Samsung Galaxy Note 4 Review – All About Phones

Tip by Bouke van den Berg , Thursday, October 23, 2014 11:30 | Our final rating for this product: 5 / 5 | 2 comments

Phablets are now so popular that even Apple is making one. Samsung is the trendsetter of the great phones and brings the Galaxy Note 4 his fourth top-phablet on the market. The expectations of the phone are high, but that is its price too. In this review, we take the four discs from head to toe.

Officially, the Galaxy S series Samsung’s flagship line, but actually brings the South Korean manufacturer every six months a new flagship on the market. In February, Samsung announced at the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona a new S-phone and in September there is the IFA fair in Berlin Note smartphone turn. This is what the main agenda for Samsung in fact out.

In September, the department of Samsung Note so on again. And so, in Berlin, Samsung announced the Galaxy Note 4, which on paper on strong specifications available. A Snapdragon 805 processor overclocked to 2.7GHz, 3GB RAM, 32GB expandable memory and a 5.7-inch Super AMOLED screen with a resolution of 2560×1440 pixels. Quad HD, in other words.

“The Samsung Galaxy Note 4 has all the spec of the moment”

Actually, Samsung is a predecessor the area of ​​phablets – smartphones that have nearly the size of a tablet – not come up with less material. The phabletindustrie is getting better walk and so is Samsung, as a forerunner in this field, of course, everything within its market share to consolidate at least. Especially now even Apple with the iPhone 6 Plus even phablets will make.

The Samsung Galaxy Note 4 thus has the absolute spec of this moment. A guarantee of success is not, but it does create high expectations. In this review we try so come back or that Samsung can meet. At first glance, the phone is in any case quite complete. He has a 16-megapixel camera and a fingerprint sensor for security. We attach to things like a heart rate monitor and pedometer impairment.

It also indicates that Samsung spare no effort or to the Galaxy Note 4 Hence the high retail price of 799 euros. Spicy. Apple even scenes. Of course does not mean that the Note 4 cheaper on the market is, but at the time of writing he still costs 719 euros. And that’s a lot. A telephone can not be as complete, but people do have to have about money. In this review we examine the four discs is worth its price.

Specifications and prices

In the list below you will find all the specifications of the Samsung Galaxy Note 4 . This review is based on the software N910FXXU1ANJ4 and a device price of 719 euros.

	Samsung Galaxy Note 4
General	Compare Phone? Released on September 2014 Runs on Android 4.4 KitKat Housing made of plastic, metal
Processor	Qualcomm Snapdragon 805 quad-core processor 2,7GHz Graphics: Adreno 440
Memory	3GB Internal Memory (RAM) 32GB storage memory Memory expandable via microSD HC
Size	Weight: 176 grams Length: 153mm Width: 78,6mm Thickness: 8.5mm
Screen / input	5.7 “Super AMOLED Plus screen Touchscreen with multitouch Screen is scratch resistant (Gorilla Glass 3) 2560×1440 screen resolution
Camera	16MP camera with autofocus LED Flash 4096×2160 (4K) video recordings 3,7MP front camera
Network	SIM slot: Micro-SIM GSM network bands: 850, 900 , 1800, 1900 EDGE and GPRS HSDPA and UMTS LTE
Sensors	A-GPS & amp; GlonassG-SensorGyrosensorNabijheidssensorDigitaal Compass
Connectivity	Wi-Fi ®: IEEE 802.11 b / g / n Internet Sharing via WiFi HotSpot Bluetooth 4.0 EDR with A2DP NFC 3.5mm input for audio TV out Micro-USB connector
Battery	Battery Capacity 3220mAh Talk time of 14 hours Standby time of 490 hours

Unfortunately there are no current rates available at this time.

Unboxing

The boxes in which Samsung provides its handsets were always the last time wood color. The box of the Samsung Galaxy Note 4 breaks that trend. This is because gray. Besides the phone Samsung also supplies an adapter, USB cable and a headset with the Galaxy Note 4 along. There are these earbuds also spare’kapjes’ included. Neat. For the S-Pen, there are plenty of spare parts included. With the number of included accessories meets the Galaxy Note 4 sure our requirements.

