The Samsung Galaxy Note 3 is on the way, there is no doubt about that, but how much better will it be than the current model, theSamsung Galaxy Note 2? The likely answer, quite a bit. While it’s still difficult to peg the exact features of the Galaxy Note 3, it’s easy to imagine many of the ways that the upcoming model could beat the current Galaxy Note 2.
Many moons ago, Samsung introduced the original Samsung Galaxy Note phablet, a large-screened smartphone that took on both characteristics of a smartphone and of a tablet, the latter thanks to its massive display and bundled S Pen stylus. While critics and consumers were skeptical at first, the Galaxy Note series caught on and has continued to be a dominant force in the Android world.
With the jump from the Samsung Galaxy Note to the Samsung Galaxy Note 2, Samsung tweaked the device, in some cases ever so slightly, and produced the best Galaxy Note model to date. Of course, that’s what consumers have come to expect from next-generation devices, though that isn’t always the case. (Remember the Palm Pre 2?)
This year, the company looks intent on releasing another Galaxy Note model, currently dubbed the Samsung Galaxy Note 3, a device that will look to continue the success of the Galaxy Note series in the United States and elsewhere.
Galaxy Note 3 rumors have persisted for months and right now, the device isn’t expected to land on shelves until far later in the year with a launch date in September being a distinct possibility.
With September only a few months away, consumers are likely weighing the Galaxy Note 3 rumors against other devices and against one in particular, the Samsung Galaxy Note 2.
While we don’t have all of the answers yet, we do have some credible rumors that we can blend with some educated guesses in an attempt to separate the Galaxy Note 3 from the Galaxy Note 2.
Here, we take a look at fifteen different ways that the new Galaxy Note 3 could beat the current Samsung Galaxy Note 2.
Higher Resolution Display
While the Samsung Galaxy Note 2 offered some differences from the original Galaxy Note, one place where Samsung failed to make a major leap was in the quality of the display.
The original boasted a 5.3-inch display with 1280 x 800 pixel resolution, 16:10 aspect ratio, and a 284.8 pixel-per-inch count. The Galaxy Note 2 sports a 5.5-inch display with 1280 x 720 pixel resolution, 16:9 aspect ratio and a 265 pixel-per-inch count. Both are good, but there simply wasn’t a big jump in quality.
The Galaxy Note 2 display is good, but the Galaxy Note 3 display will likely be better.
With the Galaxy Note 3, rumors suggest that Samsung will be making that big jump with the Galaxy Note 3 and offer a massive 1080p resolution display, measuring around 6-inches, with a pixel-per-inch count that is well over 300.
This is likely, considering the market, considering the display technology that is clearly in the possession of Samsung and many other companies. For instance, we just saw LG announce the LG Optimus G Pro with a 5.5-inch 1080p display.
No way that Samsung skips high-resolution with the Galaxy Note 3 which means that this is a likely area where the new Galaxy Note will win out.
Better Low-Light Photos
Like the display, Samsung did not see it fit to make a massive jump in quality from the Galaxy Note and Galaxy Note 2 when it comes to the camera. Both devices featured 8MP rear cameras which both performed admirably but unfortunately were no where close to the top of line sensors that were on the market then or on the market today.
That will more than likely change with the Galaxy Note 3 as rumors suggest a 13MP camera sensor that should benefit Galaxy Note 3 buyers in more ways than one.
The Galaxy Note 3 should feature a more impressive camera.
One area that should see a drastic improvement is in the quality of low-light photos. This was not a strength of either the Galaxy Note 2 or the original Note though it might finally be with the new model.
The Galaxy S4 possesses a 13MP camera and if the sensor is on par with it, and it should be, then consumers can expect the Galaxy Note 3 to shoot much better low-light photos than the Galaxy Note 2.
Optical Zoom
One of the more curious Galaxy Note 3 rumors that has surfaced is also in regards to its camera though not the sensor itself but one of the features that might accompany it.
Most smartphones have a digital zoom, meaning, users can tap on the screen within the camera app to zoom in on something. However, it’s not a true zoom. Instead, it’s as if the camera is cropping the photo.
The Galaxy Note 3 is rumored to have 3X optical zoom which would put it on par with many of the point and shoot cameras that are out there that are able to use the lenses to zoom in without sacrificing quality.
If this is true, this is something that would put not only the Galaxy Note 2 camera to shame but many of the other cameras out there as well.
