Samsung Galaxy Note 4 vs Google Pixel 6 Pro: A Generational Leap?

The Samsung Galaxy Note 4 was a flagship powerhouse in its time, boasting the S Pen and a premium design. Now, let's pit it against the Google Pixel 6 Pro, a modern marvel packed with Google's Tensor chip and advanced features. Can a classic still compete with today's technology?
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🏆 Quick Verdict

The Google Pixel 6 Pro overwhelmingly wins this comparison. While the Note 4 holds nostalgic value, the Pixel 6 Pro's superior performance, camera, display, and battery life make it the clear choice for modern users seeking a top-tier Android experience. The Note 4's S Pen is its main advantage.

PHONES
Phone Names Samsung Galaxy Note 4 (USA) Google Pixel 6 Pro
Network
2G bandsCDMA 800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsCDMA2000 1xEV-DOHSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands2, 4, 5, 12, 171, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 14, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 32, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 46, 48, 66, 71 - GLUOG, G8VOU
5G bands-1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 14, 20, 25, 28, 30, 38, 40, 41, 48, 66, 71, 77, 78, 257, 258, 260, 261 SA/NSA/Sub6/mmWave - G8VOU
SpeedHSPA, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps, EV-DO Rev.A 3.1 MbpsHSPA, LTE, 5G
TechnologyGSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTEGSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G
 HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 14, 20, 25, 28, 30, 38, 40, 41, 48, 66, 71, 77, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6 - GLUOG
Launch
Announced2014, Q4. Released 2014, Q42021, October 19
StatusDiscontinuedAvailable. Released 2021, October 28
Body
Build-Glass front (Gorilla Glass Victus), glass back (Gorilla Glass Victus), aluminum frame
Dimensions153.5 x 78.6 x 8.5 mm (6.04 x 3.09 x 0.33 in)163.9 x 75.9 x 8.9 mm (6.45 x 2.99 x 0.35 in)
SIMMicro-SIMNano-SIM + eSIM
Weight176 g (6.21 oz)210 g (7.41 oz)
 StylusIP68 dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 min)
Display
ProtectionCorning Gorilla Glass 4Corning Gorilla Glass Victus
Resolution1440 x 2560 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~518 ppi density)1440 x 3120 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~512 ppi density)
Size5.7 inches, 88.5 cm2 (~73.4% screen-to-body ratio)6.7 inches, 110.6 cm2 (~88.9% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeSuper AMOLEDLTPO AMOLED, 120Hz, HDR10+
 -Always-on display
Platform
CPUQuad-core 2.7 GHz Krait 450Octa-core (2x2.80 GHz Cortex-X1 & 2x2.25 GHz Cortex-A76 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A55)
ChipsetQualcomm APQ8084 Snapdragon 805 (28 nm)Google Tensor (5 nm)
GPUAdreno 420Mali-G78 MP20
OSAndroid 4.4.4 (KitKat), upgradable to 6.0.1 (Marshmallow)Android 12, upgradable to Android 15, up to 5 major Android upgrades
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXC (dedicated slot)No
Internal32GB 3GB RAM128GB 12GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM
 eMMC 5.0UFS 3.1
Main Camera
FeaturesLED flash, panorama, HDRLaser AF, Dual-LED flash, Pixel Shift, Auto-HDR, panorama
Single16 MP, f/2.2, 31mm (standard), 1/2.6", 1.12µm, AF, OIS11.1 MP, f/2.2, 20mm (ultrawide), 1.22µm
Triple-50 MP, f/1.9, 25mm (wide), 1/1.31", 1.2µm, dual pixel PDAF, OIS 48 MP, f/3.5, 104mm (periscope telephoto), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF, OIS, 4x optical zoom 12 MP, f/2.2, 17mm, 114˚ (ultrawide), 1.25µm
Video4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps, stereo sound rec.4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps; gyro-EIS, OIS
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDRHDR, panorama
Single3.7 MP, f/1.9, 22mm (wide)11.1 MP, f/2.2, 20mm (ultrawide), 1.22µm
Video1440p@30fps4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps
Sound
3.5mm jack YesNo
35mm jackYesNo
Loudspeaker YesYes, with stereo speakers
 24-bit/192kHz audio -
Comms
Bluetooth4.1, A2DP, EDR, LE5.2, A2DP, LE, aptX HD
Infrared portYes-
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS, GLONASSGPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (G1), BDS (B1I+B1c+B2a), GALILEO (E1+E5a), QZSS (L1+L5)
RadioNoNo
USBmicroUSB 2.0 (MHL 3 TV-out), OTGUSB Type-C 3.1
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct, hotspotWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsFingerprint (front-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer, gesture, UV, heart rate, SpO2Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer
 ANT+ S-Voice natural language commands and dictation Air gesturesUltra Wideband (UWB) support
Battery
Charging15W wired, QC223W wired, PD3.0, 50% in 30 min 23W wireless Reverse wireless
Music playUp to 80 h-
Stand-byUp to 212 h (3G)-
Talk timeUp to 31 h 20 min (3G)-
TypeLi-Ion 3220 mAh, removableLi-Ion 5003 mAh
Misc
ColorsFrosted white, Charcoal black, Bronze Gold, Blossom PinkCloudy White, Sorta Sunny, Stormy Black
ModelsSM-N910A, SM-N910T, SM-N910V, SM-N910M, SM-N910P, SM-N910R4, SM-N910W8, SM-N910T3GLUOG, G8VOU, GF5KQ
PriceAbout 250 EUR€ 199.99 / $ 204.99 / £ 275.00 / ₹ 29,699
SAR0.88 W/kg (head)     1.40 W/kg (body)-
Tests
Battery life- Endurance rating 84h
Display- Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal)
Performance- AnTuTu: 585485 (v8), 719815 (v9) GeekBench: 2831 (v5.1) GFXBench: 39 fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)
OUR TESTS
Battery (old)-Endurance rating 84h
Display-846 nits max brightness (measured)
Performance-AnTuTu: 585485 (v8), 719815 (v9) GeekBench: 2831 (v5.1) GFXBench: 39 fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)