Design

A little connoisseur see from a mile though when a smartphone made by Samsung is . With the Galaxy Note 4 is not really that different. The physical center button below the screen, it logootje above the display and the back of matte plastic: The Galaxy Note 4 in design not terribly surprised. Usually we are not so fond of the look of a Samsung phone, but that does not automatically apply to each phone. The Note 4 looks in our eyes beautiful and luxury.

He holds a phablet nice solid, thanks to its metal frame and the back of matte plastic. The design is the same as that of its predecessor, the Galaxy Note 3 broadly the details have changed, he has in some places strange bulges. Sleek and linear design, the four discs in any case, thanks to the input for the headset and USB cable. The camera sticks out. It is of course a matter of taste, but at least this does not see the Note 4 is boring. The buttons for volume sitting on top of the left side. The release button is on the top of the right side, just the right height for your fingers. At the bottom of the phone you can get the S-Pen.

“The Note 4 is nicely finished but has in some places odd bulges”

The Note 4 is slightly larger than its predecessor, the Galaxy Note 3 Note 4 The measuring 153.5 by 78.6 millimeters, compared to 151.2 at 79.2 millimeters Note that the three measurement. Thinning is not he: 8.5 to 8.3 millimeters. The back of the Note 4, you can take it off. This is very thin and made of matte plastic. We find it remarkable that the black version seems to offer more grip than the white variety.

The back can not be removed for nothing. You can change the battery, add a microSD card and micro SIM card in the phone stop here. The phone feels thin despite his back, loosening did not creaky at. The Samsung is just nicely finished. Reports came out that there are “slots” were in the phone. This is our review model is not the case: that looks spic and span from

Samsung with the Galaxy S5 this year gradually started making waterproof phones.. This is unfortunately not applicable to the Galaxy Note 4 This is the design incidentally have benefited. In the design of the Note contains four elements back from the Alpha. You will no flaps, which are not really very nice, which cover the entrances to the USB cable and headset to make. Waterproofness Also the fact that the Galaxy Note 4 has a metal frame, appeals to us. The phone feels so very firmly. Really light, he is therefore not only but 176 grams for a phablet is just middling

Screen

Apple, Sony, HTC, Huawei: it. manufacturers all use IPS LCD screens. By contrast, Samsung has been putting on displays with super amoledtechnologie. The downside is that there is often a blue glow lies over the witkleur it. In the case of the Samsung phablet is that, in any case. Super amoled generally has the advantage that colors are bright and vivid display. That is true. Note the Galaxy 4 It is perhaps the best super amoledscherm which is currently in a phone is: despite amoledtechnologie the display is very bright. Colors are very beautiful and vivid.

Samsung perfects the super amoledtechnologie thus getting better. Actually, the screen of each new flagship called again better than that of his predecessor. The Note 4 is no different, and that is the experts also noticed. So DisplayMate suggested last month that the screen in Note 4, the best thing is that the site has ever seen. In a smartphone Hence our interest was piqued, of course.

“We dare to say that the Note 4 is one of the most beautiful smartphone screens currently has”

In our preview we were very much to all speak about the screen, which is 5.7 inches in size and has a resolution of 2560×1440 pixels QHD. Only in terms of specifications almost no screen that can surpass the Note 4. Not yet a lot of smartphones have anyway a display with that resolution. LG has got started with the G3, as manufacturers do not bring phones on the market in the Netherlands, as Oppo, Lenovo and Meizu, but major manufacturers like Apple, Sony and Huawei have such a phone is not yet released.

A QHD resolution is no guarantee that the screen of a phone is better than a display with FHD resolution. The difference in resolution is to the human eye at such a relatively small screen can not be seen actually. With the Galaxy Note 4, we dare to claim that one of the finest displays of the moment. When we put him alongside the full HD screen of the iPhone 6 Plus it was good to see, though it is not so much that the resolution. The balance of the Note 4 was less beautiful – because of the SuperAMOLED screen is not really surprising – but the colors were much nicer display

Also from an oblique angle, the screen remains razor sharp.. In addition, the reflection is also very much with it. All this ensures that the screen is very complete in Note 4. Beautiful, bright, vibrant colors combined with excellent viewing angles, a precise touch and little reflection. Whether it’s the best screen ever in a smartphone, we do not know, but the screen is always a big plus to the Galaxy Note. 4

