The Samsung Galaxy Note 4 Review
by Joshua Ho on October 15, 2014 9:00 AM EST- Posted in
- Smartphones
- Samsung
- Android
- Mobile
- Galaxy Note 4
WiFi Performance
While the Galaxy S5 LTE-A Broadband had a Qualcomm Atheros solution (QCA6174), the Note 4 moves back to Broadcom's WiFi solution. In this case, we see the BCM4358, which is a revision of the BCM4354 that was first seen with Samsung's Galaxy S5. This shouldn't have any major differences outside of improved Bluetooth coexistence but antenna design can and does change between revisions. In order to test this, we use iperf and Asus' RT-AC68U router to try and achieve maximum performance.
As one can see, the Galaxy Note 4 has a strong showing in this test, easily surpassing every other device we have available for testing.
GNSS
At this point, it really goes without saying that the GNSS solution of choice is the one built into Qualcomm's modem. This allows for fixes based upon initial location and time data that the modem has, and therefore in practice every GPS fix is a hot fix and takes around 5 seconds for a lock in good conditions. In the case of the Note 4, with airplane mode on and no assistance data I saw that it took around 50 seconds to achieve a lock, but this is strongly dependent upon environmental conditions. Once locked, I found that the Note 4 had quite a strong lock and quickly went down to 10 foot accuracy level without issue.
Misc
Similar to the new Moto X we see a Cypress CapSense solution in the Note 4 but this is likely used for the capacitive buttons rather than any impedance-matching antenna tuner. The UV sensor appears to be a Maxim design win, although there's no information on the specific part. The battery's fuel gauge is also a Maxim part, as is the speaker amplifier and pulse sensor. The NFC chip used is NXP's PN547, so host card emulation should be supported and therefore Google Wallet's tap and pay system should work as well.
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KuyaMarkEduard - Tuesday, October 21, 2014 - link
WOW! great decision Beck2050... hopefully I can also have my own Note 4 in the near future...KuyaMarkEduard - Saturday, October 18, 2014 - link
want to see the fairest and most unbiased review of both? go here:http://www.gsmarena.com/samsung_galaxy_note_4-revi...
and
here http://www.gsmarena.com/apple_iphone_6_plus-review...
KuyaMarkEduard - Saturday, October 18, 2014 - link
Now, guess what, instead of making the truest, the fairest and the most unbiased reviews posible, you know what?, there webmaster is now getting busy of blocking my comments! Well if you do that, I shall keep on signing-up new account for each and every comment I'm going to post... Would you like that?cj100570 - Monday, October 20, 2014 - link
Wow! The comments on this are a hodgepodge of hillbilly hilarity and backwoods stupidity!DIYEyal - Wednesday, October 22, 2014 - link
Great article, I found a typo:page 3:
"transition to Snapdragon 801 and 805"
Should have been "transition from 801 to 805"
Heartdisease - Wednesday, October 22, 2014 - link
This is not a review. At least not an honest one. It is more a compare contrast the iPhone 6 + with a lot of facts omitted. Anandtech is becoming very very biased to the point I don't think I can trust the information here. The display is equal to the iPhone 6 + ??. Laughable. It has been measured to be the best mobile display ever made, setting new benchmarks in most categories.http://www.displaymate.com/Galaxy_Note4_ShootOut_1...Yeah equal to the iPhone 6 + display sure.
"the Galaxy Note 4 provides a very accurate calibration to the Adobe RGB standard, which is rarely available in consumers displays, and is very useful for high-end digital photography and other advanced imaging applications."
Donkey2008 - Wednesday, October 29, 2014 - link
**Butt hurt Android fan alert**Fidelator - Thursday, October 23, 2014 - link
No video playback loop battery test? Hmm I wonder why you wouldn't show us a test where AMOLED would be the one to ace it... Much like LCDs ace the web browsing battery test due to the white backgrounds, that's a really important part of the review lost there, I'll just assume the note crushed most of the competition (6 Plus) in that test and you didn't want to show that.And this is coming from someone who usually buys phones with LCDs because of the burn in issues, the battery test was unfair
akdj - Saturday, December 6, 2014 - link
I'm not sure of your reality, but I don't know a whole lot of folks enjoying 'video' all day on their phones. Tablets, sure if you're traveling, hanging out, or 'doing your own thing'. But most folks aren't gonna sit around for 20 hours watching moviesPlentry of 'props' were given to AMOLED...& not just with the N4 review. Each iteration and improvement to AMOLED has been recognized.
If all of you folks crying 'bias', and you've found sites that are correct with their measurements, why are you still here? It's ridiculous, this cult following of OEMs or a smartphone OS, it's laughable
These tests are objective. They (each author doing mobile reviews) continue to prelude their measurements with their dissatisfaction with the testing protocols and options available --- but they're what's available TODAY to objectively measure performance
A life spent cheerleading for an operating system on a mobile phone is a life wasted. Buy what works for you and get on with it. This 'comment' section is the funny place these days
Apple's kicking ass right now for a reason. Samsung is building some incredible handsets, as are LG & HTC, Sony and Motorola. Competition is good for everyone and as an owner of a business, I use a Note 4 specifically for business
I own an iPhone 6+ as my daily driver. Still have a Xoom and the original iPad too. If you don't 'get it' yet, you will. They're ALL incredible devices and a couple hundred points here or there when we're discussing measurements in the tens of thousands --- there's hardly a way to discern the way it's going to work for you, what you do and things you enjoy.
If you're an idiot like me and can't decide, get both. Anyone in this comment section beating down the iPhone is wrong. Blaming the author as a biased Apple joker is pretty low, especially as extensive as this review is ...and the amount it cost YOU to read it!
I love my Note 4, owned the first and the third as well. He's right. It's a Big leap forward in design. You guys making up the bullshit battery statistics crack me up too. MOST usage on a phone is done on white or a lightly colored display with dark text for contrast. Text. Call. Surf. Read, edit a photo, video, audio in a DAW...but if BOTH can run movies for ten hours plus, WHO CARES!
No right minded person would spend that kinda time watching blockbusters on a 5.7" display. Games and emails, magazines and media, social networking and docs, spreadsheets or presentations ...NONE are tests AMOLED is going to 'ace'
leonhk1 - Wednesday, October 29, 2014 - link
Hi,I have stock of Brand New Samsung GALAXY Note 4 for sale, sealed in box with warranty.
Price: $500 per unit
MOQ: 1 unit
Bonus : Buy 2 get 1 free.
Serious Buyers should contact for more details
E-mail: megas83@yahoo.co.uk