Galaxy Note III vs. All The Other Phablets
Samsung has unveiled the Galaxy Gear, its first entry in the wearable tech market, the 2014 version of the Galaxy Note 10.1, and the Galaxy Note III.
So what’s new with the Note III? Is it as impressive as the Note II or could it be even better? Check out how Samsung’s latest and greatest phablet compares to the other popular phablets that were recently unveiled.
Design:
Samsung Galaxy Note III: It’s bigger but slimmer with a new back cover. Contrary to most Galaxy devices, the Noe III features a matte leather removable back cover, but the sides of the device is still plastic though it may look like it’s made of metal. Though the leather makes it look more sophisticated, the presence of the stitches removes some of the elegance.
Samsung Galaxy MEGA: Special polycarbonate body, slim bezel, wide display
Samsung Galaxy Note II: Special polycarbonate body, slim bezel, wide display
Sony Xperia Z Ultra: The front and back are made of tempered glass, creating a seamless surface with the OptiContrast panel housed in an innovative solid metal frame which looks stunning from any angle. It features the same acclaimed OmniBalance design as Xperia Z and Tablet Z. The Xperia Z Ultra is available in a choice of black, white or purple colour finishes.
LG Optimus G Pro: Smooth metallic highlights done with Laser Cut Contour and a unibody with a clean finish
HTC Butterfly S: Glossy plastic shell that comes in grey, white and red.
Dimensions:
Galaxy Note III: Height 151.2 x Width 79.2 x Depth 8.3mm, Weight 168 grams
Galaxy MEGA: 167.6 x 88.0 x 8.0mm, 199g
Galaxy Note II: 151.1 x 80.5 x 9.4 mm, 182.5g
Xperia Z Ultra: 179.4 x 92.2 x 6.5, 212g
Optimus G Pro: 150.2 x 76.1 x 9.4 mm, 172 g
Butterfly S: 144.5 x 70.5 x 10.6mm, 160g
Display:
Galaxy Note III: 5.7inch (144.3mm) Full HD Super AMOLED (1920 x 1080)
Galaxy MEGA: 16cm(6.3) HD Super Clear LCD
Galaxy Note II: 140.9 mm (5.5″) HD Super AMOLED (1,280 x 720)
Xperia Z Ultra: 6.4” Full HD TRILUMINOS™ Display for mobile powered by X-Reality™ for mobile engine for the ultimate big screen entertainment experience
Optimus G Pro: True Full HD IPS LCD capacitive touchscreen, 16M colors, 1080 x 1920 pixels, 5.5 inches (~401 ppi pixel density), multitouch
Butterfly S: 5.0 inch Full HD 1080p, 440PPI, Corning® Gorilla®Glass 3
Processor:
Galaxy Note III: LTE – 2.3 GHz Quad-Core Processor, 3G – 1.9 GHz Octa Core Processor ( A15 1.9 GHz + A7 1.3 GHz)
Galaxy MEGA: 1.7GHz Dual Core
Galaxy Note II: 1.6 GHz quad-core processor
Xperia Z Ultra: Qualcomm® Snapdragon™ 800 processor with 2.2 GHz quad-core CPUs and 4G LTE for fast performance
Optimus G Pro: Qualcomm® Snapdragon™ 600 Processor with 1.7Ghz Quad-Core CPUs
Butterfly S: Qualcomm® Snapdragon™ 600, quad-core, 1.9GHz
Memory:
Galaxy Note III: 32/ 64 GB User memory + microSD slot (up to 64GB), 3GB RAM
Galaxy MEGA: 16GB, microSD upgradable to up to 64GB, 1.5GB RAM
Galaxy Note II: 16/32/64GB User memory, microSD slot (up to 64GB), 2GB RAM
Xperia Z Ultra: 16GB storage, microSD card slot up to 64GB, 2GB RAM
Optimus G Pro: 32 GB, upgradable with 64GB microSD, 2GB RAM
Butterfly S: 16GB, upgradable with up to 64GB micorSD, 2GB RAM
Camera:
Galaxy Note III: 13MP rear camera with BSI Sensor, Auto Focus camera with Smart Stabilization, LED Flash(High CRI), and Zero Shutter Lag; 2MP front camera with BSI sensor with Smart Stabilization, Full HD recording @30fps. Features: Dual Camera – Dual Shot / Dual Recording/ Dual Video Call; Recording – UHD 30fps, Smooth motion (FHD 60fps), Slow motion (HD 120fps); and Camera Modes – Drama Shot, Sound & Shot, Animated Photo, Eraser, Best Photo, Best Face, Beauty Face, HDR (High Dynamic Range), Panorama, Sports, Golf, Surround shot, Live effect.
