Samsung Galaxy Note 3 Release Nears: 5 Features The Smartphone Needs To Beat The Samsung Galaxy S4

There seems to be a new report about the Samsung Galaxy Note 3 every day, and while the device remains unconfirmed by Samsung there are many features that fans are sure will end up on the device, and many others we're hoping to see.

The Galaxy Note series is popular in its own right. Known for large displays, Galaxy Note devices often introduce features that later become standard on future Samsung devices. For example, the Samsung Galaxy Note 2 brought Multi-window to the Samsung market in a system update, after which the Multi-window feature became standard on other devices, including the Samsung Galaxy S4. Despite having their niche following, Galaxy Note series devices don’t sell quite as well as Galaxy S series devices. The Samsung Galaxy S4 has notably sold more than 20 million handsets since its late April release, while the Samsung Galaxy Note 2 has sold close to 10 million handsets since its September 2012 release.

However, many reports propose that the Samsung Galaxy S4 isn’t selling as well as analysts predicted. This has caused many fans to turn their sights on the Samsung Galaxy Note 3, which is reportedly expected to help the Korean manufacturer recover Galaxy S4 lost sales. Samsung insists that the Galaxy S4 is selling just fine, but many are anxious to see what the company does with its upcoming flagship after finding the Galaxy S4 gimmicky and somewhat overrated.

As per Samsung tradition, we expect to see many features introduced on the Galaxy Note 3 that will in turn be made standard on future Samsung Galaxy devices. Many rumors currently surround the Samsung Galaxy Note 3. Some propose features that are very likely to end up on the upcoming device, while other features are likely a bit far-fetched. Many enthusiasts agree that Samsung can use the Galaxy S4 as a base for what it needs to improve to make the Samsung Galaxy Note 3 a go-to device.

Here are five features we think the Samsung Galaxy Note 3 needs in order to be a fierce adversary for its cousin, the Samsung Galaxy S4.

1. More Durable

The Samsung Galaxy S4 notably adopts the same polycarbonate exterior that Samsung is infamous for, but some rumors about the Samsung Galaxy Note 3 suggest that the device may be the first Samsung flagship to feature a metal chassis as opposed to a plastic exterior. Other reports suggest that Samsung may use a carbon fiber casing to outfit its Galaxy Note 3. Whatever material the Galaxy Note 3 is made of, stronger Samsung Galaxy devices is a necessity. The Galaxy S4 has proved to be a drop test disaster, faring even worse than the Samsung Galaxy S3, which is well known for screen shattering when dropped. The Samsung Galaxy Note 2, however, is slightly sturdier than both its Galaxy S cousins, so perhaps the Galaxy Note 3 will take after its sibling. Samsung proved that is has the technology to make rugged devices when it released its water-and-dust proof Samsung Galaxy S4 Active. In addition to being more durable overall, we’d like to see more rugged features standard on a Samsung Galaxy Note 3, something that accident-prone Samsung Galaxy users would especially appreciate.

2. More Internal Storage

Many early adopters of the Samsung Galaxy S4 took issue with the fact that nearly half of its 16GB ROM was already being used by Samsung’s pre-installed software. Additionally, 32GB variants of the device have only recently released on select carriers such as AT&T and Verizon, while the 64GB Galaxy S4 variant has yet to be seen on any carrier. Some users report that the 9GB of available storage on the Galaxy S4 is more than enough, but others, especially gamers and app aficionados report that their ROM is quickly eaten up from just a few downloads. Many Galaxy Note 2 users have also found the lack of available space an issue on their handsets. We would like to see the Samsung Galaxy Note 3 either have its larger storage variants more readily available or have storage options begin at 32GB. This is the route rival HTC took for its 2013 flagship, the HTC One, which sells in 32GB and 64GB options. Even with spaced used for pre-installed system files, there would still be a considerable amount of ROM left for personal use.

3. Ship With Samsung Galaxy S4 Updates

In addition to the Samsung Galaxy S4 having much less internal storage available than was advertised, the device also initially shipped with users unable to install or transfer apps to a MicroSD card, leaving the up to 64GB external expansion on the Galaxy S4 useful only for storing photos or other media not acquired from the Google Play Store. However, in response to mass criticisms, Samsung has begun rolling out system optimization updates that will now allow users to install and transfer apps on their MicroSD card, not only pre-installed apps but also apps and media bought from the Google Play Store. Additionally, the update compacts the weight of Samsung’s pre-installed software, freeing up some of that previously unavailable ROM for personal use. We want to see the Samsung Galaxy Note 3 ship with these updates already on board, rather than having users wait for them to roll out in various countries and on respective mobile networks.

4. Powered By The Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 Chipset

Currently, rumors are leaning toward the Samsung Galaxy Note 3 featuring the 2.3 GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 chipset; however, many forget that Samsung has customarily outfitted Galaxy Note devices with its own brand of Exynos processors. The original Samsung Galaxy Note contains the Exynos 4 Dual chipset while the Samsung Galaxy Note 3 contains the Exynos 4 Quad chipset. Early Samsung Galaxy Note 3 rumors proposed the device would feature the Exynos 5 Octa chipset, but amid news of Samsung’s component shortages, reports switched to suggesting the Snapdragon 800.

While the Exynos 5 Octa chipset was advertised as an eight-core processing powerhouse prior to the release of the Samsung Galaxy S4, many early adopters discovered that the battery life, display and internal memory issues the device encountered occurred mostly on handsets with the Exynos chipset as opposed to Galaxy S4 handsets with the Qualcomm Snapdragon 600 chipset. Additionally, reports quickly uncovered that while the Exynos 5 Octa does contain eight processing cores, the chipset is made out of two quad-core components that can only function one at a time.

We hope the Samsung Galaxy Note 3 features the Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 chipset because it clocks in at a super-fast 2.3 GHz, which will likely equate to smoother and speedier computing on the device. There is also hope that with the Snapdragon 800 chipset, the Galaxy Note 3 will feature LTE Advanced connectivity, which provides download speeds of up to 150Mbps.

5. Camera Optimization Allows For Better Low Light Photos

One major criticism about the 13-megapixel camera on the Samsung Galaxy S4 is that it is not ideal for capturing photos in low light. The camera’s night or flash features often do little to salvage photos that do not have proper lighting. However, many rumors surrounding the Samsung Galaxy Note 3 suggest a 13-megapixel sensor on the upcoming device will feature various camera optimizations, including 3x optical zoom and optical image stabilization. OIS notably helps reduce image blur caused by motion while taking pictures or recording video, which is also a much needed feature on the 13-megapixel Samsung camera. However, we consider correcting the low-light exposure for the camera in the Samsung Galaxy Note 3 a much more important update.

What features do you think the Samsung Galaxy Note 3 will need in order to beat the Samsung Galaxy S4? Let us know in the comments below.

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