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Galaxy Note 4 vs Galaxy S5 comparison: is the Note 4 price justified?

galaxy s5 note 4 teaser
© nextpit

Samsung can boast that it has two of the best Android smartphones on the market to date: the Galaxy Note 4 and the Galaxy S5. Though both devices present many similarities, there are key differences, which are apparent when comparing them in-depth. Today, we're taking a look at both devices to see how they match up in our Galaxy Note 4 vs Galaxy S5 comparison.

galaxy s5 note 4 teaser
On the right you will see the Samsung Galaxy Note 4, while the smaller device is the Galaxy S5 on the left. / © ANDROIDPIT

Galaxy Note 4 vs Galaxy S5: Design and Performance

Obviously the Note 4 is larger, and heavier than the Galaxy S5, so no need to delve deeper into comparing dimensions. What counts here are the choices made in terms of design: Samsung opted for a perforated soft plastic backing on the Galaxy S5, while the Galaxy Note 4 is like the Note 3 in that they’ve incorporated fake leather. This time though they omitted the fake seams. The Note 4 has an aluminium frame, while the Galaxy S5 has a fake chrome frame that resembles the rims on a souped up car. Also, the Note 4 doesn’t have USB 3.0 like the Galaxy S5, which some are a little irked about. Obviously, the Note 4 has the built-in S Pen, and also holds the heart rate monitor and finger scanner, like the Galaxy S5. So both have their advantages, and disadvantages, but the Note 4 is a bit of step up!

In terms of performance, the Galaxy Note 4 edges out the Galaxy S5 thanks to more RAM and faster processor. In practice, the Note 4 is just a little nippier at opening apps and flicking between windows, but this isn't to say that the S5 isn't a strong performer in its own right.

Galaxy Note 4 vs Galaxy S5: Software

This is possibly where the most important distinction, and there is basically just one crucial element that divides these two Android titans: the S-Pen. The Galaxy Note 4 arrives with its very own stylus (known as the S-Pen, of course) and provides some features for it to extend it beyond a simple gimmick. On the contrary, the S-Pen can be very useful.

Samsung Galaxy Note 4 13
The S-Pen functionality on the Galaxy Note 4 is what really separates these two devices in terms of software features. / © ANDROIDPIT

Aside from being used as a pin-point accurate alternative to your finger, the S-Pen's dedicated features include Action Memo, Smart select, Screen write and Image clip. Action memo lets you hand write messages and convert them into useful actions, such as handwriting a phone number and then creating a contact with that number. It’s extremely clever technology, so try to remember to use it. Screen write lets you write on top of a screen capture, which you can then save and share. Image clip is like a photo editing “magic wand” tool, allowing you to capture a specific on screen shape. And Smart select, which I think is possibly the most useful feature, basically lets you capture anything you want on screen, be it an image, some text, a URL, anything you want, and then share it in a flash. The Note 4 is even capable of sending the URL link of the item you have screen-captured using this method. Impressive.

The Galaxy S5 cannot compete in this area in terms of hardware and software capabilities. You can do all of the S-Pen actions in roundabout ways with third-party apps. But it’s just not the same.

Galaxy Note 4 vs Galaxy S5: Camera

The Note 4 and S5 aren’t that different in terms of camera technology, both house 16 MP cameras which shoot in 4K. However, Note 4 is slightly better than the Galaxy S5 in this area. This is no small feat given that the S5 has an outstanding camera, but in most cases the Note 4 looks a little richer, and less "washed-out" (if I can use that to describe the S5 camera). The Note 4 also has a significantly better front-facing camera.

The other clear advantage the Note 4 presents over its older sibling is optical image stabilization. I can’t count the number of photos I’ve had ruined because my hand wasn’t perfectly steady. Don’t get me wrong, the S5 is usually completely capable of ensuring steady shots (and was every time in my test), but the chance for them to be ruined by blur is that much more apparent on the Galaxy S5.

Check out the reference images below. The Galaxy Note 4 is always on top, with the Galaxy S5 at the bottom.

androidpit galaxy note 4 camera 1
To begin with, we see that the Galaxy Note 4 images are slightly more saturated... / © ANDROIDPIT
androidpit galaxy s5 camera 1
...in comparison to the Galaxy S5, which is a little paler. / © ANDROIDPIT
androidpit galaxy note 4 camera 5
The color of the leaves captured by the Note 4 are a bit deeper... / © ANDROIDPIT
androidpit galaxy s5 camera 5
...however, the charcoal of the tree bark was a little more true to life with the S5. / © ANDROIDPIT
androidpit galaxy note 4 camera 6
The quality of the Note 4 camera really shines here, capturing fine detail and a varied palette very accurately. / © ANDROIDPIT
androidpit galaxy s5 camera 6
The Galaxy S5 also produces quality results, and here the difference in quality is difficult to see. Notice for the first time that the S5 "whites" are a shade whiter than the Note 4's slightly creamier hue. / © ANDROIDPIT
androidpit galaxy note 4 camera 8
The Galaxy Note 4 produces a more honest representation of the tonality than the Galaxy S5 in the above picture. / © ANDROIDPIT
androidpit galaxy s5 camera 8
But Galaxy S5's higher contrast really gives the landscape more romance than the Note 4, and I prefer the richer S5 version here. / © ANDROIDPIT
androidpit galaxy note 4 camera 11
Here we can see the Note 4 really preserves the color integrity of the stump. / © ANDROIDPIT
androidpit galaxy s5 camera 11
But notice how the S5 really bleaches the lighter areas. / © ANDROIDPIT
androidpit galaxy note 4 camera 11 zoom spider
This is a 100% zoom of the the Note 4 picture from above. / © ANDROIDPIT
androidpit galaxy s5 camera 11 zoom spider
And you can see how the paler S5 camera has taken the detail out of the spider. / © ANDROIDPIT
androidpit galaxy note 4 camera 10
Here the autofocus on the Note 4 has selected the middle ground as the focal point. / © ANDROIDPIT
androidpit galaxy s5 camera 10
Whereas the S5 has focused more on the foreground post on the right, and overall looks a fraction more bleached than the Note 4 image. / © ANDROIDPIT

