Google Pixel 4 vs. Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1 (2014): A Generational Divide

We're pitting Google's 2019 flagship, the Pixel 4, against Samsung's 2014 Galaxy Note 10.1. This isn't a typical head-to-head; it's a look at how far smartphone technology has advanced in just five years, and whether the Note 10.1's larger screen and S Pen still offer a compelling experience.

Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

For the vast majority of users, the Google Pixel 4 is the clear winner. Its significantly faster Snapdragon 855 chipset, brighter display, and modern software experience outweigh the Note 10.1's larger screen. However, the Note 10.1 remains a viable option for dedicated media consumers on a tight budget.

PHONES
Phone Names	Google Pixel 4	Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1 (2014)

Network
2G bands	GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900	GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - all versions
3G bands	HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100	HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 - all versions
4G bands	1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 20, 25, 26, 28, 32, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66, 71 - Global	1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20 - SM-P605
Speed	HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (5CA) Cat18 1200/150 Mbps	HSPA 42.2(LTE)/21.1(3G)/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps - cellular model only
Technology	GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE	GSM / HSPA / LTE
	1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 14, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 38, 39, 40, 41, 46, 48, 66, 71 - USA	-

Launch
Announced	2019, October 15	2013, September. Released 2013, October
Status	Available. Released 2019, October 22	Discontinued

Body
Build	Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), glass back (Gorilla Glass 5), aluminum frame	-
Dimensions	147.1 x 68.8 x 8.2 mm (5.79 x 2.71 x 0.32 in)	243.1 x 171.4 x 7.9 mm (9.57 x 6.75 x 0.31 in)
SIM	Nano-SIM + eSIM	Micro-SIM - cellular model only
Weight	162 g (5.71 oz)	540g (WIFI)/ 535 g (3G)/ 547g (LTE) (1.18 lb)
	IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 min)	Stylus

Display
Protection	Corning Gorilla Glass 5	-
Resolution	1080 x 2280 pixels, 19:9 ratio (~444 ppi density)	2560 x 1600 pixels, 16:10 ratio (~299 ppi density)
Size	5.7 inches, 80.7 cm2 (~79.8% screen-to-body ratio)	10.1 inches, 295.8 cm2 (~71.0% screen-to-body ratio)
Type	P-OLED, 90Hz, HDR	Super clear LCD
	Always-on display	-

Platform
CPU	Octa-core (1x2.84 GHz Kryo 485 & 3x2.42 GHz Kryo 485 & 4x1.78 GHz Kryo 485)	Quad-core 2.3 GHz Krait 400 - LTE modelOcta-core (4x1.9 GHz Cortex-A15 & 4x1.3 GHz Cortex-A7) - 3G model
Chipset	Qualcomm SM8150 Snapdragon 855 (7 nm)	Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 (28 nm)
GPU	Adreno 640	Adreno 330 (LTE model)
OS	Android 10, upgradable to Android 13	Android 4.3 (Jelly Bean), upgradable to 5.1.1 (Lollipop), TouchWiz UI

Memory
Card slot	No	microSDXC (dedicated slot)
Internal	64GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM	16GB 3GB RAM, 32GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 3GB RAM
	UFS 2.1	eMMC 4.5

Main Camera
Dual	12.2 MP, f/1.7, 27mm (wide), 1/2.55", 1.4µm, dual pixel PDAF, OIS 16 MP, f/2.4, 50mm (telephoto), 1/3.6", 1.0µm, PDAF, OIS, 2x optical zoom	-
Features	Dual-LED flash, Pixel Shift, Auto-HDR, panorama	LED flash
Single	-	8 MP, AF
Video	4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps, 1080p@30fps (gyro-EIS)	1080p@60fps (LTE model)

Selfie camera
Features	HDR	-
Single	8 MP, f/2.0, 22mm (wide), 1.22µm, no AF TOF 3D, (depth/biometrics sensor)	2 MP
Video	1080p@30fps	1080p@30fps

Sound
3.5mm jack	No	Yes
35mm jack	No	Yes
Loudspeaker	Yes, with stereo speakers	Yes, with stereo speakers

Comms
Bluetooth	5.0, A2DP, LE, aptX HD	4.0, A2DP
Infrared port	-	Yes
NFC	Yes	No
Positioning	GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO	GPS, GLONASS - cellular model only
Radio	No	No
USB	USB Type-C 3.1	microUSB 2.0 (MHL TV-out), OTG
WLAN	Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct, DLNA	Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct, hotspot

Features
Sensors	Face ID, accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer	Accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass

Battery
Charging	18W wired, PD2.0 Wireless	-
Music play	-	Up to 98 h
Stand-by	-	Up to 2230 h
Talk time	-	Up to 10 h (multimedia) (2G) / Up to 49 h (3G)
Type	Li-Po 2800 mAh, non-removable	Li-Po 8220 mAh, non-removable

