By now, most people seem to have accepted the concept of a phablet. At first, I was also skeptical, as I wanted a phone that could easily be used with one hand. However, with time I've really come to appreciate the value that comes with the larger display size and S-Pen/Wacom stylus. Simply put, even though the larger size precludes the possibility of easily using the phone with one hand, the increased multitasking capabilities and improved media experience can be well worth the trade-off. While I also find unfortunate that Android OEMs seem to believe that every phone should be a phablet, it’s hard to ignore the incredible success that Samsung continues to have with the Galaxy Note phablets. It’s also increasingly difficult to nail down just what a phablet is. I still firmly believe that a smartphone should be easy to use with one hand, and a phablet requires two. However, the distinction between phablet and tablet is a matter of whether the device can be easily carried in a pocket. Of course, none of that really gives a firm, clear answer. After all, everyone is different, and differences in hand size and thumb length determine what those limits are.

At any rate, this takes us to the Galaxy Note 4. Surprisingly, Samsung has stopped their march of ever-increasing display size for the Note phablets. The Galaxy Note 4 has a 5.7” AMOLED display, with QHD/1440p resolution. This comes out to 515 PPI, which should be high enough for general smartphone usage but in my experience with the Gear VR it isn’t enough for VR usage, which holds the display as close as possible to the eye. Samsung also disclosed that they have a 2.7 GHz quad-core processor for some variants, which points squarely towards Snapdragon 805 for the US. There’s also a 1.9/1.3 GHz octa-core version, which should be an Exynos 5433 SoC. For those that have spent any amount of time following Samsung Systems LSI’s SoC nomenclature, it should be patently obvious that there are four Cortex A15s on the big cluster and four Cortex A7s on the little cluster. I’ve included a spec table below to get a better idea of how things stand.

  Samsung Galaxy Note 3 Samsung Galaxy Note 4
SoC

2.26 GHz Snapdragon 800

2.7 GHz Snapdragon 805
RAM/NAND 3 GB LPDDR3, 32/64GB NAND + microSD 3GB LPDDR3, 32GB NAND + microSD
Display 5.7” 1080p Super AMOLED 5.7” 1440p Super AMOLED
Network 2G / 3G / 4G LTE (Qualcomm MDM9x25 IP block UE Category 4 LTE) 2G / 3G / 4G LTE (Qualcomm MDM9x35 UE Category 6 LTE)
Dimensions 151.2 x 79.2 x 8.3mm, 168 grams 153.5 x 78.6 x 8.5 mm, 176 grams
Camera

13MP Rear Facing, 1/3.06" CMOS size (Sony IMX135), 2.1MP FFC
 

16MP Rear Facing w/ OIS, 1/2.6" CMOS size (Sony IMX240), F/2.0, 3.7MP FFC w/ F/1.9 aperture
Battery 3200 mAh, 3.8V, 12.1 Whr 3220 mAh, 3.85V, 12.397 Whr
OS Android 4.4.2 with TouchWiz UX Android 4.4.4 with TouchWiz UX
Connectivity 802.11a/b/g/n/ac + BT 4.0, USB3.0, GPS/GNSS, MHL, DLNA, NFC 802.11a/b/g/n/ac + BT 4.1, USB2.0, GPS/GNSS, MHL, DLNA, NFC
SIM Size MicroSIM MicroSIM

Possibly the most important spec of note is the camera. As with the Galaxy S5 LTE-A, we see a Sony IMX240 camera sensor. Unlike the LTE-A variant, Samsung has also added OIS to the module. In practice, the accommodation angle of the system and general stability was quite strong. While I don’t have an exact value for how much deviation the system can sustain, it felt quite close to the Lumia Icon. While we’re still on the subject of cameras, the front facing camera appears to be upgraded to keep pace with the display resolution, with the same 3.7MP resolution and 16:9 aspect ratio. Samsung emphasized that this camera was wide angle, although short focal lengths will cause fish-eye effects.

A noticeable spec omission was the lack of water resistance, which was implemented quite successfully on the Galaxy S5 line. The only other notable regression was a move back to the microUSB 2.0 connector, but it’s likely that this was done out of practicality as the microUSB 3.0 connector is quite cumbersome to use. This doesn't result in worse charging capabilities though, as Samsung advertised that their charger would charge the Note 4's battery to 50% in half an hour compared to the hour that it would take the Note 3. Interestingly enough there is a toggle to enable or disable this feature, presumably for heat and battery longevity concerns.

Of course, there’s a lot more to the Galaxy Note 4 than just specs, and one of the major areas where Samsung has iterated for this generation is the design. Much like the Galaxy Alpha, we see a metal frame with chamfered edges running around the side of the phone. As previously discussed in our article on material choices and in Samsung’s official blog, this move helps to improve drop resistance due to the increased rigidity of the metal frame. This move also greatly improves in-hand feel as it’s no longer glossy plastic, which also helps to improve the overall look. In addition to the new metal ring, the back cover is noticeably different from the Note 3. While still soft-touch for the black model, the stitching pattern has been removed and the back cover now molds closely to the metal sides instead of noticeably protruding. Finally, there’s a noticeable change to the button feel for this generation, with much less slack in the power and volume buttons, and the actuation both feels and sounds much more clean and crisp. The home button is also noticeably larger than what we saw on the Galaxy S5, and it seems that this may be due to an improved fingerprint sensor.

