Samsung Galaxy Note 2 (SPH-L900) vs Apple iPhone 3GS (8GB)

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Side by side comparison between Samsung Galaxy Note 2 vs Apple iPhone 3GS phones, differences, pros, cons and full specifications. What's the better?

10/1/2012 8:47 PM, updated: 6/19/2025 2:19 PM

Compare Apple iPhone 3GS X Samsung Galaxy Note 2 (SPH-L900) 33Points

Specifications Compare Models Pictures

5.5"
AMOLED

720x1280

8
MP

2mp

2GB
RAM

Quad-core

3100
mAh

(Removable)

01Point Apple iPhone 3GS (8GB) Compare Samsung Galaxy Note 2 X

Specifications Compare Models Pictures

3.5"
TFT

320x480

3.1
MP

256MB
RAM

Single-core

1219
mAh

(Non removable)

What's the better phone? Samsung Galaxy Note 2 (SPH-L900)

The phonemore's choice is much more technical than personal. Therefore, you shouldn't only consider this. Our goal is to help you, but what's important to us may not be important to you. You decide which one is the best! Comment!

33 Advantages Samsung Galaxy Note 2 (SPH-L900)	vs	1 Advantage Apple iPhone 3GS (8GB)
+1.6GHz 32bit Quad-core2 times More powerful processor, you can open your applications faster	vs	600MHz 32bit Single-core
+2GB LPDDR27 times More RAM memory. Typically more responsive and better for multitasking.	vs	256MB SDRAM
+16GB (13GB available)160% More internal storage for applications and files	vs	8GB (5GB available)
+eMMC 4.5Advantage Fastest write and read storage.	vs	Flash (EEPROM)
+Until 64GB microSD, microSDXCAdvantage More external storage for files using memory cards	vs	Not supported
+9.4 millimeters (0.37 inches)31% Thinner	vs	12.3 millimeters (0.48 inches)
+Super AMOLEDAdvantage Super AMOLED display is brighter and more vivid	vs	TFT LCD
+720x1280 pixels5 times Higher resolution screen	vs	320x480 pixels
+267 PPI62% Crisper display of text, images and videos because it has more pixels per inch (ppi)	vs	165 PPI
+5.5"57% Larger screen	vs	3.5"
+(back) 8MP154% Higher resolution main camera	vs	(back) 3.1MP
+LED flashAdvantage The LED flash helps in dark places or in low light	vs	Not supported
+Only digital zoomAdvantage The zoom allows for better focus and approach to take pictures	vs	Not supported
+EIS: Digital stabilizationAdvantage Image stabilization prevents blurry photos and helps in recording motion video	vs	Not supported
+BSI sensorAdvantage The BSI sensor allows the entry of more light generating photos with more detail and brightness	vs	Not supported
+(front) 2MPAdvantage A front-camera is best for taking selfies	vs	Not supported
+Full HD (1920x1080)6 times More image quality for recording videos with the primary camera	vs	VGA (640x480)
+3500000 apps (Google Play Store)52% More apps available to download and use	vs	2300000 apps (App Store)
+4G LTEAdvantage The 4G LTE network is newer and faster	vs	3G HSDPA
+(4G LTE) 100 Mbps13 times Faster for surfing the internet and download files	vs	(3G HSDPA) 7.2 Mbps
+Ambient light sensorAdvantage Sensors help you use the device	vs	Not supported
+ANT+Advantage Sensors help you use the device	vs	Not supported
+BarometerAdvantage Sensors help you use the device	vs	Not supported
+GyroscopeAdvantage Sensors help you use the device	vs	Not supported
+3100 mAh154% Battery - higher amperage (mAh) allows more device usage time, but it also depends on the hardware and use	vs	1219 mAh
+Li-Ion: lithium-ion (Removable)Advantage Removable battery can be replaced easily	vs	Li-Ion: lithium-ion (Non removable)
+Video callingAdvantage The video calling allows to make calls with voice and video	vs	Not supported
+Active noise cancellationAdvantage More noise-canceling microphones allow for better quality in calls and audio for recorded videos	vs	Not supported
+802.11 a/b/g/n [wifi4]Advantage WiFi 802.11 a/b/g/n [wifi4] is newer and faster	vs	802.11 b/g [wifi3]
+DLNAAdvantage With DLNA technology you can access and play media files on TV, tablet or DLNA compatible device.	vs	Not supported
+4.0 + A2DPAdvantage Bluetooth 4.0 + A2DP is newer and faster	vs	2.1 + A2DP
+NFCAdvantage NFC allows you to make payments by approach quickly and securely	vs	Not supported
+HTML, XHTML, HTML5Advantage Better sites viewing on the internet	vs	HTML, XHTML
183 grams (6.41 ounces)	vs	+135 grams (4.73 ounces)36% Lighter

15 Common items in both devices

Plastic body, glass front

16 million

Autofocus

Capacitive

Multitouch

Accelerometer

Compass

+8 specs and more in the table below

Check the comparison table below for more items that are not evaluated in comparison score above.

