Samsung Galaxy Note3 N9000 Philippines Price and Release Date Guesstimate, Complete Specs, S Pen Stylus Features

Samsung Galaxy Note 3 N9000 has just been officially announced by Samsung Mobile via its Unpacked keynote presentation at the IFA 2013 trade show currently being held in Berlin, Germany. The follow-up to last year's best-selling phablet, Samsung Galaxy Note2 N7100, Note3 is now the company's new flagship smartphone-tablet hybrid device.

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"We introduced the original Samsung Galaxy Note in 2011 and launched a whole new smart device category. The undeniable success of the Galaxy Note strengthened our conviction that consumers want higher quality features for smart devices and they want those new features to make their lives better," said JK Shin, CEO and President of IT and Mobile Division at Samsung Electronics.

He added, "Samsung Galaxy Note 3 is a powerful, original approach that enables users to tell the stories of their lives through dynamic and seamless expressions of their passions across work, play and life experiences. With a simple click of the S Pen button, users can unlock opportunities for self-expression, features that transform everyday activities into extraordinary events and access to new experiences delivered to them on Note 3's larger screen."

Samsung Galaxy Note3 comes with a wider 5.7-inch full HD Super AMOLED display (versus 5.5-inch HD display of Note2), yet it features a slimmer (8.3 mm) and lighter (168 grams) hardware design (versus Note2, which measures 9.4 mm and weights 180 grams), and more powerful and longer lasting 3,200 mAh Li-Ion battery (versus 3,100 mAh on Note2). Equipped with a 13 Megapixel rear camera with Smart Stabilization and high CRI LED flash, Samsung Galaxy Note3 allows users to capture every visual story in their lives with utter clarity, even in low light and while in motion. The freshly announced phablet likewise offers the latest LTE technologies – CAT4 Carrier Aggregation and supports the greatest number of multiple frequencies.

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Whereas Samsung Galaxy Note2 merely looks like a larger version of Samsung Galaxy S3, Samsung Galaxy Note2's design identity - especially its back part - departs (if a bit) from that of its full-fledged smartphone counterpart, the flagship-level Samsung Galaxy S4. Expanding on the modern Samsung Galaxy design approach, Samsung Galaxy Note 3 adds a soft and textured-touch back cover with delicate side-stitching. It also features a serration pattern on the side of the device that evokes a connection or alludes to the timeless and enduring attractiveness of classic notebooks and planners. In order to encourage its customers to express their personality and taste, Samsung will also offer exchangeable back covers in dozens of colors at launch.

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Available in Jet Black, Classic White and Blush Pink, Samsung Galaxy Note III comes with features and specifications that truly meet our expectations and even set the bar higher for a new generation Android flagship phablet with stylus support. Starting from its innards, the handset runs the latest Android 4.3 Jelly Bean operating system with a Quad-core 2.3 GHz Krait 400 CPU for the LTE model or an Octa Core chipset with Quad Core 1.9 GHz Cortex-A15 and Quad Core 1.3 GHz Cortex-A7 CPUs for the non-LTE version, and effectively handles multitasking with 3GB of RAM. Users get 32GB and 64GB internal storage options, which they can expand further via the phablet's microSD card slot supporting up to 64GB. One of the things that truly set it apart from other flagship releases by major manufacturers, however, is that its non-LTE variant one of the first devices (if not the first) to flaunt a 4K video recorder - 4K or UltraHD, TP Friends, is currently highest video resolution, superseding Full HD 1080p. As for connectivity, this hybrid device supports WiFi, Bluetooth, 3G, and - as I've mentioned - 4G LTE, making it an ideal bundled handset for LTE plans currently being offered Smart Communications or Globe Telecom.

Aside from beefing up its internal specifications and giving it a larger display, Samsung also made improvements on SGNote3's stylus, called S Pen. According to the company, "The new S Pen reinvents and modernizes the classic note-taking experience by providing the ability to accomplish everyday tasks with just one click. The advanced S Pen is designed to be fully functional as a communication driver between the phone and the user by creating essential input and control features. It plays an integral role in how users interface with the device, making all daily routines easier."

