Nostalgia for older Samsung flagships? The Galaxy S5 Neo and Note 4 were both popular devices, but they cater to different needs. This comparison dives deep into their specs, performance, and features to help you decide which one is right for you, especially if you're looking for a budget-friendly option.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Galaxy Note 4 (USA) wins overall thanks to its significantly faster processor, superior camera, and Quick Charge 2.0. While the S5 Neo offers a more modern design and potentially better software support, the Note 4's performance advantage makes it the stronger choice for most users.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | CDMA 800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 - G903F | CDMA2000 1xEV-DO |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20 - G903F | 2, 4, 5, 12, 17 |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat6 300/50 Mbps | HSPA, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps, EV-DO Rev.A 3.1 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE |
| | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 12, 13, 17, 20, 29 - G903W | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2015, August. Released 2015, August | 2014, Q4. Released 2014, Q4 |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 142 x 72.5 x 8.1 mm (5.59 x 2.85 x 0.32 in) | 153.5 x 78.6 x 8.5 mm (6.04 x 3.09 x 0.33 in) |
| SIM | Micro-SIM | Micro-SIM |
| Weight | 145 g (5.11 oz) | 176 g (6.21 oz) |
| | IP67 dust/water resistant (up to 1m for 30 min) | Stylus |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 4 |
| Resolution | 1080 x 1920 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~432 ppi density) | 1440 x 2560 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~518 ppi density) |
| Size | 5.1 inches, 71.7 cm2 (~69.6% screen-to-body ratio) | 5.7 inches, 88.5 cm2 (~73.4% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | Super AMOLED | Super AMOLED |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core 1.6 GHz Cortex-A53 | Quad-core 2.7 GHz Krait 450 |
| Chipset | Exynos 7580 Octa (28 nm) | Qualcomm APQ8084 Snapdragon 805 (28 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-T720MP2 | Adreno 420 |
| OS | Android 5.1.1 (Lollipop), upgradable to 7.0 (Nougat) | Android 4.4.4 (KitKat), upgradable to 6.0.1 (Marshmallow) |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 16GB 2GB RAM | 32GB 3GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.0 | eMMC 5.0 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, panorama, HDR | LED flash, panorama, HDR |
| Single | 16 MP, f/1.9, 31mm (standard), AF | 16 MP, f/2.2, 31mm (standard), 1/2.6", 1.12µm, AF, OIS |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps, stereo sound rec. |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | - | HDR |
| Single | 5 MP, f/1.9, 23mm (wide) | 3.7 MP, f/1.9, 22mm (wide) |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 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 | 4.1, A2DP, EDR, LE |
| Infrared port | - | Yes |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS | GPS, GLONASS |
| Radio | FM radio | No |
| USB | microUSB 2.0, OTG | microUSB 2.0 (MHL 3 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/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct, hotspot |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, heart rate | Fingerprint (front-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer, gesture, UV, heart rate, SpO2 |
| | ANT+
S-Voice | ANT+
S-Voice natural language commands and dictation
Air gestures |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | - | 15W wired, QC2 |
| Music play | Up to 73 h | Up to 80 h |
| Stand-by | - | Up to 212 h (3G) |
| Talk time | Up to 15 h (3G) | Up to 31 h 20 min (3G) |
| Type | Li-Ion 2800 mAh, removable | Li-Ion 3220 mAh, removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, Gray, Gold | Frosted white, Charcoal black, Bronze Gold, Blossom Pink |
| Models | SM-G903F, SM-G903W, SM-G903M, SM-S903VL | SM-N910A, SM-N910T, SM-N910V, SM-N910M, SM-N910P, SM-N910R4, SM-N910W8, SM-N910T3 |
| Price | About 300 EUR | About 250 EUR |
| SAR | 1.03 W/kg (head) 1.27 W/kg (body) | 0.88 W/kg (head) 1.40 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | 0.46 W/kg (head) 0.58 W/kg (body) | - |
Samsung Galaxy S5 Neo
- Slightly more modern design
- Potentially longer software support (though limited)
- More compact size
- Weaker processor
- Lower resolution display
- Smaller battery
- Slower charging
Samsung Galaxy Note 4 (USA)
- Faster processor
- Higher resolution display
- Larger battery
- Quick Charge 2.0
- Better camera with OIS
- Older design
- Potentially shorter software support
- Larger size
Display Comparison
The Note 4 boasts a 5.7-inch QHD Super AMOLED display (2560 x 1440), offering a sharper and more vibrant visual experience compared to the S5 Neo's 5.1-inch Full HD Super AMOLED (1920 x 1080). While both displays are excellent, the Note 4's higher resolution provides a noticeable advantage for media consumption and gaming.
Camera Comparison
The Note 4's 16MP rear camera with Optical Image Stabilization (OIS) generally produces better photos than the S5 Neo's 16MP camera. OIS helps reduce blur in low-light conditions, and the Note 4's image processing tends to be more refined. Both phones offer decent front-facing cameras, but the Note 4's is slightly better.
Performance
Here's where the Note 4 truly shines. Its Qualcomm Snapdragon 805 with a 2.7 GHz Krait 450 quad-core processor significantly outperforms the S5 Neo's Exynos 7580 Octa. Expect smoother multitasking, faster app loading times, and better gaming performance on the Note 4. The S5 Neo is adequate for everyday tasks, but struggles with demanding applications.
Battery Life
The Note 4 has a larger 3220mAh battery compared to the S5 Neo's 2400mAh. Coupled with its Quick Charge 2.0 support, the Note 4 offers longer battery life and faster charging speeds. The S5 Neo's battery life is acceptable, but it won't last as long as the Note 4 under heavy use.
Buying Guide
Who should buy the Samsung Galaxy S5 Neo? Users prioritizing a slightly more modern design and potentially longer software support (though limited) on a tighter budget. Who should buy the Samsung Galaxy Note 4 (USA)? Those seeking a more powerful device with a better camera and faster charging, willing to accept an older design.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Are software updates still available for these phones?
Software support for both devices is extremely limited. Expect no further major Android updates. Security patches may be available for a short time, but it's best to assume they are no longer supported.
❓ Which phone is better for gaming?
The Samsung Galaxy Note 4 (USA) is significantly better for gaming due to its more powerful processor and GPU. It can handle more demanding games with smoother performance.
