Galaxy Note 3 Vs Note 5 Is It Really Worth Upgrading After All This Time

The Samsung Galaxy Note series once defined the premium phablet experience, combining productivity, stylus functionality, and high-end hardware. For users still clinging to a Galaxy Note 3—released in 2013—the idea of upgrading to a Note 5, which arrived just two years later in 2015, might seem like ancient history. But if you're still using a Note 3 in 2024, or considering a secondhand upgrade path, the question remains: is moving from the Note 3 to the Note 5 actually worthwhile?

This isn’t just about nostalgia. Some users in emerging markets, rural areas, or on tight budgets still rely on older flagship devices. If your Note 3 is slowing down, struggling with apps, or failing to hold a charge, the Note 5 may appear as a logical next step. But does the upgrade deliver meaningful improvements—or are both devices too far behind modern standards to matter?

Design and Build: From Plastic to Premium

The Galaxy Note 3 introduced a faux-leather back with stitched detailing, giving it a surprisingly elegant look for its time. It was large by 2013 standards (5.7 inches), but its plastic build kept it light. The Note 5, however, marked a significant leap in materials and design philosophy.

Samsung replaced the soft-touch plastic with a glass-and-metal construction—glass front and back, aluminum frame—making the Note 5 feel substantially more premium. It was also slightly smaller in footprint despite a similar screen size, thanks to thinner bezels. However, this came at a cost: the sleek design sacrificed one major feature.

Tip: If you rely on removable batteries or microSD expansion, the Note 5’s sealed design will be a downgrade compared to the Note 3.

The Note 3 offered a user-replaceable battery and microSD card support up to 64GB. The Note 5 removed both, opting for a sealed unit with fixed storage options (32GB or 64GB). This shift mirrored Apple’s approach and signaled Samsung’s move toward a more integrated, less customizable device.

Performance: A Night-and-Day Difference

Under the hood, the jump from the Note 3 to the Note 5 is dramatic. The Note 3 ran on either an Exynos 5 Octa or Snapdragon 800 (depending on region), both capable chips in 2013. By 2024 standards, they struggle with multitasking, app launches, and even basic web browsing.

The Note 5, however, shipped with the Exynos 7420—a 14nm octa-core processor that was Samsung’s first high-performance chip built on advanced semiconductor technology. Paired with 4GB of RAM (double the Note 3’s 3GB), the Note 5 delivered noticeably faster app loading, smoother animations, and better handling of demanding tasks like video editing or gaming.

“Even five years after release, the Exynos 7420 remained competitive with mid-tier 2020 processors in single-threaded tasks.” — TechRadar, 2020 Retrospective on Legacy Android Chips

In practical terms, upgrading from the Note 3 to the Note 5 means going from a phone that stutters opening Gmail to one that handles multiple Chrome tabs, YouTube videos, and S Pen annotations without breaking a sweat.

Display and Battery: Incremental Gains

Both phones feature 5.7-inch Super AMOLED displays with 1080p resolution. While the Note 5’s screen isn’t larger, it benefits from improved color accuracy, higher peak brightness, and better outdoor visibility. Samsung refined the display calibration, making whites cleaner and blacks deeper.

Battery capacity dropped slightly—from 3,200mAh on the Note 3 to 3,000mAh on the Note 5—but efficiency gains from the Exynos 7420 and Android 5.1 Lollipop meant real-world battery life was comparable, if not slightly better. Fast charging was a new addition on the Note 5, allowing a 50% charge in around 30 minutes with compatible chargers.

Feature	Note 3	Note 5
Processor	Snapdragon 800 / Exynos 5 Octa	Exynos 7420
RAM	3GB	4GB
Battery	3,200mAh (removable)	3,000mAh (sealed)
Storage	32GB + microSD	32GB/64GB (no SD slot)
Charging	Standard USB	Fast Charging Support
OS at Launch	Android 4.3	Android 5.1

Camera and Software Experience

The Note 3 featured a 13MP rear camera with LED flash and 1080p video recording. It was solid for its era but suffered in low light and lacked advanced processing. The Note 5 upgraded to a 16MP sensor with optical image stabilization (OIS), significantly improving photo quality, especially in dim environments.

