Galaxy S3 vs Galaxy Note – Overview
See below for a detailed feature by feature comparison of the Galaxy S3 vs Galaxy Note. We have used them in real life scenarios and compared every feature. Reviewing the Galaxy S3 vs Galaxy Note, I’m reminded that one of the strengths of the Samsung range is the diversity of their form factors.
It’s true that HTC have more products in their line up, the HTC 1X, HTC 1S and HTC V but there are fewer differences between the 3 of those than there are between the Samsung Galaxy S3 and the Samsung Galaxy Note.
Both devices have stayed in the top 7 Whatphone mobile phones list for months. These are the top 7 Smartphones that more than 90% of people buy. They’re still selling strong now. And it’s time to throw them in to a tug of war so see which has the most mobile phone pulling power. Let’s find out what phone is right for you.
Galaxy S3 vs Galaxy Note – specification comparison :
Out of the box, the Galaxy S3 sits before me in pebble blue, come hither curvy casing covering best in class components. Next to it, the far more business like Galaxy Note is a centimeter wider and longer with a simply enormous screen.
Galaxy S3 vs Galaxy Note – what’s different ?
- Screen. Oh my goodness, here’s your point of difference. Both are Super AMOLED screens. The Samsung Galaxy S3 has 720 x 1280 resolution, the Note, 1280 x 800 ( slightly better. ) The screen on the Samsung Galaxy SIII is fantastic. It’s a 4.8 inch plasma screen in your hand. But watching the 5.3 inch Galaxy Note is like seeing a film at the cinema in comparison. The bigger screen on the Note allows more icons on the screen which made for easier navigation and quicker access to what I needed for me. I found the stylus which came for the bigger screen a bit of a gimmick but it’s there if you want it.
- The weights are clearly different. The extra battery required to power the screen on the Note as well as the components of the screen make it 33% heavier ( 133 grams for the S3, 178g for the Note. ) Neither is unwieldy but having spent a lot of time with both in real life situations, the Note took marginally longer to get used to. The size of the Galaxy Note is not nearly the negative point you think it’s going to be. It sits fine in a pocket ( and I presume, handbag ) but my preference was the chassis of the Samsung Galaxy S3.
- Processors : The Galaxy S3 has quad core 1.4GHz processors. The Note dual core 1.4 GHz processors. The real performance difference between them was not noticeable when I tested them. I edited video on the Note while it was my primary device, after a Saturday night out, and it kept up fine.
- Battery power : I don’t know if it’s the processors on the Galaxy S3. I think it’s the screen. The battery life is just not good enough in practice. I’m a very heavy user but I also have friends I’d describe as mid tier users ( push email but set to hourly, don’t stream multimedia every day. ) We’ve all had challenges with the Galaxy S3’s battery. Make sure you go in with your eyes open and be prepared to invest in a battery extension application if you’re getting the S3.
Galaxy S3 vs Galaxy Note – what’s the same ?
- Expandable memory : Both devices have the useful expandable slot which keeps the purchase cost down and puts the decision on how many cards, of what size, you want to carry with you.
- Cameras : Both the Galaxy Note and the S3 have similar camera capabilities. Each has its own 8MP camera and the tools in the interface are very similar.
- Video taking : 30 FPS ( Frames Per Second ) 1080 video recording on both devices gives smooth, high quality video that I’m still amazed you can find on a mobile phone.
Galaxy S3 vs Galaxy Note – other influences
There are few other influences. Both run Android. Both have Android 4.0 – Ice Cream Sandwich.
Both have Touchwiz. The Galaxy S3, as the hero handset in the range, launched later than the Note, has more funky features.
That said however, the extra features that you will use on the Galaxy S3 are well worth having and positively differentiate the Galaxy S3 against the Note.
Galaxy S3 vs Galaxy Note – summing up
For two devices in the same range, with one key difference, there is little to sum up. I love the Galaxy S3 and, of the two, it’s my favourite.
In comparison to the Note, I find the Gal S3 better in every regard that’s important to me – the way it looks, feels, the features and specifications it has. It’s only failing is its battery. The only enormous difference is the screen and you know that already so if you want a Note, you’ll know that too.
Galaxy S3 vs Galaxy Note – price alerts
If you’re weighing up the relative merits of the Galaxy S3 vs Galaxy Note to find out what phone is right for you then price is probably a consideration for you.