Check out our full review of the Samsung Galaxy Note 4. Finish screen, photo, power, … South Korean Phablet under scrutiny.
Phablet impressive size, and for good reason. These XXL screens required, to the point of becoming beasts disproportionate in the eyes of the most reluctant consumers. However, Samsung has managed to impose its Galaxy Note line brilliantly, to the point that each new iteration flows like hotcakes.
But the years pass and the rules of the game change. Competition wakes up and encroach on the flat strips of the Galaxy Note. For example, we think LG LG G3 and above all – much more dangerous – to Apple and its iPhone 6 Plus. Samsung now has to juggle swift opponents where it reigned supreme there is not even two years. The Samsung Galaxy Note 4 has no room for error, more than any other mobile in the range. His predecessors had the chance to be alone on the market, he will have to fight to protect his throne
See also:. Unboxing video of the Samsung Galaxy Note 4
A Samsung Galaxy Note 4 wins elegance
The first grip not mistaken, the Samsung Galaxy Note 4 finally starting to have that high-end look that one expected range. No more false seams Note 3 and ugly seams Galaxy S5, the hull of Note 4 is much more sober. The massive camera block gave way to a clean configuration closer to the S5. The sensor is out of the flash and the heart rate, still accessory. The phone of the basin is flanked by a small speaker.
Like Galaxy S5, the Samsung Galaxy Note 4 is equipped with a heart rate monitor.
Again and again plastic
The shell always has a slight effect that leather does not fool anyone, the back of Note 4 is plastic and it shows. One always regrets the absence of aluminum for a product of this caliber, but nevermind. After all, the plastic has certain advantages that no metal. The shell is removable for example, which provides access to the battery and ports for micro-SIM and micro SD cards.
Plastic or not, the Samsung Galaxy Note 4 took a little overweight. It weighs 176 grams where the Galaxy Note 3 weighed 168. Similarly, it is 8.5 mm thick, against 8.3 mm for the Note 3. Nothing too serious.
A metallic finish better effect
The smartphone slices participate significantly to the aspect of “premium” in Note 4. They walk in the footsteps of Samsung Galaxy Alpha and are now rimmed metal. Matt and beveled, they have the color of the model concerned. In other words: black, white, pink or gold. The volume buttons and power – respectively placed to the left and right of the beast – also benefit from this aluminum finish, colored in the center. The compartment for the S Pen stylus has not moved one iota. It is still under the Phablet alongside the micro-USB port. Samsung has also backtracked on that point since the USB 3.0 port on the Galaxy Note 3 to simply disappeared. Too bad. For its part, the upper part of the phone is embellished with a fairly prominent curved headphone output.
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5.7 inch QHD resolution … the point on the screen of the Note 4
Phablet forces, the Samsung Galaxy Note 4 is illustrated by a large slab of 5.7 inches. The bezel, the area between the screen and the edges, is very fine. We are not yet at the stage of borderless but we must recognize that the loss of space is minimal. The glass is slightly domed and offers pleasant sensations, but the bevelled edges are too sharp tasks. The slab is also completely dominated by the edges so that there is a small vacant space between. One point that contrasts a bit with the high-end positioning of the Phablet. That said, the gap does not collect dust and other environmental waste. The panel is protected against scratches by Gorilla Glass Corning 3 solution.
A transition to the Quad-HD
With the Galaxy Note 4 range passes the course of the Quad-HD, a definition of 2560 x 1440 well above the Full HD (1,920 x 1,080). In fact, the quality gain is far from obvious on a phone screen diagonal. The QHD is especially necessary as a selling point to lure the onlooker. However, we will not blame Samsung Note 4 to provide its latest technologies on the market. The QHD is a good point but is clearly not a factor that justifies itself only buying the Phablet.
Note that the qHD screen Galaxy Note 4 folds needs Samsung Gear VR, a virtual reality helmet developed in partnership with Oculus. This technology requires extremely high definition, so the QHD. Also, this type of screen can make sense if we take the helmet compatibility into account.
