Unboxing the Samsung Galaxy Note 3 (which I won at a raffle last night!)

So I was like “My wife would probably like this phone. Total, she was already using a Galaxy Mega.” For those who don’t know, the Samsung Galaxy Mega was the 6.3″ precursor to the Note 3 sharing similar hardware features such as NFC and LTE compatibility.

Then my name was called. Chedeng!

At home, the Android family of phones being used are almost exclusively Samsung starting with my super old, yet still trustworthy Galaxy SII, the smartphone that started Samsung’s ascent into becoming the poster boy of the Android OS. Humor me with the unboxing photos.

Following the trend of minimalist packaging, the box really occupies a small footprint. The brown paper look gives it that classic 80’s feel that makes you want to smell it (it smells like a bookstore). Popping open the hood is the Galaxy Note 3, in all its glory, with stylus sheathed.

Now hear this: don’t throw away the outer cover. If you look inside it, there’s a free scratch-it coupon for the premium version of Trend Micro’s Mobile Security and Antivirus software for Android phones and tablets. Normally, if you were to download the APK from the PLay Store, you’ll only get 30 days trial of the premium features. The scratch-it card gives you 6 months! The premium version gives you the following:

Premium (PAID) Version includes:
–Lost Device Protection: includes anti-theft features that let you find, lock and wipe a missing device.
–Data Theft Scanner: warns you of apps that potentially steal your information
–Safe Surfing and Call & Text Filtering: keeps you and your kids safe by avoiding unwanted contact and content

Unlike other Android tablets, the Note 3 comes with a USB 3.0 charger. If Apple moved to Lightning Cables, Samsung uses a more ubiquitous USB 3.0 cable which you usually find in higher capacity hard drives, which means they are more easily available in the market if you need to buy more.

Inside the box you also have a pack full of these:

I had no clue what this was for. Initially I thought that the pegs are used to remove the SIM card but that’s just weird (why so many?!). It turns out that these are extra tips for the S-Pen and the metal thing is the tool to help you remove and replace the tips. How generous!

Battery life for the Note 3 is confirmed to be at 3200 mAh.

Putting all that together, you have the completely unboxed package together with the earphones and the in-ear plugs.

Saving the best for last, I would like to show you the best feature of the new Samsung Galaxy Note 3. I can’t get over it. Please watch this video.

What a nice, sexy leather back.

Brief Specs Rundown:

Android OS, v4.3 (Jelly Bean)
Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 (N9005)/ Exynos 5 Octa 5420 (N9000)
Quad-core 2.3 GHz Krait 400 (N9005)/ Quad-core 1.9 GHz Cortex-A15 & quad-core 1.3 GHz Cortex-A7 (N9000)
Adreno 330 (N9005)/ Mali-T628 MP6 (N9000)
LTE Compatible
USB 3.0 charging and file transfer
32 or 64 GB storage w/ 3GB RAM
microSD card expansion up to 64GB
13 MP, 4128 x 3096 pixels, autofocus, LED flash
Video recording at 2160p@30fps, 1080p@60fps (N9005)/ 1080p (N9000)

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The Samsung Galaxy Note 3 is first available through SMART Communications.

All-In Plan

Plan // Price

500 P28,000

800 P23,000

1200 P17,750

1800 P4776 or P199/month with 24 months lock-in

2500 FREE

Unli Postpaid Plan

Plan // Price

1500 P13,000