Get ready for a new kind of smartphone with the Galaxy Note 3 and its 64GB of storage, 3GB of RAM and 1.9GHz quad-core processor.

It runs on the latest version of Android, the 4.3 Jellybean and the phone is also bigger than its predecessor with a 5.7in (14.5cm) screen - Note 2 was 5.5in (14cm).

But for all the size and power, it's thinner and lighter. While the Note 2 weighed 182 grams, the Note 3 is 167 grams and it's 0.33in (8.4mm) as opposed to 0.37in (9.4mm).

It has the same hidden stylus S Pen as its predecessor but the stylus comes into its own with this latest version, distinguishing it from the swish and swipe functionality of other smartphones.

The stylus can be used to open up other features like the Action Memo for handwritten notes and the Scrapbook, which allows users to circle content which is then re-organised into an easy-to-scroll through format.

The Pen Window is an interesting function that allows users to draw a box on the screen which then brings up eight icons giving access to applications like YouTube, their phone or calculator.

A boon for movie fans is the higher resolution screen - 386 pixels per inch compared to the Note 2's 264ppi.

In terms of its look and feel, the soft backing has the appearance of leather with a stylish stitched finishing, which can be removed to access the battery.

Compared to the Galaxy S4, it's obviously a lot more phone in the palm of your hand - being 9mm wider and 38g heavier than the S4.

But the soft backing means that it feels a lot nicer in the hand than the cheap plastic backing that the Samsung Galaxy series has been criticised for.

The Note 3 is also slightly thicker than the Galaxy S4, but at just 0.4mm difference - 8.3mm compared to 7.9mm - it's not going to be a dealbreaker.  

The Galaxy S4 has a higher resolution screen - 440ppi compared to the Note 3's 386ppi - but the extra large screen space on the S3 will probably compensate and make the movie-watching experience more comfortable than using the S4.

Also unveiled on Wednesday was the 2014 Galaxy Note 10.1 tablet which is a bigger version of the Note 3 and shares the same soft back cover and stitching.

The powerful device offers 3GB of RAM and has an 8220mAh battery. There are two options - 3G with a 1.9GHz octa core or LTE with a 2.3GHz quad core.

The 10.1in LCD screen is also sharper at 289ppi and the device features an 8-megapixel camera.

Similar to the Note 3, the S Pen can be used to draw a box on the screen to bring up icons giving access to applications.