This is the thread to discuss the Note III which was officially announced on 04 September at IFA 2013 Berlin.







Announced to be available on 25 September in 149 countries, with Japan and US in October.

So this means that we should this hitting us at the end of this month !!!

Let's hope for good telco deals.



TELCO PRE-ORDER/REGISTRATION OF INTEREST
Digi ROI - 2013-09-09 - Azrage



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Vote via Google Form and see the results in the link below.

FAVORITE NOTE 3 COLORS

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Variants known:
Available as:

• Samsung Galaxy Note 3 N9000
• Samsung Galaxy Note 3 N9002 with dual SIM card support
• Samsung Galaxy Note 3 N9005 with LTE connectivity.

OFFICIAL SPECS

• Android 4.3 with latest version of Touchwiz
• 5.7-inch Super Amoled display, 1920x1080 resolution
• 3GB of RAM
• 2.3GHz Snapdragon 800 CPU in LTE variant
• 1.9GHz Exynos Octa Core CPU in 3G variant
• 13MP rear camera with LED Flash
• 2MP front facing camera with BSI sensor and smart stabilization
• Full HD 1080p 60fps video recording (4K recording available in some models)
• NFC
• Bluetooth LE
• 32GB/64GB on-board storage, expandable via microSD card (upto 64GB card supported)
• 3200mAh removable battery
• microSIM card
• S Pen with optimized features - Air Command: Action Memo, Scrapbook, Screen Write, S Finder, Pen Window, S Note, Multi Window, new Easy Clip, Direct Pen Input

It says "in some models". The official variant list has not been provided as of now, 02:30 on 05 September.
Will update when it becomes available.


Pretty good writeup by Mobilesyrup, a Canadian mobile news site, on the GN3

The Samsung Galaxy Note 3 is the most interesting smartphone released this year. Here’s why

*my summary of the key headings*

1. It’s the first phone with USB 3.0
2. It’s the first non-Nexus phone with Android 4.3
3. It sports a Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 processor and 3GB of RAM
4. It comes standard with 32GB of internal storage
5. It’s one of the first devices to support Category 4 LTE, also known as LTE-Advanced
6. Most of its new software features are actually useful
7. Despite having a larger screen, it’s actually more compact than the Note II

About the 3Gb RAM - gogo2
Android Authority - Samsung starts producing 3GB mobile RAM; in time for Galaxy Note 3 and LG G2?


More on the RAM: post by gogo2 showing articles describing the RAM speed
Note 3's RAM is 2,133Mbps, while the earlier RAM used by most 2Gb phones are at 1,600Mbps



Android Authority - Samsung Introduces The Galaxy Note 3 In A Super-Detailed 6.5 Minute Video




GSMArena Hands on with Multi-Vision --- expand your screen ACROSS several Note 3s !!!!! - Andrewtst



=============================

For the Note series, the main differentiator is the S-Pen using a Wacom active digitizer, and Samsung's nicely packaged software to take advantage of it across the OS. I personally like the workflow enhancement you get when your device can actually replace the paper notebook, so I am very keen for active digitizer devices, of which currently only the Note series has it in the smartphone/phablet form factor. Larger devices with active digitizers (Wacom or N-Trig) tend to be very expensive (RM5k++) tablets/convertibles from notebook manufacturers.


First off, I want to put things in perspective. I must state that we can no longer think of our devices as "phones" but COMPUTERS. Therefore, since computers have been around for the last 60 years or so, there is nothing "new" or "innovative" to expect from our devices, except for "faster, better, cheaper". Maybe not cheaper but we have seen ASP (Average Selling Price) falling across the board.

And because it is a computer, you have to treat it as such, ie regular backups, some periodic cleansing/factory reset and practice safe computing habits.

Note that of course it is not to be compared with the CISC type computers of the Intel x86 desktop/notebook genre, but it is still a computer nonetheless of the RISC variety, specifically the ARM family, with a huge number of variations across manufacturers. The focus of ARM is for performance per watt, which allows low power computing on the go which has been the dream of computing since its dawn.


Anything else, feel free to contribute.

Information will be added as it becomes available.

This post has been edited by joytest: Sep 9 2013, 11:36 PM

Links to Tweets, Reviews, Hands on, articles etc.


