A super-sized S4: Samsung Galaxy Mega reviewed

Despite the massive size, though, this isn’t a Galaxy Note device, and the apps included here are specifically for the smartphone, so don’t expect a pen like in those other devices.

The screen is nice enough, and while big – massive, even – won’t please everyone.

Call it one of the downsides of producing a mid-range phablet, because 233 pixels per inch isn’t amazing, and reminds us of the screen we had on the Galaxy Note 2, which is more easily noticed if you like to look at websites in desktop mode without zooming in.

Honestly, it’s not the worst problem out there, but it’s one some people may take issue with, as the screen is nowhere near as clear as the full HD ones coming out on either the Galaxy S4 or Galaxy Note 3 handsets.

From a system performance point of view, the dual-core chip in the Galaxy Mega handles most operations without problems, though we did notice quite a bit of lag when jumping between apps and scrolling between menus on the homescreen.

That might be one of the downsides of using less than the 2GB RAM sweet spot that Android likes best, but if you switch to the giant easy-to-use TouchWiz Android screens Samsung provides, it won’t be a problem at all.

Samsung's easy mode means big icons and a simple interface.

Animations might not load as a result of this, though it’s not a major dilemma, and if you choose to use Samsung’s “easy” mode on Android, it won’t even be an issue altogether. In fact, the easy screen mode is a cool feature we’ve never really had a good play with, and on such a big device like this one, it makes for a solid usability experience if you have people in the family who prefer a bigger phone because of ailing eyesight.

On the battery side of things, the Mega performs admirably, which is hardly surprising given the massive 3200mAh.

We use our review phones as our actual phones, and that means testing it by making phone calls, sending messages, collecting emails, listening to music, running the odd speed test, and generally putting the phone to work, and the Mega lasted a good two days.

Use the phone less than us and you might be able to get an extra day out, though we suspect that would be pushing it.

Mobile performance is equally impressive, and in many ways, this could serve as a 4G tablet with phone call support for quite a few customers out there.

In fact, testing it on the Telstra 4G network, we were able to push a maximum on 95Mbps down, which is practically close to the limit of Cat3 LTE, and should please everyone.

There is at least one flaw to the Mega’s design that we noticed, though, and that’s the placement of the microphone.

This is a particular interesting one, because while the design logic Samsung has taken with this phone is to basically take the Galaxy S4 and enlarge it, the microphone placement on the bottom edge doesn’t make as much sense.

With the speaker pressed against your ear, you may find the microphone is a little too low, with the handset going lower than the height of your head, and your voice, consequently, sounding further away on the phone.

That’s a downside of blowing things up in size: they don’t always work the same way, and while The Simpsons remarks about a Rebigulator being a concept that would want to make you laugh out loud, it’s one Samsung’s designers should have paid closer attention to, as the microphone isn’t the clearest on the Mega.

Another problem with Samsung’s S4 can also be seen on this handset, and that’s the crazy set of bugs that accompany that device. It’s hardly surprising given the versions of Android being used are very similar, and it means our guide on how to fix the flaws of the S4 can be used in this smartphone.

They’re pretty much the same, and we noticed the same gallery load glitch affecting our Galaxy Mega, taking its sweet time to correct when the images were loading, and furthermore, still not allowing you to change the icon shortcuts in the dock.

This last bug may not affect every Galaxy Mega around the world since it doesn’t affect every international variant of the Galaxy S4, but it does exist in Australia, and so, as a result, Aussies (which is where GadgetGuy operates) won’t be able to change the shortcuts.

We hope you like phone, contacts, messaging, and a shortcut to the stock internet browser, because right now, that’s all you’re going to get on the Mega.

Take the back off both the S4 and Mega and you have very similar looking devices. In fact, if you leave the backs on, they still look close, if it weren't for the size differences.

Conclusion

At a hair under $600, the Galaxy Mega is possibly one of the better massive smartphones out there, providing what is essentially a Galaxy S4 without as much speed in a body that is far, far bigger.

Against the competition, Samsung’s Galaxy Mega provides a better package than Huawei’s Ascend Mate, not only out performing the other mid-range device but also packing 4G, two factors which easily make up the extra price.

That said, a 6.3 inch phone isn’t small, so before you commit, go in store and see if you like the feel of such a big device against your head, because you’ll be the one who has to use it in the end.

Overall
Features
Value for money
Performance
Ease of Use
Design
Reader Rating0 Votes
Two day battery life for a 4G phone is great; Excellent 4G performance; Maintains the look of an S4, except enlarged; Works as a remote control for your TV;
Looks ridiculous when held to the side of your head; Microphone is poorly placed; Made of plastic; Occasional slow downs can be noticed; Typical Samsung Android problems can be seen here, too;
4.1