Samsung Galaxy Note 3 review (global edition)

Three is the magic number. Three is lucky. Three's a crowd. Okay, ignore that last one, but the number 3 does also apply to the latest Galaxy Note, and we're curious to know which of those maxims might apply. What are the marquee features this time around? Well, there's the usual bevy of specification improvements (a 5.7-inch display, quad-core Snapdragon 800 and 3GB of RAM), Android 4.3, some new S Pen features and the small matter of the Gear, that optional, polarizing companion watch.
Samsung makes a great many products, even if you just consider the mobile ones. However, since it burst into existence in 2011, the Note has been up there with the Galaxy S series on the flagship pedestal. So, it'd be fair to say that we're expecting big things from this big phone, but with a SIM-free price in the UK of £620, it requires even deeper pockets than its predecessor did at launch (that one cost around £530). That said, if you want one, you'll need big pockets anyway. While you check their size, we've scribbled, doodled and gestured the Note 3 with abandon to see if it's worth the bounty. Read on to find out if it is.

We know the drill, and we know that you know it too. The Galaxy Note 3 is a large phone that offers a similar experience to a small tablet (we're avoiding that word); its particular party trick being the now-familiar S Pen. As for aesthetics, we once again find ourselves on well-trodden ground, as Samsung largely opted for minor tweaks this time around. That said, in a lineup, the Note 3 probably shares more of a family resemblance with the original than the Note II, thanks to its much straighter lines. In a way, this also follows the evolution of the Galaxy S 4, which was ever-so-slightly less curvaceous than the phone it deposed. One thing's for sure: you can't accuse Samsung of being inconsistent. If we get out the measuring tape, we'd see that it's 5.95 inches (151.2mm) tall, 3.1 inches (79.2mm) wide and 0.33 inch (8.3 mm) deep. Number fans will be quick to note that despite the larger display (5.7 inches, up from 5.5), the Note 3's footprint has remained largely unchanged. In fact, it's a hair thinner and narrower, and only 0.1mm longer. This design voodoo doesn't end there, as the phone has even shed a fraction of an ounce, dropping from 6.35 oz. (180g) to 5.93 (168g).

While the overall appearance might be little more than a gentle massage of a tried-and-true formula, there are a few differences that are worth mentioning. We'll start with the edges, which, sadly, continue to have that faux-metal finish. This is a real shame. We firmly believe that upgrading to an actual metallic band (at least across the premium Galaxy models) would give them a much more premium feel. At the very least, it'd spare a lot of disappointed sighs from people after picking up these devices for the first time.
Material issues aside, as we mentioned in our preview, the edges of the phone are ridged, a design inspired by the pages of a book. While the effect isn't unpleasant, and does add some grip, we're not convinced by the marketing spin. On the top-right corner of this outer band, you'll find the power / standby button. Given the size of this phone, it likely won't sit in a comfortable spot for everyone. If you instinctively pick your mobile up from the bottom section (so it sits at the base of your palm), then only those with larger hands, or lengthy fingers, will be able to reach it easily. Remember, though: this is nearly a 6-inch device. It comes with the territory.

Flip it over, and along the bottom edge you'll find the enclosure for the S Pen (more on this later), the speaker, mic and micro-USB 3.0 port. This last item is one of the notable differences, as you won't see it on too many phones right now. If you've not seen one before, imagine the micro-USB port on most smartphones, with a smaller, sister port joined on; then you'll get the picture. The first thing many will likely think when they see it is, "Will I have to get a bunch of new cables?" And the good news is that the answer, for the vast majority of people, is: no, you won't. You can actually plug in a micro-USB 2.0 cable into the new port, and your phone will charge just fine.


The same goes for MHL; this can also handle legacy cables. The benefit of the newer connector is that it improves the effective / usable data rate from around 280 Mbps to 4 Gbps. Good news if you like to move big chunks of data around this way, but we're not sure if the benefit offsets the somewhat uglier connection. If you keep going around the edge, you'll meet the volume rocker just where -- Samsung users at least -- might expect. Finally, up top you have your 3.5mm jack and IR blaster, just like on the GS4.