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Nexus 5 vs. Samsung Galaxy Note 3: What to Expect

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While much of the attention will be on how the Samsung Galaxy Note 3 compares to the likes of the iPhone 5S and the upcoming HTC One max, there will be another Android smartphone, or smartphones, that will challenge the Galaxy Note 3 for the attention of consumers. That device is currently dubbed the Nexus 5, a device that is rumored to be coming to replace the Nexus 4.

Last year, we saw the Samsung Galaxy Note 2 and the Nexus 4 from LG arrive around the same time. The Galaxy Note 2, which was first announced in August, made its debut in the United States in late October, right around the time that Google announced the Nexus 4 and the Android 4.2 Jelly Bean update.

Both brought some likeable things to the table and were attractive options for those in the market for a new smartphone. The Galaxy Note 2 delivered a massive HD display, a blazing fast Exynos quad-core processor, a solid camera, tons of carrier options, and an improved S Pen that took advantage of some upgraded software.

Read: Nexus 5 Rumors Continue to Swirl.

The Samsung Galaxy Note 3 was announced on September 4th.

The Samsung Galaxy Note 3 was announced on September 4th.

The Nexus 4 arrived with an extremely cheap unlocked price that was paired with its vanilla Android software and its high-end hardware which included a large HD display, quad-core processor, solid camera, a few carrier options, and the perks of a Nexus-branded smartphone including fast updates from Google itself.

For most of 2013, the Nexus 4 and the Galaxy Note 2 were considered two of the top Android smartphones on the market and even further, two of the top smartphones on the market. Of course, like any smartphone, their time in the sun came to an end with the Nexus 4’s reign ending quicker than many expected.

Earlier this month, we saw Samsung announce the Galaxy Note 3, the next-gen Galaxy Note that will be hitting shelves in the United States in early October. And just yesterday, we saw Google kill off the Nexus 4 completely, a sign that a new Nexus smartphone, perhaps a Nexus 5, is en route.

We know quite a bit about the Samsung Galaxy Note 3 already thanks to it being official. And while the Nexus 5 remains unofficial, leaks have offered up some pretty credible information.

Here, we take a close look at what to expect from the upcoming battle between the Samsung Galaxy Note 3 and the new Nexus smartphone, currently thought to be a Nexus 5 from LG, Motorola, or both.

Screen Size

The Samsung Galaxy Note 3 will be coming with a massive 5.7-inch display that takes advantage of 1080p resolution. We know that. However, what we don’t know is just how large the Nexus 5 display might be when it arrives. Rumors suggest that it will be coming with 1080p resolution, like the Galaxy Note 3, but its size remains a mystery.

This is how it could look from the front, though, we caution that this likely isn't a retail version.

This is how it could look from the front, though, we caution that this likely isn’t a retail version.

Given that the Nexus 4 employed a massive 4.7-inch display and given the state of Android displays at the moment, we can’t see Google dipping any lower with the size of the Nexus 5’s display. There have been rumors that have suggested a screen size that is around 5-inches, something that makes sense if it’s called the Nexus 5 and is based on the LG G2 which uses a 5.2-inch display, but that still isn’t confirmed.

What buyers should expect though is a display that is on par with the Galaxy Note 3’s in terms of resolution but that is smaller than the Galaxy Note 3’s 5.7-inch screen. How much smaller isn’t clear but we expect it to be 4.7-inches or above.

Design

The Samsung Galaxy Note 3 is going to be coming with a plastic back, it’s just going to be a lot different from the Galaxy Note 2 and the Galaxy S4 backs that use smooth polycarbonate plastic. Instead of Samsung’s typical design, the Galaxy Note 3 comes with a faux leather back that is a departure from anything it has offered before.

Samsung also tweaked the Galaxy Note 3’s design from a dimension standpoint as well, slimming it down to 8.3mm and dropping its weight down to a much more manageable 168 grams. The Galaxy Note 2 by comparison checked in with a 9.3mm frame and weighed a solid 180 grams.

The Galaxy Note 3 uses a faux leather back.

The Galaxy Note 3 uses a faux leather back.

From what we’ve seen, the LG Nexus 5 looks like it may take some hints from the Nexus 4, at least in the front, while using a design that is reminiscent of the new Nexus 7 in the back.

Leaks have shown a device that uses a smooth plastic black matte back with a gigantic Nexus logo plastered across the back, just like the Nexus logo found on Google’s new 7-inch tablet. The key thing here is that it looks like the Nexus 5 will join the Galaxy Note 3 with a plastic design.

This could show the back of the Nexus 5.

This could show the back of the Nexus 5.

We aren’t sure about the exact dimensions but we saw Google work to make the new Nexus 7 tablet slimmer and more lightweight so we could see the new Nexus smartphone shed some of its weight and thickness as well.

Other Key Hardware Differences

We expect there to be several key hardware differences between the Galaxy Note 3 and the Nexus 5. We expect them both to share a Snapdragon 800 quad-core processor and both have solid cameras, but here are the three major differences that we anticipate:

S Pen – The Galaxy Note 3 employs a powerful stylus called the S Pen that allows users to not only write and draw on the display but take advantage of some powerful software. The Nexus 5 will not have a bundled stylus.