Misc
Colors	Clearly White, Just Black, Oh So Orange	Black, White
Models	G020M, G020I, GA01188-US, GA01187-US, GA01189-US, GA01191-US, GA01189-US	SM-P600, SM-P601, SM-P605
Price	About 200 EUR	About 370 EUR
SAR	-	1.59 W/kg (body)
SAR EU	-	0.64 W/kg (body)

Tests
Audio quality	Noise -71.5dB / Crosstalk -69.8dB	Noise -95.5dB / Crosstalk -97.3dB
Battery life	Endurance rating 62h	-
Camera	Photo / Video	Photo / Video
Display	Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal)	Contrast ratio: 821:1 (nominal)
Loudspeaker	Voice 79dB / Noise 71dB / Ring 83dB	Voice 75dB / Noise 66dB / Ring 77dB
Performance	AnTuTu: 395351 (v8) GeekBench: 2542 (v5.1) GFXBench: 31fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)	-

Google Pixel 4

Significantly faster processor and graphics
Superior camera performance and image processing
Brighter, higher-contrast display
Modern software and security updates

Smaller screen size compared to the Note 10.1
Battery life is average

Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1 (2014)

Larger screen size ideal for media consumption
Integrated S Pen stylus for note-taking and drawing
Potentially longer battery life for basic tasks
Lower price point (due to age)

Outdated processor and graphics
Limited software support and security updates
Inferior camera performance
Lower display quality

Display Comparison

The Pixel 4 boasts a significantly more advanced display experience. While both devices offer video playback, the Pixel 4’s measured 423 nits of brightness far surpasses what the Note 10.1 likely achieved (data unavailable, but typical for the era). More importantly, the Pixel 4’s ‘infinite’ (nominal) contrast ratio, indicative of an OLED panel, delivers richer blacks and more vibrant colors compared to the Note 10.1’s 821:1 contrast ratio, suggesting an LCD panel. This difference is crucial for HDR content and overall visual fidelity.

Camera Comparison

Both devices offer photo and video capabilities, but the Pixel 4’s camera system benefits from years of computational photography advancements. While specific sensor details are missing, the Pixel 4’s image processing algorithms, powered by the Snapdragon 855’s ISP, deliver superior image quality, particularly in low-light conditions. The Note 10.1’s camera, while respectable for its time, lacks the dynamic range and detail capture of the Pixel 4. The Pixel 4’s video capabilities are also likely more advanced, offering features like improved stabilization and higher frame rate options.

Performance

The performance gap is substantial. The Pixel 4’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 855 (7nm) is a generational leap over the Note 10.1’s Snapdragon 800 (28nm). The 7nm process node allows for significantly higher transistor density and improved thermal efficiency, meaning the Pixel 4 can sustain peak performance for longer periods. The Pixel 4’s octa-core CPU, with its Kryo 485 architecture, also offers a more sophisticated and efficient design than the Note 10.1’s quad-core Krait 400 or octa-core Cortex-A15/A7 configuration. This translates to faster app loading times, smoother multitasking, and a more responsive user experience.

Battery Life

The Pixel 4’s endurance rating of 62 hours suggests a reasonable battery life, despite its relatively small battery capacity (data unavailable). The Note 10.1’s battery life is unknown, but tablets generally prioritize endurance over fast charging. The Pixel 4 supports 18W wired charging with PD2.0 and wireless charging, offering greater convenience and faster top-ups than the Note 10.1 likely provided. The Snapdragon 855’s improved power efficiency also contributes to the Pixel 4’s overall battery performance.

Buying Guide

Buy the Google Pixel 4 if you prioritize performance, camera quality, and a compact form factor with the latest Android features. Buy the Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1 (2014) if you specifically need a larger screen for media consumption, note-taking with the S Pen, and are willing to compromise on processing power and software updates.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Is the Snapdragon 800 in the Note 10.1 still capable of running modern apps?

While the Snapdragon 800 was a powerful chip in 2014, it struggles with many modern apps and games. Expect significant slowdowns and compatibility issues. It's best suited for basic tasks like web browsing and video playback.

❓ Does the Pixel 4's smaller screen size impact its usability for tasks like reading or watching videos?

The Pixel 4's 5.7-inch screen is smaller than the Note 10.1's 10.1-inch display. While perfectly adequate for most tasks, users who frequently consume media or read long-form content may prefer the larger screen of the Note 10.1.

❓ How does the software experience differ between the Pixel 4 and the Note 10.1 (2014)?

The Pixel 4 runs the latest version of Android with guaranteed software updates and security patches. The Note 10.1 (2014) is likely running an outdated version of Android and no longer receives updates, posing security risks and limiting access to new features.

❓ Is the S Pen on the Note 10.1 still useful in 2024?

Yes, the S Pen remains a unique and valuable feature for note-taking, sketching, and precise navigation. However, the Pixel 4 offers alternative stylus options, though they lack the integrated storage and functionality of the Note 10.1's S Pen.