Ok guys, this is all opinionated of course, but I think that a lot of people (including myself) are a bit frustrated with the announcement of the Note 4, mainly for the lack of changes.
I put together a list comparing Note 2 to Note 3, which was a HUGE upgrade, and compared it to Note 3 to 4. As you can see, the two lists are very different when put next to each other:
note 2 vs note 3:
SD800 WAAY Faster than Exynos 1.6ghz
bigger screen
1080p vs 720p, better colors, 40% brighter
completely new features like air command, USB 3, multi vision, air gesture, able to use S-pen with capacitive buttons
from S4: IR blaster, glove mode,
better camera with new features, 4k video, slomo
Design completely new, new back, flatter front, sides that mimic a notebook
32gb storage, more ram, bigger battery,
taller, thinner, lighter; new integrated camera w/flash, cleaner look; speaker on bottom
LTE Advanced, 802.11ac
gorilla glass 3 vs gorilla glass 2
accessories: s-view cover, gear, wireless charging back, wireless s-view
note 4:
SD 805 (super fast gpu (good for 4k, better thermal design = better battery life), 2x memory bandwidth, faster cpu (15%), much better image processor, up to 300mbps let-a)
same size screen
2.5k vs 1080p, adaptive display, possibly super dimming mode (unknown), "basic" mode to get true RGB color accuracy in Note4
16mp cam with ois, 3.7mp ffc with 120 degree wide angle; side-touch “button”
Design similar; new metal sides, no stitching on back, camera is now split from flash module for heart rate sensor, like note 2, curved edged (2.5d) glass like note 2, small cuts in metal frame like iphone's antenna, black phone speaker grill, ffc moved more to corner, larger home button, edge matches color of phone's front & back
new features: 30 minute super charging, s-pen 2x sensitive, MHL3
From S5:Fingerprint reader, heart-rate sensor, ultra power-saving mode, multitasking button replaces menu button
completely new features: UV+SP02 sensors, fast-charging, bring content from one app to another with s-pen, select multiple items with s-pen like a mouse, pop-up screen, split-screen w/multiple apps, use heart rate sensor for selfies
same storage options, same RAM, battery 20 Mah more but 7.5% better; same integrated microsd/microsim module as note3, not in note 2
dimensions: narrower and thinner, but taller and heavier (N3: 5.95" x 3.12" x 0.33” in, 5.93 oz N4: 6.04" x 3.09" x 0.32” in, 6.21 oz)
speaker on back, camera and flash in 2 different components
LTE-A 300 mbps vs 150 on n3, 802.11ac with MIMO, bluetooth 4.1
same gorilla glass 3 as n3, 2.5d curved edge glass from note 2
like note 3, 3 mics, but improved in note 4; can focus on sound coming from one or two directions
accessories gear vr, Swarovski backs, montblanc pens+cases, samsung ruggedized note4 case, gear s, wireless charging back, wireless s-view
design negatives: taller, heavier, speaker on back; REMOVED: USB3, temperature & Humidity sensor
missing features: From S5: waterproof, ISOCELL BSI sensor, super-dimming unknown at this point; no dual-tone flash like iphone, speaker on back like Note2, not 64bit if snapdragon
unknown:super-dimming mode, PWM for screen dimming which was in note2 and 3, if signal is as good as note2 because note3 signal was worse
sensors (from samsung website):
Note 3:
Gesture, Accelerometer, Geo-magnetic, Gyroscope, RGB, Proximity, Barometer, Temperature & Humidity, Hall Sensor
Note 2:
Accelerometer, RGB Light, Digital Compass, Proximity, Gyro, Barometer
Note 4:
Gesture, Accelerometer, Geo-magnetic, Gyroscope, RGB,IR-LED Proximity, Barometer, Hall Sensor, Finger Scanner, UV, Heart Rate Monitoring, SpO2
I think after compiling this list, I've realized I can overlook some minor things like USB3 (even tho it was STUPID FAST!), sensors and a few other details. At the end of the day, I remember why I pick Samsung: Best-in-class screen, which is one of the biggest things about a pone, top-notch hardware, super fast, great (although sometimes useless) features, geek-friendly when it comes to expandability, removable battery/memory, customizable, etc.
That waterproof omission is going to sting tho :crying: Really was looking forward to underwater pics without a "bag", or shower-browsing online!
The lack of USB3, Isocell sensor and speaker moved to the back are all a step back, but with all these other improvements, I'm sure you wouldn't even notice it much.