Improved S Pen Experience
One of the biggest features of the Galaxy Note series is the S Pen stylus that Samsung bundles in with the device. It’s what sets it apart from other big-screened smartphones. In the jump from the Galaxy Note to the Galaxy Note 2, we’ve seen Samsung not only tweak the S Pen itself, but continue to improve on the software.
Rumors are scarce at this point in regards to the S Pen or any software, but consumers should expect the S Pen experience to beat the experience on the Galaxy Note 2.
Samsung is rumored to be increasing the display size of the Galaxy Note 3 which, if true, and it appears likely at this point, would open up more space for S Pen use than ever before. The device is also could be taller, thanks to Samsung not wanting to widen it too much (think: iPhone 5) and that should provide quite a bit of real estate for those that heavily depend on the S Pen.
One thing that we can see happening is Samsung coming up with some brilliant ways to utilize both the S Pen and touch. With the Galaxy S4 introducing sensors that allow users to use their finger like the S Pen, the Galaxy Note 3 will likely have some of the same sensors, and we could see the S Pen experience getting combined with some touch gestures. And finally, simply, expect new S Pen software.
Details are scarce and theories are prevalent but this is an area where the Galaxy Note 3 should reign.
Can Use With Gloves
The Samsung Galaxy S4 introduced a nifty little feature to the Galaxy series in the form of being able to use the device whilst using gloves. This is a feature that isn’t available on many big name smartphones and while it’s a small feature, it’s one that is extremely nice for those that commute with their device, live in cold environments, or bring their smartphone into the field.
In the case of a large screen device like the Galaxy Note 3, it’s likely all three. The Galaxy Note 2 doesn’t have this feature, though users can buy gloves that work with the device, but the Galaxy Note 3 should have this feature bundled in, yet another way it could beat the Galaxy Note 2.
Better Gaming Experience
Believe it or not, there are plenty of people that choose a smartphone based on how the device handles gaming. Both the Samsung Galaxy Note and the Galaxy Note 2 in particular are fantastic for those looking to play games as they feature nice, large displays and access, of course, to the Google Play Store’s massive game selection.
The Galaxy Note 3 should work with Samsung’s new gaming controller.
The Galaxy Note 3, plain and simple, could be the best gaming smartphone that Samsung has ever offered. For one, it’s supposed to have a larger display with high resolution. That means games will look good. It’s supposed to have a fast processor, perhaps a Snapdragon 800 or Exynos 5 Octa. That means games will run smoothly. And finally, it should have a top-notch graphics processing unit (GPU) which should ensure a fantastic experience overall.
The Galaxy Note 2 is a great gaming device but look for the Galaxy Note 3 to be an even better one.
Wireless Charging
The Samsung Galaxy S4 has ushered in a new era for Galaxy devices as Samsung finally has delivered on its wireless charging promises that first emerged with the Galaxy S3. The Galaxy S4 can take advantage of a new wireless charging kit that Samsung will release in the coming weeks which will allow users to charge it without wires using the Qi standard.
It would be extremely strange to see Samsung leave the Galaxy Note 3, an equally important device, out of the wireless charging picture. With the Galaxy Note 2 sporting a smaller design, it may never get support. Count on this being an area where the Galaxy Note 3 beats the Galaxy Note 2.
Better SD Card Support
Expect better microSD card support on the Galaxy Note 3.
One of the nice things about Samsung’s smartphones is that they come with microSD card support for expanded storage. Unlike the iPhone 5 or HTC One, Galaxy S4 owners can simply pop in an SD card to expand the storage beyond the 16GB or 32GB. With support for 64GB microSD cards, that’s quite a bit of storage.
Problem is, when the Galaxy S4 first arrived, the device’s microSD card slot didn’t support the ability to store applications. It does now and it’s a sign that Samsung will issue that kind of support for the Galaxy Note 3. Official support for the Galaxy Note 2 isn’t guaranteed at this point though we believe that it will likely be a given with the Galaxy Note 3.
More Storage Options
The microSD card slot has, to some carriers, eliminated the need to offer a 32GB or 64GB models on the Galaxy S4, Galaxy S3 and yes, the Galaxy Note 2. In fact, the Galaxy Note 2 comes in 16GB form only. And while the pleas for a 32GB model haven’t been as strong as the pleas from Galaxy S4 owners, we could see this unrest push carriers to offer at least a 32GB Galaxy Note 3.
Will every carrier offer one? Probably not, but we could see a carrier or two try to set themselves apart from the rest of the pack and offer larger storage models, maybe even a limited quantity, to those that need it. And believe us, there will be those that do, especially if it comes with a fantastic new camera.
