Review: Samsung Galaxy Mega

Text and photos by Gadjo Cardenas Sevilla

The large smartphone market is taking off in ways that were completely unexpected two or three years ago. While Samsung's been the front runner with their Galaxy Note and Galaxy Note II devices, we're seeing some exciting competition from Sony, HTC and even Huawei. Samsung's not conceding the value phablet market to anyone, that's why the Samsung Galaxy Mega exists.

Large smartphones work for some people. They offer a more expansive screen experience, they're better for video, reading and games. While their large size makes them clumsy for one-handed use and almost impossible to deploy as phones for, you know, actually making or receiving calls, there's merit to the segment.

With the desire to secure the entry-level of the market without cannibalizing sales of its Galaxy Note line, Samsung's taken the guts of last year's Samsung Galaxy S3, the looks of this year's Galaxy S4 and amalgamated elements of that user experience into a 6.3-inch phablet that is both an oversized smartphone and a diminuitive tablet.

I've had some time to play with the Samsung Galaxy Mega and while it initially feels like a novelty, the more you use it you start to realize it could be the right device for certain users and situations. When I received a briefing from Samsung Canada's Ken Price, director of marketing for mobile communications and Vlastimir Lalovic their Director of Product Realization, they explained that the Mega was designed for students or users on a budget who were torn between getting a smartphone and a tablet.

The Samsung Galaxy Mega will sell for a SRP of $499.00 or $99.00 for a two-year contract price. This is comparable to the price of some tablets without the data capability. 

In order to differentiate the Galaxy Mega from the Galaxy Note, Samsung's taken away the SPen and digitizer functionality that's long been the key differentiator (aside from the large size) of their flagship phablet. Samsung did include a bunch of functionality from their Galaxy S4 line.

This includes multi-window functionality, an IR Blaster with the WatchOn app that makes it a cracking universal remote for home theatre systems, Air View feature that offers touch-free navigation and a megalodon-sized battery that at 3200 mAh boasts an 18-hour talktime on certain networks.

In terms of specs, the 1.7 GHz dual-core processor with 1.5GB of RAM is ample for most apps and functions. The Galaxy Mega also has 4G-LTE connectivity and I found reception around the city to be on par with previous Samsung smartphones.

For people who need a tablet more than they need a phone, the Samsung Galaxy Mega actually makes a lot of sense as a bridge device. Large 5.5-5-inch smartphones are popular and so are small 7-inch tablets. The 6.3-inch screen of the Galaxy Mega, seems to be the best compromise for a 'best of both worlds' type of product, while its price is certainly lower than most smartphones.

In terms of performance, the Samsung Galaxy Mega performed like my old Galaxy S3 and while I found it too big to grab and go as my main smartphone/tablet device, I did enjoy using it at home specially as a companion device while watching TV. Samsung's $169 Galaxy Note 3 7.0 also has that functionality, a larger screen and costs less.

What the Samsung Galaxy Mega offers users is choice. Ideal for consuming content via WiFi or 4G-LTE networks, it brings a familiar interface to the lower-end of the phablet market while maintaining the value of Samsung's more expensive, more multifunctional Note line.

Rating: 3.5 out of 5