Galaxy Note 3 Vs. Nexus 5: Spec and Feature Comparison
The Galaxy Note 3 and Nexus 5 were two late comers of 2013 that certainly did not fail to leave their mark on the Android market.
Samsung launched the phablet in the fall of this year and the device became one of the company's fastest selling handsets to date outpacing its flagship the Galaxy S4. The Nexus 5 followed in the footsteps of the Nexus 4 selling out of the Google Play store extremely fast and pleasing those looking for the perfect marriage between software and hardware in the Android market. So how do these two behemoths stack up against each other? Here is a comparison of the specs and features of the two handsets.
Design
Get Our Latest News for FREE
Samsung finally abandoned its fully plastic body and used a new leather-like backing on the Note 3 giving it a classier look and feel. The change was certainly a step in the right direction for the company who has frequently heard complaints regarding the lack of innovation in this area. The Nexus 5 features a plain black exterior that does little to wow anyone. It is solid, but not really a step up from its predecessor. The Galaxy Note 3 does a little more for the eye here.
Display
The Nexus 5 features a True IPS 5-inch display with 1080x1920 pixels at 445 ppi. The Galaxy Note 3 comes with a 5.7-inch Super AMOLED display with 1080x1920 pixels at 386 ppi. Both devices have great resolution for their size. The Galaxy Note 3 is better for gaming and watching videos. The Nexus 5 is decent for these activities as well and is easier to carry around. Neither handset is a slouch in this area.
Processor
The Galaxy Note 3 and Nexus 5 come with the same Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 processor. The Nexus 5 runs a bit smoother in this area and can probably perform tasks a touch quicker than the Galaxy Note 3 thanks to the software-hardware integration and extra RAM. The Note 3 can still do everything efficiently, but the Nexus has a slight advantage.
Camera
The Nexus 5's 8-megapixel camera is currently considered one of the worst in the market with its fair share of complaints from customers having issues with the software. The Galaxy Note 3 comes with a 13-megapixel shooter that is great for picture taking. Samsung's device really has no competition here.
Price
The Nexus 5 retails for $349 unlocked in Google Play. The Note 3 normally sells for around $299 on contract depending on the carrier. The Nexus 5 has the advantage over every other handset in this area since it costs around the same price as a high-end on contract model unlocked. The Galaxy Note 3 is a combination of tablet and smartphone making it worth the price, but it is still a lot of money for something that will be bound to a contract for 2 years.
Conclusion
The Galaxy Note 3 is probably the stronger device all around, but pricing for the Nexus 5 plus its inclusion of Android 4.4 KitKat out of the box might make it more appealing for some. Either way, both of these devices will please any avid Android fan, but the Samsung might have the slight advantage thanks to a better camera and a more impressive exterior design.