Perfect black but saturated colors
Anyway, the rendering of the screen of the Samsung Galaxy Note 4 is really excellent. The fineness of display is to die for – hard not being with 515 dpi – and pure black of the Super AMOLED still have not found any competitor worthy of the name. The colors are bright, sometimes too much – a habit Samsung. Some will like, others less. A passage from the Settings to set different screen mode adjusts preferences. The adaptive mode by default has a huge color saturation while the “Basic” mode offers a more natural.
A fingerprint reader improved, but …
The lower part of the front is always rewarded the fingerprint reader on the Samsung unveiled Galaxy S5. The recognition is much better, which is not a luxury. Difficult to say whether this is because of the larger size of the sensor or through Samsung improvements. Nevertheless, the reader still merely a vertical recognition, forcing her to drag up and down finger. A system less intuitive than the Touch Apple ID, especially since it is impossible to handle with one hand because of Phablet format. A back sensor such as the HTC One Max would surely be more appropriate.
A S Pen stylus more responsive than ever
The S Pen Samsung Galaxy Note 4 still signed Wacom and a continuation of that of the Note 3. Personally, I find it too late and I preferred the S Pen pencil feel of Galaxy Note 2. However, its effectiveness is not to discuss. The sensitivity is impressive, the stylus is spotted before even touching the screen. According to Samsung, it has 2048 pressure points, twice the S Pen Galaxy Note 3. Write with the stylus Rating 4 is a real pleasure. However, we remain skeptical about its real utility for an individual. This practice shows to record shopping once a week and keep the kids in the doctor’s waiting room, but will remain housed in its compartment most of the time.
A new Air Command function
We find the famous button that activates the Air Command function. A kind of circular pop-up that appears on the target location by the stylus and offers different options, most of which are already known to aficionados of the rating scale. Action Memo to open a notepad page to capture a screenshot image and video capture only part of the screen. We also notice a new feature: Power Select. It allows you to capture a screen area and then annotate or otherwise interesting, recover to text words marked on the image. Scanner to practice a page of a book, for example
The Smart Selection in pictures.
A strong data sheet
The Samsung Galaxy Note 4 is powered by a Snapdragon processor 805 2.7GHz quad-core Krait with 450 in its European version at least. It is supported by 3 GB of RAM and Adreno 420 graphics chip, a luxury that few smartphones can boast. In fact, the Galaxy Note 4 allows you to play any games without fear of any latency. From our side, we have submitted to several demanding titles such as Real Racing 3, Asphalt 8 , Nova 3 and Modern Combat 4: Zero Hour . No problems at all. The config ‘rating allows an exemplary fluidity, besides the 5.7 inch screen is particularly suited to the games.
The internal storage is 32 GB, expandable to 128 GB using a micro SD card. The Samsung Galaxy Note 4 is obviously with all the rigor of connectivity – Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4.0, NFC, 3G / 4G LTE (in theory Note 4 4G + is even compatible), etc. Only downside, the Phablet does not meet the standard and IPXX is not waterproof, unlike the Samsung Galaxy S5.
Benchmark Results AnTuTu left GeekBench 3 right.
High Quality on the benchmark Epic Citadel . Where is the Ultra High Quality ?
Two days of autonomy
The Samsung Galaxy Note 4 carries a battery of 3220 mAh, 20 more than the Galaxy Note 3. It allows to hold two days full service – SMS pinch, a web ladle, spoon music, advanced games, etc. Regardless of the use that is made, the Note 4 survives at least one day. We tried to sink the energy to play shots but nothing, he held the day.
To give you an idea, the battery melted by 12% after 50 minutes of YouTube video – this one if you want to know. – via WiFi, with the monitor on, brightness at max and headphones plugged
50% battery in 45 minutes
The new version TouchWiz integrated in Note 4 provides a mode “Ultra Power Saving” in addition to “Power Saver” classic mode. It allows to cash three days without flinching, convenient when traveling to a place where outlets are few.
Samsung has developed a magazine called “Fast Charge” extremely effective. It allows to recover 50% of battery in 45 minutes, more than enough to keep the day. Perfect for short recharging in public place.
