Comprehensive Review Samsung Galaxy Note 4 USA Specs Pricing & Features

Design and Build

The Samsung Galaxy Note 4 is a premium device that embodies a blend of functionality and aesthetics. It measures 153.5 x 78.6 x 8.5 mm and weighs 176 grams, which makes it slightly hefty, but this weight is testament to its robust build quality. The phone incorporates a metal frame with a soft, textured back cover that provides a firm grip, making it comfortable to hold. This combination of metal and textured plastic gives the device a sophisticated yet durable feel, which was a step up from its predecessors, aligning with the premium nature of Samsung's Note series.

Display

The Samsung Galaxy Note 4 boasts a 5.7-inch Super AMOLED display with a resolution of 1440 x 2560 pixels, resulting in a pixel density of approximately 518 ppi. This results in stunningly crisp and vibrant visuals with deep blacks and rich colors, making media consumption a pleasure on this device. The screen's Super AMOLED technology ensures that colors are vivid and viewing angles are excellent. Furthermore, the display is protected by Corning Gorilla Glass 4, which lends durability against scratches and minor drops, a reassurance for users who demand a reliable smartphone.

Performance

Under the hood, the Galaxy Note 4 is powered by the Qualcomm APQ8084 Snapdragon 805 chipset, which is coupled with a quad-core 2.7 GHz Krait 450 CPU and Adreno 420 GPU. This combination provides smooth and efficient performance, capable of handling multitasking with ease and running demanding applications and games without lag. The device's 3GB RAM further facilitates a fluid user experience, allowing users to switch between apps seamlessly. During its time, the Note 4's hardware was at the cutting edge, offering top-tier performance to satisfy power users.

Camera Capabilities

The Samsung Galaxy Note 4 features a 16-megapixel main camera with an f/2.2 aperture, autofocus, and optical image stabilization (OIS). This setup allows for capturing detailed and sharp images even in challenging lighting conditions. The camera supports 4K video recording at 30fps and 1080p recording at both 30fps and 60fps, making it versatile for video enthusiasts. Additional camera features include LED flash, panorama, and HDR, enabling users to take high-quality photos with minimal effort. The selfie camera is a 3.7 MP shooter with a wide-angle lens, perfect for capturing group selfies and supporting video recording at 1440p@30fps.

Battery Life

The device packs a 3220mAh removable Li-Ion battery, which offers respectable longevity. It supports 15W wired charging and incorporates Quick Charge 2.0 for efficient power top-up. This capacity ensures that users can enjoy extended use throughout the day without constant recharging, with the standby time rated at up to 212 hours on 3G, talk time up to 31 hours and 20 minutes on 3G, and music playback up to 80 hours. The ability to remove and replace the battery is also a convenience for those who prefer carrying a spare battery for uninterrupted usage.

Software and User Interface

The Galaxy Note 4 initially shipped with Android 4.4.4 KitKat, upgradable to Android 6.0.1 Marshmallow. Samsung's TouchWiz interface overlays the Android system, providing additional features such as Multi-Window and S Pen functionalities. The S Pen is a signature tool for the Note series, offering users precision input for tasks like note-taking, drawing, and executing specific commands with ease and fluidity.

Storage and Expandability

This device comes with 32GB of internal storage. However, for users requiring more space, the Note 4 supports microSD expansion, allowing for storage capacity of up to 256GB using the dedicated slot. This makes it convenient for users who store extensive media libraries or large applications.

Connectivity

The Samsung Galaxy Note 4 is equipped with a range of connectivity options. It supports GSM/CDMA/HSPA/EVDO/LTE network technologies, ensuring broad coverage and high-speed data transfer with LTE Cat4 offering speeds up to 150/50 Mbps. Furthermore, it includes Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct, and hotspot capabilities, making it versatile for both personal and professional environments. Additional connectivity features encompass Bluetooth 4.1 with A2DP, EDR, and LE support, NFC, and an infrared port. While it lacks a radio, it supports USB microUSB 2.0 with MHL 3 TV-out and OTG features to enhance its utility.

Additional Features

The Galaxy Note 4 hosts a suite of sensors including a front-mounted fingerprint sensor, accelerometer, gyro, proximity sensor, compass, barometer, gesture sensor, UV sensor, heart rate monitor, and SpO2 sensor. These features cater to health-conscious users and those who desire a comprehensive device for both leisure and productivity.

Conclusion

The Samsung Galaxy Note 4 remains a notable device in the history of smartphones, remembered for its comprehensive features, excellent build quality, and high performance. Although it has been discontinued, it set a standard for future smartphone designs and functionalities, appealing to both tech enthusiasts and professional users alike. Its capabilities in display quality, camera technology, and multitasking made it a benchmark in the industry during its release, leading to a legacy that many devices aspire to follow.