So, the great Samsung Galaxy Note 3 hit stores about a month ago, but unfortunately, it failed to generate the kind of business Samsung were hoping for. Well one of the reasons for this could be the fact that the smart phone/phablet doesn’t really have anything new on offer. It’s just an upgraded Samsung Galaxy Note II with nothing new and exciting. But don’t let this shield the fact that the Samsung Galaxy Note 3 is an amazing phablet. Here, I’m going to compare it with another handy phablet, the Sony Xperia Z Ultra. If you want to know which phablet comes out on top, read on...


Phone Samsung Galaxy Note 3 Sony Xperia Z Ultra
Image The Sony Xperia Z Ultra vs the Samsung Galaxy Note 3-samsung-galaxy-note-iii.jpg The Sony Xperia Z Ultra vs the Samsung Galaxy Note 3-sony-xperia-z-ultra.jpg
Operating System Android 4.3 (JellyBean) Android 4.2.2 (JellyBean)
Processor Quad Core, 2300 MHz, Krait 400 Quad Core, 2200 MHz, Krait 400
System Chip Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 MSM8974 Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 MSM8974
System Memory 3 GB 2 GB
Graphics Processor Adreno 330 Adreno 330
Display 5.7” Super AMOLED 6.4” TFT
Screen Resolution 1,920 x 1,080 1,920 x 1,080
Pixel Density 386 ppi 342 ppi
Storage 32 / 64 GB Internal memory + microSD / microSDHC slot (up to 64 GB) 16 GB Internal memory + microSD / microSDHC / microSDXC slot (up to 64 GB)
Primary Camera 13 MP 8 MP
Flash LED None
Secondary Camera 2.0 MP 2.0 MP
WiFi WiFi 802.11 a / b / g / n / ac / n 5GHz WiFi 802.11 a / b / g / n / ac
Bluetooth 4.0 4.0
Battery 3,200 mAh 3,000 mAh
Weight 168 g 212 g
Dimensions 151.2 x 79.2 x 8.3 mm 179.4 x 92.2 x 6.5 mm
Announced 04th September 2013 25th June 2013


Size and weight

When it comes to size, it’s going to be a little difficult to differentiate between both these smart phones. The main reason for this is that both have their own sets of pros and cons. While the Galaxy Note 3 measures 151.2 x 79.2 x 8.3 mm the Xperia Z Ultra measures 179.4 x 92.2 x 6.5 mm. So, the Galaxy Note 3 is smaller while the Xperia Z Ultra is thinner. And in terms of weight, the Galaxy Note 3 weighs 168 g while the Xperia Z Ultra weighs 212 g which means that Galaxy Note 3 is much lighter. Maybe if the Galaxy Note 3 was a little thinner, it could have picked up this point?

This point is a draw.

(Samsung Galaxy Note 3 - Zero / Sony Xperia Z Ultra - Zero)


Display

The Galaxy Note 3 comes with a 5.7” Super AMOLED touch screen and a maximum resolution of 1,920 x 1,080 pixels while the Xperia Z Ultra comes with a 6.4” TFT touch screen and a maximum resolution of 1,920 x 1,080 pixels. In terms of pixel density, the Galaxy Note 3 comes with 386 ppi while the Xperia Z Ultra comes with 342 ppi. Yes, Sony has the bigger screen, but they’re still using TFT technology, seriously?

This point will have to go to the Galaxy Note 3 for its superior display technology and pixel density.

(Samsung Galaxy Note 3 - One / Sony Xperia Z Ultra - Zero)


Memory & Storage

There are very few manufacturers out there that can beat Samsung in terms of storage variety and that is pretty much the case here as well. The Xperia Z Ultra comes with 16 GB of internal storage while the Galaxy Note 3 comes with 32 or 64 GB of internal storage. Both smart phones allow storage expansion up to 64 GB. But when it comes to memory, the Galaxy Note 3 pulls ahead with an industry first 3 GB of RAM while the Xperia Z Ultra has a commendable 2 GB of RAM.

I don’t think I have to explain why this point has to go to the Galaxy Note 3.

(Samsung Galaxy Note 3 - Two / Sony Xperia Z Ultra - Zero)


Camera

Sony did a pretty decent job with the 8 MP camera on the Xperia Z Ultra. It has loads of features and can even take pictures and shoot videos underwater. But what do you do with a camera that has no flash? Very little I’m afraid. Maybe the phablet was built for someone who is always home before dark? The Galaxy Note 3 has a large number of features for its 13 MP camera as well. But what sets it apart is the industry first 4K video recording capability. It’s nothing out of the ordinary, but at least Samsung introduced something new with this phablet.

The amazing video recording capability coupled with the fact that a camera just has to have a flash is enough for me to award this point to the Galaxy Note 3.

(Samsung Galaxy Note 3 - Three / Sony Xperia Z Ultra - Zero)


OS & Performance

The Galaxy Note 3 comes with the latest Android 4.3 (JellyBean) operating system while the Xperia Z Ultra is still running on Android 4.2.2 (JellyBean). But it’s just a matter of time before the Xperia Z Ultra can be updated to the latest Android OS. There is hardly any difference between both smart phones in terms of performance. Both come with a Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 MSM8974 chip and while the Galaxy Note 3 has a quad core, 2300 MHz, Krait 400 processor the Xperia Z Ultra has a quad core, 2200 MHz, Krait 400 processor. Both phablets have the same Adreno 330 graphics processor as well.

Like I said not much of a difference here. This point’s a draw.

(Samsung Galaxy Note 3 - Three / Sony Xperia Z Ultra - Zero)


Battery

Both these phablets truly are giants when it comes to battery. The Galaxy Note 3 has a 3,200 mAh battery while the Xperia Z Ultra has a 3,000 mAh battery. But the interesting point here is that while the Galaxy Note 3 has a standby time of just 22 days the Xperia Z Ultra is supposed to have a standby time of an amazing 36 days. Considering the fact that the Samsung Galaxy Note II had a standby time of 40+ days, I am a little disappointed that the Galaxy Note 3 is so poor in terms of battery. Kudos to Sony for managing such a long standby time with a TFT display though.

This point goes to the Xperia Z Ultra.

(Samsung Galaxy Note 3 - Three / Sony Xperia Z Ultra - One)


Price

The 32 GB version of the Galaxy Note 3 is going to cost somewhere around $ 700 (free of contract) while you can pick up the 16 GB Xperia Z Ultra for around $ 675 (free of contract). I don’t think it’s fair to say that the Xperia Z Ultra is the better priced phablet though considering the fact that you get an additional 16 GB of internal storage with the Galaxy Note 3, not to mention an LED flash.

Even though the Galaxy Note 3 looks like it offers more value for money, I’m still going to call this one a draw.

(Samsung Galaxy Note 3 - Three / Sony Xperia Z Ultra - One)


Conclusion

The final score is 3 points to 1 in favor of the Samsung Galaxy Note 3. What does this tell us? It tells us that the Samsung has managed to regain its position as the best phablet manufacturer out there. But, there was a lot more expected out of the Samsung Galaxy Note 3 which Samsung didn’t deliver on. And since the Sony Xperia Z Ultra is the first real phablet from Sony, Samsung will really have to step up their game if they want to remain number one next year as well.


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