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A simple click of the S Pen button while hovering over the screen introduces users to Air Command, a palette of five powerful features that truly make tasks easier and faster. With the Air Command feature, there is no need to toggle between screens, memorize commands or look up different menus. The Air Command feature provides access to the following key functions:

Action Memo allows users to handwrite a note, and automatically execute a function or convert that handwritten information into formatted content. Action Memo can instantly initiate a call, add to contacts, look up an address on a map, search the web, save a task to a to-do list, and more

Scrapbook enables users to organize or track down content and information from various sources including the web, YouTube and Gallery in one place so that users can easily look back at collected content all at once. When consumers save content for future use, Scrapbook also collects source material or URLs allowing them to easily refer back to the original source.

The Screen Write feature 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 expansively search for content on their device regardless of the type. By putting in keywords or filters such as date, location, and content type, users can search related documents, events, communication threads, and even the Help page – 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 allows users to use the S Pen not only for drawing sketches or writing notes, but now also for opening a small application window for a true multitasking experience. Simply by drawing a window of any size, anywhere on the screen, users can easily and quickly open another application window such as YouTube, calculator or Browser without pausing current activity on the screen.

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For more advanced note-taking, the new S Note presents a comprehensive solution that enables consumers to easily write, organize, edit and browse notes with a user-friendly interface and the Easy Chart feature. The new S Note can also be synced with Evernote or a Samsung account and be enabled for accessing and viewing from different devices. Furthermore, when a user wants only a certain part of an image to be taken from the web or Note 3 content, the advanced new Easy Clip feature allows them to roughly draw around the desired image and then it converts that content into a more precisely cropped image.

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Samsung Galaxy Note 3 larger and higher resolution display is matched with powerful improvements that allow users to fully utilize the additional space. The 5.7-inch Full HD Super AMOLED screen provides a stunning and defined video viewing experience for watching Full HD content, distinct clarity for reading and an elegant canvas for content creation.

My Magazine provides a personalized news, social media, entertainment and in-the-moment content experience. Developed through a partnership with Flipboard, it offers an integrated content consuming experience in a modern and dynamic magazine-style layout.

SGNote3 also enables enhanced multitasking capabilities that allow users to fully utilize the larger screen.

With the new Multi Window, users can toggle seamlessly between applications without closing the window or opening a new page, allowing for enhanced productivity and collaboration across programs. Consumers can also run one application in two windows at the same time. For instance, users can read the 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.

In addition, using Drag and Drop mode within the new Multi Window, users can easily drag and drop content such as a text or image from one window to the other in an instant.

Pen Window from Air Command further enhances multitasking experience by allowing consumers to draw a window on the screen and launching popular applications while continuing current tasks on the Samsung Galaxy Note 3.

An improvement to Group Play, video sharing, is now available. Originally introduced along with the Samsung Galaxy S4, Group Play allows users to play the same music, to play games together, and to share documents. It now enables consumers to share videos and play content together with their friends simultaneously. Users can also connect up to five devices alongside each other to create a “big screen” viewing experience.

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Sold separately, the new Samsung Galaxy Gear smartwatch is a new concept device - announced alongside SGNote3 at IFA earlier today - that allows users to live life in the moment while staying connected. SGGear notifies users and gives them quick previews of incoming texts, emails and more coming from their Note3. It also provides a range of other valuable features and commands that extend your phablet experience. When an incoming message requires more than a quick glance, users can simply pick up their Samsung Galaxy device and the Smart Relay feature will instantly reveal the full content on the screen. Together, Samsung Galaxy Note 3 and Samsung Galaxy Gear smartwatch reflect the Korean company's efforts to provide users with the opportunity to design their lives, to express their passions and to make everyday life more easy and enjoyable.

So when will Samsung's new flagship phablet be available in the Philippines and how much will it cost? Well, as yet, TP hasn't heard anything at all from Samsung Philippines PR about this handset. But I'm personally expecting Samsung Galaxy Note III N9000 to hit store shelves across the archipelago within the last week of September. This is, of course, in line with the fact that the Philippines - for the past three years - has consistently been one of first countries to get new handset releases from the Korean company. As for the starting price, our TP Guesstimate is around Php 35,000 to Php 36,990 or similar to the price range of the most affordable Samsung Galaxy Note2 N7100 variant when it entered the Philippines last year.