Your right, the screen is being given no love, and your right, it is super important. This should be the best smartphone screen ever. Paired with the latest processor, and great S pen features, I'm in. I just hope that there is no lag like everyone said about the G3
Thanks for putting this up. I think you should add that while the Note 4 rolled back to USB2, it was upgraded from MHL 2 to 3. Too many tech sites that do comparisons forget to mention this.
The Note 3 is USB3 MHL2.
The Note 4 is USB2 MHL3.
Dat Noob said:
Thanks for putting this up. I think you should add that while the Note 4 rolled back to USB2, it was upgraded from MHL 2 to 3. Too many tech sites that do comparisons forget to mention this.
The Note 3 is USB3 MHL2.
The Note 4 is USB2 MHL3.
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added to new features portion. Thanks!
My utter frustration is moving the speaker to the back.
No word yet if the sound is better on the N4 then on the N3.
My only complain is move speaker to back.
No waterproof is better if Samsung can't make slim bezel for waterproof phone, see how thick and ugly the bezel in S5.
Thanks Samsung not implement waterproof in Note 4.
I had use few waterproof Sony phone like Z and Z Ultra, waterproof is real gimmick as it won't last long and troublesome on those flip cover on nearly every single port. Please don't add in until you can give slim bezel design on it. Waterproof is real unnecessary.
Andrewtst said:
My only complain is move speaker to back.
No waterproof is better if Samsung can't make slim bezel for waterproof phone, see how thick and ugly the bezel in S5.
Thanks Samsung not implement waterproof in Note 4.
I had use few waterproof Sony phone like Z and Z Ultra, waterproof is real gimmick as it won't last long and troublesome on those flip cover on nearly every single port. Please don't add in until you can give slim bezel design on it. Waterproof is real unnecessary.
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I also feel waterproofing is a gimmick and while this doesn't reflect every phone. A few people I know who have the Z1/2 and S4 active/S5 have issues with the water proofing whenever water touches their phones from freezing, to switching off, to black screens, to unresponsive buttons.
Dat Noob said:
Thanks for putting this up. I think you should add that while the Note 4 rolled back to USB2, it was upgraded from MHL 2 to 3. Too many tech sites that do comparisons forget to mention this.
The Note 3 is USB3 MHL2.
The Note 4 is USB2 MHL3.
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The note 4 when back to using a usb2.0? What the funk ? I really loved the extra fast charging of the note 3. I'm not sure what the MHL is and how it affects charging speeds but they advertised fast charging on the note 4, so we'll see.
I had Note 2 but bought S4 and then Note 3 came out and its seems no diffrent from S4 cus of the 1080p screen , so i waited for 2K and now Note 4 has it so its a 100% buy from me !
I always found that the N3 screen looked fuzzy I couldn't live with it.
The fact the screen is Qhd is reason enough for me give the N4 a chance.
RCJ89 said:
I also feel waterproofing is a gimmick and while this doesn't reflect every phone. A few people I know who have the Z1/2 and S4 active/S5 have issues with the water proofing whenever water touches their phones from freezing, to switching off, to black screens, to unresponsive buttons.
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Yup, cause I own Z and Z Ultra before, I know it is not that effective and needed as advertise.
Att.Fan1982 said:
The note 4 when back to using a usb2.0? What the funk �� I really loved the extra fast charging of the note 3. I'm not sure what the MHL is and how it affects charging speeds but they advertised fast charging on the note 4, so we'll see.
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The Note 4 will have better chraging capabilities than the Note 3. Look what the seemingly unimportant MHL3 actually adds:
The MHL 3.0 specification capabilities include:
4K (Ultra HD): Support of 4K formats up to 2160p30
Simultaneous high-speed data channel
Improved Remote Control Protocol (RCP) with support for peripherals such as a touch screen, keyboard and mouse
Power charging up to 10W
Backward compatible with MHL 1 and MHL 2
Latest HDCP 2.2 content protection
Enhanced 7.1 surround sound with Dolby® TrueHD and DTS-HD
Connector agnostic – uses as few as five pins
Support for simultaneous multiple displays
The MHL Experience
Home Theater – 4K Movie-Theater Picture Quality
Watch all of your favorite content in 4K movie-theater picture quality from your smartphone to your TV or home theater system. Stop, rewind, pause and play all of your content using the TV's remote control.
Mobile Games – Zero Lag
Play all your mobile games on a 4K screen with no lag, all while the TV provides power to your smartphone for extended game play.