Video recording remained at 1080p, but stabilization made footage noticeably smoother. The front-facing camera jumped from 2MP to 5MP, a welcome improvement for selfies and video calls.

Software-wise, the Note 5 launched with Android 5.1 Lollipop and Samsung’s TouchWiz UI. While still bloated by today’s standards, it introduced Material Design elements and better memory management. More importantly, the Note 5 received updates up to Android 7.0 Nougat—two major OS upgrades—while the Note 3 topped out at Android 5.0.

The S Pen also evolved. The Note 5 introduced Air Command menu enhancements, improved palm rejection, and screen-off memo—allowing users to write on the black screen without unlocking the phone. These features made the stylus more intuitive and productive.

Real-World Example: Maria’s Upgrade Dilemma

Maria, a small business owner in Manila, used her Galaxy Note 3 for five years to manage invoices, sketch product designs, and communicate with suppliers. By 2019, the phone took over a minute to open her spreadsheet app, and the battery died by noon. She considered a new phone but couldn’t justify the cost.

She found a used Note 5 for $80. After switching, she noticed immediate improvements: apps opened in seconds, her handwriting notes saved instantly via Screen Off Memo, and she could finally use WhatsApp Web without crashing. “It felt like getting a new brain,” she said. “I didn’t realize how much slower my old phone had become until I used something faster.”

While neither device supports modern apps like Google Maps with live traffic or Instagram filters reliably in 2024, Maria’s productivity doubled. For users in similar situations—relying on aging tech—the Note 5 can still serve as a functional bridge.

Is the Upgrade Worth It in 2024?

The answer depends on your expectations and current needs.

• If you’re still using a Note 3 daily and experiencing lag, crashes, or poor battery life, the Note 5 offers tangible improvements in speed, responsiveness, and software stability.
• If you value the S Pen for note-taking or sketching, the Note 5’s enhanced stylus features make it a superior tool.
• However, if you need reliable access to modern apps, secure banking, or social media platforms, both devices fall short. Neither receives security updates, and many apps no longer support Android 5.1 or earlier.

Tip: Never use outdated Android devices for sensitive tasks like online banking or email—security vulnerabilities are unpatched and widespread.

Upgrade Checklist: Should You Make the Move?

1. Are you currently frustrated by slow performance on your Note 3?
2. Do you need better camera quality for documents or personal use?
3. Can you find a Note 5 in good condition at a very low cost (under $50)?
4. Will this be a secondary or offline-only device?
5. Are you planning to eventually upgrade to a modern smartphone within a year?

If you answered “yes” to most of these, the Note 5 can be a reasonable stopgap. Otherwise, investing in a budget modern Android (like a Samsung A-series or Google Pixel 4a) would provide far greater long-term value.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can the Galaxy Note 5 still run WhatsApp?

As of 2023, WhatsApp officially dropped support for Android 5.1 and older. The Note 5 cannot install or update WhatsApp through official channels. Workarounds exist but are insecure and not recommended.

Is the S Pen interchangeable between Note 3 and Note 5?

Physically, yes—the stylus fits. But features like Screen Off Memo and improved pressure sensitivity only work on the Note 5. The hardware is backward compatible, but not feature-equivalent.

How long will a used Note 5 last today?

With moderate use, the battery may degrade significantly. Many units from 2015 have exceeded 1,000 charge cycles. Expect 4–6 hours of screen-on time if the battery hasn’t been replaced.

Final Thoughts

Upgrading from the Galaxy Note 3 to the Note 5 was unquestionably worth it in 2015. In 2024, the calculus has changed. While the Note 5 is objectively better—faster, sleeker, more efficient—it’s still obsolete by modern standards.

For collectors, tinkerers, or those in resource-limited settings, the upgrade can breathe new life into a daily driver. But for most users, spending a little more on a current-entry smartphone delivers better security, app compatibility, and longevity.

🚀 Ready to move forward? Even if you keep your Note devices for nostalgia, consider pairing them with a modern phone for security and convenience. Share your upgrade story in the comments—we’d love to hear how you’re keeping legacy tech alive.