Lowyat.Net Twitter confirming availability on 25 Sep in Malaysia
Confirmed: the Galaxy Note 3 and Galaxy Gear are all coming to Malaysia on September 25


SoyaCincau on availability, also *possibly* 25 Sep - Xeactorz

Engadget's Comparison with Note 2 - blacktubi

	Note II	Note 3
Dimensions	5.95 x 3.16 x 0.37 inches (151.1 x 80.5 x 9.4mm)	5.95 x 3.12 x 0.33 inches (151.2 x 79.2 x 8.3mm)
Weight	6.35 oz. (180g)	5.92 oz. (168g)
Screen size	5.5 inches	5.7 inches
Screen resolution	1,280 x 720 pixels (267ppi)	1,920 x 1,080 (386ppi)
Screen type	HD Super AMOLED	Full HD Super AMOLED
Battery	3,100mAh	3,200mAh
Internal storage	16 / 32 / 64GB	32 / 64GB
External storage	microSD (up to 64GB)	microSD (up to 64GB)
Rear camera	8MP	13MP
Front-facing cam	1.9MP	2MP
Video capture	1080p	1080p, 4K/UHD* (only in some markets)
NFC	Yes	Yes
Radios	HSPA+, LTE	HSPA+, LTE Advanced
Bluetooth	Version 4.0	Version 4.0
SoC	1.6GHz quad-core Exynos	2.3GHz quad-core processor / 1.9GHz octa-core processor (varies by region)
RAM	2GB	3GB
MHL	Yes	Yes
Operating system	Android 4.1 Jelly Bean	Android 4.3 Jelly Bean

Micro USB 3.0 - world first !!!!

Why USB 3.0 - All phones to date have the USB 2.0 interface. This is rated at a max of 480Mbps. USB 3.0 is rated for 4.8Gbps, a 10 fold increase in theoretical maximum transmission speed. Your Gb's of will transfer much faster via USB 3.0 to your external storage device or PC. Of course you need a USB 3.0 port or compliant peripheral as well.

Before the RDF kicks in, I'm given to understand that the Lightning connectors on idevices are still USB 2.0.
> link <

Samsung Galaxy Note 3 sports USB 3.0 connector for faster transfers and charging - Xeactorz
.....Oh, and if you’re worried about losing that micro B USB 3.0 cable and having no way to charge or manage files on your device, don’t be. Similar to those backward-compatible USB 3.0 flash drives, the Note 3 will allow you to connect a standard microUSB cable as well, so Samsung has every base covered.


From left to right - stylus, SPEAKER GRILLE, micro USB 3.0 port.




A microusb 3.0 cable



You can use your existing microusb 2.0 cables to charge and transfer data. - Neomax3



Official First Hands On for Note 3 and Gear - Xeactorz

Very interesting for the charting functions in the new S-Note version. 18 minutes long.




A comparison of various Samsung phone sizes from S1 thru Note3 - Andrewtst




PocketNow hands on with various cases - Xeactorz



*Cases
*Wallets
*Covers (with S-View window)



Engadget Note 3 flip cover hands on - WiLyi



==========================================

Knox

Post by Adam Outler
https://plus.google.com/1047110401102224722...sts/FRpQGz5H3xu

This is an interesting high-level overview of Samsung's security, including Knox. I find the "authorized OSs" part interesting. Notice the s on the end of OSs. The Knox marketing manual states that it is possible to change the device keys securely, but makes no reference to how it is done. Any ideas?




==========================================

Sammobile - Hands-on Galaxy Note 3, Galaxy Gear and Galaxy Note 10.1 2014 edition - 2013-09-08 - Xeactorz

The article also has a comparison of the Note 3 4k video vs the Note 2 FHD and S4 FHD videos.

8:39






TechRadar - Hands on: Samsung Galaxy Note 3 review - 2013-09-05 - mudkipryan94
A short review, but I would like to highlight one of the comments. I am not being a Samsung fanboi but surely a review should be as objective as possible, and personal bias should be stated up front.

Android Authority - Galaxy Note 3 vs LG G2 vs Xperia Z1 vs Xperia Z Ultra – Spec battle
.....These smartphones are all top of the range devices, and the bar has been set extremely high. There are very few perceivable differences between the four of them and personal preference might be the biggest factor that makes you prefer one over the other. What we do know is that with such great options from a wide variety of manufacturers, the competition will compel OEMs to make even better devices which is a win for you, the consumer.

It’s a battle royale, and these are the most latest and most advanced smartphones in the world.




Engadget - Samsung Galaxy Note 3 preview - WiLyi
Nice and fairly in depth overview, with 40 pics.


Verge - Samsung's Galaxy Note 3 is bigger, faster, thinner, and lighter, but is it any better? - WiLyi
An EXTREMELY short writeup but there's a hands on pics, AND 330 comments and counting, as of 17:30 on 05 September.


PocketNow's Taylor Martin on Five reasons we want the Galaxy Note 3 - benny888


The first benchmark scores of the Samsung Galaxy Note 3 are in - Xeactorz


IFA 2013: Samsung overview
...The S-Pen is what actually makes the Note lineup so special, and Samsung has surely provided the Note 3 with even more S-Pen compatible apps, handwriting-recognition features and drawing tools.

