Samsung Galaxy Note 3 Smartphone

Product: Samsung Galaxy Note 3 Smartphone
Provided By: Samsung Canada
Price: ~$299 on 2-year term

Introduction:

Today we are looking at the Samsung Galaxy Note 3 Superphone. This device probably doesn't need much of an introduction, but we will still give you a brief run-down. As the name indicates, this is the third iteration of the Note Smartphone from Samsung and each one has been progressively larger. When the original Note launched it had a massive 5.3" screen with a 1280x800 resolution and was over 0.5" larger than any other device on the market. When the Galaxy Note 2 came out the following year, Samsung upped the ante with a 5.5" screen. The Galaxy Note 3 is the latest in the series and this time around, they not only increase the screen size, but they also increase and improve the resolution of the device. This device comes with a 5.7" screen and a very nice 1920x1080 resolution. This of course will likely shorten the battery life of the device - unless Samsung includes a larger battery. We are getting ahead of ourselves however, and we'll get to that after a bit.

Box Open

We had the opportunity to look at the original Galaxy Note before launch and took it to "Banker’s Hall" in Calgary and just had lunch. It was very funny to see the posh elitists actually turning their heads and stumbling into objects while they ogled the Galaxy Note. The sheer size and screen of that device turned heads for sure, but I find that the Galaxy Note 3 is a massive leap forward from both the original and the second generation Note 2 as well. The screen resolution is much improved as is the pixel density, and this all adds up to a much nicer viewing experience.

Bundle

Before we go into too much more detail and give up too many spoilers, let's take a few minutes and have a closer look at this device.

Closer Look:

As is the case with most Samsung devices, they rely heavily on plastic - as elegant as it can be. I'm impressed with the level of the quality of the plastic - but it's still plastic. The outer "chrome" edge is plastic, as is the back - which looks like leather. It still feels pretty solid in your hand, but it doesn't ooze ultra-quality in the build. That being said, it will likely survive a few bumps and bruises, and as is the case with every smartphone around, the screen is what will take a beating and be the first to fail.

The top of the phone holds the headphone jack and an IR sensor, while the right side is home to the power button. The left side of the phone is where the volume rocker is located - near the top of the device and the bottom holds the stylus (S-Pen) as well as a speaker, and the micro USB 3.0 charging port. That's right - USB 3.0. Thankfully this port is also compatible with all of your micro USB charge cables so in the advent that you lose your fancy USB 3.0 cable, you’ll still be able to transfer files and charge your device.

USB 3.0 Charge Cable

Samsung includes a 2.0 Amp charger with the Note 3 and this high-charge rate is especially awesome if you need to hurry up and jam some juice into your device before you hit the road. Even though it charges fast with USB 3.0, I’ve noticed that it charges pretty quickly with USB 2.0 as well.

Rear Camera Close

The rear of the device holds the lens for the 13MP camera as well as a LED flash. The front of the Note 3 is pretty basic and has the typical Samsung single button at the bottom of the front as well as a couple of "Soft Keys". At the top of the 5.7" 1080p screen is the speaker, and to the right of that is the ambient light sensor, the proximity sensor as well as the front camera. All of this adds up to a fairly basic package, but with a larger-than-average footprint.

Before we jump into our initial impressions, we'll take a look at the features and specifications from Samsung on the Note 3.