The Samsung Galaxy Note series revolutionized the smartphone landscape with its large displays and S Pen stylus. Today, we're revisiting two iconic models: the Note 4 and the original Note N7000. Which of these older flagships holds up best in a modern context?
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Note 4 decisively wins due to its significantly faster processor, improved camera, and modern features like Quick Charge 2.0. While the N7000 boasts impressive battery life for its time, the Note 4's overall performance and capabilities make it the superior choice.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | CDMA 800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | CDMA2000 1xEV-DO | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 2, 4, 5, 12, 17 | 4, 17 - AT&T |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps, EV-DO Rev.A 3.1 Mbps | HSPA 21.1/5.76 Mbps, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 | - |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2014, Q4. Released 2014, Q4 | 2011, September. Released 2011, October |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front (Gorilla Glass), plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 153.5 x 78.6 x 8.5 mm (6.04 x 3.09 x 0.33 in) | 146.9 x 83 x 9.7 mm (5.78 x 3.27 x 0.38 in) |
| SIM | Micro-SIM | Mini-SIM |
| Weight | 176 g (6.21 oz) | 178 g (6.28 oz) |
| | Stylus | Stylus |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 4 | Corning Gorilla Glass |
| Resolution | 1440 x 2560 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~518 ppi density) | 800 x 1280 pixels, 16:10 ratio (~285 ppi density) |
| Size | 5.7 inches, 88.5 cm2 (~73.4% screen-to-body ratio) | 5.3 inches, 81.4 cm2 (~66.8% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | Super AMOLED | Super AMOLED |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Quad-core 2.7 GHz Krait 450 | Dual-core 1.4 GHz Cortex-A9 |
| Chipset | Qualcomm APQ8084 Snapdragon 805 (28 nm) | Exynos 4210 Dual (45 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 420 | Mali-400 |
| OS | Android 4.4.4 (KitKat), upgradable to 6.0.1 (Marshmallow) | Android 2.3.5 (Gingerbread), upgradable to 4.1.2 (Jelly Bean), TouchWiz UI 4 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot), 2 GB included |
| Internal | 32GB 3GB RAM | 16GB 1GB RAM, 32GB 1GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.0 | - |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, panorama, HDR | LED flash |
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.2, 31mm (standard), 1/2.6", 1.12µm, AF, OIS | 8 MP, f/2.6, 28mm (wide), AF |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps, stereo sound rec. | 1080p@24~30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | - |
| Single | 3.7 MP, f/1.9, 22mm (wide) | 2 MP |
| Video | 1440p@30fps | - |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| | 24-bit/192kHz audio
| - |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.1, A2DP, EDR, LE | 3.0, A2DP, EDR |
| Infrared port | Yes | - |
| NFC | Yes | Yes (optional) |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS |
| Radio | No | Stereo FM radio, RDS |
| USB | microUSB 2.0 (MHL 3 TV-out), OTG | microUSB 2.0 (MHL TV-out), OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct, hotspot | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct, DLNA, hotspot |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (front-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer, gesture, UV, heart rate, SpO2 | Accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer |
| | ANT+
S-Voice natural language commands and dictation
Air gestures | - |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 15W wired, QC2 | - |
| Music play | Up to 80 h | - |
| Stand-by | Up to 212 h (3G) | Up to 960 h (2G) / Up to 820 h (3G) |
| Talk time | Up to 31 h 20 min (3G) | Up to 26 h 10 min (2G) / Up to 13 h 30 min (3G) |
| Type | Li-Ion 3220 mAh, removable | Removable Li-Ion 2500 mAh battery |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Frosted white, Charcoal black, Bronze Gold, Blossom Pink | Black, White, Pink |
| Models | SM-N910A, SM-N910T, SM-N910V, SM-N910M, SM-N910P, SM-N910R4, SM-N910W8, SM-N910T3 | GT-N7000, GT-I9220, SHV-E160L, SHV-E160S |
| Price | About 250 EUR | About 270 EUR |
| SAR | 0.88 W/kg (head) 1.40 W/kg (body) | 0.16 W/kg (head) 0.96 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | - | 0.34 W/kg (head) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Audio quality | - |
Noise -90.4dB / Crosstalk -87.4dB |
| Battery life | - |
Endurance rating 39h
|
| Camera | - |
Photo / Video |
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) / 2.970:1 (sunlight) |
| Loudspeaker | - |
Voice 64dB / Noise 64dB / Ring 72dB
|
| OUR TESTS |
|---|
| Audio quality | - | Noise -90.4dB / Crosstalk -87.4dB |
| Battery (old) | - | Endurance rating 39h |
| Camera | - | Photo / Video |
| Display | - | Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) / 2.970:1 (sunlight) |
| Loudspeaker | - | Voice 64dB / Noise 64dB / Ring 72dB |
Samsung Galaxy Note 4 (USA)
- Significantly faster processor
- Superior camera quality
- Higher resolution display
- Quick Charge 2.0
- S Pen functionality
- Older device, potential software support limitations
- Battery life not as exceptional as N7000
Samsung Galaxy Note N7000
- Exceptional battery life
- Simple and clean Android experience
- Good contrast ratio display
- Slow performance
- Outdated camera
- Lower resolution display
- Limited app compatibility
Display Comparison
Both phones feature impressive contrast ratios (Infinite nominal, 2.970:1 sunlight), showcasing vibrant colors and excellent outdoor visibility. However, the Note 4 boasts a higher resolution (2560 x 1440 vs. 1280 x 800) and a more modern AMOLED panel, resulting in sharper images and deeper blacks. The Note 4's display is noticeably superior.
Camera Comparison
The Note 4's camera is a clear winner. While both offer Photo/Video capabilities, the Note 4 features a higher resolution sensor and improved image processing, resulting in sharper, more detailed photos and videos with better low-light performance. The N7000's camera is adequate for its time but struggles in challenging conditions.
Performance
The Note 4's Snapdragon 805 chipset and quad-core 2.7 GHz Krait 450 CPU offer a substantial performance advantage over the Note N7000's Exynos 4210 Dual and dual-core 1.4 GHz Cortex-A9. Apps launch faster, multitasking is smoother, and demanding games run significantly better on the Note 4. The N7000 feels sluggish by comparison.
Battery Life
The Note N7000's endurance rating of 39h is remarkable, especially considering its age. The Note 4, while offering Quick Charge 2.0 for faster charging, doesn't match the N7000's sheer battery longevity. However, the Note 4's battery capacity is larger, suggesting it can still provide a full day of use for most users.
Buying Guide
The Samsung Galaxy Note 4 (USA) is ideal for users seeking a powerful, albeit older, Android device with a great camera and stylus functionality. The Note N7000 is best suited for collectors or those prioritizing exceptional battery life and a simpler Android experience, understanding its limitations.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Samsung Galaxy Note 4 still worth buying?
Yes, if you're looking for a capable Android phone with a stylus and a good camera, the Note 4 can still be a decent option, especially at a low price. However, be aware of its age and potential software limitations.
❓ What Android version did the Samsung Galaxy Note N7000 ship with?
The Samsung Galaxy Note N7000 originally shipped with Android 2.3 (Gingerbread) and was later updated to Android 4.3 (Jelly Bean).
