The Samsung Galaxy Note series revolutionized the smartphone landscape with its large displays and S Pen functionality. But how do the original Note (N7000) and the later Note 3 Neo Duos stack up against each other? This review dives deep into their specs and features to help you decide which one is right for you.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Note 3 Neo Duos offers a more modern chipset and generally smoother performance. While the N7000 boasts incredible battery life, the Neo's improvements in processing power and a slightly more refined experience make it the overall winner for most users.
| 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 | 4, 17 - AT&T | - |
| Speed | HSPA 21.1/5.76 Mbps, LTE | HSPA 21.1/5.76 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2011, September. Released 2011, October | 2014, January. Released 2014, February |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front (Gorilla Glass), plastic back, plastic frame | - |
| Dimensions | 146.9 x 83 x 9.7 mm (5.78 x 3.27 x 0.38 in) | 148.4 x 77.4 x 8.6 mm (5.84 x 3.05 x 0.34 in) |
| SIM | Mini-SIM | Dual SIM, (Micro-SIM, dual stand-by) |
| Weight | 178 g (6.28 oz) | 162.5 g (5.71 oz) |
| | Stylus | Stylus |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass | - |
| Resolution | 800 x 1280 pixels, 16:10 ratio (~285 ppi density) | 720 x 1280 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~267 ppi density) |
| Size | 5.3 inches, 81.4 cm2 (~66.8% screen-to-body ratio) | 5.5 inches, 83.4 cm2 (~72.6% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | Super AMOLED | Super AMOLED |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Dual-core 1.4 GHz Cortex-A9 | Quad-core 1.6 GHz Cortex-A7 |
| Chipset | Exynos 4210 Dual (45 nm) | Qualcomm MSM8228 Snapdragon 400 (28 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-400 | Adreno 305 |
| OS | Android 2.3.5 (Gingerbread), upgradable to 4.1.2 (Jelly Bean), TouchWiz UI 4 | Android 4.3 (Jelly Bean), TouchWiz UI |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot), 2 GB included | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 16GB 1GB RAM, 32GB 1GB RAM | 16GB (11GB user available), 2GB RAM |
| | - | eMMC 4.5 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash | LED flash, panorama, HDR |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.6, 28mm (wide), AF | 8 MP, f/2.6, 31mm (standard), AF |
| Video | 1080p@24~30fps | 1080p@30fps, stereo sound rec. |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 2 MP | 2 MP, f/2.4, 27mm (wide) |
| Video | - | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 3.0, A2DP, EDR | 4.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | Yes (optional) | No |
| Positioning | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS | GPS, GLONASS |
| Radio | Stereo FM radio, RDS | No |
| USB | microUSB 2.0 (MHL TV-out), OTG | microUSB 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct, DLNA, hotspot | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct, hotspot |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer | Accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| | - | ANT+
S-Voice natural language commands and dictation |
| Battery |
|---|
| Music play | - | Up to 87 h |
| Stand-by | Up to 960 h (2G) / Up to 820 h (3G) | Up to 440 h (3G) |
| Talk time | Up to 26 h 10 min (2G) / Up to 13 h 30 min (3G) | Up to 22 h (3G) |
| Type | Removable Li-Ion 2500 mAh battery | Li-Ion 3100 mAh, removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, White, Pink | Black, White, Green |
| Models | GT-N7000, GT-I9220, SHV-E160L, SHV-E160S | SM-N7502 |
| Price | About 270 EUR | About 410 EUR |
| SAR | 0.16 W/kg (head) 0.96 W/kg (body) | 0.81 W/kg (head) 1.45 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | 0.34 W/kg (head) | 0.45 W/kg (head) 0.42 W/kg (body) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Audio quality |
Noise -90.4dB / Crosstalk -87.4dB | - |
| Battery life |
Endurance rating 39h
| - |
| Camera |
Photo / Video | - |
| Display |
Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) / 2.970:1 (sunlight) | - |
| Loudspeaker |
Voice 64dB / Noise 64dB / Ring 72dB
| - |
Samsung Galaxy Note N7000
- Exceptional battery life (39h)
- Larger display (5.3 inches)
- Classic Android experience
- Generally more affordable
- Older chipset and slower performance
- Outdated software
- Lower camera quality compared to newer phones
Samsung Galaxy Note 3 Neo Duos
- Faster performance with Snapdragon 400
- Dual-SIM capability
- More modern design
- Slightly better camera (likely)
- Shorter battery life than N7000
- Smaller display (5.5 inches)
- Can be slightly more expensive
Display Comparison
The Note N7000's display is remarkable, claiming an 'infinite' contrast ratio (though realistically around 2970:1 in sunlight). The Note 3 Neo Duos likely has a slightly more color-accurate display, but both offer vibrant visuals. The N7000's screen is larger (5.3 inches vs 5.5 inches), which some may prefer.
Camera Comparison
Camera quality is a complex topic. Both phones have Photo/Video capabilities, but detailed specs are missing. Generally, the Note 3 Neo Duos likely has a slightly better camera due to advancements in sensor technology during that period. Expect improved low-light performance and potentially better image processing.
Performance
Here, the Note 3 Neo Duos shines. Its Quad-core 1.6 GHz Cortex-A7 processor is a significant upgrade over the N7000's Dual-core 1.4 GHz Cortex-A9. Expect noticeably faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and better overall responsiveness on the Neo. The Snapdragon 400 chipset is also more power-efficient.
Battery Life
The N7000's battery life is legendary, boasting an endurance rating of 39 hours. The Note 3 Neo Duos, while still offering respectable battery life, doesn't quite match this longevity. If battery life is your absolute top priority, the N7000 is the clear winner.
Buying Guide
The Samsung Galaxy Note N7000 is ideal for users prioritizing exceptional battery life and a classic Android experience on a budget. The Samsung Galaxy Note 3 Neo Duos is better suited for those seeking a more responsive device with a newer processor and dual-SIM capabilities.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Note 3 Neo Duos worth upgrading from an older phone?
Yes, especially if you're coming from a phone with a significantly older processor. The Neo offers a noticeable performance boost and a more modern Android experience.
❓ Can I still find software updates for the Note N7000?
Official software updates have ceased for the Note N7000. However, custom ROMs are available for those comfortable with flashing their device.
