Last year proved to be momentous for Samsung - the company that delivered a couple of smartphones that changed the dynamics of Android world, putting it somewhat near the Apple iPhone. This year, Samsung was expected to deliver even more, the best. Samsung's heavily rumored Galaxy S4 debuted in March this year, proving to be a solid successor of the acclaimed Galaxy S3. Samsung Galaxy S4 replaced the Galaxy S3 as the company's flagship smartphone.
However, Galaxy S4 is not the only flagship that Samsung would be worried about. In 2012, along with SGS3, Samsung managed to get heads turned with an upgrade of its Galaxy Note series too. The Samsung Galaxy Note 2 was enthusiastically received and enjoyed by the fAndroiders. Since Samsung Galaxy S4 has managed to live up to the expectations of the Galaxy S3 pool, the question arises how well would Galaxy Note 3 do as compared to its predecessor.
The Samsung Galaxy Note 3 has got a excessively charged up stage though. It would not only be compared to Galaxy Note 2, but would also be expected to put up a good fight against Samsung Galaxy S4. It would actually be history repeated from 2012 for Samsung, since shoppers would be looking to either get a Galaxy S4 or the Galaxy Note 3, when it hits the market later this year. This is the reason, why after putting up a detailed piece that contrasted the Galaxy Note 3 (majorly from rumors and expectations) with Galaxy Note 2, we have decided to contrast Samsung Galaxy Note 3 vs Galaxy S4 to help our readers in choosing their smartphone of the year.
Relevant read: Galaxy Note 3 vs Galaxy Note 2
Display:
The Samsung Galaxy S series started from a 4.3 inch display and boasted the screen size to 5 inches with Galaxy S4 launched this year. Likewise, Samsung Galaxy Note was launched with a 5.3 inch screen (since it's a phablet), and Note 2 arrived last year with a 5.5 inches display. Considering these trends and rumors arising up, it is very likely that Note 3 will sport even a larger display - somewhere around 5.7-inches.
The larger display size of Galaxy Note is actually because of its S Pen, taking the benefit of larger size. The Galaxy S4 brought the Samsung's lineup to 1080p displays. It is certain that Note 3 would be a beneficiary of this improvement as well. With higher pixel-per-inch counts, the content would look and read better. Goes same for both these Galaxy devices.
Relevant read: Four Different Variants of Galaxy Note 3!
Storage:
Although Samsung did announce its offer of storage availability in 16GB, 32GB and 64GB variants, only two carriers - AT&T and Verizon - actually announced the 16GB and 32GB models. Other carriers remained with the basic storage option considering the availability of MicroSD slot. Which potentially means that none of the U.S. carriers offered the flagship with its full storage option.
Much likely to this similar dilemma, Galaxy Note 2 suffered the same luck as it was only launched with the 16GB variant. Now with Galaxy Note 3 launch upon us, it is hardly imaginable for the U.S. carriers to go forward with anymore than the 16GB storage option for Galaxy Note 3. So you can either opt for extended memory, or buy a Galaxy S4.
Software updates:
Samsung largely does a good job with keeping its devices up-to-date with latest software as compared to other Android OEMs. For those looking forward to purchase either of these Galaxy devices have nothing to worry about when it comes to software updates; both the Galaxy Note 3 and Galaxy S4 are here to stay for years!
Relevant read: Update Samsung Galaxy S4 to Android 4.3 GPe Firmware
Carriers:
Samsung is that one company that ushered the mobile companies out of the trend of going for exclusive carrier options. The Galaxy S series has been offered via several carriers and the latest Samsung Galaxy S4 arrived on a number of carriers including AT&T, Verizon, Sprint, U.S. Cellular and T-Mobile.
The same is expected for Samsung Galaxy Note 3 too. As rumors go, Note 3 will arrive on all the same service providers like Galaxy S4. It is yet to be acknowledged if Samsung Galaxy Note 3 will be offered from any smaller carriers, but the big fives are sure shots.
Price:
Now this could be a deciding factor for many when it comes to choosing a device between Galaxy Note 3 and the SGS4. Once Note 3 is launched in September, its prices are supposedly going skyrocketed, whereas Galaxy S4 would see a decline in its market rates. In the previous years too, Galaxy Note series has remained with a higher price tag than that of Galaxy S line.
The Samsung Galaxy Note 3 would not be launched anywhere below $250-$299 even in some deal, making it an expensive purchase. Now when you compare this to Galaxy S4, its price will keep going down after the Note 3 is rolled out. You might be able to get some very good deal via retailers like Amazon?
This year, competition among Android smartphones has got a few notches higher. HTC is rumored to release its HTC One Max, Sony announced its massive 6.0-inches Xperia Z Ultra, and then the two Samsung flagships. However, Galaxy Note 3 will not only be examined against these but also internally with Galaxy S4. Only enthuses us; so choose your smartphone wisely among all this shine, glamour and tech!