Office – Work Anytime, Anywhere
Transform your mobile device into a portable computer by connecting it to a keyboard, mouse, monitor (or multiple monitors), and storage device to work anytime, anywhere.
Automotive – Touch Screen to Access Music and Navigation
Interact with the smartphone through your car infotainment touch-screen display or buttons on your steering wheel to make phone calls, play music, navigate with the phone's GPS, and more, all while providing charge to your smartphone.
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http://www.engadget.com/2013/08/20/mhl-3-0/
Edit: Also, just to add, as far as I know this is a first for Samsung. The Galaxy S5 for example had MHL2.1.
Andrewtst said:
Yup, cause I own Z and Z Ultra before, I know it is not that effective and needed as advertise.
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that's too bad...what about taking pics under-water? The Note 4 has that virtual button on it's side for taking pics. If it were waterproof, I doubt the button would work, because it's most likely capacitive. But does the touchscreen work well enough to hit the camera capture button? Or you can probably use the volume button to capture a picture, so would that work? Or does it freeze up completely?
Andrewtst said:
Yup, cause I own Z and Z Ultra before, I know it is not that effective and needed as advertise.
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Dat Noob said:
The Note 4 will have better chraging capabilities than the Note 3. Look what the seemingly unimportant MHL3 actually adds:
http://www.engadget.com/2013/08/20/mhl-3-0/
Edit: Also, just to add, as far as I know this is a first for Samsung. The Galaxy S5 for example had MHL2.1.
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Well 4k support is a big deal now that people are starting to buy 4K TV's to output to and content providors like netflix support streaming 4k (but probably not yet on mobile, that I don't know)
Samzebian said:
that's too bad...what about taking pics under-water? The Note 4 has that virtual button on it's side for taking pics. If it were waterproof, I doubt the button would work, because it's most likely capacitive. But does the touchscreen work well enough to hit the camera capture button? Or you can probably use the volume button to capture a picture, so would that work? Or does it freeze up completely?
Well 4k support is a big deal now that people are starting to buy 4K TV's to output to and content providors like netflix support streaming 4k (but probably not yet on mobile, that I don't know)
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Newer Z1, Z2 or Z3 yes for taken under water as got shutter button. Previous model can only via time record.
Also remember due to the S Pen, really hard to do waterproof, if do then it will be troublesome in taken out the S Pen.
Andrewtst said:
Also remember due to the S Pen, really hard to do waterproof, if do then it will be troublesome in taken out the S Pen.
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Lack of IP67 is my biggest issue with the Note 4. I also thought that it's because of the S Pen, but after reading Samsung response on the issue, I'm not sure anymore. Here's what they said when asked by Android Authority:
Unlike the Galaxy S5, the Note 4 isn’t waterproof – when we asked Samsung’s reps why, they said the Note 4 is for people interested in being productive and creative on the go, while the Galaxy S5 is a more generalist device
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http://www.androidauthority.com/galaxy-note-4-hands-on-519696/
Dat Noob said:
Lack of IP67 is my biggest issue with the Note 4. I also thought that it's because of the S Pen, but after reading Samsung response on the issue, I'm not sure anymore. Here's what they said when asked by Android Authority:
http://www.androidauthority.com/galaxy-note-4-hands-on-519696/
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Knowing that, I'm also disappointed in the note 4's lack of ip67 certification.
Dat Noob said:
Lack of IP67 is my biggest issue with the Note 4. I also thought that it's because of the S Pen, but after reading Samsung response on the issue, I'm not sure anymore. Here's what they said when asked by Android Authority:
http://www.androidauthority.com/galaxy-note-4-hands-on-519696/
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Same. I could buy their reasoning for the larger bezels on the S5 due to waterproofing, but why would the Note 4 be larger now if it doesn't even include that?
Missing water proof feature too! Maybe there will come some 3rd party cases for N4 that makes it water proof for short times. The difference in S5 is the existence of a cover for the Micro USB port and a little "strip" in the back cover.
Water proof features are what other manufacturers came up with to try to offer something..ANYTHING... to attempt to steal some of Samsung customers because they couldn't do it on the tech side of things. Forget waterproofing, as it a point of sale gimmick which fails because it needs stupid little blanking plugs ETC.
So far the biggest thing I see on the Note4 that might make my life loads easier is the fast charge which is a really handy feature.
Sent from my SM-N9005 using xda app-developers app
How do you waterproof a phone with an S pen? I can understand the disappointment some feel but it wasn't a feature I was seeking on a Note device.
