The Samsung Galaxy Note series has always been synonymous with premium features and productivity. But how do two generations, the Note 3 Neo and the Note 5, stack up against each other? This comparison dives deep into their specs and performance to help you decide which device is the better choice.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Galaxy Note 5 is the clear winner. Its vastly superior chipset, display, camera, and battery life make it a significant upgrade. While the Note 3 Neo offers a budget-friendly option, the Note 5 delivers a modern flagship experience.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | - | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 18, 19, 25, 26, 28, 38, 39, 40, 41 |
| Speed | HSPA 21.1/5.76 Mbps | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat6 300/50 Mbps/ LTE (3CA) Cat9 450/50 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2014, January. Released 2014, February | 2015, August 13. Released 2015, August |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 4), glass back (Gorilla Glass 4), aluminum frame |
| Dimensions | 148.4 x 77.4 x 8.6 mm (5.84 x 3.05 x 0.34 in) | 153.2 x 76.1 x 7.6 mm (6.03 x 3.00 x 0.30 in) |
| SIM | Dual SIM, (Micro-SIM, dual stand-by) | Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 162.5 g (5.71 oz) | 171 g (6.03 oz) |
| | Stylus | Stylus |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 4 |
| Resolution | 720 x 1280 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~267 ppi density) | 1440 x 2560 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~518 ppi density) |
| Size | 5.5 inches, 83.4 cm2 (~72.6% screen-to-body ratio) | 5.7 inches, 88.5 cm2 (~75.9% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | Super AMOLED | Super AMOLED |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Quad-core 1.6 GHz Cortex-A7 | Octa-core (4x2.1 GHz Cortex-A57 & 4x1.5 GHz Cortex-A53) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm MSM8228 Snapdragon 400 (28 nm) | Exynos 7420 Octa (14 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 305 | Mali-T760MP8 |
| OS | Android 4.3 (Jelly Bean), TouchWiz UI | Android 5.1.1 (Lollipop), upgradable to 7.0 (Nougat) |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | No |
| Internal | 16GB (11GB user available), 2GB RAM | 32GB 4GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM |
| | eMMC 4.5 | UFS 2.0 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, panorama, HDR | LED flash, panorama, HDR |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.6, 31mm (standard), AF | 16 MP, f/1.9, 28mm (wide), 1/2.6", 1.12µm, AF, OIS |
| Video | 1080p@30fps, stereo sound rec. | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps, stereo sound rec., gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | - | HDR |
| Single | 2 MP, f/2.4, 27mm (wide) | 5 MP, f/1.9, 22mm (wide), 1/4.1", 1.34µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1440p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| | - | 24-bit/192kHz audio
|
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.0, A2DP, LE | 4.2, A2DP, EDR, LE |
| NFC | No | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS | GPS, GLONASS, BDS |
| 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, Wi-Fi Direct, hotspot |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (front-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer, heart rate, SpO2 |
| | ANT+
S-Voice natural language commands and dictation | ANT+
S-Voice natural language commands and dictation
Samsung Pay (Visa, MasterCard certified) |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | - | 15W wired, QC2
Wireless (Qi) (market dependent) |
| Music play | Up to 87 h | Up to 64 h |
| Stand-by | Up to 440 h (3G) | - |
| Talk time | Up to 22 h (3G) | Up to 22 h (3G) |
| Type | Li-Ion 3100 mAh, removable | Li-Po 3000 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, White, Green | Black Sapphire, Gold Platinum, Silver Titan, White Pearl |
| Models | SM-N7502 | SM-N920, SM-N920T, SM-N920A, SM-N920I, SM-N920G, SM-N920F, SM-N920S, SM-N920L, SM-N920K, SM-N9200 |
| Price | About 410 EUR | About 450 EUR |
| SAR | 0.81 W/kg (head) 1.45 W/kg (body) | 1.53 W/kg (head) 1.28 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | 0.45 W/kg (head) 0.42 W/kg (body) | 0.45 W/kg (head) 0.58 W/kg (body) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Audio quality | - |
Noise -93.6dB / Crosstalk -94.7dB |
| Battery life | - |
Endurance rating 85h
|
| Camera | - |
Photo / Video |
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal), 4.090 (sunlight) |
| Loudspeaker | - |
Voice 66dB / Noise 67dB / Ring 71dB
|
| Performance | - |
Basemark OS II 2.0: 1880Basemark X: 26281 |
| OUR TESTS |
|---|
| Audio quality | - | Noise -93.6dB / Crosstalk -94.7dB |
| Battery (old) | - | Endurance rating 85h |
| Camera | - | Photo / Video |
| Display | - | Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal), 4.090 (sunlight) |
| Loudspeaker | - | Voice 66dB / Noise 67dB / Ring 71dB |
| Performance | - | Basemark OS II 2.0: 1880Basemark X: 26281 |
Samsung Galaxy Note 3 Neo Duos
- Dual SIM support
- Affordable price
- Decent battery life for its age
- Expandable storage (microSD)
- Outdated chipset
- Lower resolution display
- Less powerful camera
- Slower performance
Samsung Galaxy Note5
- Powerful Exynos 7420 chipset
- Stunning Super AMOLED display
- Excellent camera performance
- Fast charging (QC2)
- Wireless charging (Qi)
- Non-removable battery
- Limited internal storage options
- No longer in production (parts availability may be an issue)
Display Comparison
The Note 5 boasts a significantly better display. Its Super AMOLED panel offers vibrant colors, deeper blacks, and higher resolution compared to the Note 3 Neo's LCD screen. The Note 5's contrast ratio is also notably superior, providing a more immersive viewing experience. The Note 5's sunlight readability is also better.
Camera Comparison
The Note 5's camera system is a major upgrade. It captures sharper, more detailed photos with better dynamic range and low-light performance. The Note 5 also offers features like optical image stabilization (OIS) and 4K video recording, which are absent in the Note 3 Neo. While both offer Photo/Video capabilities, the Note 5's quality is far superior.
Performance
The Note 5's Exynos 7420 Octa chipset is a powerhouse compared to the Note 3 Neo's Snapdragon 400. The Note 5's octa-core processor and 14nm manufacturing process deliver significantly faster performance and smoother multitasking. Gaming and demanding applications run flawlessly on the Note 5, while the Note 3 Neo may struggle.
Battery Life
The Note 5, despite having a slightly smaller battery capacity, achieves a remarkable 85h endurance rating, showcasing its power efficiency. The Note 3 Neo's battery life is considerably shorter due to its less efficient chipset and display.
Buying Guide
Who should buy the Samsung Galaxy Note 3 Neo Duos? Users on a tight budget who need a reliable, dual-SIM Android phone for basic tasks. Who should buy the Samsung Galaxy Note 5? Users seeking a premium experience with a stunning display, powerful performance, and a top-tier camera.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Note 5 still worth buying?
Yes, if you can find one in good condition. It offers a premium experience that's still relevant today, despite its age. However, be mindful of parts availability.
❓ What's the biggest difference between the two phones?
The biggest difference is the performance. The Note 5's chipset and RAM provide a significantly faster and smoother experience compared to the Note 3 Neo.