However, there’s more to the Note 4 than just hardware changes. Samsung is also emphasizing new software features. While Samsung is emphasized a more mouse-like experience for S-Pen in the form of easy drag and drop/highlight modes by pressing the stylus button, I found that the improved Multi Window system is really the most noteworthy change. First, the need to long press the back button to bring up the menu is effectively deprecated. Instead, Multi Window is now integrated into the Android L-esque multitasking menu. If an application supports Multi Window, an icon will appear on the top right of the app’s card in the multitasking menu, and tapping it will automatically open it as a second window.

In addition, dragging a window from the corner will automatically turn the application into a floating window if it’s supported. There are no real changes to the appearance of TouchWiz UX, although some aspects have been altered. For example, the settings menus have replaced black backgrounds with white ones. It’s likely that this was done to prevent purple smearing effects that come from transitions to a lit pixel from a fully black one.

To recap, the Note 4 has the latest and greatest SoC and RF. The camera is better for low light with its hardware optical image stabilization. The industrial design is noticeably more restrained and tasteful compared to past designs. The material design is noticeably better for in-hand feel and protecting the phone, and if the GS5 LTE-A was any indication the display of the Note 4 should be head and shoulders above the Note 3. The software continues to be the best I’ve seen in the phablet space in terms of functionality. Overall, if you have bought into the concept of a phablet, the Note 4 should continue Samsung’s lead in this space. Of course, this is merely based upon first impressions. It will take a full review to make a final judgment on the Galaxy Note 4.

The Note 4 will be available in Charcoal Black, Frost White, Bronze Gold, and Blossom Pink in global markets starting in October. In the US, it will be available on AT&T, T-Mobile, Verizon, Sprint, and US Cellular.

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  • JoshHo - Wednesday, September 3, 2014 - link

    Apologies, that was an error. I have fixed this.
  • Inteli - Wednesday, September 3, 2014 - link

    Its fine. Just pointing it out.
  • nevertell - Wednesday, September 3, 2014 - link

    They are too eager to release a new device every year, they could've easily waited till 64 bit SoCs are ready. At least in my opinion, this device brings nothing new to the table.
  • dawheat - Wednesday, September 3, 2014 - link

    I'm pretty excited about the Note 3 as a Note 3 owner:
    - QHD screen with similar improvements as the S5 LTE-A QHD screen sounds as big an improvement over the Note 3 screen as that was over the Note 2 screen. The Note 3 screen is good, but still gives up some in brightness and "white whites" compared to the top LCD screens. And with AMOLED, none of the brightness or power drain issues of LCD 1440p screens.
    - Metal frame solves my biggest in-hand feel and durability complaint about the Note 3 - that chrome plastic frame chips on everything
    - Better camera with OIS - should make for much better low light photos where the Note 3 is weak

    Top of the line SOC, etc was expected and par of the course.
  • GC2:CS - Wednesday, September 3, 2014 - link

    Ok so when we add all of this together, the only big improvement compared to note 3 is the camera.
    Other than that, rather unnoticeable sharper screen, basically identical performance (no 64-bit+4GB combo (?)), same battery size, slightly better battery life (according to samsung's PR division), regression in formfactor (it's thicker and heavier !), an strip of aluminum running around and another crapload of software gimmicks to fill up the base 32GB memory capacity.

    And I thought samsung will work a lot harder, after not-so-successfull galaxy S5 and especially now when there is a big Huricane right behind the door of mobile industry.
  • jjj - Wednesday, September 3, 2014 - link

    Hope to see an update when you figure out what Exynos SoC it is, it is at least clocked a bit higher than in the Alpha even if it turns out to be just the 5430.
    Don't really care about the device ,boring enough and way too costly.
  • DrKersh - Wednesday, September 3, 2014 - link

    Huge disappointment

    - No water resistant
    - Same battery
    - More weight
    - They moved back again the speaker
    - No USB 3

    This is not an upgrade, and I will not pay for this.

    OIS + water resistant +3500 mah and I was sold, this, well, they just dropped it and launch a meh device. They don't trully offer nothing over nexus, oppo, xiaomi or so that justify the price, because no one is gonna pay extra +300€ for the spen.
  • corvette72778 - Wednesday, September 3, 2014 - link

    You are right DrKersh. They dropped the ball on this one. Its hard to remember any noticeable new feature upgrades on this phone. I'm gonna go with a used s5. still get the better camera and waterproof. I don't want to get a smaller screen though. Frustrating.
  • paul_59 - Wednesday, September 3, 2014 - link

    Agree with your views.
    Water resistance would have been nice.
    Battery being virtually same size despite much increased screen resolution is a big disappointment.
    Reverting to usb 2 ? Backwards step in my opinion, hate to think how slow it will transfer multiple GB files via usb2 compared to usb3 of Note 3.

    Plus points for me are 805 soc, although I suspect most of the potential performance gains have been cancelled by higher resolution screen.
    Ois on camera should help with low light photos.

    Overall I am uncertain if I will buy Note 4 to replace my Note 3.
  • solnyshok - Thursday, September 4, 2014 - link

    if new Exynos CPU is built on a smaller nm node, then same battery should be able to provide for 1440p screen, due to lower CPU power requirements

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