TECH REVIEW ...........Samsung Galaxy Note 3

                 

TECH REVIEW Samsung Galaxy Note 3 PRICE 49,990 SPECIFICATIONS 5.7-inch super amoled (1920 x 1080 pixels), Exynos octa core processor, 3GB RAM, 32GB + microSD, 13MP/2MP camera, Android 4.3, 3,200mAh, 168g Gorgeous amoled screen, thin & light despite the size, enhanced S Pen functionality, performance, cameras, battery life The grooved chrome plastic band that runs around the phone looks cheap Back in 2011 when the first Galaxy Note was announced, it was ridiculed by many because of its size. Some of the words used to describe it at the time were ‘unwieldy’ and ‘too large for one-handed use’. However, Samsung correctly anticipated the demand for larger screen sizes. With the Note, it created the phablet category, which countless devices have since emulated. The Note 2, launched mid 2012, improved on the original Note in every way. And now two years after the original, the Note 3 is ready to take things up a notch or two. One of the biggest changes from the Note 2 is that it has a larger, better and higher resolution screen while being thinner and lighter. The full HD super amoled screen offers dazzling colours and unbelievable contrast and viewing angles. The bezels around the screen are thinner and the whole device is narrower – the effect is nothing short of stunning. The stylus is improved too. For starters, it fits into the stylus silo on the phone either way so you don’t have to look when you slot it back in. And it has removable tips (spares are provided) rather than just a sharpened plastic tip. The glossy plastic back panel on Galaxy devices is something that Samsung is almost universally derided for. Plastic does have some advantages - its sturdier, doesn’t mess with the reception and makes the device lighter – but it never feels like what a premium device should. The Note 3 still has a removable plastic back panel, but it’s beautifully textured and does a pretty good job of imitating leather, complete with a soft feel and faux stitching along the edges. About multi-tasking, the Note 2 was good but the Note 3 takes things to a whole new level – if you dare to exploit the potential on offer, that is. The multi-window and pop-up play (a resizable video window that plays on top of everything else) are present here as well. But in addition to two multi-windows and a pop-up play video, you can also pull up a small app in a box using the stylus – this means you could be doing 4 things at once. To fully utilise the stylus functionality, there are various new (and genuinely useful) software features. You can instantly take a screenshot of anything and draw on it. You can capture anything that you see into your own scrapbook for later use. You can quickly draw or scribble notes and save them. Overall, the S Pen stylus remains one of the most unique features of the Note and is now more powerful than ever. The Exynos octa core processor from the S4 has been further beefed up for Note 3. Plus, it’s the only smartphone with 3GB RAM. Performance and responsiveness is fantastic. The dual cameras are no slouches either – they’re carried over from the Galaxy S4. The rear camera has zero shutter lag and takes excellent stills and video in almost any scenario. Of special mention is the front camera which is surprisingly good even in low light. The Note 3 comes with 32GB of internal storage and a microSD slot for expansion. And to speed things up, the Note 3 offers USB 3.0 transfers which are up to 10 times faster than USB 2.0. The port is a standard USB 3.0 port but it still works (its backwards compatible) with any micro USB cable, any micro USB charger, USB host cable and MHL to HDMI adapter. If you find the price a bit too steep for your liking right now, you could wait. As is usual with Samsung, prices are revised downwards fairly quickly. Our estimate is that special offers for the Note 3 will be launched just before Diwali season and it will be priced at or below the 45,000 mark before the end of the year. As regards the competition – for someone who values the precision that a Wacom stylus offers, there is always the Note 2, which at sub 30,000 price is a real steal now. But in short, pretty much everything about the Note 3 is top notch. If you don’t mind the size, this is the ideal smartphone for you. HITESH RAJ BHAGAT