Galaxy Note 4 was finally announced on September 3, 2014. Samsung will very likely start to ship Galaxy Note 4 as early as the 4th week this September in selected regions, although in the event, October was confirmed for global release of Note 4. In most other regions, you will be able to get Galaxy Note 4 in October.
So, before deciding whether you should get the Galaxy Note 4, let’s compare Galaxy Note 3 vs Galaxy Note 4 to find out what the new features/improvements are.
Update: Galaxy Note 4 User Guide is available here.
1. Galaxy Note 4 vs Galaxy Note 3: Quad HD display
Rumors always are trustworthy in tech world. As stated in the Galaxy note 4 specification rumors post, Galaxy Note 4 comes with QHD (Quad HD, 2560*1240). This is a major upgrade from Galaxy Note 3’s full HD (1920*1080) display.
The size of the screen is almost identical to Galaxy Note 3: about 5.7″. So, the resolution of 2560* 1440 display gives you a whopping 515 ppi.
Of course, the screen is super AMOLED, the standard display in Samsung flagship phones. This is same as Galaxy Note 3. But Samsung got one year time to further improve and polish the technology, especially in color accuracy.
2. Galaxy Note 4 vs Galaxy Note 3: New S Pen has 2048 pressure levels
If you don’t use S Pen, you are wasting half of your Galaxy Note devices. Plain and simple.
The new S Pen in Galaxy Note 4 now has 2048 pressure levels, which are sufficient t for 99% artistic jobs. As a comparison, Galaxy Note 3 got a 1024 pressure-level S Pen, which is decent for most designer jobs.
3. Galaxy Note 4 vs Galaxy Note 3: Smart Select with S Pen
Samsung introduced so many “smart” features in the past and most of them are useless or half-baked. In recent release of Galaxy Note 3 and Galaxy S5, Samsung learned the lessons and tried to polish the features when releasing them.
One of the two smart features in Galaxy Note 4 you will like is smart select. With your S pen, you can easily select the contents you want from any text, screen and apps. The S Pen understands some gestures and performs faster than mouse in selecting and sharing the selection.
4. Galaxy Note 4 vs Galaxy Note 3: Fast charging
Galaxy Note 4 can charge from 0% to 50% in 30 mins. This is really fast. As a comparison, on Galaxy Note 3 you need wait about one hour for the same job.
The fast charging is surely attractive for those who do not have the habit of charging the phone overnight.
5. Galaxy Note 4 vs Galaxy Note 3: Optical image stabilization (OIS)
For non-professional photographers, it is incredibly hard to keep still to get a good quality photo for a moving target or in low light conditions.
One of the major reasons is the lack of optical image stabilization (OIS) in most smartphones. LG introduced OIS in LG G2 and got exceptionally good reception.
Now, in Galaxy Note 4, Samsung finally introduced OIS in their smartphones. There is no doubt you will get better picture in low-light conditions, compared to Galaxy Note 3 or Galaxy S5.
Another small update for the rear camera is that the pixel number is increased to 16MP from Note 3’s 13MP.
6. Galaxy Note 4 vs Galaxy Note 3: Selfie friendly front camera
More and more selfies can be found in social media. It is not strange Samsung is trying to cater such needs in Galaxy Note 4.
Samsung upgraded the front camera from 2MP sensor in Galaxy Note 3 to 3.7MP in Note 4.
In addition to almost doubling the number of pixels, Samsung also increased the viewing angel of the front camera from 77 degrees as in Galaxy Note 3 to 90 degrees in Galaxy Note 4.
Galaxy Note 4’s front camera also has a panorama mode which further increases the view angle to 120 degrees.
7. Galaxy Note 4 vs Galaxy Note 3: Heart rate monitor
Samsung first introduced the heart rate monitor in Galaxy S5. It is not outstanding, but it works as expected.
Galaxy Note 4 now has an almost identical sensor near the camera flash as heart rate monitor. It should work with S Health app out of box.
8. Galaxy Note 4 vs Galaxy Note 3: UV sensor
Galaxy Note 4 is the first mobile phone with a built-in UV (ultraviolet radiation) sensor.
The UV sensor in Galaxy Note 4 reports 5 different UV index levels: low, moderate, high, very high and extreme. The sensor works with S Health app out of box.
9. Galaxy Note 4 vs Galaxy Note 3: Fingerprint scanner
Fingerprint scanner was first introduced in Galaxy S5, Now, Galaxy Note 4 get a similar one.
In Galaxy S5, fingerprint scanner is a hit or miss, probably due to cheap components. We will test it on Galaxy Note 4 once it is released.
10. Galaxy Note 4 vs Galaxy Note 3: Snapdragon 805
Samsung Galaxy Note 3 was released with 2.3GHz Snapdragon 800 quad-core chip, paired with an Adreno 330 GPU.
In Galaxy Note 4, you will find a 2.7GHz Snapdragon 805 quad-core chip, paired with an Adreno 420 GPU. This is arguably the fastest mobile processor available in the market now.
Of course, for most users, it is an overkill.
11. Galaxy Note 4 vs Galaxy Note 3: Improved multitasking
Galaxy Note series have larger screen size than S series. Multi-window can help you use the screen capacity better. In Note 2 and Note 3, there are considerable improvements in multi-window feature.
In Galaxy Note 4, Samsung made it easier to manage and use multiple windows. More and more users will get aware of the feature and make better use of the Galaxy Note 4.
12. Galaxy Note 4 vs Galaxy Note 3: better noise cancellation
Galaxy Note 4 also significantly improved the voice recorder by using three microphones to record sounds from 8 distinct directions. You can also choose interview mode to selectively record the sound from certain locations.
The extra microphones also help the noise cancellation and therefore improves the voice quality for all communications.
Do you want to share your thoughts or have any questions on Galaxy Note 4 vs Galaxy Note 3?
Please let’s discuss them in the comment section.
Anne Juma says
I never understand why people give much hype about i phones, Samsung is the real deal.. stylish, quality and most importantly affordable.. and I prefer the Android platform, any day..
Roberto Castro says
Great review, i will change my note 3 for a note 4
Adisen says
Noise cancellation: just during calls, or is it possible to use it like big headphones to have real silence?
Simon says
No, noise cancellation in galaxy note 3 and 4 is only for mic input.
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Adisen says
I’m new at smart phones: is it possible to have a total silence app developed for the Note 4 that is in fact a mini size computer? (Like in centimeter it is a centicomputer – phablet is fine though.) Who’d like to jump in and do that? Or who could be asked to make this? It would reduce device clutter when at home and with travel (bus, train, plane etc.), it would be available at night during charging (noise from outside, neighbours, teenage children returning too late), it would save money not having to buy an effective and thus expensive noise canceling headphone, plus be able to instead buy in-ear noise canceling headphones, plus get some tiny ones that don’t stick out (like the ones you see in the internet), AND still come with mic. So, such an app would mean great integration and possibly a great help for me.
Simon says
Not sure about such products. Probably not available in the market yet.
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