Sent from my SM-N900V using Tapatalk
Even though I have a 6T 6.4" I wouldn't say no for an s10 with 6.1" but the claim that battery is much better on the + is making me think twice.
Anyone has both in exynos and can compare SOT?
Do you feel the single small punch hole of the s10 much more tolerable than the cigar shape dual lens of the s10+?
S10+ will be better.
vegetaleb said:
Even though I have a 6T 6.4" I wouldn't say no for an s10 with 6.1" but the claim that battery is much better on the + is making me think twice.
Anyone has both in exynos and can compare SOT?
Do you feel the single small punch hole of the s10 much more tolerable than the cigar shape dual lens of the s10+?
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Whatever size you like. I looked at both and I liked the S10 better because it was a little smaller. I keep BT, location and wifi on all day on my S10 and usually have between 30 and 40% left when I charge it at bedtime. I'm fine with the small cutout but I don't thing the oval one would bother me either. It looks like the Snapdragon may have a little better battery life so if you're getting the Exynos then your usage may vary. Some people are more anal than others and don't like either cutout so in the end it's what you're looking for in a phone.
S10 is fine if you some extra bucks then go for S10+
So it doesn't bother you to have a bigger "hole" out of nowhere on the s10+? On the s10 I could live with it
I have both and will be selling my ceramic S10 plus. The standard 10 just feels to be the right size and going back to the plus just illustrates how much managing these large phones take, yes you get used to it but there is no doubt that the 10 is easier to use one handed and less of a burden to carry.
The jump from say 5.5 or 5.8 made the burden worthwhile but 6.1" is hardly a small screen and may well be the sweet-spot
YMMV
Sent from my SM-G973F using Tapatalk
I tried both, figured I'd prefer the S10+ because of the battery but even if I'm used to 6.4 inch displays (note 9, 6T), a far prefer the S10's format. It's just a bit less screen but to me, it feels much better in the hand.
Nic2112 said:
I tried both, figured I'd prefer the S10+ because of the battery but even if I'm used to 6.4 inch displays (note 9, 6T), a far prefer the S10's format. It's just a bit less screen but to me, it feels much better in the hand.
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I have found a thread in xda where people are getting 8h Sot with the s10 after a full reset and no apps restored from backups.
If this is confirmed I would take the s10. My 6t actually gives me 7h sot which is good for a full day, I would certainly get 10h if I do a reset but I am too lazy specially if I will sell it soon
I love the standard s10. It's still plenty of screen real estate, the battery is still amazing.
I did a complete review if you are interested in watching it,
---------- Post added at 01:12 AM ---------- Previous post was at 01:11 AM ----------
arsenal74 said:
I have both and will be selling my ceramic S10 plus. The standard 10 just feels to be the right size and going back to the plus just illustrates how much managing these large phones take, yes you get used to it but there is no doubt that the 10 is easier to use one handed and less of a burden to carry.
The jump from say 5.5 or 5.8 made the burden worthwhile but 6.1" is hardly a small screen and may well be the sweet-spot
YMMV
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Yep. S10 feels like a phone and not like a tablet
S10+ FTW!! Forget the rest
Nic2112 said:
I tried both, figured I'd prefer the S10+ because of the battery but even if I'm used to 6.4 inch displays (note 9, 6T), a far prefer the S10's format. It's just a bit less screen but to me, it feels much better in the hand.
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The Note 9 is much bigger (wider) than the 6T. I know what you mean, as the 6T does feel more comfortable in the hand since it is a smaller device. The S10+ has slightly smaller side bezels, so it is marginally less physically wide than the 6T despite having a larger (wider) display.
The 6T has the longest aspect ratio (19:9) while the Note 9 has 18.5:9 and the S10+ has 19:9.
vegetaleb said:
Even though I have a 6T 6.4" I wouldn't say no for an s10 with 6.1" but the claim that battery is much better on the + is making me think twice.
Anyone has both in exynos and can compare SOT?
Do you feel the single small punch hole of the s10 much more tolerable than the cigar shape dual lens of the s10+?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Looking only at the diagonal length is misleading owing to the differing aspect ratios. Pythagorean Theorem. This is why diagonal sizes are seemingly so much larger these days despite phones not necessarily becoming much larger. Bezel has been replaced with display with the same phone width, and phones have also started becoming slightly longer.
If you were to only consider the 16:9 portion of these displays, then here's a quick summary for comparison (+/- 0.01" for Rounding). Personally, I wouldn't get the S10 since it's a tad small for me.