Galaxy Note 4 vs Galaxy S5: Battery

The Note 4 has a larger battery life than the Galaxy S5, at 3,220 mAh compared to 2,800 mAh. Theoretically you might expect this means that the Note 4 has superior battery life, but the Note 4’s QHD screen compared to the Full-HD screen of the S5 has to be considered also. Despite the higher-quality screen, faster processor and more RAM, however, the Note 4 still beats the S5 for battery life. Samsung has done well to ensure that the screen does not crush the battery life as you may expect. Both the Galaxy Note 4 and Galaxy S5 also house the same range of battery saving options, and turbo-charging feature, but the Note 4 is believed to get to the 50% charge mark a little faster than the S5.

Galaxy Note 4 vs Galaxy S5: Tech Specs

  Galaxy Note 4 Galaxy S5
OS Android 4.4.4, TouchWiz Android 4.4.3, Touchwiz
Display 5.7 inch, Quad-HD (2,560 x 1,440 pixels), 515 ppi

5,1 inch, AMOLED, 1.920 x 1.080 pixels (432 ppi)

Processor Qualcomm Snapdragon 805, 2.7 GHz, Quad-Core Qualcomm Snapdragon 801, 2.5 GHz, Quad-Core
RAM 3 GB 2 GB
Internal storage 32 GB (+ microSD) 16/32 GB (+ microSD)
Battery 3,220 mAh

2,800 mAh

Camera 16 MP, OIS (back), 3.7 MP, 90° wide angle (front) 16 MP (back), 2.1 MP (front)
Connectivity HSPA, LTE, NFC, Bluetooth 4.1, Wi-Fi

HSPA, LTE, NFC, Bluetooth 4.0, Wi-Fi

Dimensions 153.5 x 78.6 x 8.5 mm

142 x 72.5 x 8.1 mm

Weight 176 g

145 g

Price 849.99 USD (off-contract)

Around 510 USD (off-contract)

Conclusion

Since the Galaxy S5, Samsung has been able to refine its hardware and software technology. Some features and functions are present on both devices, like mentioned above with the heart rate monitor and finger print scanner, but there are new ones on the Note 4, like a UV detector. Both Samsung smartphones have been designed for different audiences, but the superiority of the newcomer is undeniable. In comparison, the Galaxy Note 4 has more processing power, a better screen, longer battery life, better cameras, and, of course, the S-Pen. All that’s left to consider is the price!

Now that you've read our Galaxy Note 4 vs Galaxy S5 comparison, which device do you prefer?

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Scott Adam Gordon

Scott Adam Gordon
Editor

Originally from the UK, Scott graduated in Popular Music Studies at Newcastle University and attributes much of his success there to his beloved Samsung Galaxy S2. His current aim is to write cool things about Android. And he loves it.

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  • Irving BigDady E. 5
    Irving BigDady E. Nov 6, 2014 Link to comment

    Note 4 all the way, get rid of touch wiz with nova launcher, open up developer options cut down some of the animations by half and change from davlik to the new art (android run time) = speed demon with no lag whatsoever and even better battery life, I go two days on a charge most of the time with very heavy usage, my nexus 5 is feeling very lonely since I got this beautiful beast.)


  • 1
    ronss Nov 3, 2014 Link to comment

    the camera is the deal breaker for me,,,and the note 4,s camera is 2nd place...sad ..for that price, they should have the better camera on the note4


    • Irving BigDady E. 5
      Irving BigDady E. Nov 6, 2014 Link to comment

      I'm very Curious what you find lacking about the camera? It's about the best I've used. My biggest gripe is that it's not waterproof like the s5.

      Cached


  • 16
    Deactivated Account Oct 28, 2014 Link to comment

    Because of what the Galaxy Note 4 does and what it represents the price is well worth it.

    The Galaxy Note 4 is the GOLD standard of technology today the Worldwide global proven product nothing else compares or matters period.


    • 7
      Sam Brown Oct 29, 2014 Link to comment

      there we go again with your copy and pasted comments. If you're trying to make the Note series seem great, you're failing


  • 2
    Goojman Sep 4, 2014 Link to comment

    If you love the any of the Note series, you should definitely love this one!! Knox maybe the only obstacle keeping me from getting this bad boy. I'm still in love with my custom rom'd Note 3.


  • 8
    kingboudi1 Sep 4, 2014 Link to comment

    The note 4 specs should have been the Alpha's ... But still, the Note 4 is amazing and i'm getting it for sure


    • Loie Favre 33
      Loie Favre Sep 4, 2014 Link to comment

      What do you mean, the Note 4 specs should have been the Alpha's?

      Moni MihailovSaem SargurohLTHardy

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