More Carriers
Unlike the Samsung Galaxy S4, the Samsung Galaxy Note 2 never arrived on carriers like C Spire or Cricket Wireless. Instead, Samsung opted to unleash it on the big five including AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile, U.S. Cellular and Verizon Wireless. This could be the case again, but it also could be that a new carrier or two decides to capitalize on the popularity of the Galaxy Note series with a Galaxy Note 3 launch.
Carrier options are big for smartphone shoppers and there are plenty of people out there that would love to buy a Galaxy Note 3 on a smaller, less congested carrier. If Samsung delivers, this would be a win for the Galaxy Note 3 and consumers alike.
Slimmer Design
Those looking for a big overall design change from the Samsung Galaxy Note 2 to the Galaxy Note 3 will likely not get one as the company is rumored to be keeping its plastic look with a style based on the Samsung Galaxy S4. However, that doesn’t mean that there won’t be tweaks, tweaks that make the Galaxy Note 3 design better than the Galaxy Note 2′s.
Here is how the Galaxy Note to Galaxy Note 2 dimensions compare:
- Galaxy Note 2 - 151.1 x 80.5 x 9.4mm – 6.35 oz.
- Galaxy Note - 146.9 x 83 x 9.7 mm – 6.28 oz.
The Galaxy Note 3 is expected to be slimmer than both of these, by quite a bit, with a frame said to be checking in around 8mm. That’s about as thin as the Galaxy S4 which measures in at 7.9mm thin.
The Samsung Galaxy Not 3 should be slimmer than the Galaxy Note 2.
It’s thought to be about 182 grams heavy, which is about 6.41 oz, but that’s excusable given that it’s supposed to be larger than the Galaxy Note 2 and Galaxy Note.
One of our biggest complaints about the Galaxy Note series is its pocketability. Simply, it’s not easy to lug around. With a thinner frame, Samsung will make the device much easier to store in a jean pocket to carry around, you know, like a normal smartphone.
Quicker Charging
Whispers point to one of two, if not both, processors being on board the Samsung Galaxy Note 3. The first, the new Exynos 5 Octa processor that arrived at CES in January and is inside the Galaxy S4. The second, the Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 processor that debuted at CES as well and has yet to make it to a device.
If Samsung does opt for the Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 chip, it could mean faster charging for Galaxy Note 3 users. We’ve heard rumors suggesting that the Snapdragon 800 is inside the Nexus 7 tablet and that its QuickCharge 2.0 technology could fully charge the device in three hours instead of a full seven hours.
Think about what it could do with a smaller device like the Samsung Galaxy Note 3. We’ve also heard about a new Exynos 5 processor that could ultimately be a new Exynos 5 Octa processor. It too could have quick charging capabilities but that’s not yet known.
If the Galaxy Note 3 does indeed have quick charging, it would be a serious upgrade over the Galaxy Note 2, a device that charges fairly slowly.
Better Battery Life
Whatever the processor that the Samsung Galaxy Note 3 ends up with, it should help to enhance the battery life that is on board the phablet. The Galaxy Note 2 was known for its good battery life, thanks to a massive battery. The Galaxy Note 3, thanks to its larger display, should have a massive stock battery on board as well.
And with a processor like the Exynos 5 Octa or Snapdragon 800, whose job is to maintain a good balance of power, we could see some remarkable battery life emerge on the Galaxy Note 3, even better than that found on the Galaxy Note 2.
IR Port
One of the less talked about features of the Samsung Galaxy S4 is its IR port which allows users to use their device to control their home entertainment devices. Whether it’s speakers or television, the Galaxy S4 acts as a universal remote, eliminating the need for a host of controls.
The Galaxy Note 2 does not have an IR port though we full expect Samsung to equip the Galaxy Note 3 with an IR port so that it can take fully advantage of the company’s WatchON software.
Better Speakers
And finally, the Samsung Galaxy Note 3 could boast better speakers than the Samsung Galaxy Note 2. The Galaxy Note series is a media consuming beast and as such, it should have access to fantastic sound quality. The Galaxy Note 2 speakers are good, but they aren’t as good as some other devices on the market, HTC’s devices in particular.
HTC One’s sports Beats Audio, BoomSound and front-facing speakers, all of which are crucial when trying to watch content on the web or listen to some music whilst on the go. Samsung should feel the need to step up its game, particularly when it comes to the Galaxy Note 3, and thanks to some tweaks with the Galaxy S4 – the position of the speaker in particular, it’s clear that Samsung is cognizant of the fact that people want great smartphone audio.
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