What's good
- Incredibly sharp and vibrant display
- Snappy processor with no dips in performance
- Improved camera for crisper images and better low-light photography
What's bad
- Faux-leather back feels cheap
- Too big to use one-handed
- No visible difference between standard HD and QHD
Samsung is no stranger to large phones and the Samsung Galaxy Note 4 is no exception. Measuring a whopping 6 x 3.1 x 0.3 inches, the Note 4 is not ideal for one-handed use. Reviewers were pleasantly surprised with its fairly lightweight 176 grams and comfortable grip. Like its predecessor – the Note 3 – the back cover has a faux-leather texture, which 3G states, "…is convincing to look at but not to touch." Instead of the familiar all-plastic build of most Samsung devices, the Note 4 includes a metal frame. This, according to critics, gives the phone a much more premium appearance.
Of course, the most noticeable feature is the 5.7-inch QHD display. With a resolution of 1,440 x 2,560 it boasts an eye-popping pixel density of 500ppi. According to Samsung, the display also adapts to the brightness of your surroundings in essence giving users optimum viewing no matter the situation. When put to the test experts had no problems viewing in low or bright light situations. Thanks to the high pixel density critics found images and videos to be "razor sharp" and incredibly details. Still, they also point out that the improvements were difficult to notice over standard full HD panels when browsing web pages or using basic apps. While not a surprise due to its use of Super AMOLED technology, reviewers still point out that colors are incredibly rich and vibrant. Thanks to a larger screen real-estate, the Note 4 also benefits from software upgrades such as multi-window and other multitasking options.
Users won't be lacking in the power department either as it comes with 2.7GHz quad-core processor and 3GB of RAM. In benchmark and real-life testing reviewers had no issues with any stuttering or lag even when running multiple apps at the same time. Trusted Reviews states, "It effortlessly sailed through everything we could throw at it." As for the all-important battery, Samsung keeps the same 3,220mAh battery as the Note 3 but includes the same ultra-power saving technology as the Samsung S5 and a new Quick charge feature that claims the phone will hit 50 percent charge in 30 minutes. When tested, it took a little longer to reach that half-way point, but not much longer. The device also comes with 32GB of internal storage, a microSD slot that supports cards up to 128GB and 4G connectivity.
For the smartphone photographer, the Note 4 could be an excellent option as it offers a 16MP rear camera and an optical image stabilization feature. In sample shots, critics were impressed with its sharpness, color reproduction and low light pictures. The front of the phone comes with a 3MP camera and includes additional "selfie" features like panorama mode and an easy to find back trigger button.
Experts are incredibly impressed with the Note 4 and highly recommend it for those that don't mind a larger phone. Tech Radar says, "It is big and it is clever: the Galaxy Note 4 looks to be Samsung's best Note yet…" Stuff.TV adds, "Its screen is bright, vibrant and sharp and its insides are some of the most powerful we've seen…Throw in…a specced-up camera and there are plenty of reasons to be excited…"
What the Critics Are Saying...
- Jamshed Avari, Gadgets 360Samsung has broken its long-held tradition of producing cheap-looking plastic phones and has managed to make its latest Note flagship look rather refined. With all its competitors moving to metal bodies, it couldn't have done anything else. Compared to its predecessors, this phone radiates power. On...
- Kris Carlon, AndroidPITWith the Galaxy Note 4, Samsung got back to winning ways last year, and has since kept up the momentum with the Galaxy S6. Everything was streamlined in the Note 4, in terms of design, specs, interface and even bloat and gimmicks. Even today, the specs are rock solid, and the S Pen remains the bigge...
- TJ Donegan, ReviewedThe Samsung Galaxy Note 4 is one of the most powerful phones you can buy right now. It's got a faster processor than just about every other flagship phone on the market, it's got a better camera than nearly every other phone on the market, and it's got a better battery than just about any other phon...
- Jason Million, G Style MagazineThe Note series gets better with age and it definitely shows with the Samsung Galaxy Note 4. Its one of the best designed Samsung smartphones on the market body wise and the hardware its running is top notch. The battery life is impressive, its display is gorgeous and the look and feel of the phone...
- Julie Strietelmeier, The GadgeteerI have no problem saying that this is the nicest Samsung phone that I’ve ever used. If I were looking to buy an Android smartphone with a large screen, this would be the one I’d recommend. It has a quality build, great screen, good battery life, and extra little features like a micro SD...
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Common Questions
We've got you covered! Download a free PDF copy of the Samsung Galaxy Note 4 user manual here.
Samsung backs up the Galaxy Note 4 with a 1 Year parts & labour warranty.
If your Galaxy Note 4 has problems and is still within its warranty period, you could contact Samsung support or the retailer you purchased the phone from. You'll find Samsung's contact information here. If your phone is off warranty and needs repair for a physical problem such as a broken screen or bad battery, you should visit an authorized service centre or a local phone repair shop. You can also connect with others in The Informr Community Forum to find and share answers to questions.
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