Highlight differences

📱 Model features
	Galaxy Note 2 (SPH-L900)	iPhone 3GS (8GB)
Change model		Choose the model
Model	Galaxy Note 2 (SPH-L900)	iPhone 3GS (8GB)
Other model names	Sprint Galaxy Note2 (4G LTE) SPH-L900	Apple iPhone 3GS
Country or region available	Canada, USA	(Global, International)
Brand	Samsung	Apple
Release date	10/25/2012	6/19/2009, Announced: 4/13/2012
Depth	9.4 millimeters (0.37 inches)	12.3 millimeters (0.48 inches)
Size (width x height)	80.5 x 151.1 millimeters (3.17 x 5.95 in)	62.1 x 115.5 millimeters (2.44 x 4.55 in)
Weight	183 grams (6.41 ounces)	135 grams (4.73 ounces)
Build, materials	Plastic body, glass front	Plastic body, glass front
Protection against water and others	Not supported	Not supported
📲 Display
	Galaxy Note 2 (SPH-L900)	iPhone 3GS (8GB)
Display type	Super AMOLED	TFT LCD
Screen size	5.5" inches	3.5" inches
Screen-to-body ratio	~68.6% (screen-to-body ratio)	~50.9% (screen-to-body ratio)
Display resolution	720x1280 pixels	320x480 pixels (3:2)
Touchscreen	Capacitive Multitouch	Capacitive Multitouch 5-points
Pixel density (dot pitch)	267 PPI	165 PPI
Colors	16 million	16 million
Scratch-resistant glass	Gorilla Glass 2	Gorilla Glass
Refresh rate	feature not registered	60Hz
Display features	feature not registered	Not supported
🤖 Operating System
	Galaxy Note 2 (SPH-L900)	iPhone 3GS (8GB)
System version	Android 4.1.1 Jelly Bean	iOS 3.0
Firmware update	Android 4.3 Jelly Bean	iOS 6.0
User Interface	feature not registered	feature not registered
⚙️ Processor
	Galaxy Note 2 (SPH-L900)	iPhone 3GS (8GB)
Chipset	32bit: Samsung Exynos 4 Quad 4412 (32nm)	32bit: Samsung S5PC100
CPU	Quad-core, 1 processor: 4x 1.6GHz ARM Cortex-A9 (Quad-core)	Single-core, 1 processor: 1x 600MHz ARM Cortex-A8 (Single-core)
GPU graphical controller	ARM Mali-400 MP4	PowerVR SGX535
Performance (benchmark)	feature not registered	feature not registered
💽 Memory and storage
	Galaxy Note 2 (SPH-L900)	iPhone 3GS (8GB)
RAM memory	2GB LPDDR2	256MB SDRAM
Internal storage	16GB (13GB available) eMMC 4.5	8GB (5GB available) Flash (EEPROM)
External storage	Until 64GB microSD, microSDXC (dedicated slot)	Not supported
📶 Mobile networks
	Galaxy Note 2 (SPH-L900)	iPhone 3GS (8GB)
Dual-SIM	Not supported	Not supported
SIM card	1 slot (Single-SIM) micro-SIM (3FF)	1 slot (Single-SIM) micro-SIM (3FF)
Maximum Download / Upload	100/50 Mbps	7.2 Mbps
Network technology	2G, 3G, 4G	2G, 3G
Frequency, bands	Expand band details Collapse details
GSM MHz band	Quad-Band 850/900/1800/1900	Quad-Band 850/900/1800/1900
Primary 2G network	CDMA 800/1900, GSM 850/900/1800/1900	GSM 850/900/1800/1900
Primary 3G network	CDMA2000 1xEV-DO UMTS 850/1900/2100	UMTS 850/1900/2100
Primary 4G network	LTE Cat3 (Bands 2)	Not supported
Primary 5G network	Not supported	Not supported
Primary data network	GPRS, EDGE, CDMA2000 EV-DO Rev 0, CDMA2000 EV-DO Rev A, UMTS, HSDPA, HSUPA, HSPA+, LTE	CSD, GPRS, EDGE, UMTS, HSDPA
Secondary 2G network	Not supported	Not supported
Secondary 3G network	Not supported	Not supported
Secondary 4G network	Not supported	Not supported
Secondary data network	Not supported	Not supported
📷 Camera
	Galaxy Note 2 (SPH-L900)	iPhone 3GS (8GB)
Back camera (main camera)	8 megapixels	3.1 megapixels
Main camera resolution	3264x2448 pixels	2048x1536 pixels
Video recording (primary)	Full HD (1920x1080) 30 fps	VGA (640x480) 30 fps
Flash	LED flash	Not supported
Focal aperture	f/2.6 (aperture)	feature not registered
