UPDATE! 3 alternatives to the Samsung Galaxy Note 3 you can buy now!


Chinese phones and phablets have come along way in the past few years, so much so that here are 3 great alternatives of the yet to be released Samsung Galaxy Note 3 which you can buy now!

UPDATE: Since posting this articel OrientDeal have dropped the price of the Orient N3 Plust to just $239! Also, they have sent us a promo code so that GizChina readers can enjoy an additional 3% discount! “coupon3”

Itā€™s no secret that Samsung are preparing the successor to the current Galaxy Note 2, but it is also no secret we still have a few months to wait and that prices are going to be far from affordable! So, if you are looking to upgrade your current phablet you might want to take a good look at these devices.

3 alternatives to the Samsung Galaxy Note 3

Orient N3

The base model of the Orient N3 features a 5.8-inch HD display, 1GB RAM and 1.2Ghz MT6589 CPU, 13 mega-pixel rear camera and 5 mega-pixel front.

A great standout feature of this Chinese phablet is the inclusion of a Touch Pen which can be used much in the same way as the Galaxy Noteā€™s S Pen!

Gizchina News of the week


The Orient N3 costs just $229.68 and is on sale now.

Orient N3 hands on video

Orient N3 16GB

As the name suggests the Orient N3 is the same as the above phone but getā€™s 16GB of built-in memory. The rest of the phone is the same including the 720HD display, 1GB RAM and 1.2Ghz quad-core SoC and the price is only slightly more at $239.68.

Read Also:  Leak Shows the Potential Display Differences Between Samsung Galaxy S25, S25+, and S25 Ultra

Orient N3 Plus (MT6589T)

The top of the range Orient N3 Plus sorts a few differences between the other models. The first is the display is a slightly smaller, more pocket friendly 5.7-inch, 1280 x 720 display, but the main difference comes in the form of more performance.

orient n3 plus mt6589t

The N3 Plus is powered by a 1.5Ghz MT6589T quad-core processor meaning this Chinese boasts Antutu benchmark scores above 16,000 points!

Like the other two phablets the Orient N3 plus boasts a 13 mega-pixel rear camera, 5 mega-pixel front, Android 4.2.1 Jelly Bean OS, SD card reader and dual SIM support. Pricing for the Orient N3 plus is $249.68 $239.

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76 Comments

  1. June 17, 2013

    You can also check out HDC B6000 or Star B6000

    • June 17, 2013

      Good tips!

    • June 17, 2013

      I think Orient N3 Plus (MT6589T) is one and same phone as HDC B6000 or star B6000, but it’s rebranded as orient N3 plus by orientmall…….. Check the screen shots of the phone on the link provided, in the screenshot model name is clearly mentioned as B6000.

  2. DaCat
    June 17, 2013

    It’s interesting that a Samsung Android phone offers no extra value compared to the cheaper Chinese models. China FTW!

    • Freeje
      June 17, 2013

      What about upgradeability of the firmware? Can’t believe that a Chinese phone can be compared as yet to a Samsung. They are stll years behind in terms of reliability and build quality.

      • Ripped4skin
        June 17, 2013

        With moores law reliability doesn’t matter much. By next year your phone is already nearly obsolete.

  3. June 17, 2013

    Can you please confirm that Does all the three phones comes with touch pen, especially Orient N3 Plus (MT6589T)…????

    • sakthi
      June 17, 2013

      Me to love to know is this can do what note can do specially for pen calibration

    • June 17, 2013

      Touch Pen is prolly included…but don’t expect S-Pen features tho!

  4. Jignesh
    June 17, 2013

    you should add vivo x-play to this list

    • June 17, 2013

      Xplay is a beauty!

  5. LinuxMint
    June 17, 2013

    Being top of the line, does the Orient N3 Plus (MT6589T) have 8 or 16GB of Flash memory?

    • June 18, 2013

      Hi friend:
      N3 Plus is 8GB rom default, if you want 16GB,I think you can choose one 8GB/16GB/32GD extend Extreme High Speed Mini TF Flash Memery.

      thanks

  6. pa5t1s
    June 17, 2013

    You can also check out HDC B6000 or Star B6000

    • Guest
      June 17, 2013

      Good tips!

