The original Samsung Galaxy Note was released to skeptical tech critics and consumers, who questioned whether or not they really needed a 5.5-inch screen in order to properly place calls, send messages, and utilize the full feature set of their favorite Android applications. Just four years later, the phone has proven both its utility and its staying power. The Samsung Galaxy Note 4 was announced as one of the most hotly anticipated devices of 2014 in August, and its feature set is sure to make customers all around the world place pre-orders for the device ahead of release. The Galaxy Note’s latest iteration keeps the device’s iconic, larger screen size, and adds an improved screen, an array of new software features, and added durability for added peace of mind in everyday use. It’s a worthy upgrade for most Note users.
The Screen: Get Acquainted with Samsung’s “Quad HD” Display Panel
Ever since Apple announced its Retina Display alongside the iPhone 4 in 2010, competing manufacturers in the Android space have been trying to beat the company in terms of overall screen quality and actual pixel density. Samsung has had no real trouble in this area: Its various Galaxy S and Galaxy Note phones have long boasted bigger, more pixel-dense screens with a full HD resolution at either 720p or 1080p. The Galaxy Note 4 builds on this tradition with its Quad HD screen.
The Quad HD screen is designed to fit four times the amount of HD pixels into a small, 5.5-inch screen. That means it packs 500 pixels per square inch, easily one of the highest pixel densities of any phone on the market. For the record, Apple’s competing Retina Display technology still hasn’t broken more than 400 pixels per square inch on any of the company’s mobile or desktop devices. The Quad HD screen technology makes the Galaxy Note’s text easier to read without suffering from eye fatigue and headaches, while its ambient light sensor automatically adjusts display brightness based on indoor or outdoor lighting conditions. Bright and bold colors jump off the screen, and make this one of the most engaging devices on the market when watching movies, taking pictures, or simply using a standard mobile app.
Build Quality and Design: A Refreshingly Premium Feel
Samsung has been one of the biggest promoters of the plastic-encased smartphone, insisting that this material is more durable than the glass and aluminum used by competitors like Apple and HTC. Users, however, have been not been as enthusiastic bout what they call a “cheap” case design. In response, Samsung has placed a metal rim around the Galaxy Note 4 mobile phone, giving it a bit of polish and a more sturdy presence in the hand. The newest Samsung phone is roughly the same thickness as its Note 3 predecessor, though new hardware features do make the device slightly heavier than any Galaxy Note smartphone to date.
The display’s durability is enhanced by Samsung’s use of Corning’s Gorilla Glass 3 technology. Proven to be far more durable than standard display glass or even plastic, Gorilla Glass 3 resists scratches, is very hard to crack even when the phone is dropped on a hard surface, and sometimes outperforms sapphire crystal in terms of long-term durability. The phone is available in black and white, which is customary for most high-end smartphones on the market.
Hardware and Software Features: A Boost for Galaxy Note Users
Samsung has always differentiated its smartphone generations more by features than actual design changes, and that’s certainly the case with the latest Galaxy Note release. The phone comes with a heart rate sensor mounted on the back of the device, which is a first for the company. The sensor can be engaged by any number of available Android fitness apps, and the company boasts that it’s up to 98 percent accurate in its measurements. The upgraded and included S Pen is also refreshingly more useful, with double the sensitivity and a natural feel that resembles writing on paper. The pen can also be used similarly to a computer mouse, which makes it easy to use applications in new ways.
An upgraded camera now features a 16-megapixel snapshot capability, which is an upgraded from the 13-megapixel camera found in the Galaxy Note 3. The company has also made the camera work with the upgraded S Pen, giving it new features called Snap Note. Using Snap Note, users can take a picture of a white surface and then modify the contents of the picture through writing and drawing. The rear heart rate monitor can also serve as a camera trigger when the front-facing camera is used, making it far easier to take a selfie.
Hardware Changes: A More Capable Device Beneath the Surface
Every iteration of a smartphone is expected to improve not only on software features, but also on the speed and size of internal components. Samsung has made sure to pair its latest “phablet” release with plenty of hardware upgrades that make it a bit faster in everyday use and more responsive to user input. It all starts with the company’s upgraded battery, which is designed to last substantially longer than the battery in the Galaxy Note 3. that’s due to a slightly larger battery design and a more efficient set of processor and memory components inside the phone.
The device ships with a highly efficient, Qualcomm Snapdragon 805 processor that can produce speeds of up to 2.7GHz during particularly challenging usage periods. A separate GPU is included to handle powering the display while watching movies and playing intensive games. For speed, 3GB of internal RAM is included; storage is boosted to 32GB by default, with the ability to extend storage using a microSD card slot. Users can insert a microSD card for up to 128GB of extra storage as needed. The phone features three 2G radio bands, four 3G radio bands, and a whopping six 4G LTE bands for global compatibility across virtually all mobile networks.
A Great Phone for Those Who Need a Big Screen and Big Features
The Galaxy Note is Samsung’s largest phone and one of its most popular flagship devices. This year, the phone is faster, with a better battery and an improved camera, and packed with tons of new software features that will make it a compelling value for consumers. Thanks to its wide range of improvements and usability enhancements, this device is a sure bet for those who need a large, bright, and pixel-dense screen, and who are looking to upgrade from one of many used mobile phones.