Performance

The Galaxy Note 4 has everything to be. really speed gun He has in any event all modern specifications. The Snapdragon 805 processor clocked at 450 with four Krait cores 2.7 GHz. Overclocking is not currently available. Smartphone in country Samsung has not skimped on other specifications. He has ‘just’ 3GB ram, what has really set the standard for Android flagships. Now the difference with 2GB ram is not yet noticeable. If there are apps on the market which require more of a phone, you notice that speed though. In terms of other specifications Samsung strikes actually the shelf is not wrong. The storage memory of 32GB is normal, and this is also expandable with a microSD card.

The specifications of the Galaxy Note 4 beat just with one of the fastest processors currently, a lot of memory and expandable memory. It has everything to drive. Phones qHD screen good For example, the G3 LG does not have these specifications and have a qHD screen. This phone is fast, but not fast. The Galaxy Note 4 is fast. In benchmark tests scored Samsung at time of writing as one of the best.

“Switching apps would be just allowed to go a little faster”

Apps start in no time and videos load very quickly. Switching apps should only slightly faster. It takes a bit too long before you see a list of all the apps you have open. Startup apps is as I said very quickly and if an app is started faltering Galaxy Note 4 for a moment. This makes sure that a very fine phone is in use. Only downside is perhaps the TouchWiz user interface, that might work a little retardant. This kind of specs we like to see in a Samsung device that runs on a bare back Android version, but we can probably wait a long time

Do not get us wrong:. This is a small critical point in the Galaxy Note 4, which is just really nice to use. This is one of the fastest Android phones that you can get. Also call the phone fine print. The range is good and the call quality is also quite good. Also wifi connections are in order. The battery has a capacity of 3220 mAh. On paper very much. In practice, this is not too bad

The reason of course is easily found:. That’s qHD screen. It just consumes more energy than a full HD screen. The battery may be very large, the screen ensures that the lifetime of a charged battery changed. If you use the Samsung Galaxy Note 4 intensive, it may be that you ‘m evenings around an hour or 20.30 anyway already as does the charger. This can be prevented by turning the screen brightness down and each close your apps really, and not to work in the background.

Software

It is no surprise that a high-class phone like the Galaxy Note 4 runs on the latest version of Android, 4.4.4 KitKat. The phablet will also receive an update to Android 5.0 Lollipop. When this review was written, the Note 4 ran at least on Android 4.4.4. Of course with the Samsung-supplied TouchWiz user interface. This is a bit chaotic, but very comprehensive user interface that sits on any Samsung phone. It may take some getting used to if you’ve never worked with, but the Samsung is the owner of the Note 4 a feast of recognition. The TouchWiz interface is always a bit more extensive. Before the Note Series This is thanks to the S-Pen, which you have some quick options to take notes and draw on your screen. Also, the Samsung S Search in a convenient search function in the notification center that you can get. At the top of the screen down

The TouchWiz interface is as said quite extensive. Samsung also has a simple mode that can be activated with larger icons. In advance you can set in the settings menu apps that you want to see. The simple menu In the settings menu, there are other “modes” which you can turn, like a blocking position. The Note 4 Here all bubbles ignored by people who are not in your allowed list. Also you can set when the phone is in the blocking position, such as at night between twelve and eight. The Note 4 also has a private beach also, which you can maintain. Applications for yourself The guest account can not use these apps or view certain files.

“For companies not use, but there is no lack of bundled apps”

However, institutions abound. On pre-installed apps either. Samsung has there traditionally have some of that. Obviously down the familiar Google apps like YouTube, Gmail, Drive, but also Play Music and Play Video included. That does Samsung not to put in Video and Music, which has its own media players on the Note 4 basically works the same as the Google apps. The multimedia apps are at least in normal use they just do their own thing. The quality of the supplied headset is called. Quite nice Natural: Bose headset is not, but the sound quality is so in order that you will annoy you absolutely not to the music. The earbuds also sit comfortably in your ears and stay in place. The speaker in the phone at the back. Its quality is not great, and the position is not the best: we see speakers prefer to front, as with HTC’s phones with Boom Sound-boxes

Furthermore there are many apps on the Note 4. placed at the service of the S-Pen, such as S Note, that you can take notes. This app can also be used for spoken material into written text. This feature is only available in Dutch. With PEN.UP you can put homemade drawings on a social network. This is a typical Note app that Samsung wants to underline the potential of the S Pen and the format of the four discs offer but where in practice by not many people use is made. Scrapbook is another separate gallery app that lets you look back. Screenshots and all the selections that you have made with the S-Pen Why just do not create a separate folder in the regular gallery app, which is the same thing exactly?

