The Samsung Galaxy Note 3 Neo series offered a compelling blend of features and performance in its time. But with two variations – the standard Neo and the Duos – choosing the right one can be tricky. This comprehensive comparison breaks down the differences to help you decide which model best suits your needs.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Samsung Galaxy Note 3 Neo edges out the Duos thanks to its superior Exynos 5260 Hexa chipset, offering noticeably better performance. While both boast impressive battery life, the Neo's processor advantage makes it the slightly more desirable option for most users.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - all versions |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 - SM-N7505 |
| 4G bands | - | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20 - SM-N7505 |
| EDGE | - | Class 10 |
| GPRS | - | Class 10 |
| Speed | HSPA 21.1/5.76 Mbps | HSPA 42.2(LTE)/21.1(3G)/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | - | HSDPA 900 / 1900 / 2100 - SM-N750 |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2014, January. Released 2014, February | 2014, January. Released 2014, February |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 148.4 x 77.4 x 8.6 mm (5.84 x 3.05 x 0.34 in) | 148.4 x 77.4 x 8.6 mm (5.84 x 3.05 x 0.34 in) |
| Keyboard | - | QWERTY |
| SIM | Dual SIM, (Micro-SIM, dual stand-by) | Micro-SIM |
| Weight | 162.5 g (5.71 oz) | 162.5 g (5.71 oz) |
| | Stylus | Stylus |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 720 x 1280 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~267 ppi density) | 720 x 1280 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~267 ppi density) |
| Size | 5.5 inches, 83.4 cm2 (~72.6% screen-to-body ratio) | 5.5 inches, 83.4 cm2 (~72.6% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | Super AMOLED | Super AMOLED |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Quad-core 1.6 GHz Cortex-A7 | Hexa-core (4x1.3 GHz Cortex A7 & 2x1.7 GHz Cortex A15) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm MSM8228 Snapdragon 400 (28 nm) | Exynos 5260 Hexa |
| GPU | Adreno 305 | Mali-T624 MP4 |
| OS | Android 4.3 (Jelly Bean), TouchWiz UI | Android 4.3 (Jelly Bean), upgradable to 5.1.1 (Lollipop), TouchWiz UI |
| Memory |
|---|
| Call records | - | 30 dialed, 30 received, 30 missed calls |
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 16GB (11GB user available), 2GB RAM | 16GB (11GB user available), 2GB RAM |
| Phonebook | - | 1000 contacts, Photo call |
| | eMMC 4.5 | eMMC 5.0 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, panorama, HDR | LED flash, panorama, HDR |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.6, 31mm (standard), AF | 8 MP, f/2.6, 31mm (standard), AF |
| Video | 1080p@30fps, stereo sound rec. | 1080p@30fps, stereo sound rec. |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 2 MP, f/2.4, 27mm (wide) | 2 MP, f/2.4, 27mm (wide) |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.0, A2DP, LE | 4.0, A2DP, LE |
| Infrared port | - | Yes |
| NFC | No | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS | GPS, GLONASS |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | microUSB 2.0, OTG | microUSB 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct, hotspot | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, DLNA, Wi-Fi Direct, hotspot |
| Features |
|---|
| Browser | - | WAP 2.0/xHTML, HTML |
| Games | - | Yes |
| Java | - | Yes, MIDP 2.0 |
| Messaging | - | SMS, MMS, Email |
| Sensors | Accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| | ANT+
S-Voice natural language commands and dictation | ANT+
S-Voice natural language commands and dictation |
| Battery |
|---|
| Music play | Up to 87 h | Up to 64 h |
| Stand-by | Up to 440 h (3G) | Up to 540 h (3G) |
| Talk time | Up to 22 h (3G) | Up to 18 h (3G) |
| Type | Li-Ion 3100 mAh, removable | Li-Ion 3100 mAh, removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, White, Green | Black, White, Green, Pink, Red |
| Models | SM-N7502 | SM-N750, SM-N7505, SM-N750K, SM-N750S, SM-N7507, SM-N750L, SM-N7500Q, SM-N7506V, SM-N7505L |
| Price | About 410 EUR | About 320 EUR |
| SAR | 0.81 W/kg (head) 1.45 W/kg (body) | 0.54 W/kg (head) 0.70 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | 0.45 W/kg (head) 0.42 W/kg (body) | 0.25 W/kg (head) 0.27 W/kg (body) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Audio quality | - |
Noise -96.1dB / Crosstalk -94.9dB |
| Battery life | - |
Endurance rating 74h
|
| Camera | - |
Photo / Video |
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal), 3.487 (sunlight) |
| Loudspeaker | - |
Voice 68dB / Noise 64dB / Ring 75dB
|
| OUR TESTS |
|---|
| Audio quality | - | Noise -96.1dB / Crosstalk -94.9dB |
| Battery (old) | - | Endurance rating 74h |
| Camera | - | Photo / Video |
| Display | - | Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal), 3.487 (sunlight) |
| Loudspeaker | - | Voice 68dB / Noise 64dB / Ring 75dB |
Samsung Galaxy Note 3 Neo Duos
- Dual-SIM functionality
- More affordable
- Excellent battery life
- Good display quality
- Slower performance compared to Neo
- Snapdragon 400 chipset can feel sluggish at times
Samsung Galaxy Note 3 Neo
- Superior performance thanks to Exynos 5260 Hexa
- Smoother multitasking
- Faster app loading
- Excellent battery life
- Slightly more expensive
- No dual-SIM support
Display Comparison
Both devices feature a 5.5-inch Super AMOLED display with a resolution of 1920 x 1080 pixels. The contrast ratio is listed as 'Infinite (nominal)' and 3.487 in sunlight, suggesting excellent visibility. While both offer vibrant colors and sharp details, there's no significant difference in display quality between the two models. Viewing angles and color accuracy are comparable.
Camera Comparison
Both phones feature a 13MP rear camera and a 2MP front camera. Image quality is generally good for the time, with decent detail and color reproduction. Low-light performance is average. While both can record 1080p video, the Neo's more powerful processor might result in slightly more stable video recording.
Performance
This is where the biggest difference lies. The Neo boasts an Exynos 5260 Hexa chipset with a combination of Cortex-A7 and Cortex-A15 cores, providing a significant performance boost over the Duos' Snapdragon 400. Expect smoother multitasking, faster app loading times, and better overall responsiveness on the Neo.
Battery Life
Both devices are advertised with an endurance rating of 74 hours, indicating excellent battery life. Real-world usage will vary depending on usage patterns, but both phones should easily last a full day on a single charge.
Buying Guide
The Samsung Galaxy Note 3 Neo Duos is ideal for users who need dual-SIM functionality and appreciate a slightly more affordable price point. The Samsung Galaxy Note 3 Neo is a better choice for those prioritizing performance and a smoother user experience, even if it comes at a slightly higher cost.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ What does 'Duos' mean in the Note 3 Neo Duos?
The 'Duos' designation indicates that the phone supports dual-SIM functionality, allowing you to use two SIM cards simultaneously.
❓ Is the Note 3 Neo still worth buying in [current year]?
While both models are older devices, they can still be a viable option for budget-conscious users who need a large screen and good battery life. However, consider that software updates are likely discontinued and performance will be limited compared to modern smartphones.
❓ Which chipset is better: Snapdragon 400 or Exynos 5260 Hexa?
The Exynos 5260 Hexa is significantly better than the Snapdragon 400. Its hexa-core design and Cortex-A15 cores provide a noticeable performance advantage.
