Yeah… USB 3.0 support is one of the features that I love on Samsung Galaxy Note 3. It has new micro USB 3.0 port and cable. However, still the same old charger. Is it just a marketing tactic or actually working? Based on Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 processor specification, it does support USB 3.0 for ultra-fast transfers. However, does Samsung enable it on Galaxy Note 3? Let’s find out…
USB 3.0 mode is not enabled by default when connect Galaxy Note 3 to PC on USB 3.0 port. There will be another mode coming out – Media device (USB 3.0). You need to select it from all 3 USB options yourself. Else it still be using old USB 2.0 transfer rate. I took the chance to try it on my Asus Eee PC 1215B. Err… It can’t detect Galaxy Note 3 at all while using USB 3.0 port. Only charging it. No issue on USB 2.0 port though. Look like ASMedia USB 3.0 controller is causing the issue here. Using the latest driver won’t help either. Luckily, my PC which uses Intel chipset does not have this issue. Okay, back to the benchmark. I used 1.5GB video file to transfer between PC (Intel i7 CPU and SSD 520 Series) and Galaxy Note 3 (with 64GB SanDisk Extreme microSDXC UHS-I Card). Write it to internal storage (Phone) and external SD card (Card). Read it out to PC…
Media device (USB 3.0) Mode
Phone to PC – 69.81 MB/s
PC to Phone – 66.64 MB/s
Card to PC – 21.25 MB/s
PC to Card – 17.45 MB/s
Media device (MTP) Mode – USB 2.0
Phone to PC – 29.32 MB/s
PC to Phone – 30.54 MB/s
Card to PC – 20.94 MB/s
PC to Card – 15.76 MB/s
Yeah… Galaxy Note 3 file transfer rate is double on USB 3.0 mode. So be sure to enable Media device (USB 3.0) Mode if your PC has USB 3.0 port. However, this applies to internal storage only. External SD card can’t enjoy higher transfer rate.
