Samsung was on to something when they launched the original Galaxy Note dorsum in 2022. The large-screened smartphone seemed awkward at the time with its v.3-inch display, merely chop-chop became Samsung'southward 2d most popular line. The success in the phablet market spurred competitors like Sony (Xperia Z Ultra), Nokia (Lumia 1520), and even Apple tree (iPhone 6 Plus) to release their own big handsets.

Information technology's no surprise that in 2022, Samsung is releasing their quaternary-generation Galaxy Note. Like the Galaxy S5 that launched before this twelvemonth, the Galaxy Note iv is an incremental update on what came before it. It's a similar size to and, on initial inspection, looks quite similar the Galaxy Note 3, though the changes bat a little deeper than what might exist apparent to begin with.

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For starters, the Galaxy Note 4 is the 2nd handset from the company to use a 2560 ten 1440 Quad Hard disk brandish (the first being the Quad Hard disk variant of the Galaxy S5 that saw a limited release). It's 5.7 inches in size and uses Super AMOLED applied science, which volition exist interesting from both a ability consumption and subpixel matrix perspective.

Samsung has borrowed the part metallic design used in the Milky way Alpha, ditching the cheap plastic that has received a lot of criticism over the years. We're besides looking at an improved 16-megapixel photographic camera with optical epitome stabilization (finally!), and a refined software suite that includes updates to the device's signature Due south Pen functionality.

As for the residue of the hardware, Samsung is using cut edge SoCs in the Galaxy Annotation 4. Some markets will receive the Samsung Exynos 7 Octa 5433 model with Category 4 LTE, while others will go the Qualcomm Snapdragon 805 model with Category half-dozen LTE. Both SoCs are new to the TechSpot test bed and will provide interesting talking points, especially the Exynos bit which utilizes ARM's new 64-bit CPU cores.

From the moment I opened the Milky way Note four's box it was obvious how much of an improvement the metal would make. The difference between the new aluminium-magnesium alloy rim and the faux-metal plastic rim of the Notation 3 is massive. Samsung's loftier-finish, premium smartphone finally feels and looks like it's living upwards to its price tag, and that's thanks to the company finally listening to and addressing widespread complaints nearly the design.

The rim that runs around the sides is crafted from a unmarried slice of metal, and has been painted to match the color of the remainder of the device. Initially I was skeptical that the paint task might expect a tad unimpressive, just cheers to the carved metallic sections that poke out either side the handset looks great without beingness overbearingly shiny. The paint doesn't hinder the metal experience either, and then you lot nonetheless become the benefits of the alloy beneath.

If you lot wait actually closely you'll spot several pocket-sized polycarbonate gaps in the metal that allow the Note 4 to still have good wireless performance. These gaps are hardly noticeable, and are integrated much better than the obvious strips on the back of the HTC One M8, for instance. The rim too bulges slightly at the superlative and bottom of the handset, which improves the await of the handset.

Aside from the metal makeover, the Note four's blueprint is very like to the Annotation 3. Both devices are substantially the same size, and the front panels are almost duplicate. The Notation 4 is blest with a larger forepart-facing camera lens and a slightly enlarged home button to accommodate the fingerprint scanner, but that's nigh it. Oh, and if you're wondering about the fingerprint scanner, it'southward still as ineffective and contemporary equally the one in the Milky way S5.

The dorsum cover is nonetheless fabricated of faux-leather, though Samsung has improved information technology in several ways. The terrible fake stitching has been removed in favour of a clean and far concoction looking pattern, and the coating applied to the plastic has been revamped. The Notation 4 at present feels more like the Galaxy S5, which in plough makes it experience more like real leather. It'due south yet not quite as good equally the existent thing, though I'm perfectly happy with what Samsung delivers.

The rear speaker has been relocated from the bottom to the back cover, and it's still tinny and terrible despite its loudness. The camera lens also protrudes from the comprehend, bringing the Galaxy Note 4's maximum thickness up to x.0mm from 8.5mm; this is around the aforementioned equally the Notation 3. Beneath the camera you lot'll observe the LED flash, centre rate monitor, UV sensor and pulse oximeter. Yes, that's even more sensors than the Galaxy S5.

Removing the back cover reveals the large removable battery, microSD card slot and micro-SIM slot. The piece of plastic protecting these components is somewhat flimsy, though it attaches solidly. The microSD carte slot is always a welcome characteristic, and I'm certain the removable battery volition besides come in in handy to some people, though I've never bothered swapping on the go.

Around the edges you'll find very solid volume and power buttons to the left and right sides respectively. The top features a 3.5mm headphone jack and an infrared LED, while on the bottom is the micro-USB 2.0 port and stylus slot. I'k disappointed that Samsung reverted back to USB 2.0 afterwards including USB iii.0 on the Notation 3, though the company probably received also many queries about the oversized port and its compatibility with previous cables.

The South Pen itself is very similar to the one found in the Milky way Note 3: it's the aforementioned shape and comes with the same singular push for extra functionality. The design of the pen makes it feel a bit inexpensive, as it'due south entirely constructed of plastic, though it's lightweight and serves its purpose well.

As well, just in case you were wondering, the Note iv is not water resistant like the Milky way S5. Don't be fooled into thinking that because Samsung'south smaller-sized flagship can exist used in a pool that the Note 4 tin can as well. It can't, and if you try you'll probably be left with an expensive paperweight.

Ane other comparison that should be made between the Note 4 and its predecessors is that it feels noticeably sturdier. The Annotation 4 with its role-metallic trunk feels absolutely stone solid, with no perceivable flex when moderately stressed. Although the Notation 3 never really flexed much either, the Note 4 feels stronger and more dependable.

As for its size, there's no escaping that the Note 4 with a 5.7-inch display is a large device. Although it's smaller than the iPhone 6 Plus, one-handed utilise tin be tricky, particularly when it comes to hitting the capacitive navigation buttons embedded in the lesser section of the bezel. A phone similar this volition have some adjusting to: it'southward taken upwards until my fourth review of a Notation production to feel actually comfortable using a phone as big as this.

As a quick aside, I also wanted to exam out these supposed Galaxy Notation 4 'GapGate' claims; claims that involve a small-scale gap betwixt the edges of the Notation four'due south display assembly and the metal rim. Not only did my retail unit of measurement not have a gap large plenty to fit in a piece of newspaper, but even if information technology did, it wouldn't matter. The Note 4 is not the offset smartphone to characteristic such a (tiny) gap, and information technology won't exist the final. And on height of that, the gap does not impact the usability or aesthetics of the device in any meaningful way. What a completely overblown load of crap.