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Samsung Galaxy Note 3 specs versus Samsung Galaxy Note 2

Samsung's phablet gets incremental changes compared with last year's model. So if you're looking for a deal on the Note 2, pay attention.

Jessica Dolcourt Senior Director, Commerce & Content Operations
Jessica Dolcourt is a passionate content strategist and veteran leader of CNET coverage. As Senior Director of Commerce & Content Operations, she leads a number of teams, including Commerce, How-To and Performance Optimization. Her CNET career began in 2006, testing desktop and mobile software for Download.com and CNET, including the first iPhone and Android apps and operating systems. She continued to review, report on and write a wide range of commentary and analysis on all things phones, with an emphasis on iPhone and Samsung. Jessica was one of the first people in the world to test, review and report on foldable phones and 5G wireless speeds. Jessica began leading CNET's How-To section for tips and FAQs in 2019, guiding coverage of topics ranging from personal finance to phones and home. She holds an MA with Distinction from the University of Warwick (UK).
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Watch this: The Samsung Galaxy Note 3 is a multitasking marvel

Samsung at IFA

Samsung's just-unveiled Galaxy Note 3 is a little bigger, a little leaner, and maybe a lot more stylish than last year's Galaxy Note 2.

For superphone nuts, this phablet is also turbo-charged across the board, with a more muscular processor, higher-resolution camera, oodles more RAM, and a (slightly) more capacious battery.

In addition to this display of hardware might, it's Samsung's ever-enhanced productivity tools that also separate this new Note from what came before. Clever additions make the stylus smarter than it's ever been.

Yet for bargain hunters hoping to scoop up a cheaper Note 2 when the Note 3 goes on sale, Samsung's gleaming spec list and S Pen innovations may not prove significant enough to command a premier price.

Read also: When a 'big' smartphone is just too big

Read up on the new S Pen tools in CNET's Galaxy Note 3 hands-on, and line up the specs with this handy chart below.

Galaxy Note 3                 Galaxy Note 2
Dimensions (in inches) 6 x 3.1 x 0.33 5.9 x 3.2 x 0.37
Weight 5.9 ounces 6.4 ounces
Launch OS         Android 4.3 Android 4.1
Display 5.7-inch AMOLED;
1,920x1,080 pixels; 386.5ppi		 5.5-inch AMOLED;
1,280x720 pixels; 267ppi
4G LTE Yes Yes
NFC Yes Yes
Bluetooth v4.0 v4.0
IR blaster Yes No
Rear-facing camera 13 megapixels;
1080p HD video		 8 megapixels;
1080p HD video
Front-facing camera 2.1 megapixels;
1080p HD video		 1.9 megapixels;
720p HD video
Processor 2.3GHz quad-core (LTE);
1.9 GHz octa-core (3G)*		 1.6GHz quad-core Exynos 4
Capacity 32GB, 64GB* 16GB, 32GB, 64GB*
RAM 3GB 2GB
Expandable storage Up to 64GB Up to 64GB
Battery 3,200mAh removable 3,100mAh removable
Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac (HT80) 802.11 a/b/g/n (HT40)
Launch
carriers		 AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile,
U.S. Cellular, Verizon		 AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile,
U.S. Cellular, Verizon
Colors Black, white, blush pink Gray, white
Finish Leatherlike plastic Plastic
*Varies by market


Samsung's classier Galaxy Note 3 (pictures)

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