When Samsung’s Galaxy Note series started to blur the lines between smartphone and tablet, a lot of people were a little apprehensive to say the least. The idea of a device that wouldn’t fit snuggly into your pocket, and would take two hands to use seemed like a crazy idea, and back when the Note series came onto the scene Samsung were the phablet trailblazers. Even Apple scoffed at the idea, saying that the perfect size for any smartphone would never surpass 4 inches.
Now in it’s fourth generation, the Note series is Samsung’s premium range of smartphones and has since spawned plenty of imitators. So now that big is the new normal has anything changed with the Note series? Let’s take a more in-depth look:
Make no mistake, it’s a massive phone.
It’s already been said, but it’s definitely worth mentioning again: the Samsung Note 4 is MASSIVE. When unboxing the device the very first thing that will jump out at you is it’s size. The 5.7 inch phone weighs in at just over 6 ounces, and is anything but compact. When I initially started using the Note 4 I was unhappy with how it didn’t fit neatly into my pocket, and how awkward it felt in my hands.
Make no mistake, it’s design is sleek and modern, and the aluminium outer shell with sharp ridges make it great to look at. And if you’ve used phablets in the past you probably won’t have an issue with it’s size, but first time phablet owners may take some time to get to grips with the size of the Samsung Note 4.
Click Here To See The Galaxy Note 4 In More Detail
The stylus is mightier than the finger
Something else that sets the Note 4 apart from other similar devices like the iPhone 6 Plus is the inclusion of the S-Pen, a stylus pen which tucks neatly away at the bottom of the phone. You can use the stylus to write notes or emails, doodle or browse through the device. It’s also worth noting that the S-Pen now comes with different pressure readings, making it more responsive than ever, and especially ideal for digital artists.
It’s an absolute powerhouse
The Samsung Note 4 definitely packs some impressive hardware underneath it’s sizeable frame. Firstly, the visuals are provided by an quad-AMOLED display, packing more pixels-per-inch than competitors like the iPhone 6 or the previous Note 3. The Samsung Note 4 doesn’t miss a step when it comes to display, and you can expect HD visuals using the brightest lights and the deepest darks.
Powered by a quad-core 2.7GHz processor, the device comes standard with the Android KitKat 4.4 OS. It’s easily able to run all the latest and most power-demading apps, from photo-editing applications to the latest mobile games.
A picture is worth a thousand pixels
One of the Samsung Note 4’s crowing achievements is it’s camera. The 16 megapixel rear-facing camera is able to take crisp, clear photos under various conditions and lighting. And you won’t only be taking good looking photos, as the app comes with plenty of features that you can use to edit your photos afterwards. You can also shoot 4K video with a variety of different video filters like time-lapse, slow motion or with filters.
To ensure that you always take the best possible photo, the Note 4’s camera comes standard with optical image stabilisation for taking pictures at low light, an autofocus feature and dynamic range.
The Good:
- Incredibly high performance
- Crisp, clear display and photos
- The innovative S-Pen is a nice addition
- Long battery life
The Bad:
- Costs more than it’s competitors
- It may be too big for non phablet users
Final Thoughts:
If you’re looking for a phone at the higher end of the spectrum, you’d be hard pressed to find something better than the Samsung Galaxy Note 4. Sure, it might be a little big for those who have never owned a phablet before, and it’s more expensive than the alternatives, but in terms of functionality, features and quality the Note 4 doesn’t miss a step.