Product: Samsung Galaxy Note 3
Quick specs: 2.3 GHz Quad-Core Processor, Android 4.3 (Jelly Bean), S Pen, 3 GB RAM, 13 MP camera
USP: A does-it-all phablet
official price: `49,900
Best price: `45,185
(flipkart.com)
If you’re not used to handling tablets, the first thing you notice about the Samsung Galaxy Note 3 is that it’s big, very big. This makes it a great phablet but it’s definitely not a pocket-friendly phone, in more ways than one. The device is jam-packed with specs and features and you’d have to be among the savviest of smartphone users to be able to capitalise on all of them.
Pros: The positives are many. From a massive 3 GB RAM and 3,200 mAh battery, to a crystal clear 13 MP camera and 5.7 inch full-HD Super Amoled screen, this phone packs quite a punch. The phone is fast and lets you run two apps simultaneously with its Multi Window feature quite efficiently. The S Pen is improved from the Note 2 and you could do fun things with it — doodle, convert hand-writing to text and even dial a phone number with just one click. Perhaps the best new feature is the back cover — with its faux leather finish it looks elegant and provides a firmer grip on the device. The phone can also be linked to the Galaxy Gear smart watch, though we didn’t have the opportunity to test that. The Note 3 retains the Note 2’s handy customisable multi-colour LED light to segregate all your notifications.
Cons: For a phone with such great memory and processor, it freezes quite often. Sometimes an app will hang causing the entire phone to freeze and this can get very annoying after the third occurrence. The battery doesn’t last for even a day and this can be remedied by rationed use of the apps, but why would you do that? Surprisingly, the handset also heats up after prolonged use for 2-3 hours, so be careful if you’re watching a movie or binge-viewing your favourite TV show on it. The touch can get a bit fitful and we had to tap app icons more than once to get them started.
{{/usCountry}}Cons: For a phone with such great memory and processor, it freezes quite often. Sometimes an app will hang causing the entire phone to freeze and this can get very annoying after the third occurrence. The battery doesn’t last for even a day and this can be remedied by rationed use of the apps, but why would you do that? Surprisingly, the handset also heats up after prolonged use for 2-3 hours, so be careful if you’re watching a movie or binge-viewing your favourite TV show on it. The touch can get a bit fitful and we had to tap app icons more than once to get them started.
{{/usCountry}}