Samsung Galaxy Note 2 users may consider upgrading to the Galaxy Note 3 for brand new features and an updated operating system. However, the newest Note can put a serious strain on your budget once you've compared it. Is it worth upgrading to the Samsung Galaxy Note 3 and recycle your Note 2?

1. Operating System

A brand new operating system means more bug fixes and better system performance, but it can also define eligibility for an upcoming OS version in the future.

The Samsung Galaxy Note 2 can only be upgraded to Android 4.1.2 Jelly Bean which lacks premium features such as Lock Screen Widgets and Daydream. The Samsung Galaxy Note 3 runs Android 4.3 Jelly Bean which features everything about the Android Jelly Bean - Google Now, Project Butter, Lock Screen Widgets, Daydream, Bluetooth Smart and OpenGL ES 3.0.

Unlike with Note 2 which is currently struggling to get Android 4.2 or Android 4.3 update, Samsung would likely push Android 4.4 KitKat OS after Google finally releases the source code. The Samsung Galaxy Note 3 is expensive but at least you are not going to wait that long or pay again just for the upcoming Android KitKat software.

2. Display Screen and Resolution

Of course, the Samsung Galaxy Note 3 boasts an upgraded display screen with 1080p full-HD resolution on a Super AMOLED having 386 ppi. The Galaxy Note 2 only features 720p HD display with 265 ppi density - a lot less vivid on viewing images and videos.

Display screens are not something you can install on a device to upgrade pixel density and resolution. If you desire higher resolution for watching HD videos, then upgrade soon.

3. Processor and Performance

Samsung equipped the Samsung Galaxy Note 3 with 1.9 GHz octa-core processors on the International variant while the LTE gets 2.3 GHz quad-core CPUs. In technical terms, the Galaxy Note 2's 1.6 GHz quad-core CPU cannot match the ultimate speed of the Note 3 even with Project Butter from Android.

The graphics chipset on the Note 3 has been upgraded seriously by arming it with Adreno 330 GPU which hammers down the ARM Mali-400 on Note 2. If you are a gamer and Note fanatic, you need the Galaxy Note 3's hardware components to get intense 3D graphics and immersive gaming experience.

4. Camera Technology

Samsung decided to upgrade the camera for Galaxy Note 3 which is now a 13 megapixel with backside illumination sensor or BSI and loaded with brand new features exclusive to the latest phablet. In addition, the device also supports 4K resolution and 1080p HD video recording at 60 fps max.

In comparison with the Galaxy Note 2, the device can take 1080p video recording using the 8-megapixel camera at 30 frames per second without any 4K video resolution support. In the near future, 4K is going to be essential, especially for large TV screens you are planning to purchase.

5. Battery Life

The Samsung Galaxy Note 3 has more features and boasts a larger screen display with so many pixels which will require higher battery life. Samsung installed a 3200 mAh battery unit to give more juice on the Galaxy Note 3 and supported by the built-in battery saving mode from TouchWiz plus optimisation from Android 4.3 Jelly Bean.

While the Galaxy Note 2's battery life is pretty good enough, it is likely that your phablet may have been around a year which already got the battery all worked up.

Upgrade Consideration

There are factors you can consider before taking out big bucks from your savings just to upgrade which you may regret later on.

Purpose and Usage

Yes or No

Messaging, voice calls, push-to-talk, video chat

No

Internet browsing and surfing

No

Fast browsing and streaming using 3G or LTE

Yes

Picture taking, HD recording, photography

Yes

Graphics software and editing

Yes

Performance demands and multitasking

Yes

Overall basic operations: phone, video, music, Internet, etc.

No