    • Guest
      June 17, 2013

      I think Orient N3 Plus (MT6589T) is one and same phone as HDC B6000 or star B6000, but it’s rebranded as orient N3 plus by orientmall…….. Check the screen shots of the phone on the link provided, in the screenshot model name is clearly mentioned as B6000.

    • Guest
      June 17, 2013

      yes, me too i think it’s HDC/Star, i think they never mention Bluebo Monster, it’s a good brand, for a good price.

  7. Guest
    June 17, 2013

    It’s interesting that a Samsung Android phone offers no extra value compared to the cheaper Chinese models. China FTW!

    • Guest
      June 18, 2013

      What about upgradeability of the firmware? Can’t believe that a Chinese phone can be compared as yet to a Samsung. They are stll years behind in terms of reliability and build quality.

    • Guest
      June 18, 2013

      With moores law reliability doesn’t matter much. By next year your phone is already nearly obsolete.

    • pa5t1s
      June 18, 2013

      ^^ +1

  8. Guest
    June 17, 2013

    Can you please confirm that Does all the three phones comes with touch pen, especially Orient N3 Plus (MT6589T)…????

    • Guest
      June 17, 2013

      Me to love to know is this can do what note can do specially for pen calibration

    • pa5t1s
      June 17, 2013

      Touch Pen is prolly included…but don’t expect S-Pen features tho!

  9. Guest
    June 17, 2013

    you should add vivo x-play to this list

    • Guest
      June 17, 2013

      Xplay is a beauty!

    • pa5t1s
      June 17, 2013

      +1

  10. Guest
    June 17, 2013

    Being top of the line, does the Orient N3 Plus (MT6589T) have 8 or 16GB of Flash memory?

    • Guest
      June 18, 2013

      Hi friend:
      N3 Plus is 8GB rom default, if you want 16GB,I think you can choose one 8GB/16GB/32GD extend Extreme High Speed Mini TF Flash Memery.

      thanks

  11. Tim
    June 17, 2013
  12. andrew
    June 18, 2013

    Early indications are that the Antutu score for a device using the new Snapdragon 800 processor & 2GB of RAM can achieve 32 – 33,000 points which is double what your Note 3 alternatives are capable of.
    My Huawei Ascend Mate also scores 16,000 with 1GB of RAM and is a great phone for the money, I am now eagerly awaiting the release of the newer more powerful superphones from Sony, HTC & Samsung.

  13. Robert S
    June 18, 2013

    It realy should be “alternatives to the Samsung Galaxy Note 2”.
    These phones are not an alternative to the Note 3.

    • June 18, 2013

      HI friend:
      Note 2 is 5.5 Inch, so we call it note alternative, in fact, you can find note 2 alternative on our site, it is only 180usd. we have published a coupon code”coupon3″, you can get 3% discount on OrientDeal.com. for new registed Customer, you can get extra 2% discount on any order, thanks

      • June 18, 2013

        Sorry,I typed the wrong words in above message.
        HI friend:
        Note 2 is 5.5 Inch, orient n3 is 5.7/5.8 inch,so we call it note 3 alternative, in fact, you can find 5.5 inch note 2 alternative on our site, it is only 180usd. we have published a coupon codeā€coupon3ā€³, you can get 3% discount on OrientDeal.com. for new registed Customer, you can get extra 2% discount on any order, thanks

        another one is 6 inch Orient N6, it is 6 inch with MEK6589, it is bigger than orinet n3 and n2, its size nearly same as incoming Samsung Galaxy Note 3 will published in Aug-Oct 2013.

        • June 18, 2013

          Can you please tell me that does N3 plus comes with stylus support, and do you provide stylus in the box pack………????? Thanks in advance….

          • geo
            June 18, 2013

            I like to know too
            ITs the Same with B 6000

            I LIKE TOKNOW HOW BRIGHT IS THE SCREEN
            but most of ALL
            CAn We TRust Orient DEal ???

