The Samsung Galaxy Note 4 was a powerhouse in its time, boasting a stunning display and the S Pen. But how does it stack up against the Google Pixel 3 XL, a phone known for its exceptional camera and clean Android experience? Let's dive into a comprehensive comparison to see which flagship still holds up.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Google Pixel 3 XL is the clear winner. While the Note 4 was impressive for its era, the Pixel 3 XL’s superior processor, camera, software updates, and modern features make it a more compelling choice for today's users. The Note 4's S Pen remains a unique selling point.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | CDMA 800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | CDMA2000 1xEV-DO | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 2, 4, 5, 12, 17 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 29, 32, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 46, 66, 71 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps, EV-DO Rev.A 3.1 Mbps | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (5CA) Cat16 1024/75 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE |
| | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 | CDMA2000 1xEV-DO |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2014, Q4. Released 2014, Q4 | 2018, October 09. Released 2018, October 18 |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), glass back (Gorilla Glass 5), aluminum frame |
| Dimensions | 153.5 x 78.6 x 8.5 mm (6.04 x 3.09 x 0.33 in) | 158 x 76.7 x 7.9 mm (6.22 x 3.02 x 0.31 in) |
| SIM | Micro-SIM | Nano-SIM + eSIM |
| Weight | 176 g (6.21 oz) | 184 g (6.49 oz) |
| | Stylus | IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 min) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 4 | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 |
| Resolution | 1440 x 2560 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~518 ppi density) | 1440 x 2960 pixels, 18.5:9 ratio (~523 ppi density) |
| Size | 5.7 inches, 88.5 cm2 (~73.4% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.3 inches, 100.3 cm2 (~82.8% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | Super AMOLED | P-OLED, HDR |
| | - | Always-on display |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Quad-core 2.7 GHz Krait 450 | Octa-core (4x2.5 GHz Kryo 385 Gold & 4x1.6 GHz Kryo 385 Silver) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm APQ8084 Snapdragon 805 (28 nm) | Qualcomm SDM845 Snapdragon 845 (10 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 420 | Adreno 630 |
| OS | Android 4.4.4 (KitKat), upgradable to 6.0.1 (Marshmallow) | Android 9.0 (Pie), upgradable to Android 12 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | No |
| Internal | 32GB 3GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.0 | UFS 2.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, panorama, HDR | Dual-LED flash, Pixel Shift, Auto-HDR, panorama |
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.2, 31mm (standard), 1/2.6", 1.12µm, AF, OIS | 12.2 MP, f/1.8, 28mm (wide), 1/2.55", 1.4µm, dual pixel PDAF, OIS |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps, stereo sound rec. | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps, 1080p@30fps (gyro-EIS) |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Dual | - | 8 MP, f/1.8, 28mm (wide), PDAF
8 MP, f/2.2, 19mm (ultrawide), no AF |
| Features | HDR | HDR |
| Single | 3.7 MP, f/1.9, 22mm (wide) | - |
| Video | 1440p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | No |
| 35mm jack | Yes | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| | 24-bit/192kHz audio
| - |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.1, A2DP, EDR, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE, aptX HD |
| Infrared port | Yes | - |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS | GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | microUSB 2.0 (MHL 3 TV-out), OTG | USB Type-C 3.1 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct, hotspot | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct, DLNA |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (front-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer, gesture, UV, heart rate, SpO2 | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer |
| | ANT+
S-Voice natural language commands and dictation
Air gestures | - |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 15W wired, QC2 | 18W wired, PD2.0
Wireless |
| Music play | Up to 80 h | - |
| Stand-by | Up to 212 h (3G) | - |
| Talk time | Up to 31 h 20 min (3G) | - |
| Type | Li-Ion 3220 mAh, removable | Li-Po 3430 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Frosted white, Charcoal black, Bronze Gold, Blossom Pink | Clearly White, Just Black, Not Pink |
| Models | SM-N910A, SM-N910T, SM-N910V, SM-N910M, SM-N910P, SM-N910R4, SM-N910W8, SM-N910T3 | G013C |
| Price | About 250 EUR | About 260 EUR |
| SAR | 0.88 W/kg (head) 1.40 W/kg (body) | - |
| Tests |
|---|
| Performance | - |
AnTuTu: 258244 (v7), 341814 (v8)
GeekBench: 8088 (v4.4), 2092 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 12fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
| OUR TESTS |
|---|
| Performance | - | AnTuTu: 258244 (v7), 341814 (v8)
GeekBench: 8088 (v4.4), 2092 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 12fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
Samsung Galaxy Note 4 (USA)
- Excellent display
- S Pen stylus for productivity
- Expandable storage (microSD)
- Relatively affordable now
- Outdated processor
- Older Android version
- Slower charging
- Battery life could be better
Google Pixel 3 XL
- Exceptional camera
- Clean Android experience
- Guaranteed software updates
- Wireless charging
- Faster performance
- Large size
- Notch design (subjective)
- Battery life is average
- No expandable storage
Display Comparison
The Note 4 features a 5.7-inch Quad HD Super AMOLED display, known for its vibrant colors and deep blacks. The Pixel 3 XL has a 6.3-inch QHD+ OLED display with slightly better color accuracy and a smaller notch. While both are excellent, the Pixel 3 XL’s slightly higher resolution and more modern panel give it a slight edge.
Camera Comparison
Google's computational photography shines in the Pixel 3 XL. It consistently delivers stunning photos with excellent dynamic range and detail, even in low light. The Note 4’s camera is decent but lacks the Pixel 3 XL’s image processing capabilities. The Pixel 3 XL's portrait mode is also significantly better.
Performance
The Pixel 3 XL’s Snapdragon 845 is significantly faster and more efficient than the Note 4’s Snapdragon 805. The Pixel 3 XL handles multitasking and demanding games with ease, while the Note 4 can show its age with occasional slowdowns. The Pixel 3 XL's octa-core processor also provides a smoother overall experience.
Battery Life
The Pixel 3 XL has a 3700mAh battery, offering all-day battery life with moderate usage. The Note 4 has a 3200mAh battery, which may require charging before the end of the day with heavy use. The Pixel 3 XL also supports fast charging and wireless charging, features absent in the Note 4.
Buying Guide
Who should buy the Samsung Galaxy Note 4? Those seeking a budget-friendly device with the S Pen for note-taking and creative tasks, and who are comfortable with an older Android version. Who should buy the Google Pixel 3 XL? Users prioritizing a fantastic camera, guaranteed software updates, a clean Android experience, and modern features like wireless charging.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Samsung Galaxy Note 4 still worth buying?
It can be a good budget option if you need the S Pen and don't mind an older device. However, be aware of its limitations in performance and software updates.
❓ Does the Pixel 3 XL still receive software updates?
Google has ended security updates for the Pixel 3 XL. While it still functions, it's no longer receiving the latest Android features or security patches.
❓ Which phone has better build quality?
Both phones have premium build quality. The Pixel 3 XL uses glass and aluminum, while the Note 4 uses plastic and metal. The Pixel 3 XL feels slightly more premium.
