Samsung Malaysia Electronics (“SME”) launched the much-awaited GALAXY Note 3, complemented by the GALAXY Gear, in Malaysia. The GALAXY Note 3 is the third generation of the highly successful GALAXY Note series. The GALAXY Gear is Samsung’s foray into the wearable device market, a smart watch that’s a perfect everyday digital companion.
A better note
The Samsung GALAXY Note 3 is a much-improved GALAXY Note with a wider 5.7-inch Full HD Super AMOLED display housed in a slimmer (8.3mm) and lighter (168g) design. At a glance, it doesn’t look very much different from the previous Note 2, although slightly more angular. Samsung has equipped the GALAXY Note 3 with a 13M rear camera with BSI sensor, Smart Stabilisation and high CRI LED flash, ensuring crisp shots even in low light and high-speed situations. Its front camera packs a 2MP BSI sensor with Smart Stabilisation enabling Full HD recording at 30fps.
The GALAXY Note 3 packs a speedy 2.3Ghz quad-core processor and a whopping 3GB RAM, something not yet seen on any other mobile in the market today. The new device features 4G LTE, through its CAT4 Carrier Aggregation supporting speeds of up to 150/150Mbps. To ensure longevity, the GALAXY Note 3 comes with a big 3,200mAh battery.
The GALAXY Note 3 has built-in 32GB storage and expandable via microSD.
What’s highly impressive, and also the GALAXY Note’s unique selling proposition is the S Pen. The new S Pen is much-improved, reinventing note-taking with the introduction of the new Air Command, a palette of five features that minimises toggling between screens.
With the GALAXY Note 3, S-Pen optimised features include also Action Memo, Scrapbook, Screen Write, S Finder, Pen Window, S Window, Multi Window, new Easy Clip and Direct Pen Input. The new features enhance note-taking activities, drawing, organisation of content and multitasking.
Samsung has integrated enhanced privacy and security protection of the GALAXY Note 3 with Samsung KNOX. More on Samsung KNOX later. Samsung KNOX makes it easy for users to run and store security-sensitive apps and data inside a protected ‘container.’ The new smartphone is also equipped with an improved Find My Mobile feature that enables users to disable the phone when stolen or lost.
Official press photos of the Samsung GALAXY Note 3 here.
All geared up
The smart watch segment of wearable devices is hotting up with the introduction of Samsung’s very own GALAXY Gear. A new concept that allow users ‘to live life in the moment while being connected’, as Samsung describes it, it’s the perfect companion to the new GALAXY Note 3.
The smart watch comes powered by a single core 800Mhz processor with 512MB RAM and sports a 1.63-inch Super AMOLED (320×320) display. The device comes bundled with 4GB internal memory.
The GALAXY Gear notifies users and gives previews of incoming texts, emails and more from the GALAXY Note 3. With the GALAXY Gear, users can also answer calls, take photos and videos from its 1.9MP camera with BSI sensor and autofocus. With S Voice, users can draft messages, create new calendar entries, set alarms, check weather’ browse, play and pause music played on their GALAXY Note 3.
When an incoming message is lengthy, the Smart Relay feature will automatically reveal the full content on the screen of the GALAXY Note 3.
The GALAXY Gear is a customisable wristwatch and includes 10 pre-loaded clock options. More choices are downloadable via Samsung Apps.
The GALAXY Gear comes in six colours – Jet Black, Mocha Gray, Wild Orange, Oatmeal Beige, Rose Gold and Lime Green.
At this point, the GALAXY Gear will only pair with the GALAXY Note 3, but Samsung has announced that they will eventually bring pairing capabilities to the GALAXY S4 and Note 2.
Official press photos of the Samsung GALAXY Gear here.
Pricing and Availability
The Samsung GALAXY Note 3 and GALAXY Gear will be available at all Samsung retail outlet, authorised dealers and telco partners (Celcom, Digi, Maxis and U Mobile) starting September 25. The GALAXY Note 3 retails for RM2,399. The GALAXY Gear is priced at RM999. No official bundles are planned by Samsung, although this could happen with authorised dealers and telcos.
Initial impressions
The GALAXY Note series was a surprise hit for Samsung and has given birth to a whole new niche. The GALAXY Note 2 was highly-successful, and also, in my opinion, one of Samsung’s best devices ever made. And it’s not hard to explain why. A brilliant screen, fast performance, great battery life and of course the S Pen and S Note. The GALAXY Note 3 continues the evolutionary path of the GALAXY Note series. It doesn’t bring huge changes to the plate, but it’s still a very good product. The new S Pen and added features are fantastic. While there is growing competition out there, there’s no other device that can match the GALAXY Note 3 yet, in terms of overall package. For now, it’s still king of the hill.
The GALAXY Gear on the other hand, is a new concept, and may be a little ahead of its time. I’m not quite sold on the idea of a smart watch and won’t be compelled to buy one despite its coolness factor. Perhaps when things get clearer I’d re-look into smart watch devices again. But as with all things, there are early adopters and there’s always something for everyone. Could the GALAXY Gear be one of those things for you?