Samsung Galaxy Note 4 (USA)

  • S Pen functionality
  • Compact size
  • Durable build quality (for its age)
  • Nostalgic Android experience

  • Outdated processor
  • Poor battery life
  • Low resolution camera
  • Slow charging

Google Pixel 6 Pro

  • Exceptional camera
  • Smooth performance
  • Vibrant display
  • Long battery life
  • Fast charging
  • Google Tensor chip
  • Clean Android experience

  • Large size
  • Tensor chip can have occasional software quirks
  • Charging speed not the fastest compared to competitors

Display Comparison

The Pixel 6 Pro's 6.7-inch LTPO OLED display with 846 nits brightness and infinite contrast ratio blows the Note 4's 5.7-inch Super AMOLED display out of the water. Colors are more vibrant, viewing angles are better, and outdoor visibility is significantly improved. The Pixel 6 Pro also supports a 120Hz refresh rate for smoother scrolling.

Camera Comparison

Google's computational photography prowess shines in the Pixel 6 Pro. Its triple-camera system delivers stunning image quality, especially in low light. The Note 4's camera was good for its time, but it simply can't compete with the Pixel 6 Pro's detail, dynamic range, and overall image processing.

Performance

The Google Tensor chip in the Pixel 6 Pro offers a massive performance advantage over the Snapdragon 805 in the Note 4. The Tensor's octa-core architecture and 5nm process provide significantly faster processing speeds and improved efficiency. Gaming and multitasking are noticeably smoother on the Pixel 6 Pro.

Battery Life

The Pixel 6 Pro boasts an impressive endurance rating of 84 hours, far exceeding what the Note 4 could achieve. The Pixel 6 Pro also supports faster charging (23W wired and wireless) and reverse wireless charging, adding to its convenience.

Buying Guide

Who should buy the Samsung Galaxy Note 4? Primarily those seeking a retro Android experience, a functional S Pen, or a budget-friendly device for basic tasks. Who should buy the Google Pixel 6 Pro? Anyone wanting a flagship Android phone with exceptional camera capabilities, smooth performance, and a vibrant display, and access to the latest Android features.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Is the Samsung Galaxy Note 4 still usable in 2024?
Yes, the Note 4 is still usable for basic tasks, but its outdated hardware limits its capabilities. Expect slower performance and shorter battery life compared to modern smartphones.
❓ What is the main advantage of the Samsung Galaxy Note 4?
The S Pen stylus is the Note 4's primary advantage, offering unique input and productivity features.
❓ Does the Pixel 6 Pro have a headphone jack?
No, the Pixel 6 Pro does not have a headphone jack.