Review is absolutely fine and all in context. Why should people upgrade to a newer model of handset when there is not a real BIG difference?
As users we like to pay more money on a newer handset for more advancement right? If there is not a huge amount of advancement from the note 2 to the Note 3, what is the problem if it is stated in this review?
I believe Samsung has gone massively wrong with quality of Audio output on the Note 3. This is one of my major concerns with this device. Being the latest technology, equipped with a powerful processor,core unit and having a nice, crisp display, how can Samsung settle for providing an inferior quality of audio output compared to its predecessor?
Battery life is slightly better on the Note 3 than the Note 2. So presumably one can benefit from the extended battery, while watching movies, playing games and listening to songs right?
But what is the point of watching music videos and movies and playing games even with the most advanced graphic card, when the sound effect is not really good, it is just average?
My point, audio output needs to be of good to great quality for us to really enjoy the multimedia of a phone. I’m afraid to say even though I love Samsung devices, the audio quality on the note 3 has gone 3 steps BACKWARDS from its little brother the Note 2. I enjoyed reading this review.

My mother’s new husband has a Note II, just like me, and he loves the phone purely because of the big display. I asked him whether or not he used the stylus, and he admitted that he couldn’t care less about that feature.

So please, cut the bashing. If you want to find a review that makes you feel good about your purchase decision, then I’m sure you can find one in no time. This is Steve’s opinion of the phone and nothing more.

So she loves the Note II? So did I. Which was my point. So we agree…..?

And usually newer models are better. But this is one if those occasions when it’s not necessarily true. I thought that worth writing about….

So your message is there is a better value in last year’s model? Brilliant. Why write at all? Are there devices you can’t say that about? This is just me talking here, but my guess is that people read reviews to learn the intricacies possibly, but at least the features. Then the verdict could include your opinion of which you prefer, maybe. Jabbing at it all the way through is a bit like, I can’t hate this enough, when clearly millions of people are liking the crap out of these behemoths. The wife has the note 2 and is loving the crap out of it, btw.

Guys, stop criticizing Steve for writing an opinionated review. If you had been following him from the early days, you had known that he always likes to present phones with a prespective on the price/performance ratio. There is nothing wrong with suggesting a bargain alternative to the new do it all fancy pants flagships phone. It gives the readers a better understanding of the current smartphone market situation. And let’s be honest, nobody that can easiliy afford a Note 3 will buy the Note 2 for the superior value.

However, I don’t agree that many people buy it only for the big screen. I might be biased though, I work in a hospital and I see a lot of colleagues owning a Galaxy Note (1,2,3) and using the stylus a lot, taking notes and drawing stuff to help the patient understand certain aspects of their condition.

I simply loved my Note 3 for the stylus. Yes, loved, because I foolishly sold it on, thinking I can get by with a Nexus 5 + Nexus 7 combo. Turns out, dealing with 2 devices, neither of which has great battery life, is just way to cumbersome on a daily routine.

So in the end, I will probably end up with another Note3. Kev Wright style.

Guess I will keep waiting though and look forward to AAWPs big screened nokia reviews although I think that Samsung probably make the better devices (thinner small bezel etc) in this segment.

On the contrary, reviews should be opinionated. That’s the whole POINT of a review. It’s the reviewer’s opinion, his assessment.

You’re completely free to disagree, but I stand by my opinion wholeheartedly. If it were my money I’d go for the older phone without question.

A good review should be like that on GSMArena they do their tests and present in a way that the visitors to their website would look at it and make up their own minds and not try to force their own opinions on them. Like seriously why would someone who could afford it prefer to buy last year’s model.

The whole “Oh yes, and I’ve reviewed more PDAs and smartphones in the last 20 years than you’ve probably *heard of*. Sigh.” is a bit unnecessary and proves nothing. I am not new to smartphones, i have been using smartphones since the days of the 3650, and a Sony Clie before that. i have used devices across different OSes (Android, S60, UIQ, S60v3, Symbian^3, iOS, WP7/WP8) so i think am a bit knowledgeable about device also.

??? What I said, in 2500 words, was effectively “the Note II is FAR better value than the ‘3’ and better in some ways, so go buy that instead”. In other words, far more “I love the Note II” than “I hate the Note 3”.

And in any case, it’s Samsung that screwed some of this up, not me!

And bias? My Nexus 5 review was MASSIVELY positive. What am I biased against again? Do please tell me.

Oh yes, and I’ve reviewed more PDAs and smartphones in the last 20 years than you’ve probably *heard of*. Sigh.

Hardly a Samsung hater. I’ve previously written positively about the S4 and Mega 6.3 and used the Galaxy Nexus for ages.

And the point of a review is to come at a device objectively, not as a ‘fan boy’.

My core contention is that most Note users don’t buy for the stylus, they buy for the size. And you can now get that in the 6.3. And, if you do need the stylus, get a Note II and save a bundle of money.

Samsung hater should refrain writing about Samsung phone.