TP Thoughts: Everyone who's met me in person knows how much I love the Samsung Galaxy Note phablet line. I remember having the Samsung Galaxy Note N7000 as my daily phone for almost two years -- that's even whilst its follow-up was already available. I was so attached to it, I honestly didn't consider getting another smartphone to replace it as my day-to-day device despite its aging specifications. Heck, I even got two extended battery packs for my original Note -- first was 4,500 mAh then I got 5,400 mAh! To those who haven't owned a phablet with stylus support and are considering to finally getting one, let me tell you this: No other smartphone manufacturer does this category as well as Samsung does currently. Sony Xperia Z has a lot of things going for it (the super large Triluminos display, the stellar innards, etc.) but when it comes to features and applications that help you make the most of use of a handwriting tool, Samsung Galaxy Note 3 - I'm inclined to believe - would be a wiser choice. TP Friends, I'm looking forward to getting SGNote3 for myself; I just can't wait for Kimstore - my trusted online store - to start selling it.

Update as of September 26, 2013 : Samsung Mobile Philippines has just officially launched Samsung Galaxy Note3! The official suggested retail price of the phablet in the country is Php 36,900 while Samsung Galaxy Gear - the smartwatch serving as main accessory for the device - will sell for Php 13,900. SGNote3 will hit store shelves across the archipelago on Saturday, September 28, 2013, and if you're going to get on that day, you can Php 3,000 promo discount.

To wrap this up in true TechPinas fashion, let me present the complete technical specifications of Samsung's new flagship phablet, the Samsung Galaxy Note 3 N9000;

TechPinas Smartphone Technical Specs Table (TSTST)
Name Samsung Galaxy Note III N9000
Type Slate Form Factor (Full Touchscreen), Smartphone Tablet Hybrid
Price Category High-End (Flagship Level)
Dimensions151.2 x 79.2 x 8.3 mm mm
Weight 168 grams
Available Colors Black, White, and Pink with textured back cover
Operating System Android OS 4.3 Jelly Bean
Display 5.7 inches (~386 ppi pixel density), 1080 x 1920 pixels, Full HD Super AMOLED, Gorilla Glass capacitive touchscreen, 16M colors
Processor, GPU, Chipset Quad-core 2.3 GHz Krait 400 (LTE model), Octa-Core = Quad-core 1.9 GHz Cortex-A15 plus Quad Core 1.3 GHz Cortex-A7 (non-LTE model), Adreno 330 (LTE model), Qualcomm Snapdragon 800
RAM 3 GB RAM
Internal Storage 32 and 64 GB options, expandable via microSD card slot, supports up to 64GB
Camera 13 MegaPixels, 4128 x 3096 pixels, autofocus, LED flash, Features: Drama Shot, Sound & Shot, Animated Photo, Eraser, Best Photo, Best Face, Beauty Face, HDR (High Dynamic Range), Panorama, Sports, Golf, Surround
shot, Live effect, Dual Camera: Dual Shot / Dual Recording/ Dual Video Call, Front: 2 MegaPixels
Video Capture 4K UHD 2160p 30 frames per second (non-LTE model), Full HD 1080p 60 frames per second (LTE model), Front: Full HD 1080p 30 frames per second
Audio and Video Playback Video: H.264, MPEG-4, H.263, VC-1, WMV7, WMV8, Sorenson Spark, MP43, VP8,
HEVC, Full HD (1080p), UHD (depends on variant) Audio: MP3, AAC/AAC+/eAAC+, WMA, AMR-NB/WB, Vorbis, FLAC(*), WAV(*)
(*) Ultra High Quality Audio (~192KHz, 24 bit) support
Ports microUSB v2.0, TV-out (via MHL A/V link), 3.5 mm audio jack
Connectivity, Sharing 4G LTE, 3G HSPA+, WiFi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac (HT80), WiFi Hotspot, NFC, Bluetooth v 4.0 (LE) IR LED (Remote Control), S Beam, Samsung AllShare Play and Control, Samsung AllShare Cast (WiFi Display), Mirroring and Extention, Samsung AllShare Framework
Sensors Accelerometer, RGB Light, Digital Compass, Proximity, Gyro, Barometer, Temperature, Humidity, Gesture
GPS A-GPS, GLONASS
Battery Li-Ion 3200 mAh
Uptime TBD
Value-Added Features Flagship Release, Stylus Support: New S Pen, LTE connectivity support, Rehashed Design
Announcement Worldwide: September 4, 2013, IFA Berlin
Philippines: September 26, 2013
Availability September 25, 2013 in Key Markets
Philippines: September 28, 2013
Price TP Guesstimate: Starts at Php 36,000
Official SRP: Php 36,900