The Samsung Galaxy Note5 and Note7 were both titans of the Android world, offering premium features and powerful performance. But with the Note7's infamous recall, the Note5 lingered longer in the market. Let's dive into a detailed comparison to see which phone holds up best today.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Note7 generally edges out the Note5 thanks to its improved display, slightly better performance, and refined design. However, the Note5's longevity and potentially lower price on the used market make it a viable option for budget-conscious users. The Note7's battery issues are a significant consideration.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 - N920V, N920R | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 2, 3, 4, 7, 13 - N920V | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 29, 30, 38, 39, 40, 41 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE (3CA), EV-DO Rev.A 3.1 Mbps | HSPA, LTE, EV-DO Rev.A 3.1 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE |
| | 2, 4, 5, 12, 25 - N920R | CDMA2000 1xEV-DO / TD-SCDMA |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2015, August. Released 2015, August | 2016, August. Released 2016, August |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), glass back (Gorilla Glass 5), aluminum frame |
| Dimensions | 153.2 x 76.1 x 7.6 mm (6.03 x 3.00 x 0.30 in) | 153.5 x 73.9 x 7.9 mm (6.04 x 2.91 x 0.31 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 171 g (6.03 oz) | 169 g (5.96 oz) |
| | Stylus | IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 min)
Stylus |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 4 | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 |
| Resolution | 1440 x 2560 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~515 ppi density) | 1440 x 2560 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~515 ppi density) |
| Size | 5.7 inches, 89.6 cm2 (~76.8% screen-to-body ratio) | 5.7 inches, 89.6 cm2 (~79.0% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | Super AMOLED | Super AMOLED, HDR10 |
| | - | Always-on display |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.1 GHz Cortex-A57 & 4x1.5 GHz Cortex-A53) | Quad-core (2x2.15 GHz Kryo & 2x1.6 GHz Kryo) |
| Chipset | Exynos 7420 Octa (14 nm) | Qualcomm MSM8996 Snapdragon 820 (14 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-T760MP8 | Adreno 530 |
| OS | Android 5.1.1 (Lollipop), upgradable to 7.0 (Nougat) | Android 6.0.1 (Marshmallow), TouchWiz UI |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | No | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 32GB 4GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM |
| | UFS 2.0 | - |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, panorama, HDR | LED flash, auto-HDR, panorama |
| Single | 16 MP, f/1.9, 28mm (wide), 1/2.6", 1.12µm, AF, OIS | 12 MP, f/1.7, 26mm (wide), 1/2.55", 1.4µm, dual pixel PDAF, OIS |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps, stereo sound rec., gyro-EIS | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps, 720p@240fps, stereo sound rec., HDR, gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Dual | - | 5 MP, f/1.7, 22mm (wide)
2 MP (dedicated iris scanner camera) |
| Features | HDR | HDR |
| Single | 5 MP, f/1.9, 22mm (wide) | - |
| Video | 1440p@30fps | - |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| | 24-bit/192kHz audio
| 24-bit/192kHz audio
|
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.2, A2DP, EDR, LE | 4.2, A2DP, EDR, LE |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS | GPS, GLONASS |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | microUSB 2.0, 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 |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (front-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer, heart rate, SpO2 | Iris scanner, fingerprint (front-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer, heart rate, SpO2 |
| | ANT+
S-Voice natural language commands and dictation | ANT+
S-Voice natural language commands and dictation
Samsung Pay (Visa, MasterCard certified) |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 15W wired, QC2
Wireless | 15W wired, QC2
Wireless |
| Music play | Up to 57 h | Up to 60 h |
| Talk time | Up to 28 h (3G) | Up to 38 h (3G) |
| Type | Li-Ion 3000 mAh, non-removable | Li-Ion 3500 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black Sapphire, White Pearl | Blue Coral, Silver Titanium, Black Onyx |
| Models | SM-N920, SM-N920P, SM-N920V, SM-N920R, SM-N920W8, SM-N920R4 | SM-N930V, SM-N930A, SM-N930P, SM-N930T, SM-N930R4, SM-N930W8, SM-N930F, SM-N930G, SM-N930S |
| Price | About 450 EUR | About 760 EUR |
| SAR | 1.16 W/kg (head) 1.48 W/kg (body) | 0.65 W/kg (head) 1.59 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | 0.51 W/kg (head) 0.56 W/kg (body) | - |
| Tests |
|---|
| Battery life | - |
Endurance rating 81h
|
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal), 4.247 (sunlight) |
| Loudspeaker | - |
Voice 69dB / Noise 69dB / Ring 72dB
|
| Performance | - |
Basemark OS II 2.0: 2432Basemark X: 33520 |
| OUR TESTS |
|---|
| Battery (old) | - | Endurance rating 81h |
| Display | - | Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal), 4.247 (sunlight) |
| Loudspeaker | - | Voice 69dB / Noise 69dB / Ring 72dB |
| Performance | - | Basemark OS II 2.0: 2432Basemark X: 33520 |
Samsung Galaxy Note5 (USA)
- Longer availability and support history
- Potentially lower price on the used market
- Reliable performance
- S Pen functionality
- Slightly older chipset
- Less vibrant display compared to Note7
- Battery life not as impressive as Note7's potential
Samsung Galaxy Note7 (USA)
- Slightly better performance
- More vibrant display
- Improved camera
- Refined design
- Battery recall and potential degradation
- Limited availability and support
- Potential safety concerns related to battery
Display Comparison
Both phones feature stunning AMOLED displays, but the Note7 boasts a slightly brighter and more vibrant panel. The Note7's contrast ratio is nominally infinite, and its sunlight readability is excellent (4.247), offering a marginally superior viewing experience. Both have excellent color accuracy.
Camera Comparison
The Note7 has a slightly better camera system overall, capturing more detail and offering improved low-light performance. Both phones feature excellent image stabilization. The Note7's dual-pixel autofocus is noticeably faster than the Note5's.
Performance
The Note7's Snapdragon 820 generally outperforms the Note5's Exynos 7420 in benchmarks and real-world usage. While both are capable of handling demanding tasks, the Note7 offers a smoother and more responsive experience. The Note7's CPU architecture is more efficient.
Battery Life
The Note7 was initially advertised with an endurance rating of 81h, significantly higher than the Note5. However, the battery issues that led to its recall are a major concern. The Note5 offers decent battery life, but it's not as impressive as the Note7's potential.
Buying Guide
Who should buy the Samsung Galaxy Note5 (USA)? Users seeking a reliable, albeit older, flagship with a stylus and a longer track record of stability. Who should buy the Samsung Galaxy Note7 (USA)? Those prioritizing a slightly better display and performance, understanding the inherent risks associated with a recalled device and potential battery degradation.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is it safe to use a used Samsung Galaxy Note7?
Due to the battery recall, using a used Note7 carries inherent risks. Battery degradation and potential safety concerns are significant factors to consider. Proceed with extreme caution and only if you are comfortable with the risks.
❓ Which phone has better software support?
The Samsung Galaxy Note5 received more software updates overall, although both are no longer receiving major Android version updates. The Note5's longer support history makes it slightly more appealing in terms of software.
