarize below:
1. Note of action. This is an applet that allows you to apply what you write recognition and prompt action . An example would be to put a phone number and call in a click , another is a mail and go to write it and send it, another is a name and / or any of the foregoing . It works surprisingly well , but it is still a role for pen addicts : in almost every case, use your fingers and touch screen action allows us to run as fast or more .
Action -note
Two . User scrapbook. The idea is to capture what we have on screen but giving more value representing capture part or the whole screen . For example if we do it in the browser and a headline with image capture in the scrapbook will be a link to the original URL , which also achieved with the application of Youtube . A captured what we can add notes with the stylus , taguearlo , a priori size ... but only useful in some contexts marked " web collection of things I want to save more visually favorites or diigo "
Three . Writing on the screen. The simplest and , for my use , the more useful. Makes a screenshot of the screen and lets you add notes. Perfect for quiet work on design mockups , to overlay elements on a map, send explanations chat about anything ....
April . S Finder, as the name suggests , is for searching in the Note 3 . Local Search Integra (files we have in the mobile applications) with web search . It is well executed and if it were not for text recognition Samsung is pretty good I would say almost better to use it without writing with the pen.
May . Pencil window . A very good solution to turn the MULTI . Select the rectangle where you want to open a new application, select one among those admitted ( unfortunately not all, but is the native browser , Youtube , Whatsapp , Hangouts ... ) and voila , we have the MULTI armed in two steps. You can have multiple but screen size hardly going to be able to enjoy more than two, but you can minimize a , open new ...
Something that does not change is that writing with the stylus is integrated into the keyboard Note , so that from any place where we can write you can activate using the pen with handwriting recognition in case you prefer to use .
That's not all , the native application notes Samsung continues to grow and improve, from how easy to create simple graphics ( eg bar where well recognized writing ) to the integration with Evernote .
For those who enjoy using the pen , the Note 3 is a blast. Allows what any other mobile or tablet to which we add a device type with the difference that the experience is assured and there is a deep hardware and software integration to take advantage. What Samsung seems to have done is to give others the S Pen support in their applications.
Performance and autonomy
In Note 3 have seen a new controversy over optimization benchmarks ( 1, 2 , and something that seems widespread in the industry) we have tried to save using Antutu X which at least has in mind the manufacturers attempts to "get out well in the picture "From the outset it must be stressed that the Note 3 does not run but directly flies. The combo " Snapdragon 800 + three gigs of RAM" makes it a dark beast capable of moving two environments at once with Knox , have multiple windows open, fluid multiple applications and go as usual. In any case, X Antutu found tough competition with the LG G2 and Xperia Z1, you win on some and on aggregate while the Samsung is victorious in others.
With autonomy we have more good news. Certainly the 3200 mAh are noted for good, although consuming 5.7 inches are not far behind . A user "intense" as it could be a server has made the Note 3 will hold the guy a whole day ( and I am very intensive mobile use ) , so it falls under the category of phones with which we can begin to trust us on this aspect .
camera
This section is usually one of the stars of our analysis ... but this time it will be less . The reason is that Samsung repeats almost everything you put on the table with the S4 and analysis we refer. The balance is very good camera , with a large outdoor performance , a good interface , but not at the level of the best in photography as 1020 or Z1Stabilization is software , which the top-end of 2014 is likely to leave behind as he has done with his G2 LG , for example.
We meet the 13 megapixel without growth in the sensor size and almost the same ways as in the last franchise Samsung . Appears a new "envelope" to shoot in 360 degrees to the " street view " and another dedicated to photos of golf ?
Another change introduced by Samsung is the disappearance of " night mode " , which is embedded in the mobile phone and throws when it detects that the light conditions are not good. The performance here is still acceptable and although the second best in the industry, is not far away. Consider an example
note 3 automatic mode Low light , auto mode
Well in automatic low light scene
ISO 100 forced
ISO 200 forced
ISO 400 forced
ISO 800 forced
The conclusion is that the phone behaves much better on automatic , since the odds are half manual : we can play with the ISO but not aperture or shutter speed . By raising the ISO gain in light but also noise, while automatic mode keeps it low and play more with the shutter speed to get more light, which leads to that or you have a steady hand to avoid blurring or better use a tripod to support or mobile.
In battle of mobile convergence / photography seems to be the option that is gaining strength, encourage the user to automatically simplifying the experience instead of growing by more versatility to manual for those in control .
Also new is the ability to record 4K 2160p , which offers high quality when recording video (best I've had in a smartphone ) to eat the cost of board space (10 seconds 65 megs, do accounts). The problem , of course, is where and how to play in 4K to take advantage. If you 're the lucky owner of a TV with the new definition , great , otherwise you can record FullHD card to save space or 4K playback considering future
In any case we have recorded a short video for comparison. Given that we broadcast in 1080p Youtube most, the idea was to check if the recording 4K gave us more detail . Honestly , even putting on a big screen the original files we discovered much difference in this case , although others do we have noticed any improvement in the definition (eg posters texts are far ) .