Samsung

Samsung Galaxy Note 3: Pros and Cons

Android OS v4.3 (Jelly Bean)
Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 MSM8794
Adreno 330
3 GB / 16 GB
5.7 inch (1080 x 1920 px)
13 MP, 4128 x 3096 px, autofocus

Samsung announced the launch of the Galaxy Note 3 smartphone in 2013. The manufacturer is offering this smartphone with 5.7 inch Super AMOLED display, Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 MSM8794 SoC, and 3 GB of RAM. The Galaxy Note 3 series was launched with Android OS v4.3 (Jelly Bean) pre-installed, but it is upgradable. The 5.7 inch AMOLED displays has fast response times. This smartphone has a single camera on the back (13 MP, 4128 x 3096 px, autofocus). Does this phone justify its price tag? I hope to provide clarity by the conclusion of my review.

Table of Contents

This article shares our personal experiences and thoughts about using the Samsung Galaxy Note 3 smartphone. We hope to offer helpful insights to others interested in this device. The specifications below are from the official manufacturer data, but we also consider user reviews. If you've seen any mistakes or things missing in these specifications, please let us know.

Samsung Galaxy Note 3 / 1

Samsung Galaxy Note 3 specifications

BrandSamsung
NameGalaxy Note 3
ModelSM-N900
Release date2013

Weight, dimensions, colors

Weight5.93 oz
Dimensions5.95 x 3.12 x 0.33 inch
Colorsblack, merlot red, pink, rose gold black, rose gold white, white
SIM typeMicro SIM

The weight of Samsung Galaxy Note 3 is about 5.93 oz with battery. This is average for smartphones of the same size. A micro SIM is a smaller version of the standard SIM card used in mobile devices.

Samsung Galaxy Note 3 / 1

System, chipset, performance

OS versionAndroid OS v4.3 (Jelly Bean)
SoCQualcomm Snapdragon 800 MSM8794
CPUQuad-core 2.3 GHz Krait 400
GPUAdreno 330

The Samsung Galaxy Note 3 comes with Android OS v4.3 (Jelly Bean) out of the box. Google has integrated many services with Android. These include Google Maps, Gmail, and Google Drive. The mid-range CPU can deliver fast, efficient performance for many tasks. Qualcomm's Snapdragon processors work with Adreno GPUs. The processors are designed for the GPUs.

Samsung Galaxy Note 3 / 2

Display type, size, resolution

Display typeSuper AMOLED
Screen size5.7 inch
Resolution1080 x 1920 px
Multitouch supportyes

AMOLED displays enable an Always-On Display feature. A part of the screen remains active to display the time, date, and notifications. The 5.7 inch display make this smartphone pocket-friendly. The size of the screen is measured diagonally, from corner to corner.

Samsung Galaxy Note 3 / 3

Memory, storage

RAM3 GB
Internal storage16 GB
Memory card slotmicroSD

The smartphone has 3 GB of RAM. It can run many apps at once without much lag or slowness. Having more RAM alone does not guarantee better performance. Most people think a smartphone needs at least 32 GB of storage. The Galaxy Note 3 has only 16 GB. You can expand the internal storage (16 GB) with a compatible microSD card.

Samsung Galaxy Note 3 / 4

Cameras, flash

Main camera13 MP, 4128 x 3096 px, autofocus
FlashLED
Selfie camera2 MP

The single camera can be enough for many smartphone users. It depends on their photography needs and preferences. The Galaxy Note 3 does not have optical image stabilization (OIS).

Samsung Galaxy Note 3 / 5

Connectivity, network, wireless

GSM 2G bands850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
Network coverage2G / 3G / 4G
Wi-FiWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac
Bluetoothv4.0, A2DP, LE
GPSA-GPS, GLONASS
NFCyes
FM radiono
USBmicroUSB 2.0, USB host
Headphone3.5 mm jack

The Samsung Galaxy Note 3 supports 4G/LTE networks. The phone is capable of connecting to Wi-Fi networks. The Galaxy Note 3 smartphone is capable of connecting to Bluetooth devices. The GPS allows this smartphone to find their exact location. It provides accurate navigation and mapping. This phone is NFC (Near Field Communication) capable. The 3.5 mm headphone jack allows you to connect wired headphones or earphones to the device.

Samsung Galaxy Note 3 / 6

Battery type, capacity, charger

TypeLi-Ion 3200 mAh

The Li-Ion 3200 mAh battery gives the smartphone a good battery backup. The Li-ion is a low maintenance battery. It does not need periodic full discharge. You can simply buy a new battery from the open market and interchange it by yourself.

Features, sensors, specials

Sensorsaccelerometer, barometer, compass, gesture, gyroscope, humidity, proximity, temperature
SpecialsCorning Gorilla Glass 3

Today, smartphones come with many sensors. They help make the user experience better. The accelerometer provides information about the smartphone's movement in three axes. These are X (horizontal), Y (vertical), and Z (depth). Gorilla Glass is very scratch resistant. It reduces the likelihood of everyday scratches and abrasions.

Verdict, pros and cons

Every phone has its strengths and weaknesses, and this Samsung phone is no exception. As with any device, there are aspects that shine and others that fall short. By examining both sides, we can paint a complete picture of what this phone has to offer. Let's explore its standout features and areas for improvement. Remember, this is just my opinion, and yours might be different.

Pros

  • Super AMOLED display
  • microSD slot
  • Corning Gorilla Glass shield

Cons

  • insufficient internal storage
  • single camera setup
  • no OIS function
  • no 5G support
  • no Type-C USB port
  • low-capacity battery
  • no fingerprint reader
Add Samsung Galaxy Note 3 to your comparison

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Lucas Bradley I'm Lucas Bradley, the founder of the Phone42.com site. I love technology, especially smartphones, and I've been working with tech stuff for more than 20 years. This means I've seen a lot of changes and have learned a bunch about what makes a good phone. On Phone42.com, I look at all kinds of phones. They can be from big, well-known companies or new ones trying to make their mark. I want to help people understand what's new and cool in the world of smartphones, in a way that's easy to get.
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