Samsung was telling the truth about their new device when they named the Galaxy Mega 6.3. With a massive 6.3-inch display, it is one of the largest smartphones available. While the device might sound a little absurd to use as a handset, it performs well and is not as cumbersome as it might first appear. While it will not fit in every pocket, it is rather portable and lightweight for its size. Ian Morris of PocketLint said “We can't give it a bad mark just because it's big, though, because it also succeeds in being really rather good.”
The device is powered by the Snapdragon 400 chipset. The dual-core 1.7-GHz processor, combined with a display resolution of 720-by-1280 pixels, offers a smooth and snappy user experience. Engadget’s Brad Molen stated “Comparisons aside, the benchmarks give us a solid indication that you're not going to run into any workload-related problems on the Mega.”
From gaming and movie watching to jotting down a quick note or checking your email, the LCD display on the device offers crisp, vibrant visuals and plenty of on-screen real estate to make using your apps a snap. The 8MP camera is typical of Samsung’s offerings with crisp pictures, vibrant colors but weak low-light performance. Round the device off with a 3,200mAh battery and you have a device that is ready to perform most tasks with ease and make it through a full day regular use without searching for your charging adapter.
This is not to say the phone is perfect. There are a few minor issues to consider. The Note series of device improved productivity through the introduction of the S-Pen. While bigger than the Note 2, the Mega 6.3 does not support the S-Pen. There is also a matter of internal storage. The phone offers 8GB and 16GB models but Android and the pre-installed apps take up a hefty 4GB of space. If you plan to store many files locally, purchasing a microSD memory card is almost mandatory.
If you’re looking for a productivity powerhouse, the S-Pen and higher specs of the Note series might suit your needs better. However, if you are looking for a large device to browse the web, play a few games, watch movies or text, the device offers many of the large screen benefits at a lower price point.
Finally, you have the issue of the phone’s size. If you plan to use the Mega 6.3 as a phone frequently, Bluetooth or wired headsets are recommended. While the speaker is loud and crisp, the phone is awkward to hold up to your ear. In fact, the size of the phone makes most one-handed operations difficult.
By pushing so close to tablet territory, the device is basically a smaller tablet with phone features. Alex Dobie offered a great summary of the device when he said “We’ll say right off the bat that this kind of device isn’t going to enjoy the mass appeal of a traditional smartphone like the Galaxy S4. But after a week with the Galaxy Mega, we’ve come away convinced that there’s a place in the world for freakishly large smartphones like this.”
The Good: Massive screen, exceptional battery life, vibrant display, microSD support and 4G support.
The Bad: Difficult to operate with one hand, limited internal storage, lack of S-Pen support and plastic case materials.
What the Critics Are Saying...
- Thomas Thorn, TechRadarIn the end, we are left feeling a little confused by the Samsung Galaxy Mega. Every time we pick it up, we really want to like it. Samsung proved with the original Galaxy Note, and the subsequent Galaxy Note 2, that big screens really do sell phones, and we can see exactly why.But that Galaxy Note 2...
- Joe Teh, TechieLobangOverall, I like the big screen although I wish it is Full HD. The smartphone is not meant for heavy CPU or graphic usage (only a dual core and I believe this helps to conserve battery). I did not get any issues when reviewing this GALAXY Mega 6.3.As I mentioned earlier, the phone is not for everyone...
- Matt Safford, Digital TrendsWith a surprisingly good screen, stellar battery life, and good-enough performance, it's a massive mid-range device that leans more toward tablet than phone.
- Kunal, Samsung HubIs the device worth it? The Galaxy Mega 6.3 is in many ways, better than the Galaxy Mega 5.8 and of course fares better on almost every aspect but the main thing boils down to if you’re comfortable with the size. If you’ve big hands or are comfortable using large sized devices, there&rsq...
- Christen Costa, Gadget ReviewShrugging my shoulders might be the most apt way for me to describe how I feel about the Mega 6.3. It’s neither a stellar device, nor is it overwhelmingly bad. But that in mind, shouldn’t a now device, a device of today offer performance that exceeds that of those of the past generation?...
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Common Questions
We've got you covered! Download a free PDF copy of the Samsung Galaxy Mega 6.3 user manual here.
Samsung backs up the Galaxy Mega 6.3 with a 1 Year parts & labour warranty.
If your Galaxy Mega 6.3 has problems and is still within its warranty period, you could contact Samsung support or the retailer you purchased the phone from. You'll find Samsung's contact information here. If your phone is off warranty and needs repair for a physical problem such as a broken screen or bad battery, you should visit an authorized service centre or a local phone repair shop. You can also connect with others in The Informr Community Forum to find and share answers to questions.
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