There is also one more thing different about the new Note - it arguably looks better than ever (if though not everybody here at the office agrees). Samsung has its entire back to look like leather and the Note 3 looks just amazing....


CNET - Samsung's Galaxy Note 3 has new leather-and-stitching look and more multitasking (hands-on)
.....As phones get bigger and tablets get more ubiquitous, it's good to see a device do something different that actually justifies the increased size. The Samsung Galaxy Note 3's multitasking features are particularly well-thought-out -- but whether you think it looks good in leather is up to you.


Slashgear - Samsung Galaxy Note 3 hands-on



Phonearena - Samsung Galaxy Note 3 specs

This post has been edited by joytest: Sep 10 2013, 01:00 AM

You could donate them to a worthy cause. Or donate 1 to me

I'm sure you have nieces/nephews/significant other who may be deserving. Or LYN GS is just a few clicks away.....

I also have a sense of disappointment. 5.9" would have been so much better. However, given HTC's current troubles, the One Max could suffer delays.

Still, there has not been any official word yet, unlike the Samsung event in July, or even the S4 leaks. This time Note 3 has been pretty hush hush.

There's always Xperia Z Ultra for the largest phablet that's without a stylus.

Another 3 weeks to go. Will reopen when specs are firm or 1st Sep.

So this just in earlier today:

http://www.sammobile.com/2013/08/15/exclus...s-confirmation/

SM-N900 – Samsung Galaxy Note III 3G
- CPU: Samsung Exynos 5420 (Octa-Core)
- GPU: ARM Mali-T628 MP6
- RAM: 3 GB LPDDR3 (Channel A+B – 12.8Gbit+12.8Gbit)

SM-N9005 – Samsung Galaxy Note III LTE
- CPU: Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 (MSM8974)
- GPU: Adreno 330
- RAM: 3 GB LPDDR3 (Channel A+B – 12.8Gbit+12.8Gbit)


The blogosphere is already rife with "which version are you getting" and it seems Singapore will get both versions together, seeing that they lusted after our S4 Octa when they had the LTE version.

It depends whether you frequent or stay in an LTE enabled area. Many are of the opinion that getting an LTE model will "future proof" your device but the practical fact is that perhaps by the time you get LTE in your location, it would be the Snapdragon 2400 SoC with Adreno 690, or in the next 18 months you would have gotten a new unit with the newer beefier specs.

However if the delta between LTE and 3G is small, by all means the LTE model will be fine. Now all that remains is the answer to the question, which model will have more dev support.

Well, Samsung managed to produce the octa core device, but failed at the LTE modem, so they had to take a Qualcomm SoC with LTE modem.

I don't think there's much performance difference between the 2 for this generation. Only if Samsung cleaned up the CCI400 then octa will blow everything away. Don't know if they've solved it.

Well if you're hung up on performance, get the octa then.

What is your current device? Just curious since your avatar says you're an android flashing maniac.

Yes, 5.7" is a bummer. However, I believe Samsung are trying to play it safe, given what we've seen of 6"++ devices.

They are all not mainstream except for some diehards (myself among them) who want large screened devices.

The XZU is the largest of all such devices, and the pro is the great screen. The con is that the size is not universally accepted. I guess the same goes with the Mega 6.3. The Note seems to hit a sort of sweet spot between pocketable/handbaggable vs too large to pocket definitely. I don't know if the handbag toting half of the population will view the size of the XZU as a con.

The only reasonable contender left in the Note space is the Asus Fonepad Note, likely to be with an active digitizer as well. The HTC One Max, ummm, seems to be just a larger One with no distinguishing features. It may appeal to those who want something smaller than the XZU and aluminium chassis.

Right now we don't know yet. Probably 10% difference on benchmarks between the 2. However it won't translate into anything meaningful in real usage since both are monster processors n gpus.

2 more weeks to go. Based on what happened with the S4, I guess the 3G will be the unwanted stepchild.

DirectD however shows that the LTE S4 is only RM 50 more than the 3G, so perhaps supply/demand equilibrium will happen quite fast

According to most reports, maxis sims from 2011 or 2012 are lte capable already. Missing the stylus functionality already are you

Apart from cm/aosp, personally I find all I need is rooted stock with xposed framework and a few mods. Mod yr own rom man.

And do not forget that when discussing the Note, it is about the stylus which I am really into.

You seem to hold some bitterness against Samsung from the way you post, even in the note1 thread.

Just in:

Samsung to ship Galaxy Note III from September, Galaxy Gear smartwatch from October
http://www.sammobile.com/2013/08/19/samsun...h-from-october/

Both the Galaxy Note III and the Galaxy Gear smartwatch are all but confirmed to be ready for an official unveiling on September 4th, and today we’ve received the shipping dates for both devices in our mailbox – the third-generation Note will start shipping in the same month it is announced, while the smartwatch will arrive in the market from October.

