Samsung Galaxy Note 3 (GSM)
Phone Scoop Review
Oct 1, 2013 by Eric M. Zeman
Samsung takes another stab at the Note phablet and might finally have a winner on its hands. Here's what we like and don't like about Samsung's latest large-screen Android smartphone. read review ›
User Reviews
Average Ratings
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N5 Vs. N3
Carrier: T-Mobile
I was going to get the N5, but decided I wanted a larger phone.
I bought the Note 3 strait out from TMO. Expensive but sold some other devices I had, plus has a small credit from TMO to help. I am getting it unlocked to use on AT&T and will use my current unlocked SGS4 M919 back on my TMO line. I wanted an unlocked bootloader in case I want to change roms. Following is my opinion.
Screen is wonderful, found no problems with Touchwiz and the device is fast. No lag in anything, the battery charges fast with the provided charging cable. My other option was the new Sony Ultra Z, which would have actually been cheaper, but it is too massive in size.
Few shots of the camera was nice, and never had this camera fetish with phones, so if a camera is decent, its good enough for me, but the camera is outstanding for a phone. I understand others opinions on the benefits of a great camera is of more importance. Did get the folio flipcase, too expensive, but does what I want.
The size isn't bad, fits in my scrub pockets at work with no problems. All software works flawless. Didn't run any thing like Quadrents because, I know its a good device. I generally like features like TW and Sense, because it has benefits which just work for my lifestyle. Yes, others feel different, and choice is the beauty of Android. I do plan to root, but basically to remove carrier and even more so Samsung bloatware.
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Has to be the biggest and best thing yet
Carrier: AT&T
The new Note 3 is slimmer, lighter, and ever so slightly less narrow than the Note 2, which makes it a perfect fit in a medium/small hand; it's marvelous. (The plastic back is perfectly fine; it will come off permanently when I get the Samsung S-View case anyways and it keeps the phone lighter.) I've had it two weeks so am still learning. So far this seems to be the best way to avoid having a mobile phone and a separate tablet (and with 4G all the way you can't lose; no need to worry about using public WiFi, although you could). It works well as a phone, doesn't feel funny at all as I thought it would. The camera is fabulous...it's a real joy!
Battery life is stellar. All day with heavy usage, like the iphone. You dont have to worry about being tethered to a charger. This was my biggest single complaint about my last few android phones.
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My point of view....
Ok, Let me start by saying I'm a small business owner and use my phone for almost everything and and on it a ridiculous amount of the day.
I'm not going to get into the specs of the phone,that can be researched anywhere, I prefer to enlighten some on the actual usability and practicality of this thing.
I started with blackberry and loved and was quite faithful to RIM and swore I could never use another. That was a 10 yr relationship and ended with me going into a Apple store and "trying" out the iPhone4 when first released...then to the iphone4s and swore by it too. I always knew it lacked a fee things but just dealt with it because I was not going back to BB nor did I even THINK of using Android, I heard horrible things about the phones.
I heard that this Note 3 was coming out and it was supposed to be the best of the best....I had an upgrade in my back pocket and sat on it until the release of the N3 I had to check it out. It's been 3 weeks and I have to say that this phone/phablet is hands down the best device that I have used in all my 20 yrs of owning phones! Let me start with battery life, I can't kill the thing I have to literally play a YouTube video on full brightness just to drain it so I can give it a fresh charge...and that's on day 2 which is insane to me. Screen is breathtaking, speed is phenomenal, multitasking can be done on the same screen with the split screen option (beaut) there is absolutely 0 lag on this thing it's smooth as silk! I used to jailbreak my iPhone just to get some of the mannerisms that come stock on this beast! Look I'm running out of space to type here but take my word for it, if you don't mind having a larger than usual phone in hand get this thing! Don't give it a 2nd thought it's worth every penny and then some! I still have my ip4s and go back to it on occasion if I need info that I forgot to transfer and the screen and size of that is a utter joke to me..I'm 100% sold on Android and going to keep using Notes.