Focal length	feature not registered	feature not registered
Sensor size	feature not registered	feature not registered
Pixel size	feature not registered	feature not registered
Autofocus	Autofocus	Autofocus
Touch focus	Supported	Supported
Image stabilization	EIS: Digital stabilization	Not supported
Zoom	Only digital zoom	Not supported
Face/smile detection	Face detection, Smile detection	Not supported
BSI sensor	Supported	Not supported
HDR	Not supported	Not supported
Camera extras	feature not registered	feature not registered
📸 Front camera
	Galaxy Note 2 (SPH-L900)	iPhone 3GS (8GB)
Front camera (secondary)	2 megapixels	Not supported
Front camera resolution	1600x1200 pixels	Not supported
Video recording (secondary)	HD (1280x720)	Not supported
Front flash	Not supported	Not supported
Focal aperture	feature not registered	feature not registered
Focal length	feature not registered	feature not registered
Sensor size	feature not registered	feature not registered
Pixel size	feature not registered	feature not registered
🔉 Sound and multimedia
	Galaxy Note 2 (SPH-L900)	iPhone 3GS (8GB)
Loudspeaker	Supported	Mono sound (not stereo)
Active noise cancellation	2 microphones or more	1 microphone
Radio	Not supported	Not supported
TV	Not supported	Not supported
Video formats	MP4, DivX, XviD, H.264, H.263, WMV	MPEG4, MOV
Audio formats	MP3, WAV, eAAC+, AC3, FLAC	MP3
🔌 Connectivity
	Galaxy Note 2 (SPH-L900)	iPhone 3GS (8GB)
USB	MicroUSB 2.0	USB 2.0 proprietary connector
Audio output	3.5mm jack	3.5mm jack
TV output	Micro-B USB MHL	Proprietary TV-out
Bluetooth	4.0 + A2DP	2.1 + A2DP
WiFi	802.11 a/b/g/n [wifi4] (2.4GHz, 5GHz) + MIMO WiFi Direct, hotspot	802.11 b/g [wifi3] (2.4GHz)
DLNA	Supported	Not supported
GPS	A-GPS, GeoTagging, GLONASS	A-GPS, GeoTagging
NFC	Supported	Not supported
Infrared port	Not supported	Not supported
🧭 Sensors
	Galaxy Note 2 (SPH-L900)	iPhone 3GS (8GB)
Sensors	Accelerometer Ambient light sensor ANT+ Barometer Compass Gyroscope Proximity sensor	Accelerometer Compass Proximity sensor
Vibrating alert	Supported	Supported
🔋 Battery
	Galaxy Note 2 (SPH-L900)	iPhone 3GS (8GB)
Battery type	Li-Ion: lithium-ion (Removable) EB595675LU	Li-Ion: lithium-ion (Non removable) 616-0435
Battery capacity	3100 mAh	1219 mAh
Charger, watts	Wired charging	5W (5V/1A) Wired charging
Inductive / wireless charging	feature not registered	Not supported
Talk time autonomy	15 hours	11.7 hours
Standby	300 hours (12.5 days)	300 hours (12.5 days)
➕ Other features
	Galaxy Note 2 (SPH-L900)	iPhone 3GS (8GB)
Call control	Voice dialing, Voice recorder, Voice commands	Voice recorder, Voice commands
Messaging	SMS (Swype), MMS, E-mail, Push mail	SMS, MMS, E-mail
Hands-free calling	Supported	Supported
Video calling	Supported	Not supported
Ringtones	Polyphonic and customized	Polyphonic and customized with tutorial
Web browser	HTML, XHTML, HTML5	HTML, XHTML
Antenna	Internal antenna	Internal antenna
Qwerty physical keyboard	Not supported	Not supported
Miscellaneous	• Colors: Titanium Gray, Marble White • Samsung TouchWiz interface • SoundAlive • S Pen stylus Java framework	• Colors: Black, White • Audio/video player • Image editor iCloud service • Google Maps • Twitter
☢️ Radiation rate
	Galaxy Note 2 (SPH-L900)	iPhone 3GS (8GB)
SAR 1.6W/kg (USA, Mexico, etc.)	feature not registered	0.26W/kg (head), 0.79W/kg (body)
SAR 2W/kg (Europe, UK, etc.)	feature not registered	0.45W/kg (head), 0.4W/kg (body)