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You Had Me At S-Pen Galaxy Note 3 Review

By
Education & Training with Glasswork Media Arts

The world has gone mad with mobile devices, and of course I am in the middle of the madness. Thank goodness. I recently needed to upgrade my mobile device, no one calls them phones anymore simply because using them as a phone is a rare occasion. Today's "cell phones" are actually mini computers that are capable of performing almost all tasks that a laptop would perform. I had to give up my original Galaxy Note, a device which I loved, but after just a few days with the Note 3 I don't miss it at all. This device flat out ROCKS!! Lets look at the specs before get into the real meat and potatoes of what this baby can do.

Specs (under the hood)

Samsung Galaxy Note 3
Samsung Galaxy Note 3 (Photo credit: Janitors)

OS: Android, Weight: 5.93 oz, Resolution: 1080 x 1920 pixels, Camera: 13 megapixels, Storage: 32 GB

Lets Drive...To begin with the Note 3 is sleek for a larger device, it easily slides into and out of the pocket and is not an issue for this user. The feel of the Note 3 is much more ergonomic than my previous Note. Samsung has cleverly increased the display size while decreasing the overall size of the device. As with previous models the Note 3 sports Gorilla Glass which is just about indestructible. Viewing movies and video on the large screen provides a much more pleasant viewing experience than with smaller devices, the high resolution doesn't hurt either, the sharpness of the picture is on pace with a LCD panel.

The   Clinchers...The three things that really make this device stand out are the battery life, the S-pen, and the ability to have multiple screens displayed.  The Note 3 is packed with great tools and apps as with any Android based phone, it works really well in tandem with my Glass, but those three features mentioned really make it a stand out player.

Battery Life...The battery life is simply amazing. I use my device, hard, very hard. With numerous clients on an array of different social sites, blogs, and everything else that a working internet marketing, social media manager does in their day,  I was always charging my original Note. You know the routine, chargers in the office, the kitchen, tv room, car, truck etc. With the Note 3, I charge it at night, use it all day and still have around 30% of battery at the end of the night. That in my book is a HUGE advantage.

Multiple Screens...The ability of the Note 3 to split screen is a wonderful tool, now I am not talking about a simple split screen, you can continue to segment the screen, I played around to see how many I could have open and stopped at 30. Now mind you 30 screens was pretty small, but being able to have two or three screens going at once on a hand held device is very useful. One setting that I really like, when I am reading something on a blog, or post that has a link, when you click it on the link, it automatically splits the screens and pulls up the link in the new screen, AND you can manipulate the size of the different screens.

The S-Pen Cometh...My original Note utilized the S-pen, but the Note 3 takes it so much farther. One feature I

Samsung Galaxy Note 3
Samsung Galaxy Note 3 (Photo credit: Janitors)

love is that when you pull the pen out of it's slot, the device automatically opens the Action memo, simply pull out the pen and you have a notepad simultaneously. That is a feature that has really come in handy, quick blog idea, meeting notes, etc are not lost. It also alarms if you put the pen down and move the phone away from the pen, letting you know you did not replace the pen. The S Note feature is also very handy, you can set up different note books for different ideas, I use a number of different notebooks. A wonderful business tool, of course I have everything hooking into Evernote so I am able to access notes, etc from a number of different devices.   A bonus feature is the swipe. With the device laying on a table, with the just the swipe of you hand over the device you awaken the tool and it gives you time, messages, calls, battery life  as well as other information you may have missed. I find that helpful in meetings or environments where I need to operate in mute mode.

In Conclusion ...I have had this device about 6 weeks and am still learning the many uses and features it

Image representing Samsung Electronics as depi...
Image via CrunchBase

offers, but I will say this. It takes the best of Android and kicks it in the ass. I am just amazed at the things I learn, as with many things technology, the more you dig, the more you find. I do believe this device will keep me learning about it for many months to come. If you are looking for a business device that blows the competition away, this is the device for you. I cannot recommend this device enough, Samsung you knocked it out the park for business folks with this latest version of the Galaxy Note 

Comments (10)

Jeff Fritzson: Frisco Real Estate Pro
Jeff Fritzson Real Estate, Ebby Halliday Realtors - Frisco, TX
Your Success is My Focus!

Great timingof this post as I conetmplate getting rid of my Galaxy S3. What can I say I like the phone and am not sure if I need anything else but you sure make a good case for upgrading to this one. Thanks!

Jan 05, 2014 10:02 PM
Gerry Michaels
Glasswork Media Arts - Gettysburg, PA
GettysburgGerry Social Meida

Jeff, go play with one for a bit, it will be a good upgrade if you so decide. Glad to be of help

Jan 05, 2014 10:04 PM
Kristin Johnston - REALTOR®
RE/MAX Platinum - Waukesha, WI
Giving Back With Each Home Sold!

OH no, more technology LOL!  I have a samsung 3 I think and it is time to upgrade agai

Jan 05, 2014 11:04 PM
Gerry Michaels
Glasswork Media Arts - Gettysburg, PA
GettysburgGerry Social Meida

Kristin, this device would be awesome for Realtors

Jan 05, 2014 11:15 PM
Barbara Hensley
RE/MAX Properties - Rockwall, TX
Homes for Sale in Rockwall County, Texas

Good morning Gerry, technology seems to move at lighting speed, with new things and ways to do use the new stuff.  Your devise sounds like a good option.

Jan 06, 2014 12:09 AM
Mike Crosby
Mike Crosby Realty - Placentia, CA
Placentia- Yorba Linda Real Estate - 714-742-2897

I have the Samsung note 3 and really like it.  I also have the Galaxy Gear watch.  

Mar 31, 2014 04:09 PM
Wayne Johnson
Coldwell Banker D'Ann Harper REALTORS® - San Antonio, TX
San Antonio REALTOR, San Antonio Homes For Sale

The companies are demonstrating how competition makes for improved products. 

May 18, 2014 10:22 AM
Jim Paulson
Progressive Realty (Boise Idaho) www.Progressive-Realty.info - Boise, ID
Owner,Broker

I just upgraded from the Note 2 to the Note 4 and LOVE IT.  I also just tried to set up a new grop on ActiveRain, but it appears to have some challenges  in accepting new posts:  http://activerain.com/groups/Note4  The idea is to share ideas and ways to maximze this amazing device.

Feb 25, 2015 01:06 AM
Roy Kelley
Retired - Gaithersburg, MD

I was looking for your current posts. I hope all is going well for you.

Have an outstanding summer.

Jul 18, 2020 01:52 PM
Dr. Paula McDonald
Beam & Branch Realty - Granbury, TX
Granbury, TX 936-203-0279

Was thinking that I had not seen any posts from you in a while. Hope all is well.

Sep 15, 2021 08:25 PM