            • June 18, 2013

              Hi friend:
              I understand your saying.:
              we have do global shopping business for 7 years. First we support Paypal Payment, Second we support 3-5 Days Express shipping method.So why need to worry about?
              thanks OrientDeal.com

  14. galihpermadi
    June 18, 2013

    will it be compatible with note 3 accessories?

    • June 18, 2013

      Only God knows…
      I mean, prolly NOT šŸ™‚

  15. Guest
    June 18, 2013
  16. cpuzz
    June 18, 2013

    Opinion please: is a 2800 mAh battery enough for a full day usage on the N3 plus MT6589T model?

    Also I know for sure the standard note 2 cases will not fit. Any word if they are offering a TPU case? Screen protector is easy enough to substitute from a mega 5.8

    • June 18, 2013

      At least, you can find additional battery here:
      http_//www.totobay_com/battery-for-b6000-quad-band-china-phone_p18774.html
      as well as charger…
      Didn’t found case nor protector so far šŸ™‚

    • June 18, 2013

      yes, we can provide that as gift, thanks

    • GeeEss
      June 20, 2013

      I don’t see a TPU case or screen protector available for purchase for the N3 Plus (MT6589T) on the orientdeal website. Is a TPU case and screen protector available? Can someone post a link to the TPU case?

  17. June 18, 2013

    Hehe! today, Pandawill is selling this phone with discount:
    http://www.pandawill.com/happy-hour
    $192.99

  18. Guest
    June 18, 2013

    Early indications are that the Antutu score for a device using the new Snapdragon 800 processor & 2GB of RAM can achieve 32 – 33,000 points which is double what your Note 3 alternatives are capable of.
    My Huawei Ascend Mate also scores 16,000 with 1GB of RAM and is a great phone for the money, I am now eagerly awaiting the release of the newer more powerful superphones from Sony, HTC & Samsung.

  19. Guest
    June 18, 2013

    It realy should be “alternatives to the Samsung Galaxy Note 2”.
    These phones are not an alternative to the Note 3.

    • Guest
      June 18, 2013

      HI friend:
      Note 2 is 5.5 Inch, so we call it note alternative, in fact, you can find note 2 alternative on our site, it is only 180usd. we have published a coupon code”coupon3″, you can get 3% discount on OrientDeal.com. for new registed Customer, you can get extra 2% discount on any order, thanks

    • Guest
      June 18, 2013

      Sorry,I typed the wrong words in above message.
      HI friend:
      Note 2 is 5.5 Inch, orient n3 is 5.7/5.8 inch,so we call it note 3 alternative, in fact, you can find 5.5 inch note 2 alternative on our site, it is only 180usd. we have published a coupon codeā€coupon3ā€³, you can get 3% discount on OrientDeal.com. for new registed Customer, you can get extra 2% discount on any order, thanks

      another one is 6 inch Orient N6, it is 6 inch with MEK6589, it is bigger than orinet n3 and n2, its size nearly same as incoming Samsung Galaxy Note 3 will published in Aug-Oct 2013.

    • Guest
      June 18, 2013

      Can you please tell me that does N3 plus comes with stylus support, and do you provide stylus in the box pack………????? Thanks in advance….

    • Guest
      June 18, 2013

      I like to know too
      ITs the Same with B 6000

      I LIKE TOKNOW HOW BRIGHT IS THE SCREEN
      but most of ALL
      CAn We TRust Orient DEal ???

    • Guest
      June 19, 2013

      Hi friend:
      I understand your saying.:
      we have do global shopping business for 7 years. First we support Paypal Payment, Second we support 3-5 Days Express shipping method.So why need to worry about?
      thanks OrientDeal.com

  20. Guest
    June 18, 2013

    will it be compatible with note 3 accessories?

    • pa5t1s
      June 18, 2013

      Only God knows…
      I mean, prolly NOT šŸ™‚

  21. geo
    June 18, 2013

    THATS I like to know too
    ITs the Same with B 6000
    I LIKE TOKNOW HOW BRIGHT IS THE SCREEN
    but most of ALL
    CAn We TRust Orient DEal ???

