{"id":31868,"date":"2013-09-05T16:13:46","date_gmt":"2013-09-05T15:13:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.mobilefun.co.uk\/blog\/?p=31868"},"modified":"2013-09-05T16:15:33","modified_gmt":"2013-09-05T15:15:33","slug":"galaxy-note-3-announced-samsung-at-ifa-2013","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.mobilefun.co.uk\/blog\/2013\/09\/galaxy-note-3-announced-samsung-at-ifa-2013\/","title":{"rendered":"Galaxy Note 3 announced: Samsung at IFA 2013"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Welcome to the second part of our three part series on Samsung’s announcements at IFA 2013. Last time we covered the Galaxy Gear smartwatch<\/a>, and now we’re back to have a look at another widely anticipated reveal: the Samsung Galaxy Note 3!<\/p>\n

The original Note pretty much kicked off the current massive smartphone trend, when it launched with a 5.3″ screen two years ago. The newly dubbed ‘phablet’ include qualities of both phone and tablet, with powerful hardware and a sensitive stylus that could be used easily on the large display.<\/p>\n

Two iterations on, and the Note still offers these same advantages – although mainstream smartphone displays have grown faster than has the Note’s. The Note 3 includes a 5.7″ screen at 1080p resolution, and includes a newly symmetrical S Pen. Despite the increase in screen size and resolution, the Note 3 is smaller, lighter and thinner than the Note 2.<\/p>\n

Perhaps the most interesting development is that the Note 3 is the first big Samsung phone in a long time to ship without the slick and shiny ‘hyperglaze’ finish that’s attracted criticism from all corners. Instead, there’s something that sounds even worse – a faux leather effect complete with stitching – but somehow manages to be a big improvement. If you hated the slimy feel of the Galaxy S4, then this might be a welcome\u00a0reprieve\u00a0– even if it isn’t the metal or glass that seems to be most preferred.<\/p>\n