Our source mentions week 36 as the likely time when the Note III will begin shipping, while the smartwatch will be shipped around week 40, though a delay of a week or two may happen, depending on region. It is also confirmed that Samsung is dropping the 16GB storage variant, which is great news looking at how the 16GB variant of the S4 leaves little usable space for the end-user (and also because lower than 32GB of built-in storage on flagship devices just doesn’t cut it any more).

Samsung has repeatedly shown their resolve to bring flagship devices to market soon after announcement, so expect to see both devices available for purchase in stores and online retailers in September and October. We’ll be working hard to bring you more exclusive info on the Note III and Galaxy Gear, so stay tuned.

===============
Samsung is moving fast. Probably due to all the increase in other maker's "phablets", and like to pre-empt the Asus Fonepad Note. The Asus seems to be the only other phablet with a true active digitizer and stylus for now. The HTC One Max is still unknown, but if they are going to do it like the HTC Flyer, I believe it won't take off.

This post has been edited by joytest: Aug 19 2013, 05:41 PM

Personally I don't know what more that they can add on software to top what's in the s4.

I am also of the opinion that you cannot expect any geewhiz stuff from.any manufacturer. Even the stuff in the Moto X is somewhat meh unless you are fond of talking to your machine like in Star Trek.

I suggest you think of the device as a pocket computer instead of a wowphone. There is nothing magical and there is no reality distortion field. Just install apps you need for what you need to do.

Only one thing though...more sensors and IR blasting will give it a few more brownie points, and with the stylus it will beat the Moto X.

This post has been edited by joytest: Aug 20 2013, 01:03 AM

A writeup on some stuff that remains unknown for the Note 3 to date:

Samsung Galaxy Note 3 Mysteries
http://www.gottabemobile.com/2013/08/19/sa...te-3-mysteries/

.....Recently, we saw Samsung register a domain with ‘pen’ in its name, a sign that the S Pen could play a significant role in the Galaxy Note 3′s success. This is something that is hard to dispute.

The Galaxy Note series is being thoroughly challenged this year by devices like the HTC One Max and Sony Xperia Z Ultra and it needs features, beyond the big screen, camera and processor to help it stand out......

===========

HTC One Max pictured today with something that seems to be a fingerprint sensor. Could the Note 3 get one too?

Fingerprint sensor is kinda neat, but nothing to die for though.

Well they've got competition....at least a spec/feature war will be good for us.

I used a friend's S4 over the weekend, didn't check whether LTE or 3G. I ran a video recording, and it threw a Not Enough Memory error after 5 minutes, and I wasn't able to record again. I didn't bother investigating the issue as my friend took back the phone. Hopefully she rebooted it and it should have gone back to normal.

So since our devices are actually COMPUTERs, MORE RAM is GOOD+++.

Again, if you do not use the stylus, and you want a big screen that is still (very barely) pocketable, then XZU is great as a media consumption device. If you use a handbag, then I suppose it is no issue.

If you want the stylus, the Note.

About IPxx certification, I still don't think you should wash your phone or dunk it in water regularly just because you can. I will suggest it is a last resort insurance and you should not tempt fate.

As I replied to our dear aspire in the Note 2 thread, our devices are a full blown computer, but a different platform. It may not run Excel etc but there are plenty of other apps that let you do a lot of other things.

See, it is a general purpose programmable computing device, ie a computer. Think of it as a sub-netbook in terms of computing utility.

From the Economist on 21 Nov 2002

Smartphones and handheld computers
Computing's new shape

As two industries collide, a new kind of computer may emerge
http://www.economist.com/node/1454436

“A COMPUTER on every desk and in every home.” This was Microsoft's mission statement for many years, and it once sounded visionary and daring. But today it seems lacking in ambition. What about a computer in every pocket? Sure enough, Microsoft has recently amended its statement: its goal is now to “empower people through great software, anytime, any place on any device”. Being chained to your desktop is out: mobility is in. The titan of the computer industry has set its sights on an entirely new market.

It is not alone. This week Dell, the world's largest PC maker, launched its first handheld computers, which run Microsoft's Pocket PC software. HP and Palm, which also make handheld computers, have just unveiled new models, with far more emphasis on wireless networking and telephony. .......

===========
Computers with a telephone and camera module .......

This post has been edited by joytest: Aug 20 2013, 04:25 PM

For the current state of apps/programs in the mobile space, it should be for about another year. Of course you can elect not to update your stuff and keep things as they are, then you can use it for another year more I guess.