Removable back – The Galaxy Note 3 comes with a removable back which allows for users to pop in an extended battery or easily replace one that is malfunctioning. The FCC filing for the Nexus 5 points to a non-removable back, something that the Nexus 4 didn’t have.

Expanded storage – Thanks to the microSD card slot on the Galaxy Note 3, users can expand up to 98GB of storage thanks to a 64GB microSD card. Google does not put microSD card slots on its Nexus devices so the Nexus 5 will be stuck with on board storage, and the cloud.

Storage

Unsurprisingly, the Samsung Galaxy Note 3 will be coming with one storage option in the United States. However, unlike the 16GB Galaxy Note 2 and Galaxy Note models before it, the Galaxy Note 3 will be coming in 32GB form, giving users more internal storage space than any other Galaxy Note that has touched down in the U.S.

The rumored Nexus 5 seen here next to the Nexus 4 and Galaxy Nexus.

The rumored Nexus 5 seen here next to the Nexus 4 and Galaxy Nexus.

Google offered two storage variants for the Nexus 4, an 8GB and 16GB model, and that seemed to work out well. So we expect it to offer two storage variants for the Nexus 5. We wouldn’t be surprised if the company bumped up the storage options, like it did with the new Nexus 7, to 16GB and 32GB to accommodate for larger application sizes and file sizes in general. If it does that, we expect a price jump, something that should be expect anyway given that it will likely have a 1080p display and LTE.

Pricing

This could be the new Nexus 5 from LG and Google.

This could be the new Nexus 5 from LG and Google.

The Samsung Galaxy Note 3 is going to cost $299.99 on-contract across the board. That’s how much carriers charged for the previous two Galaxy Note models and it wasn’t surprising to see them stick with what worked. The expensive price tag is due to the device’s massive display and the bundled S Pen stylus but it does make it one of the more expensive on-contract devices on the market.

Nexus 5 pricing isn’t known but given the upgrade on the display (those cost money), the addition of LTE, the price jump of the Nexus 7, and the fact that the iPhone 5c isn’t anywhere close to the Nexus 4’s $299 price point, we could see Google pushing the Nexus 5 up to around $399 for a 16GB mode and $450 for a 32GB Nexus 5. Both unlocked of course.

Those are still solid price tags and are cheaper than the iPhone 5c’s $549 unlocked price and the iPhone 5S’ steep $650 unlocked price tag.

T-Mobile, which offered the Nexus 4, will be offering the Galaxy Note 3 for $199 down with 24 payments of $21 per month (or $700 total). We expect the Nexus 5 to be cheaper than that at T-Mobile, if the carrier offers it.

Carriers

Speaking of carriers, the Galaxy Note 3 will be released on AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile, U.S. Cellular and Verizon Wireless next month. We don’t expect the Nexus 5 to be released on such a large swath of carriers, unfortunately.

An FCC filing, for a device that is likely the LG Nexus 5, points to support for AT&T, Sprint and T-Mobile. AT&T and T-Mobile, being the GSM carriers that they are, are a given. However, Sprint would be a new addition.

There was no support for Verizon listed and given the issues the carrier had with the Galaxy Nexus, it’s possible that we could see Verizon skipped over with the Nexus5. U.S. Cellular is extremely unlikely.

Software

Both of these devices are going to be running Google’s Android but there is going to be a huge difference between the two operating systems.

The Nexus 5 will more than likely be using Android 4.4 KitKat as its operating system and furthermore, it will likely be using a vanilla version of the Android 4.4 KitKat update. That means that it will be pure Google software, untouched by LG, or anyone else. This is one of the big perks of a Nexus smartphone and one that should entice buyers to the Nexus 5.

Samsung’s Galaxy Note 3 is going to be on the other end of the spectrum. That’s because it will not only employ Samsung’s TouchWiz user interface over Android but it will also use a powerful and unique version of that software that will not only offer powerful multitasking but also offer software features for the device’s S Pen.

The company’s fingerprints will be all over the Galaxy Note 3’s software, for better or worse, making for a vastly difference experience than the one found on any Nexus smartphone.

Software Updates

Finally, buyers can expect a much more unpredictable software update experience with the Samsung Galaxy Note 3. The Galaxy Note 2 remains on Android 4.1 Jelly Bean, the software that was on board out of the box when it first arrived, and it’s clear that the Galaxy Note’s software shares at least part of the blame.

The original Galaxy Note is on Android 4.1 as well but it’s not clear if it will be getting updated past that, especially since users have been complaining about a host of issues including lag and battery life problems.

So, there is no guarantee just how long the Galaxy Note 3 will be supported for or how many big time updates it will get over the course of a two year contract. For many, this matters.

The Nexus 5 is going to be a little more predictable. Google typically offers several years of support and Nexus devices always get new Android updates shortly after they are announced. For example, the Nexus 4 was one of the first to get the Android 4.3 Jelly Bean update. It will also be one of the first to Android 4.4 KitKat.

