Samsung unveils new Galaxy Note 3 & Note 10.1 tablet; devices come with 1.9GHz Octa-core processors

Ahead of its official launch at the soon to begin IFA 2013, Samsung has unveiled Galaxy Note 3, the latest update to its Note product line. The new device runs on the Android operating system, comes with a larger screen, and introduces significant S Pen improvements. Launched back in 2011, the Note lineup has been largely successful in the Indian market till date, with customers taking a fancy to them. The company has also introduced a new Note 10.1 tablet (2014 edition) and has added an Octa-processor to the device. This one also runs on the Android operating system. Here is a look at the specifications of the devices.

Galaxy Note 3

The phablet sports a slightly wider 5.7 inch (in comparison to 5.5 inch in Note II) full HD Super AMOLED capacitive touchscreen display (1080×1920 pixel resolution), and runs on the Android 4.3 Jelly Bean operating system. While the 3G version of the device is powered by a 1.9 GHz Octa-core processor, the 4G LTE version is powered by a 2.3 GHz Quad-core processor. It has 3GB of RAM, and in terms of internal memory users can opt for a 32 or a 64GB models, with further memory expansion up to an additional 64GB available with a microSD card.

Note 3 packs a 13 megapixel auto-focus rear camera (with BSI Sensor and Smart Stabilisation) with LED Flash that can record Ultra HD videos at 30 frames per second (fps), full HD videos at 60fps and slow motion HD recording at 120 fps. The device also has a 2 MP front facing camera that can also record full HD videos at 30 fps. Users can make use of both the cameras with dual shot, dual recording and dual video calls options.

On the connectivity front, the device has Bluetooth 4.0, Wi-Fi, 3G and 4G LTE (depending on the region), and it also comes with a microSD card slot and a microUSB port. The dimensions of the device are 151.2mm x 79.2mm x 8.3mm, and its weight is 168gm. The company has provided a 3,200 mAh battery in the device. It will be available in jet black, classic white and blush pink colours and Samsung will also offer exchangeable back covers in dozens of additional colours going forward.

The device will be launched in over 140 countries around the world from September 25. Exact India pricing was not available at the time.

Additional features

My Magazine: developed through a partnership with Flipboard, it provides a personalised news, social media, entertainment and content experience in a modern magazine-style layout.

Multi Window: allows users to toggle between applications without closing the window or opening a new page. Consumers can also run one application in two windows at the same time. For example, users can read news in one browser while conducting a web search in another, or send an instant message through ChatON to a friend while reading a message from another friend.

Drag and Drop: can drag and drop content such as a text or image from one window to the other, within the new Multi Window.

Samsung Knox & Find My Mobile: Note 3 also comes with enhanced privacy and security protection by Samsung Knox, which allows them to run and store security-sensitive applications and data inside a protected environment called 'container'. The container is protected against malware and phishing attacks, as well as hacking attempts on physical devices when devices are stolen or lost.

In addition to remotely tracking or erasing the data from lost or stolen mobile phones, an improved Find My Mobile feature also allows users to disable the phone, preventing stolen mobile phones from being reset to factory settings.

New S Pen

The new S Pen comes with an Air Command feature (activated by a click of the S Pen button while hovering over the screen), which provides access to a number of functions that include-

Action Memo: allows users to handwrite a note and convert the handwritten information into formatted content. Action Memo can also initiate a call, look up an address on a map, search the web, save a task to a to-do list, etc.

Scrapbook: enables users to organise or track down content and information from various sources including the web, YouTube and the phablet's gallery in one place. When users save content for future use, Scrapbook also collects the source material or URLs, allowing them to refer back to the original source.

Screen Write: captures the full screen image of the current page on the device and allows users to write comments or additional information onto the captured image.

S Finder: allows users to search for content on their device regardless of its type. By putting in keywords or filters such as date, location, and content type, users can search related documents, events, communication threads, all in one place. In addition, users can also search for hand-written content in their Notes and memo applications, as well as symbols and formulas.

Pen Window: apart from using the S Pen for drawing sketches and writing notes, users can now also open small application windows, without pausing current activity on the screen.

Galaxy Note 10.1 (2014 edition)

Like the name states, the tablet sports a 10.1 inch Super clear LCD WQXGA touchscreen display (2560x1600 pixel resolution) and runs on the Android 4.3 Jelly Bean operating system. Similar to the Note 3, the 3G version of the device is powered by a 1.9 GHz Octa-core processor, while the 4G LTE version is powered by a 2.3 GHz Quad-core processor. This one also has 3GB of RAM, and in terms of internal memory users can opt for a 16, 32 or 64GB models, with further memory expansion up to an additional 64GB available with a microSD card.

Note 10.1 comes with an 8 megapixel auto-focus rear camera (with BSI Sensor) with LED Flash that can record full HD videos at 60 frames per second, and a 2 MP front facing camera for video calling. On the connectivity front, the device has Bluetooth 4.0, Wi-Fi (with Wi-Fi Direct), 3G and 4G LTE (depending on the region), and it also comes with a microSD card slot and a microUSB port.

The dimensions of the device are 243.1mm x 171.4mm x 7.9mm, and its weight is 535gm. The company has provided a 8,220 mAh battery in the device. It has GPS, and will be available in jet black and classic white colours. The tablet will be offered globally starting from Q3, 2013.