Galaxy MEGA: 8MP AF w/Flash + 1.9MP
Galaxy Note II: 8 MP rear camera with Auto Focus and LED Flash, BSI; 1.9MP front VT Camera, BSI, Best Photo, Best Face, Low light shot
Xperia Z Ultra: 8 megapixel camera with “Exmor RS for mobile” sensor and HDR for videos and photos, 2MP front-facing camera with FullHD video capture
Optimus G Pro: rear camera – 13 MP, autofocus, LED flash, front camera – 2.1 MP, 1080p@30fps, geo-tagging, face detection, image stabilization, Smart Shutter, Time Catch Shot, Cheese Shutter, Live Effects,
Butterfly S: HTC UltraPixel Camera, BSI sensor, Pixel size 2.0 µm, Sensor size 1/3″, Dedicated HTC ImageChip 2, F2.0 aperture and 28 mm lens, Smart Flash – Five levels of flash automatically set by distance to subject, 2.1 MP front camera with wide angle lens and HDR capability, 1080p Full HD video recording with HDR Video, HTC Zoe with Sequence Shot, Always Smile and Object Removal, Gallery with Video Highlights and HTC Share, Continuous shooting and VideoPic, Slow motion video recording with variable speed playback
Battery Life:
Galaxy Note III: Standard battery, Li-ion 3,200 mAh
Galaxy MEGA: removable 3200mAh battery
Galaxy Note II: Standard battery, Li-ion 3,100mAh; Up to 15 hours and 30 minutes talk time, Up to 24 days of standby time
Xperia Z Ultra: 3,000mAh
Optimus G Pro: Li-Po 3140 mAh battery
Butterfly S: rechargeable Li-polymer battery, 3200 mAh; Talk time – Up to 25 hours for WCDMA, Up to 29 hours for GSM, Standby time – Up to 659 hours for WCDMA, Up to 544 hours for GSM
Connectors:
Galaxy Note III: microUSB, 3.5mm ear jack
Galaxy MEGA: Micro USB, 3.5mm ear-jack
Galaxy Note II: USB 2.0 Host, 3.5mm Ear Jack
Xperia Z Ultra: standard microUSB port with MHL and USB host, 3.5mm jack
Optimus G Pro: 3.5mm jack, micro USB
Butterfly S: 3.5 mm stereo audio jack, micro-USB 2.0
Wireless:
Galaxy Note III: WiFi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac (HT80), NFC, Bluetooth v 4.0 (LE), IR LED (Remote Control), MHL 2.0
Galaxy MEGA: BT 4.0 LE, Wi-Fi a/b/g/n/ac,NFC(UICC, eSE)
Galaxy Note II: Bluetooth® v 4.0 (Apt-X Codec support) LE, WiFi 802.11 a/b/g/n (2.4 & 5 GHz), Wi-Fi HT40, Wi-Fi Direct, NFC, S Beam, Samsung AllShare Play & Control, Samsung AllShare Cast (WiFi Display), Mirroring & Extention, Samsung AllShare Framework
Xperia Z Ultra: Wi-Fi a/b/g/n, Wi-Fi hotspot, Bluetooth 4.0, NFC
Optimus G Pro: 4G LTE, GPRS, EDGE, Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct, DLNA, Wi-Fi hotspot, Bluetooth 4.0, NFC, Infrared port,
Butterfly S: NFC capable, Compliant with Bluetooth 4.0, Bluetooth 4.0 with aptX enabled, Wi-Fi – IEEE 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, DLNA for wirelessly streaming media from the phone to a compatible TV or computer, Miracast wireless display standard, Support consumer infrared remote control
GPS:
Galaxy Note III: GPS / GLONASS
Galaxy MEGA: A-GPS + GLONASS
Galaxy Note II: A-GPS, Glonass
Xperia Z Ultra: GPS receiver with A-GPS
Optimus G Pro: S-GPS For Enhanced Location Accuracy
Butterfly S: GPS/AGPS + GLONASS, Digital compass
Operating System:
Galaxy Note III: Android 4.3 (Jelly Bean)
Galaxy MEGA: Android 4.2 Jelly Bean
Galaxy Note II: Android 4.1 Jelly Bean
Xperia Z Ultra: Android 4.2 Jelly Bean
Optimus G Pro: Android 4.1.2 Jelly Bean
Butterfly S: Android with HTC Sense, HTC BlinkFeed
Sensors:
Galaxy Note III: Gesture, Accelerometer, Geo-magnetic, Gyroscope, RGB, Proximity, Barometer, Temperature & Humidity, Hall Sensor
Galaxy MEGA: accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass and ambient light sensors
Galaxy Note II: Accelerometer, RGB Light, Digital Compass, Proximity, Gyro, Barometer
Xperia Z Ultra: No information yet
Optimus G Pro: Accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass
Butterfly S: Gyro sensor, Accelerometer, Proximity sensor, Ambient light sensor
Video:
Galaxy Note III: Codec: H.264, MPEG-4, H.263, VC-1, WMV7, WMV8, Sorenson Spark, MP43, VP8, HEVCm Recording & Playback: Full HD (1080p), UHD (may differ by market)
Galaxy MEGA: MPEG4, H.263, H.264, VC-1, VP8Recording/ Playback : 1080p@30fps
