Samsung's sharper Note 3 (pictures)

Last year's Note 2 this isn't. Indeed, the Galaxy Note 3 comes with a bigger 5.7-inch 1080p AMOLED screen, better S Pen software, blazing Snapdragon 800 processor, and Android 4.3 Jelly Bean.

The most noticeable feature of the Note 3 is the device's massive 5.7-inch AMOLED screen. Its 1,920x1,080-pixel resolution renders images sharply and in vibrant colors.

You may not completely dig the Note 3's faux-leather backing ringed by fake stitching. Still, offering a sure grip and repelling fingerprints, you have to admit it's a big improvement over the Galaxy S4 and Note 2's glossy plastic chassis.

The Samsung Galaxy Note 3 is very thin despite its large footprint. It also sports faux-chrome edges for a retro look. The right side of the device holds a trim volume bar.

On the Samsung Galaxy Note 3's top edge sits a 3.5mm headphone jack for physically connecting audio devices.

Tucked away inside the Note's bottom lip is its S Pen sheathe.

Though the Note 3's back is crafted from plastic, Samsung does its best to convince you it's leather, right down to putting fake stitching around the edges.

There's no getting around the Note 3's large size. Still, its streamlined and sophisticated design makes it less conspicuous than previous Note phones.

The Multi Window feature lets you view two applications at once on the Note 3's big screen. Only some apps qualify, though, listed in a tool bar on the left side of the screen.

To take full advantage of the Note 3's screen, the phone lets you open two applications at the same time. For instance you can read your browser while watching YouTube videos, if that's your thing.

Under the Samsung Galaxy Note 3's battery door is a removable 3,200mAh battery along with a microSD slot.

On the back of the Note 3 is the same quality 13-megapixel camera used by the Samsung Galaxy S4.

Just like the Galaxy S4, the Note 3's camera app comes brimming with extra shooting modes and settings.

The Note 3's Action Memo feature gives you the option of e-mailing, texting, or converting handwritten scribbles into to-do lists.

The Screen Write function in the new S Pen Air Command lets you take a screenshot, mark it with notes, then save it for later.

Another component of the Air Command S Pen interface is S Finder. It allows you to search the Note 3's memory banks for info that lives in e-mails or handwritten notes.

The Pen Window feature lets you use the S Pen to draw a window, then fill it with a view of an application.