Back in 2011, Samsung decided that size was everything and launched the Samsung Galaxy Note, which came with a 5.3-inch screen. At the time, the screen was a massive talking point: many considered the Note was too large for a phone; others thought it too
Skip ahead just three years and that 5.3inch screen no longer looks out of place in the ever-evolving phone market. Given that the Samsung Galaxy S5 comes with a 5.1-inch screen, and the newly launched iPhone 6 Plus boasts a 5.5-inch display, it’s clear to see that the line between what was once classed as a ‘phablet’ and what is now expected from a smartphone has well and truly blurred.
While this hasn’t stopped Samsung pushing out the size boat – the Note 3 came equipped with a 5.7-inch screen – it seems the manufacturer has finally put the continuing size creep on hold. The new Note 4 comes with the same-sized 5.7-inch screen, with Samsung apparently deciding to concentrate on screen quality instead.
As a result, the Note 4’s screen boasts Quad HD Super AMOLED (1,440x2,560 resolution) technology that stretches to 500 pixels per inch. Couple this with what Samsung is calling an ‘adaptive display’ – one that adapts cleverly to changing lighting conditions – and on paper you get optimum viewing wherever you are.
The Note 4’s video playback is particularly impressive. Colours are vivid and detail pops out with real clarity. But it’s not the screen that first grabs your attention – it’s the build. Samsung has clearly listened to those criticising its latest ‘cheap-feeling’ line-up, instead giving the Note 4 a noticebly premium finish, with a metal rim that surrounds the handset and shields the rest of the chassis. It’s a big change.
There is much similarity between the Note 3 and its successor. Size difference between the two chassis is definitely negligible – the Note 3 measuring 151.2x79.2x8.3mm; the Note 4 153.5x78.6x8.5mm. Screen Super AMOLED Screen Size 5.7 inches Resolution 1,440x2,560
RAM 3GB Process or Qualcomm Snapdragon 805, quad core, 2.7GHz Cam era 16MP CMOS Video recording
4K at 30fps height 153.5mm width 78.6mm depth 8.5mm weight 176g