S10: 5.34"
S10+: 5.63"
Note 9: 5.69"
OP6T: 5.49"
I don't really like the camera cut-out on the S10/S10+ since it makes the notification bar fairly gigantic. The wider cut-out on the S10+ won't make as much a difference as you might think as the actual placement is more important.
aenews said:
The Note 9 is much bigger (wider) than the 6T. I know what you mean, as the 6T does feel more comfortable in the hand since it is a smaller device. The S10+ has slightly smaller side bezels, so it is marginally less physically wide than the 6T despite having a larger (wider) display.
The 6T has the longest aspect ratio (19:9) while the Note 9 has 18.5:9 and the S10+ has 19:9.
Looking only at the diagonal length is misleading owing to the differing aspect ratios. Pythagorean Theorem. This is why diagonal sizes are seemingly so much larger these days despite phones not necessarily becoming much larger. Bezel has been replaced with display with the same phone width, and phones have also started becoming slightly longer.
If you were to only consider the 16:9 portion of these displays, then here's a quick summary for comparison (+/- 0.01" for Rounding). Personally, I wouldn't get the S10 since it's a tad small for me.
S10: 5.34"
S10+: 5.63"
Note 9: 5.69"
OP6T: 5.49"
I don't really like the camera cut-out on the S10/S10+ since it makes the notification bar fairly gigantic. The wider cut-out on the S10+ won't make as much a difference as you might think as the actual placement is more important.
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Btw, if you change the fonts size, will it enlarge the statusbar icons too? I can use a phone without glasses if I can make these icons and fonts a bit larger
vegetaleb said:
Btw, if you change the fonts size, will it enlarge the statusbar icons too? I can use a phone without glasses if I can make these icons and fonts a bit larger
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You can always adjust the DPI. I find the default to be way too large, so I do the opposite and reduce it on any device I use. You can also independently adjust the font size if you wish. Between those two settings, you should be able to get the right balance for yourself.
Pretty straightforward from the title. I've been using an XZ2 compact. I got my dad a pixel 4a recently and when I finished setting up, finally getting to hold my XZ2c, I realized that the pixel 4a was incredibly worse to hold. Not even a screen size thing. So how does it feel to hold and operate the zenfone 8? Any comparisons to the pixel 4a or XZ2c?
Not sure this is relevant for you but I'm coming from Samsung S9+ and its (zf8) way better. I used to get pains in my wrist and arm after holding the S9+ one handed, with the ZF8 id does not happen. I am also able to use it one handed using my left hand - also really great.
Compared to my wife Samsung s10e - I also feel it "holding" slightly better (even tough its ~20 Grams heavier) du to it being thicker I think
hirshr said:
Not sure this is relevant for you but I'm coming from Samsung S9+ and its (zf8) way better. I used to get pains in my wrist and arm after holding the S9+ one handed, with the ZF8 id does not happen. I am also able to use it one handed using my left hand - also really great.
Compared to my wife Samsung s10e - I also feel it "holding" slightly better (even tough its ~20 Grams heavier) du to it being thicker I think
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Not the most relevant, but it's still valuable information. Thanks
Sony has that trend where it makes screens less wider for you to be able to hold better.
Zenfone's screen is a bit like middleground between a Sony device and a regular Samsung or Iphone, probably a pixel 4a too. It is very comfortable to hold and reach most of the screen with one hand. My previous phone, the Oppo Find 7 (basically Oneplus One), had a 5.5 inch screen and it is wider, even more so if we compare with bezels.
For its lower screen size, it is also slightly thicker than a Samsung/Iphone. It feels very compact for having a snapdragon 888 with 5g support packed inside.
Glass back is very slippery, I dont like it naked for that reason. The included case does not make it oversized at all and has perfect grip.
mestermagyar said:
Sony has that trend where it makes screens less wider for you to be able to hold better.
Zenfone's screen is a bit like middleground between a Sony device and a regular Samsung or Iphone, probably a pixel 4a too. It is very comfortable to hold and reach most of the screen with one hand. My previous phone, the Oppo Find 7 (basically Oneplus One), had a 5.5 inch screen and it is wider, even more so if we compare with bezels.
For its lower screen size, it is also slightly thicker than a Samsung/Iphone. It feels very compact for having a snapdragon 888 with 5g support packed inside.
Glass back is very slippery, I dont like it naked for that reason. The included case does not make it oversized at all and has perfect grip.
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Sony devices are also less rounded that probably make for a better grip, Zenfone 8 not so much