Info: The Samsung Galaxy Note 3 vs the Samsung Galaxy Note II

Samsung’s latest release, the Samsung Galaxy Note 3, has not managed to generate as much buzz as they would have wanted. One of the main reasons for this could be because the phablet is just a run of the mill upgrade and doesn’t include any innovation for users to look forward to. Here I’m going to find out exactly what has changed in the Samsung Galaxy Note 3 and what better way of doing so than by comparing it with its predecessor, the Samsung Galaxy Note II.

Phone	Samsung Galaxy Note 3	Samsung Galaxy Note II
Image
Operating System	Android 4.3 (JellyBean)	Android 4.1.2 (JellyBean) TouchWiz 4.0 UI
Processor	Quad Core, 2300 MHz, Krait 400	Quad Core, 1600 MHz, ARM Cortex-A9
System Chip	Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 MSM8974	Samsung Exynos 4 (4412)
System Memory	3 GB	2 GB
Graphics Processor	Adreno 330	ARM Mali-400 MP4
Display	5.7” Super AMOLED	5.5” Super AMOLED
Screen Resolution	1,920 x 1,080	1,280 x 720
Pixel Density	386 ppi	265 ppi
Storage	32 / 64 GB Internal memory + microSD / microSDHC slot (up to 64 GB)	16 / 32 / 64 GB Internal memory + microSD / microSDHC / microSDXC slot (up to 64 GB)
Primary Camera	13 MP	8 MP
Flash	LED	LED
Secondary Camera	2.0 MP	1.9 MP
WiFi	WiFi 802.11 a / b / g / n / ac / n 5GHz	WiFi 802.11 a / b / g / n / n 5GHz
Bluetooth	4.0	4.0
Battery	3,200 mAh	3,100 mAh
Weight	168 g	182 g
Dimensions	151.2 x 79.2 x 8.3 mm	151 x 80.5 x 9.4 mm
Announced	04th September 2013	29th August 2012

Size and weight

The improvements made on the Galaxy Note 3 in terms of size and weight should get an honorary mention. The Galaxy Note 3 measures 151.2 x 79.2 x 8.3 mm while the Galaxy Note II measures 151 x 80.5 x 9.4 mm. They have managed to reduce the thickness and width and have increased the display size while only increasing the length by a measly 0.2 mm. Even in terms of weight, the Galaxy Note 3 weighs 168 g while the Galaxy Note II weighs 182 g. It seems Samsung put a lot of thought into making the Galaxy Note 3 a more compact phablet and I must say, job well done.

This point goes to the Galaxy Note 3.

(Samsung Galaxy Note 3 - One / Samsung Galaxy Note II - Zero)


Display

As far as the display is concerned, Samsung have managed to take the Galaxy Note series into the next generation without really giving it that oomph factor. The Galaxy Note 3 has a 5.7” Super AMOLED touch screen while the Galaxy Note II has a smaller 5.5” Super AMOLED touch screen. The phablet has made a significant jump in terms of pixel density with the new Galaxy Note 3 having a pixel density of 386 ppi while the older Galaxy Note II has a pixel density of 265 ppi.

There is no doubt the phablet has been significantly improved upon and will easily win this point but I haven’t yet seen anything worth going crazy about. (Even Apple added the finger print scanner!!)

(Samsung Galaxy Note 3 - Two / Samsung Galaxy Note II - Zero)


Memory & Storage

This is probably the only point where not much could have been done and amazingly, this is where the Galaxy Note 3 shines. It comes with 3 GB of RAM and a maximum clocking speed of 800 MHz. Finally the Galaxy Note 3 has something that no other phablet/smart phone has, a faster RAM. The Galaxy Note II was the best in its day as well. It comes with 2 GB of RAM. Samsung in general and the Galaxy Note series in particular has never been short for storage options and that trend follows suit with the Galaxy Note 3 as well. It will be available in 32 and 64 GB versions with storage expansion capabilities up to 64 GB. The Galaxy Note II comes in 16, 32 and 64 GB versions with storage expansion up to 64 GB as well.

But this point will have to go to the Galaxy Note 3 for its industry leading Random Access Memory.

(Samsung Galaxy Note 3 - Three / Samsung Galaxy Note II - Zero)


Camera

The camera has been significantly improved in the Galaxy Note 3. The Galaxy Note II came with a boring 8 MP camera with which you could do very little. It had limited features and very limited capability. But, the Galaxy Note 3 comes with a 13 MP camera on the back and includes almost every feature any smart phone today would need. Some worth mentioning include HDR, digital image stabilization and panorama. But the most amazing feature about the camera is that it supports 4K video recording, a first among smart phones/phablets. You may have trouble viewing the video since the Galaxy Note 3 has a 1080p display but who says you can’t buy a 4K television just to view your videos. After all, technology will keep on advancing.

This point goes to the Galaxy Note 3.

(Samsung Galaxy Note 3 - Four / Samsung Galaxy Note II - Zero)


OS & Performance

The Galaxy Note 3 comes with the latest offering from Android, 4.3 (JellyBean) while the Galaxy Note II runs on the old Android 4.1.2 (JellyBean). Android has made it a point to improve their operating system with each release and has even gone for complete makeovers every now and then. Android 4.3 can be considered a filler for the real update to Android 4.4 (KitKat) rumored to be coming in October this year. The performance of the phablet has been considerably improved with the Galaxy Note 3 having a Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 MSM8974 chip and quad core, 2300 MHz, Krait 400 processor as compared to the Samsung Exynos 4 (4412) chip and quad core, 1600 MHz, ARM-Cortex-A9 processor on the Galaxy Note II. The Galaxy Note 3 has made a sizeable jump in terms of graphics as well with an Adreno 330 processor as compared to the ARM Mali-400 MP4 processor on the Galaxy Note II.

There was always only one winner in this point and that’s the Galaxy Note 3.

(Samsung Galaxy Note 3 - Five / Samsung Galaxy Note II - Zero)


Battery

The Galaxy Note 3 comes with a 3,200 mAh battery which is slightly larger than the 3,100 mAh battery on the Galaxy Note II. But what I’m waiting to see is how the new battery will perform with the larger screen and superior hardware. The Galaxy Note II had a standby time of almost 41 days and it’s hard to see how the Galaxy Note 3 is going to trump that.

Still, there is no official news as of now and that’s why I will call this one a draw.

(Samsung Galaxy Note 3 - Five / Samsung Galaxy Note II - Zero)


Price

The Galaxy Note II cost around $ 546 (free of contract) for the 16 GB version and if you want to buy the Galaxy Note 3 you can expect to spend around $ 700 (free of contract) for the 32 GB version. There isn’t any official news regarding the price of the Galaxy Note 3 as of now but I’m sure it’s not going to be anywhere near the Galaxy Note II.

It would be unfair to award this point to the Galaxy Note II since there is no information available on the price of the Galaxy Note 3 and therefore, this one’s a draw as well.

(Samsung Galaxy Note 3 - Five / Samsung Galaxy Note II - Zero)


Conclusion

There you have it folks, the Samsung Galaxy Note 3 proves it is superior as far as size and weight, display, memory and storage, operating system and performance and the camera are concerned. The only points that weren’t decided were the price and battery (largely due to lack of information). Irrespective of how the last couple of points turned out though, you will agree that the Samsung Galaxy Note 3 is a significant improvement over the Samsung Galaxy Note II. That being said, will you actually consider buying it given it may be one of the most expensive phablets in the market? I would love some feedback here...


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