Which device to buy, Samsung Galaxy Note 3, S4 Zoom or even Note 2.

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  scrimshaw on 09/12/2013 - 19:14

  +1

  All Samsung Galaxy smartphones come with Navigon preloaded. You just fire up the "Samsung Apps" application and it will ask you to download or update some apps — Navigon is always available for free to download via this method.

  The Note 3 is Samsung's flagship phablet device with a large touchscreen and high precision stylus.
  Note 2 is the previous generation model, still very comparable to the Note 3 but at a much lower price.

  You can compare the 2 devices here:
  http://www.phonearena.com/reviews/Samsung-Galaxy-Note-3-vs-S…

  For the Zoom, it's not worth getting unless your wife is an absolute shutterbug and loves to take pictures, and utilizes the 10x optical zoom. It can be best described as a camera with a smartphone attached to it. The phone is VERY bulky in the pocket due to the zoom lens and it also sacrifices some performance and screen clarity for the enhanced camera sensor and lens assembly.

  So while it does great for photos and videos, it suffers at portability and performance. The battery is also smaller than the Note 2 and 3.

  • 

    ozf1 on 09/12/2013 - 21:03

    Thanks scrimshaw, I have seen and held the zoom, I guess it may not be a big issue for my wife as she's always carrying a bag or purse.

    • 

      scrimshaw on 09/12/2013 - 21:04

      Always ask the lady's opinion, they are picky :)

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        ozf1 on 09/12/2013 - 21:05

        I know right!, what about the 3G thing, what's your opinion on that?

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        scrimshaw on 09/12/2013 - 21:40

        Depends on whether she is a heavy internet user or not.

        I'm with LiveConnected (4g) but I don't have a 4G mobile. 3G speeds is enough for me. Out of my given 1.5GB a month, I probably only manage to use 400 MB. I don't watch long Youtube clips on my phone anyway, so speed is not an issue for me.

        Besides, 4G only works in certain metropolitan areas.

        I personally would go with a Note 2 or 3 though — not just because of the better screen, but also because the battery life is HUGE on the Note series.

        The camera on a Note 2/3 is already impressive as it is and few people really demand an optical zoom on a mobile phone. But best to consult your Prime Minister of Domestic Affairs before purchasing anything.

      • 

        ozf1 on 11/12/2013 - 17:38

        Regarding the camera, we have 2 girls in primary school and as parents, we like to capture those moments at short notice!
        The optical zoom is very tempting, it is the worse thing to record a concert performance with your kid in it, that you can hardly see when watching back due to being unable to zoom in (digital zoom… No!).
        With the quality of camera's these days, I hate carrying our handy cam around.

        I actually saw a lot of people with them on our recent trip to HongKong, i kept noticing the white Samsung camera, a lot of people were taking photos with, and wondered what's with all these people choosing the same camera. When I saw the S4 advertised I realised that's what it must have been.
        So I guess I am leaning towards the Zoom, but it will be my wife's decision, I did however want to actually surprise her and choose one without her knowledge.

      • 

        scrimshaw on 11/12/2013 - 19:21

        If the 10x zoom is what you want, then the SG4 Zoom is probably what you should get.

        http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ud4xVuiXz70

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  [Deactivated] on 09/12/2013 - 21:47

  My 2c on 4G, is beware the double-edged sword.

  Your wife may not watch much streamed video content on her phone now, but once you're on 4G, it is particularly tempting for many.

  I DO watch alot of youtube videos on my phone (it becomes addictive when you discover as many great channels as I have), and I would rather put up with having to occasionally restart a video, or just generally to watch in a lower resolution than I would prefer, than put up with bite of 'unwatched data suck' that happens when you're on 4G.

  By the time you decide that you only want to watch the first few seconds of a particular several minute long video, on 4G that video may have buffered right to end, with all that data coming off your allowance.

  So, my aforementioned 2cents is that IF you have tolerable 3G speed day-to-day in your travels, on your network of 'choice', consider being content with that.

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    issh on 09/12/2013 - 22:02

    If I recall correctly, there is a method that you can make your phone disable the usage of 4g and instead, use H+/3G, etc

    • 

      [Deactivated] on 09/12/2013 - 22:19

      On a dollar basis, if you're on a 4G plan you're still dealing in most cases with a lower data allowance relative to a comparable 3G plan from the same provider.

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  lethological on 09/12/2013 - 23:07

  I know it's not on your list, but have you consider the Nokia 1020?

  I mention it as you include the s4 zoom in your options.
  First it has a better camera. Ning navigation works great.
  As far as out of the box usability it ranks above android, unless she already has a 4.0+ device (in which case why upgrade now?) and it is also 4G. Cost should be less than note3 too.

  It's the phone I would get someone who wants a smart phone but not the tech fiddle options of my android. Just something else to consider…

  P.s. I w, buying a note3 for myself that I plan to root within minutes of purchase. This is just my 2cents on options.

  • 

    [Deactivated] on 10/12/2013 - 17:24

    Problem with Nokia is its not an Android. Another problem is that its a Windoze phone.

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    ozf1 on 12/12/2013 - 17:24

    Thanks for the suggestion lethological, I looked at the Nokia in particular due to the 41 MEGApixel camera!, however after reading many a 'current' review, I found what I have always believed, Pixels are just a number, optics and quality of pixels equal a better image, and after many reviews, the Zoom still outscores the 1020, the review bellow was one of the best straight forward comparisons I found.
    If my wife is not too bothered about the form factor on the zoom, this would probably be my choice, the less power specs won't really matter as she'll use it as a phone predominantly.

    http://www.whistleout.com.au/MobilePhones/Guides/Nokia-Lumia…

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  kt007 on 10/12/2013 - 16:04

  I think u should also consider Experia Z1

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  ozf1 on 11/12/2013 - 17:17

  Thanks all for the feedback, regarding the other phones, I wanted to be somewhat narrow in my selection, so I wish to keep it to the above mentioned units.

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  BuyNow Think Later on 12/12/2013 - 21:14

  I heard that Samsung has introduced region SIM locks on some Note 3 models. I am not sure if Kogan is selling them. Can anyone who bought a Note 3 from Kogan verify? What is the Kogan Notes 3 country of origin?

  If the Note 3 is rooted, there is the Samsung KNOX counter to track for any rooting.

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    [Deactivated] on 12/12/2013 - 22:51

    As far as I know that is only Verizon Note 3's.