It’s some of the unnecessary apps that Samsung with the Galaxy Note 4 supplies power. Yet it is not just “junk” in the Note 4 if you him for the first time. There are also quite useful apps already on the phone. Like Flipboard, which appears when you press your home screen, swipe to the right. Here are articles that cater to your interests. Samsung wants the Galaxy Note 4 also set by this type of apps in the market like a phone that read too nice, and that the company is well managed. This app we found during the review period, a pleasant addition to wherever you actually use.

This is S Health demand. It varies per person or you’re using such an app. S Health Note the four counts your steps and he can measure your heart rate. Besides this heart rate monitor works moderate: it often happens that the phone can not measure your heartbeat. The pedometer is not very accurate. He really should be in your pocket if your steps are counted, and not in the pocket of your coat. S Health You could get a good idea of ​​what you can do to live healthier. Extra There is a “coach” that gives training advice and tells when to eat. Healthier This opinion is based on a short questionnaire that you fill about.

“The UV meter is a nice addition, but in practice hardly”

An addition to the gezondheidsapp the UV meter, which you can see if you need to protect from the sun yourself. A nice addition, but in practice you use actually have not. It works in any case better than the heart rate and the fingerprint scanner. The latter is a good way to protect your phone, but unlocking does not work as smoothly. In any case, not nearly as good as the fingerprint scanner from Apple and Huawei. The Note 4 grabs you ‘wipe’ not always good and that makes for annoyance. This can ensure that your example will use to unlock your phone or a password.

a sweep pattern quickly next to a bunch of preinstalled apps

Samsung also supplies offers it. These can be found in Galaxy Apps. The Note 4 costs a lot of money at the time of writing, the phone will cost 719 euros, but Samsung gives the phone a lot with free subscriptions. As three months Deezer, a Spotify alternative. You need to find a euro transfer to. Use the action Because this can be made via PayPal also has the average citizen this helped. There are also offers from the New York Times and the Wall Street Journal. For this you must pay by credit card. Business Week you get a year free without anything having to do with pennies. Before They are nice extra features that the Samsung Note 4 resists. Especially Deezer fell in good soil.

Camera

Samsung did with the Galaxy Note 3 last year, a telephone with an outstanding 13-megapixel camera. The Koreans have improved the camera in Note 4. Now you can shoot photos in 16 megapixels. More than satisfactory. However Megapixels are not everything (as is the 8-megapixel camera in the iPhone 6 excellent), but it is a good indication.

At first glance, the 16-megapixel camera in the Note 4 very complete. You can shoot in 480, 720, 1080, 1440 and 2160 pixels. It is not much point to videos you shoot at 2160 pixels (UHD) to look back on your Note 4 this is indeed a resolution of 1440 pixels. Photos can be made in 2.4, 6, 8, 8.9, 12 and 16 megapixel.

“You can use external filters and camera options to download so the options are very large . A great move by Samsung “

The selfiecamera has a best wide angle

There are quite a few options with the camera app. You can HDR on and off, set the flash and set a timer. Geinig also is the possibility to lay. Filters in advance about the camera You can also download filters from third parties, so the possibilities are very large. A great move by Samsung to give it free.

This approach has also chosen it for photography options. Of course you can ‘just’ take a picture, but panoramas are also among the possibilities. Additionally, you can download additional photo features such as a ‘Surround Shot’, which you can make. 360 degree photos Sometimes this works pretty well, but often the combination of all the photos are not very nice. However, it is cool that there are external photography opportunities can be downloaded. In camera app This only says nothing about the quality of the photos.

