[Galaxy Note 3 Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] BarryH_GEG:
I got my N3 yesterday and have spent a full day setting it up

exactly

like my N2 it's replacing. I'm a heavy productivity user and actually buy Note's for all their s/w features. I have 131 apps installed on my device and have about 10 push(ish) syncs going at all times. I'm kind of a power user.

The N3 runs circles around the N2 in every conceivable way. I'll post a full comparison in the N2 vs. N3 thread after I've used the N3 for a few days the way I previously used the N2.

Here's some early observations:

You can use S Voice while the phone's locked. So with the phone sitting on my desk I can have it open the dialer, e-mail, messaging, or contacts by voice so it's ready to use when I pick it up.

Bluetooth audio output is friggin amazing. The N2 was significantly better than my ex-One X but the N3's separation, clarity, and depth played over my high-end(ish) car audio system is so superior as to make it seem as if I was listening to "mono" audio before.

The capacitive buttons working with the stylus is almost worth the price of the upgrade. ;) And the N3 is the first device I've ever used that finally allows you to use voice commands (Google Now, S Voice) while connected via A2DP. I have no idea why it was so hard previously but that and 100% interface control with the stylus is enough for me never to look back at the N2.

The multiple page lock screens are pretty cool too. It's amazing how much you can control and access without having to unlock the phone.

Going from the N3's display back to the N2 makes the latter's look downright cloudy and dingy. Auto brightness on the N3 is significantly brighter than the N2's as is max brightness. Reading the display in bright sun is a joy. It helps that Samsung finally moved away from black and teal for their stock apps.

Battery life is impressive; far better than the N2's and charging speed is remarkable.

The rectangular shape with a flat textured back makes it so much easier to hold; especially in landscape. And the speaker everyone's been *****ing about is plenty loud and even louder than the N2's in certain situations because being bottom (vs. rear) mounted ensures it won't be covered up if you lay it flat or hold it in your left hand vertically or right hand horizontally. The N2 feels a generation behind the N3 physically when you move back to it from the N3. The N3 feels like a serious mobile device where the "designed by nature" ovoid shape of N2 seems a bit tired in comparison. But obviously that' subjective.

There's no discernible lag even with all the crap I have loaded on my N3 where the N2 stuttered occasionally (not its fault; mine).

To each their own but I'm pretty shocked at how much more advanced the N3 is over the N2 in pretty much every area I care about. My Gear arrives Monday so I’ll have even more kit to play with.

As for people like OP, I don't know what to say. I think people have different expectations based on how much they use their device to accomplish. To plays some games, browse, listen to music, and update social it doesn't really matter what high-end device you use because they'll all be competemt. I use my devices hard and can't imagine anything coming close to the N3. And I loved my N2 and said the same thing about it but it's totally eclipsed by the N3.