Samsung Galaxy Note 3 owners now face challenges on several technical issues plaguing the flagship phablet. Problems including SIM management, Google Play Store, handwriting functionality and more are currently disturbing users. Know the issues or bugs and what possible solutions you can do to fix them.

Source: Samsung

1. Galaxy Note 3 Regional Lock

AndroidAuthority caught reports of the regional SIM lock of the Samsung Galaxy Note 3 and it has one simple fix regarding the unclear explanation of the maker. Recently, customers who purchased the Galaxy Note 3 in full price or no contract deal are unable to activate their brand new device from a different region.

In this setting, an individual who bought a Note from the United Kingdom and then goes to the United States won't be able to activate the SIM. The Galaxy Note 3 must be activated from the territory where it was purchased before using it with a foreign network carrier.

Failure to perform the procedure will cause the device to be locked. Moreover, the crisis is still happening according to Clove among its buyers which may affect its Galaxy Note 3 sales.

Possible solution: Activate the Galaxy Note 3 from where you have purchased it before leaving to prevent locking the device. If all hell breaks loose, contact the nearest Samsung service centre, retailer or network carrier to have the issue addressed immediately. Do not forget to bring all important documents of your purchase.

2. Handwritten Bug

One user of the Galaxy Note3 reported a bug issue with the new S Pen on the forums of AndroidCentral. According to icestrike:

"Having a problem with the handwritten text on the note 3 I have the handwritten box enabled and shown on the note 3 screen, however when I write a word/letter, nothing happens in the input field. Any suggestions? Thank you"

Credit: Android Central Forums

The same issue, which occurred overnight, also happened to kkushi, another member of the forum. One reply suggested that the device should be returned immediately to the retailer for replacement.

Possible solution: According to kkushi, the date should be dated back to 28 or the previous day, check the weather and then change back to the current date which should restore the service. This solution is considered trial and error, but if you want a permanent solution, simply go to your retailer for replacement.

Credit: Android Central Forums

3. Google Play Problems

Users of the Galaxy Note 3 appear to be suffering from issues on the Google Play Store based on the reports of GottaBeMobile and it relates to the defect of downloading applications from the service.

AT&T Galaxy Note 3 variant is just one among many which suffers the problem encountered on the Play Store. Errors include unable to download applications, general server problems and the infamous "RPC:S-5:AEC-0" Google Play error.

Recently, Google updated their Play Store and launched its first Play Books where users can purchase electronics books for their smartphones and tablets. It is not 100 percent clear if the said update caused the problem with the Galaxy Note 3.

Possible solution: Remove the Google account stored on your Galaxy Note 3 which is being used for the services. Go to "Settings > Accounts > Google Accounts > Remove > agree on the warning > Close Settings."

Now tap the Play Store and agree to its terms and conditions > tap Existing Google Account > Sign in your login details. In case this solution didn't work initially, restart the device then redo the process. Start syncing your Google Account once downloads is working normally to restore the phone apps before it was removed.

4. Possible Sluggishness

Samsung is facing allegation of Galaxy Note 3 benchmark cheating, which according to reports from MacDailyNews, led to the exaggeration of performance test result of the phablet.

"In the face of a second set of investigative reports detailing exactly how Samsung leads other Android makers in exaggerating its performance on specific benchmarks, the company has issued its second denial this year, and which still fails to address any specifics," according to Daniel Eran Dilger for AppleInsider quoted by MacDailyNews.

In case you are suffering sluggishness and lags on your Galaxy Note 3, make sure you did not activate all features or every applications at the same time because the device will likely slow down because of all the activated apps.

Possible solutions:

- Do not combine live wallpapers and cluttering widgets at the same time

- Leave applications using the "Back" key

- Use the Task Manager to kill all running apps and free up memory

- Deactivate Samsung exclusive features you are not using

- Turn off auto-syncing when not in use or whenever you wanted to play high graphics gaming

5. Power Management

Although Galaxy Note 3 features 3200 mAh battery and Super AMOLED screen display, sometimes the battery may not last throughout the day. In order to squeeze more juice out of the battery, do some of these tips and tricks.

- Disable live wallpapers and widgets if your charger isn't around

- Lower the brightness to a comfortable level.

- Reduce screen time-out to minimum

- Less use on the video light during video recording

- Deactivate Samsung feature you do not use

- Kill apps using the Task Manager

- Enable Power Saving mode on your device

- Turn off all wireless connectivity such as Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, GPS and mobile data

- Switch auto-syncing into manual

- Reboot the device after charging to free memory