“If you study made photos you see that the camera almost no detail escapes”

The camera takes very nice pictures. The contrast in colors is very clear pictures eyes are not dull but rather clear and vivid. If you study well-made photos you will see that the Note 4 almost no detail escapes: creases in an autumn leaf rust in a classic car, the reflection of a scooter in a window. It is all very well captured by the camera. The camera is also very pleasant to use. He quickly focuses and can take pictures one after the other very quickly.

Samsung has, in short, a very good camera in Note 4 posted. The colors are displayed in our eyes very correct. You do not have the impression that the photos are made with a smartphone. Rather with a good digital camera. Even details that are not in the center of the photo are displayed properly. Unless you really makes a close-up photo which you clearly focus on the point of focus, of course.

The Galaxy Note 4 thus has a very complete camera. In dark conditions, he is doing very well. Photos are a bit darker, but even then many details are visible. The double flash is good, but not very fast. You have to take the time if you want to make a good picture in dark conditions but the wait is worth it.

“The ‘beauty’ layer, you look more like an alien than a demigod “

The selfiecamera make up pictures in 3.7 megapixels. These are of best quality. Here are some special capabilities, so you can get a ‘beauty’ layer in advance of your selfie of departure. Not that you have a lot on the way: you go there rather than as an alien look like a demigod. Freckles disappear on the photo and a crazy, unnatural and glassy shine on your face will appear. Yet the selfiecamera certainly decent. For example, he makes a quite wide angle a picture so that you can create. Lovely ‘groupselfies’ Do this way or horizontally.

Filming, the Galaxy Note 4 also more than well. He shoots up in UHD, but videos with a slightly lower HD resolution are also of excellent quality. The camera in the Samsung smartphone has optical image stabilization, making videos quieter and better quality. What is also striking is that the sound is well cushioned. This does not mean, if you go to a concert, you can expect. Topclipje a Keep your smartphone then so it in your pocket. Under fairly calm conditions you can shoot videos just fine, however, who are keen and whose colors are accurate as in the pictures.

If you shoot in ultra HD, 2160p, filming the Galaxy Note 4 to 30 frames per second. This is 60 frames per second when shooting in full HD. The quality of your video remains very high, but the videos are also slightly smoother because of the extra frames that are made per second. The choice is yours.

Conclusion

Samsung makes the Galaxy Note 4 show that it feels making phablets like a fish in water . The phone has a beautiful, nice big screen that is in a net not too big body. Although the phone to operate most comfortable is via the S-Pen or with two hands, he is not too big for one-handed operation. This is partly due to the fact that the rear provide the necessary grip.

The phone is beautifully finished and has been a high-quality metal frame prevented. The qHD screen is doing another one step further. With the brightness full with this easily one of the best smartphone displays at the moment. This is not at the expense of the speed of the phone. Samsung has the Galaxy Note 4 stuffed with the latest specifications and it shows in his use: everything goes to him easily, though it can switch between apps maybe faster

“. The Note 4 is a complete super smartphone that almost all the requirements of a high-class phone meets “

The Galaxy Note 4 is an incredibly complete phablet, with its outstanding specifications and gorgeous screen. Other things to speak in his favor. Thus, removing the battery, and you can expand the memory with a microSD card. It is therefore difficult to find on the phone. Real drawbacks Ok, the battery would be allowed to take longer and it may take some Samsung dimming Delivery of applications.

It is only in comparison with the above advantages of the phone. The Note 4 is a complete super smartphone that almost all the requirements of a high-class phone meets a gorgeous screen, beautiful design, good workmanship, fast, expandable memory, and – what is less important, but still fine – a removable battery. It’s all so logical, but it’s not often that a manufacturer provides all this. Samsung does it in any case with the Galaxy Note 4 and before the Korean manufacturer deserves praise.

There is one downside to the Galaxy Note 4 It is expensive. Quite expensive even. At the time of writing, the phone in the Netherlands at its cheapest 719 euros. That’s just a lot of money. So for that amount you do get a tops mart phone, but you must want it, have to count that amount. Sure down For a lot less money, there are phones that most of the features of the Note have four. Like the Galaxy Note 3 for example, or the LG G3. The Xperia Z3 would be a good alternative. These phones are all over a hundred euros cheaper.