Galaxy Note II: Codec – MPEG4, H.263, H.264, VC-1, DivX, WMV7, WMV8, WMV9, VP8; supported format: 3GP(MP4), WMV(ASF), AVI, FLV, MKV, WebM; Full HD(1080p) Playback & Recording
Xperia Z Ultra: No information yet
Optimus G Pro: Touch Lock, Dolby® Mobile, and Resume Play Function; supports DivX®, WMV, MP4, 3GP, and 3G2 Formats
Butterfly S: Playback – .3gp, .3g2, .mp4, .wmv (Windows Media Video 9), .avi (MP4 ASP and MP3), Recording – .mp4
Audio:
Galaxy Note III: Codec: MP3, AAC/AAC+/eAAC+, WMA, AMR-NB/WB, Vorbis, FLAC, WAV, Ultra High Quality Audio (~192KHz, 24 bit) support
Galaxy MEGA: FM Radio, MP3, OGG, AAC, AAC+, eAAC+, WMA,AMR-NB/WB, FLAC, PCM, MID, IMY
Galaxy Note II: Codec – MP3, OGG, WMA, AAC, ACC+, eAAC+, AMR(NB,WB), MIDI, WAV, AC-3, Flac, Music Player with SoundAlive
Xperia Z Ultra: No information yet
Optimus G Pro: Supports AAC, AAC+, eACC+, AMR, MP3, MIDI, WAV, WMA Formats
Butterfly S: HTC BoomSound, Dual frontal stereo speakers with built-in amplifiers, Studio-quality sound with Beats Audio, Sense Voice, Playback – .aac, .amr, .ogg, .m4a, .mid, .mp3, .wav, .wma (Windows Media Audio 9), Recording – .amr
SIM Card:
Galaxy Note III: Micro SIM
Galaxy MEGA: micro SIM
Galaxy Note II: micro SIM
Xperia Z Ultra: micro SIM
Optimus G Pro: Micro SIM
Butterfly S: microSIM
Pen/Stylus:
Galaxy Note III: Modified S Pen which features Air Command – Action Memo, Scrapbook, Screen Write, S Finder, Pen Window
Galaxy MEGA: NONE
Galaxy Note II: S Pen Experience, S Note, S Planner, Email with hand-writing integration, S Pen Keeper, Quick Command, Easy Clip, Photo Note, Paper Artist, Shape Match, Formula Match
Xperia Z Ultra: Supports use of pencil and selected stylus or pen (capacitive stylus or metal pen with tip diameter over 1mm) but does not ship with one included
Optimus G Pro: NONE
Butterfly S: NONE
Additional Features:
Galaxy Note III: Group Play which allows you to share music, photos, videos, documents and even play games; Story Album, S Translator, Smart features such as Smart Scroll, Smart Pause, Air Gesture and Air View, ChatON, WatchON, S Voice, S Health, Samsung Adapt Display, Samsung Adapt Sound, auto adjust touch sensitivity which means you can use it even when you’re wearing gloves, Samsung Link, screen mirroring, Safety Assistance, Samsung KNOX, and other features that would help you accomplishing tasks faster.
Galaxy MEGA: Samsung Apps, Samsung WatchONS Travel, Story Album, Kies(Windows & Mac), Kies air
Galaxy Note II: Air View, Popup Note, Popup Video, Page Buddy / Tag Buddy / Word Buddy, Samsung TouchWiz / Samsung L!ve Panel, Samsung Kies /Samsung Kies Air, Samsung ChatOn mobile communication service, Smart Stay, Direct claa, Screen Recorder, Quick Glance, Samsung ChatOn mobile communication service. Samsung S Suggest. It also has an Enterprise solution that includes On Device Encryption (H/W), Microsoft Exchange ActiveSync, VPN(F5, Cisco, Juniper), MDM(Sybase Afaria, MobileIron, SOTI, Airwatch), CCX, and VMware MVP.
Xperia Z Ultra: super responsive screen with handwriting recognition, easy-toggle keyboard, Battery STAMINA Mode, “WALKMAN”, Album and Movies media applications, an impressive rating of IP55 and IP58 which makes it both dust resistant and waterproof
Optimus G Pro: Quick Memo, Live Zooming, Screen Zooming, Message Wallpaper, Icon personalizer, Application Link, Dual Screen, QSLIDE
Butterfly S: BlinkFeed, BoomSound, Zoe, Video Highlights
And the best phablet is…
Because of the smart features and enhanced S Pen features, the Galaxy Note III seems to be the all-round best phablet in this roundup. Add to these features the sleeker body that makes it more comfortable to hold, and it’s advantages are numerous.
Unfortunately, having a leather back cover may not be the wisest move. Though dirt on black leather is barely noticeable, white leather can get damaged and worn quite easily. lus, leather is not the ideal material to use for something that is exposed to various temperatures and humidities, since it can easily crack. Leather can be easily slashed ans when you have sweaty palms, the leather can be a bit sticky over time and even smell.
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