Nokia Lumia 900 vs Samsung Galaxy Note LTE
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Somehow, if you managed to watch a tiny bit of television of late, we’re pretty certain that you’ve come across the commercial spot for the Samsung Galaxy Note LTE for AT&T. Right now, there’s no arguing the fact that it’s simply the best Android smartphone on AT&T’s lineup. However, the Nokia Lumia 900 is being positioned as an equal offering from the Windows Phone camp. With that in mind, it’s only fitting that we pit the very best from each respective platform against one another, to find out which one exactly has the guts and glory to come away as the champion.
Design:
Needless to say, these two smartphones couldn’t be any more different from one another in the design department. Between the two, we have to admit that the Nokia Lumia 900 has the slight advantage with its fresh appearance – especially when US consumers haven’t been exposed to a device like it before. Additionally, the Lumia 900 sports a sturdier feel in the hand thanks to its unibody polycarbonate exterior. On the other hand, besides its ridiculously large footprint, there’s nothing compelling with the design of the Samsung Galaxy Note LTE. In fact, it seemingly looks like any other Samsung made smartphone before it. However, its size is what makes the Galaxy Note LTE so fascinating – and essentially, it’s what makes the Note so unique from most things.
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The Nokia Lumia 900 (left) and the Samsung Galaxy Note LTE (right) | ||
Mainly because they’re raised more, we prefer the volume control and power button found on the Galaxy Note LTE, even more when the buttons on the Lumia 900 are flat to the touch. Conversely, since the Galaxy Note LTE’s Android capacitive buttons are closer to one another, we find ourselves pressing them by accident more than the trio of Windows buttons on the Lumia 900.
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Volume rockers | Power keys | microUSB ports |
The Nokia Lumia 900 (bottom) and the Samsung Galaxy Note LTE (top) | ||
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Buttons below the displays | Front-facing cameras | |
The Nokia Lumia 900 (left) and the Samsung Galaxy Note LTE (right) | ||
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Bottom edge | Left | Top | Right |
The sides of Nokia Lumia 900 (bottom) and the Samsung Galaxy Note LTE (top) | |||
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Backs | Rear cameras |
The Nokia Lumia 900 (left) and the Samsung Galaxy Note LTE (right) | |
Display:
Taking into account that it’s bigger, badder, and more detailed, we prefer the 5.3” WXGA (800 x 1280) Super AMOLED display of the Samsung Galaxy Note LTE. Besides its full 1-inch advantage in the size department, its resolution enables us to even distinguish fine text within the web browser with no problems at all. And to solidify its superiority, its color production is remarkably more saturated in tone to catch our attention. In comparison, the 4.3” WVGA (480 x 800) ClearBlack AMOLED display of the Nokia Lumia 900 is still sharp looking, but it lacks the sheer wow factor accompanying the Galaxy Note LTE. Moreover, its resolution isn’t something that’s perceived to be ground breaking in this day and age – so yeah, it’s not as captivating as its rival.
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Viewing angles of the Nokia Lumia 900 (left) and the Samsung Galaxy Note LTE (right) | ||
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Drag the picture or use the keyboard arrows to rotate the phone. Double click or press keyboard Space to zoom in/out
Drag the picture or use the keyboard arrows to rotate the phone. Double click or press keyboard Space to zoom in/out
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16 Comments
1. Jdub0323 posted on 03 Apr 2012, 20:57 5
Just a small thing, but I felt like the comparison on the cameras wasn't fair. If you know nothing about cameras the numbers on the Note would look better, but it's not about the megapixels as most know now. It's the lens quality. The Lumia features a Carl Zeiss lens which will most definitely be better quality, plus an aperture of 2.2 for great low light shots and action shots. Yes, probably something small but I felt that should be pointed out.
2. Jdub0323 posted on 03 Apr 2012, 21:05 2
The screen resolution definitely doesn't show the quality as well as the Samsung though. They definitely make one of the best displays
13. -box- posted on 04 Apr 2012, 09:17 2
I'm starting to wonder if PhoneArena's 900 is defective. I'm reading other sites where its camera is highly regarded (excepting the lack of 1080p video recording), and the only complaints are about the screen, with resolution and typical discussions regarding AMOLED versus other technologies.
http://gizmodo.com/5898783/nokia-lumia-900-review-this-might-save-windows-phone http://www.engadget.com/2012/04/03/nokia-lumia-900-review/
14. PAPINYC posted on 04 Apr 2012, 09:35 0
Too bad that Carl Zeiss lens will go to waste on the Lumia; would be nice on a real phone.
19. remixfa posted on 09 Apr 2012, 08:30 0
thats true.
but look at the pictures. look at the flower bed and the single weed by itself. there is very clearly more detail in the samsung's photos than the nokias.
The samsung's is a bit more saturated too, if your into that.
3. Armaniii007 posted on 03 Apr 2012, 21:14 5
Dear Phonearena,
I'm one of your avid readers and recently I came upon a fact that your comparison reviews just don't make sense. Like these phones, they have nothing in common, so why would you compare the two products that don't share anything with each other?
4. theBankRobber posted on 03 Apr 2012, 21:48 5
Because if they didn't, people would just bug them for one. Lol. :)
15. alx33 posted on 04 Apr 2012, 11:40 3
You're right. Of anything I'd love to see the lumia 900 compared to the Samsung focus s. :)
7. CX3NT3_713 posted on 03 Apr 2012, 22:22 4
Haha the galaxy note took that, by a landslide,, not because i own it.. But yea its tha best phone thus far... Barnone
9. droiddomination posted on 03 Apr 2012, 23:01 7
i agree the note is the best phone bar none right now. however, i cannot place it in the phone category so much as a tablet. it is just not practical as a guys phone to put in his pocket and go. not a one hander for sure. i have big hands and that thing is just huge, (thats what she said). sorry, steve carrol fan. so anyways, the nokia is the winner here if you are looking at the phone side of the use of the note. sorry guys. just my two cents.
12. samystic posted on 04 Apr 2012, 00:56 8
"When it comes down to walking the walk, the Nokia Lumia 900 delivers the peppier responses throughout all of its operations. Well, it’s not to say the Galaxy Note LTE is slow, but it doesn’t have the same level of fluidity and tight movements that’s consistent with the Windows Phone powered device." - what Phone Arena means is that Windows does not NEED high end hardware, whereas Android does
samystic
16. 0o0blackstar0o0 posted on 05 Apr 2012, 08:30 0
Wow Suprized Galaxy not could keep up with Nokia's camera if not better Nokia are known for good camera's\
17. 99n100 posted on 06 Apr 2012, 08:43 1
knowing that Window phone is not competitive and will not be selling well (at least for the next few years). Phone maker will not want to spend their time and $ which they think is hard to justify their ROI?? therefore, let Nokia be the "Guinea-pig" to market WP's OS.
18. nlmmln posted on 09 Apr 2012, 08:09 0
Not really a fair comparison, everyone knows that WP is a better OS than droid. Even with brttwr hardware the Note is slower. Its big screen is an advantage for resolution but is a disdvantage for portability. Same with the battery life. Nice try Samsung but you should've but more effort into your wp's...time to get with the times and a better platform.
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