Samsung Galaxy Note5 vs. Huawei MediaPad M3 8.4: A Detailed Showdown

The Samsung Galaxy Note5, a flagship phone from a few years back, and the Huawei MediaPad M3 8.4, a popular mid-range tablet, both offer compelling features. But which one reigns supreme? This comparison dives deep into their specs, performance, and overall value to help you decide.

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🏆 Quick Verdict

The Note5 boasts a more powerful chipset and a superior camera, making it the performance champion. However, the MediaPad M3’s larger screen and potentially better audio/video experience make it a strong contender for media consumption. It depends on your priorities: power vs. immersive entertainment.

PHONES
Phone Names	Samsung Galaxy Note5 (USA)	Huawei MediaPad M3 8.4

Network
2G bands	GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900	GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bands	HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 - N920V, N920R	HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100
4G bands	2, 3, 4, 7, 13 - N920V	1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 19, 20, 28, 38, 39, 40, 41
Speed	HSPA, LTE (3CA), EV-DO Rev.A 3.1 Mbps	HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (2CA) Cat6 300/50 Mbps
Technology	GSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE	GSM / HSPA / LTE
	2, 4, 5, 12, 25 - N920R	-

Launch
Announced	2015, August. Released 2015, August	2016, September. Released 2016, October
Status	Discontinued	Discontinued

Body
Dimensions	153.2 x 76.1 x 7.6 mm (6.03 x 3.00 x 0.30 in)	215.5 x 124.2 x 7.3 mm (8.48 x 4.89 x 0.29 in)
SIM	Nano-SIM	Nano-SIM
Weight	171 g (6.03 oz)	326 g (11.50 oz)
	Stylus	-

Display
Protection	Corning Gorilla Glass 4	-
Resolution	1440 x 2560 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~515 ppi density)	1600 x 2560 pixels, 16:10 ratio (~359 ppi density)
Size	5.7 inches, 89.6 cm2 (~76.8% screen-to-body ratio)	8.4 inches, 204.6 cm2 (~76.4% screen-to-body ratio)
Type	Super AMOLED	IPS LCD

Platform
CPU	Octa-core (4x2.1 GHz Cortex-A57 & 4x1.5 GHz Cortex-A53)	Octa-core (4x2.3 GHz Cortex-A72 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex A53)
Chipset	Exynos 7420 Octa (14 nm)	Kirin 950 (16 nm)
GPU	Mali-T760MP8	Mali-T880 MP4
OS	Android 5.1.1 (Lollipop), upgradable to 7.0 (Nougat)	Android 6.0 (Marshmallow), EMUI 4.1

Memory
Card slot	No	microSDXC (dedicated slot)
Internal	32GB 4GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM	32GB 4GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM
	UFS 2.0	-

Main Camera
Features	LED flash, panorama, HDR	HDR, panorama
Single	16 MP, f/1.9, 28mm (wide), 1/2.6", 1.12µm, AF, OIS	8 MP, AF
Video	4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps, stereo sound rec., gyro-EIS	1080p@30fps

Selfie camera
Features	HDR	-
Single	5 MP, f/1.9, 22mm (wide)	8 MP
Video	1440p@30fps	1080p@30fps

Sound
3.5mm jack	Yes	Yes
35mm jack	Yes	Yes
Loudspeaker	Yes	Yes, with stereo speakers
	24-bit/192kHz audio	Tuned by Harman Kardon

Comms
Bluetooth	4.2, A2DP, EDR, LE	4.1, A2DP, EDR, LE
NFC	Yes	No
Positioning	GPS, GLONASS	GPS, GLONASS/ BDS (market dependant)
Radio	No	No
USB	microUSB 2.0, OTG	microUSB 2.0
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

Features
Sensors	Fingerprint (front-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer, heart rate, SpO2	Fingerprint (front-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass
	ANT+ S-Voice natural language commands and dictation	-

Battery
Charging	15W wired, QC2 Wireless	-
Music play	Up to 57 h	-
Talk time	Up to 28 h (3G)	-
Type	Li-Ion 3000 mAh, non-removable	Li-Po 5100 mAh, non-removable

Misc
Colors	Black Sapphire, White Pearl	Silver, Gold
Models	SM-N920, SM-N920P, SM-N920V, SM-N920R, SM-N920W8, SM-N920R4	BTV-DL09, BTV-W09
Price	About 450 EUR	About 280 EUR
SAR	1.16 W/kg (head) 1.48 W/kg (body)	-
SAR EU	0.51 W/kg (head) 0.56 W/kg (body)	-

Samsung Galaxy Note5 (USA)

Powerful Exynos 7420 chipset
Excellent camera system
Vibrant Super AMOLED display
Compact and pocketable

Older device, limited software updates
Smaller screen compared to the MediaPad M3
Battery life could be better

Huawei MediaPad M3 8.4

Larger 8.4-inch display for media consumption
Good value for money
Decent battery life
Potentially better audio quality (depending on model)

Less powerful processor than the Note5
Mediocre camera performance
Older device, limited software updates

Display Comparison

The MediaPad M3 8.4 takes the display crown with its 8.4-inch IPS LCD screen, offering a larger canvas for media and productivity. The Note5's 5.7-inch Super AMOLED display is vibrant and sharp, but smaller. Resolution is comparable, but the MediaPad's size is a significant advantage for many.

Camera Comparison

The Note5's camera system is significantly better. It features a 16MP main camera with optical image stabilization (OIS) and a 5MP front camera, delivering superior image quality, especially in low light. The MediaPad M3 8.4's cameras are adequate but lack the Note5's capabilities.

Performance

The Samsung Galaxy Note5's Exynos 7420 generally outperforms the Kirin 950. While both feature octa-core processors, the Note5's Cortex-A57 cores provide a noticeable boost in demanding tasks and gaming. The Note5 also benefits from more mature software optimization.

Battery Life

Battery life is a bit tricky. The MediaPad M3 8.4 has a larger battery capacity (4800 mAh vs. 3000 mAh in the Note5), but the Note5's more efficient processor can sometimes result in comparable or even slightly better real-world battery life. Usage patterns heavily influence the outcome.

Buying Guide

The Samsung Galaxy Note5 is ideal for users who prioritize performance, a compact form factor, and a top-tier camera. The Huawei MediaPad M3 8.4 is a great choice for those seeking a budget-friendly tablet for media consumption, reading, and light gaming.