Mobile Technology

Samsung Galaxy Mega 5.8 vs. Galaxy Mega 6.3

Samsung Galaxy Mega 5.8 vs. Galaxy Mega 6.3
Gizmag compares the specs (and other features) of the Samsung Galaxy Mega 5.8 and 6.3
Gizmag compares the specs (and other features) of the Samsung Galaxy Mega 5.8 and 6.3
View 12 Images
These are respectable battery capacities
1/12
These are respectable battery capacities
8 MP isn't too shabby either
2/12
8 MP isn't too shabby either
These babies are gigantic
3/12
These babies are gigantic
Resolution isn't mind-blowing, but the Mega 6.3 has a decent amount of pixels
4/12
Resolution isn't mind-blowing, but the Mega 6.3 has a decent amount of pixels
Gizmag compares the specs (and other features) of the Samsung Galaxy Mega 5.8 and 6.3
5/12
Gizmag compares the specs (and other features) of the Samsung Galaxy Mega 5.8 and 6.3
Not the fastest by any means, but you can do worse
6/12
Not the fastest by any means, but you can do worse
1.5 GB of RAM is good for a mid-range mobile device
7/12
1.5 GB of RAM is good for a mid-range mobile device
Software isn't mid-range: the latest version of Android, and the latest version of TouchWiz
8/12
Software isn't mid-range: the latest version of Android, and the latest version of TouchWiz
Internal storage is cramped, but the microSD slot can make up for that
9/12
Internal storage is cramped, but the microSD slot can make up for that
Considering how big they are, the Megas are relatively light
10/12
Considering how big they are, the Megas are relatively light
Only the big Mega supports LTE
11/12
Only the big Mega supports LTE
If you want an aluminum or glass build, you'll need to look elsewhere
12/12
If you want an aluminum or glass build, you'll need to look elsewhere
View gallery - 12 images

You didn’t think the Galaxy Note II was the last word, did you? That Samsung’s 5.5-inch phablet had filled the last gaps between smartphone and tablet? Think again. If the Note is two parts smartphone, one part tablet – the huge Galaxy Mega flips that around. Let’s see how the two versions of the Mega (Mega 5.8 and Mega 6.3) compare.

Size

These babies are gigantic
These babies are gigantic

If you can still classify these as smartphones, then they’re the biggest damn smartphones you’ve ever seen. The Mega 6.3, naturally, is larger than its baby bro, but it does manage to be thinner.

Build

If you want an aluminum or glass build, you'll need to look elsewhere
If you want an aluminum or glass build, you'll need to look elsewhere

No surprise here, as plastic is par for the course with Samsung devices.

Plastic isn’t necessarily a bad thing, though. For one, it opens the door to removable batteries. It also keeps weight down, and lets Samsung spend more on other components.

... but if plastic doesn’t float your boat, several of Samsung’s competitors will be happy to take your money.

Weight

Considering how big they are, the Megas are relatively light
Considering how big they are, the Megas are relatively light

This is what I mean about the plastic. Despite their enormous sizes, these are still relatively light phablets. They may leave a sizable impression in your pocket, but at least they won’t feel like heavy bricks.

Display

Resolution isn't mind-blowing, but the Mega 6.3 has a decent amount of pixels
Resolution isn't mind-blowing, but the Mega 6.3 has a decent amount of pixels

What do you know: the Mega 5.8 has a 5.8-inch display, and the Mega 6.3 has a 6.3-inch display. Screen size is the most obvious difference between these two phablets.

Resolution is also worth paying attention to. Much has been made of the mid-range pixel densities here, but the Mega 6.3 has a respectable 233 pixels per inch (PPI). That’s only about 34 fewer than the Galaxy Note II, which has a terrific display.

If we’re bringing up the Note, though, we have to mention that it – and the Galaxy S series – sports an AMOLED display. The Mega phablets use TFT LCDs.

Processor

Not the fastest by any means, but you can do worse
Not the fastest by any means, but you can do worse

Samsung hasn’t mentioned the make of processors here, but it did reveal the clock speeds of these dual-core CPUs. We’re definitely talking mid-range here, but both should be speedier than your average mid-range device.

RAM

1.5 GB of RAM is good for a mid-range mobile device
1.5 GB of RAM is good for a mid-range mobile device

We’re looking at 1.5 GB of RAM in each Mega. Again, not too shabby for a mid-range device: Apple’s high-end devices have never had more than 1 GB of RAM.

Storage

Internal storage is cramped, but the microSD slot can make up for that
Internal storage is cramped, but the microSD slot can make up for that

Okay, here’s where we see some limits. 8 GB of storage isn’t much. But you can pay more to push the Mega 6.3 up to 16 GB.

Even more important, though, is the microSD slot that each has. It adds up to 64 GB of extra storage, and basically cancels out the shortage of internal flash memory.

Wireless

Only the big Mega supports LTE
Only the big Mega supports LTE

This is a big advantage for the bigger Mega. It gets LTE, while the Mega 5.8 settles for (not quite as fast) HSPA+ 21.

You’ll want to check with your carrier first though. If it doesn’t have LTE in your area, this might be a moot point.

Battery

These are respectable battery capacities
These are respectable battery capacities

These are some nice numbers for battery capacity. Considering that neither screen is pushing the limits of pixel density, it’s a safe bet that both Megas will easily last a full day.

Cameras

8 MP isn't too shabby either
8 MP isn't too shabby either

Again, for “mid-range,” this ain’t too shabby. There’s a lot more to image quality than megapixels, but if Samsung wanted to be cheap, it could have done much worse than 8-megapixel rear shooters.

Software

Software isn't mid-range: the latest version of Android, and the latest version of TouchWiz
Software isn't mid-range: the latest version of Android, and the latest version of TouchWiz

Here’s a nice bonus. Both phablets ship with the latest version of Android, 4.2 Jelly Bean.

They also get the latest version of Samsung’s TouchWiz “Nature” UX. That means many of the Galaxy S 4’s features show up here too. So apps like S Translator (real time translation), S Travel (trip information), and Air View (preview emails and pictures by hovering your finger) are all joining the Mega party.

Wrap-up

There are a few more caveats about the Megas:Neither comes with or supports S Pen (Samsung’s stylus) input, so Galaxy Notes they are not. If you want S Pen action, Sammy offers both smaller phablets and full-blown tablets.

Pricing and availability are also question marks. All we know is that the two Megas will be available in May – in Europe and Russia. No mention yet of U.S., Canada, Australia, or anywhere else. With Samsung’s high-end phablets doing well, though, we wouldn’t rule out a larger rollout for these mid-range (likely cheaper) phablets.

So is the cycle complete? Have we now seen every screen size imaginable? Maybe. But, then again, there’s always room to expand on the high end.

View gallery - 12 images
2 comments
2 comments
Wiz View
That is a fantastic & informative article. You got all the right info at a glance.
Thanks ( now where can I get one of those mega 6.3? - I want it now !)
FurBunny
That is not the bigges samsung phone! My GT6800 is a 7.7 inch and function as a phone. Tho i get a few laughs when i call with it =).