  22. Guest
    June 18, 2013

    Opinion please: is a 2800 mAh battery enough for a full day usage on the N3 plus MT6589T model?

    Also I know for sure the standard note 2 cases will not fit. Any word if they are offering a TPU case? Screen protector is easy enough to substitute from a mega 5.8

    • pa5t1s
      June 18, 2013

      At least, you can find additional battery here:
      http_//www.totobay_com/battery-for-b6000-quad-band-china-phone_p18774.html
      as well as charger…
      Didn’t found case nor protector so far šŸ™‚

    • Guest
      June 19, 2013

      yes, we can provide that as gift, thanks

    • Guest
      June 20, 2013

      I don’t see a TPU case or screen protector available for purchase for the N3 Plus (MT6589T) on the orientdeal website. Is a TPU case and screen protector available? Can someone post a link to the TPU case?

  23. pa5t1s
    June 18, 2013

    Hehe! today, Pandawill is selling this phone with discount:
    http://www.pandawill.com/happy-hour
    $192.99

  24. Flavio Amorim
    June 18, 2013
    • Flavio Amorim
      June 18, 2013

      Sorry $196.

  25. Guest
    June 18, 2013

    THATS I like to know too
    ITs the Same with B 6000
    I LIKE TOKNOW HOW BRIGHT IS THE SCREEN
    but most of ALL
    CAn We TRust Orient DEal ???

    • Guest
      June 19, 2013

      Sorry $196.

  26. June 19, 2013

    Drat, kinda regretting now I didn’t spend a bit more and get this phablet as a phone upgrade instead of the Pipo S1s tablet which I just purchased yesterday.

    Oh well, is the nature of tech these days….. you always spot something even better the day after you make a purchase!

  27. Guest
    June 19, 2013

    Drat, kinda regretting now I didn’t spend a bit more and get this phablet as a phone upgrade instead of the Pipo S1s tablet which I just purchased yesterday.

    Oh well, is the nature of tech these days….. you always spot something even better the day after you make a purchase!

  28. July 30, 2013

    I am very interested but am a ‘newbie’ to Chinese phones.
    Has anyone bought one of these? If so, a review/opinions would be helpful.
    I am in the UK. Would these phones work okay without rooting, etc ?
    Many thanks!

    • Ebs69
      November 11, 2013

      hey job
      welcome to the side of the cheap low powered alternatives..im also from uk (costa del brummigum lol) but they mayb low powered but some have got fast mhz like the *orient N3* (which really is a flying 7100 ie fake galaxy note 2) i just bought bought and arrived after over a month with so called lost in the post syndrome hmm (since when has dhl been snail mail :s).. and like that runnerman about regret gettin it as theres the *mega* versions with have side menu and that air command support as the galaxy note 3..sayin that i got the orient for Ā£170 which aint bad for a 1.5mhz 2mb ram with a 32gb rom with 5.3 inch screen (yeah watch out for misleading specs i downloaded cpu identifer from google play).ive rooted mine and after a week its goin ok..this is my 2nd chinese phone the first was a star 2000 very basic very low ram and storage

  29. Guest
    July 30, 2013

    I am very interested but am a ‘newbie’ to Chinese phones.
    Has anyone bought one of these? If so, a review/opinions would be helpful.
    I am in the UK. Would these phones work okay without rooting, etc ?
    Many thanks!

    • Guest
      November 11, 2013

      hey job
      welcome to the side of the cheap low powered alternatives..im also from uk (costa del brummigum lol) but they mayb low powered but some have got fast mhz like the *orient N3* (which really is a flying 7100 ie fake galaxy note 2) i just bought bought and arrived after over a month with so called lost in the post syndrome hmm (since when has dhl been snail mail :s).. and like that runnerman about regret gettin it as theres the *mega* versions with have side menu and that air command support as the galaxy note 3..sayin that i got the orient for Ā£170 which aint bad for a 1.5mhz 2mb ram with a 32gb rom with 5.3 inch screen (yeah watch out for misleading specs i downloaded cpu identifer from google play).ive rooted mine and after a week its goin ok..this is my 2nd chinese phone the first was a star 2000 very basic very low ram and storage