16 Comments

16 Comments

  1. Techman

    09/17/2013 at 4:43 pm

    Much as I like Nexus devices, the non-removable battery and lack of card expansion will probably rule out the Nexus 5 for me.

    Whilst the latest Android software version is nice to have, there is little day to day difference at the moment in using any of the 4.x versions.

    • Dustin

      09/17/2013 at 5:29 pm

      Same here. Plus slimrom, paranoid android or cyanogenmod (my nexus 4 is running cyancolors 10.2 currently) will loaded on my note 3 when it gets released depending which one keeps the s-pen and ir blaster functionality intact. I’ll get plenty of time to play around with touchwiz, and who knows, I may just stay stock after rooting, removing bloatware I don’t want or need and installing a custom launcher/locker. I’m really looking forward to the s view cover, I’m hearing you can snap pictures without opening it.

  2. Dustin

    09/17/2013 at 5:37 pm

    This is a horrible comparison. The note 3 trumps the nexus 5 in every way besides getting the official firmware releases sooner. That and possibly the camera, we will have to wait and see. What’s the point in having a 1080p screen that’s only 5in? How close to our eyes do they expect us to hold these screens? (Oculus Rift style 3d headmount with Bluetooth controller anyone?)

  3. Phil

    09/17/2013 at 9:26 pm

    The Note 3 is way too big. Shouldn’t even be called a phone. I’d never use one. Even if i got one for free i’d sell it. Gonan get the Nexus 5.

    • Bigmouth

      09/18/2013 at 9:45 am

      Best of luck with that, Gonad.

  4. An

    09/17/2013 at 9:47 pm

    Whether the Note 3 or the Nexus 5, I think we can all agree they’re both better than an iphone

    • Dustin

      09/18/2013 at 1:39 am

      No need for this. For you, android suits your needs better than iOS, as it does me, some people less tech savvy, an iPhone is perfect. My dad and mom for one. An android handset would be too confusing and half of the features would be wasted, however their iPhone does exactly what they need. No customizations, easy to get around and find stuff, the simpler phone. Everyone has different needs. Those iPhone people just don’t need the things we crave. They need to be told what they need.

      • Drew Ramsay

        09/18/2013 at 5:32 pm

        funny you say this, because i’ve found that android is actually simpler. i have both phones (iphone for work), and the easiest of tasks are RIGHT there in android (in the settings button!) to fix if i dont like how it works. on the iphone i’m often found going “ok, WHERE do i go to change this?! here?” then i hunt around for a WHILE on iOs, only to find out that what i wanted couldnt be changed in the first place!

  5. Kiwitech

    09/18/2013 at 3:39 am

    Its always good to have better options available in the market when you wish to upgrade. Currently I holds an iPhone 4S and a nexus 4, thinking of upgrading both to iPhone 5S and nexus 5.
    I will prefer nexus phone to Note 3 as in my concern Note 3 is not a phone its a smaller tab, just don’t fit into my pocket.

  6. yarrellray

    09/18/2013 at 4:42 am

    This is definitely a comical comparison. The Galaxy Note 3 or Note products in general are productivity/business/multitasking handsets on the highest level. With software solutions and feature implementations never scene on any handset since the inception of android. The Nexus 5 offers nothing but a dull hum drum day to day basic smartphone experience. Note owners would NEVER PURCHASE any Nexus device they have poor battery life and crappy cameras. Trust me REGARDLESS of the Note 3 having 4.3 android which no other handset will have for a while it will be better than any silly Nexus 5 with android kitkat. I will be purchasing the Galaxy Note 3 on October 2nd Wednesday morning at 8am sharp. Nexus 5 is a JOKE compared to any Note product.

    • bizi

      09/18/2013 at 7:12 am

      Amen brother … Preach!!!!!!!

    • Bigmouth

      09/18/2013 at 9:47 am

      OG Note owner here. If they made a “Google Play” version of the Note that supported the Wacom digitizer, I’d be all over it.

    • Reed Tyler

      09/18/2013 at 2:39 pm

      Galaxy Note 2 user here, rooted, running Beanstalk 4.3.0.7, android 4.3, devil kernel. I’m an app developer also. I’ll be switching from my note to the nexus 5. I guess you can’t speak for everyone, huh? The note 2 is one of the worst android devices I’ve owned in a while, primarily because its stock software is garbage, and its so big that I actually don’t feel like using my phone half the time. Its too unwieldy.

      Anyways, thanks for Informing everyone that the nexus is garbage in the eyes of ALL note users. Totally true statement.

      • fishmoose4

        09/18/2013 at 5:07 pm

        Go away, Reed Tyler. Or Tyler Reed, whatever. You’re not an app developer, you’re a crap developer.

  7. Irene Russell

    09/18/2013 at 11:08 am

    I really wanted the note III. but now i don’t know. I’m gonna wait to get confirmation and then do comparisons.

  8. App Developer

    04/24/2014 at 1:34 am

    old days… :)

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