A TouchWiz overlay to tame
The Galaxy Note 4 runs on Android 4.4.4 KitKat literally obliterated by the Samsung TouchWiz coating. This is probably the overcoat that lends the most controversial. Some love it, others hate it. Those who love the ecosystem offered by previous South Korean models should be thrilled, others will get their money.
I personally am not a fan of TouchWiz. I find the overcoat too complicated, too overloaded. It offers very advanced possibilities but poorly taught. Yet it is clear that Samsung has done a bit of storage at the output of the S5. The TouchWiz Rating 4 is in this line there. The set is colorful, more pleasant than qu’avançaient in their time Galaxy S3 and S4. The application store Samsung Apps is still trying to overshadow the Play Store, in vain. Ultimately, TouchWiz delight those who are patient enough to tame. The grip is not as fast as 8 or even iOS HTC Sense, but the horizon of possibilities of the Samsung ecosystem can be worth it. Remains to be seen what will after going through the mill of Android 5.0 Lollipop, the new version of the OS Google.
A camera lens that flatters external
Samsung did not bother to equip its Galaxy Note 4 ISOCELL sensor Galaxy S5. The Phablet handed a Sony IMX240 target of 16 megapixels now flanked by an optical stabilizer, which does not displease. The front panel sports a 3.7 megapixel sensor, enough for a few selfies and occasional video conferences.
The performance is total when the ambient light is good. Outdoors in all. Shooting is almost instantaneous and rendering impressive fidelity. The multitude of modes offered by Samsung is a real asset and it is not uncommon to take the game from the budding photographer. Nevertheless, the results are much less successful in the interiors where light is missing. The clichés are sometimes blurred, often dull.
The Samsung Galaxy Note 4 is able to shoot in 4K, but without the optical stabilizer. Nothing really annoying since the interest of a 4K video is still quite limited – you need a compatible TV. – And the quality 1080p videos is very ample for the common man
From 749 euros
The Samsung Galaxy Note is sold 4 749 euros. Samsung reimburses 70 euros for all purchases made between October 11 and November 30, 2014
Phablet available in four colors. Charcoal Black, Frost White, Blossom Pink and Bronze Gold (either black, white, pink and gold)
Conclusion:. the best Android Phablet 2014
The Samsung Galaxy Note 4 is the first representative of the range to justify its price a truly premium design. We do not touch yet perfect (plastic shell gap between the screen and the edges), but Samsung has certainly made an effort on the finish. Finished seams imitation Note 3 and coarse stitching Galaxy S5, they say hello to the metallized slices Galaxy Alpha. The Rating 4 can claim the title of best upscale Phablet without having to blush before finishing a iPhone 6 Plus.
The Galaxy Note 4 no shortage of arguments to seduce. A beautiful 5.7-inch qHD display, a data sheet to rival competition, exemplary autonomy, S Pen more responsive than ever, etc. Samsung leaves no room for doubt, its Galaxy Note 4 is indeed the best Android Phablet 2014. It must be said that competition is not yet well developed, but this does not detract from the south feat Korean.
Stylus requires the Note 4 is particularly intended for professionals looking for a productive and powerful machine. However, it is quite possible to convince an individual if indeed he thought to use the S Pen, whose real utility depends mostly everyone does use his mobile phone. The Samsung Galaxy Note 4 is a great choice for anyone who wants to afford a high-end Phablet without skimping on price. However, it does not, in our view, a renewal for the happy owners of a Galaxy Note 3 or even a Galaxy Note 2
We like.
- its beautiful 5.7-inch qHD display
- The sumptuous black Super AMOLED
- design finally worthy of the high-end
- its raw power
- the S Pen
- the consequent self-dubbed the “Fast Charge” charger
- impeccable camera lens outdoor
We do not like:
- Its plastic shell
- This curious gap between the slab and the slices
- A recessed photo sensor in low light conditions
- The TouchWiz overlay, but everything is matter of taste
- The absence sealing
- The fingerprint reader impractical
- The disappearance UBS 3.0 port, why?
Check out below below our video unboxing of the Samsung Galaxy Note 4:
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