Samsung Galaxy Note 4 First Look: The Best Display, S Pen Phone Comes with a Cost

By Anuj Bhatia

| Published: Wednesday, October 15, 2014, 14:31 [IST]

Rating:

4.0/5

Samsung Galaxy Note 4 First Look: The Best Display, S Pen Phone

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PROS

Brilliant QHD Screen
Slim, effortless Design
Monster Processor
4G LTE support
Note Taking Capability
S-Pen
Quick Charging Mode

CONS

Steep Pricing
TouchWiz UI

<div class="clear"></div><div class="review-content-navigation"><div class="review-content-pag"><select class="review-content-pagination-selbox" name="reviewSelect" id="reviewSelect" onchange="if (this.value) window.location.href=this.value" ><option value="/mobile/samsung-galaxy-note-4-first-look-the-best-display-s-pen-phone-comes-with-a-cost-019992.html" selected="selected">PAGE 1 OF 4: Form Factor & Operating System</option><option value="/mobile/samsung-galaxy-note-4-first-look-the-best-display-s-pen-phone-comes-with-a-cost-2-019993.html">PAGE 2 OF 4: Processor & Benchmark</option><option value="/mobile/samsung-galaxy-note-4-first-look-the-best-display-s-pen-phone-comes-with-a-cost-3-019994.html">PAGE 3 OF 4: Camera & Video</option><option value="/mobile/samsung-galaxy-note-4-first-look-the-best-display-s-pen-phone-comes-with-a-cost-4-019995.html">PAGE 4 OF 4: Battery Life & Verdict</option></select></div></div>

Samsung has had a great success with the Note range of devices. The company first introduced the original Galaxy Note handset in 2011. Back then, smartphones with large screen were unheard of.

All thanks to the success of the Galaxy Note series that fueled the big-screen revolution. Now with every handset maker has at least one or two big screen phones in their portfolio - Samsung is reeling under pressure to deliver something unexpected.

Over the past few months, Samsung was trying to come back in a big way into the high-end handset market. Despite critical acclaim, the Galaxy S5 wasn't able to live up to expectations, due to mediocre design. And in order to create positive buzz about the brand, Samsung is betting big on the success of the Galaxy Note 4 - its second flagship device for 2014.

First announced at this year's IFA Berlin tech show in September, the Galaxy Note 4 will go on sale in India, starting October 17, at a price of Rs. 58,300.

We go hands on, and give you our first impressions of the Samsung Galaxy Note 4!

Samsung Galaxy Note 4: Form Factor, Design, Display, Operating System (OS) and S-Pen

In many ways, the Galaxy Note 4 is different from its predecessor. The Galaxy Note 4 is a forward looking handset, and it shows Samsung's new design approach. And for the first time, Samsung has extensively use metal, which is really a big step in a right direction.

On the Note 4, you find the similar aluminum chrome edges on the sides, just like the Galaxy Alpha. Thanks to brushed metal edging, the Note 4 redefines the high-end category like never before. Turn the back; you again see the same faux leather stitched rear. Still, the Note 4 looks brilliant, and we should appreciate Samsung's emphasis on making devices extremely user friendly.

At 8.55mm thick, the handset is comparatively thin and weighs in just right, considering it comes with a 5.7-inch large screen. The device feels so right and comfortable in the hand. That said, we loved the Note 4's design.

Samsung says the Galaxy Note 4 will come in four splashy colors: black, white, bronze gold and blossom gold. Users can also have an option to consider Swarovski edition back cover. The special Swarovski edition rear back cover will cost around Rs. 11,990.

The Galaxy Note 4's screen is huge, touting a 5.7-inch QHD resolution. Of course the screen is much improved compared to the Note 3. At first glance, you get to see the 2.5D glass screen. The screen is slightly curve and thicker, than usual screens seen on the high-end phones. Samsung says the Note 4's screen offers extra protection while enhances viewing experience.

The Note 4's screen is unbelievably stunning. The 5.7-inch screen offers a resolution of 2,560 x 1,440 pixels and a pixel density of 500ppi. The high resolution display means crisp images and videos. The QHD resolution coupled with Super AMOLED technology does make a difference. Images are sharp and detailed. When tested, video playback was immersive and crisp. Viewing angles are impressive, too. Surely the huge 2K resolution screen is impressive; however, we're concern about the battery drain issues associated with a QHD panel. This however, is something we need to test on our own in detail.

The Galaxy Note 4 runs Google's Android 4.4 (KitKat) OS with Samsung's TouchWiz UI layered on top. To be frank, Samsung's TouchWiz UI hasn't changed much. The problem with TouchWiz UI is its repetitive nature. Although easy to navigate, Samsung's Note 4 deserves better treatment in the software department.

In general, the Note 4 offers a variety of software additions. For instance, the Note 4's multitasking feature is hard to ignore. You can open two windows side by side in split screen mode. Since the Note 4 is being targeted at business executives, these multitasking features really helps a user to work efficiently.

The Note 4's biggest advantage however is the S-Pen. It offers twice the pressure sensitivity as its predecessors. Although the found the S-Pen really handy, we still need more time to fully test this feature.