Amóvil was able to review the Galaxy Note 3, the newest version of Samsung’s so called phablet, thanks to a loan by the Vodafone Spain Foundation. This device offers a wide range of interesting and state of the art features. It also accommodate the needs the visually and the hearing impaired, and it is suitable for people with limited comprehension skills.

The Note 3 comes out of the box with Android v4.3 but it can be upgraded to v4.4 (KitKat). It measures 151.2 x 79.2 x 8.3 mm, and it is lighter than its predecessor weighing only 163 grams (20 grams less than the Note II). The handset is equipped with a 5.7-inch Super AMOLED and very sharp display with a resolution of 1080x1920 pixels. It also includes a 13MP front-side camera complete with autofocus and LED flash, and a 2MP rear-side camera for videocalls.

As the rest of the Galaxy Note devices, the Note 3 includes the S Pen, a stylus that enables users to draw and handwrite on the display with lots of precision. This tool comes conveniently embedded into the device’s casing so it does not protrude or gets hooked on the clothes.

People with low vision can use the S Pen to select icons and other small elements on the screen. However, users with limited dexterity should try the S Pen before buying this device. Although it is lightweight, it may not be thick enough to ensure a good grip.

Accessibility review

Vision

The Note 3 is suitable for the visually impaired. It includes a screen reader that works quite well and that can be set up to be activated by pressing the power button. Users can also set up the device to activate TalkBack, Android's screen reader, by pressing the power button.

The handset’s large display makes it easy for users with low vision to see and interact with its content. It also includes a screen magnifier and allows them to customize the size and type of fonts. Color blind users will be able to reverse the display colors to improve visibility and to adjust the color scheme for the screen to meet their needs.

Hearing

The Samsung Galaxy Note 3 has a Hearing Aid Compatibility rating of M3/T3. It also supports instant messaging and videcalls for the deaf.

Dexterity

Although the Note 3 is larger than most smartphones, it's quite easy to grip. In fact, this handset is thinner and narrower than its predecessor. Notwithstanding, Amóvil is unable to recommend it to people with dexterity disabilities because the voice recognition system, the S Voice, does not work as expected. These users will not be able place calls or send emails using their voices. They will have to download a compatible application that offers this service such as Sherpa.

However, there are a few features included that may improve the experience of users with dexterity disabilities. For instance, the Smart Scroll that enables scrolling pages by tilting the head upwards or downwards; or the Air View that allows performing various functions by simply hovering the index finger over the screen.

Comprehension

The Note 3 is suitable for people with limited comprehension skills. It includes standardized icons and symbols, and an option to customize the phone book and to arrange the home screen elements as needed.

In addition, it supports two home screen modes: standard and easy modes. The easy mode limits the home screen to three panels and provides bigger icons and fonts. It also provides an easier way to pin frequent contact and favorite apps to the home screen.

For a more detailed description of the accessibility features included in this device, please see the full accessibility report available in Amóvil.