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Samsung Galaxy Note 4 review

8.7/10 AVG.
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Samsung Galaxy Note 4
Samsung Galaxy Note 4
Samsung Galaxy Note 4
Samsung Galaxy Note 4
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8.7/10
Informr score
The Samsung Galaxy Note 4 currently has an Informr score of 8.7 out of 10. This score is based on our evaluation of 54 sources including reviews from users and the web's most trusted critics.

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…"


Android
Operating system
Operating system
Android
1.9 GHz
Processor
Processor
1.9 GHz
5.7"
Screen Size
Screen Size
5.7"
16+ MP
Camera
Camera
16+ MP
3220 mAh
Battery


What the Critics Are Saying...


Gadgets 360
Gadgets 360

Samsung 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...

- Jamshed Avari, Gadgets 360
AndroidPIT
AndroidPIT

With 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...

- Kris Carlon, AndroidPIT

Sarge
Sarge

This may have been true when this was written two years ago. I just purchased a brand new refurbished Note 4 on Amazon for $240 dollars. And it is nice.

Reviewed
Reviewed

The 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...

- TJ Donegan, Reviewed
G Style Magazine
G Style Magazine

The 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...

- Jason Million, G Style Magazine
The Gadgeteer
The Gadgeteer

I 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...

- Julie Strietelmeier, The Gadgeteer


Prices (Where to Buy)




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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Quick view

Screen Size
5.7"

The Samsung Galaxy Note 4's screen size is 5.7 inches with 1440 x 2560 pixels resolution.

Processor
1.9 GHz

There is a Samsung Exynos 5433 Octa core 1.9 GHz processor (CPU).

OS

The phone runs on the Android 4.4 KitKat (Update Available: 6.0 Marshmallow) operating system (OS).

Camera
16+ MP

You can take photos with the phone's onboard 16+ MP camera.

There is also a secondary front facing camera with 3+ megapixels resolution.

Storage
32 GB

Internal memory is 32 GB. An external, MicroSD, MicroSDHC, microSDXC (up to 128 GB) expansion slot is available for increased storage capacity.

Battery
3220mAh

The phone is powered by a Lithium-Ion (Li-Ion), 3220 mAh battery. Samsung's performance ratings are 2220 minutes, 720 minutes Wi-Fi surfing.

Galaxy Note 4 Specs

Overview
Release Date October 14, 2014
Regions Available USA, Canada, United Kingdom
Operating System Android 4.4 KitKat (Update Available: 6.0 Marshmallow)

Compare Android Smartphones

Processor Samsung Exynos 5433 Octa core 1.9 GHz
Internal Storage 32 GB
RAM 3 GB
Hearing Aid Compatible Yes
TTY/TDD No
Noise Cancellation Yes
SAR Head: 0.9 W/kg
Body: 1.25 W/kg
Manufacturer Warranty 1 Year
Accessories Included AC Charger, Manual, Standard Battery, Stylus
Cellular
Networks
GPRS, EDGE, HSUPA, HSPA+, LTE
Mobile / Cellular Data
4G/LTE
Push-to-talk (PTT) No
Wi-Fi Calling Unknown
Voice over LTE (VoLTE) Yes
SIM card size
Yes
Dual SIM No
Connectivity
USB Micro-USB 2.0
USB OTG Support No
GPS Type A-GPS
Infrared Yes
Bluetooth 4.0
Bluetooth Profiles A2DP, AVRCP, OPP/FTP, HID, HFP, HSP, PAN
Bluetooth Audio Codecs SBC, aptX
Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n
Mobile Hotspot Yes
Memory Expansion Slot Yes
Expansion Slot Info MicroSD, MicroSDHC, microSDXC (up to 128 GB)
NFC Yes
Data Tethering Compatibility Yes
Camera
Main Camera
Resolution / Aperture
16+ Megapixels
Zoom
8x digital
Flash
Yes (LED)
Additional Rear Camera Info
Auto focus, Effects, Face detection, Geotagging, Image stabilization, ISO, Multi-shot, Panorama, HDR, Metering, Exposure
Video Recording Formats
3GP / 3GPP, H.264 / AVC, MPEG-4, WMV
Video Recording Parameters
Ultra HD (3840 x 2160 pixels)
Front Camera
Resolution / Aperture
3+ Megapixels
Additional Front Camera Info
Wide Selfie
Video Recording Parameters
Display / Screen
Type Color
Technology Super AMOLED
Colors 16.7 million
Resolution 1440 x 2560 pixels
Pixel Density 515 pixels
Size 5.7 inches
Secondary Display No
Sensors Ambient Light, Proximity, Motion / Accelerometer, Gyroscope, Digital Compass
Multi-Touch Yes
Fingerprint-Resistant Coating No
Additional Display Features Capacitive touch screen
Power & Battery
Battery Type Lithium-Ion (Li-Ion)
Battery Capacity 3220 mAh
Removable Battery Yes
Wireless Charging No
Fast Charging Yes
Video Playback Time Up to 840 minutes
Internet Use (Wi-Fi) Up to 720 minutes
Internet Use (Cellular) Up to 660 minutes
Talk Time Up to 2220 minutes
Standby Time Up to 14.5 days
Mixed Usage
Physical Characteristics
Design Type Bar
Material Plastic
Colors Charcoal Black, Frost White, Bronze Gold, Blossom Pink, Velvet Red
Dimensions [H x W x D] 15.3 x 7.9 x 0.8 cm (6 x 3.1 x 0.3 in)
Weight 176 grams
Water Resistant / Waterproof Unknown
Rugged design No
IP Rating No
Headset Jack 3.5mm
External Speakers Yes
Input / Navigation
Sleep / Wake Key Yes
Home Key Yes
Input / Keyboard Type Touchscreen
Navigation Type Touchscreen
External Volume Control Yes
Fingerprint Sensor Yes
More
Additional Information Other Names (AKA):

S Pen Optimized Features: Air Command (Action Memo, Smart Select, Image Clip, Screen Write) S Note, Snap Note, Direct Pen Input

Additional Sensors: Barometer, SpO2 (Dependent on market), UV, Heart Rate Monitoring

Additional Features: ANT+, Multi Window, Ultra Power Saving Mode, Download Booster, S Health 3.5, Dynamic Lock Screen, Briefing
Related Links Manual (PDF)
Samsung Galaxy Note 4 Reviews
Where to buy Samsung Galaxy Note 4
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